Automatic opening and closing knife
AssigneeMentor Group, L.L.C.
InventorsWilliam McHenry, Steve Ingram
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An out-the-front automatic knife incorporates dual locking and release mechanisms that define a three-point blade-handle interconnection between the blade and the handle when the blade is locked in the open position. A single trigger is operable to automatically open the knife, and to automatically close the knife. Separate firing and retraction springs may be provided with different spring strength to vary the speed and strength of the blade moving to the open position, and to the closed position. Blade guide systems cause the blade to travel longitudinally and linearly. The handle substantially encloses the blade and incorporates an access port to facilitate cleaning and maintenance of components housed in the handle interior.
Claims20
An OTF knife, comprising:
- a handle comprising a first handle side wall and a second handle side wall, a front end and a back end, said first and second handle side walls defining a blade-receiving space and an opening into the space through the front end;
- a blade longitudinally slidable in the handle between a closed position in which the blade is received in the handle and an open position in which said blade extends through said opening, said blade having a working portion and a tang portion and when said blade is in the open position said tang remains substantially within the handle;
- a blade stop for stopping movement of the blade in the open position;
- a blade lock defined by a first latch arm operable to engage the blade when in the open position, and a second latch arm operable to engage the blade with in the open position.
An OTF knife, comprising:
- an elongate handle having an opening in a front end and a blade-receiving space within the handle;
- a blade having a working portion and a tang portion, the blade slidable in the handle between a closed position in which the blade is within the handle and an open position in which the working portion extends outwardly of the handle and the tang portion is substantially within the handle, the tang portion further including a first pad on one side of the tang portion and a second pad on the other side of the tang portion, the first pad having a different geometric configuration from the second pad;
- a lock for locking the blade in the open position.
An OTF knife, comprising:
- a handle comprising a first handle side wall and a second handle side wall, a front end and a back end, said first and second handle side walls defining a blade-receiving space and an opening into the space through the front end;
- a blade longitudinally slidable in the handle between a closed position and an open position, said blade having a working portion and a tang portion;
- a first raised pad on one side of the tang, said first pad having a front edge and parallel side edges;
- a second raised pad on an opposite side of the tang from the first raised pad, the second raised pad having parallel side edges;
- a first liner between the blade and the first handle half, said first liner having a central slot into which said first raised pad is received;
- a second liner between the blade and the second handle half, said second liner having a central slot into which said second raised pad is received;
- wherein said central slots in said first and second liners guide said blade as it slides longitudinally in said handle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.