US-12617107-B2 - Locking foldable knife

US12617107B2US 12617107 B2US12617107 B2US 12617107B2US-12617107-B2

Abstract

A locking foldable knife includes a locking assembly that reliably locks a blade in an extended position for use. The locking assembly utilizes the surface area of a shaped peripheral edge at a second end of the blade, together with, confirming structures of a locking bar, and one or more stops to reliably lock the blade in the extended position. The locking assembly can also lock the blade in a folded position in one or more configurations of the locking foldable knife.

Inventors

Dillon Douglas

Assignees

GOOD SPORTSMAN MARKETING, LLC

Dates

Publication Date: 20260505
Application Date: 20231213

Claims (20)

1 . A knife comprising: a handle; a first stop disposed on the handle; a blade mounted to the handle and being rotatable between folded and unfolded states relative to the handle, the blade defining an unfolded locking edge; and a locking bar disposed on the handle and being slidable between extended and retracted positions along an axis relative to the first stop, the locking bar having first and second edges opposing one another along the axis, the first edge of the locking bar in the extended position being configured to engage the unfolded locking edge of the blade in the unfolded state, the second edge of the locking bar in the extended position being configured to engage the first stop at least with the blade in the unfolded state, wherein at least one of: the second edge of the locking bar in the extended position is configured to engage the first stop with the blade in the folded state; and the second edge of the locking bar in the retracted position is configured to disengage from the first stop.
2 . The knife of claim 1 , wherein the blade in the unfolded state is configured to engage the first stop.
3 . The knife of claim 2 , wherein: the first stop has first and second sides; the blade defines an unfolded receiving edge, the unfolded receiving edge on the blade in the unfolded state is configured to engage the second side of the first stop; and the second edge of the locking bar in the extended position is configured to engage the first side of the first stop at least with the blade in the unfolded state.
4 . The knife of claim 1 , further comprising a second stop disposed on the handle and aligned with the first stop along the axis, wherein the second edge of the locking bar in the extended and retracted positions is configured to engage the second stop.
5 . The knife of claim 4 , wherein the locking bar comprises a tab extending adjacent to the second edge, the second stop being positioned between the second edge and the tab of the locking bar.
6 . The knife of claim 1 , further comprising at least one guide disposed on the handle, the at least one guide being configured to guide the locking bar along the axis between the extended and retracted positions, wherein the locking bar defines a cavity along the axis; wherein the at least one guide is disposed in the cavity; and wherein the locking bar comprises a spring disposed therein between an inner edge of the cavity and the at least one guide, the spring biasing the locking bar toward the extended position.
7 . A knife comprising: a handle; a first stop disposed on the handle, the first stop having first and second sides; a blade mounted to the handle and being rotatable between folded and unfolded states relative to the handle, the blade defining an unfolded locking edge and an unfolded receiving edge, the unfolded receiving edge on the blade in the unfolded state being configured to engage the second side of the first stop; and a locking bar disposed on the handle and being slidable between extended and retracted positions along an axis relative to the first stop, the locking bar having first and second edges opposing one another along the axis, the first edge of the locking bar in the extended position being configured to engage the unfolded locking edge of the blade in the unfolded state, the second edge of the locking bar in the extended position being configured to engage the first side of the first stop at least with the blade in the unfolded state, wherein the blade defines a slot disposed between the unfolded receiving edge and the unfolded locking edge; and wherein a distal end of the locking bar in the extended position is configured to position at least partially in the slot of the blade in the unfolded state.
8 . A knife comprising: a handle; a first stop disposed on the handle; a blade mounted to the handle and being rotatable between folded and unfolded states relative to the handle, the blade defining an unfolded locking edge; and a locking bar disposed on the handle and being slidable between extended and retracted positions along an axis relative to the first stop, the locking bar having first and second edges opposing one another along the axis, the first edge of the locking bar in the extended position being configured to engage the unfolded locking edge of the blade in the unfolded state, the second edge of the locking bar in the extended position being configured to engage the first stop at least with the blade in the unfolded state, wherein the blade defines a folded locking edge; and wherein the first edge of the locking bar in the extended position is configured to engage the folded locking edge of the blade in the folded state.
9 . The knife of claim 8 , wherein the first edge of the locking bar in the retracted position is configured to disengage from the folded and unfolded locking edges.
10 . The knife of claim 8 , wherein the second edge of the locking bar in the extended position is configured to engage the first stop such that a distal end of the locking bar is configured to position between the first stop and the folded locking edge of the blade in the folded state.
11 . The knife of claim 8 , wherein the folded locking edge defines a first locking surface and a second locking surface, the second locking surface oriented transverse to the first locking surface; wherein the first edge of the locking bar in the extended position is configured to engage the first locking surface of the blade in the folded state; and wherein a distal end of the locking bar in the extended position is configured to engage the second locking surface of the blade in the folded state.
12 . A knife, comprising: a handle; a first stop disposed on the handle; a blade mounted to the handle and being rotatable between folded and unfolded states relative to the handle, the blade defining an unfolded locking edge; and a locking bar disposed on the handle and being slidable between extended and retracted positions along an axis relative to the first stop, the locking bar having first and second edges opposing one another along the axis, the first edge of the locking bar in the extended position being configured to engage the unfolded locking edge of the blade in the unfolded state, the second edge of the locking bar in the extended position being configured to engage the first stop at least with the blade in the unfolded state; and a second stop disposed on the handle, wherein the blade defines a folded receiving edge, the folded receiving edge on the blade in the folded state being configured to engage the second stop.
13 . A knife comprising: a handle; a first stop disposed on the handle and having first and second sides; a second stop disposed on the handle; a locking bar disposed on the handle and being slidable between extended and retracted positions along an axis relative to the first stop, the locking bar having first and second edges opposing one another along the axis; and a blade having first and second ends, the blade being mounted at the second end to the handle and being rotatable between folded and unfolded states relative to the handle, the second end defining a folded receiving edge, an unfolded receiving edge, a folded locking edge, and an unfolded locking edge, the folded locking edge on the blade in the folded state being configured to engage the first edge of the locking bar in the extended position, the folded receiving edge on the blade in the folded state being configured to engage the second stop, the unfolded receiving edge on the blade in the unfolded state being configured to engage the second side of the first stop, the unfolded locking edge on the blade in the unfolded state being configured to engage the first edge on the locking bar in the extended position, the second edge of the locking bar in the extended position being configured to engage the first side of the first stop, the first edge of the locking bar in the retracted position being configured to disengage from the folded and unfolded locking edges.
14 . The knife of claim 13 , wherein the second edge of the locking bar in the retracted position is configured to disengage from the first side of the first stop.
15 . The knife of claim 13 , wherein the second end of the blade defines a slot disposed between the unfolded receiving edge and the unfolded locking edge; and wherein a distal end of the locking bar in the extended position is configured to position at least partially in the slot of the blade in the unfolded state.
16 . The knife of claim 13 , further comprising a third stop disposed on the handle and aligned with the first stop along the axis, wherein the second edge of the locking bar in the extended and retracted positions is configured to engage the third stop.
17 . The knife of claim 16 , wherein the locking bar comprises a tab extending adjacent to the second edge, the third stop being positioned between the second edge and the tab of the locking bar.
18 . The knife of claim 13 , further comprising at least one guide disposed on the handle, the at least one guide being configured to guide the locking bar along the axis between the extended and retracted positions; wherein the locking bar defines a cavity along the axis; wherein the at least one guide is disposed in the cavity; and wherein the locking bar comprises a spring disposed therein between an inner edge of the cavity and the at least one guide, the spring biasing the locking bar toward the extended position.
19 . A knife comprising: a handle; a first stop disposed on the handle; a blade having a proximal end rotatably mounted to the handle, the blade being rotatable in an unfolding direction from a folded state to an unfolded state relative to the handle, the blade being rotatable in a folding direction from the unfolded state to the folded state relative to the handle, the proximal end defining a first locking edge facing the folding direction; and a locking bar disposed on the handle and being movable between an extended position and a retracted position relative to the first stop and the proximal end of the blade, the locking bar having first and second edges opposing one another, the first edge opposing the folding direction, the second edge opposing the unfolding direction, the first edge of the locking bar in the extended position being configured to engage the first locking edge when the blade is in the unfolded state, the second edge of the locking bar in the extended position being configured to engage the first stop when the blade is in the unfolded state, the first edge of the locking bar in the retracted position being configured to disengage from the first locking edge when the blade is in the unfolded state.
20 . The knife of claim 19 , wherein at least one of: the second edge of the locking bar in the extended position is configured to engage the first stop when the blade is in the folded state; and the second edge of the locking bar in the retracted position is configured to disengage from the first stop.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 17/567,825 filed Jan. 3, 2022, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/161,911, filed Mar. 16, 2021—both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The invention relates to folding knives and in particular to a locking foldable knife. Related Art Folding knives are often desirable because they provide a blade that can be extended for use and can be folded for storage and carrying. This provides convenience as well as utility. A variety of locking mechanisms have been developed to prevent the blade from folding while extended for use. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,451,982 and 7,914,927 describe a sliding member that extends to engage and lock a blade in position. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,761,868 and 5,737,841 describe a spherical or cylindrical member that slides to engage and lock a blade in position. U.S. Pat. No. 10,632,632 and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2008/0040931 describe a pivoting member that pivots to engage and lock a blade in position. From the discussion that follows, it will become apparent that the present invention addresses the deficiencies associated with the prior art while providing numerous additional advantages and benefits not contemplated or possible with prior art constructions. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A locking foldable knife is disclosed herein. As will be described further below, the locking foldable knife reliably locks a blade in an extended position, a folded position, or both through its locking assembly. The locking assembly comprises a variety of shaped structures to provide the surface area to reliably lock a blade in position. Various embodiments of a locking foldable knife are disclosed. For instance, in one exemplary embodiment, a locking foldable knife comprises a handle and a blade rotatably mounted to the handle at the blade's second end. The blade comprises a first end and a second end. The first end comprises one or more cutting edges and the second end has a shaped periphery. The shaped periphery has a plurality of locking edges and at least one interstitial edge therebetween; A locking bar is slidable along an axis between an extended position and retracted position relative to the handle, and a stop is secured to the handle proximate a distal end of the locking bar and positioned along the axis. A portion of the locking bar at the distal end of the locking bar is received between at least one of the locking edges and the stop when the locking bar is in the extended position, and the locking bar is disengaged from the locking edges when the locking bar is in the retracted position. The locking foldable knife may include a slot formed in the shaped periphery adjacent at least one of the locking edges. In addition, the portion of the locking bar may also be received in the slot when the locking bar is in the extended position. At least one of the locking edges may engage a locking edge of the locking bar when the blade is in a fully extended or fully retracted state. The portion of the locking bar may be an outwardly extending tab. An additional tab may be formed at a distal end of the locking bar. In such embodiments, the stop may be received between the tab and the additional tab when the locking bar is in the extended position. An additional stop may also be secured to the handle and aligned with the stop along the axis. In another exemplary embodiment, a locking assembly for a foldable knife having a handle and a blade is disclosed. The locking assembly comprises a proximal end of the blade that has a plurality of locking edges and an interstitial edge therebetween. The blade is rotatably mounted to the handle at the proximal end of the blade. A locking bar is slidable along an axis between an extended position and retracted position relative to the handle, and a stop is secured to the handle proximate a distal end of the locking bar and positioned along the axis. A portion of the locking bar at the distal end of the locking bar is received between at least one of the locking edges and the stop when the locking bar is in the extended position, and the locking bar is disengaged from the locking edges when the locking bar is in the retracted position. The locking edges and the at least one interstitial edge may be distinct in shape. A slot may be formed in the proximal end of the blade adjacent at least one of the locking edges. The portion of the locking bar may also be received in the slot when the locking bar is in the extended position. At least one of the locking edges may engage a locking edge of the locking bar when the blade is in an extended or retracted state. In addition, at least an edge of the locking bar and the locking edges may have corresponding shapes. An additional stop may be secured to the handle and aligned with the stop along the axis as well. A bia