Folding knife and tool device

• US 5,581,834 A
• Filed: 01/17/1995
• Issued: 12/10/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Walter W. Collins
• Original Assignee: Walter W. Collins
• Inventors: Collins, Walter W.
• Primary Examiner(s): MEISLIN, DEBRA S
• Application Number:
  US08/373,590
• Time in Patent Office: 693 Days
• Field of Search: 7/118, 7/138, 7/158, 7/165, 7/167-168, 81/437-440, 81/177.4, 81/490, 81/124.5, 30/122, 30/123, 30/143, 30/151, 30/154-155, 30/160-161, 30/164
• US Class Current: 7/118
• CPC Class Codes: B25F 1/04 wherein the elements are brought into working positions by a pivoting or sliding movement
• CPC Class Codes: B26B 1/046 with a locking member acting in axial direction parallel to the pivot axis of the blade
• CPC Class Codes: B26B 11/00 Hand knives combined with other implements, e.g. with corkscrew, with scissors, with writing implement combined table-ware A47G21/06

Abstract

A combination knife and tool set device having a handle member in which a blade and tool members are pivotally connected. A swinging lock lever is provided for locking the blade in an extended position through entry of the locking member into the blade cavity and abutment thereof against the end of the blade. Retraction of the blade is enabled by one-handed operation of both the locking lever and the blade. Tool members are provided in a tool member cavity at the other end of the handle and may be pivoted outwardly and locked in a variety of extensions and locked in place by a threaded locking set.

Claims

1. A locking mechanism for a folding implement having a handle with first and second spaced apart handle walls defining an implement compartment therebetween and an implement pivotally connected to the handle for pivoting substantially in a first plane between a retracted position adjacent the handle walls to an extended position extending outwardly from the handle, the implement having an extreme end substantially exposed to the compartment when in the extended position, the locking mechanism comprising:

a locking member having a first end and a second end opposite said first end, said first end being pivotally connected to said first handle wall for movement in a plane substantially perpendicular to said first plane between an unlocking position, for allowing movement of the implement with respect to the handle, and a locking position, wherein said second end abuts the extreme end of the implement when the implement is in extended position for locking the implement in the extended position;

an axle carried in said first wall and passing through said first end of said locking member for allowing said locking member to pivot within said implement compartment; and

a spring contacting said locking member and said first handle wall for biasing said locking member towards said locking position.

2. A locking mechanism as defined in claim 1, wherein said implement is a knife blade.

3. A locking mechanism as defined in claim 1, further comprising said first handle wall defining a recess adjacent the implement compartment for receipt of said locking member when said locking member is pivoted to said unlocking position.

4. A tool and implement holder, comprising:

an elongated body member having two ends, a top portion and a bottom portion and first and second side portions, said first and second side portions defining an elongated implement cavity therebetween;

an implement pivotally connected to said body member for pivoting movement substantially within a first plane between an extended position, extending outwardly from said body member, and a retracted position, wherein said implement is received in said implement cavity of said body member; and

at least one tool member pivotally connected to said body member for pivoting substantially in a second plane with respect to said body member, said second plane extending at an angle with respect to said first plane;

said tool member being configured for pivoting between an extended position, extending outwardly from said body member, and a retracted position, adjacent at least one of said first and second side portions;

a locking member having a first end and a second end opposite said first end, said first end being pivotally connected to said first side portion for movement in a third plane substantially perpendicular to said first plane between an unlocking position, for allowing movement of the implement with respect to the body member, and a locking position, wherein said second end abuts the extreme end of the implement when the implement is in extended position for locking the implement in the extended position;

an axle carried in said first side portion and passing through said first end of said locking member for allowing said locking member to pivot within said implement cavity; and

a spring contacting said locking member and said first side portion for biasing said locking member towards said locking position.

5. A tool and implement holder as defined in claim 4, further comprising locking means associated with said tool member for selectively locking the tool member with respect to said body member.

6. A tool and implement holder as defined in claim 4, wherein said body member has an integral elongated back spring.

7. A tool and implement holder, comprising:

an elongated body member having two ends, a top portion and a bottom portion and first and second side portions, said first and second side portions defining an elongated implement cavity therebetween;

an implement pivotally connected to said body member for pivoting movement substantially within a first plane between an extended position, extending outwardly from said body member, and a retracted position, wherein said implement is received in said implement cavity of said body member;

at least one tool member pivotally connected to said body member for pivoting substantially in a second plane with respect to said body member, said second plane extending at an angle with respect to said first plane;

said tool member being configured for pivoting between an extended position, extending outwardly from said body member, and a retracted position, adjacent at least one of said first and second side portions;

locking means associated with said tool member for selectively locking the tool member with respect to said body member, said locking means including;

a threaded elongated member carried by said body; and

a threaded adjustment nut threadingly received on said elongated member; and

said tool defining a receptacle for receiving said elongated member, wherein upon said receptacle receiving said elongated member, said adjustment nut is adjacent said tool and is selectively contactable with said tool for locking said tool with respect to said handle.

8. A tool and implement holder, comprising:

an elongated body member having two ends, a top portion and a bottom portion and first and second side portions, said first and second side portions defining an elongated implement cavity therebetween;

an implement pivotally connected to said body member for pivoting movement substantially within a first plane between an extended position, extending outwardly from said body member, and a retracted position, wherein said implement is received in said implement cavity of said body member; and

at least one tool member pivotally connected to said body member for pivoting substantially in a second plane with respect to said body member, said second plane extending at an angle with respect to said first plane;

said tool member being configured for pivoting between an extended position, extending outwardly from said body member, and a retracted position, adjacent at least one of said first and second side portions;

a locking member having a first end and a second end opposite said first end, said first end being pivotally connected to said first side portion for movement in a third plane substantially perpendicular to said first plane between an unlocking position, for allowing movement of the implement with respect to the body member, and a locking position, wherein said second end abuts the extreme end of the implement when the implement is in extended position for locking the implement in the extended position;

an axle passing through said first end of said locking member for allowing said locking member to pivot within said implement cavity;

a coil spring contacting said locking member and said first side portion for biasing said locking member towards said locking position; and

tool locking means associated with said tool member for selectively locking the tool member with respect to said body member.

9. A method of locking a tool member with respect to a handle, comprising:

providing a handle;

providing a tool member;

connecting said tool member to said handle with a threaded elongated member;

providing a threaded adjustment member on said threaded elongated member contactable with said tool member;

positioning said tool member in a predetermined position with respect to said handle; and

rotating said threaded adjustment member about said threaded elongated member such that said threaded adjustment member contacts and locks said tool member with respect to said handle.

10. A folding implement device, comprising:

a handle defining an implement compartment, said handle defining first and second side portions spaced apart from one another;

an implement pivotally connected to said handle for pivoting substantially in a first plane between a retracted position at least partially within said implement compartment to an extended position extending outwardly from said handle, said implement having an extreme end substantially exposed to said implement compartment when in said extended position;

a locking member having a first end and a second end opposite said first end, said first end being connected to said first side portion for movement between an unlocked position, for allowing movement of said implement with respect to said handle, and a locked position, wherein said second end abuts the extreme end of said implement when the implement is said extended position for locking said implement in said extended position;

at least one tool member pivotally connected to said handle for pivoting substantially in a second plane with respect to said handle, said second plane extending at an angle with respect to said first plane;

said tool member being configured for pivoting between an extended position, extending outwardly from said handle, and a retracted position, adjacent at least one of said first and second side portions of said handle;

an axle carried by said first side portion and passing through said first end of said locking member for allowing said locking member to pivot within said implement compartment in a third plane substantially perpendicular to said first plane; and

a spring contacting said locking member and said first side portion for biasing said locking member towards said locking position.

11. A locking mechanism as defined in claim 10, wherein said implement is a knife blade.

12. A locking member as defined in claim 10, further comprising said first side portion defining a recess adjacent said implement compartment for receipt of said locking member when said locking member is moved to said unlocking position.