An out-the-front knife comprises a handle having a blade channel, a slider channel, and an opening. A blade in the blade channel is configured to travel along the blade channel. A firing mechanism in the slider channel is configured to extend the blade to an open position and retract the blade to a closed position. The firing mechanism comprises a slider that has a nub that fits into the opening and extends outside the handle. A button has a nub opening that receives the nub and at least one bearing opening. A friction plate is interposed between the button and the handle. At least one bearing is inserted into the at least one bearing opening. The at least one bearing supports the button on the friction plate.

An out-the-front knife comprises a handle having a blade channel, a slider channel, and an opening. A blade in the blade channel is configured to travel along the blade channel. A firing mechanism in the slider channel is configured to extend the blade to an open position and retract the blade to a closed position. The firing mechanism comprises a slider that has a nub that fits into the opening and extends outside the handle. A button has a nub opening that receives the nub and at least one bearing opening. A friction plate is interposed between the button and the handle. At least one bearing is inserted into the at least one bearing opening. The at least one bearing supports the button on the friction plate.

A utility knife comprises a housing (1), a blade carrier (2), a blade (3), a position control component (4) and a safety control component (5); a positioning direction (B) is defined at an angle to the sliding direction (A) of the position control component (4), the first blocking position (141) is farther away from the positioning portion (42) of the position control component (4) than the rest areas of the slide rail (13) except the first blocking position (14). In this way, in addition to blocking position shift, the position control component can also be used for contact-fitting with the blade carrier to determine whether the blade carrier can slide forward independently. Therefore, the utility knife has fewer components, resulting in low material cost, fewer assembly steps, convenient and time-saving assembly process, and the components are not easy to lose.

A utility knife comprises a housing (1), a blade carrier (2), a blade (3), a position control component (4) and a safety control component (5); a positioning direction (B) is defined at an angle to the sliding direction (A) of the position control component (4), the first blocking position (141) is farther away from the positioning portion (42) of the position control component (4) than the rest areas of the slide rail (13) except the first blocking position (14). In this way, in addition to blocking position shift, the position control component can also be used for contact-fitting with the blade carrier to determine whether the blade carrier can slide forward independently. Therefore, the utility knife has fewer components, resulting in low material cost, fewer assembly steps, convenient and time-saving assembly process, and the components are not easy to lose.

A pocket cutter knife with a retractable cutting blade that is operated via a blade control unit. The blade control unit includes a thumb slider switch, a blade carrier, and a tension component that are operably connected to extend and retract a cutting blade that is held by the blade carrier. The pocket cutter may also include a magnet retained within the body shell of the pocket cutter.

A utility instrument is in the form of a cutting tool suitable for fitting onto a user's finger. The tool has a blade and a sheath, both coupled to a mounting structure. The blade and sheath are pivotable with respect to each other. A user can wear the tool on a finger about a finger joint. The user can bend the finger to set the tool to an open condition to expose the blade for use, and can stretching the finger to set the tool to a closed condition to safely shade the blade using the sheath. The tool may further have a housing for fully receiving the blade. The blade may extend out of the housing for use, and may be retracted into the housing for safety.

A utility instrument is in the form of a cutting tool suitable for fitting onto a user's finger. The tool has a blade and a sheath, both coupled to a mounting structure. The blade and sheath are pivotable with respect to each other. A user can wear the tool on a finger about a finger joint. The user can bend the finger to set the tool to an open condition to expose the blade for use, and can stretching the finger to set the tool to a closed condition to safely shade the blade using the sheath. The tool may further have a housing for fully receiving the blade. The blade may extend out of the housing for use, and may be retracted into the housing for safety.

A protective device and a method of transmitting an alert from the device, in which the protective device is handheld and includes a flexible sheath disposed between an upper member and a lower member. When the device is compressed, elongated defensive components protrude through openings in the upper member. In some cases, the upper member also includes protruding portions extending upward from the upper member and/or an arm portion extending outward to a side of the device. A signal alert may be automatically transmitted upon device compression.

A protective device and a method of transmitting an alert from the device, in which the protective device is handheld and includes a flexible sheath disposed between an upper member and a lower member. When the device is compressed, elongated defensive components protrude through openings in the upper member. In some cases, the upper member also includes protruding portions extending upward from the upper member and/or an arm portion extending outward to a side of the device. A signal alert may be automatically transmitted upon device compression.

This invention a significant improvement to the mechanism of “Out of the Front” knives, also known as OTF knives. This invention implements the use of linear guide rails which has never been used in the OTF knives of the prior art. The linear guide rail technology that is the subject of this invention significantly improves on the prior art by allowing for many different blade profiles, while virtually eliminating any friction between the housing and knife handle. This is a significant advantage in the industry, since people tend to value knives that can house larger blades but keeping the handle relatively small, while maintaining rigidity after repeated use. Other blade deploying technologies lack the rigidity and wear resistance that linear guide rail technology offers. This invention is a significant improvement on the prior art in the knife industry because it makes the end users product last much longer than previously designed knives.