Knife with integral hollow tang

Abstract

A knife 10 includes a blade 12 and an integral hollow tang 17 configured to accommodate items therein. At least one rib 25, 26 projects outwardly from at least part of the hollow tang 17 and extends axially at least part way along the tang 17. One or more separately formed handle components 30 is mounted on the tang 17 and connected to the at least one rib 25, 26.

Claims

1. A knife comprising: a blade; a hollow tang integral with the blade such that the hollow tang extends from the blade and is one-piece with the blade, the hollow tang having an open end and configured to accommodate items therein; at least one rib projecting outwardly from at least part of the hollow tang, the at least one rib extending axially at least part way along the tang; and one or more separately formed handle components mounted on the tang and connected to the at least one rib.

2. A knife as claimed in claim 1 wherein the at least one rib and the hollow tang are integral.

3. A knife as claimed in claim 2, wherein the at least one rib is defined as an extension of the blade.

4. A knife as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hollow tang is generally annular in cross section.

5. A knife as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one rib is substantially elongate.

6. A knife as claimed in claim 5, wherein the at least one rib tapers towards an end thereof remote from the blade.

7. A knife as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one rib comprises two ribs projecting from opposed parts of the tang.

8. A knife as claimed in claim 1, wherein a shape and configuration of an inside face of the one or more handle components is complementary to the tang such that at least part of the at least one rib is exposed.

9. A knife as claimed in claim 1, wherein a shape and configuration of an inside face of the one or more handle components is complementary to the tang and the at least one rib.

Description

(1) By way of example only, one specific embodiment of knife of this invention will now be described in detail, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of knife according to this invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is an end view of the knife of FIG. 1 without the handle components;

(4) FIG. 3 is a side view of the knife of FIG. 1 without the handle components;

(5) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the knife of the present invention;

(6) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of knife of the present invention without the handle components;

(7) FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the knife of the second embodiment.

(8) FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of knife of the present invention without the handle components;

(9) FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the knife of the third embodiment;

(10) FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of knife of the present invention without the handle components;

(11) FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the knife of the fourth embodiment.

(12) Referring initially to FIGS. 1 to 4, there is shown a knife 10 including a blade 12 and a handle 13 for gripping. The blade 12 has a cutting edge 14 and a tip 15. The shape of the blade 12 of this invention is not limited to that shown and indeed is primarily dependent upon the intended purpose of the knife 10; various different shapes and designs of blade exist and may equally be used.

(13) Extending axially from the blade 12 is a substantially tubular cylindrical tang 17. The tang 17 is integral to the blade 12 and is hollow with an internal recess 18 to provide a storage area for securing items, such as matchsticks. The recess 18 is accessed through an opening 19 formed in the end 20 of the tang remote from the blade 12. An end cap 21 is provided to close the opening 19. The end cap 21 has an engaging portion 22 to be inserted in the opening 19 and a gripping portion 23 which extends from the opening 19 to facilitate insertion and removal of the end cap 21. The engaging portion 22 and the opening 19 are configured such that the end cap 21 may be frictionally engaged in the opening 19.

(14) Two ribs 25, 26 project outwardly from opposed sides of the tang 17 and these ribs 25, 26 are integral to the blade 12 and the tang 17. In this embodiment the ribs 25, 26 extend along the length of the tang 17. Each rib 25, 26 is generally planar defining two opposed flat surfaces 27 (only one visible on each rib in the Figures) and are shaped and configured to form a handle profile with an upper rib 25 arranged to embrace the palm of a hand and a lower rib 26 to conform to the fingers. The upper rib 25 has a curved profile and the lower rib has an undulating profile. Each rib 25, 26 tapers towards the tang end 20 to form a narrow region 28 at that end 20.

(15) The handle 13 is formed from two separate components 30, as best seen in FIG. 1. The handle components 30 each have an inwardly directed face which corresponds to the shape and configuration of the cylindrical tang by having a semi-circular channel 31 formed therein. A ledge 32 is formed around three sides of the channel 31 and this ledge 32 is arranged to embrace the flat surfaces 27 of the ribs 25, 26. As best seen in FIG. 4 the tapering edge 33 of each rib 25, 26 is visible when the handle components 30 are connected.

(16) Externally the handle 30 looks like any conventional knife handle.

(17) The knives of the second, third and fourth embodiments differ from the first embodiment in the shape and configuration of the ribs and handle. In view of this, like parts having the same function in the four embodiments will be given the same reference numbers and will not be described again in detail here.

(18) The second embodiment of knife 35 is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The ribs 36, 37 have two opposed flat surfaces 27, as with the first embodiment and also taper towards the tang end 20. The ribs 36, 37 of this embodiment are arranged to be hidden from view when the handle 42 is attached. The lower rib 37 projects from the tang 17 to a lesser extent than the lower rib 26 of the first embodiment. The handle 42 of this embodiment is a single component having an internal face corresponding to the shape and configuration of both the tang 17 and the ribs 36, 37 and having an opening 43 formed in both ends to enable location of the handle 42 over the tang end 20 of the knife 35 and also to provide access to the tang opening 19. In this embodiment the handle 42 engages an abutment surface 39 when located on the knife 35 by axial movement of the handle 42 over the tang 17.

(19) FIGS. 7 and 8 show a third embodiment of knife 44 and this is the same as the first embodiment except that the ribs 45, 46 extend only part way along the tang 17. This arrangement may be useful where less weight is required at the tang end 20 of the knife 44. The handle 47 of this embodiment is a single component, similar to the handle 42 of the second embodiment but having a bifurcated profile to enable the ribs 45, 46 to be visible when the handle 47 is connected.

(20) The fourth embodiment of knife 49 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 is similar to the first embodiment except that the ribs 50, 51 do not taper towards the tang end 20; rather the ribs 50, 51 do not narrow at all along the length of the tang 17 and define a consistent edge 52.