Rotational wedge locking mechanism for a folding knife

Abstract

A locking mechanism for a folding knife is provided. More specifically, the locking mechanism is a rotational wedge locking mechanism that maintains the folding knife's blade in an extended position and prevents the blade from inadvertently closing when the knife is in use in the extended position. The rotational wedge locking mechanism also impedes the folding knife from inadvertently opening when the blade is in a closed position of storage. The rotational wedge locking mechanism generally comprises a lock pin, a means for moving the lock pin, and a biasing member, which work in conjunction with the tang of the blade and the back spacer to securely retain the folding knife in an open or closed position.

Claims

1. A folding knife with a selectively releasable locking mechanism, comprising: a blade moveable from a first extended position to a second closed position and having a front end, a tang on a rear end, a spine, and a cutting edge; a handle having a slot, a cavity for receiving a portion of said blade, and a back spacer, wherein said blade is pivotally interconnected to a forward end of said handle with a pin; a locking mechanism moveable from a first locked position to a second released position, said locking mechanism comprising: a lock bar positioned proximate to said forward end of said handle, said lock bar having a slot and said pin positioned within said slot of said lock bar, wherein said lock bar is moveable both in a rotational direction around said pin and linearly with respect to said pin; and a lock pin interconnected on a distal end of said lock bar, wherein said lock pin extends outwardly from said handle through said slot of said handle for engagement with a user's fingers; wherein when said blade is in said first extended position, a first side of said lock pin engages a first upwardly-oriented surface of said tang and a second side of said lock pin engages a lower surface of said back spacer to substantially impede the blade from rotation; and wherein when said locking mechanism is in said second released position, said lock pin disengages said first upwardly-oriented surface of said tang and disengages said lower surface of said back spacer to allow rotation of said blade from the first extended position to the second closed position.

2. The knife of claim 1, wherein said lock bar has a teardrop shape.

3. The knife of claim 1, further comprising a biasing member which biases said lock pin upwardly and forwardly.

4. The knife of claim 1, wherein when said locking mechanism is moved from said first locked position to said second released position, said lock bar moves linearly with respect to said pin and said lock bar rotates around said pin.

5. The knife of claim 1, wherein said lock pin disengages said first upwardly-oriented surface of said tang when said lock pin is pushed in a rearward direction.

6. The knife of claim 1, wherein when said locking mechanism is in said second released position said lock pin engages a curved surface of said tang to allow rotation of said blade.

7. The knife of claim 1, wherein when said blade is in said second closed position a notch portion of said tang engages said lock pin to resist opening.

8. The knife of claim 1, wherein said lock pin is in compression with said first upwardly-oriented surface of said tang and said lower surface of said back spacer when said blade is in said first extended position.

9. The knife of claim 1, further comprising a second lock bar interconnected to said lock pin, wherein said first lock bar is positioned on a first side of said tang and said second lock bar is positioned on a second side of said tang.

10. A folding knife with a locking mechanism, comprising: a blade having a front end, a tang on a rearward end, an upper edge, a cutting edge, and an aperture extending through said tang; a pin extending through said aperture, wherein said blade rotates around said pin; a handle comprising a back spacer, a first scale, and a second scale, wherein said tang of said blade is pivotally interconnected to a forward end of said handle at said pin; a locking mechanism comprising a lock bar and a lock pin, said locking mechanism pivotally interconnected to said handle for selectively locking said blade in a first extended position and selectively allowing said blade to rotate to a second closed position, said lock pin interconnected to an end portion of said lock bar; a space between said tang and said back spacer; a flat surface of said tang; a first surface of said lock pin adapted to provide a compression force against said flat surface of said tang when said blade is in said first extended position; a second surface of said lock pin adapted to provide a compression force against a lower surface of said back spacer when said blade is in said first extended position; wherein when said blade is in said first extended position, said space reduces in size in a forward direction and said lock pin is positioned in said space; and wherein when said lock pin is pushed rearwardly, said lock pin disengages said flat surface of said tang and said lower surface of said back spacer to allow rotation of said blade.

11. The knife of claim 10, further comprising a biasing member interconnected to said lock pin and said back spacer, wherein said biasing member biases said lock pin in a forward position.

12. The knife of claim 10, wherein said back spacer is positioned between said first and second scales, and wherein said first and second scales define a channel for receiving at least a portion of said blade.

13. The knife of claim 10, wherein said lock pin disengages said flat surface of said tang when said lock pin is pushed in a rearward direction.

14. The knife of claim 10, wherein when said blade is in said second closed position, a notch portion of said tang engages said lock pin.

15. The knife of claim 10, wherein said lock bar further comprises a slot to engage said pin and to allow for linear and rotational movement of said lock bar around said pin.

16. The knife of claim 10, further comprising a second lock bar interconnected to said lock pin, wherein said first lock bar is positioned on a first side of said tang and said second lock bar is positioned on a second side of said tang.

17. The knife of claim 16, wherein said first scale comprises a cutout shaped to accommodate said first lock bar, and wherein said second scale comprises a cutout shaped to accommodate said second lock bar.

18. A folding knife with a locking mechanism, comprising: a first lock bar positioned proximate to a tang of a blade, said first lock bar having a slot; a first pin positioned within said slot of said first lock bar, wherein said first lock bar is moveable in a rotational direction around said first pin and linearly with respect to said first pin; a lock pin interconnected to said first lock bar and positioned proximate to an end of said first lock bar, wherein said lock pin extends outwardly from a handle through a slot of said handle; a biasing member which biases said lock pin upwardly and forwardly; wherein when said blade is in a first extended position, a first side of said lock pin engages a first upwardly-oriented surface of said tang and a second side of said lock pin engages a lower surface of a back spacer; wherein when said locking mechanism is in a second released position, said lock pin disengages said first upwardly-oriented surface of said tang and disengages said lower surface of said back spacer; and wherein when said blade is in a second closed position, a notch portion of said tang engages said lock pin.

19. The knife of claim 18, wherein said lock pin disengages said first upwardly-oriented surface of said tang and said lower surface of said back spacer when said lock pin is pushed in a rearward direction, and wherein when said blade is in said first extended position a third surface of said lock pin engages a bump on said tang.

20. The knife of claim 18, further comprising a second lock bar having a slot and positioned proximate to said tang of said blade, wherein said first pin is positioned within said slot of said second lock bar, and wherein said lock pin is interconnected to said second lock bar and positioned proximate to an end of said second lock bar.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and together with the general description of the disclosure given above and the detailed description of the drawings given below, serve to explain the principles of the disclosures.

(2) FIG. 1A is a front elevation view of a folding knife in an extended position;

(3) FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional elevation view of the folding knife along cut 1B-1B of FIG. 1A;

(4) FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the folding knife of FIG. 1A shown in a closed position;

(5) FIG. 3A is a front sectional view of a locking mechanism for a folding knife, with the locking mechanism shown in a locked position;

(6) FIG. 3B is a front sectional view of the locking mechanism of FIG. 3 shown in a released position and the blade rotated between an extended position and a closed position;

(7) FIG. 4 is a front sectional view of the locking mechanism of FIG. 3A shown in a released position when the blade is rotated closer to the closed position than the blade in FIG. 3B;

(8) FIG. 5 is a front sectional view of the locking mechanism of FIG. 3A shown in a released position when the blade is rotated closer to the closed position than the blade in FIG. 4;

(9) FIG. 6 is a front sectional view of the locking mechanism of FIG. 3A, with the blade shown in a closed position;

(10) FIG. 7 is a front sectional view of the locking mechanism of FIG. 3A shown in a released position as the blade is rotated from a closed position to an extended position;

(11) FIG. 8 is top plan view of the folding knife with the blade shown in an extended position; and

(12) FIG. 9 is a prospective view of a second embodiment of a locking mechanism for a folding knife.

(13) To assist in the understanding of the embodiments of the present invention the following list of components and associated numbering found in the drawings is provided herein:

(14) TABLE-US-00001 Component No. Component 2 Folding Knife 4 Blade 6 Vertical Edge (of Blade) 8 Cutting Edge (of Blade) 10 Thumb Traction Portion (of Blade) 12 Recessed Blade Portion 14 Spine (of Blade) 16 Fixed Pivot Pin (Blade Pivot Point) 18 Notch (of Tang) 20 Lock Bar 22 Leaf Spring 24 Back Spacer 26 Clip 28 Finger Aperture 30 Handle 34 Stop Surface (of Back Spacer) 36 Slot (of Handle) 37 Slot (of Lock Bar) 38 Choil 40 Tang 42 Bump (of Tang) 46 Flat Surface (of Tang) 48 Lock Pin 56 Curved Surface (of Tang) 58 Contact Surface (of Blade) 60 Cutout (in Inner Handle) 62 Lower Surface (of Back Spacer) 64 Aperture (of Back Spacer) 84 Pin (of Spacer) 86 Right Scale 88 Left Scale

(15) It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale, and various dimensions may be altered. In certain instances, details that are not necessary for an understanding of the invention or that render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(16) As described in detail below, various embodiments of the present invention include novel folding knife designs and configurations, comprising a rotational wedge locking mechanism and/or other features. The present invention has significant benefits across a broad spectrum of endeavors.

(17) Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1A is a front elevation view of one embodiment of a folding knife 2 in a first extended position of use. The dotted lines in FIG. 1A show components beneath the handle 30 and which are not visible in normal use. The folding knife 2 generally comprises a blade 4 that is rotatably interconnected to a handle 30. The blade 4 is pivotable about a fixed pivot pin 16 (also called a blade pivot point herein) allowing the blade 4 to be positioned in a closed (FIG. 2) or open (FIG. 1A) position, and rotated therebetween. The blade includes a spine 14, a cutting edge 8, which is typically sharpened and opposite the spine 14, a thumb traction portion 10 (also called a thumb ramp), and a blade tang 40 positioned proximate to the heel end of the blade 4. In some embodiments, the thumb traction portion 10 is located on the spine 14 of the blade proximate the handle 30. The thumb traction portion 10 gives the user's thumb some traction, which can enhance the user's grip when thrusting and stabbing. The rotational wedge locking mechanism may comprise a lock bar 20 and a lock pin 48.

(18) The tang 40 is comprised of multiple surfaces: a flat surface 46, a curved surface 56, and a notch 18. The flat surface 46 engages the lock pin 48 when the blade 4 is in an open position to prevent the blade 4 from inadvertently rotating to the closed position. The curved surface 56 is interconnected to the flat surface 46 and allows the tang 40 to rotate around the fixed pivot pin 16 and along the lock pin 48. The various surfaces of the tang 40 engage one or more components of the roto wedge locking mechanism. For example, the flat surface 46, the curved surface 56, and a bump engage the lock pin 48 when the blade 4 is in some positions and the notch 18 engages the lock pin 48 when the blade 4 is in other positions. The lock pin 48 may be interconnected to or retained within an aperture in the lock bar 20. Some embodiments of the present invention include two lock bars 20each lock bar 20 is positioned on either side of the tang 40. Each scale has a cutout 60 in its inner surfaces to accommodate the lock bar 20 on its respective side of the tang 40. The lock bar 20 can rotate around and move linearly along the fixed pivot pin 16. The lock bar 20 also has a slot 37 to accommodate and move around the fixed pivot pin 16. Thus, the fixed pivot pin 16 is positioned within the slot 37 of the lock bar 20. The locking mechanism is discussed in more detail below in connection with FIGS. 3A-7.

(19) In one embodiment, the blade 4 includes a contact surface 58 for contacting an interior component of the folding knife 2 when the blade 4 is in a closed position. In the embodiment shown, the interior component is a back spacer 24. Thus, the contact surface 58 engages a lower surface of the back spacer 24 when the blade 4 is in the closed position. The blade 4 may also comprise a finger aperture 28, which may assist a user in rotating the blade 4 about the fixed pivot pin 16 from the closed position to the open position of use. In some embodiments, the blade 4 further includes bevels.

(20) The blade 4 and handle 30 may be shaped such that they form a choil 38 on the lower side of the folding knife 2 proximate the cutting edge 8 of the blade. The choil 38 may include a traction surface to further assist the user in gripping the folding knife 2 and the choil 38 may be adapted to receive a user's finger. One exterior surface of the handle 30 may include a clip 26. The handle 30 may comprise a back spacer 24 and surfaces, or machined sections of a folding knife often referred to as scales, which are formed into the interior surface of the handle portions of the folding knife 2. In some embodiments, the handle 30 may comprise a right and a left scale. The back spacer 24 may have an aperture 64 to reduce the weight of the back spacer 24 without reducing the strength of the back spacer 24. In some embodiments, the back spacer 24 is interconnected to the scales using pins 84 or other interconnection means. At least one side of the handle 30 may further comprise a slot 36 to accommodate lateral and rotational movement of the lock pin 48. The lock pin 48 may assist in retaining the locking mechanism within the handle 30. In alternate embodiments, the locking mechanism may be interconnected to the knife handle 30 by flues, adhesives, or epoxies.

(21) FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional elevation view of the folding knife along line 1B-1B of FIG. 1A. Cut 1B-1B is along the longitudinal axis of the lock bar 20. The view in FIG. 1B shows the tang 40 of the blade, the left scale 88, the right scale 86, the lock bar 20, the back spacer 24, the fixed pivot pin 16, and the lock pin 48. As can be seen in FIG. 1B, some embodiments of the roto wedge locking mechanism have two lock bars 20a, 20b, with one on either side of the tang 40. Each lock bar 20a, 20b fits in a cutout 60 in the inner handle. Thus, each scale 86, 88 has a cutout 60 to accommodate its respective lock bar 20b, 20a. The slots 37 in the lock bars 20a, 20b allow the lock bars 20a, 20b to move around (rotational direction) and along (lateral direction) the fixed pivot pin 16. The slot 36 in the handle and the slot 37 in the lock bar 20 are sized and shaped such that the lock bar 20 and lock pin 48 can rotate around the fixed pivot pin 16 and move linearly along the fixed pivot pin 16. FIG. 1B shows the lock pin 48 positioned securely between the back spacer 24 and the tang 40 of the blade when the folding knife is in an open and locked position. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1B, the lock pin 48 is accessible by a user via one side of the folding knife, i.e., on the left side of the handle. In other embodiments, the lock pin 48 may be accessible on the right side of the folding knife's handle or on both sides of the handle.

(22) Referring now to FIG. 2, the folding knife 2 of FIG. 1A is shown with the blade 4 in a second closed position. The dotted lines in FIG. 2 show components beneath the handle 30 and which are not visible in normal use. The blade 4 is pivotable about a fixed pivot pin 16 allowing the blade 4 to be positioned in a closed (FIG. 2) or open (FIG. 1A) position, and rotated therebetween. In the closed position, the blade cutting edge 8 is located within a cavity in the handle 30, and thus prevents a user from inadvertently being cut or injured. The tang 40 of the blade 4 is rotated around the fixed pivot pin 16 and concealed within the handle 30 when the knife 2 is in the closed position. Additionally, a contact surface 58 of the blade 4 is positioned against a surface of the back spacer 24 to prevent the blade 4 from pivoting about the blade pivot point 16 beyond the blade's closed position. In some embodiments, the spine 14 of the blade 4, the thumb traction portion 10, and the finger aperture 28 are exposed when the blade 4 is in the closed position.

(23) Although FIGS. 1A-2 have shown a folding knife 2 comprising a handle 30, it is contemplated that a folding knife 2 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure will include a blade 4 that may be coupled to a significantly modified handle, different from the handle depicted in FIGS. 1A-2, including but not limited to a handle comprised of only a first surface, but that still has the ability to secure the blade 4 in a closed position or an open position as described above (i.e., provides a blade attachment or pivot point and the ability to recess the blade).

(24) FIGS. 3A-7 show the rotational wedge locking mechanism in different positions. The handle 30 (or left scale 88) is removed in these figures for clarity. However, the left scale and slot 36 therein are shown in phantom (dotted lines) for reference. Portions of the tang 40 and back spacer 24 positioned behind the lock bar 20 are also shown in dotted lines for reference purposes.

(25) Referring to FIGS. 3A-7, the following descriptions of the positions of various components will be used herein. When the folding knife 2 and blade 4 are in a first extended position of use (FIGS. 1 and 3A), the roto wedge locking mechanism is in a first locked position, the lock bar 20 is in a first locked position, and the lock pin 48 is in a first locked position. Additionally, a first side of the lock pin 48 is positioned against a flat surface 46 of the tang 40 of the blade 4 such that the lock pin 48 is in compression with the tang 40 and a second side of the lock pin 48 is positioned against a lower surface 62 of the back spacer 24 such that the back spacer 24 is in compression with the lock pin 48, thereby preventing the blade 4 from pivoting about a fixed pivot pin 16 and rotating to a closed position. The flat surface 46 of the tang 40 may be upwardly oriented or oriented upwardly and at an angle. The lock pin 48 is positioned in a forward portion of a slot 36 in the handle 30 when the lock bar 20 is in the first locked position and the fixed pivot pin 16 is positioned within a central portion of a slot 37 of the lock bar 20. When the folding knife blade 4 is in a first extended position of use and the roto wedge locking mechanism is in the first locked position, the lock pin 48 is wedged between the tang 40 of the blade 4 and the back spacer 24, which significantly improves the strength characteristics of the locking mechanism.

(26) When the folding knife 2 is locked in the first extended position of use, the user may push on the lock pin 48 to slide and rotate the lock bar 20 and lock pin 48 around the fixed pivot pin 16 to unlock or release the rotational wedge locking mechanism. Thus, when the folding knife is in an open, extended position or in an intermediate position between open and closed and the locking mechanism is unlocked or released (FIGS. 3B-5), the rotational wedge locking mechanism is in a second released position, the lock bar 20 is in a second released position, and the lock pin 48 is in a second released position. When the locking mechanism is in the second released position, the first side of the lock pin 48 is positioned against a curved surface 56 of the tang 40 such that the blade 4 may pivot around the fixed pivot pin 16. Additionally, the lock pin 48 is positioned in a central portion of the slot 36 of the handle 30 when the lock bar 20 is in the second released position and at least a part of the fixed pivot pin 16 is positioned within a forward portion of the slot 37 of the lock bar 20.

(27) When the folding knife 2 is in a closed position (FIGS. 2 and 6), the locking mechanism is in a third resting position, the lock bar 20 is in a third position and the lock pin 48 is in a third position. When the folding knife 2 is in a closed position, the notch 18 in the tang 40 of the blade 4 engages the lock pin 48, thereby creating an additional safety feature which inhibits the inadvertent opening of the blade 4.

(28) When the user wants to rotate the blade 4 from the closed position to the open position, the user may pull the blade 4 out of the handle 30, and possibly even pull on a finger aperture 28 in the blade 4. As the blade 4 rotates to the open position, the notch 18 in the tang 40 carries the lock pin 48 around the fixed pivot pin 16 to a lower, rear portion of the slot 36 in the handle 30 until the tang 40 rotates past a point where the notch 18 can no longer carry the lock pin 48 (see FIG. 7). At this point, the notch 18 releases the lock pin 48, the lock pin 48 is pulled upwardly within the slot 36 of the handle by a leaf spring 22, and the blade 4 is free to rotate about the fixed pivot pin 16 to an open position.

(29) FIG. 3A shows the section of the folding knife 2 comprising the roto wedge locking mechanism when the blade 4 of the folding knife 2 is in an open, extended position of use. In this embodiment, the roto wedge locking mechanism comprises a lock pin 48, a lock bar 20 with a slot 37, a leaf spring 22, and a lower surface 62 of a back spacer 24. The roto wedge locking mechanism engages a flat surface 46 of a tang 40 of the blade 4 to prevent rotation of the blade 4 around a fixed pivot pin 16. The flat surface 46 of the tang 40 may be upwardly oriented or oriented upwardly and at an angle. The tang 40 may further comprise a bump 42 to reduce the space between the back spacer 24 and the tang 40 such that the bump 42, flat surface 46, and back spacer 24 form a wedge for receiving the lock pin 48. The bump 42 may extend upwardly from the tang 40 and may be interconnected to the flat surface 46 of the tang 40. The lock pin 48 is further prevented from traveling past the bump 42 and farther into the wedge-like space between the tang 40 and the back spacer 24. In some embodiments, a third surface of the lock pin 48 may engage the bump 42 on the tang 40. When the folding knife blade 4 is in a first extended position of use, the roto wedge locking mechanism is in a first locked position, the lock bar 20 is in a first locked position, and the lock pin 48 is in a first locked position. Here, the lock pin 48 is positioned in a forward portion of a slot 36 in the handle 30 and the fixed pivot pin 16 is positioned within a central portion of the slot 37 of the lock bar 20.

(30) When the blade is fully extended, a first side of the lock pin 48 engages a flat surface 46 the tang 40 of the blade 4 and a second side of the lock pin 48 engages a lower surface 62 the back spacer 24 to lock the blade 4 into an open position and prevent rotation of the blade. Thus, the lock pin 48 is in compression with the tang 40 and the back spacer 24 is in compression with the lock pin 48. The back spacer 24 comprises a lower surface 62, which engages one or more components of the rotational wedge locking mechanism, e.g., the second surface the lock pin 48, and comprises a stop surface 34 (sometimes called a blade over-travel surface), which engages a vertical edge 6 of the blade 4 to prevent the blade heel end from overextending when the blade 4 is in an extended position of use. The stop surface 34 is positioned above the tang 40 and eliminates the need for a stop pin because it provides the necessary obstacle to prevent the blade 4 from being driven upward or over rotated when a significant, upward force is applied to the blade cutting edge 8. Alternatively, a stop pin could be used to prevent over-travel of the blade 4. Thus, when upward pressure is applied to the blade 4, the blade 4 is prevented from rotating past its open and extended position by the blade's vertical edge 6 and the stop surface 34 of the back spacer 24. Additionally, when downward pressure is applied to the blade 4, the blade 4 is secured by the rotational wedge locking mechanism and prevented from inadvertently rotating. The dual role of the back spacer 24 can clearly be seen in FIG. 3A, where (1) the blade 4 is prevented from overextending (rotating in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 3A) due to the contact between the vertical edge 6 of the blade 4 and the stop surface 34 of the back spacer 24 and (2) the blade 4 is further prevented from closing (rotating in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 3A) due to the contact between the lock pin 48 and both the lower surface 62 of the back spacer 24 and the flat surface 46 of the blade tang 40.

(31) The rotational wedge locking mechanism may comprise a leaf spring 22 in tension to maintain the lock pin 48 in a wedged position between the tang 40 and the back spacer 24 until a rearward force is applied to the lock pin 48 to release it from between the tang 40 and the back spacer 24. Thus, the biasing force of the leaf spring 22 on the lock bar 20 and lock pin 48 is oriented in a forward direction toward the blade 4 of the folding knife 2. In one embodiment, the leaf spring 22 may be coupled to a forward end of the back spacer 24.

(32) Further, the positioning of the lock pin 48, lock bar 20, the leaf spring 22, and the tang 40 of the blade 4 allows for the rotational wedge locking mechanism to be secured and retained to the components described herein, without requiring an additional exterior surface, such as scales. Some embodiments, however, may comprise scales.

(33) This configuration provides several advantages over prior art knives. For example, using compression to engage the lock pin 48, the back spacer 24, and the tang 40 provides greater strength than locking mechanisms of the prior art. The roto wedge locking mechanism is very strong where the force of the lock pin 48 pushes on the tang 40 (specifically the flat surface 46) and on the back spacer 24. Thus, the locking mechanism is safe and secure.

(34) Additionally, in some embodiments, the lock pin 48 may be interconnected to a locking lever (not shown), which is engaged by a user's finger to alternatively lock and unlock the blade 4 to allow the blade 4 to rotate between a first extended position of use and a second closed position. As appreciated by one skilled in the art, the blade locking lever may be comprised of any numerous variations of levers or slides which serve the purpose of rotating the lock bar 20 around the fixed pivot pin 16, sliding the lock bar 20 and/or lock pin 48 along the slot 36 of the handle 30, or sliding the lock bar 20 and the slot 37 of the lock bar 20 linearly along the fixed pivot pin 16.

(35) To disengage the lock pin 48 from between the tang 40 and the back spacer 24, the user must push the lock pin 48 in a rearward direction away from the wedge of the rotational wedge locking mechanism. This movement removes the locking pin 48 from between the tang 40 and the back spacer 24. Typically the lock pin 48 is positioned in a forward portion of the knife handle 30 proximate the tang 40 of the blade 4 and fixed pivot pin 16, although it is contemplated that other positions may be effective.

(36) FIG. 3B shows the folding knife 2 shortly after the roto wedge locking mechanism has been unlocked and the blade 4 is beginning to be rotated to the closed position. FIG. 4 shows the folding knife 2 while the blade 4 is rotated from the open position to the closed position, i.e., at a point in time after FIG. 3B. Thus, FIGS. 3B and 4 show the folding knife 2 in an intermediate position between open and closed and the roto wedge locking mechanism in a second released position. Here, the lock bar 20 is in a second released position and the lock pin 48 is in a second released position. As the blade 4 rotates between the first extended position and second closed position, the lock pin 48 is positioned in a central portion of the slot 36 of the handle 30 such that the lock pin is no longer touching the lower surface of the back spacer 24. Further, a first side of the lock pin 48 is moved away from the bump 42 and the flat surface 46 of the tang 40 and on to a curved surface 56 of the tang 40, which allows the blade 4 to pivot around the fixed pivot pin 16. As the blade 4 rotates to a closed position, the lock pin 48 slides along the curved surface 56 of the tang 40. When the lock bar 20 is in the second released position, at least a portion of the fixed pivot pin 16 is positioned within a forward portion of the slot 37 of the lock bar 20. Even though the leaf spring 22 is exerting a forwardly oriented force on the lock pin 48, the geometry of the tang and its curved surface 56 prevent the lock pin 48 from moving forward into the forward portion of the slot 36 of the handle 30. As the blade 4 rotates between the first extended position and second closed position, the lock bar 20 moves linearly along the fixed pivot pin 16 and rotates around the fixed pivot pin 16.

(37) FIG. 5 shows the locking mechanism of the folding knife 2 when the blade 4 is almost rotated to the closed position, i.e., at a point in time after FIG. 4. Here, the lock pin 48 is positioned in a central portion of the slot 36 of the handle 30 and the lock pin 48 continues to slide along the curved surface 56 of the tang 40 without touching the lower surface of the back spacer 24. Further, at least a portion of the fixed pivot pin 16 remains positioned within a forward portion of the slot 37 of the lock bar 20.

(38) FIG. 6 shows the locking mechanism of the folding knife 2 when the blade 4 is in the closed position. In this position, the cutting edge 8 of the blade 4 is retained within the handle and a contact surface 58 of the blade 4 rests against the back spacer 24 to prevent over travel of the blade 4. Here, the roto wedge locking mechanism is in a third resting position, the lock bar 20 is in a third position, and the lock pin 48 is in a third position. More specifically, the lock pin 48 is positioned in a forward portion of a slot 36 in the handle and the fixed pivot pin 16 is positioned in a central portion of a slot 37 of the lock bar 20.

(39) The tang 40 of the blade 4 comprises a notch 18 to engage the lock pin 48 and substantially maintain the blade 4 in a closed position until a user pulls on the spine 14 of the blade 4 or applies finger pressure to a finger aperture 28, thumb stud, or other opening device to allow the blade 4 to rotate from the closed position to the first extended position of use as shown in FIG. 1A. This configuration helps retain the blade 4 in the closed position because the notch 18 in the tang 40 engages the lock pin 48, which inhibits the inadvertent opening of the blade 4. A leaf spring 22 may further bias the lock pin 48 against the notch 18 of the tang 40. In alternate embodiments, a detent and ball could be used to resist opening of the blade when the blade is in a closed position.

(40) When the user wants to rotate the blade 4 from the closed position to the open position, the user may pull the blade 4 out of the handle 30 and possibly even pull on the spine 14 of the blade 4 or a finger aperture 28 in the blade 4. FIG. 7 shows the folding knife 2 and locking mechanism shortly after a user has started rotating the blade 4 from the closed position to an open position. As the user rotates the blade 4 to an open position, the notch 18 in the tang 40 carries the lock pin 48 around the fixed pivot pin 16 from the upper, forward portion of the slot 36 in the handle to the lower, rear portion of the slot 36 in the handle until the lock pin 48 cannot rotate or move any further because it has reached the end of the slot 36 in the handle. As the user continues to rotate the blade 4 open, the notch 18 releases the lock pin 48 and FIG. 7 shows the locking mechanism at this release point. As seen in FIG. 7, the fixed pivot pin 16 is positioned within a central portion of the slot 37 of the lock bar 20. As the blade 4 is rotated further toward the open position, the lock pin 48 is pulled upwardly within the slot 36 of the handle by the leaf spring 22. Now the blade 4 is free to rotate about the fixed pivot pin 16 to an open position while the lock pin 48 slides along the curved surface 56 of the tang 40 as is shown in FIGS. 3B-5.

(41) FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a folding knife 2. The folding knife 2 may comprise a blade, a blade pivot point 16 (e.g., a pin or rivet), a lock pin 48, a back spacer 24, a right scale 86, and a left scale 88. The blade may comprise a spine 14 and a thumb traction portion 10.

(42) FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the rotational wedge locking mechanism. The dotted lines show portions of components hidden behind other components. The locking mechanism comprises two oval-shaped lock bars 20a, 20b and a lock pin 48, which work together with a fixed pivot pin 16, and a tang 40 of a knife blade. In alternate embodiments, the lock bars 20a, 20b may be other shapes or sizes. Additionally, the lock pin 48 may be larger or smaller than is shown in the drawings and may be shaped differently, e.g., square-shaped, oval-shaped, etc. The tang 40 may also be shaped differently than is shown in the drawings. For example, the tang may have a larger flat surface or it may have a second notch instead of the flat surface.

(43) Also note that the lock bar and lock pin shown in the drawings are for illustrative purposes only. One novel feature of embodiments of the present invention is to lock a folding knife 2 in an open and extended position by wedging an item between the tang 40 of the blade 4 and the back spacer 24 or other non-moving object. Thus, the lock pin may be any shape, e.g., square-shaped, rectangular, ovular, or any other shape in cross-section, which serves the function of preventing rotation of the knife blade 4 as a result of the interference between the tang 40 and the back spacer 24. Additionally, in certain embodiments, the lock pin may not necessarily extend through a slot in the side of one or more scales 86, 88. Rather, the lock pin 48 can be positioned between the scales 86, 88, and may even be concealed by the scales, and interconnected to a mechanism the user uses to move the lock pin to unlock the blade 4 and rotate the blade 4 to a closed position. For example, the lock pin (or other item wedged between the tang 40 and back spacer 24 to lock the blade 4 in an open position) can be interconnected to a thumbwheel. The thumbwheel can, in some embodiments, be formed out of one or both of the lock bars 20. Further, the thumbwheel can be positioned between the scales 86, 88 and extend outwardly beyond the scales 86, 88 at one or more locations (e.g., out of the top of the handle) such that a user can turn the thumbwheel to release the lock pin 48 and thus release the blade 4 from its open and locked position. In alternate embodiments, the lock pin 48 may be interconnected to a cable, lever, or other remote device that the user can use to move the lock pin 48 to the unlocked position allowing the blade 4 to rotate to the closed position. In another embodiment, the lock pin 48 can be interconnected to a lever which is partially exposed so that the user can manipulate the lock pin 48. Thus, at least a portion of the lever is accessible by the user such that the user can manipulate the lever to move the lock pin 48. Accordingly, the lock pin or other wedging item can be manipulated by the user through a variety of mechanisms.

(44) Thus, the folding knife 2 comprises a means of moving the locking mechanism from a first locked position to a second unlocked or released position. Additionally, the folding knife 2 comprises a means of moving the lock pin or other wedging item from a first locked position (wedged between the tang 40 and back spacer 24) to a second released position (not wedged between the tang 40 and back spacer 24).

(45) The foregoing description of the present invention has been presented for illustration and description purposes. However, the description is not intended to limit the invention to only the forms disclosed herein. In the foregoing Detailed Description for example, various features of the invention are grouped together in one or more embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate preferred embodiment of the invention.

(46) Consequently, variations and modifications commensurate with the above teachings and skill and knowledge of the relevant art are within the scope of the present invention. The embodiments described herein above are further intended to explain best modes of practicing the invention and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention in such a manner, or include other embodiments with various modifications as required by the particular application(s) or use(s) of the present invention. Thus, it is intended that the claims be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art.