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A folding knife that is self opening when removed from a container such as a holster or pocket. The knife includes a handle and a knife blade with the blade hinged to the handle for folding from an extended, use, position to a stored position in a slot in the handle. A pin is formed on the knife blade adjacent to the hinged end, extending away from the blade when the blade is folded. When the knife is pulled from a container, the pin will snag the container just before the knife is fully removed, causing the blade to unfold to the use position. Preferably, the pin is hook-shaped with an end extending along the blade towards the blade tip. A releasable locking arrangement to lock the blade against folding while in use and for releasing the blade when desired for folding is preferably included.

Inventor: Ernest R. Emerson
Current U.S. Classification: 30/158; 30/143; 224/232
International Classification: B26B 2902

View patent at USPTO
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Citations

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US5537750May 15, 1995Jul 23, 1996Buck Knives, Inc.Folding knife with double side lock mechanism
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Referenced by

Citing PatentFiling dateIssue dateOriginal AssigneeTitle
US6378745Sep 15, 2000Apr 30, 2002Knife holster for a hand
US6725545Aug 31, 2001Apr 27, 2004Spyderco, Inc.Kinetic opening folding knife
US6817499Nov 20, 2002Nov 16, 2004The Group Design, Inc.Holder for a folding tool
US7008076Feb 19, 2004Mar 7, 2006Folding knife light tool
US7036229Apr 22, 2004May 2, 2006Self opening folding knife
US7086158Apr 22, 2002Aug 8, 2006Sliding knife with disengaging blade actuation mechanism
US7296355Oct 12, 2004Nov 20, 2007Kai U.S.A., Ltd.Adjustable blade-assisting mechanism for a folding knife
US7395599Nov 18, 2004Jul 8, 2008KAI U.S.A., Ltd.Blade-assisting mechanism for a folding knife
US7458159Nov 14, 2005Dec 2, 2008Kai U.S.A., Ltd.Folding knife having a locking mechanism
US7574804Feb 14, 2006Aug 18, 2009KAI U.S.A., Ltd.Knife with sliding blade and disengageable deployment mechanism
US7597223Nov 3, 2004Oct 6, 2009Holder for non-folding tool
US7627951Jun 6, 2007Dec 8, 2009Bi-fold knife with locking and release mechanisms
US8001693Jun 5, 2006Aug 23, 2011Closable knife with opening mechanism
US8006389May 21, 2007Aug 30, 2011Pacific Handy Cutter, Inc.Pocket safety cutter
US8065804Jun 15, 2007Nov 29, 2011Knife opening assist
US8161653Nov 12, 2007Apr 24, 2012Leatherman Tool Group, Inc.Folding tool having a rotatable locking mechanism
USD541128Jun 29, 2006Apr 24, 2007Hyde Tools, Inc.Utility knife handle
USD581240Dec 7, 2007Nov 25, 2008Spyderco, Inc.Folding knife with an external opening mechanism
USD581241Apr 16, 2008Nov 25, 2008Fiskars Brands, Inc.Knife handle
USD614933Oct 2, 2009May 4, 2010Fiskars Brands, Inc.Knife handle
USD636051Aug 31, 2010Apr 12, 2011Fiskars Brands, Inc.Knife handle
USD636052Aug 31, 2010Apr 12, 2011Fiskars Brands, Inc.Knife handle
USD636053Aug 31, 2010Apr 12, 2011Fiskars Brands, Inc.Knife handle
USD638904Aug 31, 2010May 31, 2011Fiskars Brands, Inc.Knife handle
USD639632Oct 2, 2009Jun 14, 2011Fiskars Brands, Inc.Knife handle
USD661367May 12, 2011Jun 5, 2012Fiskars Brands, Inc.Knife handle

Claims

1. A self opening folding knife and holster assembly, which comprises:

an elongated handle;
an elongated knife blade having a sharp first edge and a second edge opposite said first edge, a tip end and a base end;
hinge means connecting said base end of said knife blade to said handle for movement between a first position with said sharp edge abutting said handle and a second position extending away from said handle;
releasable means for locking said blade in said second position
a slot along a side of said handle for receiving and housing said one sharp first edge of said knife blade when said blade is in said first position; and
a generally hook-shaped projection formed as part of said knife blade and substantially coplanar with said knife blade;
said projection extending away from said second edge adjacent to said base end;
said hook-shaped projection extending toward said tip end; and
a holster for receiving said knife, said holster including at least one inwardly extending abutment configured to be engaged by said projection as said knife is withdrawn from said holster to rotate said knife blade from said first position to said second position.

2. A self opening folding knife and holster assembly, which comprises:

an elongated handle;
an elongated knife blade having a sharp first edge and a second edge opposite said first edge, a tip end and a base end;
hinge means connecting said base end of said knife blade to said handle for movement between a first position with said sharp edge abutting said handle and a second position extending away from said handle;
a slot along a side of said handle for receiving and housing said sharp first edge of said knife blade when said blade is in said first position; and
a projection on said knife blade extending away from said second edge adjacent to said base end; and
a holster for receiving said knife, said holster including at least one inwardly extending abutment configured to be engaged by said projection as said knife is withdrawn from said holster to rotate said knife blade from said first position to said second position.

3. The assembly according to claim 2 wherein said projection is generally hook-shaped with an end extending toward said tip end.

4. The assembly according to claim 2 wherein said projection is formed as part of said second edge and has side surfaces coplanar with said side surfaces of said blade.

5. The assembly according to claim 2 further including releasable means for locking said blade in said second position.

Drawings