Knife construction having a sliding blade

Dec. 15, 1953 p. _H unsinger 2,662,284

KNIFE CONSTRUCTION HAVING A SLIDING BLADE

Filed April 20, 1949

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Patented Dec. 15, 1953

2,662,284

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE

2,662,284

KNIFE CONSTRUCTION HAVING A SLIDING BLADE

Philip H. Unsinger, Fremont, Ohio, assignor, by mesne assignments, to Russell Hicks, Lexington, Ky.

Application April 20,1949, Serial No. 8.8,670, (Cl. 30—162)

Claims.

This invention relates to knife construction and more especially to devices known as pocket knives.

The present invention embraces the provision of a knife and handle construction wherein the knife blade is movable into and out of positionof-use with respect to the handle construction.

An object of the invention resides in the provision of a knife blade and handle construction wherein the blade is slidably retractable into the handle construction.

Another object of the invention resides in the use of a retractable blade knife wherein the blade, is pivotally connected to a keeper member cooperating with a handle portion for maintaining the blade in fully open or fully closed position.

Another object of the invention resides in the formation of a handle construction preferably formed of plastic resin and which is provided interiorly with guiding ledges for the slidable ²⁰blade, the ledges as a supporting and positioning means for the keeper.

Another object of the invention resides in a handle construction for a slidable blade wherein the blade is held in either open or closed position by a keeper, the keeper and handle construction being formed with interengaging configurations for maintaining the keeper in a reeess formed in the handle.

Another object of the invention resides in the ₃₀provision of a handle construction for a slidable blade knife which is molded of plastic resin and in which an end portion is cemented or bonded to the remaining portion of the handle after assembly of the knife blade and keeper.

Still another obiect of the invention is the provision of a knife construction of the slidable blade type wherein a keeper member is pivotally connected to the knife blade construction and resilient means are provided for establishing a friction factor between the keeper and the knife blade construction.

Further objects and advantages are within the scope of this invention such as relate to the arrangement, operation and function of the related ₄₅elements of the structure, to various details of construction and to combinations of parts, elements per se, and to economies of manufacture and numerous other features as will be apparent from a consideration of the specification and go drawing of a form of the invention, which may be preferred, in which:

Figure 1 is an isometric view illustrating the knife construction of my invention with the knife blade retracted into the handle construction In 55 an out-of-use position;

Figure 2 is an isometric view showing the knife blaqte extende.d to a position-of-use;

Figure 3 is an eie.vational view of the knife anti handle construction, certain portions being broken away for purposes of illustration;

Figure. 4 is an end view of the construction shown in Figure 3 with the keeper member illustrated in elevated or open position;

Figure 5 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken substantially on. the line 5—5 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a plan view of the knife construction of my invention showing the blade in extended position;

Figure 7 is a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially on the line 7—Ί of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary detail sectional view taken substantially on the line 8—8 of Figure 5.

While. I have shown a preferred form of the invention as embodied in a pocket knife construction, it, is to be understood that i contemplate the arrangement, of my invention for other forms of knives and cutting instrumentalities.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the knife construction is inclusive of a handle member 10 which is preferably formed of molded plastic resin but may, if desired, be. manufactured of other materials. I have found that a plastic resin known as cellulose acetate butyrate may be used, for the handle construction although any suitable, thermosetting or thermosettable resin may be employed, The handle 10 is provided with a longitudinally extending recess, ί I adapted to accommodate a knife blade 12 which is mounted for slidable movement in the recess, One end portion of the handle 10 is provided with an enlarged or bridge portion 14 which with the body portion to provides a slot. 15 through which the. knife, blade I? may be projected to open position, As will be seen in figure 8 each interior wall of the. handle 10 adjacent the blade (? is formed, with a ledge portion 17, one purpose of which is to form longitudinal guiding means for the slidable knife blade. 12,

The knife blade 12 is of a flat type having a cutting edge f8 and shank portion 19, the latter being provided with an upwardly or laterally extending member or projection 20. As. illus-. trated the projection 20 has a tenon portion it which is swaged to secure the same to the shank of the knife blade although the projection may be welded to the blade if desired. A keeper member or bar 23 also formed or molded of plastic resin or the like is provided, one. end feeing provided with furcations 24 which straddle tfeg projection 20 parried fey the shank portion of the knife blade. The furcations and projection or move the blade to an out-of-use or retracted position, the user places a fingernail in recess 35 in member 31 with the end of the nail projecting into the transverse kerf or groove 39 in the keeper. The user exerts an upward force upon the keeper and the reverse movements of the keeper and blade are effected to slide the blade into the recess II in the handle 10. After the blade is moved to completely closed position the keeper 23 is swung into the recess 11 to occupy in the knife handle as shown in Figure 1. The keeper in this position is latched in closed position by the edges 36 so as to prevent inadvertent movement of the knife blade toward open position.

It is apparent that, within the scope of the invention, modifications and different arrangements may be made other than is herein disclosed, and the present disclosure is illustrative merely, the invention comprehending all variations thereof.