TWI517953B - Method of opening a knife blade - Google Patents

Description

開啟刀片之方法 Method of opening the blade

本發明係有關於設置有為刀片提供開啟輔助之機構的折疊刀，且特別係有關於一其中彈簧作用在該刀片上以驅動該刀片由關閉位置至開啟位置之刀。 The present invention relates to a folding knife provided with a mechanism for providing opening assistance to the blade, and in particular to a knife in which a spring acts on the blade to drive the blade from a closed position to an open position.

大部份的折疊刀具有某種將刀片或工作工具固持在關閉位置之機構，且在該關閉位置時，該刀片之銳利邊緣被安全地固持在握把內。目前已有多種用以將刀片扣持在該關閉位置之習知機構，且已有各種為何使用這些機構之理由，連同其他理由，刀片扣持機構可防止不小心開啟該刀且因此提高安全性。 Most folding knives have some mechanism for holding the blade or working tool in the closed position, and in this closed position the sharp edge of the blade is securely held within the grip. There are a number of conventional mechanisms for holding the blade in the closed position, and there are various reasons why these mechanisms are used, and for other reasons, the blade holding mechanism prevents accidental opening of the knife and thus improves safety. .

自動開啟機構與所謂“開啟輔助”機構可加入折疊刀中，一般而言，在一具有一自動開啟機構之刀中，該刀片被一具鎖扣觸發機構固持在關閉位置。當關閉時，該刀片係在一來自一彈簧機構之固定“預加負載”壓力下。當釋放該觸發器時，該刀片被該彈簧機構自動地驅動至開啟位置。另一方面，在具有開啟輔助機構之刀中，該刀片係被扣持在該關閉位置中且不需要一鎖扣或觸發器。該開啟輔助功能係由一在該刀片上操作之彈簧機構來提供，且當使用者將該刀片由關閉位置手動地轉動至開啟位置時， 作用在該刀片上之彈簧機構到達一臨界點。在該刀片轉動超出該臨界點後，該彈簧將該刀片驅動至該開啟位置。 The automatic opening mechanism and the so-called "opening aid" mechanism can be incorporated into the folding knife. Generally, in a knife having an automatic opening mechanism, the blade is held in a closed position by a locking trigger mechanism. When closed, the blade is attached to a fixed "preload" pressure from a spring mechanism. When the trigger is released, the blade is automatically driven to the open position by the spring mechanism. On the other hand, in a knife having an opening assist mechanism, the blade is held in the closed position and does not require a catch or trigger. The opening assist function is provided by a spring mechanism that operates on the blade, and when the user manually turns the blade from the closed position to the open position, The spring mechanism acting on the blade reaches a critical point. The spring drives the blade to the open position after the blade has rotated beyond the critical point.

設置有自動與開啟輔助機構兩者之刀通常包括用以將該刀片鎖定為開啟之某種鎖定機構，且在許多開啟輔助刀中，驅動該刀片開啟之相同彈簧機構亦將該刀片扣持為關閉。 A knife provided with both an automatic and an opening assist mechanism typically includes a locking mechanism for locking the blade to open, and in many opening assisting knives, the same spring mechanism that drives the blade to open also holds the blade shut down.

基於多種理由，開啟輔助機構變得非常受到歡迎。例如，在適當環境中且對適當使用者而言，有許多由輔助開啟刀所衍生之優點及自動刀會非常有用之許多情形。這些通常包括使用者僅有一隻空手之情形，但是，即使在一包括一自動開啟或開啟輔助機構之刀中，安全考慮一直強制該刀片停留在關閉位置直到使用者將該刀片有意地且故意地移動至該開啟位置為止。例如，一將一刀片固持為關閉之機構在刀掉落時應決不會釋放。隨著開啟輔助刀愈來愈受到歡迎，已有許多種新的機構發展出來。 Opening the auxiliary mechanism has become very popular for a variety of reasons. For example, in a suitable environment and for the appropriate user, there are many advantages derived from the assisted opening of the knife and many situations in which the automatic knife can be very useful. These usually include the case where the user has only one empty hand, but even in a knife that includes an automatic opening or opening assist mechanism, safety considerations force the blade to remain in the closed position until the user intentionally and intentionally the blade Move to the open position. For example, a mechanism that holds a blade closed can never be released when the knife is dropped. With the opening of auxiliary knives becoming more and more popular, many new institutions have been developed.

但是，一直需要有為刀提供一開啟輔助特性之機構。 However, there is always a need for a mechanism that provides an opening assist feature for the knife.

本發明包含具有一開啟輔助機構之折疊刀，且在一第一所示實施例中，本發明之機構依靠一對扭轉彈簧，且該對扭轉彈簧被軸向地固持在該刀片軸銷上並在一對相對該刀握把為固定之軸套內。在該刀片之各橫向側上有一彈簧與一軸套，且各彈簧之一腿部固定在該軸套上。該彈簧之相對腿部跨置在一袋部上，且該袋部形成在該刀片之 表面上且軸向環繞該刀片軸***通過之開口。當該刀片在該關閉位置時，該扭轉彈簧“被加上負載”，但不會將它們的彈力施加至該刀片，而是將它們的力施加至該固定軸套。當該刀片由該關閉位置朝該開啟位置轉動時，該等彈簧之腿部轉動通過且合作形成在該等軸套上之結構，以將該等彈簧壓力立即傳送至該刀片並驅動該刀片開啟。當該刀片如此由該關閉位置朝該開啟位置轉動時，一旦通過該刀片轉動之一預定轉動點，或“臨界”點，本發明之機構可轉動地驅動該刀片到達完全開啟位置。這是利用該等成對彈簧達成，且該等彈簧作用在該刀片上且因此對該刀片施加足夠之轉動動能使該慣量將該刀片驅動至完全開啟位置。一鎖定機構將該刀片鎖定在該開啟位置。當該刀片由該開啟位置轉動至該關閉位置時，該等扭轉彈簧將再次被加上負載，且一旦通過一所需轉動點，各彈簧之一腿部便移入該軸套中之一袋部且該彈簧之轉動力由該刀片傳送至該固定軸套，使該刀片可停留在該關閉位置。 The present invention includes a folding knife having an opening assist mechanism, and in a first illustrated embodiment, the mechanism of the present invention relies on a pair of torsion springs that are axially retained on the blade pin and In a pair of sleeves that are fixed relative to the knife grip. A spring and a sleeve are disposed on each lateral side of the blade, and one leg of each spring is fixed to the sleeve. The opposite leg of the spring is spanned on a pocket, and the pocket is formed on the blade The opening is inserted through the opening on the surface and axially around the blade shaft. When the blade is in the closed position, the torsion springs are "loaded" but do not apply their spring force to the blade, but instead apply their forces to the fixed bushing. When the blade is rotated from the closed position toward the open position, the legs of the springs rotate through and cooperate to form a structure on the sleeves to immediately transmit the spring pressure to the blade and drive the blade to open . When the blade is thus rotated from the closed position toward the open position, the mechanism of the present invention rotatably drives the blade to the fully open position upon a predetermined point of rotation, or "critical" point, by rotation of the blade. This is achieved by the pair of springs, and the springs act on the blade and thus apply sufficient rotational motion to the blade to enable the inertia to drive the blade to the fully open position. A locking mechanism locks the blade in the open position. When the blade is rotated from the open position to the closed position, the torsion springs will be loaded again, and once passed through a desired point of rotation, one of the legs of each spring moves into one of the pockets of the sleeve And the rotational force of the spring is transmitted by the blade to the fixed bushing so that the blade can stay in the closed position.

本發明之機構亦可構成為僅依靠一扭轉彈簧，且該扭轉彈簧在結構上與功能上與前述成對彈簧相同。 The mechanism of the present invention can also be constructed to rely solely on a torsion spring that is structurally and functionally identical to the pair of springs described above.

10‧‧‧刀 10‧‧‧Knife

12‧‧‧握把 12‧‧‧ grip

14‧‧‧刀片 14‧‧‧blade

16,18‧‧‧側壁段 16,18‧‧‧ Sidewall section

17‧‧‧襯墊 17‧‧‧ cushion

17,21‧‧‧襯墊 17,21‧‧‧ pads

19,23‧‧‧外板 19,23‧‧‧outer board

20‧‧‧分隔器 20‧‧‧ separator

22‧‧‧螺絲 22‧‧‧ screws

24‧‧‧工作部份 24‧‧‧Working part

26‧‧‧柄腳部份 26‧‧‧ shank part

28‧‧‧刀片軸銷 28‧‧‧blade pin

30‧‧‧銳利邊緣 30‧‧‧ sharp edge

32‧‧‧無鋒邊緣 32‧‧‧No edge

34‧‧‧拇指凸耳 34‧‧‧ thumb lugs

36‧‧‧刀片收納槽；螺絲 36‧‧‧blade storage slot; screw

38‧‧‧螺絲 38‧‧‧ screws

39‧‧‧螺孔 39‧‧‧ screw holes

40,42‧‧‧孔 40, 42‧ ‧ holes

44‧‧‧套筒 44‧‧‧ sleeve

45‧‧‧唇部 45‧‧‧Lip

46‧‧‧樞轉孔 46‧‧‧ pivot hole

47‧‧‧柱坑凹部 47‧‧‧Pit pit recess

48‧‧‧刀片擋銷 48‧‧‧ Blade pin

50‧‧‧墊圈 50‧‧‧Washers

52‧‧‧柱坑孔 52‧‧‧Pit hole

54‧‧‧螺絲 54‧‧‧ screws

56‧‧‧鎖定機構 56‧‧‧Locking mechanism

57‧‧‧刀片鎖銷 57‧‧‧ Blade lock pin

60‧‧‧開啟輔助機構 60‧‧‧Open auxiliary institutions

62‧‧‧凹部；座部 62‧‧‧ recess; seat

64‧‧‧底座面 64‧‧‧Base surface

66‧‧‧表面 66‧‧‧ surface

68‧‧‧階部 68‧‧‧

70‧‧‧溝槽 70‧‧‧ trench

72‧‧‧傾斜段 72‧‧‧Sloping section

74‧‧‧向外形成扇形部份 74‧‧‧ outward forming a fan-shaped part

80‧‧‧軸套 80‧‧‧ bushings

81‧‧‧孔 81‧‧‧ hole

82‧‧‧圓柱形構件 82‧‧‧Cylindrical components

83‧‧‧封閉端 83‧‧‧closed end

84,86,88‧‧‧平坦部份 84,86,88‧‧‧flat part

85‧‧‧止擋部 85‧‧‧stop

89‧‧‧圓柱形壁 89‧‧‧ cylindrical wall

90‧‧‧第一缺口 90‧‧‧ first gap

92‧‧‧第二缺口 92‧‧‧ second gap

94‧‧‧內環狀邊緣 94‧‧‧ inner ring edge

96,98‧‧‧彈簧 96,98‧‧ spring

100,102‧‧‧腿部 100,102‧‧‧ legs

101‧‧‧螺旋本體部份 101‧‧‧Spiral body part

200‧‧‧刀 200‧‧‧knife

202‧‧‧開啟輔助機構 202‧‧‧Open auxiliary institutions

204‧‧‧握把 204‧‧‧ grip

206‧‧‧刀片 206‧‧‧blade

208,210‧‧‧側壁 208,210‧‧‧ side wall

212‧‧‧內表面 212‧‧‧ inner surface

214‧‧‧第一凹部 214‧‧‧First recess

216‧‧‧圓柱形凹部 216‧‧‧ cylindrical recess

218‧‧‧軸套 218‧‧‧ bushings

220‧‧‧彈簧 220‧‧ ‧ spring

222‧‧‧圓柱形內螺樁 222‧‧‧Cylindrical internal stud

224‧‧‧螺紋內孔 224‧‧‧Threaded bore

226‧‧‧樞軸螺絲 226‧‧‧ pivot screw

228‧‧‧遠端 228‧‧‧ distal

230‧‧‧樞轉孔 230‧‧‧ pivot hole

231‧‧‧擋銷 231‧‧‧Distribution

232‧‧‧溝槽 232‧‧‧ trench

234‧‧‧環形架 234‧‧‧Ring frame

236‧‧‧中央軸孔 236‧‧‧Central shaft hole

238‧‧‧舌片 238‧‧‧ tongue

240‧‧‧部份環形溝槽 240‧‧‧Partial annular groove

242‧‧‧傾斜側壁 242‧‧‧ sloping side walls

244‧‧‧扁平圓盤 244‧‧‧flat disc

246‧‧‧溝槽延伸部 246‧‧‧ trench extension

247‧‧‧中央部份 247‧‧‧Central Part

250‧‧‧缺口 250‧‧‧ gap

251‧‧‧第一側壁 251‧‧‧First side wall

252‧‧‧第二側壁 252‧‧‧second side wall

254‧‧‧下表面或底面 254‧‧‧lower or bottom surface

260‧‧‧外表面 260‧‧‧ outer surface

262‧‧‧柄腳部份 262‧‧‧ shank part

263‧‧‧螺絲 263‧‧‧ screws

264‧‧‧鎖銷 264‧‧‧Locking

266‧‧‧肩部 266‧‧‧ shoulder

A‧‧‧箭號(方向) A‧‧‧Arrow (direction)

D1‧‧‧第一直徑 D1‧‧‧first diameter

D2‧‧‧第二直徑 D2‧‧‧second diameter

D3‧‧‧直徑 D3‧‧‧diameter

L1‧‧‧高度 L1‧‧‧ height

L2‧‧‧本體長度 L2‧‧‧ body length

藉配合以下圖式參照本發明之以下詳細說明，可更佳地了解本發明且明白其多數目的與優點。 The invention will be better understood and its numerous objects and advantages are apparent from the <RTIgt;

第1圖是本發明之一具有一開啟輔助機構之刀之第一所示實施例的立體圖，且第1圖所示之刀的刀片係位於鎖定之開啟位置。 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first illustrated embodiment of a knife having an opening assist mechanism of the present invention, and the blade of the blade of Figure 1 is in the locked open position.

第2圖是第1圖所示之刀的側面圖。 Fig. 2 is a side view of the blade shown in Fig. 1.

第3圖是類似第2圖之側面圖，且所示之刀片位在開啟位置與關閉位置間之中途。 Figure 3 is a side view similar to Figure 2, and the blade position shown is intermediate between the open position and the closed position.

第4圖是第3圖中所示之刀的側面圖，顯示該刀片位在完全關閉位置。 Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the knife shown in Figure 3 showing the blade in a fully closed position.

第5圖是第1圖之刀的分解立體圖，顯示所選擇之組件。 Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the knife of Figure 1 showing the selected components.

第6圖是其中一扭轉彈簧之立體圖。 Figure 6 is a perspective view of one of the torsion springs.

第7圖是另一相對扭轉彈簧之立體圖。 Figure 7 is a perspective view of another relative torsion spring.

第8圖是其中一軸套之立體圖。 Figure 8 is a perspective view of one of the bushings.

第9圖是該刀片之柄腳部份的立體圖，顯示其中設有一扭轉彈簧之刀片袋部。 Figure 9 is a perspective view of the shank portion of the blade showing the blade pocket portion in which a torsion spring is disposed.

第10至13圖半示意地顯示當該刀片由該開啟位置轉動至該關閉位置時發生之一系列之結構性步驟。 Figures 10 through 13 show schematically a series of structural steps that occur when the blade is rotated from the open position to the closed position.

第10圖是一側面、半示意與橫截面圖，顯示當該刀片在完全開啟與鎖定位置時，該自動輔助機構之結構。 Figure 10 is a side, semi-schematic and cross-sectional view showing the structure of the automatic assist mechanism when the blade is in the fully open and locked position.

第11圖是一側面、半示意與橫截面圖，顯示當該刀片已由該完全關閉位置朝該開啟位置轉動大約60º時，該自動輔助機構之結構。 Figure 11 is a side, semi-schematic and cross-sectional view showing the structure of the automatic assist mechanism when the blade has been rotated about 60o from the fully closed position toward the open position.

第12圖是一側面、半示意與橫截面圖，顯示當該刀片已由該完全關閉位置朝該開啟位置轉動大約40º時，該自動輔助機構之結構。 Figure 12 is a side, semi-schematic and cross-sectional view showing the structure of the automatic assist mechanism when the blade has been rotated about 40 degrees from the fully closed position toward the open position.

第13圖是一側面、半示意與橫截面圖，顯示當該刀片在關閉位置時，該自動輔助機構之結構。 Figure 13 is a side, semi-schematic and cross-sectional view showing the structure of the automatic assist mechanism when the blade is in the closed position.

第14圖是通過握把之前方部份所截取之第1圖之形式化頂橫截面圖，顯示該刀片位於該開啟位置。 Figure 14 is a fragmentary top cross-sectional view of Figure 1 taken through the front portion of the grip showing the blade in the open position.

第15圖是通過與第14圖相同之位置所截取之形式化頂橫截面圖，但顯示該刀片位於該關閉位置。 Figure 15 is a fragmentary top cross-sectional view taken through the same position as Figure 14, but showing the blade in the closed position.

第16至19圖是一連串半示意與半橫截面圖，顯示在該刀片由開啟位置轉動至關閉位置時發生之一連串事件期間的刀片、扭轉彈簧與軸套。 Figures 16 through 19 are a series of semi-schematic and semi-cross-sectional views showing the blade, torsion spring and bushing during a series of events occurring when the blade is rotated from the open position to the closed position.

第16圖顯示當該刀片位於該開啟位置時，該等刀片、扭轉彈簧與軸套之結構配置。第16圖大致對應於第10圖。 Figure 16 shows the structural configuration of the blades, torsion springs and bushings when the blade is in the open position. Figure 16 roughly corresponds to Figure 10.

第17圖顯示當該刀片由該完全開啟位置朝該關閉位置轉動大約120º時，該等刀片、扭轉彈簧與軸套之結構配置。第17圖大致對應於第11圖。 Figure 17 shows the structural configuration of the blades, torsion springs and bushings when the blade is rotated about 120o from the fully open position toward the closed position. Figure 17 roughly corresponds to Figure 11.

第18圖顯示當該刀片由該完全開啟位置朝該關閉位置轉動大約140º時，該等刀片、扭轉彈簧與軸套之結構配置。第18圖大致對應於第12圖。 Figure 18 shows the structural configuration of the blades, torsion springs and bushings when the blade is rotated about 140o from the fully open position toward the closed position. Figure 18 roughly corresponds to Figure 12.

第19圖顯示當該刀片位於該關閉位置時，該等刀片、扭轉彈簧與軸套之結構配置。第19圖大致對應於第13圖。 Figure 19 shows the structural configuration of the blades, torsion springs and bushings when the blade is in the closed position. Figure 19 roughly corresponds to Figure 13.

第20至25圖顯示本發明之一開啟輔助機構之另一較佳實施例。詳而言之， 第20圖是顯示本發明之一開啟輔助機構之一刀之選擇結構的立體及部份剖視圖，且以一分解圖顯示各種部件。 Figures 20 to 25 show another preferred embodiment of one of the opening assist mechanisms of the present invention. In detail, Figure 20 is a perspective and partial cross-sectional view showing a selection structure of a blade of one of the opening assist mechanisms of the present invention, and shows various components in an exploded view.

第21圖是第20圖所示之刀之選擇結構的立體橫截面圖，顯示與一握把側壁組裝在一起之刀片且該刀片係在該關閉位置。 Figure 21 is a perspective cross-sectional view showing the selected structure of the blade shown in Figure 20, showing the blade assembled with a side wall of a grip and the blade being in the closed position.

第22A圖是第20圖所示之刀之選擇結構的橫截面圖，且該刀片係在該完全開啟位置。 Fig. 22A is a cross-sectional view showing the selection structure of the blade shown in Fig. 20, and the blade is in the fully open position.

第22B圖是第22A圖所示之刀之橫截面圖，且該刀片轉動至一在完全開啟與完全關閉之間的中間位置，並且該彈簧之腿部在一位置結合該刀片以將該刀片由該關閉驅動至開啟。 Figure 22B is a cross-sectional view of the knife shown in Figure 22A, and the blade is rotated to an intermediate position between fully open and fully closed, and the leg of the spring engages the blade in a position to the blade Drive from this off to on.

第22C圖是第22A與22B圖所示之刀之橫截面圖，且該刀片係在該完全關閉位置。 Figure 22C is a cross-sectional view of the knife shown in Figures 22A and 22B with the blade in the fully closed position.

第23圖是一具有第20圖所示之開啟輔助機構之刀的平面圖，且該近側壁被移除以暴露該刀片及開啟輔助機構並且該刀片係在該關閉位置。 Figure 23 is a plan view of the knife having the opening assist mechanism shown in Figure 20, and the proximal side wall is removed to expose the blade and the opening assist mechanism and the blade is in the closed position.

第24圖是一類似第23圖之平面圖，但顯示該刀片在當它由該開啟移動至該關閉位置時之一中間位置。 Figure 24 is a plan view similar to Figure 23, but showing the blade in an intermediate position when it is moved from the opening to the closed position.

第25圖是一類似第22與23圖之平面圖，但顯示該刀片係在該完全開啟位置。 Figure 25 is a plan view similar to Figures 22 and 23, but showing the blade in the fully open position.

較佳實施例之詳細說明 Detailed description of the preferred embodiment

本發明之具有一開啟輔助機構之折疊刀10的第一所示實施例係顯示在第1至19圖中。折疊刀10包括一長形握把12、及一可樞轉地連接在該握把上且位於其一端處-以下稱為該握把之“前”端。其他相對方向用語對應於這 規則：該握把之“後”或柄端與該前端相對；該刀片之“上”部是鈍的非工作部份且該刀片之“下”部是被磨利的工作部份；“內”或“向內”表示該刀之結構中心等。第1與2圖顯示該刀10，且該刀片14位於該開啟位置。第3圖顯示位於其由該開啟位置轉動至該關閉位置之中途的刀片，且在第4圖中，所示之刀片位在部份以虛線顯示之刀片被收納在一刀片收納槽中的關閉位置，且該刀片收納槽形成在該握把12內且位在側壁之間。一X-Y-Z軸座標顯示在第1圖中，且X-Y平面係定義為平行於由該握把12與刀片14所界定之平面的平面-當該刀片在該關閉位置與該開啟位置之間轉動時它在該X-Y平面中移動。該Z平面是與該X-Y橫交之平面-該刀片樞銷在該Z平面中縱向地延伸。 The first illustrated embodiment of the folding knife 10 of the present invention having an opening assist mechanism is shown in Figures 1 through 19. The folding knife 10 includes an elongated grip 12 and a pivotally coupled to the grip at one end thereof - hereinafter referred to as the "front" end of the grip. Other relative direction terms correspond to this Rule: the "back" or shank end of the grip is opposite the front end; the "upper" portion of the blade is a blunt, non-working portion and the "lower" portion of the blade is a sharpened working portion; "Or "inward" means the structural center of the knife, etc. Figures 1 and 2 show the knife 10 and the blade 14 is in the open position. Figure 3 shows the blade in its midway rotation from the open position to the closed position, and in Figure 4, the blade is shown closed in a portion of the blade shown in phantom in a blade receiving slot. Position, and the blade receiving groove is formed in the grip 12 and is located between the side walls. An XYZ axis coordinate is shown in Figure 1 and the XY plane is defined as a plane parallel to the plane defined by the grip 12 and the blade 14 - when the blade is rotated between the closed position and the open position Move in the XY plane. The Z-plane is the plane transverse to the X-Y - the blade pivot pin extends longitudinally in the Z-plane.

本發明之刀10的刀片14具有一刀片鎖定機構，使得該刀片可以確實地被鎖定在該開啟位置，以防止該刀片不小心移動至其關閉位置。以下將說明該刀片鎖定機構。 The blade 14 of the knife 10 of the present invention has a blade locking mechanism such that the blade can be securely locked in the open position to prevent the blade from accidentally moving to its closed position. The blade locking mechanism will be described below.

刀10之握把12包含數個組件，包括一對大致以16、18表示之相對設置側壁段，且該等側壁段16、18互相平行並被分隔器20分開，而第1圖中僅顯示其中一分隔器20。各側壁段16與18包含被固持成互相平行的一襯墊及一外板，詳而言之，側壁16係由襯墊17與外板19形成。類似地，側壁18係由襯墊21與外板23形成。該等分隔器20是具有一內螺孔之圓柱形套筒，且多數螺絲22螺入前述內螺孔。如此，該等螺絲將該等分隔器連結在該等側壁16與18之襯墊17與21，以維持該握把12與以一分開關係被固持之側壁16與18 呈一連結關係。側壁段16與18可由如一強化合成塑膠之任何適當材料製成；其他適當材料包括金屬、其他塑膠、木材等。該等側壁段可以單件或多件方式製成，且如第1圖所示，如有需要，可以包括一選擇性袋部夾25-該夾連接在該側壁16之外表面上。 The grip 12 of the knife 10 includes a plurality of components, including a pair of oppositely disposed side wall segments generally indicated at 16, 18, and the side wall segments 16, 18 are parallel to each other and separated by a divider 20, while only shown in FIG. One of the dividers 20. Each of the side wall sections 16 and 18 includes a liner and an outer panel that are held in parallel with each other. In detail, the side wall 16 is formed by the gasket 17 and the outer panel 19. Similarly, the side wall 18 is formed by the liner 21 and the outer panel 23. The spacers 20 are cylindrical sleeves having an inner screw hole, and a plurality of screws 22 are screwed into the aforementioned inner screw holes. Thus, the screws connect the dividers to the pads 17 and 21 of the side walls 16 and 18 to maintain the handle 12 and the side walls 16 and 18 held in a spaced relationship. In a connected relationship. The side wall sections 16 and 18 can be made of any suitable material such as a reinforced synthetic plastic; other suitable materials include metal, other plastics, wood, and the like. The side wall segments can be made in one piece or in multiple pieces and, as shown in Fig. 1, can include a selective pocket clip 25, if desired, attached to the outer surface of the side wall 16.

該刀片14可樞轉地連接在該握把12且靠近該握把之前端，與刀10一起使用之刀片可為任何習知種類。在圖式中所示之刀片包含一以24表示之長形工作部份及一以26表示之柄腳部份，且該刀片14係可以一刀片軸銷(以下詳述)樞轉地連接該握把12。工作部份24通常包括一銳利邊緣30及一無鋒邊緣32，且一拇指凸耳34可被包括在刀片14，以協助開啟與關閉該刀片。 The blade 14 is pivotally coupled to the grip 12 and adjacent the front end of the grip, and the insert for use with the knife 10 can be of any conventional type. The blade shown in the drawings includes an elongate working portion, indicated at 24, and a tang portion, indicated at 26, and the blade 14 is pivotally coupled to a blade pin (described in more detail below). Grip 12. The working portion 24 generally includes a sharp edge 30 and a frontless edge 32, and a thumb lug 34 can be included in the blade 14 to assist in opening and closing the blade.

一刀片收納槽36利用前述螺絲22而形成在該等側壁16、18之間，且該刀片收納槽36界定出一當該刀片14移動至其關閉位置時將該刀片14收納於其中之槽孔。當該刀片位於該關閉位置時，該刀片之銳利邊緣30被安全地固持在該握把之範圍內。 A blade receiving slot 36 is formed between the side walls 16, 18 by means of the aforementioned screw 22, and the blade receiving groove 36 defines a slot in which the blade 14 is received when the blade 14 is moved to its closed position. . When the blade is in the closed position, the sharp edge 30 of the blade is securely held within the grip.

刀片14連接於握把12，使得當該刀片14位於其開啟位置(第1圖)時，該刀片之工作部份24延伸遠離該握把12，且當該刀片在該開啟位置或該關閉位置時，柄腳部份26位在該刀片收納槽36內並在該成對握把側壁之間。即，該柄腳部份26一直位在握把12之側壁16與18之間。該刀片係可以該刀片軸銷樞轉地連接在該握把上，且該刀片軸銷與該刀片之平面橫交地延伸並形成一刀片樞軸。請參閱第5圖， 刀片軸銷28係由一圓柱形套筒44形成，且該套筒44延伸通過一形成在襯墊21中之孔40及一形成在該襯墊17中之對齊孔42，並且該套筒亦延伸通過穿過刀片14之柄腳部份26的對齊樞轉孔46。在組裝完成之刀10中，圓柱形套筒44穿過在刀片14之柄腳部份26中之樞轉孔46緊密且固定地嵌合，使得該套筒界定出相對於該刀片與該等側壁之平面橫向延伸的刀片轉動樞軸。如此，套筒44與該Z方向軸向地成一直線-與該X-Y平面橫交。請繼續參閱第5圖，套筒44之其中一端具有一唇部45，且該唇部45之外周緣是有刻紋的。該套筒44之相對端係被收納在各個握把中之圓形柱坑凹部47內，且在第5圖中僅顯示其中一柱坑凹部47。多數墊圈50配置於該刀片14及該等襯墊17與21之間，使得該套筒44延伸通過墊圈。 The blade 14 is coupled to the grip 12 such that when the blade 14 is in its open position (Fig. 1), the working portion 24 of the blade extends away from the grip 12 and when the blade is in the open position or the closed position The tang portion 26 is located within the blade receiving slot 36 and between the pair of grip side walls. That is, the tang portion 26 is always positioned between the side walls 16 and 18 of the grip 12. The blade is pivotally coupled to the handle by the blade pin and the blade pin extends transversely to the plane of the blade and forms a blade pivot. Please refer to Figure 5, The blade pin 28 is formed by a cylindrical sleeve 44, and the sleeve 44 extends through a hole 40 formed in the gasket 21 and an alignment hole 42 formed in the gasket 17, and the sleeve is also The alignment pivot hole 46 extends through the tang portion 26 of the blade 14. In the assembled knife 10, the cylindrical sleeve 44 is tightly and fixedly fitted through a pivot hole 46 in the shank portion 26 of the blade 14 such that the sleeve defines relative to the blade and the like The blade laterally extending in the plane of the side wall pivots the pivot. As such, the sleeve 44 is axially aligned with the Z-direction - transverse to the X-Y plane. Referring to Figure 5, one end of the sleeve 44 has a lip 45 and the outer periphery of the lip 45 is knurled. The opposite ends of the sleeve 44 are received in a circular column recess 47 in each of the grips, and only one of the column recesses 47 is shown in FIG. A plurality of washers 50 are disposed between the blade 14 and the pads 17 and 21 such that the sleeve 44 extends through the gasket.

一刀片擋銷48之相對端錨固在形成於外板19與23中之柱坑孔52且以螺絲35與54(在第5圖中僅顯示其中一柱坑孔52)固持定位，且第5圖中所示之螺絲38螺入在襯墊17中之螺孔39-一相同螺絲螺入在襯墊21中之螺孔39。 The opposite ends of a blade stop pin 48 are anchored to the column hole 52 formed in the outer plates 19 and 23 and are fixed by screws 35 and 54 (only one of the column holes 52 is shown in Fig. 5), and the fifth The screw 38 shown in the drawing is screwed into the screw hole 39 in the gasket 17 - a screw hole 39 into which the same screw is screwed into the gasket 21.

當該刀10以前述與在圖中所示之各種螺絲與分隔器組合起來時，該等圓柱形套筒44之相對端被確實地扣持在柱坑凹部47且該刀非常穩定。 When the knife 10 is combined with the various screws and spacers shown in the foregoing, the opposite ends of the cylindrical sleeves 44 are securely held in the column recess 47 and the blade is very stable.

如前所述，刀10具有一用以將該刀片鎖定在該開啟位置之鎖定機構。請參閱第5圖，該鎖定機構係大致以符號56表示且完整地揭露在讓渡給本發明之受讓人且在此加入作為參考之美國專利第6,574,869號中。詳而言之，在本 發明之刀10中所使用之鎖定機構56與在專利第6,574,869號之第14至17圖中所示且在該專利之說明書中所述之鎖定機構相同。在此可了解的是因為該鎖定機構56不會形成本發明之一部份，所以在附圖中並非所有鎖定機構之組件均以符號顯示或標明。然而，其中標明刀片鎖銷57；它是一延伸通過該刀握把且其相對端延伸通過在該等握把中之槽孔的受彈簧偏壓銷，且該銷57藉由其與該柄腳部份26之特殊化表面接觸而將該刀片鎖定在該開啟位置。在此亦應了解的是有許多種不同可與在此所述之開啟輔助機構一起良好地作用之鎖定機構，包括例如襯墊鎖與回鎖(lock back)機構。 As previously mentioned, the knife 10 has a locking mechanism for locking the blade in the open position. Referring to Fig. 5, the locking mechanism is generally indicated by the reference numeral 56 and is fully disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 6,574,869, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. In detail, in this The locking mechanism 56 used in the invented knife 10 is the same as the locking mechanism shown in the drawings of Figures 4 to 574, 869, and in the specification of the patent. It will be appreciated herein that because the locking mechanism 56 does not form part of the present invention, not all components of the locking mechanism are shown or indicated in the figures. However, there is indicated a blade lock pin 57; it is a spring-biased pin extending through the knife grip and having opposite ends extending through the slots in the grips, and the pin 57 is with the handle The specialized surface contact of the foot portion 26 contacts the blade in the open position. It should also be understood herein that there are many different types of locking mechanisms that can function well with the opening assist mechanisms described herein, including, for example, pad locks and lock back mechanisms.

請參閱第5圖，刀10具有一包含數種組件之開啟輔助機構60。該機構60將大致先參照數個圖說明，且其結構與操作將接著參照其他圖詳細說明。如第9圖所示，刀片14之柄腳部份26具有一環狀地圍繞該孔46形成之圓形凹部62，且刀片軸銷28延伸通過該孔46。該圓形凹部62在該刀片之柄腳表面中界定出一環狀凹孔，且該環狀凹孔可藉研磨該刀片或在模鑄該刀片時形成。如此，該凹部具有一凹陷至該柄腳部份26之其餘部份之表面66高度下方的底座面64。一階部68形成該底座面64之外周邊緣，且一袋部或溝槽70形成在凹部62中，使得該溝槽由通過孔46之中心軸向外輻射。該溝槽70界定出一圓柱體之一部份，使得其壁是彎曲的。如以下所述，因為該溝槽之壁是彎曲的，所以在該刀片轉動時之某些時候跨置在該溝槽中之彈簧腿部可進 入與離開該溝槽。一彎曲或傾斜段72在孔46邊緣處由該溝槽70之一側延伸出來且向上傾斜一小段徑向距離，直到該傾斜段到達底座面64之高度為止。由於以下所詳述之理由，該傾斜段72是非必要的。最後，該圓形凹部62包括一由溝槽70最外緣延伸一小段徑向距離且環繞該圓形凹部之向外形成扇形部份74，並且該向外形成扇形部份74之邊緣界定出一具有大於該圓形凹部62之其餘部份之直徑的部份。 Referring to Figure 5, the knife 10 has an opening assist mechanism 60 that includes several components. The mechanism 60 will be described generally with reference to a number of figures, and its structure and operation will be described in detail with reference to the other figures. As shown in FIG. 9, the tang portion 26 of the blade 14 has a circular recess 62 formed annularly around the aperture 46, and the blade pivot pin 28 extends through the aperture 46. The circular recess 62 defines an annular recess in the tang surface of the blade, and the annular recess can be formed by grinding the blade or molding the blade. As such, the recess has a seating surface 64 that is recessed below the surface 66 of the remainder of the shank portion 26. The first step portion 68 forms the outer peripheral edge of the base surface 64, and a pocket or groove 70 is formed in the recess 62 such that the groove is radiated axially outward from the center of the through hole 46. The groove 70 defines a portion of a cylinder such that its wall is curved. As described below, since the wall of the groove is curved, the spring legs that are spanned in the groove at some point during the rotation of the blade can enter Enter and leave the trench. A curved or inclined section 72 extends from one side of the groove 70 at the edge of the aperture 46 and is inclined upwardly by a short radial distance until the inclined section reaches the height of the seating surface 64. This inclined section 72 is not necessary for the reasons detailed below. Finally, the circular recess 62 includes a scalloped portion 74 extending a short radial distance from the outermost edge of the groove 70 and surrounding the circular recess, and the edge of the outwardly formed scalloped portion 74 defines A portion having a larger diameter than the remaining portion of the circular recess 62.

雖然在第9圖中僅顯示刀片14之一側，但是在此應了解的是刀片14之另一側包括一結構與在此所述者相同之圓形凹部。如以下所詳述，在該刀片另一側上之該圓形凹部結構係相對第9圖中所示之結構軸向地旋轉。 Although only one side of the blade 14 is shown in Figure 9, it will be understood herein that the other side of the blade 14 includes a circular recess having the same structure as described herein. As described in more detail below, the circular recess structure on the other side of the blade is axially rotated relative to the structure shown in FIG.

該開啟輔助機構60之一組件的下一結構係顯示於第8圖中，且包含一軸套80。軸套80是一大致圓柱形構件82，且具有三個間隔地形成在該軸套外壁四週之平坦部份84、86與88。各平坦部份沿軸套80之圓柱形壁89部份地延伸，且界定出各平坦部份之止擋部85。如以下所詳述者，該軸套***一在該襯墊中之形狀配合之圓形孔，該圓形孔具有三個對應於在該軸套上之三個平坦部份84、86與88的平坦部份。該軸套之三個平坦部份與在該等襯墊中之孔的平坦部份合作，以相對該襯墊固定該軸套且藉此防止該軸套相對該襯墊轉動。該軸套80之“內部”界定出一在第8圖中之第一直徑D1，且在該軸套之“封閉”端83處之孔界定出一小於D1之第二直徑D2，並且該內圓柱形壁89界定出一高度L1。最後，在圓柱形壁89之內環狀邊緣94中形成有一 第一缺口90及一第二缺口92。第二缺口92小於第一缺口90，且在該等墊圈50中之內孔直徑大於軸套80之外徑，使得當該刀組合完成時，該等軸套如以下所詳述地延伸通過該等墊圈。 The next structure of one of the components of the opening assist mechanism 60 is shown in Figure 8 and includes a bushing 80. The sleeve 80 is a generally cylindrical member 82 and has three flat portions 84, 86 and 88 spaced apart around the outer wall of the sleeve. Each flat portion extends partially along the cylindrical wall 89 of the sleeve 80 and defines a stop portion 85 for each flat portion. As described in more detail below, the sleeve is inserted into a form-fitting circular aperture in the pad having three flat portions 84, 86 and 88 corresponding to the sleeve. The flat part. The three flat portions of the bushing cooperate with the flat portions of the holes in the pads to secure the bushing relative to the pad and thereby prevent rotation of the bushing relative to the pad. The "inside" of the sleeve 80 defines a first diameter D1 in Figure 8, and the aperture at the "closed" end 83 of the sleeve defines a second diameter D2 that is less than D1 and The cylindrical wall 89 defines a height L1. Finally, one of the annular edges 94 is formed in the cylindrical wall 89. The first gap 90 and the second gap 92. The second notch 92 is smaller than the first notch 90, and the inner diameter of the inner diameter of the gasket 50 is greater than the outer diameter of the sleeve 80 such that when the knife assembly is completed, the sleeves extend through the Wait for the washer.

以下請參閱第6與7圖，其中顯示在該開啟輔助機構60中所使用之兩扭轉彈簧96與98。該等彈簧96與98互為鏡像且具有一略小於軸套80之圓柱形壁89高度L1的本體長度L2、及一略小於軸套80之直徑D1的直徑D3。彈簧96是一左旋彈簧且彈簧98是一右旋彈簧，在此應了解的是有許多不同種類之可在本發明中使用的扭轉彈簧。在此所示之該等彈簧96與98係具有螺旋本體部份101及筆直腿部100與102之扁平線型彈簧，且該等腿部100與102形成彈簧端。 Referring to Figures 6 and 7, below, the two torsion springs 96 and 98 used in the opening assist mechanism 60 are shown. The springs 96 and 98 are mirror images of each other and have a body length L2 that is slightly smaller than the height L1 of the cylindrical wall 89 of the sleeve 80 and a diameter D3 that is slightly smaller than the diameter D1 of the sleeve 80. Spring 96 is a left-handed spring and spring 98 is a right-handed spring. It should be understood herein that there are many different types of torsion springs that can be used in the present invention. The springs 96 and 98 shown herein have a flat linear spring with a helical body portion 101 and straight legs 100 and 102, and the legs 100 and 102 form a spring end.

以下將一軸套及一扭轉彈簧來說明開啟輔助機構之組裝，但是，由在此之說明及所示實施例之圖式可知，該開啟輔助機構依靠在該刀片之各側上的一軸套與扭轉彈簧。然而，一開啟輔助機構可依據在此僅使用一扭轉彈簧之揭露來構成。換言之，本發明之開啟輔助機構可僅用一在該刀片之一橫向側上的彈簧來製造。雖然一在該刀片之兩側上的彈簧是較佳實施例，但一單一彈簧機構亦是適當的。 Hereinafter, a bushing and a torsion spring are used to illustrate the assembly of the opening assist mechanism. However, as will be understood from the description of the embodiments and the illustrated embodiment, the opening assist mechanism relies on a bushing and twist on each side of the blade. spring. However, an opening assist mechanism can be constructed in accordance with the disclosure of only one torsion spring. In other words, the opening assist mechanism of the present invention can be manufactured using only a spring on one lateral side of the blade. While a spring on either side of the blade is a preferred embodiment, a single spring mechanism is also suitable.

請再參閱第5圖，刀10係利用被收納在刀片14相對側上之圓形凹部62中的彈簧96與98來組裝。各扭轉彈簧之各腿部100靠置在軸套80中之缺口90中，且軸套80***通過襯墊17之孔42，並且該等平坦部份84、86與88對齊形成 在該襯墊中之對應平坦部份。該軸套可***通過孔42，直到該等止擋部85抵靠該襯墊之外壁為止。如前所述，該軸套80之平坦部份與穿過襯墊17之孔42的平坦部份合作，以相對該襯墊固定該軸套。換言之，軸套80無法轉動。因為軸套80之直徑D2小於該等彈簧之直徑D3，彈簧98被固持在軸套80之內部，且被扣持在該軸套中。在刀片14相對橫向側上之彈簧96與軸套80利用襯墊21以相同之方式組裝，且彈簧96之“外”腿部100被固持在該軸套之缺口90中。因為該軸套無法轉動且該彈簧之腿部100被固持在缺口90中，各彈簧之一腿部相對該握把12被固定。圓柱形套筒44被***通過該等軸套、該等彈簧、及該刀片，且該套筒之相對端分別被扣持在握把側壁段16與18之各外板19與23中的柱坑凹部47內。在套筒44一端上之有刻紋外唇部防止該套筒相對該握把轉動，且在此應了解的是因為套筒44被軸向***通過該等彈簧之中心，該套筒作為該等彈簧之心軸。 Referring again to Figure 5, the knife 10 is assembled using springs 96 and 98 that are received in circular recesses 62 on opposite sides of the blade 14. Each leg portion 100 of each torsion spring rests in a notch 90 in the sleeve 80, and the sleeve 80 is inserted through the aperture 42 of the pad 17 and the flat portions 84, 86 and 88 are aligned to form The corresponding flat portion in the pad. The sleeve can be inserted through the aperture 42 until the stops 85 abut the outer wall of the liner. As previously mentioned, the flat portion of the sleeve 80 cooperates with the flat portion of the aperture 42 through the liner 17 to secure the sleeve relative to the liner. In other words, the sleeve 80 cannot be rotated. Since the diameter D2 of the sleeve 80 is smaller than the diameter D3 of the springs, the spring 98 is held inside the sleeve 80 and is held in the sleeve. The spring 96 and the sleeve 80 on the opposite lateral sides of the blade 14 are assembled in the same manner using the gasket 21, and the "outer" leg 100 of the spring 96 is retained in the notch 90 of the sleeve. Since the sleeve cannot be rotated and the leg portion 100 of the spring is held in the notch 90, one leg of each spring is fixed relative to the grip 12. A cylindrical sleeve 44 is inserted through the bosses, the springs, and the blades, and the opposite ends of the sleeve are respectively retained in the column pits in the outer plates 19 and 23 of the grip side wall sections 16 and 18. Inside the recess 47. A scored outer lip on one end of the sleeve 44 prevents the sleeve from rotating relative to the grip, and it will be appreciated herein that because the sleeve 44 is axially inserted through the center of the spring, the sleeve acts as the sleeve The shaft of the spring.

如前所述，彈簧96之本體長度L2略小於軸套80之高度L1。當刀完全組裝完成且該握把兩半螺接在一起時，如前述般相對握把12固定之軸套80將彈簧96與98最內側腿部102固持在該刀片兩側上之溝槽70中，且軸套80之內環狀邊緣94緊臨該表面64。 As previously mentioned, the body length L2 of the spring 96 is slightly less than the height L1 of the sleeve 80. When the knife is fully assembled and the two halves of the grip are screwed together, the sleeve 80, which is fixed relative to the grip 12 as described above, holds the innermost leg portions 102 of the springs 96 and 98 against the grooves 70 on either side of the blade. The inner annular edge 94 of the sleeve 80 is adjacent to the surface 64.

請參閱第9圖，當該刀10組裝時，且至少在該刀片如下詳述般地由關閉至開啟，且由開啟至關閉轉動之某些時候，彈簧96之腿部102位於溝槽70中。腿部102之長度大於圓形凹部62之傾斜段72的長度(例如，如第10圖中所示)， 如此，當彈簧96與其他相關組件一起組裝時，腿部102之端部延伸至溝槽70中且通過傾斜段72結束之點。當彈簧96在X-Y平面受到轉動扭力之作用-即，當該彈簧“被加上負載”時，溝槽70之傾斜表面在Z平面中產生一力向量-即，與該刀片之平面橫交-且該力向量推動彈簧96之腿部102向外遠離在圓柱形凹部62中之溝槽並遠離通過刀片之縫向中心線。換言之，因為強迫抵靠腿部102之溝槽70表面一直是傾斜的，所以在該Z平面中會有一將該腿部朝該軸套80推出該溝槽之力，且傾斜段72提供讓該彈簧腿部102可以完全向下安置於溝槽70中之機械間隙。如前所述且如圖中所示，該等彈簧96與98是扁平線型彈簧。在該彈簧腿部與該溝槽70之側邊間之相對幾何構形是重要的，使得該彈簧腿部可移入與移出該溝槽。在此應了解的是此處所述之幾何形狀可以加以修改並達成相同之功能特性。 Referring to Figure 9, the leg portion 102 of the spring 96 is located in the groove 70 when the knife 10 is assembled, and at least at the time the blade is closed to open as detailed below, and from moments of opening to closing. . The length of the leg portion 102 is greater than the length of the angled section 72 of the circular recess 62 (eg, as shown in FIG. 10), As such, when the spring 96 is assembled with other related components, the ends of the legs 102 extend into the grooves 70 and end through the angled section 72. When the spring 96 is subjected to rotational torsion in the XY plane - that is, when the spring is "loaded", the inclined surface of the groove 70 creates a force vector in the Z plane - that is, transverse to the plane of the blade - And the force vector pushes the leg portion 102 of the spring 96 outward away from the groove in the cylindrical recess 62 and away from the slot through the blade toward the centerline. In other words, since the surface of the groove 70 forcing the abutment of the leg portion 102 is always inclined, there is a force in the Z plane that pushes the leg toward the sleeve 80 toward the groove, and the inclined portion 72 is provided for The spring leg 102 can be placed completely down the mechanical gap in the groove 70. As previously described and as shown in the figures, the springs 96 and 98 are flat wire springs. The relative geometry between the spring leg and the side of the groove 70 is important so that the spring leg can move in and out of the groove. It should be understood here that the geometry described herein can be modified to achieve the same functional characteristics.

該固定軸套80將該腿部102固持在該溝槽70中，但當刀片轉動且捲繞該等彈簧-即，對該等彈簧加上負載時，該腿部102沿著軸套80之內環狀邊緣94滑動，直到該等腿部之內部開始跨置在該等溝槽70之傾斜側上。當繼續轉動且該等腿部102朝缺口92轉動時，藉溝槽70之傾斜邊緣，一力向量朝該Z平面之方向施加在腿部102上。當腿部102對齊軸套80中之缺口92時，該等腿部被迫非常快速地進入該等缺口中。當該等腿部102被移動至該等缺口92中時，該等彈簧之轉動力立即脫離該刀片上且轉移至如前所述為固定之軸套上。 The fixed bushing 80 holds the leg portion 102 in the groove 70, but when the blade rotates and winds the springs - that is, when the springs are loaded, the leg portion 102 is along the sleeve 80 The inner annular edge 94 slides until the interior of the legs begins to straddle the inclined sides of the grooves 70. When the rotation continues and the legs 102 are rotated toward the notches 92, a force vector is applied to the legs 102 in the direction of the Z-plane by the inclined edges of the grooves 70. When the legs 102 are aligned with the notches 92 in the sleeve 80, the legs are forced to enter the indentations very quickly. When the legs 102 are moved into the indentations 92, the rotational forces of the springs are immediately disengaged from the blade and transferred to the sleeve as previously described.

以下將以該刀片14位於關閉位置(例如第4、13與15圖)開始詳細說明開啟輔助機構60之操作。當該刀片14位於該關閉位置時，該開啟輔助機構60沒有對該刀片施加壓力。當該刀片位於該關閉位置時，該等彈簧96與98被扭轉地捲繞且被加上負載，但它們的轉動力透過腿部102施加至該等固定軸套80。因此，該開啟輔助機構60沒有對該刀片施加壓力，且藉該鎖定機構56施加至該刀片之柄腳的力，該刀片被扣持在該關閉位置。這鎖定機構56之細節係完整地揭露在美國專利第6,574,869號中。由銷57施加至刀片14之力足以將該刀片扣持在該關閉位置，且即使在，例如，該刀掉落時或受到一強力之“甩腕”式移動時，該刀片亦不會開啟。然而，包括一防止該刀片在刀片位於該關閉位置時開啟之“安全”機構是有利的。 The operation of the opening assist mechanism 60 will be described in detail below with the blade 14 in the closed position (e.g., Figures 4, 13 and 15). When the blade 14 is in the closed position, the opening assist mechanism 60 does not apply pressure to the blade. When the blade is in the closed position, the springs 96 and 98 are twisted and loaded, but their rotational force is applied to the fixed bushing 80 through the leg portion 102. Thus, the opening assist mechanism 60 does not apply pressure to the blade and the blade is held in the closed position by the force applied by the locking mechanism 56 to the tang of the blade. The details of this locking mechanism 56 are fully disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 6,574,869. The force applied by the pin 57 to the blade 14 is sufficient to hold the blade in the closed position, and the blade does not open even when, for example, the knife is dropped or subjected to a strong "wrist" movement. . However, it is advantageous to include a "safe" mechanism that prevents the blade from opening when the blade is in the closed position.

如前所述，在該墊圈中之內孔直徑大於該軸套80之外徑。如第14圖所示，這使該等軸套80可延伸通過在組裝後之刀中的墊圈。 As previously mentioned, the inner bore diameter in the washer is greater than the outer diameter of the sleeve 80. As shown in Figure 14, this allows the sleeves 80 to extend through the gasket in the assembled knife.

由前述說明、由圖式及以下更詳細之說明可知，前述軸套80可以任何多數等效結構來取代。舉例而言，該軸套之功能與結構特性及它與該扭轉彈簧結合之方式可以利用一成為該襯墊或握把之一體部份，而非一分離之構件之“軸套”來重現。另一例是該握把可製成為一單一構件且該軸套可以是該單件式握把半部之一部份。 From the foregoing description, from the drawings and the following detailed description, the sleeve 80 can be replaced by any of the many equivalent structures. For example, the functional and structural characteristics of the bushing and its combination with the torsion spring can be reproduced using a "sleeve" that is part of the pad or grip rather than a separate member. . In another example, the grip can be made as a single member and the sleeve can be part of the one-piece grip half.

圖式中之第10至13圖顯示一當該刀片14由該關閉位置(第13圖)移動至該開啟位置(第10圖)時發生之序列 操作。通常，藉使用者施加壓力至拇指凸耳34來轉動該刀片。當轉動刀片14時，該柄腳部份26之結構特徵的圓形凹部62轉動。這使得與圓形凹部62相關之結構可以相對該固定軸套80轉動，且這轉動在該刀片、該軸套及被扣持該軸套中且一腿部固定於其上之彈簧之間產生該開啟輔助機構之功能性操作。 Figures 10 through 13 of the drawings show the sequence that occurs when the blade 14 is moved from the closed position (Fig. 13) to the open position (Fig. 10). operating. Typically, the blade is rotated by the user applying pressure to the thumb lug 34. When the blade 14 is rotated, the circular recess 62 of the structural feature of the tang portion 26 rotates. This allows the structure associated with the circular recess 62 to be rotated relative to the fixed bushing 80, and this rotation is created between the blade, the bushing and the spring that is held in the bushing and a leg is secured thereto. The functional operation of the opening assist mechanism.

請參閱第13圖，如前所述，藉鎖定機構56之銷57的向前壓力，所示之刀片14被扣持在這關閉位置。如此，銷57受到彈簧張力作用，將該銷朝向前之方向推動，如箭號A所示。彈簧98之腿部100一直被固持在軸套80之缺口90中且保持不動，並且藉在該軸套上之平坦部份與對接該軸套延伸通過該襯墊21之孔中之平坦部份，軸套80保持不動。在第13圖中，彈簧98被捲繞起來且因此具有有效的位能。但是，腿部102位在缺口92中且該彈簧之位能因此施加在該固定軸套80上並且不會對該刀片14施加任何轉動壓力(即，在X-Y平面中)，但是在Z平面方向上有一藉缺口92之彎曲邊緣施加在該刀片上的力。 Referring to Figure 13, the blade 14 is shown held in this closed position by the forward pressure of the pin 57 of the locking mechanism 56 as previously described. Thus, the pin 57 is subjected to spring tension to push the pin in the forward direction as indicated by arrow A. The leg portion 100 of the spring 98 is retained in the notch 90 of the sleeve 80 and remains stationary, and the flat portion of the sleeve and the flat portion of the hole that extends through the liner 21 by the flat portion of the sleeve The sleeve 80 remains stationary. In Fig. 13, the spring 98 is wound up and thus has an effective potential energy. However, the leg portion 102 is located in the notch 92 and the position of the spring can thus be applied to the fixed bushing 80 without applying any rotational pressure to the blade 14 (ie, in the XY plane), but in the Z-plane direction. There is a force exerted on the blade by the curved edge of the notch 92.

請參閱在該序列操作中之下一圖，第12圖，該刀片已開始朝該開啟位置(箭號B)轉動。在此，彈簧98之腿部102仍在缺口92中。因此，該彈簧之位能尚未釋放出來且仍施加在軸套80上。同時，當該銷跨置在該刀片之柄腳上時，該銷57已被向後推向該握把12之柄端。因為缺口92之側邊是彎曲的，所以該腿部102一直抵靠在一彎曲表面上。這與先前對跨置在溝槽70中腿部102所述之機械特性相同，因此， 因為該彈簧對該缺口之側邊施加有效之壓力，所以有一在該Z平面方向上將該腿部朝向該刀片之柄腳之方向推動一即，脫離缺口92。這在該腿部102與在該Z平面中之刀片之間施加某壓力，但這不是將驅動該刀片開啟的轉動壓力。 See the next figure in the sequence of operations, Figure 12, the blade has begun to rotate towards the open position (arrow B). Here, the leg portion 102 of the spring 98 is still in the notch 92. Therefore, the positional energy of the spring has not yet been released and is still applied to the sleeve 80. At the same time, when the pin is placed over the tang of the blade, the pin 57 has been pushed rearward toward the shank end of the grip 12. Because the sides of the notch 92 are curved, the leg portion 102 abuts against a curved surface. This is the same as previously described for the leg 102 that is placed across the groove 70, and therefore, Since the spring exerts an effective pressure on the side of the notch, there is a direction in which the leg is pushed toward the tang of the blade, i.e., away from the notch 92. This applies a certain pressure between the leg 102 and the blade in the Z plane, but this is not the rotational pressure that will drive the blade open.

在第11圖中，該刀片已朝圖中之逆時針方向轉動，使得腿部102剛好位在被迫脫出軸套80中之缺口92的臨界點。當腿部102被迫脫出缺口92時，該腿部立即移入且結合溝槽70。由於該彈簧被捲繞且被加上負載，該彈簧腿部移入溝槽70將使位能立即由該固定軸套80傳送至該可轉動刀片14。如此，當該彈簧解捲時，該彈簧立即將它的力施加至該刀片，以將該刀片快速地推至該開啟位置。 In Fig. 11, the blade has been rotated counterclockwise in the figure such that the leg portion 102 is just at the critical point of the notch 92 that is forced to escape the sleeve 80. When the leg 102 is forced out of the notch 92, the leg immediately moves into and engages the groove 70. Since the spring is wound and loaded, the movement of the spring leg into the groove 70 will enable the positional energy to be immediately transferred from the fixed sleeve 80 to the rotatable blade 14. As such, when the spring is unwound, the spring immediately applies its force to the blade to quickly push the blade to the open position.

在第10圖中，所示之刀片係位在該開啟與鎖定位置。在這位置，在該刀片之柄腳上的一邊緣抵靠銷48，而這將使該刀片停止轉動。藉橫向延伸通過該柄腳上緣且楔插於握把側壁與該刀片之間的銷57，將該刀片鎖定。在第10圖中可看到腿部102放置在溝槽70中，且已由缺口92朝圖中之逆時針方向轉動。理想地，彈簧98仍在該刀片上施加壓力，以維持這位置。 In Figure 10, the illustrated blade is in the open and locked position. In this position, an edge on the tang of the blade abuts the pin 48 and this will cause the blade to stop rotating. The blade is locked by a pin 57 extending laterally through the upper edge of the tang and wedged between the side wall of the grip and the blade. It can be seen in Figure 10 that the leg 102 is placed in the groove 70 and has been rotated counterclockwise by the notch 92. Ideally, the spring 98 still exerts pressure on the blade to maintain this position.

以下請參閱第14圖，該圖顯示刀片位在該開啟位置之刀10，且該圖係一通過該刀片連接於該握把處之握把與刀片之一部份的放大橫截面圖。由於刀片14位在該開啟位置，彈簧96與98之腿部102放置於形成在柄腳部份26兩側中之圓形凹部62的溝槽70內。該等彈簧被軸套80之內環狀邊緣94保持在該等溝槽內，且在位置時，該等彈簧96與98 仍稍微被捲繞或被加上負載，所以它們會繼續在該刀片上施加某些壓力且因此迫使該刀片抵靠該止擋銷48。圖中可看到兩彈簧之固定腿部100被固持在軸套80之缺口90中，且當然缺口92未被佔據。因為當該刀片位在該開啟位置時該等彈簧繼續對該刀片施加壓力，所以該鎖定機構可確保確實的鎖定。這種情形與在該刀片轉動至某一點後驅動該刀片開啟但並未對該刀片施加壓力的許多開啟輔助機構是大不相同的。 Referring now to Figure 14, there is shown a knife 10 with the blade in the open position, and the figure is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the grip and blade attached to the grip by the blade. Since the blade 14 is in the open position, the legs 102 of the springs 96 and 98 are placed in the grooves 70 formed in the circular recesses 62 in the sides of the tang portion 26. The springs are held within the grooves by the inner annular edge 94 of the sleeve 80, and in position, the springs 96 and 98 They are still slightly wound or loaded, so they will continue to exert some pressure on the blade and thus force the blade against the stop pin 48. It can be seen that the fixed leg portions 100 of the two springs are held in the notches 90 of the sleeve 80, and of course the notches 92 are unoccupied. Because the springs continue to apply pressure to the blade when the blade is in the open position, the locking mechanism ensures a positive lock. This situation is quite different from the many opening assist mechanisms that drive the blade to open after the blade has rotated to a certain point but do not apply pressure to the blade.

第15圖類似於第14圖，但它顯示刀片14位在關閉位置之刀10。在此，該等彈簧96與98被完全捲繞且因此以位能完全地加上負載。但是，在這位置時，該等腿部102已被迫與刀片14分離且因此停留在缺口92中並且在此處，它們對該固定軸套80施加它們的位能。 Fig. 15 is similar to Fig. 14, but it shows the knife 10 with the blade 14 in the closed position. Here, the springs 96 and 98 are completely wound and thus fully loaded in position. However, in this position, the legs 102 have been forced to separate from the blade 14 and thus stay in the notch 92 and here they apply their potential energy to the fixed bushing 80.

在此應了解的是當該刀片位在該開啟位置時，該鎖定機構可解鎖且該刀片可轉動至該關閉位置。當該刀片由開啟移動至關閉時所發生之事件之順序係以第10圖至第13圖一系列之圖來顯示。首先，請參閱第10圖，藉使鎖定機構56之銷向後朝該刀之柄端移動，使得該銷與該刀片脫離而將該刀片解鎖。接著，使該刀片朝第10圖中之順時針方向轉動(即，相對箭號B之方向)。當這種情形發生時，該腿部102被溝槽70之邊緣推動，藉此捲繞彈簧98。 It should be understood herein that when the blade is in the open position, the locking mechanism can be unlocked and the blade can be rotated to the closed position. The sequence of events that occur when the blade is moved from open to closed is shown in a series of figures from Figures 10 through 13. First, referring to Fig. 10, the pin is unlocked by moving the pin of the locking mechanism 56 rearward toward the shank end of the knife, causing the pin to disengage from the blade. Next, the blade is rotated clockwise in Fig. 10 (i.e., in the direction of arrow B). When this occurs, the leg 102 is pushed by the edge of the groove 70, thereby winding the spring 98.

當該刀片繼續朝順時針方向轉動時，該彈簧繼續被捲繞，或加上負載，對該彈簧賦與更大的位能。在第11圖中，該腿部102仍位在溝槽70中，但該腿部102之位置正 接近該腿部對齊缺口92之點。在第12圖中，該腿部102已與缺口92對齊且該腿部102被迫由溝槽70進入缺口92，藉此將該彈簧壓力由該刀片傳遞至該軸套。使腿部102可以被迫由該溝槽70進入缺口92之主要結構是該溝槽70之傾斜側邊，該等傾斜側邊會在Z平面中使腿部朝缺口92“舉起”。該傾斜段72亦有助於產生在Z平面中迫使腿部移動且進入缺口92的“舉起”動作，但如前所述，傾斜段72之主要功能是使腿部102可以完全放置在該溝槽70中。 As the blade continues to rotate in a clockwise direction, the spring continues to be wound, or a load is applied to impart greater potential to the spring. In Fig. 11, the leg portion 102 is still in the groove 70, but the position of the leg portion 102 is positive. Close to the point at which the leg is aligned with the notch 92. In Fig. 12, the leg 102 has been aligned with the notch 92 and the leg 102 is forced into the notch 92 by the groove 70, whereby the spring pressure is transmitted from the blade to the sleeve. The primary structure that allows the leg portion 102 to be forced into the notch 92 by the groove 70 is the angled side of the groove 70 that will "lift" the leg toward the notch 92 in the Z-plane. The angled section 72 also assists in creating a "lift" action that forces the leg to move in the Z-plane and into the gap 92, but as previously discussed, the primary function of the angled section 72 is to allow the leg 102 to be fully seated in the In the groove 70.

在第13圖中，可以看到腿部102在缺口92中。因此，該刀片自由地轉動進入該關閉位置。如前所述，施加至鎖定機構之彈簧壓力將該機構之銷向前推，將該刀片扣持在該關閉位置。 In Figure 13, it can be seen that the leg 102 is in the gap 92. Thus, the blade is free to rotate into the closed position. As previously mentioned, the spring pressure applied to the locking mechanism pushes the pin of the mechanism forward, holding the blade in the closed position.

以下請參閱第16至19圖之一系列圖，這些圖包含一系列依序顯示該開啟輔助機構之結構與功能特性的半示意圖。在這一系列圖中，僅顯示之組件為該等軸套80、該等彈簧96與98之腿部102、及一小部份刀片14。這些圖是半示意圖，因為它們省略在這些視圖中通常可以看到之某些結構以便清楚顯示。此外，如前所述，在該刀片各側上之圓形凹部62中的結構係互相相對地軸向轉動。換言之，在該刀片一側上之溝槽70與在該刀片相對側上之溝槽70不在相同位置上。該等結構之相對轉動的主要原因是要維持該刀片之強度與完整性，但是就此點而言，如果這些橫截面圖準確地構成，則事實上並非所有在第16至19圖中所示之結構均可被看到。但是，它們在此以所示之方式呈現以便 詳細說明本發明及它如何操作。 Please refer to the series of figures 16 to 19 below, which includes a series of semi-schematic diagrams showing the structural and functional characteristics of the opening assist mechanism in sequence. In this series of drawings, only the components shown are the sleeves 80, the legs 102 of the springs 96 and 98, and a small portion of the blades 14. These figures are semi-schematic because they omit certain structures that are commonly seen in these views for clarity. Moreover, as previously discussed, the structures in the circular recesses 62 on each side of the blade are axially rotated relative to one another. In other words, the groove 70 on one side of the blade is not in the same position as the groove 70 on the opposite side of the blade. The main reason for the relative rotation of the structures is to maintain the strength and integrity of the blade, but in this regard, if these cross-sectional views are accurately constructed, not all of them are actually shown in Figures 16-19. The structure can be seen. However, they are presented here in the manner shown so that The invention is described in detail and how it operates.

首先，請參閱第16圖，刀片14位於該開啟位置。兩彈簧(96與98)被扣持在溝槽70中，因為該等軸套80之內環狀邊緣94被固持成緊密地抵靠該刀片之柄腳部份26的表面。該等彈簧被稍微加上負載，且該等彈簧施加至該刀片之力的方向係以箭號A顯示。箭號B表示力施加至刀片14，使它由該開啟位置朝該關閉位置移動之向量方向。在這刀片開啟位置，缺口92未被佔據。 First, referring to Fig. 16, the blade 14 is in the open position. The two springs (96 and 98) are retained in the groove 70 because the inner annular edge 94 of the sleeve 80 is held tightly against the surface of the shank portion 26 of the blade. The springs are slightly loaded and the direction of the force applied by the springs to the blades is indicated by arrow A. Arrow B indicates the direction in which the force is applied to the blade 14 to move it from the open position toward the closed position. In this blade open position, the gap 92 is unoccupied.

在第17圖中，該刀片已開始由該開啟位置朝該關閉位置轉動。當這種情形發生時，該等彈簧96與98被捲繞-被加上負載。即，當該刀片轉動(以箭號B表示-對應於第10圖至第13圖之視圖中該刀片之順時針轉動)時，該等腿部102被該等溝槽70承載與推動，以捲繞該等彈簧。缺口92仍未被佔據，但是該等缺口之位置正接近該等腿部102之位置。 In Figure 17, the blade has begun to rotate from the open position toward the closed position. When this occurs, the springs 96 and 98 are wound - loaded. That is, when the blade is rotated (indicated by arrow B - corresponding to the clockwise rotation of the blade in the views of Figures 10 through 13), the legs 102 are carried and pushed by the grooves 70 to Wind the springs. The notches 92 are still unoccupied, but the locations of the indentations are approaching the position of the legs 102.

在下一個序列圖之第18圖中，由於刀片14繼續朝箭號B表示之方向轉動，所以此時缺口92已轉動至該等缺口開始對齊該等彈簧之腿部102的點，且該等腿部102同時在該Z軸之方向上被溝槽70之彎曲側邊“舉起”一以箭號C表示。一旦該等腿部102可以被收納在缺口92中，它們便被溝槽70之彎曲側邊推入該等缺口且該彈力(箭號A)立即由該刀片14被傳遞至該軸套80。在此時，該刀片未受到由該開啟輔助機構所施加之力的作用且因此可自由轉動至該關閉位置。當一如前述之鎖定機構與該刀一起使用時，該橫向 銷57在此時推動該刀片以繼續朝該關閉位置移動。 In Figure 18 of the next sequence diagram, as the blade 14 continues to rotate in the direction indicated by arrow B, the notch 92 has now rotated to the point where the indentations begin to align with the legs 102 of the springs, and the legs The portion 102 is simultaneously "lifted" by the curved side of the groove 70 in the direction of the Z axis by an arrow C. Once the legs 102 can be received in the indentations 92, they are pushed into the indentations by the curved sides of the grooves 70 and the spring force (arrow A) is immediately transmitted by the blade 14 to the sleeve 80. At this time, the blade is not subjected to the force applied by the opening assist mechanism and thus is free to rotate to the closed position. When the locking mechanism as described above is used with the knife, the lateral The pin 57 pushes the blade at this point to continue moving toward the closed position.

在這序列之最後圖，即第19圖中，該刀片14位在該關閉位置且沒有由該等彈簧96與98施加至該刀片之彈力。如前所述，彈簧96與98受到有效之位能作用，但該能量(箭號A)被僅導向軸套80。該等腿部102係在放置於該等圓形凹部62之向外形成扇形部份74的位置處。 In the final view of the sequence, Fig. 19, the blade 14 is in the closed position and there is no spring force applied to the blade by the springs 96 and 98. As previously mentioned, the springs 96 and 98 are subjected to an effective potential, but the energy (arrow A) is directed only to the sleeve 80. The legs 102 are placed at positions where the scalloped portions 74 are formed outwardly of the circular recesses 62.

由前述說明可了解參照第1至19圖說明之開啟輔助機構可應用於多種其他等效機械構造，且如前所述，可了解軸套80可以省略且以任何用以連接該扭轉彈簧與該襯墊或握把之結構與方法來取代。依此方式，軸套80可被視為一可被任何用以執行該功能之等效結構來取代，且有許多可以執行該功能之等效結構。舉例而言，由該軸套界定之結構可形成為該襯墊或握把之一體部份而不是如在較佳實施例中所述之分開結構。此外，該軸套可以用一形成在該襯墊中之凹部取代，且該凹部係用以包含該彈簧、固定一彈簧腿部，並界定一缺口。另一彈簧腿部可置於該缺口中，以由該刀片移除彈簧壓力並將該彈簧壓力傳遞至該襯墊。當這作為內容時，在此所使用之用語“軸套”不限於與該襯墊或握把分開之結構，而是應被解讀成可包含有助於達成該軸套在此所具有之功能的任何結構。 It will be appreciated from the foregoing description that the opening assist mechanism described with reference to Figures 1 through 19 can be applied to a variety of other equivalent mechanical configurations, and as previously discussed, it can be appreciated that the sleeve 80 can be omitted and used to connect the torsion spring with the Replace the structure and method of the pad or grip. In this manner, the sleeve 80 can be considered to be replaced by any equivalent structure for performing the function, and there are many equivalent structures that can perform the function. For example, the structure defined by the sleeve can be formed as a portion of the liner or grip rather than a separate structure as described in the preferred embodiment. In addition, the sleeve can be replaced by a recess formed in the pad, and the recess is adapted to include the spring, secure a spring leg, and define a notch. Another spring leg can be placed in the notch to remove spring pressure from the blade and transfer the spring pressure to the pad. As such, the term "sleeve" as used herein is not limited to a structure that is separate from the pad or grip, but rather should be interpreted to include assistance in achieving the function of the bushing herein. Any structure.

本發明之具有一開啟輔助機構之折疊刀200的第一所示實施例係顯示在第20至25圖中。只顯示折疊刀200之選擇結構部件以便說明大致以符號202表示之刀片開啟輔助機構；所屬技術領域中具有通常知識者可輕易了解的是 以上刀10之說明可以其他方式完全地應用於刀200。在第20至25圖中，刀200包括一長形握把204，及一在該握把之前端樞轉地附接在該握把上之刀片206。該握把204包含相對側壁208與210(第22A、22B與22C圖)。 The first illustrated embodiment of the folding knife 200 of the present invention having an opening assist mechanism is shown in Figures 20-25. Only selected structural components of the folding knife 200 are shown to illustrate the blade opening assist mechanism generally indicated by the symbol 202; it is readily understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that The description of the above knife 10 can be completely applied to the knife 200 in other ways. In Figures 20 through 25, the knife 200 includes an elongate grip 204 and a blade 206 pivotally attached to the grip at the front end of the grip. The grip 204 includes opposing sidewalls 208 and 210 (Figs. 22A, 22B and 22C).

在第20圖中只顯示側壁208以便顯示刀片開啟輔助機構202之組件。握把側壁208之內表面212包括一第一凹部214，且該第一凹部214與使用一刀片鎖定機構之多數彈簧及其他組件(未顯示)聯結，並且該刀片鎖定機構不是本發明之標的。緊臨該第一凹部214前方的是一圓柱形凹部216，且該圓柱形凹部216界定一用以收納該軸套218之座部，並且該軸套218係如下所述地扣持一彈簧220。圓柱形凹部216包括具有一螺紋內孔224之一圓柱形內螺樁222，且該螺紋內孔224之中央軸界定當刀片206在該等開啟與關閉位置之間移動時刀片206環繞之樞軸的軸。如以下所詳述，一樞軸螺絲226具有一螺紋遠端228。在組合之刀中，軸套218與樞軸螺絲226延伸穿過在刀片206中之樞轉孔230，且該樞軸螺絲之螺紋遠端228係螺入內孔224中以扣持定位軸套218；如下所述，該樞軸螺絲與該軸套均不會扣持定位該刀片206於該握把中，除非該軸套延伸穿過在該刀片中之樞轉孔。圓柱形凹部216包括一溝槽232，且該溝槽232由該樞軸螺絲226向外輻射且組配來收納彈簧220之一腿部。一可分離擋銷231係設置在凹部216正上方。 Only the side wall 208 is shown in Fig. 20 to show the components of the blade opening assist mechanism 202. The inner surface 212 of the grip sidewall 208 includes a first recess 214 that is coupled to a plurality of springs and other components (not shown) that use a blade locking mechanism, and that is not the subject of the present invention. Adjacent to the front of the first recess 214 is a cylindrical recess 216, and the cylindrical recess 216 defines a seat for receiving the sleeve 218, and the sleeve 218 holds a spring 220 as follows. . The cylindrical recess 216 includes a cylindrical inner stud 222 having a threaded bore 224, and the central axis of the threaded bore 224 defines a pivot about the blade 206 as the blade 206 moves between the open and closed positions. The axis. A pivot screw 226 has a threaded distal end 228 as detailed below. In the combined knife, the sleeve 218 and the pivot screw 226 extend through the pivot hole 230 in the blade 206, and the threaded distal end 228 of the pivot screw is threaded into the inner bore 224 to retain the positioning sleeve. 218; as described below, neither the pivot screw nor the sleeve retains the blade 206 in the grip unless the sleeve extends through a pivot hole in the blade. The cylindrical recess 216 includes a groove 232 that is radiated outwardly by the pivot screw 226 and assembled to receive one of the legs of the spring 220. A detachable stop pin 231 is disposed directly above the recess 216.

彈簧220是一結構及功能均類似於先前說明之彈簧96與98的扭轉彈簧。因此，彈簧220具有一本體長度L2 及一直徑D3(該等尺寸L2及D3未顯示在第20圖中而是對應於第7圖中L2及D3所示之相同尺寸)。彈簧220是一如上所述之扁平線型彈簧且具有筆直腿部100與102，且該等筆直腿部100與102界定由通過該彈簧之本體之軸向外輻射之彈簧端。 Spring 220 is a torsion spring having a structure and function similar to springs 96 and 98 previously described. Therefore, the spring 220 has a body length L2 And a diameter D3 (the dimensions L2 and D3 are not shown in Fig. 20 but correspond to the same dimensions shown by L2 and D3 in Fig. 7). The spring 220 is a flat wire spring as described above and has straight leg portions 100 and 102, and the straight leg portions 100 and 102 define a spring end that is radiated externally by the body of the spring.

請繼續參照第20圖之分解圖，軸套218是具有一圓柱形殼體本體側壁之一殼體，且該殼體在一端具有一凹環形架234及一中央軸孔236，並且該中央軸孔236通過該環形架進入該殼體之內部。該軸套218之內部係開放的以收納及扣持該彈簧220。在該組合刀中抵靠握把側壁208之軸套218端部包括一舌片238，且該舌片238被收納在凹部216中之一具配合形狀的缺口(未顯示)中。應了解的是當該軸套完全***該凹部216中且舌片238被收納在該缺口中時，該軸套被固定且無法相該握把轉動。軸套218之直徑只稍小於穿過刀片206之樞轉孔230及凹部216之直徑使得該軸套在組裝時可插穿過該刀片且被收納在該凹部中，且在其間具有緊密公差。 Referring to the exploded view of Fig. 20, the sleeve 218 is a housing having a side wall of a cylindrical housing body, and the housing has a concave annular frame 234 and a central shaft hole 236 at one end, and the central shaft Aperture 236 enters the interior of the housing through the annular frame. The inside of the sleeve 218 is open to receive and hold the spring 220. The end of the sleeve 218 that abuts the grip side wall 208 in the combination knife includes a tab 238 that is received in a recess (not shown) in one of the recesses 216. It will be appreciated that when the sleeve is fully inserted into the recess 216 and the tab 238 is received in the notch, the sleeve is fixed and cannot be rotated relative to the grip. The diameter of the sleeve 218 is only slightly smaller than the diameter of the pivot hole 230 and the recess 216 through the blade 206 such that the sleeve can be inserted through the blade and received in the recess when assembled with tight tolerances therebetween.

一部份環形溝槽240係圍繞該軸套殼體之長度之中途形成在該軸套218之側壁中且完全延伸穿過該側壁進入該軸套之開放內部中。因為如第20與23至25圖中所見，該溝槽只部份延伸環繞該圓柱形軸套之圓周，最好在大約180至225度，所以該溝槽在此有時被稱為一“部份環形溝槽”。該溝槽之寬度最好沿其長度是相同的，但是在該溝槽之一端，一溝槽延伸部246以一與該溝槽橫交之方向開展 以界定一擴大部份。請特別參閱第20圖，可看見溝槽延伸部246之側壁是傾斜的-這傾斜側壁被稱為傾斜側壁242。 A portion of the annular groove 240 is formed in the sidewall of the sleeve 218 midway along the length of the sleeve housing and extends completely through the sidewall into the open interior of the sleeve. Because as seen in Figures 20 and 23 through 25, the groove extends only partially around the circumference of the cylindrical sleeve, preferably at about 180 to 225 degrees, so the groove is sometimes referred to herein as a " Partial annular groove". Preferably, the width of the trench is the same along its length, but at one end of the trench, a trench extension 246 is oriented in a direction transverse to the trench. To define an enlarged part. Referring particularly to Figure 20, it can be seen that the sidewalls of the groove extension 246 are sloped - this sloped sidewall is referred to as the sloped sidewall 242.

如上所述，樞軸螺絲226之遠端具有螺紋。該樞軸螺絲在近端具有一扁平圓盤244，及一在該等近與遠端之間的中央部份247。 As noted above, the distal end of the pivot screw 226 is threaded. The pivot screw has a flat disc 244 at the proximal end and a central portion 247 between the proximal and distal ends.

刀片206包括一缺口250，且該缺口250由該樞轉孔230向外延伸並且組配成如下所詳述地有時在該刀片由開啟轉動至關閉、由關閉轉動至開啟時收納彈簧220之腿部100。該腿部100在其上傾斜之該缺口250的兩側壁；詳而言之，如第20與21圖最佳地所示，缺口250之第一側壁251及相對第二側壁252由該缺口之下表面或底面254向上傾斜。以下說明該傾斜側壁252之目的及功能。請參閱第21圖之特定圖，缺口250之第一側壁251係在該缺口之右側-該第二側壁252係在該缺口之左側。 The blade 206 includes a notch 250, and the notch 250 extends outwardly from the pivot hole 230 and is assembled to accommodate the spring 220 when the blade is rotated from open to closed, from closed to open, as described in detail below. Leg 100. The two sides of the notch 250 are inclined on the leg portion 100; in detail, as best shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, the first side wall 251 and the opposite second side wall 252 of the notch 250 are formed by the notch The lower surface or bottom surface 254 is inclined upward. The purpose and function of the inclined side wall 252 will be described below. Referring to the particular view of Fig. 21, the first side wall 251 of the notch 250 is to the right of the notch - the second side wall 252 is to the left of the notch.

當擋銷231由握把側壁208移除時，先將軸套218部份地插穿過在該刀片中之孔230且接著將彈簧220***該軸套之開放內部並且腿部100延伸穿過部份環形溝槽240且使得該腿部100被收納在該刀片中之缺口250中，藉此組合刀200與刀片206及開啟輔助機構202。接著使該刀片206、軸套218及彈簧220對齊且對接握把側壁208，並且該刀片係定向成超過正常停止位置大約90度(即，該刀片相對該握把朝向上)。在這位置時，彈簧220之腿部102被***缺口232且該彈簧係呈一鬆弛狀況。接著將該刀片向該關閉位置轉動且將擋銷231螺入握把側壁208中；這捲繞該彈簧使得該 彈簧在該組裝刀中一直受到一固定彈簧張力。軸套218相對該握把轉動使得舌片238被收納在凹部216中之配合缺口中。應了解的是當彈簧220之腿部102在溝槽232中時，該腿部102係相對該握把側壁208固定，且由於該舌片238被收納在該缺口中，該軸套係相對該握把固定。作為另一配置，該腿部102可固定在該軸套218之一缺口上而不是該握把本身上；該腿部102係相對該握把固定。在任一種方式中，在此時樞軸螺絲226被***軸套218中之中央軸孔236且該遠端228螺入螺孔224中。當該樞軸螺絲被鎖緊時，在該樞軸螺絲之近端之該扁平圓盤244被收納在該環形架234中。當該軸套218被鎖緊時，部份環形溝槽240係被定位在由刀片206之柄腳部份262之外表面260界定的平面正下方。但是，在該刀片中之缺口250係相對外表面260之平面凹入柄腳部份262，且如第21圖最佳地所示之缺口，缺口250通至且連通在軸套218中之部份環形溝槽240。因此，當刀片206由關閉轉動至開啟，或由開啟轉動至關閉時，缺口250係透過整個轉動通至部份環形溝槽240。此外，亦如第21圖最佳地所示，溝槽延伸部246延伸至在該刀片之外表面260之平面上方之一高度。因此，當該刀片靠近且在該關閉位置中時，彈簧220之腿部100可上升離開在該刀片中之缺口250且靠置在該刀片之外表面260上，如圖所示。 When the stop pin 231 is removed by the grip side wall 208, the sleeve 218 is first partially inserted through the aperture 230 in the blade and then the spring 220 is inserted into the open interior of the sleeve and the leg 100 extends through A portion of the annular groove 240 and the leg portion 100 are received in a notch 250 in the blade, thereby combining the knife 200 with the blade 206 and the opening assist mechanism 202. The blade 206, sleeve 218 and spring 220 are then aligned and docked against the sidewall 208, and the blade is oriented approximately 90 degrees past the normal stop position (i.e., the blade is oriented upwardly relative to the grip). In this position, the leg portion 102 of the spring 220 is inserted into the notch 232 and the spring is in a relaxed condition. The blade is then rotated toward the closed position and the stop pin 231 is threaded into the grip side wall 208; this winding the spring causes the The spring is always subjected to a fixed spring tension in the assembly knife. The sleeve 218 is rotated relative to the grip such that the tab 238 is received in the mating notch in the recess 216. It will be appreciated that when the leg portion 102 of the spring 220 is in the groove 232, the leg portion 102 is fixed relative to the grip side wall 208, and since the tab 238 is received in the notch, the sleeve is opposite the The grip is fixed. As another configuration, the leg portion 102 can be secured to a notch of the sleeve 218 rather than the grip itself; the leg portion 102 is secured relative to the grip. In either manner, the pivot screw 226 is now inserted into the central shaft bore 236 in the sleeve 218 and the distal end 228 is threaded into the threaded bore 224. When the pivot screw is locked, the flat disc 244 at the proximal end of the pivot screw is received in the annular frame 234. When the sleeve 218 is locked, a portion of the annular groove 240 is positioned directly below the plane defined by the outer surface 260 of the shank portion 262 of the blade 206. However, the notch 250 in the blade is recessed into the tang portion 262 relative to the plane of the outer surface 260, and as shown best at Figure 21, the notch 250 opens into and communicates with the portion of the sleeve 218. Part of the annular groove 240. Thus, when the blade 206 is rotated from closed to open, or from open to closed, the notch 250 is passed through the entire rotation to a portion of the annular groove 240. Moreover, as best shown in FIG. 21, the groove extension 246 extends to a height above the plane of the outer surface 260 of the blade. Thus, when the blade is near and in the closed position, the leg 100 of the spring 220 can rise away from the notch 250 in the blade and rest on the outer surface 260 of the blade, as shown.

由檢視第20與21圖可了解的是在這組裝之階段，刀片206只藉由彈簧220之腿部100相對握把側壁208被扣持定位，且該彈簧220之腿部100係延伸在該刀片之柄腳部份 262之外表面260上且，例如，進入缺口250或如第21圖所示，靠置在外表面260上。換言之，雖然軸套218係以樞軸螺絲226附接在握把側壁208上，但是該刀片206未直接附接在該握把或該樞軸螺絲上。取而代之的是，該刀片只如前所述地藉由彈簧220之腿部100之交互作用被固持定位。如同在工業中典型的情形，在各種結構組件之間的製造公差相當小。因此，即使沒有組裝該側壁210，當該刀片轉動時在該刀片與該側壁208之間之晃動也非常小。如下所詳述，在該刀片與該握把之間的這結構關係提供顯著之組裝好處。 As can be seen from the examination of Figures 20 and 21, at this stage of assembly, the blade 206 is only held in position by the leg portion 100 of the spring 220 relative to the grip side wall 208, and the leg portion 100 of the spring 220 extends therein. Shank portion of the blade The outer surface 260 of the outer surface 260 of the 262 outer surface 260 and, for example, entering the indentation 250 or as shown in FIG. In other words, although the bushing 218 is attached to the grip side wall 208 with a pivot screw 226, the blade 206 is not directly attached to the grip or the pivot screw. Instead, the blade is held in place by the interaction of the legs 100 of the spring 220 only as previously described. As is typical in the industry, manufacturing tolerances between various structural components are quite small. Therefore, even if the side wall 210 is not assembled, the sway between the blade and the side wall 208 when the blade is rotated is very small. This structural relationship between the blade and the grip provides significant assembly benefits as detailed below.

當該刀片206與握把側壁208組裝時，該刀片移入該關閉位置且擋銷231被安裝在該側壁中，如第21圖所示。由於該刀片被扣持在這位置，所以該開啟輔助機構可只以與該刀片組合之握把204之一側壁208完全地操作。 When the blade 206 is assembled with the grip side wall 208, the blade is moved into the closed position and the stop pin 231 is mounted in the side wall as shown in FIG. Since the blade is held in this position, the opening assist mechanism can only be fully operated with one of the side walls 208 of the grip 204 that is combined with the blade.

以下將參照一連串第22A、22B、22C圖及第23、24與25圖說明該開啟輔助機構202之操作，且從刀片206在第22A與25圖所示之開啟位置開始。應先注意的是在第22A、22B與22C圖中，該第二側壁210係以多數沿該刀之栓槽由一側壁延伸至第一側壁208的螺絲(未顯示)，及一插穿過該側壁210且螺入樞軸螺絲226之近端的一螺絲263附接在第一側壁208上。以下請參閱第25圖，當該刀片在該開啟位置時，一在刀片206之柄腳部份262上之肩部266抵靠擋銷231使得該刀片無法轉動通過(第25圖之)該開啟停止位置。如下所詳述，在該開啟停止位置該彈簧220係“被加上負載”且推抵該刀片使得該刀片被固持在該開啟停止位置。(亦在這 位置，一刀片鎖銷264結合該刀片以防止其由該開啟停止位置向該關閉位置之非故意移動。在圖中所示之包括刀片鎖銷264的鎖定機構不是本發明之一部份。)在這開啟停止位置中，彈簧220之腿部100被扣持在軸套218之部份環形溝槽240中且延伸進入刀片206之缺口250，並且因為該彈簧220被捲繞，所以該腿部100以彈力推抵205之側壁252。相對該刀片所施加之這彈力將該刀片維持在該開啟(及鎖定、停止)位置。如前所述，除了在該溝槽延伸部246以外，該部份環形溝槽240係在由刀片206之外表面260界定之平面下方。因此，當該刀片轉動時，該溝槽係在與缺口250相同之高度上。換言之，該溝槽係沿該溝槽之全長通至且連通該缺口250。但是，在該溝槽延伸部246，該部份環形溝槽240通至兩缺口250及該柄腳之外表面260。這最佳地顯示在第22A圖中。因此，在第22A與25圖之開啟位置中(及在下述之除了該關閉位置以外的所有刀片位置)，該腿部100被部份環形溝槽240扣持在缺口250中。雖然側壁252是傾斜的，但是腿部100無法跨上該斜面因為該腿部被限制及扣持在該部份環形溝槽240中。應了解的是如上所述，當腿部100在溝槽240中時，除了當該刀片關閉或接近關閉且腿部100靠置在外表面260上時以外，該腿部沿刀片轉動之平面一直施加彈力在該刀片上。當該腿部100在外表面260上時，該腿部以一與刀片轉動之平面橫交之方向施加在該刀片上。 The operation of the opening assist mechanism 202 will now be described with reference to a series of 22A, 22B, 22C and 23, 24 and 25 drawings, and the blade 206 begins at the open position shown in Figs. 22A and 25. It should be noted that in the 22A, 22B and 22C drawings, the second side wall 210 is screwed (not shown) extending from a side wall to the first side wall 208 along a plurality of slots of the knife, and is inserted through A side wall 210 and a screw 263 threaded into the proximal end of the pivot screw 226 are attached to the first side wall 208. Referring to Figure 25, when the blade is in the open position, a shoulder 266 on the shank portion 262 of the blade 206 abuts the stop pin 231 so that the blade cannot be rotated (Fig. 25). Stop position. As described in more detail below, in the open stop position, the spring 220 is "loaded" and pushed against the blade such that the blade is held in the open stop position. (also here In position, a blade lock pin 264 engages the blade to prevent unintentional movement of the blade from the open stop position to the closed position. The locking mechanism including the blade lock pin 264 shown in the figures is not part of the present invention. In this open stop position, the leg 100 of the spring 220 is retained in a portion of the annular groove 240 of the sleeve 218 and extends into the notch 250 of the blade 206, and because the spring 220 is wound, the leg The portion 100 pushes against the sidewall 252 of the 205 with an elastic force. This spring force applied by the blade maintains the blade in the open (and locked, stopped) position. As previously mentioned, in addition to the groove extension 246, the portion of the annular groove 240 is below the plane defined by the outer surface 260 of the blade 206. Therefore, when the blade is rotated, the groove is at the same height as the notch 250. In other words, the trench is connected to and communicates with the gap 250 along the entire length of the trench. However, at the groove extension 246, the portion of the annular groove 240 opens into the two notches 250 and the tang outer surface 260. This is best shown in Figure 22A. Thus, in the open position of Figures 22A and 25 (and all blade positions except for the closed position described below), the leg portion 100 is retained in the notch 250 by a portion of the annular groove 240. Although the side wall 252 is inclined, the leg portion 100 cannot span the slope because the leg portion is restrained and retained in the portion of the annular groove 240. It will be appreciated that as described above, when the leg 100 is in the groove 240, the leg is applied along the plane of rotation of the blade except when the blade is closed or nearly closed and the leg 100 rests on the outer surface 260. The elastic force is on the blade. When the leg 100 is on the outer surface 260, the leg is applied to the blade in a direction transverse to the plane of rotation of the blade.

先藉由解鎖可在使用中之任何鎖定機構(例如，請參閱第24圖，鎖銷264向該刀握把之後端移動使得該刀片 之柄腳在該刀片轉動時脫離該鎖銷)，刀片206由第25圖之開啟、停止及鎖定位置移動。第24圖中之箭號A顯示當該刀片由開始向關閉移動時該刀片之轉動方向。當該刀片轉動時，彈簧220之腿部100仍留在部份環形溝槽240中且該腿部推抵在該刀片中之缺口250的側壁252。又，該彈簧被捲繞使得它在該刀片以箭號A之方向轉動時對該刀片之轉動提供阻力。此外，該刀片以這方向之轉動進一步捲繞及施加負載至該彈簧且因此增加由該彈簧施加在該刀片上之彈力。因為部份環形溝槽240係在由刀片206之外表面260界定之平面正下方，所以在該轉動狀態時該腿部100一直留在部份環形溝槽240及缺口250中。當刀片206之轉動繼續由開啟至關閉，一起轉動之該刀片之缺口250及該彈簧之腿部100最後與在該軸套218中之溝槽延伸部246對齊。當該刀片轉動接近該關閉位置時(由第22B圖開始且移動至第22C圖，及第23圖)，腿部100進入在部份環形溝槽240中之點使得該腿部100可向上移動，沿傾斜側壁252且遠離該彈簧之本體並且進入溝槽延伸部246-亦即，該腿部在該傾斜側壁250上滑動且接著向上到此時對齊之溝槽延伸部246的傾斜側壁242。當該腿部100以這方向移動且當該刀片繼續轉動時，該腿部被推上缺口250之側壁252之傾斜表面，且進入溝槽延伸部246。一旦該腿部已上升一足夠距離而進入溝槽延伸部246，該腿部便在一直驅動該腿部朝向該開啟位置之該彈簧的力作用下，在該刀片之外表面260上滑動，如第21圖所示。因為該腿部被如先前所述地固定在側壁208上且無法轉動之 軸套218的溝槽延伸部246限制，所以腿部100無法再向該開啟方向轉動超出第21圖所示之位置。 By first unlocking any locking mechanism that can be used (for example, see Figure 24, the locking pin 264 moves to the rear end of the knife grip to make the blade The tang is disengaged from the lock pin as the blade rotates and the blade 206 is moved by the open, stop and locked positions of Figure 25. The arrow A in Fig. 24 shows the direction of rotation of the blade when it is moved from the beginning to the closing. As the blade rotates, the leg portion 100 of the spring 220 remains in the partial annular groove 240 and the leg pushes against the sidewall 252 of the notch 250 in the blade. Again, the spring is wound such that it provides resistance to rotation of the blade as it rotates in the direction of arrow A. In addition, the blade is further wound in this direction of rotation and applies a load to the spring and thus increases the spring force exerted by the spring on the blade. Because the partial annular groove 240 is directly below the plane defined by the outer surface 260 of the blade 206, the leg portion 100 remains in the partial annular groove 240 and the notch 250 in this rotated state. As the rotation of the blade 206 continues from open to closed, the notch 250 of the blade and the leg portion 100 of the spring are finally aligned with the groove extension 246 in the sleeve 218. When the blade is rotated close to the closed position (starting from Fig. 22B and moving to Fig. 22C, and Fig. 23), the leg 100 enters the point in the partial annular groove 240 so that the leg 100 can move upward. Along the inclined side wall 252 and away from the body of the spring and into the groove extension 246 - that is, the leg slides over the inclined side wall 250 and then up to the inclined side wall 242 of the groove extension 246 that is now aligned. When the leg 100 moves in this direction and as the blade continues to rotate, the leg is pushed up the inclined surface of the sidewall 252 of the notch 250 and into the groove extension 246. Once the leg has risen a sufficient distance into the groove extension 246, the leg slides over the outer surface 260 of the blade under the force of the spring that drives the leg toward the open position, such as Figure 21 shows. Because the leg is fixed to the side wall 208 as previously described and cannot be rotated The groove extension 246 of the sleeve 218 is restricted so that the leg 100 can no longer rotate in the opening direction beyond the position shown in FIG.

腿部100相對部份環形溝槽240之一般或“靠置”位置係該腿部被固持在該溝槽中之位置。因此，該彈簧220之靠置位置係顯示在第20圖中且構成該本體之該彈簧之所有捲圈被固持成相當緊密地互相抵靠。因此，當該腿部係在外表面260上方時，如第21圖所示，該等彈簧之捲圈在該腿部100移動離開該靠置位置時互相稍微分開。因此，有一由該腿部施加在該刀片之表面上-該腿部100通常被推向其靠置位置-與刀片轉動之平面橫交的向下力。但是，一旦該腿部呈現在外表面260上之這位置，由該彈簧施加在該刀片上之轉動彈力便因為該腿部如上所述地被溝槽延伸部246限制而停止，因此所有轉動彈力施加在軸套218上。如上所述，有一由腿部100施加在該刀片上之壓力；這力量有助於該刀片在它如下所述地向該開啟位置故意地移動之前通常均留在該關閉位置。當使用例如與鎖銷264聯結之一鎖定機構時，該鎖銷(在第23圖之圖示中被未顯示之多數彈簧向前驅動)將該刀片進一步扣持在該關閉位置中。刀片206係藉由以與第24圖中之箭號A相反之方向轉動該刀片而由該關閉位置移動至該開啟位置。當該刀片轉動時，腿部100在該刀片之柄腳262之表面上滑動直到該缺口250對劑腿部100為止。一旦該缺口250對齊腿部100，該腿部便相對該部份環形溝槽240呈現其一般“靠置”位置且因此沿傾斜側壁252向下移動並進入該缺口250。當這發生時，腿部100對 齊且進入該部份環形溝槽240並且可自由“解捲”。因此，該腿部100推抵缺口250之側壁252且因為該腿部已進入該部份環形溝槽並且被限制於其中，所以該彈簧在彈力作用下快速地驅動該刀片進入該開啟、停止及鎖定位置。 The generally or "resting" position of the leg portion 100 relative to a portion of the annular groove 240 is where the leg is held in the groove. Therefore, the abutment position of the spring 220 is shown in Fig. 20 and all the coils of the spring constituting the body are held to abut relatively close to each other. Thus, when the leg is tied over the outer surface 260, as shown in Fig. 21, the coils of the springs are slightly separated from each other as the leg 100 moves away from the abutment position. Thus, there is a downward force exerted by the leg on the surface of the blade - the leg 100 is generally urged toward its abutment position - transverse to the plane of rotation of the blade. However, once the leg is present at the position on the outer surface 260, the rotational spring force exerted by the spring on the blade is stopped because the leg is restrained by the groove extension 246 as described above, so that all rotational elastic forces are applied. On the sleeve 218. As mentioned above, there is a pressure exerted by the leg 100 on the blade; this force helps the blade to remain in the closed position generally before it is intentionally moved to the open position as described below. When a locking mechanism, such as one that is coupled to the locking pin 264, is used, the locking pin (which is driven forward by a plurality of springs not shown in the illustration of Fig. 23) further holds the blade in the closed position. The blade 206 is moved from the closed position to the open position by rotating the blade in a direction opposite to the arrow A in Fig. 24. As the blade rotates, the leg 100 slides over the surface of the shank 262 of the blade until the notch 250 is against the agent leg 100. Once the notch 250 is aligned with the leg 100, the leg assumes its generally "but" position relative to the portion of the annular groove 240 and thus moves down the inclined side wall 252 and into the notch 250. When this happens, the legs are 100 pairs It enters the partial annular groove 240 and is free to "unwind". Therefore, the leg portion 100 pushes against the side wall 252 of the notch 250 and because the leg has entered the portion of the annular groove and is confined therein, the spring rapidly drives the blade into the opening and stopping under the action of the elastic force. Lock the position.

如前所述，界定該開啟輔助機構202之結構組件讓該刀片206可以只組裝兩側壁208、210中之一側壁之方式附接在該握把上且與該開啟輔助機構組裝。因此，當該刀如第21圖所示地部份地組裝時，即使該刀片只被彈簧202之腿部100固持定位，該開啟輔助機構亦可完全發揮作用。這提供顯著製造及組裝經濟效益。詳而言之，當在兩握把側壁被固結定位之前組裝時，可調整該開啟輔助機構及鎖定位置。例如，在本發明之受讓人所擁有之美國專利第7,278,213號中所述之擋銷可用於快速調整一刀片之鎖定位置。當在例如第20圖中所示之具有該開啟輔助機構202之一刀中使用如揭露在該'213專利中之一擋銷時，技師可以在組裝時非常快速地調整刀操作及鎖定。此外，因為該刀片係以只附接兩側壁中之一側壁之方式被固定定位，所以整個刀之組裝由於組裝所有各種構件所需之人工熟練度明顯地降低而更有效率。此外，如一連串之第22A、22B與22C圖中，該螺絲263係暴露於該刀之外側。這讓一使用者可在不影響該開啟輔助機構202之操作的情形下調整刀片晃動之量。因此，因為即使在移除側壁210時該腿部100亦扣持定位刀片206，所以一使用者可在不使該開啟輔助機構分離之情形下完全移除螺絲263。許多使用者需要藉由改變該刀開 啟之速度，或改變在該刀片與該握把之間的晃動來“客製化”他們的刀。上述開啟輔助機構可在沒有拆解一複雜開啟輔助機構之風險的情形下容許這種使用者客製化。 As previously discussed, the structural components defining the opening assist mechanism 202 allow the blade 206 to be attached to and assembled with the opening assist mechanism by assembling only one of the side walls 208, 210. Therefore, when the blade is partially assembled as shown in Fig. 21, even if the blade is only held by the leg portion 100 of the spring 202, the opening assist mechanism can fully function. This provides significant manufacturing and assembly economics. In detail, the opening assist mechanism and the locking position can be adjusted when assembled before the two grip side walls are fixed and positioned. For example, the stop pin described in U.S. Patent No. 7,278,213, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. When used in a knife having the opening assist mechanism 202, such as shown in Fig. 20, as disclosed in one of the '213 patents, the technician can adjust the knife operation and locking very quickly during assembly. Moreover, because the blade is fixedly positioned with only one of the side walls attached, the assembly of the entire blade is more efficient due to the significantly reduced manual proficiency required to assemble all of the various components. Further, as in the series of the 22A, 22B and 22C drawings, the screw 263 is exposed to the outside of the blade. This allows a user to adjust the amount of blade sway without affecting the operation of the opening assist mechanism 202. Therefore, since the leg portion 100 also holds the positioning blade 206 even when the side wall 210 is removed, a user can completely remove the screw 263 without separating the opening assist mechanism. Many users need to change the knife Speed up, or change the sway between the blade and the grip to "customize" their knives. The above-described opening assist mechanism allows the user to customize without the risk of disassembling a complex opening assist mechanism.

雖然本發明已透過一較佳實施例說明過了，但是發明所屬技術領域中具有通常知識者應了解本發明之精神與範疇不限於這些實施例，而是可擴大至以下申請專利範圍所界定之各種修改例與等效物。 Although the present invention has been described in terms of a preferred embodiment, those skilled in the art should understand that the spirit and scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments, but may be extended to the scope of the following claims. Various modifications and equivalents.

10‧‧‧刀 10‧‧‧Knife

14‧‧‧刀片 14‧‧‧blade

22‧‧‧螺絲 22‧‧‧ screws

23‧‧‧外板 23‧‧‧Outer board

24‧‧‧工作部份 24‧‧‧Working part

32‧‧‧無鋒邊緣 32‧‧‧No edge

34‧‧‧拇指凸耳 34‧‧‧ thumb lugs

44‧‧‧套筒 44‧‧‧ sleeve

48‧‧‧刀片擋銷 48‧‧‧ Blade pin

56‧‧‧鎖定機構 56‧‧‧Locking mechanism

Claims (20)

一種開啟刀片之方法，該刀片可沿著界定一刀片平面之一轉動路徑，從一關閉位置移動到一開啟位置，該方法包含下列步驟：(a)提供一軸套，該軸套具有一中心開口和部分地圍繞該軸套延伸，並對該中心開口開啟之一環形通道；(b)以延伸穿過該環形通道之一彈簧的一第一腿部而將該彈簧***該軸套之該中心開口中；(c)將該軸套***穿過該刀片中的一孔，使得該彈簧的該第一腿部係與該刀片的一側表面接觸；(d)將該軸套附接至一第一握把半部，使得該彈簧的該第一腿部將該刀片固持於相對於該第一握把半部之一所欲位置；(e)將該刀片移動到一關閉位置；(f)將該刀片從該關閉位置轉動朝向該開啟位置，且轉動到該刀片從該關閉位置朝向該開啟位置之該轉動路徑中的一中間位置，將該彈簧的該第一腿部從該刀片的該側表面轉移到該刀片中的一溝槽內，致使該彈簧驅動該刀片至該開啟位置。 A method of opening a blade, the blade being movable from a closed position to an open position along a path defining a plane of a blade, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a bushing having a central opening And extending partially around the sleeve and opening an annular passage to the central opening; (b) inserting the spring into the center of the sleeve with a first leg extending through a spring of the annular passage (c) inserting the sleeve through a hole in the blade such that the first leg of the spring contacts a side surface of the blade; (d) attaching the sleeve to a a first grip half such that the first leg of the spring holds the blade in a desired position relative to one of the first grip halves; (e) moves the blade to a closed position; Rotating the blade from the closed position toward the open position and rotating to an intermediate position in the rotational path of the blade from the closed position toward the open position, the first leg of the spring from the blade The side surface is transferred into a groove in the blade, resulting in The spring drive that blade to the open position. 如請求項1之方法，其中將該軸套附接至該第一握把半部之步驟，包括將該彈簧的一第二腿部固定至該第一握把半部之步驟。 The method of claim 1, wherein the step of attaching the sleeve to the first grip half comprises the step of securing a second leg of the spring to the first grip half. 如請求項1之方法，其中將該軸套附接至該第一握把半 部之步驟，包括避免該軸套相對於該第一握把半部轉動之步驟。 The method of claim 1, wherein the sleeve is attached to the first grip half The step of the portion includes the step of avoiding rotation of the sleeve relative to the first grip half. 如請求項1之方法，其中當該刀片在該關閉位置時，該彈簧以平行於該刀片平面的一方向施加彈性壓力給該軸套。 The method of claim 1, wherein the spring applies elastic pressure to the sleeve in a direction parallel to the plane of the blade when the blade is in the closed position. 如請求項1之方法，其中當該彈簧在該刀片中的該溝槽內時，該彈簧以平行於該刀片平面的一方向施加彈性壓力給該軸套。 The method of claim 1, wherein the spring applies elastic pressure to the sleeve in a direction parallel to the plane of the blade when the spring is within the groove in the blade. 如請求項1之方法，其中該軸套中的該環形通道包括一第一端部和一第二端部，及在該第二端部的一通道延伸部，以及當該刀片在該關閉位置且該彈簧的該第一腿部係與該刀片的該側表面接觸時，該第一腿部係在該通道延伸部中。 The method of claim 1, wherein the annular passage in the sleeve includes a first end and a second end, and a passage extension at the second end, and when the blade is in the closed position And when the first leg of the spring is in contact with the side surface of the blade, the first leg is in the channel extension. 如請求項1之方法，其中當該刀片在該開啟位置時，該彈簧的該第一腿部係在該軸套中的該環形通道內且在該軸套中的該溝槽內。 The method of claim 1, wherein the first leg of the spring is within the annular passage in the sleeve and within the groove in the sleeve when the blade is in the open position. 如請求項1之方法，其包括以固定至該第一握把半部的一銷來將該刀片阻擋於一開啟阻擋位置中，以及當處於該開啟阻擋位置時，相對於該第一握把半部調整該刀片的位置。 The method of claim 1, comprising: blocking the blade in an open blocking position with a pin secured to the first grip half, and relative to the first grip when in the open blocking position Half adjusts the position of the blade. 如請求項1之方法，其包括將該刀片移動至該關閉位置，以及相對於處於該關閉位置的該第一握把半部，調整該刀片的位置。 The method of claim 1, comprising moving the blade to the closed position and adjusting the position of the blade relative to the first grip half in the closed position. 一種開啟刀片之方法，該刀片可沿著界定一刀片平面之 一轉動路徑，從一關閉位置移動到一開啟位置，該方法包含下列步驟：(a)提供一軸套，該軸套具有一中心開口和部分地圍繞該軸套之一環形通道，該環形通道對該中心開口開啟；(b)將一彈簧***該軸套中，且使該彈簧的一第一腿部延伸穿過該軸套中的該環形通道；(c)將該軸套***穿過該刀片中的一孔，並以與該刀片接觸之該彈簧的該第一腿部，將該軸套固定至一第一握把半部，藉此以該彈簧的該第一腿部相對於該第一握把半部固持該刀片；以及(d)將該彈簧的一第二腿部固定至該第一握把半部。 A method of opening a blade that can define a blade plane A rotational path, moving from a closed position to an open position, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a bushing having a central opening and an annular passage partially surrounding the sleeve, the annular passage pair The center opening is open; (b) inserting a spring into the sleeve and extending a first leg of the spring through the annular passage in the sleeve; (c) inserting the sleeve through the sleeve a hole in the blade and fixing the sleeve to a first grip half with the first leg of the spring in contact with the blade, whereby the first leg of the spring is opposite to the first leg a first grip half holding the blade; and (d) securing a second leg of the spring to the first grip half. 如請求項10之方法，其包括下列步驟：將該刀片從該關閉位置移動到該開啟位置，以及以附接至該第一握把半部之一阻擋銷將該刀片阻擋於該開啟位置而界定出一開啟阻擋位置。 The method of claim 10, comprising the steps of: moving the blade from the closed position to the open position, and blocking the blade from the open position by attaching to one of the first grip halves Define an open blocking position. 如請求項11之方法，其包括下列步驟：當該刀片處於該開啟位置，相對於該第一握把半部調整該刀片的位置。 The method of claim 11, comprising the step of adjusting the position of the blade relative to the first grip half when the blade is in the open position. 如請求項12之方法，其包括下列步驟：在已經調整完該開啟阻擋位置後，將一第二握把半部附接到該第一握把半部。 The method of claim 12, comprising the step of attaching a second grip half to the first grip half after the open blocking position has been adjusted. 如請求項13之方法，其包括調整該刀片相對於該等第一和第二握把半部之搖晃。 The method of claim 13, comprising adjusting the sway of the blade relative to the first and second grip halves. 如請求項10之方法，其中在該關閉位置中，該彈簧的該第一腿部係與該刀片的一側表面接觸，以及包括將該刀片自該關閉位置移動至該開啟位置之步驟，且其中將該刀片自該關閉位置朝向該開啟位置之步驟進一步涉及下述步驟：在該刀片從該關閉位置朝向該開啟位置的轉動路徑中的一中間點，將該彈簧的該第一腿部從該刀片的該側表面轉移到該刀片中的一溝槽內。 The method of claim 10, wherein in the closed position, the first leg of the spring is in contact with a side surface of the blade and includes the step of moving the blade from the closed position to the open position, and The step of the blade from the closed position toward the open position further includes the step of: the first leg of the spring from an intermediate point in the rotational path of the blade from the closed position toward the open position The side surface of the blade is transferred into a groove in the blade. 如請求項15之方法，其中當該刀片係在該關閉位置且該彈簧的該第一腿部係與該刀片的一側表面接觸時，該彈簧以平行於該刀片平面的一方向施加彈性力給該軸套，以及當該彈簧的該第一腿部係在該刀片中的該溝槽時，該彈簧以平行於該刀片平面的一方向施加彈性力給該刀片。 The method of claim 15, wherein the spring applies an elastic force in a direction parallel to the plane of the blade when the blade is in the closed position and the first leg of the spring is in contact with a side surface of the blade To the sleeve, and when the first leg of the spring is attached to the groove in the blade, the spring applies an elastic force to the blade in a direction parallel to the plane of the blade. 一種開啟刀片之方法，該刀片可沿著界定一刀片平面之一轉動路徑，從一關閉位置移動到一開啟位置，該方法包含下列步驟：(a)提供一軸套，該軸套具有一中心開口和一側壁，該側壁具有部分地圍繞該側壁並對該中心開口開啟之一環形通道，該環形通道界定一長軸並具有一第一端部、一第二端部和在該第二端部之一通道延伸部，該通道延伸部橫交於該環形通道的該長軸而延伸；(b)以使該彈簧的一第一腿部延伸穿過該通道延伸部而將一彈簧***該軸套的該中心開口中，以及以使該彈簧的該第一腿部與該刀片的一第一側表面接觸而將 該軸套***穿過該刀片中的一孔；(c)將該軸套附接至一第一握把半部，而使該軸套之該環形通道在該刀片的該側表面之下方定向且該通道延伸部在該刀片的該側表面上方延伸；(d)將該軸套附接至一第一握把半部，使得該軸套係相對於該第一握把半部固定，以及將該彈簧的一第二腿部固定於該第一握把半部；(e)將該刀片移動到一關閉位置；以及(f)將該刀片從該關閉位置轉動朝向該開啟位置，且轉動到該刀片從該關閉位置朝向該開啟位置之該轉動路徑中的一中間位置，將該彈簧的該第一腿部從該刀片的該側表面和該通道延伸部移動到該刀片的一溝槽中以及該環形通道內，藉此將來自該彈簧之彈性力從所施加給該軸套者轉移到該刀片。 A method of opening a blade, the blade being movable from a closed position to an open position along a path defining a plane of a blade, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a bushing having a central opening And a side wall having an annular passage partially surrounding the side wall and opening the central opening, the annular passage defining a major axis and having a first end, a second end, and at the second end a passage extension extending transversely to the major axis of the annular passage; (b) inserting a spring into the shaft such that a first leg of the spring extends through the passage extension The central opening of the sleeve, and such that the first leg of the spring contacts a first side surface of the blade The bushing is inserted through a hole in the blade; (c) attaching the bushing to a first grip half such that the annular passage of the bushing is oriented below the side surface of the blade And the channel extension extends over the side surface of the blade; (d) attaching the sleeve to a first grip half such that the sleeve is fixed relative to the first grip half, and Fixing a second leg of the spring to the first grip half; (e) moving the blade to a closed position; and (f) rotating the blade from the closed position toward the open position and rotating Moving to the intermediate position of the blade from the closed position toward the open position, moving the first leg of the spring from the side surface of the blade and the passage extension to a groove of the blade And in the annular passage, whereby the elastic force from the spring is transferred from the person to which the sleeve is applied to the blade. 如請求項17之方法，其包括將一第二握把半部附接至該第一握把半部之步驟。 The method of claim 17, comprising the step of attaching a second grip half to the first grip half. 如請求項18之方法，其包括調整相對於該等第一和第二握把半部之刀片搖晃的步驟。 The method of claim 18, comprising the step of adjusting blade sway relative to the first and second grip halves. 如請求項19之方法，其包括將該刀片從該開啟位置移動到該關閉位置，以及在該刀片從該開啟位置朝向該關閉位置的轉動路徑中的一中間點時，將該彈簧的該第一腿部從該刀片中的該溝槽和該環狀通道移動至該通道延伸部和該刀片的該側表面，藉此將來自所施加給該刀片之彈性力轉移到該軸套。 The method of claim 19, comprising moving the blade from the open position to the closed position, and the intermediate portion of the spring when the blade is at an intermediate point in the rotational path of the blade from the open position toward the closed position A leg moves from the groove and the annular passage in the blade to the channel extension and the side surface of the blade, thereby transferring elastic force from the blade to the sleeve.