US5092046A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Knife and sheath system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1991-03-07
•
Granted: 1992-03-03
•
Expires: 2011-03-07
Abstract
Abstract A sheath for a knife having a blade and a handle, the handle having a guard with a first and an opposing second portion. The sheath comprises a body with a cavity to receive the knife blade and a recess with one side forming a ramp to receive the first portion of the knife guard. The second portion of the knife guard is outside the sheath. A spring carried by the sheath engages the second portion of the guard and biases the guard so that the first portion of the guard is retained but not locked in the recess. To release the blade from the sheath, the thumb of the user presses against a lobe formed in the end of the spring to remove pressure on the second portion of the guard, allowing the first portion of the guard to be moved up the ramp side of the recess and out of the sheath, or, alternatively, the handle may be pulled with sufficient force to overcome the bias of the spring and draw the first portion of the guard up the ramp and thus the blade from the sheath. The sheath is secured to a belt with a " C" shaped pair of lips attached to the back of the sheath. An adaptor that locks into place behind one of the lips may be used for narrower belts.
Inventors
- 👤 Walter W. Collins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 04:48
CPC Classifications
B; B26; B26B; B26B29/00; B26B29/02; B26B29/025
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
A sheath for use with a tool, said tool having an operating end and a handle, said handle having a guard, said guard having a first portion and an opposing second portion, said sheath comprising: a body with a cavity formed therein, said cavity dimensioned to receive said operating end of said tool; means formed in said body for receiving said guard; and spring means carried by said body and engaging said tool for biasing said guard into said receiving means so that said tool is retained but not locked in said sheath,
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
93 words
A sheath for use with a tool, said tool having an operating end and a handle, said handle having a guard, said guard having a first portion and an opposing second portion, said sheath comprising: a body with a cavity formed therein, said cavity dimensioned to receive said operating end of said tool; means formed in said body for receiving said guard; and spring means carried by said body and engaging said tool for biasing said guard into said receiving means so that said tool is retained but not locked in said sheath,
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
60 words
The sheath as recited in claim 1, wherein said receiving means is formed as part of said cavity, said receiving means receiving said first portion of said guard wherein said receiving means has a recess, said recess forming a ramp up which said second portion must be pulled against said spring means to remove said operating end from said cavity.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The sheath as recited in claim 1, wherein said spring means engages said guard.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
The sheath as recited in claim 1, wherein said receiving means is formed within said cavity and receives said first portion of said guard in said cavity and wherein said spring means engages said second portion of said guard outside said cavity.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The sheath as recited in claim 4, wherein said first portion of said guard is opposite said second portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The sheath as recited in claim 1, wherein said spring means has a lobe for engaging said thumb so that said thumb can disengage said spring means from said tool by pressing against said lobe.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The sheath as recited in claim 1, wherein said spring means is formed integrally with said body.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
102 words
A sheath for use with a tool, said tool having an operating end and a handle, said handle having a guard, said guard having a first portion and an opposing second portion, said sheath comprising: a body with a cavity formed therein, said cavity dimensioned to receive said operating end of said tool; a recess formed within said cavity for receiving said first portion of said guard; and spring means carried by said body and engaging said first portion of said guard for urging said second portion into said recess so that said tool is retained but not locked in said sheath.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
102 words
A sheath for use with a tool, said tool having an operating end and a handle, said handle having a guard, said guard having a first portion and an opposing second portion, said sheath comprising: a body with a cavity formed therein, said cavity dimensioned to receive said operating end of said tool; a recess formed within said cavity for receiving said first portion of said guard; and spring means carried by said body and engaging said first portion of said guard for urging said second portion into said recess so that said tool is retained but not locked in said sheath.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
The sheath as recited in claim 8, wherein said recess has a side forming a ramp up which said second portion must be pulled against said spring means to remove said operating end from said cavity.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
59 words
The sheath as recited in claim 8, wherein said body has a channel formed therein and said spring means further comprises a spring having a first end seated within said channel and a second end extending out of said channel toward said handle, said spring having a lobe formed in said second end, said spring engaging said first portion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
65 words
The sheath as recited in claim 8, wherein said body has a channel formed therein and said spring means further comprises a spring formed integrally with said body and having a first end located within said channel and a second end extending out of said channel toward said handle, said spring having a lobe formed in said second end, said lobe engaging said first portion.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
103 words
The sheath as recited in claim 8, wherein said sheath is for use with a belt, said sheath further comprising: an open portion integral with said body and extending therefrom; a first lip and an opposing second lip, said first and said second lips attached to said open portion, said second lip spaced apart from said first lip so that said belt fits between said first and said second lips and said open portion and is secured to said open portion by said spaced apart first and second lips: and an adaptor dimensioned to fit between said first lip and said open portion.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The sheath as recited in claim 12, further comprising: means for locking said adaptor between said first lip and said open portion.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
107 words
A device, comprising: a knife having a handle said handle having a first end and a second end, said second end having a guard, said guard having a first portion and an opposing second portion, and a blade attached to said second end; and a sheath having a body with a cavity therein dimensioned to receive said blade, a recess formed within said cavity for receiving a first portion of said guard, and spring means carried by said body and engaging said second portion of said guard for urging said first portion into said recess so that said tool is retained but not locked in said sheath.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
107 words
A device, comprising: a knife having a handle said handle having a first end and a second end, said second end having a guard, said guard having a first portion and an opposing second portion, and a blade attached to said second end; and a sheath having a body with a cavity therein dimensioned to receive said blade, a recess formed within said cavity for receiving a first portion of said guard, and spring means carried by said body and engaging said second portion of said guard for urging said first portion into said recess so that said tool is retained but not locked in said sheath.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
59 words
The device as recited in claim 14, wherein said body has a channel formed therein and said spring means further comprises a spring having a first end seated within said channel and a second end extending out of said channel toward said handle, said spring having a lobe formed in said second end, said spring engaging said second portion.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
65 words
The sheath as recited in claim 14, wherein said body has a channel formed therein and said spring means further comprises a spring formed integral with said body and having a first end located within said channel and a second end extending out of said channel toward said handle, said spring having a lobe formed in said second end, said spring engaging said second portion.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
32 words
The sheath as recited in claim 15, wherein said recess has a side forming a ramp up which said first portion must be pulled to remove said operating end from said cavity.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
The sheath as recited in claim 16, wherein said recess has a side forming a ramp up which said first portion must be pulled to remove said operating end from said cavity.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
103 words
The sheath as recited in claim 14, wherein said sheath is for use with a belt, said sheath further comprising: a open portion integral with said body and extending therefrom; a first lip and an opposing second lip, said first and said second lips attached to said open portion, said second lip spaced apart from said first lip so that said belt fits between said first and said second lips and said open portion and is secured to said open portion by said spaced apart first and second lips; and an adaptor dimensioned to fit between said first lip and said open portion.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
The sheath as recited in claim 19, further comprising: means for locking said adaptor between said first lip and said open portion.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
The sheath as recited in claim 14, further comprising means for locking said spring means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
99 words
A sheath to hang from a belt, the sheath comprising: a closed portion with a cavity therein; an open portion attached to said closed portion, said open portion having two opposing lips curving away and generally parallel to said open portion to define a space between said open portion and said opposing lips, each of said lips having an edge, said opposing lips defining a gap therebetween so that said belt may be inserted through said gap into said space whereby said sheath may be supported from said belt; and adaptor means for reducing the size of said space.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
99 words
A sheath to hang from a belt, the sheath comprising: a closed portion with a cavity therein; an open portion attached to said closed portion, said open portion having two opposing lips curving away and generally parallel to said open portion to define a space between said open portion and said opposing lips, each of said lips having an edge, said opposing lips defining a gap therebetween so that said belt may be inserted through said gap into said space whereby said sheath may be supported from said belt; and adaptor means for reducing the size of said space.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
19 words
The sheath as recited in claim 22, further comprising means for securing said adaptor means to said closed portion.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
39 words
The sheath as recited in claim 22, wherein said adaptor means further comprises an adaptor sized to fit a first portion of said space, leaving a second portion of said space for said belt, and to close said gap.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-03-03 | 1995-09-02 | 1996-03-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-03-03 | 1999-09-02 | 2000-03-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-03-03 | 2003-09-02 | 2004-03-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |