US3576278A - Survival knife, scabbard and sharpener assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A knife scabbard having a honing stone mounted on the backside thereof and provided with a cover which releasably snaps thereon to protect the stone. One embodiment provides a rigid tray fixed to the scabbard which receives and firmly holds the stone. A second embodiment has a depression in the scabbard backpiece within which the stone is secured by an adhesive.

Description

United States Patent Edward A. Eastman Independence, Mo. 842,508

July 17, 1969 Apr. 27, I971 Locknife, Inc. Independence, Mo.

Inventor Appl. No. Filed Patented Assignee SURVIVAL KNIFE, SCABBARD AND SHARPENER ASSEMBLY 9 Claims, ll Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 224/2, 5 H21 1 Int. Cl F4lb 13/04 Field of Search 224/24, 25, 2.6; 51/204, 21 1; 30/151 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 525,631 9/1894 Simmons 51/21 1 1,754,526 4/1930 Rittler 224/24 3,363,813 1/1968 Eastman 224/24 Primary ExaminerGerald M. F orlenza Assistant Examiner-John Mannix Att0rneySchmidt, Johnson, I-Iovey & Williams ABSTRACT: A knife scabbard having a honing stone mounted on the backside thereof and provided with a cover which releasably snaps thereon to protect the stone. One embodiment provides a rigid tray fixed to the scabbard which receives and firmly holds the stone. A second embodiment has a depression in the scabbard backpiece within which the stone is secured by an adhesive.

PATENTEU APR27 I971 SHEET 1. 0F 2 INVENTOR Edward A. Easfman HTTORNEYS.

PATENTEU APRZ? I97! SHEET 2 BF 2 INVENTOR, Edward A. [German SURVIVAL KNIFE, SCABBARD AND SIIARPENER ASSEMBLY The present invention relates to improvements in knife scabbards.

Under field conditions, it is particularly advantageous to have a honing stone conveniently available so that knife blades may be sharpened as necessary. However, if available at all, the ordinary practice is to carry a honing stone with other field equipment, oftentimes rendering the stone unavailable when it is most needed. Manifestly, especially under survival conditions where a knife is a basic instrument used in dressing game and possibly as a weapon, the availability of a honing stone is of prime importance to the well being of the individual or individuals involved. The problem is compounded by the fact that honing stones are quite brittle in nature and, therefore, must be carefully transported to avoid breakage and, furthermore, when carried as a separate article, there is always the likelihood that the stone will become lost.

Accordingly, it is an important object of the present invention to provide a knife scabbard which is'especially suited for mounting a honing stone thereon whereby to render the stone conveniently available at all times and eliminate the problems associated with carrying the stone as a separate article.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a scabbard having a tray on one side thereof receiving the honing stone and firmly mounting it on the scabbard, thereby providing additional backing support for the stone to facilitate sharpening of a knife blade.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a cover for the stone which is releasably secured to the scabbard by pivotally interlocking parts at each end of the cover, whereby one'end of the cover may be released and shifted to expose the stone while the other end remains secured to the scabbard to prevent loss of the cover.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a scabbard having features capable of achieving the above objects, yet which is aesthetically pleasing in appearance.

, Referring to the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of one embodiment of a survival knife, scabbard, and sharpener assembly made pursuant to the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view thereof;

FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view showing the knife removed from the scabbard;

' FIG. 5 is an enlarged, horizontal, cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, vertical, cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary, exploded view of the parts for fastening the honing stone and cover to the scabbard;

FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of the liner insert for the scabbard, the insert being partially broken away for FIG. 9 is an end view thereof;

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of a second embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. I l is a rear elevational view thereof.

FIGS. 1-9 of the drawings illustrate the preferred embodiment of my invention. The scabbard includes afrontpiece 24 andbackpiece 22 for protecting theblade 34 from the corrosive tendencies of the adjacent leather pieces ofscabbard 20.

Thebackpiece 22 forms a releasable loop with anapron 40 and at the other end by a pair ofsnaps 44. Aleather flap 46 is secured to thesnaps 44 between the upper ends of thebackpiece 22 and apron 40 and carries asnap fastener 48 which cooperates with aretainer 50 at the end of theknife handle 52 for securing theknife 36 inscabbard 20.

It is often desirable to provide a thong such as 54 for use in securing theknife 36 to the users wrist. A hole in thehandle 52 may be utilized for this purpose. The thong 54 may be conveniently carried by threading it through a series ofapertures 58 in thescabbard 20.

To provide a convenient means for sharpening theblade 34, asharpener assembly 60 is fixed to thescabbard 20, preferably onbackpiece 22. Thesharpener assembly 60, as most clearly shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, includes ahoning stone 62 fixed tobackpiece 22 by a formedmetal tray 64 which has a recess 66 therein snugly receivingstone 62, the inner face of the latter being preferably bonded to thetray 64 within the recess 66 by an epoxy cement or other suitable adhesive. Thetray 64 has a pair ofend tabs 68 which are rigidly attached tobackpiece 22 by a pair offasteners 70.

Thesharpener assembly 60 further includes acover 72, preferably of formed leather, which is releasably secured in adisposition overlapping stone 62 by a pair ofreleasable snaps 74 whereby, upon release of one of thesnaps 74, thecover 72 may be removed from thestone 62. Thecover 72 has a pair ofopposed wings 76, there being one of thesnaps 74 and one of thefasteners 70 at eachwing 76 as shown in FIG. 6.

Referring to FIG. 7, it may be seen that the parts of thesharpener assembly 60 are designed to provide a sturdy means for sharpening theknife 36. To this end, thetray 64 is provided withthin sides 78 which are received within achannel 80 onbackpiece 22 extending around the entire outline of thetray 64. Further, acavity 82 inbackpiece 22 is disposed to receive the backside oftray 64 corresponding to the recess 66 so that the surface oftray 64 is substantially flush with the surface ofbackpiece 22.

Each of thesnaps 74 includes cooperable parts on thecover 72 and fastener 70. Interlocking structure in the nature of apolygonal plate 88 on eachfastener 70 and a polygonal indentation 90 in eachend tab 68 oftray 64 complementally receivingplate 88 therein, maintains thefastener 70 in tight fastening relationship withtray 64. The part on thefastener 70 includes a male member in the form of acylindrical ring 92 on one face of theplate 88, and the part onsnap 74 includes afemale member 94. Thefemale member 94 andmale member 92, while being releasably coupled, are also pivotally interlocked.

Thefastener 70 further includes a threaded bolt 96 extending through theplate 88,tab 68 and theleather backpiece 22 which is retained by apolygonal nut 98 on the inside ofbackpiece 22. A polygonal depression on the inside ofbackpiece 22 complementally receives thenut 98 to aid in rigidly attaching thetray 64 to thescabbard 20. A similar polygonal depression on the outside ofbackpiece 22 receives the backside oftray 64 corresponding to the depression 90 therein.

Mounting thehoning stone 62 on thebackpiece 22 of thescabbard 20 not only provides a more convenient means for sharpening theknife 36, but also protects thestone 62 from possible breakage. The user may now avoid searching through other field equipment to find the stone since it is always conveniently available in the same location. Further, being in this location spares the stone from the rough handling it might receive if it were carried loose with other equipment.

In use it is but necessary to remove thescabbard 20 from the user's belt or other carrying means, unsheath theknife 36 and remove thecover 72. It is important to note that thecover 72 need not be completely removed from thescabbard 20 due to the pivotally interlocking nature of each of thesnaps 74. That is, by releasing thesnap 74 at onewing 76, thecover 72 is free to pivot about thesnap 74 at theother wing 76 to expose thestone 62 without completely removing thecover 72 from thescabbard 20. In this way, thecover 72 is protected which is secured at one end to thebackpiece 22 byrivets 42 75 from loss.

The presence of thetray 64 enhances the use of thescabbard 20 as a backing support for thestone 62 during use of the latter. It will be appreciated that having thestone 62 mounted on thescabbard 20 in this manner provides a sturdy, easily grasped base upon which to work. The danger of accidental injury from theblade 34 is thereby greatly reduced.

FIGS. and I1 relate to a second embodiment of my invention having many components identical to those of the first embodiment which need not be described in detail. Thescabbard 120 includes aleather backpiece 122 and afrontpiece 124 secured to thebackpiece 122 defining a pocket (not shown) therebetween for receiving the blade of aknife 136. Thebackpiece 122 has adepression 125 provided in its outer surface receiving one of the flat, opposed faces 127 or 129 of a honingstone 162. Adhesive means such as an epoxy directly bonds theface 127, for example, to thebackpiece 122 within thedepression 125.

Thescabbard 120 further includes acover 172 in the nature of anelongated strap 173 having a pair of opposed ends 175, thestrap 173 being movable to and from a disposition overlapping thestone 162 to protect the latter. Asnap 174 at eachend 175 releasably secures thecover 172 in its overlapping position whereby, upon release of at least one of thesnaps 174, thecover 172 may be removed from thestone 162 to expose the latter.

Each of thesnaps 174 includes cooperable parts on thecover 172 and thebackpiece 122 which are pivotally interlocking, thus upon release of one pair of said parts, thestrap 173 may pivot about the other,unreleased snap 174 to and from the position overlapping thestone 162. In this manner, it may once again be seen that thestrap 173 need not be completely removed from thescabbard 120 in order to use thestone 162.

The manner of use of this second embodiment is substantially identical to that of the first embodiment. Each of these forms provides and extremely convenient means for sharpening a knife in the field, while at the same time presenting an aesthetically pleasing knife scabbard.

lclaim:

l. A scabbard for an instrument having a blade, said scabbard comprising:

a backpiece;

a frontpiece secured to said backpiece and defining a pocket therebetween for receiving said blade;

a honing stone;

a tray on said one piece having a recess therein snugly receiving said stone;

means rigidly fastening said tray to said one piece;

a cover movable to and from a disposition overlapping said stone, whereby to protect the latter; and

means releasably securing said cover in said disposition whereby, upon release of the securing means, the cover may be removed from the stone to expose the latter.

2. The scabbard as claimed in claim 1, said releasable securing means including cooperable parts on said cover and said fastener means.

3. The scabbard as claimed in claim 2, there being interlocking structure on said tray and said fastener means maintaining the latter in fastening relationship with said tray.

4. The scabbard as claimed in claim 3,

said tray having a polygonal indentation therein,

said structure including a polygonal plate on said fastener means and said indentation, the latter complementally receiving said plate,

said cooperable parts including male and female members on said plate and said cover.

5. The scabbard as claimed in claim 2, said cooperable parts being pivotally interlocking.

6. The scabbard as claimed in claim 5,

said cover having a pair of opposed wings,

there being a pair of said cooperable parts at each wing whereby, upon release of one pair of said parts, the cover may pivot about the other pair to and from said overlap ing dis sition 7. A sea bard or an instrument having a blade, said scabbard comprising:

a backpiece;

a frontpiece secured to said backpiece and defining a pocket therebetween for receiving said blade;

a honing stone fixed to one of said pieces;

a cover movable to and from a disposition overlapping said stone, whereby to protect the latter; and

means releasably securing said cover in said disposition whereby, upon release of the securing means, the cover may be removed from the stone to expose the latter,

said stone having a pair of flat, opposed faces,

said one piece being provided with an outer surface having a depression therein receiving said stone; and

adhesive means bonding one of said faces of the stone directly to said one piece within said depression.

8. The scabbard as claimed in claim 7,

said releasable securing means including cooperable parts on said cover and said one piece,

said cooperable parts being pivotally interlocking.

9. The scabbard as claimed in claim 8,

said cover being an elongated strap presenting a pair of opposed ends,

there being a pair of said cooperable parts at each end whereby, upon release of one pair of said parts, the strap may pivot about the other pair to and from said overlapping disposition.

Claims (9)

1. A scabbard for an instrument having a blade, said scabbard comprising: a backpiece; a frontpiece secured to said backpiece and defining a pocket therebetween for receiving said blade; a honing stone; a tray on said one piece having a recess therein snugly receiving said stone; means rigidly fastening said tray to said one piece; a cover movable to and from a disposition overlapping said stone, whereby to protect the latter; and means releasably securing said cover in said disposition whereby, upon release of the securing means, the cover may be removed from the stone to expose the latter.

2. The scabbard as claimed in claim 1, said releasable securing means including cooperable parts on said cover and said fastener means.

3. The scabbard as claimed in claim 2, there being interlocking structure on said tray and said fastener means maintaining the latter in fastening relationship with said tray.

4. The scabbard as claimed in claim 3, said tray having a polygoNal indentation therein, said structure including a polygonal plate on said fastener means and said indentation, the latter complementally receiving said plate, said cooperable parts including male and female members on said plate and said cover.

5. The scabbard as claimed in claim 2, said cooperable parts being pivotally interlocking.

6. The scabbard as claimed in claim 5, said cover having a pair of opposed wings, there being a pair of said cooperable parts at each wing whereby, upon release of one pair of said parts, the cover may pivot about the other pair to and from said overlapping disposition.

7. A scabbard for an instrument having a blade, said scabbard comprising: a backpiece; a frontpiece secured to said backpiece and defining a pocket therebetween for receiving said blade; a honing stone fixed to one of said pieces; a cover movable to and from a disposition overlapping said stone, whereby to protect the latter; and means releasably securing said cover in said disposition whereby, upon release of the securing means, the cover may be removed from the stone to expose the latter, said stone having a pair of flat, opposed faces, said one piece being provided with an outer surface having a depression therein receiving said stone; and adhesive means bonding one of said faces of the stone directly to said one piece within said depression.

8. The scabbard as claimed in claim 7, said releasable securing means including cooperable parts on said cover and said one piece, said cooperable parts being pivotally interlocking.

9. The scabbard as claimed in claim 8, said cover being an elongated strap presenting a pair of opposed ends, there being a pair of said cooperable parts at each end whereby, upon release of one pair of said parts, the strap may pivot about the other pair to and from said overlapping disposition.

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