US Patent 7140110 Folding knife having a locking mechanism

A folding knife is disclosed. The knife includes a handle; a blade having a tang pivotably connected to the handle allowing pivoting of the blade between a closed position in which the blade extends along the handle, and an open position in which the blade extends away from the handle; a locking element pivotably connected to the handle, wherein the locking element is configured to be pivotable between a first position in which the locking element engages at least part of the tang in a manner preventing pivoting of the blade from the open position to the closed position, and a second position in which the blade is free to pivot from the open position to the closed position; a bias element configured to urge the locking element towards the first position; and a safety assembly mounted for sliding movement along the handle, wherein the safety assembly is movable between a safety position in which the safety assembly engages part of the locking element in a manner preventing pivoting of the locking element relative to the handle, and a release position in which the locking element is free to pivot relative to the handle.