Patent attributes
A folding knife has ambidextrously accessible trigger mechanism for releasing the blade from its open and locked position so that it may be moved to the closed position, and when the knife is fitted with an automatic opening mechanism, for releasing the blade from its closed and locked position to the open and locked position. When the blade reaches the open position a novel locking mechanism securely locks the blade open. The trigger mechanism comprises a button on each side of the knife handle. The user may fire the automatic opening mechanism by depressing either the right or left hand trigger button, or both simultaneously. The release mechanism may be incorporated in an auto-assist or manual knife. The locking mechanisms described herein may be incorporated into a manual opening knife or a knife with an auto-assist opening mechanism and in all cases, the knife incorporates a locking mechanism that locks the blade open in a highly secure manner.