Pocket Clip Design

SpySmasher

SpySmasher

Lead Guitar
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Sep 1, 2016
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** SEE POST 29 FOR REVISED DESIGN **

What do you think of this pocket clip design?

I've been thinking that the best pocket clip would be spring-actuated, so that it both grips tightly and opens wide as needed. Ideally, it also lays flat. Lastly, it's fairly easy to manufacture. I came up with this (isometric view):

IMG_20171212_223014.jpg


It fits over the rear of the knife and is made out of sheet metal similar to standard pocket clips. This is a section view:

IMG_20171212_223026.jpg


Obviously, the amount of flex is exagerrated, but I think you get the idea. You could texturize the inside of the clip face for more grip.

Thoughts?
 
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Interesting, the only thing I'm trying to wrap my head around is which side the 'tab' should be on. In the isometric view it's on the clip side and in the cross section view it's on the screw side.

I wonder how easy it would be for the tab to jab into your hip.

Sounds like someone needs to make a prototype out of titanium.
 
Can you give some examples where this design would be preferable to a standard pocket clip? It's a neat idea (I seem to remember a clip similar to this existing, just can't seem to point my finger on it), but I'm not sure it's justified over a regular slip on pocket clip.
 
This is scary because it I was just telling a friend of mine today about my idea for a clip design that is similar to this. The concept is solid for sure. The advantage would be less bulk in the hand which would mean less chance of hot spots from the clip. Keep running with it!
 
It's an interesting design! I'd like to try it real world on a knife!

I have two initial concerns: first, your flex stress is applied to a very small area. It might be prone to fatigue failure.

Second: I'm not sure how the clip would respond on thick materials like jeans and cargo pants. I'm thinking the clip would stay flexed and proud on thick materials. You might have a protruding pecker.

Not that there's anything wrong with that...

Keep working on this and find someone to make some prototypes! Thanks for sharing a cool idea.
 
Brilliant design. I'd imagine that it would work just as well as...

...most stamped clips on the market in actual use.

With that said, innovation is always a good thing!

...and If I saw a knife with this style of clip, I'd pick one up, if only out of curiosity.

Think of this like caseless ammunition.

Sure, it is technically better...

But did we really need better badly enough to change our manufacturing processes?

I like it.
 
Thats an interesting concept and if it works would definitely be unique.

I'm going to go with the tab on the "clip" side as shown in the isometric drawing, not on the screw side as shown in the section drawing:

I belive for this to work when you press the tab, the "bend" would have to occur across the back of the knife, not on the side with the screws if your intention is to have the clip sit flush against the side and back of the knife when not clipped to a pocket.

Otherwise, there are too many dimensional constraints for it to bend where you've drawn it. If the clip sits flush it shouldn't allow the clip to clear the top corner of the scale on the clip side during a flex. You will run out of degrees of freedom (of motion)

If you leave some space between the scale and the clip (side and back), it would allow it to bend where you've drawn it until the clip comes back into contact with the top of the clip-side scale again.

I think the potential weak points would be the hard 90 degree bends in the clip as they'll get stressed during operation and (if the clip sits flush when not in use) while stowed in the pocket - flexed.

I wish I still had access to some FEA software to try to model it.
 
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Not trying to steal this thread, but you inspired an idea.
What if the top view of the clip on the end of the knife looked something like this ?

With that spring it would allow the clip to sit flat against the the knife, but could open to accommodate different thicknesses of material.
When drawing or inserting the knife you could use your thumb to pull forward opening the clip.
 
Not sure Id like to have the top bit of the clip in the OP protruding up and over the knife.

NiteIze makes a clip with very positive retention.

It has hooks, which bites in to the material of the pocket.

One has to push a part of the clip to release it it.

I had these NiteIze clips on quite a few knives.

Have now quit using them.

Pro; very positive retention.

Cons; will eat the pocket and it gets old fast to have to push down on the 'retention plate' to release the knife.

Ndr98XU.jpg

(Not my pic).
 
I can't see the OP's image but I recently bought a hawk clip for my Sebenza it took me a couple days to get used to but I'm sold. I like being able to open the clip manually and I like the obscene amounts of retention that it has.
 
Op, that's a good idea. If you can make the clip lay against the handle or even flush with it If you cut a recess into the handle it would do away with the hot spots the clip creates. In your section drawing it looks like your clip is oriented for right hand tip up Carry, so to release the tension you would have to press the tab into your leg.if you had the tab on the same side as the clip you would have room to press it. You would need to have a spring loaded pivot with the axis at the end of the handle. But this would be more difficult the manufacturer.
I'm no engineer so take my comments for what there worth. Which probably isn't much.
 
Interesting but not sure how I feel about a tab or something similar sticking out the top. But I am all for experimentation and making a better mouse trap.

I would guess that 2/3s of my knives have the pocket clip removed and ride in a cargo pocket. By not using a pocket clip, I'm in the minority.
 
SpySmasher said:
What do you think of this pocket clip design?

I've been thinking that the best pocket clip would be spring-actuated, so that it both grips tightly and opens wide as needed. Ideally, it also lays flat. Lastly, it's fairly easy to manufacture. I came up with this (isometric view):

IMG_20171212_223014.jpg


It fits over the rear of the knife and is made out of sheet metal similar to standard pocket clips. This is a section view:

IMG_20171212_223026.jpg


Obviously, the amount of flex is exagerrated, but I think you get the idea. You could texturize the inside of the clip face for more grip.

Thoughts?
Click to expand...
I modeled it up for ya! Let me know when you want to go into full production!;)
x3hCXqz.png

3uXTfZK.png

ZLcZQyT.png
 
danbot said:
I modeled it up for ya! Let me know when you want to go into full production!;)
x3hCXqz.png

3uXTfZK.png

ZLcZQyT.png
Click to expand...

You know with your design the knife wouldn't go all the way onto a pocket right ?
I'd say with most jeans you'd probably get the clip on 75%.
 
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