The Tri-ad Lock Patent Expires in December [Wrong Info]

Status
Not open for further replies.
DocJD said:
You think the fakes should be "justified " ? Now I'm actually confused ! :confused:
Click to expand...

Don't want to speak for @craytab , but I think given what I've seen of his previous post history on the topic of clones and counterfeits, you may have missed the sarcasm in his last post. Either way, I'm certain he's not advocating in any way for clones and the like.

On the topic of innovation and patents regarding locking mechanisms (and just things in general), when you discover something great, patent it if you want. However, don't sit idly by and watch the money pile up as the lifespan of the patent shortens. I believe a company should continue to experiment and try to innovate in the mean time so that when their patent is up, they have something else to show everyone that they are still relevant. Maybe not the best example, but one that immediately comes to mind (and has since been mentioned already in this thread iirc) is the Benchmade Axis Lock.

When they set out to make the Anthem, the design constraint of trying to integrate an Axis Lock into an integral handled knife forced them to redesign the Axis Lock and trade the traditional dual Omega Spring setup for a single coil spring - which in my opinion is a superior design because of the increased reliability a coil spring should give the user over the Omega springs.

To sum this all up, the phrase, "if you're not constantly moving forward, then you're falling behind" comes to mind.
 
I don’t get bent out of shape when a company copies or makes their own version of a specific lock type. Especially if it’s improved or refined. What bothers me is when a company takes another’s design and makes a POS copy of it solely to bring in revenue based on it’s popularity. Just doesn’t do it justice:thumbsdown:
 
Show of hands... how many folks have a Mauser style bolt gun in their gun safe?

This is how patents work. They eventually expire.

And speaking of Coldsteel, I'm sure this isn't a clone. Just a tasteful "homage"?

Cold-Steel-Twistmaster-Zytel-BHQ-50028-jr-large.jpg
 
Mick_1KRR said:
I pretty much exclusively use the Tri-ad daily for work and of these models - Recon 1, Voyager, Code 4, Frenzy, Bush Ranger, Counter point, Talwar and Ultimate Hunter - every single one of them is so easy to close it takes zero thought. Press the back lock and it free falls perfectly onto your finger and then closes perfectly like in the gif i made below of my Recon. I've only ever seen stiff locks on the Hold out series, everything else has been smooth and easy. But in production knives sometimes you get differences and lemons.
qryyyu.gif
Click to expand...


Agree that my stiffest triad lock to close has been my Holdout. The strongest of my CS models, the Recon1 and Ultimate Hunter actually have the easiest triad locks to operate. But the locks on the Code 4, Voyager, and B. Skull all work fine. The American Lawman took a little use to loosen up, and now it works fine.
I ve never had a triad that did nt lock up tight. Interesting to see if other companies will try to make that lock.
 
I'm sure we'll see more companies using that lock after the patent expires. Patents aren't meant to last forever by design. Utility patents get 20 years or a lesser term depending on a number of things. The point is to give a government-granted monopoly in exchange for informing the public how to construct the apparatus, perform the method, etc. This lets people use the technology after the term expires. When it comes to pocket knife locks I really don't see much room for meaningful innovation at this point. Folders aren't super complicated tech.
 
pinnah said:
Show of hands... how many folks have a Mauser style bolt gun in their gun safe?

This is how patents work. They eventually expire.

And speaking of Coldsteel, I'm sure this isn't a clone. Just a tasteful "homage"?

Cold-Steel-Twistmaster-Zytel-BHQ-50028-jr-large.jpg
Click to expand...
That looks like an Opinel done correctly ! ;) I'll wager it might actually work . Just funnin' !

Seriously , do you believe this actually constitutes a patent violation ?
 
Oh dear no. It's no more of a patent infringement than a Ruger M77 is a patent infringement.

My point is, after a patent runs out, I think the charge of copy car or clone goes away. You can a bunch of makers who do almost exact knock offs of Opinel. Countless no name SAK knock offs and tons of makers of Sodbusters.

The differentiators become quality of materials, quality of execution and branding. That's how you maintain market position after your patent wears out and you loose exclusive rights to some design aspect.
 
I'm almost always happy to see a patent expire and the wider community get access to a new tool to potentially build better knives with. I've been eyeing that Buck 110 Slim Pro with micarta and S30V and I think it would be near-perfect (for me, at least) with a Triad lock and screw construction.

I definitely think patent holders should be rewarded for their innovation, testing and research, but there's also a time when the larger community should have access to all the fun toys. It just sucks out loud that there are unethical manufacturers, no matter WHAT country they come from, that view intellectual property as something to immediately copy, regardless of legalities or ethics.
 
The more Tri-Ads or any type of lockbacks, the better. My favorite lock type. Sick of the endless procession of frame and liner locks.
 
SpySmasher said:
Some people obviously don't believe in the concept of patents or copyright, notably arch-capitalists like the Disney corporation or communists like the old Soviet Union, but I do. It's a long-established principle in the Western world that dates back to ancient Athens and in the US is enshrined in the constitution. In the modern world, most nations, including the PRC and US, are signatory to common, international patent laws. What some people don't seem to understand is that the principle of limiting the exclusive exploitation of an idea or invention is just as important as protecting it.

Conceptually, patents acknowledge that there is a tension between the private rights of the creator and the public good, ie. what is good for the creator is that he/she gets to exploit their idea exclusively forever but what's good for the rest of us is that they don't get to do that at all. The resulting compromise is the patent, which sets a time limit on exclusive exploitation. Once that period is over, the idea passes into the common use for the common good.

If you believe in the idea of patents you can certainly debate what is a fair and useful term but once that term is up there's no reason not to support wide, common use.

As for the current international statutory term of 20 years, it seems pretty fair to me especially given that the initial US statutory patent term was only 14 years. Either way, it's the law. I find it pretty silly that anyone would grant Cold Steel some kind of moral ownership of the Tri-ad design beyond that which the fair-seeming law has already granted them but that's me.
Click to expand...

I disagree completely on the continued extension of copyright. The copyright on Steamboat Willie is not inspiring Walt Disney to create anything new. There are lists published every year to things that are prevented from release into the public domain, and it is very depressing to read it. Watch Disney lobby heavily to get copyright extended again, beyond life +70 years than it is now.

What I don't like about the Triad lock is the amount of material they hog out of the blade near the pivot point. In that area I believe the Axis lock is a better design. Other manufacturers may decide the Triad Lock is not worth using if there is no guarantee it will enhance the product they have now.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top