The present disclosure relates to an assembly utilized for sharpening a blade, and more specifically an assembly for holding and guiding a blade during sharpening.
Knives dull with use and age and require periodic sharpening to retain a desired sharpness. Sharpness of a knife is determined by the edge width and a radius of the edges of the knife. The angle of edges of the knife leading to the edge is also a factor that contributes to the durability and usefulness of a knife. Sharpening of a knife can be accomplished through the use of sharpening stones of different coarseness, grit size and material. There are many different stone configurations that may be utilized. However, with any stone, obtaining a precise and consistent angle is key to using and successfully obtaining a desired edge on any knife.
The background description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting a context of this disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure.
A blade sharpening assembly according to an exemplary disclosed embodiment includes, among other possible things, at least one track and a shuttle including a hold portion and a guide portion configured to hold a blade edge against the sharpening surface and a support portion configured to align the guide portion relative to the sharpening surface and guide movement of the shuttle.
In another exemplary embodiment of the foregoing blade sharpening assembly, the guide portion and the hold portion orientate a blade at an angle relative to the sharpening surface.
In another exemplary embodiment of any of the foregoing blade sharpening assemblies, the guide portion comprises a surface guiding the blade at a consistent angle relative to the sharpening surface.
In another exemplary embodiment of any of the foregoing blade sharpening assemblies, the hold portion includes a contact point that is spaced apart from the guide portion to define a gap configured to receive a blade.
In another exemplary embodiment of any of the foregoing blade sharpening assemblies, the hold portion is movable relative to adjust a position of the contact point and is aligned on the shuttle by at least one vertical rib received within a corresponding at least one vertical slot, wherein the hold portion is moveable along the shuttle for adjusting the gap to receive blades with different thicknesses.
In another exemplary embodiment of any of the foregoing blade sharpening assemblies, the guide portion includes a guide mount and at least one guide plate that attaches to the guide mount, the at least one guide plate defining a sharpening angle of the blade relative to the sharpening surface.
In another exemplary embodiment of any of the foregoing blade sharpening assemblies, the track includes a recess with drain holes.
In another exemplary embodiment of any of the foregoing blade sharpening assemblies, the guide portion comprises a surface disposed within a plane angled relative to the sharpening surface.
In another exemplary embodiment of any of the foregoing blade sharpening assemblies, a position of the guide portion and the hold portion relative to the sharpening surface are adjustable to define a sharpening angle.
In another exemplary embodiment of any of the foregoing blade sharpening assemblies, the track comprises at least one peripheral channel with longitudinal portions, wherein the longitudinal portions are configured to receive portions of the support portion.
In another exemplary embodiment of any of the foregoing blade sharpening assemblies, the support portion includes at least one stop that contacts an abutment disposed on the at least one track for setting a position of the shuttle relative to the sharpening surface.
In another exemplary embodiment of any of the foregoing blade sharpening assemblies, the shuttle is rotatable relative to the track.
In another exemplary embodiment of any of the foregoing blade sharpening assemblies, the track includes a track width defined between an inner wall and an outer wall and the shuttle includes a curved outer surface that abuts the outer wall.
In another exemplary embodiment of any of the foregoing blade sharpening assemblies, the guide portion and the hold portion define a transverse axis disposed at a draw angle relative to a longitudinal axis.
In another exemplary embodiment of any of the foregoing blade sharpening assemblies, the draw angle is less than 90 degrees and greater than 0 degrees.
In another exemplary embodiment of any of the foregoing blade sharpening assemblies, the draw angle is a direction in which a blade is pulled through the guide portion and the hold portion.
A method of sharpening a blade according to another exemplary disclosed embodiment includes, among other things, placing a shuttle into a track such that a guide portion of the shuttle is supported above a sharpening surface, holding a blade against the sharpening surface between the guide portion and a hold portion of the shuttle, and moving the shuttle along the sharpening surface with an edge of the blade held against the sharpening surface between the hold portion and the guide portion.
Another exemplary embodiment of the foregoing method includes guiding the blade longitudinally along the sharpening surface and drawing the blade transverse to the longitudinal movement of the shuttle.
In another exemplary embodiment of any of the foregoing methods, holding the blade includes pressing on a press surface to push a contact point against one side of the blade and supporting the blade on an opposite side with the guide portion.
Another exemplary embodiment of any of the foregoing methods, including rotating the shuttle relative to a longitudinal axis and drawing the blade along a draw axis transverse to the longitudinal axis, wherein the transverse axis is disposed at a draw angle less than 90 degrees and greater than 0 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis.
Although the different examples have the specific components shown in the illustrations, embodiments of this disclosure are not limited to those particular combinations. It is possible to use some of the components or features from one of the examples in combination with features or components from another one of the examples.
These and other features disclosed herein can be best understood from the following specification and drawings, the following of which is a brief description.
Referring to
Various examples of each structure and feature of knife and blade sharpening assemblies are disclosed by way of example. Each structure and feature may be provided with integral or separable parts. Nothing in this disclosure should be understood as a disclaimer of either integral or separate embodiments of any of the features. Instead, it is explicitly within the contemplation and scope of this disclosure that any feature may be implemented as either separate parts or integrated into single structures and or portions.
Referring to
The shuttle 24 includes support portions 38 that support a guide portion 40 and a hold portion 42 relative to the sharpening stone 26. The guide portion 40 and the hold portion 42 combine to hold and orientate a knife blade against the sharpening stone 26 at a desired angle as the shuttle 24 is moved during a sharpening stroke. The guide portion 40 sets the angle of the knife blade relative to the sharpening surface 25 of the sharpening stone to enable sharpening to a consistent edge angle.
The guide portion 40 includes an angled surface 44 that is disposed at an angle 46 relative to the sharpening surface 25 of the sharpening stone 26. In one disclosed example, the angle 46 is between 8° and 45°. In another disclosed example, the angle 46 is between 25° and 30°. In still another disclosed example, the angle 46 is between 15° and 20°. In another disclosed example, the angle 46 is between 10° and 15°. In another disclosed example, the angle 46 is one of 15°, 17° and 20°. The angle 46 corresponds to the desired angle of the knife edge and may be set to any to provide the desired knife edge. The guide portion 40 is spaced apart from the sharpening surface 25 of the sharpening stone 26 such that the only contact with the sharpening surface 25 is made by the knife to be sharpened.
The hold portion 42 includes a point 48 that is spaced from the angled surface 44 by a gap 50. An edge of a knife to be sharpened is inserted into the gap 50 and against the surface 25 of the sharpening stone 26. The point 48 provides an upper point of contact on a top surface of the knife blade to hold the knife edge against the sharpening stone 26. Moreover, all surfaces of the shuttle 24 are spaced apart from the sharpening stone 26 such that only the knife to be sharpened makes direct contact with the sharpening stone 26.
The holder portion 42 further includes a guard 52 that protects a hand of a user during a sharpening stroke. The guard 52 extends upward in a direction transverse to the sharpening surface 25 of the sharpening stone.
Referring to
Referring to
The guide portion 40 includes the guide surface 44. It should be appreciated, that although the guide surface 44 is shown by way of example as a flat planer surface, other configurations, such as points that define a plane at a desired angle are also within the contemplation of this disclosure. The guide surface 44 defines a plane at the angle 46 relative to a sharpening stone 26. The angle 46 corresponds with the desired knife edge. Accordingly, the example shuttle 24 provides a set angle and other shuttles could be included to provide different available angles to a user.
The support portion 38 of the example shuttle 24 includes a first leg 54 and a second leg 56 that each extend downward from the guide portion 40 and the holder portion 42. At an end of the first leg 54 is a foot 58 that is of a width corresponding to the longitudinal portions 30 of the track 22. The second leg 56 includes a second foot 60 that fits into another longitudinal portion 30 of the track 22.
The holder portion 42 includes the guard 52 and a press surface 62 for holding the shuttle 24 within the track 22 and a knife blade against the guide surface 44 and the sharpening stone 26. The press surface 62 is disposed on an opposite side of the guard 52 from the contact point 48. Pressing on the press surface 62 maintains the desired orientation of a knife on the shuttle 24. The press surface 62 may be compliant to enable some bending of the holder portion 42 to provide for further application of pressure on a knife blade.
Referring to
Referring to
The position of the guide portion 40 and the hold portion 42 may be varied to adjust the sharpening angle 46. A position of one or both the guide portion 40 and the hold portion 42 can be altered to set the sharpening angle 46. The guide portion 40 may be positioned at a location forward or back of the illustrated position in a direction indicated by arrow 122. The guide portion 40 may also be positioned above or below the illustrated position in a direction indicated by arrow 120 and or some combination of the horizontal and vertical movement to adjust the sharpening angle 46. Similarly, the hold portion may be altered horizontally in the direction indicated by arrow 126 and/or vertically as indicated by arrow 124 to provide the desired sharpening angle 46.
Moreover, although a disclosed example guide portion 40 and hold portion 42 are shown as surfaces, each may be comprised of a point contact with the blade 70 or a series of points that are capable of supporting the blade 70 in the desired orientation.
The blade 70 contacts the sharpening surface 25 at the angle set by the guide portion 40 and the hold portion 42. Accordingly, three points of contact are utilized to orientated the blade 70 for sharpening. The three points include the sharpening surface 25, the guide portion 40 and the hold portion 42. The blade 70 is moved longitudinally along the sharpening surface 25 back and forth in the direction indicated by arrow 128. The orientation of the guide portion 40 and the hold portion 42 provide for further movement transverse to the direction indicated by arrow 128 in order to engaged an entire length of the blade 70 during a sharpening stroke.
It should be understood, that the example disclosed features may be supported and oriented in many different ways within the scope and contemplation of this disclosure such that the form of the guide portion 40, hold portion 42 and the support portion 38 provides the desired consistent and repeatable orientation of the blade 70 to the sharpening surface 25.
Referring to
The pressure applied by the user provides for holding the shuttle 24 in place and also for holding the knife blade 70 against the sharpening surface 25. Pressure on the knife blade 70 is provided through the contact point 48 of the holder portion 42 (Best shown in
Referring to
The movement in the direction 74 can be for the entire length of the sharpening stone 26, or for a partial length. Additionally, the transverse movement 76 may only be for part of the knife blade 70. However, a smooth sharpening stroke along the entire length of the edge 72 provides the most efficient formation of a sharp edge 72. The process is repeated until a desired sharpness to the knife is attained. In this disclosed example, the blade 70 is drawn across the sharpening surface in the direction indicated at 76 at angle substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal motion indicated by arrow 74. It should be appreciated, that the blade 70 may be drawn across the sharpening surface at angles other than 90 degrees.
In the disclosed example, the shuttle 24 is drawn toward the user. However, the sharpening stroke may also be performed by moving the shuttle 24 away from the user. In either direction, the user maintains pressure on the press surface 62.
An initial sharpening of a knife blade 70 may require repeated sharpening strokes. Moreover, different grades and coarseness of the sharpening stone 26 may be switched as required to provide a desired sharpness. As appreciated, a course sharpening stone 26 may be initially utilized followed by sharpening stones of finer grades to generate a desired sharpness. Moreover, several grades of compound may be utilized to further enhance the blade edge. Regardless of the grade of the sharpening stone or the use of compounds, the disclosed example sharpening stroke remains substantially the same. Additionally, because the shuttle 24 holds the edge 72 at a consistent, repeatable angle, the edge can be obtained quickly and efficiently.
Referring to
The shuttle 84 includes a support portion 100 with a foot 96 disposed on either side of a guide potion 102 and a hold portion 104. The foot 96 is disposed within a guide channel 86. The guide channel 86 includes a width 88 defined between an outer wall 90 and an inner wall 92. Each foot 96 includes an outer curved surface 96 and an inner surface 98. Rotation of the shuttle 84 within the guide channel 86 engages the inner surface 98 with the inner wall 92 and the outer curved surface 96 with the outer wall to set the desired angle 110. Altering the width 88 and the radius of the outer curved surface 96 provides for changes to the angle 110. Moreover, the shuttle 84 may be held at any angle between that shown in
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
In this example embodiment, threaded fasteners 158 are utilized to hold the hold slide 156 to the shuttle assembly 152. In this example the threaded fasteners are knobs, however, other fasteners could be utilized. The hold slide 156 includes a hold edge 160 that is spaced apart from the guide plate 168 to define a spacing of the gap 160. The hold slide 156 also includes a handle portion 164 for grasping and moving the shuttle along the sharpening stone.
In this example, the shuttle assembly 152 includes round openings 182 and the hold slide 156 includes slotted openings 180. The slotted openings 180 provide for vertical adjustment of the hold slide 156 to define the spacing of the gap 160. Once the hold slide 156 is placed in a desired vertical position, the fasteners 158 are tightened to secure the slide 156 in place. The spacing of the gap 160 may be adjusted to accommodate blades of different thicknesses. A blade may be placed on the guide plate 168 and the hold slide 156 abutted against the blade and then secured in place to set the gap 160. The gap 160 is set to provide sufficient clearance for the blade to be pulled through the gap 160 while maintaining the blade abutment along the guide plate 168 to hold the desired sharpening angel.
The example guide plates 168A-C set the sharpening angle and are attached to the guide mount portion 170 by a forward and aft snap and tab fit. Each of the guide plates 168A-C include a slot 176 that fits into a forward tab 184 formed as an integral part of the guide mount portion 170. The guide mount portion 170 further includes an aft slot 186 that receives a catch 178 on each of the guide plates 168A-C. Accordingly, each of the guide plates 168A-C are secured at forward and aft locations to the guide mount portion 170. It should be appreciated that although an example snap mount configuration is disclosed by way of example other securement configurations that enable switching of guide plates 168A-C are within the contemplation and scope of this disclosure.
In this example, the guide plates 168A-C define different sharpening angles. In one disclosed example, the guide plate 168A defines an angle of 19.5°, the guide plate 168B defines an angle of 20° and the guide plate 168C defines an angle of 20.5°. As appreciated other angles could be provided by additional guide plates 168. Moreover, the number of guide plates 168 disclosed could vary to provide additional sharpening angles.
Referring to
An initial start location of the shuttle assembly 152 is set by an abutment 200 that abuts a stop 198. The abutment 200 is part of the shuttle assembly 152 and the stop 198 is part of the holder 202. The abutment 200 abuts the stop 198 to align the gap 160 and a forward edge of the guide plate 168 with an end of the sharpening stone 26. The abutting contact between the stop 198 and abutment 200 positions the shuttle assembly 152 relative to the stone 26 to prevent errant impact between a blade and a side of the stone 26. The example stop 198 and abutment 200 may be integral parts on respective parts or be separate parts attached or otherwise secured to the respective parts.
Accordingly, the disclosed example knife sharpening assemblies provide consistent and repeatable angles of sharpening strokes to enable novice and expert users alike to obtain desirable edge sharpness.
Although the different non-limiting embodiments are illustrated as having specific components or steps, the embodiments of this disclosure are not limited to those particular combinations. It is possible to use some of the components or features from any of the non-limiting embodiments in combination with features or components from any of the other non-limiting embodiments.
It should be understood that like reference numerals identify corresponding or similar elements throughout the several drawings. It should be understood that although a particular component arrangement is disclosed and illustrated in these exemplary embodiments, other arrangements could also benefit from the teachings of this disclosure.
Although an example embodiment has been disclosed, a worker of ordinary skill in this art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of this disclosure. For that reason, the following claims should be studied to determine the scope and content of this disclosure.