KNIFE SHARPENING DEVICE

Abstract

A knife sharpener for the manual sharpening of knives that includes a knife clamp, a honing bar extending in a first direction, an upright support, a base, and a sleeve that is configured to receive a knife having a blade. The knife clamp is configured such that the sleeve is selectively mated within the knife clamp to fixedly secure the knife blade therein along a second direction when the knife clamp is closed.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is related generally to knife sharpeners, and more particularly, the present invention concerns knife sharpeners with clamping members having embodiments to correspond with the knife in order to assure the blade is being held firmly and in an exact repeatable position.

2. Brief Description of Prior Art

Knife sharpeners are known for aiding in the manual sharpening of blades. In one commercially available design, a knife blade is clamped between two clamp members and a sharpening stone is guided along the edge of a blade by a rod member secured to a sharpener stone holder and in communication with a guide member. However, this prior art sharpener clamp has some deficiencies. One major problem is that it is virtually impossible to clamp a knife blade between the two clamp members in the same position on the knife in which the knife was installed the last time it was sharpened. The distance between the guide edges of the flange and the cutting edge of the knife blade may be different. The position of the holder lengthwise of the blade may also be different. The holder may be at a slightly different angle relative to the blade. Even when the difference in the position of the holder from the last sharpening of a particular knife is relatively small, sharpening nonetheless requires grinding a new edge with a different angle to the surface of the blade and removing a relatively large amount of blade material. Consequently, sharpening takes a relatively long time, and each sharpening reduces the life of the blade. This is the general deficiency that the present invention is intended to address.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A knife sharpener for the manual sharpening of knives. The sharpening device includes a knife clamp member that includes first and second clamping members, a guide member that defines an upper guide member and a lower guide member, an upright support and a base member. A clamping member adjustment is used in order to engage the first and second clamping members into a clamping position with the apparatus to be sharpened. The upper guide member upwardly extends from the knife clamp member and the lower guide member downwardly extends from the knife clamp member, the lower guide member in communication with the base. Each upper and lower guide member includes a plurality of apertures sized and shaped for receiving a guide rod that includes a sharpening stone.

The first clamping member further defines at least one aperture that corresponds and mates with an equal number of protrusions on the sleeve member, the sleeve member sized and shaped for receiving the knife blade. In application, when the sleeve member is clamped between the first and second clamping members, mating the at least one aperture with the corresponding protrusions, and tightening the screws and thumb screw will assure the sleeve member with the knife blade therein is held firmly and in a reproducible position.

In one embodiment, a knife sharpener for the manual sharpening of knives that includes a knife clamp, a honing bar extending in a first direction, an upright support, a base, and a sleeve that is configured to receive a knife having a blade. The knife clamp is configured such that the sleeve is selectively mated within the knife clamp to fixedly secure the knife blade therein along a second direction when the knife clamp is closed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed in color. Copies of this patent or patent application publication with color drawing(s) will be provided by the Office upon request and payment of the necessary fee.

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a knife sharpening device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the upright support attached to the base member according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a second alternate configuration for attaching the upright support to the base member according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the knife sharpening device shown in FIG. 1 according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an exploded top view of the distal end of the knife clamp member with a sleeve member positioned therein according to an embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an exploded bottom view of the distal end of the knife clamp member with a sleeve member positioned therein according to an embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the guide member according to an embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a top view of a sleeve member and corresponding knife with knife blade according to an embodiment.

FIG. 9 is top and side view of a chainsaw blade sharpening attachment according to an embodiment.

FIG. 10 is back and side view of a knife sharpening attachment according to an embodiment.

FIG. 11A is front view of an adjustable guide according to an embodiment.

FIG. 11B is a top view of an adjustable guide according to an embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a guide plate according to an embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a collapsible upright body according to an embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a guide plate recess according to an embodiment.

FIG. 15 is hole configurations according to embodiments.

FIG. 16 illustrates the sleeve according to embodiments.

FIG. 17 is a side perspective view of a knife sharpening device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a top perspective view of the knife sharpening device of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a bottom perspective view of the knife sharpening device of FIG. 17.

FIG. 20 is a side perspective view a clamp used with a knife sharpening device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a top perspective view of a chisel being sharpened in the knife sharpening device of FIG. 17.

FIG. 22 are perspective views of the chisel used in the knife sharpening device of FIG. 17.

FIG. 23 is a method of developing a sleeve for a knife sharpening device, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a method of use of the knife sharpening device of FIG. 17, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 25 is a side perspective view of a knife sharpening device with a dial according to another embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention is directed to a knife sharpener for the manual sharpening of knives. The present knife sharpening device defines embodiments designed to assure a knife blade is being held firmly by the sharpener device and in an exact repeatable location. In the broadest context, the knife sharpening device of the present invention consists of components configured and correlated with respect to each other so as to obtain the desired objective.

Referring to the drawings, a knife sharpening device 10 according to the preferred embodiment is shown. The sharpening device 10 generally includes a knife clamp member 15 that includes first and second clamping members 20 and 25, a guide member 30 that defines an upper guide member 32 and a lower guide member 39, an upright support 35, and a base member 40.

A clamping member adjustment is used in order to engage the first and second clamping members into a clamping position. As illustrated, the knife clamp member 15 includes a pair of screws, designated as numerals 17A and 17B. Each of the pair of screws 17A, 17B downwardly extend through apertures 22A, 22B, respectively, in the first clamping member 20 and are each threadably received in a pair of bores 27A, 27B of the second clamping member 25. It should be noted that in operation only one screw 17A or 17B will be engaged during operation, with 17B being utilized for larger bodied blades.

As illustrated, the pair of screws 17A, 17B in application, are parallel with a length L (see FIG. 4) of guide member 30, and perpendicular to a longitudinal axis 5. As further illustrated, the knife clamp member 15 is parallel with the longitudinal axis 5, and therefore perpendicular to the length L of guide member 30.

The knife clamp member 15 preferably includes a thumb screw 19 that vertically extends through an aperture 21C in the first clamping member 20 and is received in a tapped bore 29 of the second clamping member 25. As will be understood, the pair of screws 17A, 17B as well as the thumb screw 19 for fixedly clamping a sleeve member 50 between the first and second clamping members 20, 25 to prevent the sleeve 50 from moving therein. The sleeve member 50 contoured for frictionally receiving a knife 70 having a blade 71 to be sharpened.

As illustrated, the upper guide member 32 upwardly extends from the knife clamp member 15 and the lower guide member 39 downwardly extends from the knife clamp member 15, with a ledge 33 therebetween. The guide member ledge 33 seats on the pins 35B on the upright support 35 which is joined to the base member 40.

Each guide member 32 and 39 includes at least two (2) columns of apertures 45 sized and shaped for receiving a guide 60 that includes a sharpening stone 61. As best shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, and as is known in the art, by inserting the guide rod 60 in different apertures 45 the angle A (illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5) of the sharpening stone relative to the knife edge 71 can be changed. Once the proper angle has been selected, the guide rod 60 will maintain the sharpening stone 61 at a substantially constant angular orientation relative to the knife edge 71 during the sharpening process.

As illustrated, each of the plurality of apertures 45 essentially have straight upper and lower sides and rounded ends. More specifically, aperture 45A (see FIG. 7) includes straight lower and upper sides 46 and 47, respectively, and rounded ends 48 and 49. All of the apertures 45 are preferably identical. The elongated aperture sides 46 and 47 can be of any desired length so as to permit the sharpener stone 61 to provide a desired range of operation when the guide rod 60 has been inserted through the proper aperture 45 and the sharpening stone 61 is caused to laterally traverse the knife edge 71.

The upright support 35 may be integral to the base member 40 or separate and appropriately attached. As illustrated in FIG. 3, guide member 30 may be joined with upright support 35 and connected to the base member 40 using a screw 41 that is threadably received in a bore 36 disposed at a lower most end 35A of the upright support 35.

Referring to FIG. 2, base member 40 may define a notch 42 sized and shaped for releasably receiving a defined end 37 of lower guide member 35. Defined end 37 includes a catch 38 that aligns with and is received within a defined lower portion 43 of notch 42.

Referring again to the knife clamp member 15, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the first clamping member 20 further defines at least one aperture 21 which in application, will correspond and mate with an equal number of protrusions 51 on the sleeve member 50. The sleeve member 50 including a slit 52 that is sized and shaped for receiving the knife blade 71 or apparatus to be sharpened.

In application, when the sleeve member 50 is clamped between the first and second clamping members 20 and 25, mating the at least one aperture 21 with the corresponding protrusions 51 (and tightening either screw 17A or 17B and thumb screw 19 as described) will assure the sleeve member 50 with the knife blade 71 therein is held firmly and in a reproducible position.

As illustrated, the at least one aperture 21 and corresponding protrusions 51 having an oval or circular configuration, however, the apertures 21 and protrusions 51 can be of varying shapes and sizes.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the sleeve member 50 preferably defines first and second upper protrusions designated as numeral 51A, 51B disposed on an upside 53 of the sleeve 50 that are received in the corresponding apertures 21A, 21B disposed on the first clamping member, and a single protrusion 51C disposed on a downside 54 of the sleeve 50 that downwardly projects through the corresponding aperture 21D of the second clamping member 25. Again, the sleeve member 50 having corresponding protrusions with the apertures of the first and second clamping members.

As should be understood, the benefit of the defined sleeve member 50 with at least one protrusion and corresponding apertures in the first and second clamping members not only assures that the sleeve member 50 with knife blade 71 is held securely but the sleeve member 50 with knife blade 71 is also held in a repeatable position which assures the knife blade 71 is being positioned between the first and second clamping members in the same position in which the knife blade was installed the last time it was sharpened. As a result, the embodiments of the present invention assures the knife blade can be precisely clamped in the exact position as previously honed ensuring the same precise angle of the knife blade’s honed area is maintained.

As best shown in FIG. 4, first clamping member 20 defines a first length L1 that extends from a distal end 20A of first clamping member 20 to the ledge 33 of the guide member 30 such that the opposite end 20B of the first clamping member 20 abuts the front end 33A of the ledge 33. The second clamping member 25 defines a length L2 that extends from a distal end 25A of the second clamping member 25 and extends through a slot 33B in the ledge 33 such that an opposite end 25B of the second clamping member 20 abuts with the surface 31 of the guide member 30. The second clamping member 25 may include a screw 26 that vertically extends through an aperture on the opposite end 25B of the second clamping member 25 and is threadably received in a bore disposed in the ledge 33. In the alternative (shown in FIG. 4), the screw 26 may vertically extend through an aperture in the ledge 33 and is threadably received in a bore 25C disposed on the opposite end of the second clamping member.

As such, the second clamping member 25 is fixed to the guide member 30 and the first clamping member 20 configured to fasten to the fixed second clamping member 25. In application, the sleeve member 50 is positioned to the first and second clamping members as described and the first clamping member 20 is tightened to the second clamping member 25 with the screw 17A, or 17B and thumb screw 19.

As illustrated, the sleeve member 50 defines a slit 52 that is sized and shaped for receiving the knife blade 71. Preferably, the slit 52 is custom made to frictionally receive the knife blade 71 and varies according to the shape of the knife blade. As illustrated, the slit 52 defines a slit length 54 that further varies according to the knife blade 71.

As should be understood, the benefit of the defined sleeve member 50 assures that the knife blade held within the sleeve member 51 and the sleeve member 50 are in a repeatable position which assures the knife blade is being positioned between the first and second clamping members in the same position in which the knife blade was installed the last time it was sharpened. As a result, the knife blade can be precisely positioned in the exact position as previously honed ensuring the same precise angle of the knife blade’s honed area is maintained.

2-Piece Sleeve (FIG. 10)

An alternate embodiment of the sleeve 50 (see FIG. 10) is an adjustable two-piece sleeve which can accept blades of varying thickness. The sleeve has a top half 50A and a bottom half 50B which mate together by protrusions 58 projecting from the blade contact side into apertures 59 on the receiving sleeve bottom half 50B. This allows blades of various thicknesses to be accepted by a single design sleeve. Alternatively, both the sleeve top half and the sleeve bottom half could have both extrusions, receiving apertures or indentions which mate to protrusions, receiving apertures and/or indentions on the interior sides the sharpening apparatus clamps 20 and 25 (see FIG. 4). The interior portions of the sleeve will conform to the blade or other portions of the blade in a manner that enables the sleeve 50 to be repeatedly and precisely positioned in the sharpening apparatus clamps 20 and 25 (see FIG. 4) in the same spatial position relevant to the clamps.

In some embodiments, a sleeve 50 (see FIG. 8) designed to mate within a slit (see FIG. 8) 52 on the sides 71 and/or spine 72 of a blade in such a manner as to be repeatedly and precisely repositioned after removal and reinsertion of the blade into the sleeve slit 52 with the outer portions of the sleeve 56, 57, 55 having one or a combination of depressions, extrusions, holes, or appendages which mates to the downward clamping jaw of clamp 20 and upward clamping jaw of clamp 25 having depressions, extrusions, holes, or appendages which mate/conform to those on the outer surface of the sleeve 56, 57, 55 in such a manner that the sleeve can be repeatedly and precisely positioned in the clamps in the same spatial position relevant to the clamps.

Alternatively, or in combination with the above embodiments, the back or spine of the sleeve 55 can mate to, conform to or rest against the back inner portions of the clamping jaws 20, 25 or another part of a blade sharpening apparatus in such a manner that it can be repeatedly and precisely positioned in the clamps in the same spatial position relevant to the clamps.

Alternatively, or in combination with the above, the sleeve 50 can mate to or be attached to other portions of the knife sharpening apparatus which enables repeatedly and precisely positioning of the sleeve in the same spatial position relevant to the knife sharpener device.

Chainsaw Blade Sharpener Attachment (FIG. 9)

An additional embodiment is an attachable/detachable chainsaw blade sharpening apparatus 100, which attaches to the ledge 33 (see FIG. 1) of the guide member 30 by means of a protrusion 101 which is received in an aperture 34 in the ledge 33. The chainsaw blade sharpener 100 is projected an appropriate distance from the guide member plate 30 by an extension arm 102, the chainsaw blade guide teeth insert between two appropriately spaced plates 103, 104 which by means of a lever 105 on a threaded screw shaft 106 which can be adjusted to compress the blade plates 103, 104 together apply tension on the chainsaw blade guide teeth. Attached to the extension arm 102 is an extension arm 107 upwardly extending which has a horizontal pin 108 through and beyond the distal end of the extension arm 107 with the expose portion of the pin 108 having the capability of supporting an indexing lever 109 with an end of the indexing lever loosely wrapped around the horizontal pin 108 with the distal end of the pin 108 enlarged to secure the indexing lever 109 between the distal end of the pin 108 and the extension arm 102. As the chainsaw blade is advanced held in place by the compression blade plates 103, 104 the indexing lever 109 ensures uniform placement of the chainsaw blade.

Adjustable Guide Plate (FIGS. 11A & 11B)

An additional embodiment to the guide member 30 (see FIG. 7) is an adjustable guide member comprised of two upright columns 120A, 120B connected to the 33 (see FIG. 1) ledge with a screw 125 with the two upright columns having a groove 121 running the length of the columns 120A, 120B which allow the guide member 32A, 39B to slide inside the groove 121. The guide members 120A and 120B have a hole 122 on the distal end of each guide member which can correspond with holes 123 on the upright columns 120A, 120B enabling a pin 124 to be inserted through the front hole in the upright columns 120A, 120B through the hole 123 in the guide member 32A, 39A and through a hole 123 on the opposite side of the upright columns to secure the guide member in place. The pinning 124 can be accomplished via a variety of methods such as a spring-loaded pin or a screw pin. The guide member can be adjusted upward or downward on both ends to enable the operator to obtain the desired honing angle. A horizontal slit 125 in the guide member allows insertion of the honing stone rod 60 (see FIG. 1).

Cutout for Chisel and Hatchet (FIG. 12)

An additional embodiment is an aperture opening, 45B, in the guide member 30 (see FIG. 7) to allow for the insertion of a chisel or small hatchet through the aperture in the guide member 30. The cutting tool is placed in position enabling the honing stone guide rod 60 and the honing stone 61 (see FIG. 1) to contact the cutting edge of cutting tool.

Decreasing Hole Sizes (FIG. 12)

An additional embodiment to the guide member 30 (see FIG. 7) is decreasing aperture heights of the guide template apertures 45 in the guide member 30 as the guide rod and sharpening stone 60 and 61 (see FIG. 1) angle relevant to the blade edge decreases from 30 to 11 degrees to minimizing guide rod and sharpening stone 60 and 61 vertical movement, providing greater control and enhancing precision of the honing process.

Collapsible Upright Support (FIG. 13)

An additional embodiment is a collapsible upright support 35 which utilizes a hinge 130 connected to each upright support 35 by a screw, pin 132 or other attachment mechanism and to each base 40 by a screw, pin 131 or other attachment mechanism. Support for the hinged upright support is provided by a support arm 133 which hinges 135 in the middle and downward when collapsing and is attached at the end of the hinge 133 to each base 40 by a screw, pin 134 or other attachment mechanism and to each upright support 35 by a screw, pin 136 or other mechanism.

Reccessed Guide Member (FIG. 14)

An additional embodiment is the addition of a groove 35C at the base of the upright support 35 into the support base 40 (see FIG. 14). The groove is sized to allow the distal horizontal ends of the guide member 30 (see FIG. 4 and FIG. 14) to insert into the groove to facilitate securing the guide member in a vertical position.

Additional Holes in Clamps (FIG. 15)

An additional embodiment is the added apertures in the clamps 20 and 25. Additional apertures include 21E and 21F in clamp 20 to provide for additional placement of the sleeve 50. Additional apertures include 21G, 21H, 21I, 21J to provide for added placement of the sleeve 50.

Pocket Knife Sleeve (FIG. 16)

An additional embodiment is a pocket knife sleeve. Many blades are not of sufficient size to clamp onto the blade, either with a sleeve 50 (see FIG. 8) or without a sleeve. The following embodiment facilitates the sharpening of small knives by clamping onto the handle of the knife. The sleeve 140 is sized to slide over the handle of a blade 144 on three sides 147, 148 and 149 and partially on the fourth side 142 and 143. The sleeve 140 is designed so as the base of the blade handle 146 will seat on ledges 141 and 141A. The blade 145 will protrude through the open end of 150. The distal end apertures on the clamps 20, 25 will seat on the protrusions 51A, 51B and 51C, enabling the handle sleeve, blade handle and blade to be repeatedly and precisely positioned in the same spatial position relevant to the clamps and knife sharpener device.

Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustration of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. As such, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the claims.

FIGS. 17-22 illustrate various other embodiments of a knife sharpener. FIGS. 17-20 illustrates knife sharpening systems according to some embodiments.

Other Embodiments

Referring first to FIGS. 17-19, the knife sharpening system 200 includes a honing bar 204, a honing guide 206, side guiding plates 202 with guide holes, a clamp bar 208, a base 210, an alignment pin 215, legs 201, a blade clamp 214, a handle clamp 212, and a sleeve.

The honing bar 204 may be a metal bar made of a hard material, such as stainless steel. The honing bar 204 is configured to be inserted in guide holes in each of the guiding plates 202. In this regard, the honing bar 204 extends in between the guiding plates 202. Each of the holes in the guiding plates 202 are disposed a distance from the center of the guiding plates 202 so that when the honing bar 204 is disposed between the guiding plates 202 in such holes, the honing bar 204 makes a predefined angle with the blade of the knife disposed in the clamp.

The honing guide 206 includes a honing handle 224, handle stone 228, honing guide bar 222, and a stone locking device 226.

The stone 228 is configured to grind the blades of a knife or chisel. The stone 228 is also removable from or locking to the handle 224 by releasing or tightening the locking device 226, respectively. For example, the locking device 226 can be screwed in and this screwing in attaches the stone 228 to the handle 224.

The honing guide bar 222 is configured to slide orthogonally on the honing bar 204 so that when the honing guide bar 222 slides orthogonally on the honing bar 204 the stone 228 is positioned to grind a blade of a knife clamped in the clamp.

The base 210 and clamp bar 208 attach to each other with a pin 215 extending from the base 208. The pin 215 extends from base 208 in the vertical direction and the clamp bar 208 has a hole therethrough to receive the clamp bar 208. In this regard, the clamp bar 208 can be removed, rotated 180 degrees within a vertical plane that is aligned with the base 210.

In one embodiment, the clamp bar 208 is permanently attached to the side guiding plates 202 on each side so that when the clamp bar 208 is rotated, the side guiding plates 202 are rotated as well. In another embodiment, the base 210 is permanently attached to the side guiding plates 202 on each side so that when the clamp bar 208 is rotated, the side guiding plates 202 are not rotated.

The clamp bar 208 is configured to receive the blade clamp 214 using fasteners in the center of the side guiding plates 202. In this regard, the blade clamp 214 is attached to the vertical center of the clamp bar 208.

The blade clamp 214 has one or more holes 220, a top portion 218, and a bottom portion 216. Each of the top and bottom portions 216, 218 may have holes. It should be noted that the blade clamp 214 may have protrusion instead of or in addition to the holes 220. These holes allow creation of protrusions in the sleeve so that the protrusion in the sleeve aligned with the holes 220 in the blade clamp 214. In this regard, the sleeve will be positioned with the blade claim 214 in the exact position every time.

It should be noted that instead of the blade camp 214, the handle clamp 212 may be used. In this regard, the blade camp 214 is removable from the clamp bar 208 and the handle clamp 212 may then be attached to the clamp bar 208 so that the blade is disposed in the middle of the clamp bar 208.

The handle clamp 212 is shown in FIG. 20 and in FIGS. 17-19 attached in the system 200. The handle clamp 212 includes a clamp portion which includes upper and lower clamp bars 230, 231. The upper and lower clamp bars 230, 231 include holes 234. It should be noted that the handle clamp 212 may have protrusions instead of or in addition to the holes 234. These holes 234 allow creation of protrusions in the sleeve so that the protrusion in the sleeve aligned with the holes 234 in the handle clamp 212. In this regard, the sleeve will be positioned with the handle clamp 212 in the exact position every time.

The handle clamp 212 includes a locking mechanism 232 which is configured to close and lock the handle clamp 212. However, any other means to close and lock the handle clamp 212 may be employed.

While the above embodiments refer to a knife sharpening system 200, it should be understood that the knife sharpening system 200 is not limited to only knives but can sharpen any device which has an edge that needs to be refined or sharpened. For example, the knife sharpening system 200 may be useful for sharpening knives, chisels, scissors, blades, swords, razors, or any other item which is configured to have a defined or sharp edge. The above description provides discussions about knives, but this is only for ease of description and other devices are equally sharpened. For example, a chisel may be sharpened using the knife sharpening system 200 (referred to herein as knife/chisel sharpening system 200), as explained below.

Referring to FIGS. 21-22, the knife/chisel sharpening system 200 includes a chisel clamp bar 240, chisel bar mounting bolt 241, which is configured to clamp the chisel blade 243 of the chisel 242 to the clamp bar 208. The chisel clamp bar 240 is comprised of a rigid material such as metal or a rigid polymer. The chisel clamp mounting bolts 241 passes through an opening in the chisel clamp bar and is either threaded into the clamp bar 208 or threaded into a threaded nut housed in the cavity of the clamp bar 208 or other attachment methods. The chisel blade 243 when inserted between the chisel bar clamp 240 and the clamp bar 208 is secured in place when the chisel mounting bolts 241 are tightened. The face of the chisel clamp bar 240 facing the chisel blade 243 has various chisel clamp bar features which vary from a smooth surface, such as one or more protrusions, indentions, ridges, holes, curves, etc., 244 or any combination thereof of. These features are used to allow the sleeve to be repeatably mounted to the chisel clamp bar 240 in a precise manner as discussed herein.

Referring to FIG. 22, the chisel blade 243 of the chisel 242 also has various chisel features which vary from a smooth surface, such as one or more protrusions, indentions, ridges, holes, curves, etc. on at least one surface face 245 of the chisel blade 243. For example, FIG. 22 illustrates holes 246 on the chisel. The various chisel features make the chisel unique relative to other chisels and thus, allow a sleeve to be repeatably mounted to the chisel in a precise manner as discussed herein.

It should be understood that chisels and chisel blades can be of varying sizes and configurations, including curved surface faces. It is intended this application of chisel features is for chisels of varying shapes and sizes.

FIGS. 23-24 illustrate the methods of use of the system 200. In block 300, the sleeve heated to a predetermined temperature. The sleeve may be made of any moldable material, such as a plastic, or other polymer. The sleeve may be a small piece of such material that is flat and configured to be able to be wrapped around or disposed on the knife when heated.

The material of the sleeve has a melting point and the sleeve is heated up around such melting point for a certain amount of time so that the sleeve has not melted but is moldable. For example, for a plastic sleeve, the sleeve is heated to 140° F. for a certain amount of time until the sleeve is at such temperature. The heat source may be heated water.

Once the sleeve is at the predetermined temperature, the sleeve is removed from the heat source, and is wrapped around the blade or handle of the knife or chisel portion (blade, handle etc.) while at such predetermined temperature, as provided in block 302. The sleeve is wrapped around the handle when the sleeve is to be used with a handle clamp or around the blade when it is to be used with the blade clamp or around the chisel portion when used with the chisel clamp.

It should be understood that the sleeve need not be wrapped around the knife or chisel but may simply be disposed at a location on the knife so that the clamp can repeatedly clamp the knife at the same spot. In this regard, the sleeve acts as a location device to allow for clamping of the knife at the exact position every time. The sleeve molds to unique features of the knife (protrusions, indentions, ridges, holes, curves, etc. of the knife) and also unique features (e.g., protrusions, indentions, ridges, holes, curves, etc.) of the clamp. This is done through the process of block 304 where the sleeve that is disposed on the knife (either at the blade or at the handle) or chisel blade is clamped by depressing both the top and bottom portions of the clamp together. This will effectively mold the sleeve in the shape of the clamp on one side of the sleeve and the shape of the knife on the other side. This allows the sleeve to uniquely fit right on the knife at the same spot and the same spot as the clamp clamped down on the knife. In this regard, the knife will be positioned at the exact same spot every time when the sleeve is reinserted on the knife blade or handle and inserted into the knife/chisel sharpening system 200.

After the clamp is closed and pressed the heated sleeve, the sleeve is allowed to cool while the clamp is closed and locked on the sleeve (and while the sleeve is on the knife/chisel) as provided in block 306.

In block 308, after the sleeve has cooled, the clamp then can be released so that the sleeve is no longer engaged and clamped down on by the clamp.

This produces the sleeve for repeated positioning of the knife/chisel in the clamp at the exact same position every time, as explained above.

FIG. 24 illustrates a method for sharpening a knife using the knife/chisel sharpening system.

In block 402, the molded sleeve is provided around or on the blade or handle of the knife or chisel. If the molded sleeve is placed on the blade to mold it, then the molded sleeve is placed back on the blade; however, if the molded sleeve is placed on the handle to mold it, then the molded sleeve is placed back on the handle; however, if the molded sleeve is placed back on the chisel blade to mold it, then the molded sleeve is placed back on the chisel blade. In this regard, the molded sleeve is placed back at the same location where it was molded to the knife or chisel. The molded sleeve will fit perfectly on the knife or chisel like a puzzle piece since it was molded to a particular location on the knife or chisel.

In block 404, while the molded sleeve is disposed at the location on the knife or chisel where it was molded to the knife or chisel, the sleeve is then clamped down on and the clamp fits on the sleeve also like a puzzle so that the protrusions, indentions, ridges, holes, curves, etc. of the sleeve fit in the protrusions, indentions, ridges, holes, curves, etc. of the clamp and vice versa.

In block 406, the honing bar is placed in the guiding holes on both guiding plates. The guiding holes are all labeled so that the honing bar is then parallel with the knife that is clamped. Different guiding holes may be used to allow different sharpening angles on the knife or chisel.

In block 408, the honing guide 206 is placed on the honing bar 204 and knife or chisel blade. Specifically, the honing guiding bar 222 is placed on the honing bar 204 and the stone 228 is placed on the knife or chisel blade.

In block 410 an angle meter then may measure the angle created by placement of the honing guide 206 on the honing bar 204 and knife or chisel blade. The angle meter may be disposed to be placed on the handle 224 or the honing guide bar 222 which is configured to be flat and parallel with a longitudinal axis extending from the honing guiding bar 222 and the handle 224.

Each knife or chisel may come with a preferred blade angle. Since the knife is clamped to the clamp bar 208, the angle meter can be zeroed out (or set to zero for calibration purposes) on the clamp bar 208 to obtain an accurate measured angle when placed on the handle 224 or honing guide bar 222, the measured angle measured by the angle meter should align close with the preferred blade angle specified by the knife or chisel manufacturer, or the users preferred blade angle.

In block 412, if the measured angle measured by the angle meter is not equal to the preferred angle, the method returned to block 406 where the honing bar 204 is placed in different guide holes to adjust the angle of the honing guide bar on the honing bar and knife or chisel blade. Then steps 406-412 continue until the angle measured by the angle meter is close to to the preferred blade angle specified by the knife or chisel manufacturer (or otherwise the desired angle desired by the user).

Once the desired angle is reached, the method may continue to block 414 where the honing guide is used to sharpen the blade. This is accomplished by pushing the honing guide 206 back and forth on the blade while also contacting the honing bar 204. The handle stone 228 contacts and grinds the blade while at the same time the honing guide bar 222 contacts continuously the honing bar 204. This process is continued and provided the knife edge blade reaches a desired angle measured by the angle meter so that the blade is fully sharpened.

While the knife or chisel is clamped in the clamp (whether the handle clamp or the blade clamp or chisel clamp), the clamp bar 208 can be removed and flipped so the other side of the blade is sharpened. The honing bar 204 is placed in the new guide holes and the process of sharpening the blade in FIG. 22 is repeated.

It is noted that the handle clamp 212 may be preferable to the blade clamp 214 because the blade clamp 214 may get in the way of sharpening the blade and since the handle clamp 212 is disposed on the side by clamping the handle, there are no obstructions to sharpening the blade.

FIG. 25 is a side perspective view of a knife sharpening device with a dial according to another embodiment. As shown in this embodiment, a dial 250 (representing dials 250′ and 250″) is used. The dial has a number of notches or indicators 252 which are calibrated for a certain sharpening angle.

The dial 250 also includes a turn knob 253 which is configured to turn the dial in an angular movement. The turn knob 253 also is connected to a centerpoint 265 which is attached to the vertical supports 261 (which are provided in place of the guide supports 202).

The honing bar 204 is configured to attach its first end to a first dial 250′ which is attached to a first support 260′ and is configured to attach its second end to a second dial 250″ on a second support 260″. In this regard, when the first and second dial rotate in a common angular direction, the honing bar 204 moves in the angular direction. Since the honing bar 204 moves in the angular direction, there are vertical and horizontal movement components. As such, when the dial is moved, the honing bar 204 moves in a vertical direction so that the angle that the honing guide 206 contacts a properly-attached knife blade changes when the dial 250 is rotated.

The vertical supports 261 each include a notch or groove 254 which is configured to receive and/or stop movement of the honing bar 204 in one direction so that the dial 250 can only rotate to a predetermined distance in the angular direction. There may also be a second stop to stop movement of the dial in a direction opposite to the angular direction. In this regard, the dial can only rotate a predetermined angle in total when fully rotated from a maximum point to a minimum point.

As mentioned above with regard to FIG. 17, the base 210 and clamp bar 208 may attach to each other with a pin 215 extending from the base 208. In this regard, the clamp bar 208 can be removed, rotated 180 degrees within a vertical plane that is aligned with the base 210. The same situation may be equally applied to the embodiment of FIG. 25, whereby the clamp bar 208 can be removed, rotated 180 degrees within a vertical plane that is aligned with the base 210. In this regard, there is a second dial 250 (shown as 250′ and 250″ with honing bar 204). This allows the first dial set (250 plus 204) to allow for sharpening one side of the knife blade which the second dial set (also 250 plus 204) to allow for sharpening the other side of the knife blade, without the knife being removed from the blade clamp 214.

It would be obvious to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the scope of the present invention. Plus the scope of the invention should be determined by the dependent claims in the formal application and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.

Claims

1. A blade sharpening device comprising: a handle clamp,a honing bar extending in a first direction,honing guidea sleeve that is configured to receive a portion of a knife comprising a blade and blade handle, said sleeve configured such that the sleeve is selectively mated through at least one feature of the knife, with said knife and a clamp being configured such that said sleeve is selectively mated through the at least one knife feature to fixedly secure the knife and sleeve therein along a second direction when the clamp is closed, the second direction being orthogonal to the first direction.

2. The knife sharpener of claim 1, wherein said sleeve member defines first and second upper protrusions that are received in corresponding first and second apertures disposed on said distal end of said first clamping member, and a single protrusion downwardly projecting through a corresponding third aperture disposed on said distal end of said second clamping member.

3. The blade sharpener of claim 1, wherein the clamp is configured to clamp onto one of a blade or blade handle.

4. The knife sharpener of claim 3, wherein the clamp is configured to clamp onto the blade of the knife.

5. The blade sharpener of claim 1, further comprising guide plates that are orthogonal to the honing bar.

6. The blade sharpener of claim 5, wherein the guide plates define holes that receive the honing bar allowing for vertical adjustments of the honing bar.

7. The blade sharpener of claim 6, further comprising a honing guide that comprises a stone and a honing guide bar.

8. The blade sharpener of claim 7, wherein the honing guide bar is configured to slide on the honing bar while the stone is configured to slide on the blade edge.

9. A sleeve comprising: a body configured to receive a device portion comprising one of: a blade or blade handle, the body configured to include a body feature comprising at least one of the group of: protrusions, indentions, ridges, holes, and curves, which mates to at least one of a clamping jaw of a clamp,wherein the body is configured to receive the device portion using the body feature in such a manner that when the device portion is repeatedly reinserted-into the sleeve, a blade connected to the device portion is positioned in the same location each instance of being clamped.

10. A method for repeatable, precise placement of a blade in locking position using a blade sharpening device comprising: a blade clamp, a honing apparatus bar extending in a first direction, and a honing guide, the method comprising: heating a low melting point polymer material to a predetermined temperature so that the low melting point polymer material is in a softened moldable phase;placing the heated polymer material on at least one side of the blade or a blade handle attached to the blade;clamping the heated polymer material onto the blade or the blade handle while the heated polymer material in a softened moldable phase, thereby forming the softened moldable polymer to surface features of the blade or the blade handle and the surface features of the clamp;maintaining clamping of the clamp to the softened moldable polymer while the softened moldable polymer cools to a predefined temperature, thereby facilitating the return of the heated moldable polymer to a rigid phase polymer; andremoving the clamp.

11. A blade sharpening device comprising: a clamp being configured to fixedly secure a knife so that when the clamp is closed, a blade of the knife define a plane; anda rotatable dial that is configured to rotate a honing guide point relative to the clamp, wherein the movement of the honing guide point has a directional movement vector in a direction orthogonal to the plane thereby allowing the honing guide point to move in a first direction.

12. The blade sharpener of claim 11, wherein the honing guide point is located on a honing bar that extends from or rests on the rotatable dial in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.

13. The blade sharpener of claim 11, wherein the honing guide point is located on the rotatable dial.

14. The blade sharpener of claim 11, further comprising: a honing bar whereby the honing guide point is located on the honing bar, wherein the rotatable dial is configured to rotate thereby moving the honing bar relative to the clamp so that the movement of the honing bar allows the honing bar to move in the second direction.