Patent Application
20140154963
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to sharpening devices. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to a rotatable, hand-held, blade-sharpening apparatus.
Cutting tools, such as axes, chisels, knives, scissors, razors, and various lawn and garden tools, generally include a blade having at least one cutting edge that dulls after a period of use. To increase the effectiveness and possibly extend the life of the cutting tool, various types of sharpeners are available to sharpen a cutting edge. For example, grinding wheels, honing steels, sharpening stones, and razor strops are commonly utilized in sharpening, straightening, and/or polishing a cutting edge.
Many times a cutting tool is used in field applications and becomes dull. Commonly, the operator of the cutting tool does not have a sharpener or does not have the time and/or patience to assembly a portable sharpener. Despite the number of existing sharpeners utilized to sharpen a cutting edge, there is still a need for an improved sharpener that is compact, lightweight, and easy to use, thereby accommodating field applications.
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a rotatable hand-held blade-sharpening apparatus. The blade-sharpening apparatus generally includes a foldable case that is compact, lightweight, durable, and protects a sharpening mechanism positioned within the case. The sharpening mechanism may be utilized to form and/or sharpen a cutting edge.
It is one aspect of the present invention to provide a blade-sharpening apparatus utilizing a foldable case having a folded, or closed, position and an unfolded, or open, position of use. The foldable case may include a first cover plate rotatably interconnected to a second cover plate. In a folded position, the first cover plate and the second cover plate define an interior space that can accommodate at least one sharpening tool. The foldable case may include a closure mechanism to secure the foldable case in the folded position, which may include latches, straps, magnets, or other mechanisms now known or later developed in the art. In an unfolded position, the first cover plate and the second cover plate provide a base for the blade-sharpening apparatus. In one configuration, the first cover plate and the second cover plate lay flat in an unfolded position. The foldable case may include a locking mechanism to secure the foldable case in the unfolded position, which may include any locking device now known or later developed in the art. The foldable case generally may be constructed of metallic or non-metallic materials. For example, in one embodiment, the foldable case is constructed of a rigid plastic material.
It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a blade-sharpening apparatus utilizing at least one sharpening tool. The at least one sharpening tool may include a sharpening stone, a sharpening, or honing steel, or any other sharpening tool now known or later developed in the art. In one embodiment, the at least one sharpening tool comprises a sharpening rod which may have a circular, triangular, square, or other cross-section shape now known or later developed in the art. The at least one sharpening tool can be constructed of various materials including steel, diamond particles, ceramics such as silicon carbide or aluminum oxide, or other sharpening materials now known or later developed in the art. The at least one sharpening tool can be constructed of various grits including ultra-fine, fine, medium, coarse, or other grits now known or later developed in the art. The at least one sharpening tool also may include a furrow running the length of each tool which is utilized to sharpen pointed items like fishhooks, darts, broadheads, and awls.
It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a blade-sharpening apparatus utilizing at least one sharpening tool that is rotatable between a storage position and a sharpening position. In one embodiment, a first and a second sharpening tool are rotatable to preset angles in which the first and second sharpening tools are positioned at a predetermined angle relative to each other. The predetermined angle can include any range of angles that are utilized to sharpen and/or form a cutting edge. The predetermined sharpening angle eliminates guesswork in the field and provides a precision edge every time. In one embodiment, the predetermined angle is adjustable between a range of angles. If more than one sharpening tool is provided, each sharpening tool may rotate about a common axis of rotation or about separate axes of rotation. The at least one sharpening tool may be lockable in the storage and/or sharpening position.
It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a blade-sharpening apparatus that includes at least one sharpening tool that automatically rotates to a predetermined sharpening position upon opening of a foldable case. In one embodiment, the rotation of a first sharpening tool and of a second sharpening tool about an axis of rotation is coupled to the rotation of a first cover plate and/or a second cover plate. In this embodiment, rotation of the first cover plate or the second cover plate from a folded position to an unfolded position rotates the first sharpening tool and the second sharpening tool from their respective storage positions to their respective sharpening positions, providing a sharpener that is fast and easy to use, especially in field applications.
It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a blade-sharpening apparatus that includes at least one hand guard that protects a user's hands from a cutting edge of a blade or tool while sharpening. The at least one hand guard may be rotatable between a storage position and a guard position, and may be lockable in the guard position. The rotation of the at least one hand guard may be coupled to the rotation of a first cover plate and/or a second cover plate to provide a sharpener that is safe, fast, and easy to use, especially in field applications. The at least one hand guard may be constructed of metallic or non-metallic materials. For example, in one embodiment, the at least one hand guard is a rod constructed of brass.
To assure that a user places their hand in the correct position under the hand guards, the opposing folding cover may have one or more barbs or projections extending from an interior surface to dissuade a user from placing their hand on that portion of the sharpening apparatus. These barbs may be mere extensions of the latch pins which are used to secure the first cover plate to the second cover plate in a closed position, or more aggressive projections to impart discomfort to a user.
It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a blade-sharpening apparatus, comprising:
a foldable case positionable between a folded and an unfolded position;
a first sharpening tool having a first end and a second end, the first end of the first sharpening tool interconnected to the case, the first sharpening tool rotatable between a storage position and a sharpening position, the rotation of the first sharpening tool coupled to the positioning of the case; and
a second sharpening tool having a first end and a second end, the first end of the second sharpening tool interconnected to the case, the second sharpening tool rotatable between a storage position and a sharpening position, the rotation of the second sharpening tool coupled to the positioning of the case.
It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a blade-sharpening apparatus, comprising:
a first cover plate having a first end and a second end;
a second cover plate having a first end and a second end, the first end of the second cover plate interconnected to at least one of the first end of the first cover plate or a hinge mechanism, at least one of the first or second cover plates rotatable between a folded and an unfolded position;
a first holder having a first end and a second end, the first end of the first holder interconnected to at least one of the first cover plate, the second cover plate, or a hinge mechanism, the first holder rotatable between a storage position and a sharpening position;
a first sharpening rod removably interconnected to the second end of the first holder;
a second holder having a first end and a second end, the first end of the second holder interconnected to at least one of the first cover plate, the second cover plate, or a hinge mechanism, the second holder rotatable between a storage position and a sharpening position; and
a second sharpening rod removably interconnected to the second end of the second holder.
It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a method of assembling a foldable blade-sharpening apparatus, comprising:
providing a foldable case configured to rotate between a folded and an unfolded position, a first sharpening tool having a first end and a second end, and a second sharpening tool having a first end and a second end;
interconnecting the first end of the first sharpening tool to the foldable case so that the first sharpening tool is rotatable between a first position of storage and a second position of sharpening;
interconnecting the first end of the second sharpening tool to the foldable case so that the second sharpening tool is rotatable between a first position of storage and a second position of sharpening; and
coupling the rotation of the first and second sharpening tools to the rotation of the foldable case, wherein the first and second sharpening tools are oriented in a substantially common plane in the first position of storage and oriented in two distinct planes, each at a predetermined angle, in the second position of sharpening.
The method may further comprise providing a first and second hand guard each having a first end and a second end, interconnecting the first end of the first hand guard to the foldable case so that the first hand guard is rotatable between a first position of storage and a second position of use, and interconnecting the first end of the second hand guard to the foldable case so that the second hand guard is rotatable between a first position of storage and a second position of use. The first and second hand guards may be coupled to rotate to a common plane when the foldable case is moved from an unfolded position to a folded position.
It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a method of positioning a blade-sharpening apparatus into a sharpening position, comprising:
providing a blade-sharpening apparatus comprising:
rotating the first cover plate or the second cover plate from the folded position to the unfolded position, wherein rotation of the first or second cover plate rotates the first and second sharpening tools from their respective storage positions to their respective sharpening positions. When in the unfolded position, the first and second cover plates may form a base oriented in a substantially horizontal plane
It is another aspect of the present invention that the hand guards rotate outwardly during opening of the first and second cover plates, and thus extend outwardly from the perimeter edges of the first and second cover plates. In one embodiment, this outward rotation is created by a unique geometric configuration in the knuckles of the hand guards.
The phrases “at least one”, “one or more”, and “and/or”, as used herein, are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. For example, each of the expressions “at least one of A, B and C”, “at least one of A, B, or C”, “one or more of A, B, and C”, “one or more of A, B, or C” and “A, B, and/or C” means A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B and C together.
The term “a” or “an” entity, as used herein, refers to one or more of that entity. As such, the terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more” and “at least one” can be used interchangeably herein.
The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Accordingly, the terms “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof are open-ended and can be used interchangeably herein.
It shall be understood that the term “means” as used herein shall be given its broadest possible interpretation in accordance with 35 U.S.C., Section 112, Paragraph 6. Accordingly, a claim incorporating the term “means” shall cover all structures, materials, or acts set forth herein, and all of the equivalents thereof. Further, the structures, materials or acts and the equivalents thereof shall include all those described in the summary of the invention, brief description of the drawings, detailed description, abstract, and claims themselves.
The Summary is neither intended nor should it be construed as being representative of the full extent and scope of embodiments of the present invention. Embodiments of the present invention are set forth in various levels of detail in the Summary as well as in the attached drawings and the Detailed Description and no limitation as to the scope of the claimed subject matter is intended by either the inclusion or non-inclusion of elements, components, etc. in this Summary. Moreover, reference made herein to “the present invention” or aspects thereof should be understood to mean certain embodiments of the present invention and should not necessarily be construed as limiting all embodiments to a particular description.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and together with the general description given above and the detailed description of the drawings given below, serve to explain the principles of these embodiments.
a is a perspective view of one embodiment of a blade-sharpening apparatus in an unfolded position;
b is another perspective view of the blade-sharpening apparatus shown in
a is an exploded perspective view of the blade-sharpening apparatus shown in
b is an exploded perspective view of the blade-sharpening apparatus shown in
It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. In certain instances, details that are not necessary for an understanding of the disclosure or that render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the claimed invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.
To assist in the understanding of the drawings, the following is a list of components and associated numbering found in the drawings:
Referring to
With reference to
The first cover plate 18 has a first end 18A and a second end 18B. The first end 18A of the first cover plate 18 includes a plurality of knuckles 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D, each of which generally comprises a hollow cylinder configured to accommodate a pivot pin. As illustrated in
Similar to the first cover plate 18, the second cover plate 22 has a first end 22A and a second end 22B. The first end 22A of the second cover plate 22 includes a plurality of knuckles 46A, 46B, 46C, 46D, each of which generally comprises a hollow cylinder configured to accommodate a pivot pin. As illustrated in
When assembled, the knuckles 46A, 46B of the second cover plate 22 are positioned between the knuckles 30A, 30B of the first cover plate 18, and the knuckles 46C, 46D of the second cover plate 22 are positioned between the knuckles 30C, 30D of the first cover plate 18. In this configuration, the first end 22A of the second cover plate 22 can be rotatably interconnected to first end 18A of the first cover plate 18 about the axis of rotation 26 by inserting a pivot pin through the knuckles 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D of the first cover plate 18 and the knuckles 46A, 46B, 46C, 46D of the second cover plate 22.
The first cover plate 18 and the second cover plate 22 may have at least one receptacle 62 configured to receive a first sharpening tool 10 and/or a second sharpening tool 14 when the blade-sharpening apparatus 2 is in a folded position. For example, as illustrated, receptacles 62 are formed in the first end 18A and the second end 18B of the first cover plate 18, as well as in the first end 22A and the second end 22B of the second cover plate 22. The receptacles 62 in the second ends 18B, 22B of the first cover plate 18 and the second cover plate 22, respectively, may be configured to receive various sharpening tools, including triangular and circular cross-sections.
The blade-sharpening apparatus 2 also may include a latch mechanism configured to join the first cover plate 18 and the second cover plate 22 together when in a closed position, while allowing for the cover plates 18, 22 to be separated from each other upon application of a predetermined amount of force. As illustrated, the first cover plate 18 includes a plurality of protruding latch members 66 configured to engage corresponding latch receptacles 70 formed in the second cover plate 22. Upon closure of the foldable case 6, each protruding latch member 66 contacts a corresponding latch receptacle 70 and elastically deforms until the protruding latch member 66 snaps into a corresponding latch receptacle 70. To open the case 6 from a closed position, a predetermined amount of force is applied to the first cover plate 18 and/or second cover plate 22, which elastically deforms each protruding latch member 66 to allow the first cover plate 18 to separate from the second cover plate 22. The number of latch members can be varied. For example, in one embodiment, only one protruding latch member and one corresponding latch receptacle are utilized. Also, the placement of the protruding latch member 66 and the latch receptacle 70 can be varied. For example, the first cover plate 18 may include a protruding latch member 66 and/or a latch receptacle 70, and similarly the second cover plate 22 may include a protruding latch member 66 and/or a latch receptacle 70.
Still referring to
The first sharpening tool 10 and the second sharpening tool 14 are rotatable between a storage position, shown in
Each blade-sharpening apparatus 2 may be preset to a particular predetermined angle and thus tailored for specific applications. For example, if the predetermined angle is preset at 30 degrees, the first sharpening tool 10 would have a sharpening position that is 15 degrees counterclockwise from a vertical plane passing through the axis of rotation 26, and the second sharpening tool 14 would have a sharpening position that is 15 degrees clockwise from the vertical plane. Alternatively, a blade-sharpening apparatus 2 may include an adjustable predetermined angle, discussed in more detail below, for any angle between a predetermined range. For example, in one embodiment, a blade sharpening apparatus 2 includes sharpening tools that can be adjusted between about 20 to about 90 degrees relative to each other, or between about 10 to about 45 degrees relative to a vertical plane passing through the axis of rotation 26.
The blade-sharpening apparatus 2 also may include at least one hand guard. In
The rotation of the first sharpening tool 10, the second sharpening tool 14, the first hand guard 78, and/or the second hand guard 82 about the axis of rotation 26 may be coupled to the rotation of the first cover plate 18 and the second cover plate 22. For example, rotation of the first cover plate 18 or the second cover plate 22 from a folded position to an unfolded position may rotate the first sharpening tool 10 and the second sharpening tool 14 from their respective storage positions to their respective sharpening positions. Similarly, rotation of the first cover plate 18 or the second cover plate 22 from a folded position to an unfolded position may rotate the first hand guard 78 and the second hand guard 82 from their respective storage positions to their respective guard positions. Further, rotation of the first cover plate 18 or second cover plate 22 from an unfolded to a folded position may rotate the first sharpening tool 10, second sharpening tool 14, first hand guard 78, and/or second hand guard 82 to their respective storage positions, as shown in
Still referring to
In operation, if the second cover plate 22 is rotated about the axis of rotation 26 to unfold the foldable case 6 from a folded position to an unfolded position, the contact surface 50B formed in the second knuckle 46B of the second cover plate 22 contacts the tab 86 formed on the first end 10A of the first sharpening tool 10, and the contact surface 50C formed in the third knuckle 46C of the second cover plate 22 contacts the tab 88 formed on the first end 14A of the second sharpening tool 14, and the contact surfaces 50B, 50C rotate the first sharpening tool 10 and the second sharpening tool 14, respectively, to their sharpening positions. Similarly, if the first cover plate 18 is rotated about the axis of rotation 26 to unfold the foldable case 6 from a folded, or closed, position, to an unfolded position, the contact surface 34B formed in the second knuckle 30B of the first cover plate 18 contacts the tab 86 formed on the first end 10A of the first sharpening tool 10, and the contact surface 34C formed in the third knuckle 30C of the first cover plate 18 contacts the tab 88 formed on the first end 14A of the second sharpening tool 14, and the contact surfaces 34B, 34C rotate the first sharpening tool 10 and the second sharpening tool 14, respectively, to their sharpening positions.
When the foldable case 6 is in the unfolded position, the contact surfaces 34B, 50B formed in the second knuckles 30B, 46B of the first cover plate 18 and the second cover plate 22, respectively, contact opposing sides of the tab 86 formed in the first end 10A of the first sharpening tool 10 to lock the first sharpening tool 10 in a sharpening position. Similarly, the contact surfaces 34C, 50C formed in the third knuckles 30C, 46C of the first cover plate 18 and the second cover plate 22, respectively, contact opposing sides of the tab 88 formed in the first end 14A of the second sharpening tool 14 to lock the second sharpening tool 14 in a sharpening position. By altering the angle of the contact surfaces about the axis of rotation 26, the sharpening angle of the first sharpening tool 10 and of the second sharpening tool 14 can be altered. In one embodiment, the contact surfaces are adjustable about the axis of rotation 26. For example, the contact surfaces may be formed as part of telescopic members that telescopically extend about the axis of rotation 26. The telescopic members may be lockable at predetermined angles. In one configuration, the telescopic members include marks that correspond to predetermined sharpening angles to assist a user in selecting a sharpening angle for the first sharpening tool 10 and the second sharpening tool 14.
Still referring to
In operation, if the second cover plate 22 is rotated about the axis of rotation 26 to unfold the foldable case 6 from a folded position, to an unfolded position, the contact surface 50A formed in the first knuckle 46A of the second cover plate 22 contacts the tab 90 formed on the first end 78A of the first hand guard 78, and the contact surface 50D formed in the fourth knuckle 46D of the second cover plate 22 contacts the tab 92 formed on the first end 82A of the second hand guard 82, and the contact surfaces 50A, 50D rotate the first hand guard 78 and the second hand guard 82, respectively, to their guard positions. Similarly, if the first cover plate 18 is rotated about the axis of rotation 26 to unfold the foldable case 6 from a folded position to an unfolded position, the contact surface 34A formed in the first knuckle 30A of the first cover plate 18 contacts the tab 90 formed on the first end 78A of the first hand guard 78, and the contact surface 34D formed in the fourth knuckle 30D of the first cover plate 18 contacts the tab 92 formed on the first end 82A of the second hand guard 82, and the contact surfaces 34A, 34D rotate the first hand guard 78 and the second hand guard 82, respectively, to their guard positions.
When the foldable case 6 is in the unfolded position, the contact surfaces 34A, 50A formed in the first knuckles 30A, 46A of the first cover plate 18 and the second cover plate 22, respectively, contact opposing sides of the tab 90 formed in the first end 78A of the first hand guard 78 to lock the first hand guard 78 in a guard position. Similarly, the contact surfaces 34D, 50D formed in the fourth knuckles 30D, 46D of the first cover plate 18 and the second cover plate 22, respectively, contact opposing sides of the tab 92 formed in the first end 82A of the second hand guard 82 to lock the second hand guard 82 in a guard position. By altering the angle of the contact surfaces about the axis of rotation 26, the guard angle of the first hand guard 78 and the second hand guard 82 can be altered. Similar to the contact surfaces corresponding to the sharpening tools, the contact surfaces corresponding to the hand guards may be adjustable about the axis of rotation 26.
Referring to
Referring to
In one embodiment, a locking mechanism 134 may be interconnected to one of the cover plates. In
Referring now to
Also shown in
Referring now to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
While various embodiments have been described in detail, it is apparent that modifications and alterations of those embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. For example, although one example of a hinge mechanism, particularly a pin extending through an aperture formed in a first end of various components, has been illustrated and described, other types of hinge mechanisms may be utilized. As an example, protrusions may be formed on one component and configured to interact with an opening in another component. As another example, a bearing, bushing, and/or ball detent may be utilized. As a further example, multiple axes hinge mechanisms may be utilized to interconnect various components, such as cover plates and/or sharpening tools. Other mechanisms known in the art also may be utilized to interconnect various components while permitting rotation of the components.
Various features have been grouped together in one or more aspects, embodiments, or configurations for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. However, it should be understood that various features of the certain aspects, embodiments, or configurations of the disclosure may be combined in alternate aspects, embodiments, or configurations. It is to be expressly understood that such modifications and alterations are within the scope and spirit of the claimed invention, as set forth in the following claims.
