Abstract: A retractable blade knife having a self-sharpening facility which can be selectively rendered inoperable. The sharpener is spring biased in an upward direction so as to be urged into engagement with the cutting edge of a knife blade, and manually operable release means is provided to permit the sharpener to be held in an inoperable position. An assembly of which the sharpener forms part also functions as stop means which positively prevents movement of the knife blade into its extended position. Such extension is possible only upon operation of the release means, but that is only necessary during initial outward movement of the knife blade. The sharpener is arranged to sharpen the cutting edge of the blade up to the tip of the blade. Positive locking means is provided to prevent inward movement of the blade when working under load in the extended position.

Abstract: A scissors sharpener including a pair of elongate sharpening elements relatively arranged so as to define a vee shaped sharpening recess between them. Each sharpening element forms a respective one of two sides of the recess and each side has a longitudinal extent which is no less than the length of the scissor cutting edges to be sharpened. At least one of the sharpening elements is mounted so as to be movable laterally away from the other element, and resilient means bears against the movable element so as to resist the aforementioned movement. The sharpening elements overlie a base plate and an extension of that plate forms a platform against which the handle portion of scissors can rest during the sharpening operation. In use, scissors are located on the sharpener with the closed blades over the recess and the cutting edges extending generally in the longitudinal direction of the recess sides.

Abstract: A cookery implement having a handle and a spatula blade for contacting food being prepared. A plurality of puncturing prongs are provided at the side edge of the spatula blade near to the end edge remote from the handle, the tips of the puncturing prongs being directed sideways so that food can be punctured or pierced by movement of the blade in a direction generally transverse to the line from the handle to the food contacting end of the blade.

Abstract: A blade sharpener having an access opening through which a blade is moved to be sharpened and including a sharpening device which engages with and sharpens the blade cutting edge and a reaction member which engages with and applies downward pressure to the blade back edge. The reaction member has an upper portion which is pivotally mounted adjacent an upper extremity of the access opening and at a location forward of the sharpening device. A lower portion of the reaction member is engageable with a knife blade. The sharpening device is mounted adjacent the lower extremity of the access opening. A spring urges the reaction member into a rest position at which the lower portion of that member is located forward of the sharpening device and rearward of the pivotal mounting of the reaction member.

Abstract: A generally portable sheet material cutting tool comprising apparatus having a substantially stationary sleeve member with a free end and a cutting tool reciprocable within the sleeve member, the cutting tool having both a transverse cutting edge formed along its length cooperable with the free end of the sleeve member and an initial hole forming means extending beyond the free end of the sleeve member. The reciprocation of the cutting tool is effected by cam means acting in response to rotary motion supplied by a hand held drill unit or by a rotary drive motor, the cam means being capable of being disengaged by axial pressure applied to the initial hole forming means. In one form of the apparatus the transverse cutting edge is given both a reciprocating and a rotating component of motion, and in a modified form of the apparatus the transverse cutting edge is restrained for reciprocating movement only.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a washer is provided for a self drilling screw or like fastening device through which the fastening device passes, said washer defining a cavity capable of capturing the retaining drill chips as they are formed. The washer may include means for positively locating the washer on and over the drill point of the fastening device. The cavity can be formed by a skirt region adapted to surround the fastening device and in one aspect the cavity may include a mastic or like substance capable of securely holding drill chips.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for shaping compositions comprising materials containing at least one electrically conductive material, dispersed in substantially non-electrically conductive plastic materials selected from thermosetting resins, thermoplastic resins and elastomers. With thermosetting resins, shaping is accompanied by curing.