ABRASIVE SHARPENER

Abstract

An abrasive sharpener including a housing having a slotted bottom surface, an abrasive rod pivotally mounted within the slotted bottom surface for movement between a stored position and an extended position, and a first magnet positioned within the slotted bottom surface and arranged to releasably secure the abrasive rod in the stored position. The abrasive sharpener may also include a second magnet positioned within the slotted bottom surface and arranged to releasably secure the abrasive rod in the extended position.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/975,430, filed Apr. 4, 2014, which application is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention broadly relates to abrasive sharpeners, more specifically to an abrasive sharpener having multiple abrasive elements, and even more particularly to an abrasive sharpener having multiple abrasive elements wherein one of the elements is extendible and retractable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Known sharpeners take a variety of forms. Abrasive sharpeners used to sharpen knife blades, serrated knife blades, and the like are well known in the art. The sharpening elements included in a particular sharpener are selected based on the desired use of the sharpener, i.e., what types of blades will be sharpened. For example, an arrow blade is sharpened using a different element than a serrated blade.

Depending on the sharpener arrangement and its intended uses, the various elements are presented to a user differently. In some instances, a sharpening element is always exposed and full accessible, while in other instances a sharpening element is retracted during non-use to minimize the site of the sharpener, to protect the sharpening element from damage and/or to protect the user from injury during non-use of the particular sharpening element.

An example of a known abrasive sharpener is described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,221,199 which issued on Jul. 17, 2012 (Smith), the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Smith describes a pocket abrasive sharpener having a housing formed with a pair of upper slots and a lower open compartment. A pair of abrasive ceramic stones is mounted in one of the slots to form a V-shaped sharpening slot. Each ceramic stone has at least one flat face to abut an adjacent reversed stone to form the V-shaped sharpening slot. The stone has an abrasive cutting edge formed with a radius for sharpening serrated edges and has abrasive surfaces on both sides of the radius. A pair of abrasive blades having V-shaped carbide cutting edges is mounted in the other of the slots to also form a V-shaped sharpening slot. A tapered abrasive rod is pivotally mounted on the housing and is moveable from the compartment to an extended position. The compartment includes protrusions that extend into the compartment for retaining the abrasive rod therein or in an extended position in a snapped relationship. The frictional contact between the rod and the protrusions in combination with the abrasive nature of the rod causes the protrusions to wear away over time. Moreover, in some embodiments, the abrasive rod is connected to the body via a plastic or metal T-shaped mount. In those embodiments, the protrusions may maintain the snapped relationship by frictional contact between the protrusions and the T-shaped mount. The repeated frictional connect between the protrusions and the T-shaped mount results in wear on the T-shaped mount, which in turn results a decrease in the force required to establish the snapped relationship. Thus, after a period of use of either arrangement, the abrasive rod will no longer be retained in either the stowed or extended position.

Heretofore, moveable sharpening elements have been held in place with means such as protrusions interacting with features on the moveable elements of the body of the sharpener. Such arrangements are subject to wear and deteriorate over time. Thus, there has been a longfelt need for an abrasive sharpener comprising moveable elements that are not prone to wear, deterioration or failure over its useful life. The present disclosure addresses the foregoing issues.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention broadly comprises an abrasive sharpener including a housing having a slotted bottom surface, an abrasive rod pivotally mounted within the slotted bottom surface for movement between a stored position and an extended position, and a first magnet positioned within the slotted bottom surface and arranged to releasably secure the abrasive rod in the stored position.

In some embodiments, the abrasive rod includes a magnetic material and the abrasive rod is attracted by the first magnet.

In some embodiments, the abrasive sharpener further includes a mount having a first end and a second end, and the abrasive rod is secured to the first end while the second end is pivotally mounted within the slotted bottom surface. In some embodiments, the mount includes a T-shape. In some embodiments, the mount includes a magnetic material and the mount is attracted by the first magnet.

In some embodiments, the abrasive sharpener further includes a second magnet positioned within the slotted bottom surface and arranged to releasably secure the abrasive rod in the extended position.

In some embodiments, the abrasive rod includes a magnetic material and the abrasive rod is attracted by the first magnet and by the second magnet. In some embodiments, the mount includes a magnetic material and the mount is attracted by the first magnet and the second magnet.

The present invention broadly comprises an abrasive sharpener including a housing having a first slotted opening, a second slotted opening and a slotted bottom surface, a first sharpening element having an abrasive rod pivotally mounted within the slotted bottom surface for movement between a stored position and an extended position, a first magnet positioned within the slotted bottom surface and arranged to releasably secure the first sharpening element in the stored position, a second sharpening element fixedly secured an edge of the housing, a third sharpening element positioned within the first slotted opening, and a fourth sharpening element positioned within the second slotted opening.

In some embodiments, the second sharpening element is formed from a ceramic material and comprises a tapered edge, in some embodiments, the third sharpening element comprises first and second carbide bits arranged to form a V-shape, and in some embodiments, the fourth sharpening element comprises first and second ceramic bits arranged to form a V-shape.

In some embodiments, the abrasive rod includes a magnetic material and the abrasive rod is attracted by the first magnet. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the first sharpening element further includes a mount having a first end and a second end, the abrasive rod is secured to the first end and the second end is pivotally mounted within the slotted bottom surface. In some embodiments, the mount includes a magnetic material and the mount is attracted by the first magnet.

Moreover, in some embodiments, the abrasive sharpener further includes a second magnet positioned within the slotted bottom surface and arranged to releasably secure the abrasive rod in the extended position. In some of the embodiments including a second magnet, the abrasive rod includes a magnetic material and the abrasive rod is attracted by the first magnet and by the second magnet. Similarly, in some of the embodiments including a second magnet, the first sharpening element further includes a mount having a first end and a second end, the abrasive rod is secured to the first end and the second end is pivotally mounted within the slotted bottom surface, the mount includes a magnetic material and the mount is attracted by the first magnet and by the second magnet.

It is a general object of the present invention to provide an abrasive sharpener comprising moveable elements that are not prone to wear, deterioration or failure over its useful life.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciable from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention and from the accompanying drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The nature and mode of operation of the present invention will now be more fully described in the following detailed description of the invention taken with the accompanying drawing figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a left side top perspective view of a present invention abrasive sharpener showing an abrasive rod in a stored position;

FIG. 2 is a right side elevation view of the abrasive sharpener of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevation view of the abrasive sharpener of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a left side elevation view of the abrasive sharpener of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of the abrasive sharpener of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the abrasive sharpener of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the abrasive sharpener of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a right side bottom perspective view of the abrasive sharpener of FIG. 1, showing the moveable element in the stored position; and,

FIG. 9 is a right side bottom perspective view of the abrasive sharpener of FIG. 1, showing the moveable element in a partially deployed or extended position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

At the outset, it should be appreciated that like drawing numbers on different drawing views identify identical, or functionally similar, structural elements of the invention. While the present invention is described with respect to what is presently considered to be the preferred aspects, it is to be understood that the invention as claimed is not limited to the disclosed aspects.

Furthermore, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the particular methodology, materials and modifications described and as such may, of course, vary. It is also understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, which is limited only by the appended claims.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods, devices or materials similar or equivalent to those described is herein can be used in the practice or testing of the invention, the preferred methods, devices, and materials are now described.

FIGS. 1 through 9 depict an embodiment of the present invention abrasive sharpener. Abrasive sharpener 50 comprises housing 52. Housing 52 comprises slotted bottom surface 54. Abrasive sharpener 50 further comprises abrasive rod 56 pivotally mounted within slotted bottom surface 54 for movement between a stored position (See FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 7 and 8) and an extended position (See FIG. 9), and further comprises first magnet 58 positioned within slotted bottom surface 54 and arranged to releasably secure abrasive rod 56 in the stored position.

It should be appreciated that abrasive sharpener 50 comprises housing or body 52, which houses four sharpening elements. The first sharpening element, in some embodiments, is a moveable, diamond tapered metal rod, i.e., abrasive rod 56, plated with a diamond abrasive coating. Abrasive rod 56 stows or retracts within body 52 of sharpener 50. Moveable diamond tapered metal rod 56 may be deployed or extended into a usable position outside body 52 of sharpener 50. Abrasive rod 56 is shown partially deployed in FIG. 9. The fully deployed or extended position is reached when abrasive rod 56 contacts second magnet 60. Abrasive rod 56, when formed as a diamond tapered element, is used to sharpen serrations in a knife blade, and can also be used in similar fashion as an abrasive butcher's steel to sharpen the edge of a non-serrated straight edge blade. It should be appreciated that abrasive rod 56 may take other forms, e.g., a cylindrical rod, and such variations are within the scope of the claims.

In some embodiments, abrasive rod 56 comprises a magnetic material, e.g., iron, nickel, magnetic stainless steel, various ferrites, magnetic alloys, and any other magnetic material or combination of materials known in the art. Abrasive rod 56 is attracted by first magnet 58. Thus, abrasive rod 56 is held stowed/retracted using magnetic attraction between first magnet 58 and rod 56 (See FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 7 and 8).

It should be appreciated that the magnetic interaction may be between magnets 58 and 60 and abrasive rod 56, as depicted in the figures, but may also be between magnets 58 and 60 and other moveable features. In some embodiments, the first abrasive or sharpening element further comprises mount 62. Mount 62 comprises first end 64 and second end 66. Abrasive rod 56 is secured to first end 64 and second end 66 is pivotally mounted within slotted bottom surface 54. In some embodiments, mount 62 comprises a T-shape, e.g., as depicted in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9. Moreover in some embodiments, mount 62 comprises a magnetic material, e.g., iron, nickel, magnetic stainless steel, various ferrites, magnetic alloys, and any other magnetic material or combinations of materials known in the art. In those embodiments, mount 62 is attracted by first magnet 58 to retain abrasive rod 56 in a stored or retracted position.

In some embodiments, abrasive sharpener 50 further comprises second magnet 60 positioned within slotted bottom surface 54 and arranged to releasably secure abrasive rod 56 in the extended position (See, FIG. 9). It should be appreciated that FIG. 9 depicts abrasive rod 56 in a partially extended position and that the full extended position is reached when abrasive rod 56 is immediately adjacent and/or in contact with second magnet 60.

As described above, in some embodiments, abrasive rod 56 comprises a magnetic material, e.g., iron, nickel, magnetic stainless steel, various ferrites, magnetic alloys, and any other magnetic material or combinations of materials known in the art. Abrasive rod 56 is attracted by first magnet 58 and by second magnet 60. Thus, abrasive rod 56 is held deployed/extended using magnetic attraction between second magnet 60 and rod 56 (See FIG. 9). Furthermore, as described above, the first abrasive element may further comprise mount 62 comprising first end 64 and second end 66. Abrasive rod 56 is secured to first end 64 while second end 66 is pivotally mounted within slotted bottom surface 54. Mount 62 may comprise a T-shape. And still further, as described above, in some embodiments, mount 62 comprises a magnetic material, e.g., iron, nickel, magnetic stainless steel, various ferrites, magnetic alloys, and any other magnetic material or combinations of materials known in the art. In those embodiments, mount 62 is attracted by first magnet 58 and second magnet 60 to retain abrasive rod 56 in a stored/retracted position and a deployed/extended position, respectively.

It should be appreciated that the magnetic elements included in the present sharpener may be attached to the body of the sharpener in a variety of ways. For example, the magnetic elements may be imbedded within the body and held by adhesive or heat staking, as shown in the figures. Alternatively, the magnetic elements may be adhered to the surface of the body, or further, may be molded within the body itself and fully enclosed by the material that forms the body, for example, in embodiments where body 52 is formed from a resin based material.

In addition to the foregoing, abrasive sharpener 50 may include other sharpening elements as described above. For example, in some embodiments, abrasive sharpener comprises second sharpening element 68, which may be made of a ceramic material and includes tapered edge 70 that can be used as a means to sharpen the scallops of serrated blades. Ceramic element 68 can also be used to sharpen the edge of a non-serrated blade, by using it in the same manner as a bench stone.

Moreover, abrasive sharpener 50 may include yet another sharpening element, i.e., third sharpening element 72. In some embodiments, third sharpening element 72 is a carbide pull-through element. Carbide bits 74a and 74b of sharpening element 72 are arranged to create a V-shaped bevel of approximately 45°; however, other angles are also possible, 30°, and such variations fall within the scope of the claims. Knives are sharpened by pulling the blade through V-shaped groove 76 at moderate pressure, which results in metal being shaved off of the blade, leaving a very sharp 45° V-shaped working edge.

Still further, abrasive sharpener 50 may include yet another sharpening element, i.e., fourth sharpening element 78. In some embodiments, fourth sharpening element 78 is the ceramic pull-through element, similar to third sharpening element 72; however, fourth sharpening element 78 is not constructed from carbide bits. Ceramic bits 80a and 80b of sharpening element 78 are arranged to create a V-shaped bevel of approximately 45°; however, other angles are also possible, e.g., 30°, and such variations fall within the scope of the claims. Ceramic bits 80a and 80b may have a circular cross-sectional shape, or any other suitable cross-sectional shape, e.g., triangular, rectangular, etc. Knives are sharpened by pulling the blade through V-shaped groove 82 at moderate to light pressure, which results in a very fine, non-aggressive erosion of the metal, producing a very fine edge.

It should be appreciated that the foregoing arrangement of sharpening elements is not intended to be limiting. For example, the positions of third and fourth sharpening elements 72 and 78, respectively, may be reversed, or located differently than depicted in the figures. Additionally, first, second, third and fourth sharpening elements, i.e., elements 84, 68, 72 and 78, respectively, may be formed from a variety of different materials, e.g., metal, ceramic, resins, composites, etc., and such variations fall within the scope of the claims.

In view of the foregoing, it should be appreciated that in some embodiments the present invention abrasive sharpener 50 comprises housing 52. Housing 52 comprises first slotted opening 86, second slotted opening 88 and slotted bottom surface 54. Abrasive sharpener 50 further comprises first sharpening element 84 comprising abrasive rod 56 pivotally mounted within slotted bottom surface 54 for movement between a stored position and an extended position. Moreover, sharpener 50 comprises first magnet 58 positioned within slotted bottom surface 54 and arranged to releasably secure first sharpening element 84 in the stored position. Still further, sharpener 50 comprises second sharpening element 68 fixedly secured to edge 90 of housing 52, third sharpening element 72 positioned within first slotted opening 86, and fourth sharpening element 78 positioned within second slotted opening 88.

Although the overall size of the present abrasive sharpener is not particularly germane to the this disclosure, the embodiment of the present abrasive sharpener depicted in the accompanying figures is approximately 3.875″ long, 1.250″ high, and 1.200″ wide, and weighs approximately 3.7 ounces. In some embodiments, body 52 of sharpener 50 is constructed from a metal material and is held together using conventional fasteners, e.g., nuts and bolts. However, body 52 may also be formed from a variety of different materials, e.g., metal, plastic, ceramic, etc. Moreover, body 52 may be finished in any desired finish, e.g., matte black, camouflage, etc., and may further include surface texturing to facilitate effective gripping of sharpener 50, e.g., a rough leatherette texture. For carrying convenience, in some embodiments, hole 92 is provided in upper rear portion 94 of sharpener body 52. A lanyard or other carrying apparatus may be secured to hole 92 thereby offering other means of carrying sharpener 50.

It should be appreciated that the foregoing dimensions, weights, surface characteristics, materials of construction and sharpening elements materials are used as an illustrative embodiment and are not intended to be limiting.

Thus, it is seen that the objects of the present invention are efficiently obtained, although modifications and changes to the invention should be readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art, which modifications are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed. It also is understood that the foregoing description is illustrative of the present invention and should not be considered as limiting. Therefore, other embodiments of the present invention are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An abrasive sharpener comprising:

a housing comprising a slotted bottom surface;

an abrasive rod pivotally mounted within the slotted bottom surface for movement between a stored position and an extended position; and,

a first magnet positioned within the slotted bottom surface and arranged to releasably secure the abrasive rod in the stored position.

2. The abrasive sharpener of claim 1 wherein the abrasive rod comprises a magnetic material and the abrasive rod is attracted by the first magnet.

3. The abrasive sharpener of claim 1 further comprising:

a mount comprising a first end and a second end,

wherein the abrasive rod is secured to the first end and the second end is pivotally mounted within the slotted bottom surface.

4. The abrasive rod of claim 3 wherein the mount comprises a T shape.

5. The abrasive sharpener of claim 3 wherein the mount comprises a magnetic material and the mount is attracted by the first magnet.

6. The abrasive sharpener of claim 1 further comprising:

a second magnet positioned within the slotted bottom surface and arranged to releasably secure the abrasive rod in the extended position.

7. The abrasive sharpener of claim 6 wherein the abrasive rod comprises a magnetic material and the abrasive rod is attracted by the first magnet and by the second magnet.

8. The abrasive sharpener of claim 6 further comprising:

a mount comprising a first end and a second end,

wherein the abrasive rod is secured to the first end and the second end is pivotally mounted within the slotted bottom surface.

9. The abrasive rod of claim 8 wherein the mount comprises a T shape.

10. The abrasive sharpener of claim 8 wherein the mount comprises a magnetic material and the mount is attracted by the first magnet and the second magnet.

11. An abrasive sharpener comprising:

a housing comprising a first slotted opening, a second slotted opening and a slotted bottom surface;

a first sharpening element comprising an abrasive rod pivotally mounted within the slotted bottom surface for movement between a stored position and an extended position;

a first magnet positioned within the slotted bottom surface and arranged to releasably secure the first sharpening element in the stored position;

a second sharpening element fixedly secured to an edge of the housing;

a third sharpening element positioned within the first slotted opening; and,

a fourth sharpening element positioned within the second slotted opening.

12. The abrasive sharpener of claim 11 wherein the second sharpening element is formed from a ceramic material and comprises a tapered edge.

13. The abrasive sharpener of claim 11 wherein the third sharpening element comprises first and second carbide bits arranged to form a V-shape.

14. The abrasive sharpener of claim 11 wherein the fourth sharpening element comprises first and second ceramic bits arranged to form a V-shape.

15. The abrasive sharpener of claim 11 wherein the abrasive rod comprises a magnetic material and the abrasive rod is attracted by the first magnet.

16. The abrasive sharpener of claim 11 wherein the first sharpening element further comprises a mount comprising a first end and a second end, the abrasive rod is secured to the first end and the second end is pivotally mounted within the slotted bottom surface.

17. The abrasive sharpener of claim 16 wherein the mount comprises a magnetic material and the mount is attracted by the first magnet.

18. The abrasive sharpener of claim 11 further comprising:

a second magnet positioned within the slotted bottom surface and arranged to releasably secure the abrasive rod in the extended position.

19. The abrasive sharpener of claim 18 wherein the abrasive rod comprises a magnetic material and the abrasive rod is attracted by the first magnet and by the second magnet.

20. The abrasive sharpener of claim 18 wherein the first sharpening element further comprises a mount comprising a first end and a second end, the abrasive rod is secured to the first end and the second end is pivotally mounted within the slotted bottom surface, the mount comprises a magnetic material and the mount is attracted by the first magnet and by the second magnet.