Abrasive Blasted Textured Borosilicate Glass Cutting Edge Sharpener and Honing Device

Abstract

Enclosed are embodiments for a device made of borosilicate glass that is textured using blasted abrasive grit media which allows a user to align, hone, sharpen, remove, scrape, file, adjust, fix, straighten, even up, abrade, chafe, chamfer, filet, or otherwise alter the shape or characteristics of a cutting edge. The method of manufacture is relatively easy, requires little equipment, and provides a wide range of texturing options for the sharpening or honing surface.

Claims

1. A method for creating a textured cutting edge sharpening or honing device on borosilicate glass by blasting with abrasive media comprising the steps of: a. selecting an appropriate piece of glass which is to be abraded, b. selecting the appropriate means of applying abrasive media to the glass, c. selecting the appropriate abrasive media for the desired result, and d. applying the abrasive media to the desired locations upon the glass piece.

2. A textured cutting edge sharpening or honing device, comprising: a. borosilicate glass in an appropriate form for the particular application desired, and b. an area on the glass that has been textured with the use of abrasive blasting.

Description

DRAWINGS

Figures

[0016] FIG. 1 shows a top view of a block of glass in accordance with one embodiment

[0017] FIG. 2 shows a side view of a block of glass in accordance with one embodiment

[0018] FIG. 3 shows a side view of a cylindrical glass rod in accordance with another embodiment

[0019] FIG. 4 shows a side view of a cylindrical glass tube in accordance with another embodiment

REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0020] 20 Block of glass textured with abrasive blasting

[0021] 21 Cylindrical glass rod textured with abrasive blasting

[0022] 22 Cylindrical glass tube textured with abrasive blasting

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Applicable to all Embodiments

[0023] All embodiments of the device are manufactured by blasting glass with abrasive media. The glass may be in any form, structure, or shape suitable to the cutting edge sharpening and honing task for the needs of any particular cutting edge type. The glass should be made of borosilicate because borosilicate has a high level of hardness necessary to sharpen and hone cutting edges which are very hard, for example, tools made from high carbon steel. I contemplate that the method of abrasive blasting is sandblasting, but other methods of abrasive blasting are also suitable. I contemplate that the range of grit sizes for abrasive blasting used to impart a texture suitable for cutting edge sharpening and honing ranges between 70 and 1200 grit, but other size ranges are also suitable. I contemplate that the grit media consist of aluminum oxide, but other media are also suitable. I contemplate that a pressure of at least 90 psi is used for the blasting media in question, but other pressures are also suitable.

First Embodiment

[0024] FIG. 1 (top view) and FIG. 2 (side view) illustrates one embodiment of the device in the form of a glass block 20. I presently contemplate that the glass block is square in shape with dimension of 10 cm by 20 cm in surface area and 1 cm in thickness, but other sizes and shapes are suitable as well. I contemplate that a holder for this glass block (not pictured) would be helpful in stabilizing the block during usage, although a holder is not necessary. I contemplate that an extremely flat surface is suitable for many users that prefer to sharpen or hone on flat surfaces. One common trade name for this very flat manufactured borosilicate glass is Borofloat™ by Schott, although other flat glasses of other types, forms, and compositions are also suitable.

OPERATION

First Embodiment

[0025] The manner of using the textured glass cutting edge sharpener and honing device to sharpen or hone a cutting edge is to move the angled portion of the cutting edge across the textured surface at the angle desired for the cutting edge as is customarily done with similar devices. Repeated motions of this type will lead to an appropriate angle and sharpness for the user's cutting edge.

Alternative Embodiment

[0026] FIG. 3 (side view) illustrates another embodiment of the device in the form of a glass rod 21. I presently contemplate that the glass rod is 2 cm in diameter and 45 cm in length, but other diameters and lengths are also suitable. I contemplate that a handle (not pictured) which would provide the user with a comfortable grip and which would also prevent the cutting edge being sharpened or honed from slipping and cutting the user is beneficial, but not necessary. I contemplate that this cylindrical rod form is suitable for many users that prefer to sharpen or hone using a cylindrical surface, though other shapes may also be suitable.

Alternative Embodiment

[0027] Use in a similar manner to the first embodiment: The manner of using the textured glass cutting edge sharpener and honing device to sharpen or hone a cutting edge is to move the angled portion of the cutting edge across the textured surface at the angle desired for the cutting edge as is customarily done with similar devices. Repeated motions of this type will lead to an appropriate angle and sharpness for the user's cutting edge.

Alternative Embodiment

[0028] FIG. 4 (side view) illustrates another embodiment of the device in the form of a glass tube 22. I presently contemplate that the tube is 2 cm in diameter and 45 cm in length, but other diameters and lengths are also suitable. I contemplate that a handle (not pictured) which would provide the user with a comfortable grip and which would also prevent the cutting edge being sharpened or honed from slipping and cutting the user is beneficial, but not necessary. I contemplate that this cylindrical tube form is suitable for many users that prefer to sharpen or hone using a cylindrical surface, though other shapes may also be suitable.

[0029] The embodiments of this device are not limited to the above listed forms shown in FIGS. 1-4. It is possible that an embodiment of this device may take any physical form that glass is capable of taking.

Alternative Embodiment

[0030] Use in a similar manner to the first embodiment: The manner of using the textured glass cutting edge sharpener and honing device to sharpen or hone a cutting edge is to move the angled portion of the cutting edge across the textured surface at the angle desired for the cutting edge as is customarily done with similar devices. Repeated motions of this type will lead to an appropriate angle and sharpness for the user's cutting edge.

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE

[0031] Accordingly the reader will see that, according to one embodiment of the device, I have created embodiments for sharpening and honing a wide variety of cutting edges on a textured borosilicate glass surface, and I have provided a method for manufacturing glass cutting edge sharpeners and honing devices that is relatively easy, requires little equipment, can be manufactured for a relatively low cost, and provides a wide range of texturing options. At present I believe that the embodiment in the form of a glass block 20 operates most efficiently, but the other embodiments are also satisfactory.

[0032] While the above description contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any embodiment, but as exemplifications of the presently preferred embodiments thereof. Various modifications and alterations of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention, and it should be understood that this invention is not to be unduly limited to the illustrative embodiments set forth herein. Many other ramifications and variations are possible within the teachings of the various embodiments. For example, the glass block (FIG. 1, FIG. 2), rod (FIG. 3), or tube (FIG. 4) could be curved, warped, or shaped in such a way to provide an optimal angle or size for a particular cutting edge; the glass may have decorative elements or unique color combinations; the glass may be molded or shaped in a decorative shape; words or other design elements may appear on or in the glass; different methods of holding, stabilizing, or securing the particular embodiment could be used; different grades of abrasive could be used on different parts of a particular embodiment; there could be areas on a particular embodiment that are free from texture; space inside the glass may be filled up with other objects, etc.

[0033] Thus the scope of the patentable material should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, and not by the examples given.