MAGNETIC SHARPENING JIG COMPRISING A FLEXIBLE CONTACT ELEMENT

Abstract

A magnetic sharpening jig, in particular for holding, by magnetic force, a cutting tool which is to be sharpened or polished and which includes a magnetizable blade, and for positioning said cutting tool relative to a sharpening and/or polishing tool, e.g. a rolling sharpener. In order to provide a versatile magnetic sharpening jig, the magnetic sharpening jig includes at least one flexible contact element with which the magnetically attracted blade of the cutting tool comes into contact during normal operation. Also disclosed are a set including a magnetic sharpening jig and a rolling sharpener, as well as a method for sharpening or polishing the cutting tool using the magnetic sharpening jig.

Claims

1-15. (canceled)

16. A magnetic sharpening jig for holding a cutting tool to be sharpened or polished, comprising: a flexible contact element configured to contact a magnetizable blade of the cutting tool, wherein the magnetic sharpening jig is configured to hold the magnetizable blade of the cutting tool in contact with the flexible contact element by magnetic force, to thereby position the cutting tool relative to a rolling sharpening or polishing tool.

17. The magnetic sharpening jig according to claim 16, wherein the contact element is made of a plastic, an elastomer, a vulcanizate of natural rubber, or a silicone rubber.

18. The magnetic sharpening jig according to claim 16, further comprising a body on which the contact element is arranged.

19. The magnetic sharpening jig according to claim 18, wherein the body of the magnetic sharpening jig is made entirely of wood.

20. The magnetic sharpening jig according to claim 18, further comprising a magnet, wherein the contact element has a higher flexibility than the body or the magnet.

21. The magnetic sharpening jig according to claim 18, wherein the body comprises a contact side on which the contact element is arranged, and wherein the contact element covers at least a portion of the contact side.

22. The magnetic sharpening jig according to claim 16, further comprising a plurality of magnets configured to generate the magnetic force, wherein the contact element covers the plurality of magnets.

23. The magnetic sharpening jig according to claim 16, further comprising a body and a magnet, wherein the contact element is configured such that a contact between the cutting tool and the body or the magnet is partially or completely prevented.

24. The magnetic sharpening jig according to claim 16, wherein the contact element comprises a planar contact surface configured to contact the blade of the cutting tool.

25. The magnetic sharpening jig according to claim 16, wherein the contact element comprises a marking which indicates the amount of a sharpening angle, and wherein the marking is arranged centrally in a contact surface of the contact element.

26. The magnetic sharpening jig according to claim 16, further comprising: a plurality of contact elements; and a body having contact sides facing away from each other, wherein the contact elements are arranged on the contact sides.

27. The magnetic sharpening jig according to claim 26, further comprising an installation plane, wherein the contact elements and the installation plane enclose different acute angles in the range between 70° and 75°.

28. The magnetic sharpening jig according to claim 16, wherein a sharpening angle measured between a surface of the contact element and a plane perpendicular to a base is in the range between 15° and 20°.

29. The magnetic sharpening jig according to claim 16, wherein the contact element has a thickness in the range from 0.1 to 2 mm.

30. The magnetic sharpening jig according to claim 24, wherein the contact element has a planar attachment surface configured to be attached to a body of the magnetic sharpening jig, and wherein the attachment surface is aligned parallel to the contact surface.

31. The magnetic sharpening jig according to claim 16, wherein the contact element is firmly bonded to a body or a magnet of the magnetic sharpening jig.

32. The magnetic sharpening jig according to claim 16, wherein the contact element has a cuboid body.

33. The magnetic sharpening jig according to claim 16, wherein the contact element has a rectangular outline.

34. The magnetic sharpening jig according to claim 16, further comprising a body having a magnet receiving opening, wherein the contact element covers the magnet receiving opening.

35. The magnetic sharpening jig according to claim 16, wherein the contact element has a higher static friction coefficient than a body or a magnet of the magnetic sharpening jig.

36. The magnetic sharpening jig according to claim 18, wherein the body has a length in the range of 80 to 120 mm.

37. The magnetic sharpening jig according to claim 18, wherein the body has a height in the range of 15 to 30 mm.

38. The magnetic sharpening jig according to claim 18, wherein the body has a width in the range of 50 to 60 mm.

39. The magnetic sharpening jig according to claim 18, wherein the body has a trapezoidal cross-section in a first cross-sectional plane perpendicularly intersecting the contact element, and wherein the cross-section tapers towards a lower side.

40. The magnetic sharpening jig according to claim 39, wherein the body has a rectangular cross-section in a second cross-sectional plane not intersecting the contact element, and wherein the second cross-sectional plane is aligned perpendicular to the first cross-sectional plane.

41. The magnetic sharpening jig according to claim 18, wherein the body has a rectangular outline in a top view or a bottom view.

42. The magnetic sharpening jig according to claim 18, wherein the body has an opening in a contact side configured to receive a magnet, and wherein the opening is cylindrical.

43. The magnetic sharpening jig according to claim 18, wherein the body has a upper side larger than a lower side.

44. The magnetic sharpening jig according to claim 18, wherein the body tapers continuously from an upper side to a lower side.

45. The magnetic sharpening jig according to claim 18, wherein the body comprises exclusively flat sides.

46. The magnetic sharpening jig according to claim 22, wherein each of the magnets is a permanent magnet.

47. The magnetic sharpening jig according to claim 22, wherein each of the magnets comprises a cylindrical outer contour.

48. The magnetic sharpening jig according to claim 22, wherein each of the magnets is inserted and fits precisely in a receptacle in a body of the magnetic sharpening jig.

49. The magnetic sharpening jig according to claim 22, wherein each of the magnets comprises a planar end face.

50. The magnetic sharpening jig according to claim 49, wherein the end face of each of the magnets is flush with a contact side of a body of the magnetic sharpening jig.

51. The magnetic sharpening jig according to claim 49, wherein the end face of each of the magnets is fully covered by the contact element.

52. The magnetic sharpening jig according to claim 22, wherein the magnets on a contact side of a body of the magnetic sharpening jig are identical magnets.

53. The magnetic sharpening jig according to claim 47, further comprising a body having a contact side and two cylindrical bores on the contact side, wherein the magnets are inserted and fit precisely in the bores, such that end faces of the magnets are flush with the contact side.

54. The magnetic sharpening jig according to claim 22, wherein each of the magnets has a holding force in the range of 0.1 to 10 kg.

55. The magnetic sharpening jig according to claim 16, further comprising an installation section having a head and a shaft projecting from the head.

56. The magnetic sharpening jig according to claim 16, further comprising an installation section that is a plastic plug.

57. The magnet sharpening jig according to claim 16, further comprising an installation section made of plastic, an elastomer, a vulcanizate of natural rubber, or a silicone rubber.

58. A method for sharpening or polishing a cutting tool using the magnetic sharpening jig according to claim 16, comprising: arranging the magnetic sharpening jig on a base; providing the cutting tool having the magnetizable blade and the cutting edge arranged thereon; arranging the blade in a magnetic field of the magnetic sharpening jig so that the blade is magnetically attracted and comes into contact with the contact element of the magnetic sharpening jig; and sharpening or polishing the cutting edge of the cutting tool with a rolling sharpening or polishing tool.

59. The method according to claim 58, wherein the blade is arranged such that the blade is spaced apart from the base or the cutting edge is facing away from the base.

60. A magnetic sharpening jig for holding a cutting tool to be sharpened or polished, comprising: an elastic contact element configured to contact a magnetizable blade of the cutting tool; and a plurality of magnets configured to generate magnetic force, wherein the contact element covers the plurality of magnets, and wherein the magnetic sharpening jig is configured to hold the magnetizable blade of the cutting tool in contact with the contact element by the magnetic force, to thereby position the cutting tool relative to a rolling sharpening or polishing tool.

61. A magnetic sharpening jig for holding a cutting tool to be sharpened or polished, comprising: a flexible contact element configured to contact a magnetizable blade of the cutting tool, a body on which the contact element is arranged; and a plurality of magnets configured to generate magnetic force, wherein each of the magnets is inserted and fits precisely in a receptacle in the body, wherein the contact element covers at least one magnet-receiving opening in the body, and wherein the magnetic sharpening jig is configured to hold the magnetizable blade of the cutting tool in contact with the contact element by the magnetic force, to thereby position the cutting tool relative to a rolling sharpening or polishing tool.

62. A magnetic sharpening jig for holding a cutting tool to be sharpened or polished, comprising: an elastic contact element configured to contact a magnetizable blade of the cutting tool; and a body on which the contact element is arranged, wherein body has a trapezoidal cross-section in a first cross-sectional plane perpendicularly intersecting the contact element, wherein the trapezoidal cross-section tapers continuously from the upper side to the lower side, and wherein the magnetic sharpening jig is configured to hold the magnetizable blade of the cutting tool in contact with the contact element by magnetic force, to thereby position the cutting tool relative to a rolling sharpening or polishing tool.

63. A magnetic sharpening jig for holding a cutting tool to be sharpened or polished, comprising: an elastic contact element configured to contact a magnetizable blade of the cutting tool, wherein the contact element comprises a marking that indicates the amount of a sharpening angle, wherein the marking is in the form of an imprint, and wherein the magnetic sharpening jig is configured to hold the magnetizable blade of the cutting tool in contact with the contact element by magnetic force, to thereby position the cutting tool relative to a rolling sharpening or polishing tool.

64. A magnetic sharpening jig for holding a cutting tool to be sharpened or polished, comprising: an elastic contact element configured to contact a magnetizable blade of the cutting tool; and a body on which the contact element is arranged, wherein the body is formed at least partly of wood, and wherein the magnetic sharpening jig is configured to hold the magnetizable blade of the cutting tool in contact with the contact element by magnetic force, to thereby position the cutting tool relative to a rolling sharpening or polishing tool.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0083] FIG. 1: shows a side view of a magnetic sharpening jig according to the first embodiment, wherein the concealed components are shown in dashed lines.

[0084] FIG. 2: shows a top view of the magnetic sharpening jig of FIG. 1.

[0085] FIG. 3: shows a schematic view of an arrangement comprising a magnetic sharpening jig according to FIGS. 1 and 2, a cutting tool to be sharpened or polished, and a sharpening and/or polishing tool in the form of a rolling sharpener, wherein the blade of the cutting tool is held magnetically in contact with the flexible contact element of the magnetic sharpening jig so that the back of the blade is at a distance from the base and the cutting edge of the cutting tool faces away from the base.

[0086] FIG. 4: shows a side view of a magnetic sharpening jig according to the second embodiment, wherein the concealed components are shown in dashed lines.

[0087] FIG. 5: shows a top view of the magnetic sharpening jig shown in FIG. 4.

[0088] FIG. 6: shows the arrangement according to FIG. 3 from a different perspective.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0089] The magnetic sharpening jig 1 serves for holding, by magnetic force, a cutting tool 2 to be sharpened or polished with a magnetizable blade 2a and for positioning the same relative to a sharpening and/or polishing tool such as a rolling sharpener 3. The magnetic sharpening jig 1 comprises at least one flexible contact element 4 with which the magnetically attracted blade 2a of the cutting tool 2 comes into contact as intended. The magnetic sharpening jig 1 is independent of the cutting tool 2 and its blade 2a. Therefore, the description focuses on the magnetic sharpening jig 1, in which the blade of the cutting tool 2 contacts the contact element 4 in a planar manner, as is clearly shown in FIGS. 3 and 6. In use, ideally only the magnetically attracted blade 2a of the cutting tool 2 comes into contact with the contact element 4 over the surface or the entire surface, wherein any contact of the cutting tool 2 with a body 5 or magnet 6 of the magnetic sharpening jig 1 is omitted.

[0090] The magnetic sharpening jig 1 is adapted in particular for positioning cutting tools 2 in the form of kitchen knives. Kitchen knives often have a stainless steel blade 2a with an approximately planar blade and a slightly curved, one-sided cutting edge 2b. However, it is possible in principle that, apart from kitchen knives, other cutting tools 2 can also be positioned with the magnetic sharpening jig 1.

[0091] The shape of the cutting tool 2 and the blade 2a are therefore not decisive. The advantage of the magnetic sharpening jig 1 lies precisely in the fact that it can be used universally for different blade sizes and geometries.

[0092] Preferred embodiments are explained below with reference to the Figures.

First Embodiment (FIGS. 1 to 3 and 6)

[0093] The magnetic sharpening jig 1 according to the first embodiment is described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 and 6.

[0094] The magnetic sharpening jig 1 comprises an approximately cuboidal body 5, which has a trapezoidal cross-section in a cross-sectional plane intersecting the contact element 4 perpendicularly (parallel to the blade plane or drawing surface) as shown in FIG. 1.

[0095] On the lower side of the body 5, flexible installation sections 7 are located in the corner regions in each case and are inserted in a frictional manner into corresponding openings on the lower side of the body 5. Each installation section 7 is configured as a plastic plug and comprises a head and a shaft projecting from the head with a fir-tree structure, wherein the individual holding ribs have a saw-tooth structure in cross-section. The holding ribs are wedge-shaped and taper towards the end of the shaft projecting from the head. The flanks of the shaft and the holding ribs attached to it are inclined in the insertion direction, i.e. towards the end of the shaft facing away from the head, at a smaller angle to the shaft axis than in the opposite direction. Accordingly, a force to insert the shaft into the corresponding opening of the body 5 is less than a force required to withdraw it again from this opening. The plastic plug is preferably made of silicone and preferably has a Shore A hardness in the range of 40 to 60.

[0096] In a state in which the installation sections 7 are inserted into the cylindrical recesses on the lower side of the body 5 and are positioned there in a frictional manner, the slightly rounded heads of these installation sections 7 project beyond the lower side of the body 5 of the magnetic sharpening jig 1 and define an installation plane E for setting up the magnetic sharpening jig 1 on a flat base U (see FIGS. 3 and 6).

[0097] The body 5 of the magnetic sharpening jig 1 is preferably made of untreated or varnished wood (e.g. oak, walnut, beech or spruce) and preferably has exclusively planar sides. The edges on the lower side of the body 5 are preferably more weakly chamfered or rounded than the other edges of the body 5.

[0098] In the first embodiment, the body 5 of the magnetic sharpening jig 1 has a length L of approx. 82 mm (measured at the top), a height H of approx. 22 mm and a width B of approx. 56 mm. Including the installation sections 7, the height H1 of the magnetic sharpening jig 1 is approximately 25 mm.

[0099] The side of the body 5 that faces the positioning plane E of the magnetic sharpening jig 1 and forms an acute angle (90°—α1) of, for example, 70° with it, forms the contact side 8 of the magnetic sharpening jig 1. The sharpening angle α1 formed on this side of the magnetic sharpening jig 1 is 20° and corresponds to the angle between the contact side 8 and a vertical sharpening plane S aligned perpendicular to the positioning plane E, in which the sharpening or polishing surface of a rolling sharpener 3 is located and moves. In this embodiment, the side of the body 5 opposite the contact side 8 is aligned parallel to the sharpening plane S.

[0100] Two, preferably cylindrical, bores are made in the contact side 8 of the body 5, into which correspondingly shaped, cylindrical magnets 6 are inserted with a precise fit in order to be flush with the contact side 8 of the body 5 at the end face.

[0101] The contact side 8 of the body 5 and the outward-facing end faces of the magnets 6 inserted in the bores are covered and bonded over their entire surface by an flexible silicone contact element 4 with a rectangular outline. The contact element 4 has a thickness in the range of, for example, 0.5 mm and a Shore A hardness of, for example, 30. On its side facing away from the body 5, the contact element 4 forms a planar contact surface for the blade 2a of the cutting tool 2, against which the blade can ideally abut over the entire surface without the cutting tool 2 coming into contact with the body 5 of the magnetic sharpening jig 1. Optionally, a marking for indicating the amount (“20°”) of the respective contact angle α1 is provided on the contact surface of the contact element 4, e.g. it is worked into the center of the contact element 8 as a recess. Marking in the form of an imprint is also possible.

[0102] To sharpen or polish a cutting tool 2 with the magnetic sharpening jig 1, the magnetic sharpening jig 1 is placed with the installation sections 7 on a planar base U (step A). A provided cutting tool 2 with magnetizable blade 2a and cutting edge 2b, such as a kitchen knife with stainless steel blade (step B), is arranged with its magnetizable blade 2a in the magnetic field of the magnetic sharpening jig 1 as intended in such a way that the blade is aligned parallel to the contact surface of the contact element 4 and only the magnetically attracted blade 2a comes into (full) surface contact with the contact element 4. The cutting edge 2b faces away from the base U and the blade 2a is spaced apart from the base U. The blade 2a is thus held in contact with the contact element 4 solely by the magnet force of the magnetic sharpening jig 1. The flexible contact element 4 is elastically deformed by the blade 2a under the influence of the magnetic force until a force equilibrium is reached between the flexible restoring force of the contact element 4 and the magnetic force of the magnetic sharpening jig 1 exerted on the blade 2a. With a correspondingly soft and flexible contact element 4, the magnetically attracted blade 2a presses into the contact element 4. If the back of the blade runs across the contact element 4, a step is formed on the rear side of the blade 2a due to the elastic deformation of the contact element 4, which makes it even more difficult for the blade 2a held in contact with the contact element 4 to move. In this state, the blade 2a of the cutting tool 2 is machined with the rolling sharpener 3 with at least one end-face sharpening or polishing surface. The rolling sharpener 3 rolls horizontally over the flat base U and is held in contact with the cutting edge 2b of the blade 2a of the cutting tool 2 with the grinding or polishing surface aligned in a vertical plane. The direction of movement of the rolling sharpener 3 is approximately parallel to the extension direction of the blade. The sharpening angle α is defined by the plane of extension of the blade held in contact with the contact element 4 as intended and the vertical plane of the sharpening or polishing surface of the rolling sharpener 3.

[0103] In the second embodiment, described below with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the magnetic sharpening jig 1 includes features substantially identical to those in the first embodiment, with differences explained below: Deviating from the first embodiment, the magnetic sharpening jig 1 of the second embodiment comprises two different contact sides 8 on sides of the body 5 facing away from each other, each of which is fully covered with its own flexible contact element 4. The respective contact element 4 is exactly the same size as the contact side 8 of the body 5 of the magnetic sharpening jig 1 covered by it. A blade 2a of a cutting tool 2 attracted by magnetic force thus comes into contact exclusively with the respective contact element 4 and not, for example, with the body 5 of the magnetic sharpening jig 1 or even the magnets 6 arranged therein. The grinding angles α1, α2 are formed differently on the two contact sides 8 of the body 5. For example, the grinding angle α1 is 20° and the grinding angle α2 is 15°.

[0104] In the second embodiment, the body 5 of the magnetic sharpening jig 1 has a length L of approx. 112 mm (measured at the top), a height H of approx. 22 mm and a width B of approx. 56 mm. Including the installation sections 7, the height H1 of the magnetic sharpening jig 1 is approximately 25 mm.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0105] 1 magnetic sharpening jig [0106] 2 cutting tool (knife) [0107] 2a blade [0108] 2b cutting edge [0109] 3 rolling sharpener [0110] 4 contact element [0111] 5 body [0112] 6 magnet [0113] 7 installation section [0114] 8 contact side [0115] E installation plane [0116] S sharpening plane [0117] U base