Handheld Sharpening Apparatus

Abstract

A portable planar abrading or honing apparatus embodying components including modified elongated planar support block with flared ends each with holding arrangements and attached to the blocks planar surface are optional material support bases that assist various tensioned flexible abrasive material, described as abrasive tapes that facilitate manual grinding or honing and sharpening of edges upon the abrasive surface.

Claims

1. A portable hand held or bench operating abrading apparatus comprising; a support block that is substantially firm or rigid and elongated and generally rectangular, with opposingly two of a planar having, a reduced waist size and, flared wider width at its two ends and, disposed at a first flared end; disposed approximately parallel are two of a bar and adjacently two of a slot, for optionally retaining none or one or two of a flexible abrasive tape generally having a width the same or slightly less than the support block's middle planar width's the reduced waist size, and within the first flared end, disposed at approximately 90 degrees laterally relative to the support block's longitudinal axis are two of the slots that are elongated and created all the way through the support block creating two of the bars, made for wrapping each one of the flexible abrasive tapes around any one of the bars and the end of the abrasive tape is passed through adjacently correspondingly the slot closest to the support block's the reduced waist size, and disposed at the opposite end of the support block; the support block's wider width the second flared end, where an elastic ring preferably abrasion resistant, is held in place and tightly fitted onto the reduced waist size, and holding the abrasive tapes that are passed though the elastic ring, and disposed between the first flared end and the second flared end are two an abrasive tape support base of resilient or non-resilient material individually attached to each one of the support block's the planar. (See FIGS. 2a, 2b, 3, 4a, 4b, 5, 6 and 7.)

2. The portable hand held or bench operating abrading apparatus according to claim one 1 wherein the elastic ring is dexterously fitted over the support block's the second said flared end onto the support block's the reduced waist size retaining the elastic ring in place. (See FIGS. 2b, 3, 4a , 4b, and 5.)

3. The portable hand held or bench operating abrading apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the elastic ring is tensioned so that it fits tightly over the flexible abrasive tape or tapes, creating surface friction to maintain the flexible abrasive tape tension so that the flexible abrasive tape is not loose while manual grinding, polishing or stropping. (See FIGS. 3, 4a, 4b and 5.)

4. The portable hand held or bench operating abrading apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the elastic ring is tensioned by fingers pulling extra length of each loose end of the one or two of the flexible abrasive tapes and the elastic ring is rolled forward over top of each of the flexible abrasive tapes to make more of each of the flexible abrasive tapes ends available for tensioning if required. (See FIGS. 3, 4a, 4b and 5.)

5. The portable hand held or bench operating abrading apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the flexible abrasive tape comprising an abrasive surface selected from a plurality of abrasive materials connected to a flexible backing material selected from a plurality of the flexible backing materials, combined are generally referred as the flexible abrasive tape or tapes and endingly held for manual grinding, polishing or stropping upon the abrasive surface. (See FIG. 7.)

6. The portable hand held or bench operated abrading apparatus according to claim 1 wherein an inflexible abrasive tape is attached onto a flexible tape to attach to both ends of the support block and held for use by the elastic ring. (See FIG. 6.)

7. The portable hand held or bench operating abrading apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the planar of the support block have attached onto them a material layer that is an abrasive tape support base for supporting any suitable of the the flexible abrasive tapes so that manual grinding, polishing or stropping is performed upon the abrasive surface of the flexible abrasive tape. (See FIGS. 2b, 3, 4a, 4b and 5.)

8. The portable hand held or bench operating abrading apparatus according to claim 7 wherein an abrasive tape support base end face is disposed at the second flared end of the support block and the opposite abrasive tape support base end face end is correspondingly disposed at the slot at the first flared end of the support block and the abrasive tape support bases sides are fitted adjacently to the width of the support block's the reduced waist size middle planar width for the purpose of supporting the flexible abrasive tape and this is replicated on the support block's opposing planar. (See FIGS. 2b, 3, 4a, 4b and 5.)

9. The portable hand held or bench operated abrading apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the elastic ring is preferably protected from cuts by the height of a planar surface on the abrasive tape support base as the elastic ring's outer diameter height is lower than the planar surface of the abrasive tape support base. (See FIGS. 4a and 4b)

10. The portable hand held or bench operating abrading apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the abrasive tape support base end face is disposed nearer to the support block's the first flared end's end in order to attach any suitable of the flexible abrasive tapes 7 that are relatively inflexible. (See FIG. 5.)

11. The portable hand held or bench operating abrading apparatus according to claim 7 wherein each of the flexible abrasive tape support bases are generally rectangular in shape and substantially consistent thickness throughout in any of a continuous range of suitable thickness depth and preferably with a planar surface. (See FIGS. 2b, 4a, 4b and 5.)

12. The portable hand held or bench operating abrading apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the combined thickness of the support block and the flexible abrasive tapes and the abrasive tape support bases have a comfortable side surface thickness for finger grip. (See FIGS. 4a, 4b and 5.)

13. The portable hand held or bench operating abrading apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the flexible abrasive tape support base end face limits the elastic ring movement and assists the retention of the flexible abrasive tapes by tension and friction. (See FIGS. 4a, 4b and 5.)

14. The portable hand held or bench operating abrading apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the abrasive tape support bases material are in any one of a plurality of suitable; leathers, foods grade or non-foods grade resilient materials, foods grade or non-foods grade non-resilient materials. (See FIGS. 2b, 4a, 4b and 5.)

15. The portable hand held or bench operating abrading apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the resilient option of the abrasive tape support base flexibility conforms to the implements edge being sharpened thereby increases abrasion during sharpening. (See FIGS. 2b, 4a, 4b and 5.)

16. The portable hand held or bench operating abrading apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the resilient option of the abrasive tape support base creates convex edges with increased thickness behind the convex edges so the convex edges are at less risk of chipping or rolling over. (See FIGS. 2b, 4a, 4b and 5.)

17. The portable hand held or bench operating abrading apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the abrasive tape support base is optionally a leather for razor edge sharpening and preferably stropping one directional action is used for sharpening. (See FIGS. 2b, 4a, 4b and 5.)

18. The portable hand held or bench operating abrading apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the abrasive tape support base end face that is correspondingly adiacent to the slot wherein the end of the flexible abrasive tape is fitted through and disposed between the abrasive tape support base's the planar and the flexible abrasive tape that is fitted on top of the planar surface of the abrasive tape support base. (See FIGS. 4a, 4b and 5.)

19. The portable hand held or bench operating abrading apparatus according to claim 1 uses include non-rotary grinding, polishing, or stropping materials.

Description

DESCRIPTIONS OF DRAWINGS

[0022] FIG. 1 drawing shows sharpened profiles produced.

[0023] FIGS. 2a and 2b drawing of the portable hand held or bench operating edge sharpening apparatus planar view.

[0024] FIG. 3 drawing of the portable hand held or bench operating edge sharpening apparatus planar view.

[0025] FIGS. 4a and 4b drawing of the portable hand held or bench operating edge sharpening apparatus sharpening apparatus side view.

[0026] FIG. 5 drawing of the portable hand held or bench operating edge sharpening apparatus sharpening apparatus side view.

[0027] FIG. 6 drawing of the flexible abrasive tape is attached onto a flexible tape side view.

[0028] FIG. 7 drawing of the flexible abrasive tape side view.

[0029] Identification list for drawings with new and amended elements underlined; [0030] 1 Support block. [0031] 2 Slot for flexible abrasive tape to fit through. [0032] 3 Bar to fit flexible abrasive tape around. [0033] 4 First flared end. [0034] 4a Second flared end. [0035] 5 Abrasive tape support base. [0036] 6 Elastic ring. [0037] 7 Flexible abrasive tape. [0038] 8 Reduced waist size. [0039] 9 Straight edge. [0040] 10 Convex edge. [0041] 11 Double beveled edge. [0042] 12 Planar. [0043] 13 Planar surface. [0044] 14 Abrasive surface. [0045] 15 Inflexible abrasive tape. [0046] 16 More flexible tape. [0047] 17 Flexible backing material. [0048] 18 Abrasive tape support base end face.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF HANDHELD GRINDING, HONING OR STROPPING APPARATUS.

[0049] A support block 1 that is substantially firm or rigid and elongated and generally rectangular having two of a planar 12 that are opposing each other and wider width at a first flared end 4 having two of a slot 2 and two of a bar 3 and a wider width at a second flared end 11 to retain an elastic ring 6 that is a flexible abrasive tape 7 tensioner in place. Disposed between the first flared end 4 and the second flared end 11 is a reduce waist. (See FIGS. 2a and 2b.)

[0050] The elastic ring 6 is fitted tightly onto the reduced waist size 8 at the second flared 4A end. The elastic ring 6 holds down one or two of the abrasive tapes 7 for tensioning. The elastic ring 6 can be pulled off the second flared end 4A by fingers to exchange or replace worn abrasive tapes 7. The elastic ring 6 is of a correct size to fit over the support blocks second flared end 4A and is limited from movement by the second flared end 4A of the support block 1. It is contemplated that the elastic ring has material attached. (See FIGS. 2b, 3, 4a, 4b and 5.)

[0051] The support block 1 has the reduced waist size 8 between the first flared end 4 and the second flared end 11 and on each of the support block's 1 two of the planar 12 the abrasive tape support bases 5 of resilient or non-resilient material are attached to. (See FIGS. 2b, 4a, 4b and 5.)

[0052] The Abrasive tape support bases 5 are generally rectangular in shape and substantially consistent thickness throughout in any of a continuous range of suitable thickness depth to raise the sharpening planar level above the elastic ring 6 height so the elastic ring 6 is preferably not exposed to accidental cutting. The height of the abrasive tape support bases 5 also blocks the elastic ring 6 from moving forward and this retains the tension for the abrasive tape 7 so grinding, polishing, or stropping can be performed. (See FIGS. 3, 4a and 4b.)

[0053] Optionally the abrasive tape support base end face 18 parallels the second flared end 4A of the support block 1. This is for an inflexible abrasive tape 15 fitted onto the planar surface 13 of the abrasive tape support base 5.(See FIG. 6.)

[0054] At the support block's 1 the first flared end 4 disposed at approximately 90 degrees laterally relative to the support block's 1 longest axis are two of the slots 2 that are elongated and created all the way through the support block creating the two bars 3. The two slots 2 and the two bars 3 are made for fitting through and wrapping around by fingers optionally none or one or two of the flexible abrasive tapes 7. Each one of the abrasive tapes 7 ends is passed through the slot 2 and the end is disposed over the planar surface 13 and adjacently the abrasive tape support base end face 18, then the flexible abrasive tape 7 is wrapped over the adjacent bar 3 away from the abrasive tape support base and passed through the elastic ring so that the flexible abrasive tape 7 is held by pressure and friction when the flexible abrasive tape 7 is tensioned. (See FIGS. 3, 4a, 4b and 5.)

[0055] Each one of the flexible abrasive tapes 7 ends are held firmly by friction resistance at the support block's 1 the first flared end's 4 the slots 2 and the bars 3 and tension is adjustable by manually pulling the extra flexible abrasive tape 7 end through the retaining elastic ring 6 tensioner disposed at the support block's 1 the second flared end 4A. The elastic ring 6 tension creates the pressure and resistance responsible for retaining each one of the flexible abrasive tapes 7. The elastic ring 6 can also be rolled forward over each one of the flexible abrasive tapes 7 to make more of each one of the flexible abrasive tapes 7 ends available for the fingers to grip if required to remove more slack and then rolled back to the elastic ring 6 retaining place between the second flared end 4 and the abrasive tape support bases end faces 18. (See FIGS. 2b 4a, 4b and 5.)

[0056] The flexible abrasive tapes 7 surfaces normally do not contact the support block 1 to cause abrasion to it by the way they are folded over and the abrasive tape support bases 5 prevent the abrasive tape's 7 an abrasive surface 14 contacting and also increase friction tension to hold the flexible abrasives tapes 7. (See FIGS. 4a, 4b, 5 and 7)

[0057] The flexible abrasive tape's 7 the abrasive surfaces 14 clogged with swarf or metal buildup can be cleaned for longer reuse by rubbing surface with rubber or by washing.

[0058] The support block's 1 the second flared end 11 where the elastic ring 6 is held can be used as trimming guide edge for the flexible abrasive tape 7 to be cut to a length that leaves spare length on the flexible abrasive tape 7 free to grip to pull tight for tensioning by fingers.

[0059] The removable tensioning the elastic ring 6 can optionally be abrasion resistant, hygienic food grade and replaceable after it reaches its useful life expiry date. Diameter of the elastic ring 6 is thick to assist rolling and stay in elastic shape.

[0060] A skilled user can optionally grind, polish, or strop materials by holding the sharpening apparatus's end by the thumb and middle finger and index finger supports the middle or first third of the back of the sharpening apparatus for stability and moving either the sharpening apparatus's the apparatus abrasive surface 14 on the implement's edge or move the implement's edge on the apparatus's the abrasive surface 14 to sharpen.

[0061] Sharpening apparatus's length allows for one half or two thirds to be used for sharpening safely while held by hand. The other end can be held in reverse and used in the same manner for full use of the length of the surface. By not creating an extra handle it keeps the apparatus to a compact size. It is contemplated that a handle could be extended or attached.

[0062] Alternatively the sharpening apparatus can be placed on a bench for stability and held by one flared end between thumb and index finger for extra grip and then swapping to the other end and repeating the honing action.

[0063] The sharpening apparatus produces any combinations of the following options listed; [0064] Optional leather support base 5 for razor edges where the blade to be sharpened is stropped in one direction. Honing compounds can optionally be applied onto the leather surface for faster edge honing using a one directional stropping motion and not pushing the edge into the leather. [0065] Leather surface can also support the flexible abrasive tape 7 option over the top of its surface for coarse grinding through to fine razor edge. [0066] Optional foods grade or non-foods grade non-resilient abrasive support base 5 in conjunction with the flexible abrasive tape 7 for grinding or a straight edge 9 or a double beveled edge 11 honing using said safe stropping motion or careful bidirectional motion where the edge is moved both directions on the abrasive surface 14. [0067] Optional foods grade or non-foods grade non resilient or resilient the flexible abrasive tape support base 5 can also be used as a strop for finer edges with honing compounds applied to the surface. [0068] Optional foods grade or non-foods grade resilient tape support base 5 flexibility conforms for producing a convex edge 9 or shape using safe stropping motion or carefully bidirectionally where the edge is moved both directions on the abrasive surface. [0069] The handheld or bench operating abrading apparatus produces shapes in the general form of; the convex edge 10, a double beveled edge 11, a straight edge 9 (see FIG. 1) and also others and also non-rotary grinding, polishing, or stropping materials.

[0070] An abrasive surface 14 selected from a plurality of abrasive materials connected to a flexible backing material 17 selected from a plurality of the flexible backing materials 17, combined are generally referred as the flexible abrasive tape 7. (See FIG. 7.)

[0071] The combined thickness of the support block 1 and the flexible abrasive tapes 7 and the abrasive tape support bases 5 have a comfortable side surface thickness for finger grip.

[0072] The inflexible abrasive tape 15 can be adhered onto a flexible tape 16 to be attached to both ends of the support block 1.