SHARPENING TOOL

Abstract

A sharpening tool comprising a handle, a housing portion extending from the handle, and a rotatable disk mounted within the housing. The disk can include multiple sharpening stations arranged along its perimeter. A user-actuated knob, rotatably coupled to the housing, enables selective rotation of the disk in order to position a desired sharpening station in an exposed orientation. In some embodiments, the knob rotates the disk in an opposite direction, with their axes of rotation laterally offset. A positioning mechanism, such as a magnet or detent, may bias the disk toward discrete positions, and a locking mechanism may prevent unintended rotation. Each sharpening station can include a first abrasive contact element to sharpen an edge of a blade and a second smoother contact element to support or guide the blade.

Claims

1. A sharpening tool comprising: a handle; a housing portion extending from a front end of the handle; a disk rotatably mounted within the housing portion; at least two sharpening stations positioned along a perimeter of the disk; a knob rotatably coupled to the housing portion and extending from a side thereof; wherein rotation of the knob causes the disk to rotate within the housing portion; at any given time, one of the sharpening stations is positioned in an exposed orientation such that it is accessible for sharpening an edge of a blade; and a different sharpening station can be made accessible by rotating the knob to reposition the disk.

2. The sharpening tool of claim 1, wherein an axis of rotation of the disk is horizontal.

3. The sharpening tool of claim 1, wherein at least one of the sharpening stations includes a first contact element comprising a first material and a second contact element comprising a second material different from the first material; and an angle in between the first contact element and the second contact element is greater than 10 degrees and less than 90 degrees.

4. The sharpening tool of claim 3, wherein the first material is more abrasive than the second material.

5. The sharpening tool of claim 3, wherein the first material is a relatively hard abrasive material configured to sharpen a blade edge; and the second material is a relatively soft material configured to guide or support the blade during sharpening.

6. The sharpening tool of claim 3, wherein the first material is a tungsten-carbide; and the second material is a ceramic.

7. The sharpening tool of claim 1, wherein there are at least four sharpening stations positioned equidistant from each other along the perimeter of the disk.

8. The sharpening tool of claim 1, further comprising a locking mechanism, wherein the locking mechanism prevents rotation of the disk when the locking mechanism is engaged.

9. The sharpening tool of claim 8, wherein the locking mechanism is disengaged by pressing a button on top of the housing portion.

10. The sharpening tool of claim 1, wherein rotation of the knob in a clockwise direction causes the disk to rotate in a counterclockwise direction, rotation of the knob in a counterclockwise direction causes the disk to rotate in a clockwise direction, or both.

11. The sharpening tool of claim 1, wherein an axis of rotation of the disk is laterally offset from an axis of rotation of the knob.

12. The sharpening tool of claim 1, further comprising: a positioning mechanism configured to bias the disk toward discrete rotational positions; wherein each discrete rotational position corresponds to an exposed orientation of one of the sharpening stations.

13. The sharpening tool of claim 12, wherein the positioning mechanism comprises at least one of a magnet or a detent structure configured to resist movement away from each rotational position.

14. The sharpening tool of claim 1, wherein each of the sharpening stations includes a first contact element configured to sharpen an edge of a blade and a second contact element configured to guide and/or support the blade during sharpening.

15. The sharpening tool of claim 14, wherein an angle in between the first and second contact elements of a first sharpening station is greater than an angle between the first and second contact elements of a second sharpening station.

16. The sharpening tool of claim 14, wherein a second contact element of a first sharpening station has a greater resistance to sliding contact with the edge of the blade than a second contact element of a second sharpening station.

17. The sharpening tool of claim 14, wherein a first contact element of a first sharpening station has greater abrasiveness with respect to the edge of the blade than a first contact element of a second sharpening station.

18. A method to sharpen an edge of a blade, the method comprising: providing a sharpening tool comprising: a handle; a housing portion extending from a front end of the handle; a disk rotatably mounted within the housing portion; at least two sharpening stations positioned along a perimeter of the disk; a knob rotatably coupled to the housing portion and extending from a side thereof, wherein rotating the knob causes the disk to rotate within the housing portion; rotating the knob until a suitable sharpening station is exposed such that the suitable sharpening station is accessible for sharpening the edge of the blade; drawing the blade through a first and second contact elements of the suitable sharpening station to sharpen the edge of the blade, wherein the first contact element configured to sharpen the edge of the blade and the second contact element configured to guide and/or support the blade during sharpening.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein a second contact element of a first sharpening station has a greater resistance to sliding contact with the edge of the blade than a second contact element of a second sharpening station.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein a first contact element of a first sharpening station has greater abrasiveness with respect to the edge of the blade than a first contact element of a second sharpening station.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of preferred variations of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings variations that are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements shown. In the drawings, where:

[0009] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a sharpening tool, according to an embodiment.

[0010] FIG. 1B is a front view of the sharpening tool, according to an embodiment.

[0011] FIG. 1C is a right-side view of the sharpening tool, according to an embodiment.

[0012] FIG. 2A is a simplified inside view of the sharpening tool in its locked configuration, according to an embodiment.

[0013] FIG. 2B is a simplified inside view of the sharpening tool in its unlocked configuration, according to an embodiment.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing steps of a method for sharpening an edge of a blade, according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] Implementations of the present technology will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings, which are provided as illustrative examples so as to enable those skilled in the art to practice the technology. Notably, the figures and examples below are not meant to limit the scope of the present disclosure to any single implementation or implementations. Wherever convenient, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to same or like parts.

[0016] Moreover, while variations described herein are primarily discussed in the context of a blade sharpener, it will be recognized by those of ordinary skill that the present disclosure is not so limited. In fact, the principles of the present disclosure described herein may be readily applied to sharpening other types of objects.

[0017] In the present specification, an implementation showing a singular component should not be considered limiting; rather, the disclosure is intended to encompass other implementations including a plurality of the same component, and vice-versa, unless explicitly stated otherwise herein. Further, the present disclosure encompasses present and future known equivalents to the components referred to herein by way of illustration.

[0018] It will be recognized that while certain aspects of the technology are described in terms of a specific sequence of steps of a method, these descriptions are only illustrative of the broader methods of the disclosure and may be modified as required by the particular application. Certain steps may be rendered unnecessary or optional under certain circumstances. Additionally, certain steps or functionality may be added to the disclosed implementations, or the order of performance of two or more steps permuted. All such variations are considered to be encompassed within the disclosure disclosed and claimed herein.

[0019] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a sharpening tool 100, FIG. 1B is a front view of the sharpening tool 100, and FIG. 1C is a right-side view of the sharpening tool 100. The sharpening tool 100 may comprise a handle 102, a housing portion 104, a knob 105, and a disk 106.

[0020] The handle 102 is ergonomically designed and can include rubber or rubber-like grips along the top and bottom handle surfaces to ensure a secure, non-slip hold. Additionally, the grips can be contoured to fit the natural shape of the hand, allowing a user to grip the sharpening tool 100 from above or below.

[0021] The housing portion 104 extends from the front end of the handle 102 and encases a rotatably mounted disk 106. It should be appreciated that the disk 106 can be any flat shape that can be rotated around a center point, for example, but not limited to, a flat circle, a flat square, or a flat hexagon. The housing portion 104 protects internal sharpening stations while also allowing one or more of the sharpening stations to be selectively exposed such that it is accessible from the front of the housing 104. The housing portion 104 can include a locking mechanism 108 to prevent disk 106 rotation during sharpening, as will be further discussed. The bottom of the handle 102 and/or housing portion 104 can be flat such that the sharpening tool 100 stands upright when placed on a table or other work surface.

[0022] The knob 105 is rotatably coupled to a side of the housing portion and configured to enable user-controlled rotation of the disk 106. In an embodiment, when the knob 105 is rotated around a first axle, either in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, it causes the disk 106 to rotate around a second axle within the housing portion in the opposite direction, due to a gear mechanism having offset rotational axes (i.e., the axis of rotation of the knob is laterally offset from the axis of rotation of the disk where each of the axes is coupled to one of the gears). This counter-rotation allows a user to selectively rotate the disk 106 such that the desired sharpening station is moved into an exposed orientation, making it accessible for sharpening an edge of a blade. The knob 105 can work in conjunction with a positioning mechanism, such as a detent or magnet system, that biases the disk toward discrete rotational positions, where each rotational position corresponds to a different disk 106 configuration.

[0023] The disk 106 is rotatably secured within the housing portion 104. Preferably, the disk 106 is positioned upright such that its axis of rotation is perpendicular to the maximum linear dimension (i.e. length) of the sharpening tool 100. This configuration offers multiple advantages, especially in terms of accessibility and ease of use. The upright positioning of the disk 106 allows sharpening stations positioned along its perimeter to be easily accessible from the front of the tool 100 when the user holds the handle 102. When the user wishes to use the exposed sharpening station 110A, the user can hold the sharpening tool 100 vertically and apply a strong downwards force to keep the sharpening tool 100 steady when drawing the edge of a blade through the exposed sharpening station. By having the sharpening station 110A accessible from front of the sharpening tool 100, the user can leverage his or her body weight for a more controlled and efficient sharpening experience.

[0024] Moreover, this configuration contributes to the sharpening tool's compact and ergonomic design. By keeping the disk's rotation perpendicular to the handle, the tool remains balanced and easy to maneuver, reducing hand fatigue during prolonged use. The ability to rotate the disk to expose different sharpening stations as needed ensures versatility, allowing the user to quickly switch between different abrasives or sharpening tools without adjusting their grip or the tool's position.

[0025] In an embodiment, the disk 106 includes a plurality of indents 107 along its perimeter that work in conjunction with the locking mechanism 108.

[0026] FIG. 2A is a simplified inside view of the sharpening tool in its locked (engaged) configuration and FIG. 2B is a simplified inside view of the sharpening tool 100 in its unlocked (disengaged) configuration. When engaged, the locking mechanism 108 secures the disk 106 in a desired configuration by preventing the disk 106 from rotating. Preferably, the locking mechanism 108 is continuously engaged in its default state. For example, as shown in FIG. 2A, the spring maintains the arm of the locking mechanism 108 inside of an indent 107, preventing disk 106 rotation. This ensures that the desired sharpening station remains in the correct position during use.

[0027] In an embodiment, the locking mechanism 108 is disengaged by pressing a button 112 located near the front-top of the handle 102. As shown in FIG. 2B, pressing the button compresses the spring such that the arm of the locking mechanism 108 is no longer inside of the indent 107, allowing disk 106 rotation. Alternatively, the button 112 is positioned near the front-side of the handle 102 or any other location that can be reached by the user during ordinary use. The button can be integrated into the handle 102 or into the housing portion 104. Alternatively, the locking mechanism 108 can be engaged and/or disengaged with a slide switch, twist mechanism, lever, push-and-turn mechanism, rotational ring or dial, or any other capable mechanism. When disengaged, the disk 106 can be rotated into the desired configuration by rotating the knob 105.

[0028] In an embodiment, the disk 106 is designed to accommodate a plurality of sharpening stations 110A-110D along its perimeter. Preferably, at least two, at least 3, at least 4, or at least 5 sharpening stations are positioned along the perimeter of the disk 106. The sharpening stations 110A-110D can be positioned equidistant from each other.

[0029] It should be appreciated that each sharpening station can include any material, tool, or surface designed to abrade, polish, and/or refine the edge of a blade or cutting instrument in order to restore or enhance its sharpness. For example, a sharpening station can be used to remove material from the edge 118 of a blade 120, smooth its surface, or realign its cutting edge.

[0030] In an embodiment, each of the sharpening stations is a V-shaped sharpener having two contact elements that form a V shape. When a blade is drawn through the contact elements, abrasive contact elements sharpen the edge of a blade. Such sharpeners are advantageous for maintaining a consistent sharpening angle, making it easy for users to achieve a uniform edge without requiring advanced technique or skill. This sharpening station is well-suited for general-purpose sharpening tasks, providing a quick and reliable way to restore a sharp edge to most kitchen or utility knives.

[0031] In an embodiment, each V-shaped sharpener includes a first contact element comprising a first material and a second contact element comprising a second material, where the second material is different from the first material. For example, the first contact element 114A is made of tungsten carbide and the second contact element 116A is made of ceramic.

[0032] In an embodiment, each V-shaped sharpener includes a first contact element configured to sharpen an edge of a blade and a second contact element configured to guide and/or support the blade during sharpening. For example, the first contact element 114A is made of tungsten carbide and the second contact element 116A is made of ceramic.

[0033] In an embodiment, each V-shaped sharpener includes a first contact element configured to sharpen an edge of a blade and a second contact element configured to guide and/or support the blade during sharpening. For example, the first contact element 114A is made of tungsten carbide and the second contact element 116A is made of ceramic.

[0034] In an embodiment, when at least two of the sharpening stations are V-shaped sharpeners, the angle in between the first and second contact elements of a first sharpening station is greater than the angle between the first and second contact elements of a second sharpening station. For example, as shown in FIG. 3a, angle of the first sharpening station 110A is greater than angle of the second sharpening station 110B. When at least three of the sharpening stations are V-shaped sharpeners, each of the V-shaped sharpeners can have a different angle in between their respective first and second contact elements.

[0035] In an embodiment, when at least two of the sharpening stations are V-shaped sharpeners, the second contact element of a first sharpening station has a greater resistance to sliding contact with the edge of a blade than the second contact element of a second sharpening station (i.e., the second contact element of the first sharpening station exhibits an increased coefficient of kinetic friction with respect to a blade dragged across its surface compared to the second contact element of the second sharpening station. For example, the second contact element 116A made of granite has a greater resistance to sliding contact with the edge of a blade than the second contact element 116B made of marble. When at least three of the sharpening stations are V-shaped sharpeners, each of the second contact elements can have different resistances to sliding contact with the edge of a blade.

[0036] In an embodiment, when at least two of the sharpeners are V-shaped sharpeners, the first contact element of a first sharpening station is more abrasive than the second contact element of a second sharpening station (i.e., the second contact element of the first sharpening station removes more material with respect to a blade dragged across its surface compared to the second contact element of the second sharpening station). For example, the second contact element 116A made of tungsten carbine has is more abrasive than the second contact element 116B made of hardened steel. When at least three of the sharpening stations are V-shaped sharpeners, each of the first contact elements can have a different abrasiveness.

[0037] In some embodiments, the sharpening stations are other types of sharpening and/or polishing mediums. For example, sharpening mediums can be sharpening rods (cylindrical or rectangular rods, often made of steel, ceramic, or diamond-coated materials, are used primarily for honing or lightly sharpening a blade by maintaining or slightly refining its edge), sharpening stones (made from natural or synthetic materials, these stones provide a flat abrasive surface for sharpening. They come in various grit levels, ranging from coarse for reshaping dull or damaged edges to fine for polishing and refining the edge), diamond plates or pads (flat or curved surfaces embedded with diamond particles, known for their durability and effectiveness in quickly sharpening hard or dull blades), and strops (typically made from leather or another soft material, strops are used to polish the edge of a blade after sharpening, aligning the microscopic teeth of the edge and giving it a razor-sharp finish).

[0038] In an embodiment, some of the sharpening stations are V-shaped sharpeners and the remaining sharpening stations are other types of sharpening and/or polishing mediums. This ensures that users have access to the right tool for their specific sharpening needs.

[0039] In an embodiment, at least two, at least three, at least four, or at least five the sharpening stations are V-shaped sharpeners and the remaining sharpening stations are other types of sharpening and/or polishing mediums.

[0040] In an alternative embodiment, at least one of the sharpening stations is a first-type sharpening station suitable for sharpening a blade in a first manner and at least another one of the sharpening stations is a second-type sharpening station suitable for sharpening a blade in a second manner.

[0041] The disk 106 can be rotated between at least two configurations. Preferably, the number of configurations is equal to the number of sharpening stations on the perimeter of the disk 106. For example, for a disk having four equidistant sharpening stations along its perimeter, the first sharpening station 110A is exposed in a first configuration, the second sharpening station 110B is exposed in a second configuration, the third sharpening station 110C is exposed in a third configuration, and the fourth sharpening station 110D is exposed in a fourth configuration. To switch between these configurations, the disk 106 can be rotated by 90 degrees.

[0042] Alternatively, the number of configurations does not depend on the number of sharpening stations on the perimeter of the disk. For example, each configuration can be separated by 5 degrees, 10 degrees, 15 degrees, 20 degrees, and so forth. This functionality offers greater flexibility and fine-tuning in sharpening angles and positions as users can select a specific angle that optimizes the sharpening effect for a particular blade.

[0043] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing steps of a method for sharpening the edge of a blade. The method 300 can start at step 302 in which the sharpening tool 100 is provided. The sharpening tool 100 can be of any type described within this document.

[0044] Step 304 is rotating the knob 105 until a suitable sharpening station is exposed such that the suitable sharpening station is accessible for sharpening the edge of the blade.

[0045] Step 306 is positioning the blade such that its dull edge faces an abrasive element. For example, the blade is positioned to face the first contact element, which is made of a relatively abrasive material for sharpening, while the opposite side of the blade is positioned to face the second contact element, which comprises a smoother material configured to guide and/or support the blade during the sharpening process.

[0046] Step 308 is drawing the blade through the first and second contact elements to sharpen the edge of the blade.