ADJUSTABLE ABRASIVE SHARPENER

AFFUTEUR ABRASIF REGLABLE

English Abstract

An adjustable manual abrasive sharpener having a pair of sharpening slots formed in a frame with opposing abrasive arms being pivotally mounted in each of the sharpening slots. A rod is mounted on the frame for rotatable motion and for linear motion long its axis of rotation from a position at which the rod is locked against rotation to a depressed position whereby the rod may be rotated. The bottom end portion of the rod includes a pinion gear which engages a pair of gear racks which are mounted for movement laterally relative to the axis of rotation of the rod. The pair of gear racks respectively engage slots formed on the bottom of the abrasive arms in each sharpening slot. Rotation of the rod causes movement of the gear racks to adjust each pair of abrasive arms with respect to each other to vary the sharpening angle of the abrasive elements.

French Abstract

Il est décrit un affûteur abrasif manuel réglable ayant une paire de fentes daiguisage formées dans un cadre ayant des bras abrasifs opposés étant montés de manière pivotante dans chacune des fentes daiguisage. Une tige est montée sur un cadre pour un mouvement de rotation et un mouvement linéaire le long de son axe de rotation à partir dune position à laquelle la tige est verrouillée contre le mouvement vers une position enfoncée où la tige peut être mise en rotation. La partie inférieure de la tige comprend un engrenage à pignons qui vient en prise avec une paire de supports dengrenage montés pour un mouvement qui est latéralement mobile par rapport à laxe de rotation de la tige. La paire de supports dengrenage vient respectivement en prise avec les fentes formées sur la partie inférieure des bras abrasifs dans chaque fente daiguisage. La rotation de la tige entraîne le mouvement des supports dengrenage pour ajuster chaque paire de bras abrasifs lun par rapport à lautre pour modifier langle daffûtage des éléments abrasifs.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. An adjustable sharpener comprising:
a frame having a sharpening slot;
a pair of mounted arms having an abrasive element being mounted in said
sharpening slot
to form a generally v-shaped sharpening angle with respect to each other;
at least one of said mounted arms being moveable with respect to the other of
said pair of
mounted arms to adjust said sharpening angle; and
a rod operatively mounted for rotatable movement about an axis and being
connected to
said at least one of said mounted arms to cause pivotal movement of said at
least one of said
arms upon rotation of said rod to adjust said sharpening angle,
said rod having a range of rotation from a first position to a second
position,
wherein said rod engages a locking bracket in said first position.
2. The adjustable sharpener according to claim 1, wherein said rod causes
pivotal movement
of both of said pair of pivotally mounted arms upon rotation to adjust said
sharpening angle.
3. The adjustable sharpener according to claim 1, further including a
resilient member to
maintain said rod in first position.
4. The adjustable sharpener according to claim 2, further comprising a gear
being mounted
on said rod, a pair of connecting members being mounted on said frame, said
connecting
members engaging said gear and being moveable axially upon rotation of said
rod, said
connecting members being connected to said pair of pivotally mounted arms to
adjust said
sharpening angle upon said axial movement.
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5. The adjustable sharpener according to claim 4, wherein said pair of
connecting memberfs
are a pair of gear racks
6. The adjustable sharpener according to claim 4, further comprising a
second open
sharpening slot, a second pair of abrasive elements being pivotally mounted in
said second slot to
form a generally V-shaped shamening angle in said second slot, said pair of
connecting members
being connected to said second pair of pivotally mounted arms to adjust said
sharpening angle in
said second slot upon said axial movement.
7. The adjustable sharpener according to claini 1, wherein said locking
bracket comprises a
first stop and a second stop.
8. The adjustable sharpener according to claim 1, wherein said rod is
received through an
opening in said locking bracket.
9. The adjustable sharpener according to claim 1, wherein said locking
bracket comprises a
plurality of locking pins.
10. The adjustable sharpener according to claim 1, wherein said rod engages
said locking
bracket in said second position.
11. The adjustable sharpener according to claim 1, wherein said range of
rotation is less than
one-half of a revolution of said rod.
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Description

Ref. No.: 22000-72164-D2
Adjustable Abrasive Sharpener
This application is a division of application no. 2,802,382 that was filed in
Canada
on January 15, 2013.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This application claims priority to provisional application; s.n. 61/632,038
filed
January 17, 2012.
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to sharpening knives and the like, and more
particularly, to
an improved adjustable abrasive sharpener.
Summary of the Prior Art
In the prior art numerous abrasive sharpeners for knives and the like exist
having
fixed abrasive elements forming a V-shaped sharpening slot. Such known fixed
abrasive
elements are oriented at a fixed angle to sharpen a blade at an angle as
desired for a range
of different knife types. Most sharpeners are set at either a standard angle
and/or an
Asian angle that is preset and static. All manufacturers use blades that
produce set knife
angles that may vary from knife style to another. These varying set angles may
not
match the standard or santoku angle of prior fixed angle sharpeners.
Accordingly, it is
desirable in the prior art to provide an adjustable V-shaped sharpener by
which the
sharpening angle may be varied to range of sharpening angles to more closely
match the
prescribed sharpening angle of the knife edge from the original blade
manufacture.
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Ref. No.: 22000-72164-D2
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an objective of the invention to provide an improved abrasive
knife
sharpener having adjustable abrasive elements to selectively vary the
sharpening angle of
a blade. The sharpener includes a pair of pivotally mounted abrasive elements
forming a
sharpening slot whereby the abrasive elements can selectively be moved toward
and
away from each other to vary their orientation and sharpening angle. Such
adjustability
is achieved by a rotary adjustment mechanism for each of use and significant
control of
the angle between a respective pair of abrasive elements. By varying the angle
between
the abrasive elements the user may select a sharpening angle that more closely
matches
the prescribed manufacture specifications.
In a broad aspect, the invention pertains to an adjustable sharpener
comprising a
frame having an open sharpening slot, and a pair of abrasive elements being
mounted in
the slot. At least one of the pair of abrasive elements is pivotally mounted
in the slot to
form a generally V-shaped sharpening angle in conjunction with the other of
the pair of
abrasive elements. An adjustment actuator is mounted on the frame, the
adjustment
actuator having an outward position and an inward position. A connecting
assembly is
operatively connected between the adjustment actuator and the pair of abrasive
elements,
whereby the actuator causes pivotal movement of the at least one abrasive
element with
respect to the other of the pair of abrasive elements to adjust the sharpening
angle of the
pair of abrasive elements.
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In a further aspect, the invention provides an adjustable sharpener comprising
a frame having
sharpening slot, and a pair of mounted arms having an abrasive element and
mounted in the sharpening
slot to form a generally V-shaped sharpening angle with respect to each other.
At least one of the
mounted arm's is moveable, with respect to the other of the pair of mounted
arms, to adjust the
sharpening angle, and a rod is operatively mounted for rotatable movement
about an axis and is connected
to the at least one of the mounted arms to cause pivot movement of the at
least one of the arms, upon
rotation of the rod to adjust the sharpening angle. The rod has a range of
rotation from a first position to a
second position, wherein said rod engages a locking bracket in the first
position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of the adjustable abrasive sharpener of the
invention;
Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the adjustable abrasive sharpener of Fig. 1;
Fig. 4 is a front elevational view, with the cover removed, of the adjustable
abrasive sharpener of
Fig. 1;
Fig. 5 is a front elevational view, with parts in section, taken along lines 5-
5 of Fig. 2;
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Ref. No.. 22000-72164-D2
Fig. 6 is a top plan view, with parts in section, taken along lines 6-6 of
Fig. 4;
Fig. 7 is a top partial plan view of the adjustable arms of the adjustable
abrasive
sharpener of Fig. 1;
Fig. 8 is a front partial elevational view of the adjustable arms of the
adjustable
abrasive sharpener of Fig. 1;
Fig. 9 is a bottom partial plan view of the rack and pinion of the adjustable
abrasive sharpener of Fig. 1;
Fig. 10 is a partial front elevational view, with parts removed, of the
adjustable
mounting of the abrasive elements of the invention of Fig.1.;
Fig. 11 is a partial top plan view, with parts removed, of the adjustable
mounting
of the abrasive elements of the invention of Fig.1.;
Fig.12 is a bottom partial plan view, taken along lines 12-12 of Fig.10, of
the
adjustable arms of the adjustable abrasive sharpener of Fig. 1; and
Fig. 13 is bottom perspective view of the angle locking bracket of the
adjustable
abrasive sharpener of Fig. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to Figs. 1-13, there is illustrated the adjustable abrasive
sharpener
of the invention for sharpening knife blades and the like, generally
designated by
reference numeral 2. Although the sharpener 2 discloses a manual adjustment of
the
sharpening angle, it is within the scope of the invention to employ other
techniques
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Ref. No. 22000-72164-D2
employing the invention, such as an electro-mechanical mechanism (not shown)
and the
like. As best seen in Figs 1-3, the abrasive sharpener 2 includes an elongated
frame 4
forming a handle portion 6 at one end. The end 8 of handle 6 curves downward
and
includes a flat bottom surface 10 which serves as a support area during
sharpening. The
frame 4 further includes upwardly opening U-shaped section 12 forming a bottom
support surface 12a and a curve upward extending portion 12b (Figs 3). A
housing 14 is
positioned within the U-sharped section 12. A sharpening slot 16 having
abrasive
elements 16a which are oriented to each other at a generally fixed V-angle is
provided on
the top of housing 14. A pair of additional slots 18 are formed on the top of
housing 14
and each include a pair of pivotally mounted abrasive elements 18a, 18b
forming an
adjustable generally V-angle to be capable of varying the sharpening angle of
the blade of
a knife dependent on desired results. As will be apparent from the following
description,
the abrasive elements 18a, 18b can simultaneously be adjusted toward and away
from
each other through rotation of exterior adjustment actuator, such as knob 20,
which is
shown being situated between the two respective slots 18. It is within the
scope of the
invention, however, to situate the knob 20 on either side of one of the
adjustable slots 18
or other desired position where convenient.
As previously described, the abrasive elements 18a and 18b in each slot 18 are
arranged with respect to each other to form a cutting slot having a generally
V-
configuration to sharpen an inserted blade edge (not shown) through its
movement
through the slots 18. The abrasive elements 18a are affixed to a removable
support 22a
mounted on pivotal arm 23a by a threaded member 24a as seen in Figs. 4, 5, 8,
and 10.
The opposing abrasive elements 18b are affixed to a removable support 22b
mounted on
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Ref. No.: 22000-72164-D2
a removable arm 23h by a threaded member 24b. The pivot arms 22a, 22b of both
adjustable slots are pivotally mounted on pivot pin 26. As seen in Figs 7, 8,
and 11, the
arms 23a and 23b are offset from other in a lateral direction relative to the
frame 4 and
extend downward.
The hub 20a of the adjustment knob 20 is suitably secured to a downwardly
extending rod 28 having a lower open ended reduced end portion 28a and acting
as part
of the adjustment actuator of the invention. A lower elongated pinion 30 is
secured end
portion 28a (Figs. 5, 6 and 8-10). A spring 32 is disposed between the lower
end 30a of
pinion 30 and a portion of frame 4 (Fig. 5, 8, 9 and 10) A circular plate 34
having a
plurality of open engagement slots 36 arranged on its periphery for an extent
of 360 is
rigidly mounted on rod 28 (Figs. 4, 8, 9, and 12). The rod 28, pinion 30, and
plate 34 are
mounted on frame 4 to be rotated for a predetermined range and be vertical
moved a
limited degree through use of knob 20 as will be apparent.
As best seen in Figs 8, 9, 10, 11 and 13, an angle locking bracket 40 is
mounted in
fixed relationship on frame 4. As seen in Fig. 13, the angle locking bracket
40 has an
upper plate 42 supported on opposed pairs of spaced legs 44 which are
interconnected by
an opposed based members 46. A modified circular opening 48 is formed in plate
42. A
cut-out area 48a exceeding the radius of opening 48 extends from a stop
surface 50 to a
second stop surface 52 (Fig. 11) limits the amount of rotation of shaft 28 by
knob 20. To
accomplish the foregoing result, vertical keys 54 exteriorly projecting on rod
28 rotates in
cut-out area 48a for maximum angle of rotation as established between stop
surfaces 50,
52 (Fig 11 and 13). Four engagement pins 60 extend downward from plate 42 of
the
angle locking bracket 40. In the uppermost position of knob 20 and rod 28 the
pins 60
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Ref. No.. 22000-72164-D2
extend into four respective engagement slots 36 of circular plate 34 and lock
rod 28 and
pinion 30 against rotation. By pressing knob 20 downward to compress spring
32, the
locked engagement slots 36 move away from the engagement pins 60 and the rod
28 and
pinion 30 can be rotated to the extent determined by stops 50, 52 as they
contact keys 54.
The extent of rotation determines the adjustment of the sharpening angle
between
abrasive elements 18a and 18b of both adjustable sharpening slots.
A pair of connecting members 60,62 in the form of adjustment gear racks are
mounted by suitable means on frame 4 for relative reciprocal movement in a
direction
perpendicular to the axis of rotation of rod 28 as seen in Figs 6, 8, 9, and
10. The rack
60 includes linear rack gear section 64 which engages pinion 30 at all
position vertical
positions of rod 28. The rack 62 includes linear rack gear section 66 and
engages pinion
30 at all suitable vertical positions of rod 28. The pinion 30 moves the
adjustment racks
in opposite directions in either direction of rotation of rod 28 when the
engagement pins
are released. The end portions 60a of adjustment racks 60 include a plurality
of upwardly
opening slots 62a. The end portions 62a of adjustment racks 62 include a
plurality of
upwardly opening slots 62b (Fig. 5).
As seen in Figs. 8 and 10, the bottom of pivot arm 23b is formed in a
curvature
from which four projections 70 project into corresponding slots 62a for an
extent
dependent on the rotational position of the pivot arm 23a as established by
the relative
position of the adjustment rack 60. As seen in Fig. 5, the bottom of pivot arm
23b is
formed with a curvature from which four projections 72 extend into a
corresponding slots
62a for an extent on the rotational position of the pivot arm 23b as
established by the
relative position of the adjustment rack 62. From the foregoing it should
apparent that
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rotation of knob 20 in a clockwise direction moves rack 60 left to the right
viewing Figs.
8 and 9 to pivot arm 23a toward pivot arm 23b. Similarly, clockwise rotation
of knob 20
will move adjustment rack 62 from right to left through pinion 30 to pivot arm
23b
toward pivot arm 23a. Thus, the angle between abrasive elements 18a and 18b in
both
slots are varied. To move the pivot arms 23a, 23b away from each other the
knob 20 may
rotate in a counter clockwise direction viewing Fig.7. As stated previously,
the knob 20
must be depressed to release the engagement in order to permit adjustment
rotation of the
knob 20. Indicia elements (not shown) may be provided exteriorly adjacent the
knob 20
to indicate a range of sharpening angles dependent on the extent of rotation
of knob 20
and pinion gear 30. After an angle of sharpening is selected dependent on
desired results,
the knob is released and spring 32 urges automatic upward movement of the rod
28 and
circular plate 34 so as the four engagement pins 60 are inserted into four
engaging slots
36 which are in alignment with the engagement pins 60 as established by the
angular
relationship of pivot arms 23a, 23b in a particular adjusted position. The
abrasive
elements 18a, 18b in the two sharpening slots may have different abrasive
properties,
such as a coarser and finer abrasive quality.
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Representative Drawing