Portable sharpener

A portable sharpener for blades having a main portion with at least one cutting edge and at least one end portion having at least one straight or slightly curved cutting edge, the sharpener comprising a housing for a selectively positionable abrasive file having at least one abrasive surface; a first guide to guide the blade against the abrasive surface; a housing for recovering the blade filing; and a removable crutch mounted on the body and provided with a second abrasive file and with a second guide for the blade, the crutch allowing the end portions of the blade to be sharpened.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to a portable sharpener for a blade of the 
type comprising at least one cutting edge (preferably two parallel cutting 
edges) immovably attached to a main portion of at least one end portion 
(preferably two end portions), the end portion(s) extending said maid 
portion and being substantially curved. Preferably, the blade is the one 
of an iceskates, especially of a hockey skate. 
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
Canadian patent application No. 2,043,165 describes a blade sharpener, in 
particular of blades of hockey skates, comprising, in combination: 
a prehension member, 
a follower member, 
said prehension member having pivot means which are adjustable and oriented 
according to an angle with the portion of the body, and a body portion 
having means for receiving therein an abrasive member or a neutral member, 
said body portion having orientation ends positioned for engaging the 
blade, 
said follower member having a body portion and means for engaging the 
blade, the body portion of the follower member having means for receiving 
therein an abrasive member or a neutral member, 
said follower member having pivoting means at one of its ends, and 
means for pivot engagement for subjecting pivoting engagement means of the 
prehension member with pivoting engagement means of the follower member. 
Portable sharpeners of the prior art, in particular those of the type 
described in the published Canadian patent application No. 2,043,165, have 
the disadvantage to have few stability as a result of the large span 
between the leaning points, on one hand, and on the other hand, as a 
results that those leaning points are located on the ends of the blade to 
be sharpened. Furthermore, the sharpener described in the published 
Canadian patent application No. 2,043,165, on one hand requires the use of 
a cumbersome follower member, and, on the other hand, allow to sharpen the 
cutting edge(s) of the blade in a same direction according to the 
prescribed art for an adequate sharpening (the bite of a file in one 
direction is different from the one in an opposite direction), at the 
expense of laborious steps by which it must mount and dismount the 
abrasive member and the neutral member for interchanging them. 
There is thus exists a need for a portable sharpener allowing with a reduce 
number of very simple and not laborious steps to proceed with the 
sharpening of a blade of the type comprising a main portion provided with 
one or several cutting edges and one or two end portions each provided 
with one or several cutting edges. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention has for object a portable sharpener for blade of the 
type comprising a main portion provided with one or several cutting edges 
and one or two end portions each provided with one or several cutting 
edges. 
The invention has also for object a portable sharpener for blade of the 
type defined previously, that is very simple to use, cheap to manufacture, 
long lasting and that allows the sharpening of all the parts of the 
cutting edge(s) of said blade. 
The invention has also for object a portable sharpener that allows to 
sharpen the cutting edge(s) of a blade in a same direction for thus 
respecting a rule book in the field of sharpening, without being obliged 
to resort to laborious steps for modifying the orientation of the file. 
The invention has furthermore for object a sharpener where the orientation 
of the file with respect to cutting edge(s) of the blade is let to a mere 
positioning generated by the contacting of the file with the cutting 
edge(s) of the blade, as far as the file is maintained in an alignment 
parallel to said cutting edge(s). 
More particularly, the invention relates to a portable sharpener for blade 
of the type comprising a main portion provided with one or several cutting 
edges and one or two end portions each provided with one or several 
cutting edge(s), said main portion having parallel lateral faces and one 
or several cutting edge(s) substantially straight or slightly curved and 
when more than one cutting edge is provided, said cutting edges being 
substantially parallel between them, each of end portions extending one 
corresponding end of the main portion and each having lateral faces 
parallel and coplanar with those of the main portion and having one or 
several cutting edges substantially curved, said sharpener comprising a 
body having a main longitudinal axis, a housing and including: 
a file having a longitudinal axis and at least one abrasive surface 
parallel to said longitudinal axis and to the longitudinal axis of the 
body; 
means for fastening the file in the housing; 
first guiding means for allowing to a portion of the cutting edge(s) of the 
blade to be moved against the abrasive surface of the file along the 
longitudinal axis of this one; 
means for recovering the filings obtained during the sharpening of the 
blade, said means being located between said first guiding means and the 
abrasive surface of the file; and 
means for the selective positioning of said abrasive surface with respect 
to said cutting edge(s) of the main portion of the blade, between at least 
two distinct positions, a first of those distinct position being defined 
when the cutting edge(s) of the main portion of the blade may be 
substantially parallel or tangent with the abrasive surface, another of 
said distinct positions being defined when the cutting edge(s) of the main 
portion of the blade may form an angle, in particular an acute angle, with 
respect to the abrasive surface and that the cutting edge(s) of one of the 
end portions may be substantially tangent with at least one portion of the 
abrasive surface, said means comprising: 
a removable crutch mounted on the body and provided with second guiding 
means intended to contact a portion of the cutting edge(s), said crutch 
being mounted on a removable way on the body between two distinct 
positions, that is at least one distinct position where the second guiding 
means are not intended to be in contact with the cutting edge(s) to allow 
to said abrasive surface to be contacted by the cutting edge(s) in a way 
substantially parallel or tangent, and at least one other distinct 
position where the second guiding means are intended to be in contact with 
the cutting edge(s) and positioned between the file and the cutting 
edge(s) of the main portion of the blade to thus allow to lift one end of 
the file with respect to the cutting edge(s) of the main portion of the 
blade and thus define an angle, in particular an acute angle, between 
them; 
means for moving the crutch between one distinct position toward another 
distinct position; 
being understood that when the crutch is positioned in such a way to have 
its second guiding means between the file and the cutting edge(s) of the 
main portion of the blade, said second means cooperate with the first 
guiding means for guiding at least a portion of the cutting edge(s) of a 
corresponding end portion of the blade along the abrasive surface of the 
file and thus allow to sharpen said cutting edge(s). 
The invention has preferably for object a portable sharpener as defined 
previously, for sharpening a blade of the type comprising a main portion 
provided with two parallel cutting edges and end portions each provided 
with two parallel cutting edges, said main portion of the blade having 
cutting edges that are slightly curved, in particular a hockey skate, 
characterized in that the crutch may be mounted in a removable way on the 
body at either ends thereof to allow the file to sharpen the cutting edges 
of the blade, preferably in a same direction. 
The invention further relates to a portable sharpener for blade of the type 
defined previously, said sharpener comprising a body having a main 
longitudinal axis and including: 
a file having a longitudinal axis and at least one abrasive surface 
parallel to said longitudinal axis and to the longitudinal axis of the 
body; 
guiding means for allowing a portion of the cutting edges of the blade to 
be moved against the abrasive surface of the file along the longitudinal 
axis of this one; 
means for recovering the filings obtained during the sharpening of the 
blade, said means being located between said guiding means and the 
abrasive surface of the file; and 
means for moving guiding means parallel to lateral faces of the blade and 
keeping these latter between said guiding means.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
Referring to FIGS. 1 to 6 and 28 to 30, the invention relates to a portable 
sharpener 1 for sharpening a blade of the type comprising a main portion 
provided with one or several cutting edges and one or two end portions 
each provided with one or several cutting edges, said main portion having 
parallel lateral faces and one or several cutting edges substantially 
straight or slightly curved. and when more that one cutting edge is 
provided, said cutting edges being substantially parallel between them, 
each of end portions extending one corresponding end of the main portion 
and each having lateral faces parallel and coplanar with those of the main 
portion and having one or several cutting edges substantially curved. 
Advantageously, referring to FIGS. 4 and 28 to 30, the blade "L" is of the 
type comprising a main portion provided with two cutting edges parallel 
and slightly curved "TP" and two end portions each provided with two 
cutting edges "TE", and, preferably, the blade is the one of a hockey 
skate "H". 
This sharpener 1 comprises a body 3 having a main longitudinal axis, a 
housing 4 and including: 
a file 5 having a longitudinal axis and at least one abrasive surface 7 
parallel to said longitudinal axis and to the longitudinal axis of the 
body; 
means for fastening the file 5 in the housing 4; 
first guiding means 9 for allowing to a portion of the cutting edge(s) "TP" 
or "TE" to be moved against the abrasive surface 7 of the file 5; 
means 11 for recovering the filings obtained during the sharpening of the 
blade "L" , said means 11 being located between said first guiding means 9 
and the abrasive surface 7 of the file 5; and 
means 13 for the selective positioning of said abrasive surface 7 with 
respect to the cutting edges "TP" of the main portion of the blade 5, 
between at least two distinct positions, a first of these distinct 
positions being defined when the cutting edges "TP" of the main portion of 
the blade "L" are intended to be substantially parallel or tangent to the 
abrasive surface 7, another of these distinct positions being defined When 
the cutting edges "TP" of the main portion of the blade "L" may form an 
angle, in particular an acute angle, with respect to the abrasive surface 
and that said cutting edges "TE" of one of the end portions may be 
substantially tangent with at least one portion of the abrasive surface 7, 
said means 13 comprising: 
a removable crutch 15 mounted on the body 3 and provided with second 
guiding means 17 intended to contact a portion of the cutting edges "TP", 
said crutch 15 being mounted in a removable way on the body 3 between two 
distinct positions that is at least one distinct position where the second 
guiding means 17 are not intended to contact the cutting edges "TP" for 
allowing to said abrasive surface 7 to be contacted by the cutting edges 
"TP" in a way substantially parallel or tangent, and at least another 
distinct position where the second guiding means 17 are intended to be in 
contact with the cutting edges "TP" while being positioned between the 
longitudinal axis of the file 5 and the cutting edges "TP" of the main 
portion of the blade "L" to thus allow to lift one end of the file 5 with 
respect to the cutting edges "TP" of the main portion of the blade "L" and 
thus form an angle, in particular acute angle, between them; 
means 19 for moving the crutch 15 between one distinct position toward 
another distinct position; 
being understood that when the crutch 15 is positioned in such a way to 
have its second guiding means 17 between the longitudinal axis of the file 
5 and the cutting edges "TP" of the main portion of the blade "L", said 
second means 17 cooperate with the first guiding means 9 for guiding at 
least a portion of the cutting edges "TE" of a corresponding end portion 
of the blade "L" along the abrasive surface 7 of the file 5 and thus 
sharpen said cutting edges. Referring to FIGS. 1 to 6, it results that the 
first guiding means may consist for example of two identical rails 10 
having a given height, said rails being parallel and at a determined 
distance from each other and each of rails making an integral part of the 
bank of the longitudinal slot 2 of the body 3. Preferably, each of rails 
10 has at least one intermediate portion 10a of reduced height. 
Still referring to FIGS. 1 to 6, it results that the means for recovering 
the filings may consist for example of another housing 11 located on each 
side of the longitudinal slot 2 between said first guiding means 9 and the 
abrasive surface 7 of the housing 4 where is housed the file 5. 
Referring to FIGS. 1 to 6, even though it results that the file 5 that may 
be used consists of a rounded and solid file looking like a cylinder whose 
the outer cylindrical surface is abrasive (such a file may be for example 
made of iron or steel), it is understood that this file may be made with 
all abrasive material and of any appropriate form and size. 
Referring to FIGS. 1 to 6, it results that a possible way of fixation of a 
file in the housing 4 may consist for example of at least one threaded 
hole 6 and one threaded screw 8. Thus, screws 8 may be screwed in 
corresponding threaded holes 6 until one end of screws 8 contact the file 
5 and press this latter against a floor of the housing 4 where is 
positioned the longitudinal slot 2. 
Preferably, for fastening for example a file 5 in the housing 4, we unscrew 
screw 8 to allow to the file 5 to be freely introduced in the housing 4 
via an opening 4a appearing at one end of the housing 4, then once the 
file in place, we screw screws 8 so that these one engage the file and 
press it against a floor of the housing 4 where is located the 
longitudinal slot 2. For withdrawing the file 5 from the housing, we only 
have to carry out the previous steps in the reverse way. Of course, when 
the file 5 is worn on one part of its surface, we may merely unscrew 
screws 8, turn the file 5 on its axis to bring an unworn portion of the 
surface 7 vis-a-vis the longitudinal slot 2, then screw again screws 8. 
Referring to FIGS. 1 to 6, it results that means for moving the crutch 13 
between one distinct position and another distinct position may consist 
for example of a removable sleeve 21 which is mounted in a pivoting way on 
the body 3, said sleeve 21 being provided with longitudinal slot 23. 
Preferably, this sleeve 21 may characterized itself in that the means for 
moving the crutch from one distinct position to another on the body 
consist: 
of a shoulder 25, at each end of the body 3 and having an outer cylindrical 
surface 27, a longitudinal slot 2 extending from the one of the body in 
said shoulder. The outer surface of the shoulder 25 has a longitudinal 
axis that is substantially co-axial to the main longitudinal axis of the 
body 3; and 
an inner cylindrical surface 29 for the sleeve 21; 
being understood that the inner surface 29 of the sleeve 21 is intended to 
be mounted in a pivoting way on the surface 27 of either shoulders 25 
between at least two distinct positions, that is at least one distinct 
position where the second guiding means 17 are not positioned between the 
file 5 and the cutting edges of the main portion of the blade and the slot 
23 of the sleeve is aligned with the one of the body 3, so that to allow 
the cutting edges of the main portion of the blade to contact the abrasive 
surface 7 of the file 5, and another distinct position where the second 
guiding means 17 are positioned between the surface 7 of the file 5 and 
said cutting edges of the main portion of the blade to thus position one 
end of the file 5 at distance from said cutting edges to thus define an 
angle, in particular an acute angle, between them. 
Preferably, each sleeve may be provided with more than one protuberance, 
for example three protuberances of different height, each protuberance 
being provided with second guiding means 17. Preferably, each second 
guiding means may consist of a groove 17a. 
Advantageously, the inner surface 29 of the sleeve 21 and the outer surface 
of the shoulder 25 may comprise means for locking them one with respect to 
the other. Preferably, means for locking the sleeve 21 and the shoulder 
may consist for example of a small protuberance 30 that engages a small 
corresponding notch 28, as it is illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. 
To use a sharpener 1, with reference to FIGS. 28 to 30, one must merely 
carry out the following steps: 
1.sup.o to manually make the sleeve 21 to pivot on the shoulder 25 until 
the slot 23 is aligned with the slot 2; alternatively, we may remove the 
sleeve from the shoulder 25 and put it back with the slot 23 aligned with 
the slot 2; 
2.sup.o to hold the sharpener in the hand and insert the blade "L" against 
the abrasive surface 7 of the file 5 and between the first guiding means 
17; 
3.sup.o to move the abrasive surface 7 against the cutting edges "TP" of 
the blade "L" while holding the body 3 in one hand of the user; 
4.sup.o to remove the sharpener 1 from the blade "L", make the sleeve 21 to 
pivot on the shoulder 25 until the second guiding means 17 of one of the 
protuberances defining a crutch 13 be positionable between the 
longitudinal axis of the file 5 and the cutting edges "TP" (preferably the 
height is chosen so that the file be sensibly tangential to the radius of 
curvature of cutting edges "TE"); alternatively, we may remove the sleeve 
21 from the shoulder 25 and put it back in the orientation sought for; 
5.sup.o to reinsert the blade "L" against the abrasive surface 7 between 
the second and first guiding means 9 and 17, the guiding means 9 being 
located on both sides of lateral faces of one of the end portions of the 
blade "L" while the guiding means 17 are positioned on both sides of 
lateral faces of the main portion of the blade "L"; 
6.sup.o to move the abrasive surface 7 against the cutting edges "TE" while 
holding the body 3 in the hand of the user; and 
7.sup.o to start again the previous steps until the obtention of the 
sharpening sought for. 
Of course, steps 5.sup.o and 6.sup.o may be repeated for increasing height 
of crutches 13 when necessary, in particular when the radius of curvature 
of cutting edges "TE" are of such a size that we can only sharpen a 
segment of cutting edges "TE" for a given height of crutch 13. 
The body 3, rails 10 and 10a, the sleeve 21 and the crutches 13 may be made 
of any appropriate material, such as for example with mouldable plastic 
material. 
Referring to FIGS. 1a to 6a, we describe therein a first variant of the 
portable sharpener making the object of FIGS. 1 to 6. This portable 
sharpener 101 is intended to be used for blades of the same type than 
those defined for the portable sharpener of FIGS. 1 to 6 and in particular 
for a blade "L'" of the type comprising a main portion provided with two 
cutting edges parallel and slightly curved "TP'" and two end portions each 
provided with two cutting edges "TE'", and, preferably, the blade is the 
one of a hockey skate. This sharpener 101 differs from the sharpener of 
FIGS. 1 to 6 in that the crutch 115 may be mounted in a removable way on 
the body at either end thereof to allow the abrasive surface 107 of the 
file 105 to sharpen the cutting edges "TE'" and "TP'" of the blade "L'" in 
a same direction. 
This sharpener 101 comprises a body 103 having a main longitudinal axis, a 
housing 104 and including: 
a file 105 having a longitudinal axis and at least one abrasive surface 107 
parallel to said longitudinal axis and to the longitudinal axis of the 
body; 
means for fastening the file 105 in the housing 104; 
first guiding means 109 for allowing to a portion of the cutting edge (s) 
"TP'" or "TE'" to be moved against the abrasive surface 107 of the file 
105; 
means 111 for recovering the filings obtained during the sharpening of the 
blade "L'" said means 111 being located between said first guiding means 
109 and the abrasive surface 107 of the file 105; and 
means 113 for the selective positioning of said abrasive surface 107 with 
respect to the cutting edges "TP'"of the main portion of the blade 105, 
between at least two distinct positions, a first of these distinct 
positions being defined when the cutting edges "TP'" of the main portion 
of the blade "L'" are intended to be substantially parallel or tangent to 
the abrasive surface 107, another of said distinct positions being defined 
when the cutting edges "TP'" of the main portion of the blade "L'" may 
form an angle, in particular an acute angle, with respect to the abrasive 
surface and that said cutting edges "TE'" of one of the end portions may 
be substantially tangent with at least one portion of the abrasive surface 
107, said means 113 comprising: 
a removable crutch 115 mounted on the body 103 and provided with second 
guiding means 117 intended to contact a portion of the cutting edges 
"TP'", said crutch 115 being mounted in a removable way on the body 103 
between two distinct positions, that is at least one distinct position 
where the second guiding means 117 are not intended to contact the cutting 
edges "TP'" for allowing to said abrasive surface 107 to be contacted by 
cutting edges "TP'" in a way substantially parallel or tangent, and at 
least another distinct position where the second guiding means 117 are 
intended to be in contact with the cutting edges "TP'" while being 
positioned between the longitudinal axis of the file 105 and the cutting 
edges "TP'" of the main portion of the blade "L'" to thus allow to lift 
one end of the file 105 with respect to the cutting edges "TP'" of the 
main portion of the blade "L'" and thus form an angle, in particular an 
acute angle, between them; 
means 119 for moving the crutch 115 between one distinct position toward 
another distinct position; 
being understood that when the crutch 115 is positioned in such a way to 
have its second guiding means 117 between the longitudinal axis of the 
file 105 and the cutting edges "TP'" of the main portion of the blade "L'" 
said second means 117 cooperate with the first the guiding means 109 for 
guiding at least a portion of the cutting edges "TE'" of a corresponding 
end portion of the blade "L'" along the abrasive surface 107 of the file 
105 and thus sharpen said cutting edges. 
Referring to FIGS. 1a to 6a, it results that the first guiding means may 
consist of two identical rails 110 having a given height, said rails 110 
being parallel and at a determined distance from each other and each rails 
110 making an integral part of the bank of the longitudinal slot 102 of 
the body 103. Preferably, each of rails 110 has two intermediary portions 
110a of reduced height. 
Still referring to FIGS. 1a to 6a, it results that means for recovering the 
filings may consist for example of another housing 111 on each side of the 
longitudinal slot 102 between said first guiding means 109 and the 
abrasive surface 107 of the housing 104 where is housed the file 105. 
Referring to FIGS. 1a to 6a, even though it results that the file 105 that 
may be used consist of a rounded and solid file looking like a cylinder 
whose the cylindrical outer surface is abrasive (this file may be for 
example made of iron or steel), it is understood that this file may be 
made of all abrasive material and of all appropriate form or size. 
Referring to FIGS. 1a to 6a, it results that a possible way of fixation of 
a file in the housing 104 may consist for example of at least one threaded 
hole 106 and one threaded screw 108. Thus, screws 108 may be screwed in 
corresponding threaded holes 106 until one end of screws 108 contact the 
file 105 and press this latter against a floor of the housing 104 where is 
positioned the longitudinal slot 102. 
Preferably, for fastening a file 105 in the housing 104, we unscrew screws 
108 to allow to the file 105 to be freely introduced in the housing 104 
via an opening 104a appearing at one end of the housing 104, then once the 
file in place, we screw screws 108 so that these one engage the file and 
press it against a floor of the housing 104 where is located the 
longitudinal slot 102. For withdrawing the file 105 from the housing, we 
only have to carry out the previous steps in the reverse way. 
Referring to FIGS. 1a to 6a, it results that means for moving the crutch 
115 between one distinct position and another distinct position may 
consist for example in a removable sleeve 121 which is mounted in a 
pivoting way on the body 103, said sleeve 121 being provided with 
longitudinal slot 123. 
Preferably, this sleeve 121 may characterize itself in that means for 
moving the crutch from one distinct position to another on the body 
consist: 
of a shoulder 125, at each end of the body 103 and having an outer 
cylindrical external surface 127, a longitudinal slot 127a extending from 
the one of the body in said shoulder. The outer surface of the shoulder 
125 has a longitudinal axis that is substantially co-axial to the main 
longitudinal axis of the body 103; and 
an inner cylindrical surface 129 for the sleeve 121; 
being understood that the inner surface 129 of the sleeve 121 is intended 
to be mounted in a pivoting way on the surface 127 of either shoulders 125 
between at least two distinct positions, that is at least one distinct 
position where the second guiding means 117 are not positioned between the 
file 105 and the cutting edges of the main portion of the blade and the 
slot 123 of the sleeve is aligned with the one of the body 103, in a way 
to allow the cutting edges of the main portion of the blade to contact the 
abrasive surface 107 of the file 105, and another distinct position where 
the second guiding means 117 are positioned between the surface 107 of the 
file 105 and said cutting edges of the main portion of the blade to thus 
position one end of the file 105 at distance from said cutting edges to 
thus define and angle, in particular an acute angle, between them. 
Preferably, each sleeve may be provided with more than one protuberance 
113, for example three protuberances of different heights, each 
protuberance being provided with second guiding means 117. Preferably, 
each of the second guiding means 117 may consist of a groove 117a. 
Advantageously, the inner surface 129 of the sleeve 121 and the outer 
surface of the shoulder 125 may comprise means for locking them one with 
respect to the other. Preferably, means for locking the sleeve 121 and the 
shoulder may consist for example of a small protuberance 130 that engages 
a small corresponding notch 128, as this is illustrated in FIGS. 5a and 
6a. 
For using a sharpener 101, with reference to FIGS. 28a to 30a, one must 
merely carry out the following steps: 
1.sup.o to make the sleeve 121 to pivot on the shoulder 125 until the 
second guiding means 117 of one of the protuberances defining a crutch 113 
be positionable between the longitudinal axis of the file 105 and the 
cutting edges "TP'" (preferably the height of the crutch is chosen so that 
the file be sensibly tangential to the radius of curvature of the cutting 
edges "TE'"); alternatively, it may be possible to withdraw the sleeve 121 
from the shoulder 125 for repositioning it on said shoulder with the 
second guiding means 117 in another orientation; 
2.sup.o to insert the blade "L'" against the abrasive surface 107 and 
between the first and the second guiding means 109 and 117, the guiding 
means 109 being located on both side of lateral faces of one of end 
portions of the blade "L'" while the guiding means 117 are positioned on 
both sides of the lateral faces of the main portion of the blade "L'"; 
3.sup.o to move the abrasive surface 107 against the cutting edges "TE'" 
while holding the body 103 in the hand of the user; 
4.sup.o to remove the sharpener 101 from the blade "L'" to make the sleeve 
121 to pivot on the shoulder 125 until the slot 123 is aligned with the 
slot 102; 
5.sup.o to hold the sharpener in hand and insert the blade "L'" against the 
abrasive surface 107 of the file 105 and between the first guiding means 
117; 
6.sup.o to move the abrasive surface 107 against the cutting edges "TP'" of 
the blade "L'" while holding the body 103 in the hand of the user; 
7.sup.o to withdraw the sharpener 101 from the blade "L'", to withdraw the 
sleeve 121 from the shoulder 125 and to remount it at the other end, to 
make the sleeve 121 to pivot on the shoulder 125 until the second guiding 
means 117 of one of protuberances defining a crutch 115 be positionable 
between the longitudinal axis of the file 105 and cutting edges "TP'" 
(preferably the height of the crutch is chosen so that the file be 
sensibly tangential to the radius of curvature of cutting edges "TE'"); 
8.sup.o to reinsert the blade "L'" against the abrasive surface 107 between 
the first and second guiding means 109 and 117, the guiding means 109 
being located on both sides of lateral faces of one of end portions of the 
blade "L'" while the guiding means 117 are positioned on both sides of 
lateral faces of the main portion of the blade "L'"; 
9.sup.o to move the abrasive surface 107 against the cutting edges "TE'" 
while holding the body 103 in one hand of the user; and 
10.sup.o to start again the previous steps until the obtention of the 
sharpening sought for. 
Of course, the 2.sup.o and 3.sup.o and 8.sup.o and 9.sup.o steps may be 
repeated for increasing height of crutches 115 when necessary, in 
particular when the radius of curvature of cutting edges "TE'" are of such 
a size that we can only sharpen a segment of said cutting edges "TE'" for 
a given height of crutch 115. 
The body 103, rails 110 and 110a, the sleeve 121 and the crutches 115 may 
be made of any appropriate material, such as for example with mouldable 
plastic material. 
Referring to FIGS. 7 to 16, it is represented a second variant of sharpener 
according to the invention. This sharpener 201 is similar to the sharpener 
101 except for what is concerned with fixation means of the file 205 
inside the housing 204. Indeed, holes 106 and screws 108 of the sharpener 
101 are replaced in the sharpener 210 by a tongue 251 provided with 
lateral edges 253 and intended to engage corresponding grooves 255 
provided in the lateral walls 257 of a housing 204 where is housed the 
file 205, to thus press the file 205 against a floor of said housing 204 
and against the longitudinal slot 202. Of course, if the diameter of the 
file is such that it is sensibly the same than the distance separating the 
floor and the ceiling of the housing 204, the use of the tongue may be 
omitted. 
For fixing a file 205 inside a housing 204, just introduce the file 205 by 
the opening 204a, then make the lateral edges 253 to slide in 
corresponding grooves 255 for maintaining the file on the floor of the 
housing 204 where the longitudinal slot 202 is located. For withdrawing 
the file 205 from the housing 204, just carry out the previous steps in 
the reverse way. 
Furthermore, as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, the file 205 and tongue 251 
may be of a length superior to the one of the housing 204. In such a case, 
which is purely optional, the sleeve 221 may present a housing of 
appropriate configuration. 
The other structural characteristics of the sharpener 201 as well as its 
method of use, are similar to what has been defined for the sharpening 
101, except all the reference numbers have incremented by 100. 
Referring to FIGS. 17 and 18, we now proceed to the description of a third 
variant of sharpener according to the invention. This sharpener 301 
differs from previous sharpener is that the crutch 315 comprises a wedge 
shaped portion 314 that is provided with a slot 317a defining the second 
guiding means 317 and a U shaped portion 368 that is provided with small 
protuberances 369 inside of each of its branches 370. Said small 
protuberances 369 are intended to engage a corresponding small cavity 371 
provided inside notches 372 located in each of ends of the body 303. The 
second guiding means 317 may be positioned between the file 305 and the 
cutting edges of the main portion of the blade when the wedge shaped 
portion 314 is positioned above the longitudinal slot 302 of the body 303, 
said second guiding means 317 being not intended to be in contact with the 
cutting edges when the opening of the U shaped portion is on the same side 
than the one where appears the longitudinal slot of the body 303. 
The other structural characteristics of the sharpener 301 are similar to 
what has been defined for the sharpener 201 except the rails 210 only 
comprise one area 210a and that all reference numbers have incremented by 
100. 
For using a sharpener 301, with reference to FIGS. 28b to 30b, one must 
merely carry out the following steps: 
1.sup.o to make the "U" shaped portion 368 to slide along notches 372 until 
small protuberances 369 engage corresponding small cavities 371 and that 
the second guiding means 317 of the crutch 315 is positionable between the 
longitudinal axis of the file 305 and the cutting edges "TP'" (preferably 
the height of the crutch is chosen by selecting the position of small 
protuberances 369 in small cavities 371 in order that the file be sensibly 
tangent to the radius of curvature of the cutting edges "TE'"); 
2.sup.o to insert the blade "L'" against the abrasive surface 307 and 
between the first and the second guiding means 309 and 317, the guiding 
means 309 being located on both side of lateral faces of one of end 
portions of the blade "L'" while the guiding means 317 are positioned on 
both sides of the lateral faces of the main portion of the blade "L'"; 
3.sup.o to move the abrasive surface 307 against the cutting edges "TE'" 
while holding the body 303 in the hand of the user; 
4.sup.o to remove the sharpener 301 from the blade "L'", to make the "U" 
shaped portion 368 to slide along notches 372 to remove said portion 368 
from the notch 372, then to make said portion 368 to slide along notches 
372 to position second guiding means 309 at the opposite of the 
longitudinal slot 302; 
5.sup.o to hold the sharpener in hand and insert the blade "L'" against the 
abrasive surface 307 of the file 305 and between the first guiding means 
317; 
6.sup.o to move the abrasive surface 307 against the cutting edges "TP'" of 
the blade "L'" while holding the body 303 in the hand of the user; 
7.sup.o to remove the sharpener 301 from the blade "L'", to make the "U" 
shaped portion 368 to slide along notches 372 until small protuberances 
369 engage corresponding small cavities 371 and that the second guiding 
means 317 of one crutch 315 be positionable between the longitudinal axis 
of the file 305 and the cutting edges "TP'" (preferably the height of the 
crutch is chosen by selecting the position of small protuberances 369 in 
small cavities 371 in order that the file be sensibly tangent to the 
radius of curvature of the cutting edges "TE'"); 
8.sup.o to reinsert the blade "L'[ against the abrasive surface 307 between 
the first and second guiding means 309 and 317, the guiding means 309 
being located on both sides of lateral faces of one of end portions of the 
blade "L'" while the guiding means 317 are positioned on both sides of 
lateral faces of the main portion of the blade "L'"; 
9.sup.o to move the abrasive surface 307 against the cutting edges "TE'" 
while holding the body 303 in one hand of the user; and 
10.sup.o to start again the previous steps until the obtention of the 
sharpening sought for. 
Of course, the 2.sup.o and 3.sup.o and 8.sup.o and 9.sup.o steps may be 
repeated for increasing height of crutches 315 when necessary, in 
particular when the radius of curvature of cutting edges "TE'" are of such 
a size that we can only sharpen a segment of cutting edges "TE'" for a 
given height of crutch 315. 
The body 303, the rails 310 and 310a, the "U" shaped member 368 and the 
crutches 315 may be made of any appropriate material, such as for example 
with mouldable plastic material. 
Referring to FIG. 19, we now proceed with the description of a fourth 
variant of sharpener according to the invention. This sharpener 401 
differs from sharpener previously defined in that the crutch 415 consists 
of a removable button 414 mounted on the body 403 and provided with 
members 484 having opposite ends and showing at one of its ends said 
second guiding means 417, said member 484 being fastened in a removable 
way to the button 414 by a tongue and groove assembly 485 said second 
guiding means 417 being positioned between the longitudinal axis of the 
file 405 and the cutting edges of the main portion of the blade when the 
button 414 is mounted at either ends of the body 403, said second guiding 
means 471 being not in contact with said body 403 when the button 414 is 
removed from the body 403. The number of grooves is preferably higher than 
the one of tongue, to allow an adjustment of the height of the member 484 
with respect to the button 414. 
The other structural characteristics of the sharpener 401 are similar to 
what has been defined for the sharpener 301 except all reference number 
have been incremented by 100. 
For using a sharpener 401, with reference to FIGS. 28c to 30c, one must 
merely carry out the follow steps: 
1.sup.o to make the button 414 to pivot on the shoulder 425 for aligning 
the slot 414a with the slot 402 and until the second guiding means 417 are 
positionable between the longitudinal axis of the file 405 and the cutting 
edges "TP'" the member 484 having been fastened to the button by a tongue 
and groove assembly 485 (preferably the height of the crutch is selected 
so that the file is sensibly tangential to the radius of curvature of the 
cutting edges "TE'"); 
2.sup.o to insert the blade "L'" against the abrasive surface 407 and 
between the first and the second guiding means 409 and 417, said guiding 
means 409 being located on both side of lateral faces of one of end 
portions of the blade "L'" while the other guiding means 417 are 
positioned on both sides of the lateral faces of the main portion of the 
blade "L'"; 
3.sup.o to move the abrasive surface 407 against the cutting edges "TE'" 
while holding the body 403 in one hand of the user; 
4.sup.o to move the member 484 of the button 414 then reposition it on the 
member 414 in an orientation where the second guiding means cannot contact 
the cutting edges of the blade, for example by orienting said second 
guiding means 417 at the opposite of the longitudinal slot 402; 
5.sup.o to hold the sharpener in hand and insert the blade "L'" against the 
abrasive surface 407 of the file 405 and between the first guiding means 
409; 
6.sup.o to move the abrasive surface 407 against the cutting edges "TP'" of 
the blade "L'" while holding the body 403 in one hand of the user; 
7.sup.o to remove the sharpener 401 from the blade "L'", to remove the 
button 414 from the shoulder 425 then to remount it at the other end, to 
remove the member 484 from the button 414 and for having the second 
guiding means be positionable between the longitudinal axis of the file 
405 and the cutting edges "TP'" to insert the member 484 on the button by 
assembling of the type tongue and groove (preferably the height of the 
crutch is selected so that the file be sensibly tangential to the radius 
of curvature of the cutting edges "TE'"); 
8.sup.o to reinsert the blade "L'" against the abrasive surface 407 between 
the first and second guiding means 409 and 417, the guiding means 409 
being located on both sides of lateral faces of one of end portions of the 
blade "L'" while the guiding means 417 are positioned on both sides of 
lateral faces of the main portion of the blade "L'"; 
9.sup.o to move the abrasive surface 407 against the cutting edges "TE'" 
while holding the body 403 in one hand of the user; and 
10.sup.o to start again the previous steps until the obtention of the 
sharpening sought for. 
Of course, the 2.sup.o and 3.sup.o and 8.sup.o and 9.sup.o steps may be 
repeated for increasing height of crutches 415 when necessary, in 
particular when the radius of curvature of the cutting edges "TE'" are of 
such a size that it can only sharpen a segment of cutting edges "TE" for a 
given height of crutch 415. 
The body 403, the sleeve 421 and the crutches 415 may be made of any 
appropriate material, such as for example with mouldable plastic material. 
Referring to FIGS. 20 to 21, it will be described now a fifth variant of 
sharpener according to the invention. This sharpener 501 is identical to 
the one of the first variant of sharpener 101 which is illustrated in 
figures la to 6a and 28a to 30a, except for the fixation way of the file 
in the housing 504. 
Indeed, as it is illustrated in particular the fastening means may consist 
of a blade 551 provided with protuberance 553 at each of its ends. The 
protuberances 553 are of height slightly superior to the distance that may 
separate the top of the file 505 from the ceiling of a housing 504 inside 
of which the file is housed for thus pressing the file against a floor 555 
of said housing and against the longitudinal slot 502. 
For fastening a file 505 in a housing 504, we introduce under pressure said 
file 505 by the opening 504a of the housing 504 at the same time we 
introduce the blade 551. The distance between the ceiling and the floor of 
the housing 504 being lesser that the height resulting from the diameter 
of the file 505 and the protuberance 553, the friction will maintain in 
place the file in the housing 504. For removing the file 505 from the 
housing 505, just carry out the above mentioned steps in the reverse way. 
The blade may be made of any appropriate material, in particular of 
plastic material. 
The other structural characteristics of the sharpener 501 as well as its 
method of use, are similar to what has been defined for the sharpener 201 
except all reference numbers have incremented by 300. 
Referring to FIGS. 23 to 25, it will be described now a sixth variant of 
sharpener according to the invention. Those figures show a sharpener 601 
that differs from sharpener previously defined in that the crutch 615 
consist of a sleeve 621 that is mounted in a removably and pivoting way on 
the body 603, said sleeve 621 being provided with a longitudinal slot 623; 
and characterized in that said means for moving the crutch 615 from one 
distinct position to another consist of: 
an outer cylindrical surface 627 for the body 603 and an inner cylindrical 
surface 629 for the sleeve 621; 
being understood that the inner surface 629 of the sleeve 621 is intended 
to be mounted in a pivoting way on the outer surface 627 of the body 603, 
said sleeve 621 being movable by pivotment between two distinct positions, 
that is at least one distinct position where the second guiding means 617 
are not positioned between the file 605 and the cutting edges of the main 
portion of the blade and the slot 623 of the sleeve is aligned with the 
slot 602 of the body, so as to allow the cutting edges of the main portion 
of the blade to be in contact with the surface 607 of the file 605, and 
another distinct position where the second guiding means 617 are 
positioned between the abrasive surface 607 of the file 605 and said 
cutting edges of the main portion of the blade to thus position one end of 
the file 605 at a given distance from said cutting edges in order to 
create an angle, in particular an acute angle, between them; and said 
sleeve 621 being movable by sliding from one end to another of said body 
603, along said body 603 to thus allow to modify the value of the angle 
that may define the file 605 with respect to the main portion of the 
blade. 
According to a particularly preferred aspect of this sixth variant of 
sharpener according to the invention, the outer surface 627 of the body 
603 is further provided with at least one guiding notch 641 and that the 
inner surface 629 of the sleeve 621 is further provided with a 
protuberance 643 intended to engage said corresponding guiding notch 641. 
According to a particularly preferred aspect of this sixth variant of 
sharpener, the outer surface 627 of the body 603 may be provided with 
several notches 641 (for example 4) and, furthermore, according to a 
particularly preferred aspect, each notches 641 may be provided with 
means, for example small notches 642 adapted to cooperate with one 
corresponding protuberance 643 to removably lock the sleeve 621 along the 
body 603. Of, course, a protuberance 643 is removed from its corresponding 
guiding notch 641 before pivoting the sleeve 621 on the surface 627. 
For using a sharpener 601, with reference to FIGS. 28d to 30d, on must 
merely carry out the following steps: 
1.sup.o to make the sleeve 621 to pivot on the outer surface 627 of the 
body 603 until the second guiding means 617 of the crutch 615 be 
positionable between the longitudinal axis of the file 605 and the cutting 
edges "TP'" (preferably the height of the crutch is chosen so that the 
file is sensibly tangential to the radius of curvature of the cutting 
edges "TE'"); 
2.sup.o to insert the blade "L'" against the abrasive surface 607 and 
between the first and the second guiding means 609 and 617, the guiding 
means 609 being located on both side of lateral faces of one of end 
portions of the blade "L'" while the guiding means 617 are positioned on 
both sides of the lateral faces of the main portion of the blade "L'"; 
3.sup.o to move the abrasive surface 607 against the cutting edges "TE'" 
while holding the body 603 in one hand of the user; 
4.sup.o to remove the sharpener 601 from the blade "L'", to remove 
protuberances 643 from notches 642 and guiding means 641 and make the 
sleeve 621 to pivot with respect to the outer surface 627 of the body 603 
until the slot 623 is aligned with the slot 602 and then reintroduce 
protuberances 643 in corresponding guiding grooves 641 and notches 642; 
5.sup.o to hold the sharpener in hand and insert the blade "L'" against the 
abrasive surface 607 of the file 605 and between the first guiding means 
609; 
6.sup.o to .move the abrasive surface 607 against the cutting edges "TP'" 
of the blade "L'" while holding the body 603 in one hand of the user; 
7.sup.o to remove the sharpener 601 from the blade "L'", to slide the 
sleeve 121 along the outer surface 627 toward the opposite end of the body 
then remove protuberances 643 from notches 642 and guiding means 641 and 
make the sleeve 621 to pivot with respect to the outer surface 627 of the 
body 603 until the second guiding means 617 of the crutch 615 are 
positionable between the longitudinal axis of the file 605 and the cutting 
edges "TP'" (preferably the height of the crutch is chosen so that the 
file be sensibly tangential to the radius of curvature of the cutting 
edges "TE'") and then reintroduce protuberances 643 in corresponding 
guiding grooves 641 and notches 642; 
8.sup.o to reinsert the blade "L'" against the abrasive surface 607 between 
the first and second guiding means 609 and 617, the guiding means 609 
being located on both sides of lateral faces of one of end portions of the 
blade "L'" while the guiding means 617 are positioned on both sides of 
lateral faces of the main portion of the blade "L'"; 
9.sup.o to move the abrasive surface 607 against the cutting edges "TE'" 
while holding the body 603 in one hand of the user; and 
10.sup.o to start again the previous steps until the obtention of the 
sharpening sought for. 
Of course, the 2.sup.o and 3.sup.o and 8.sup.o and 9.sup.o steps may be 
repeated for increasing height of crutches 615 when necessary, in 
particular when the radius of curvature of cutting edges "TE'" are of such 
a size that we can only sharpen a segment of cutting edges "TE'" for a 
given height of crutch 615. 
The body 603, the guiding means 609, the sleeve 621 and the crutch 615 may 
be made of any appropriate material, such as for example with moulable 
plastic material. Furthermore, this file 605 may be locked inside the body 
603 with a blade having protuberances 653. This blade is similar to the 
one illustrated in FIGS. 20 and 21. Also, means 611 similar to means 11 
are provided to recover fillings obtained during the sharpening. 
The file may be of any type previously defined. 
According to an optional aspect of the invention, with reference to FIGS. 
26 and 27, the file may be mounted inside a housing 704 of body 703 by 
fastening means that may consist for example of two supports 751 which the 
shape matches with the periphery of the housing 704 where is housed the 
file 705, each support 751 being provided with a central opening 755 in 
which is positioned a shaft 757 having opposite ends, one of the ends 
being provided with a member 750 comprising at least one edge and its 
opposite end and being provided with means allowing to fasten it to a 
lever (for example a button) 763, the shaft being further provided between 
the member provided with a edge where is positioned the shaft in the 
corresponding support, a stopper member 767 for thus allowing to mount the 
file 705 in a pivoting way in the housing. 
In a particularly preferred way, means may be provided between the stopping 
member and one corresponding radial face of a corresponding support 751 
for removably locking the file 705 with respect to the support. 
In a particularly advantageous way, the file may consist of an elongated 
support 789 that is fitted out with at least one member 791, preferably 
several members for example three provided with an abrasive surface of 
distinct shape. The support may be made of any appropriate material, in 
particular of plastic material. 
According to another aspect of the invention making the object of the 
present patent application, the invention relates to a portable sharpener 
801 intended to be used for sharpening blades of the type comprising a 
main portion provided with one or several cutting edges and one or two end 
portions each provided with one or several cutting edges, said main 
portion having parallel lateral faces and one or several cutting edges 
substantially curved when more than one cutting edge is provided, said 
cutting edges being substantially parallel between them, each of said end 
portions extending one corresponding end of the main portion and each 
having lateral faces parallel and coplanar with those of the main portion 
and having one or several cutting edges substantially curved. This 
sharpener 801 comprising a body 803 having a main longitudinal axis, a 
housing 804 and including: 
a file 805 having a longitudinal axis and at least one abrasive surface 807 
parallel to said longitudinal axis and the longitudinal axis of the body 
803; 
means for fastening the file 805 inside the housing 804; 
guiding means 810 for allowing to a portion of the cutting edges to be 
moved against the abrasive surface 807 of the file 805 along the 
longitudinal axis of this one; 
means for recovering the filings obtained during the sharpening of the 
blade, said means being located between said first guiding means 801 and 
the abrasive surface of the file 805; and 
means for moving the guiding means 807 parallel to lateral faces of the 
blade and position these latter between said guiding means 810. 
In a particularly advantageous way, the portable sharpener 801 is 
characterized in that the guiding means 801 consist of two members 851 
mounted in pivoting way to an intermediary portion of the body 803 where 
each member 851 comprising two rails 854 parallel between them having 
opposite ends, one of the ends of each rail 854 being mounted in a 
pivoting way in an intermediary point of the length of the body 803 while 
the opposite end is solidly fastened with a transversal member 855 
insuring the maintaining of the space between the rails 854, said rails 
854 may be set around the pivot points 857 between a first position where 
the rail 854 are against the body 803 and a second position where the 
rails 854 are at angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the body 
803. 
Preferably, the sharpener 801 shows that for mounting in a pivoting way one 
or several ends of rails 854 to the body 803, each rail is provided with 
an opening 859 at one of its ends, each opening 859 being aligned with one 
corresponding opening 861 provided in the body 803, then a pivot 863 is 
engaged through said openings 859 and 861 to join them together in a 
pivoting way. 
More particularly, it is preferred to join two openings 859 and one opening 
861 by means of a same pivot 863. To do so, it may be advantageous to 
provide a deformation of a band in the neighbourhood of the pivot, in the 
rails 854. 
The file 805 may be mounted inside the body 803 by appropriate fastening 
means, in particular those described previously. Furthermore the file may 
show the characteristics of those previously defined. 
Referring to FIGS. 35 to 37, it is represented how we can use the sharpener 
represented in FIGS. 31 to 34. Thus, all what the user has to do is to 
move the members 851 around the pivot 863 in such a way that the rails 851 
be facing the lateral face of the blade to be sharpened. The user only has 
to start to apply pressure by means of the file against the cutting edges 
of the blade from end of the blade and to continue this pressure always in 
the same direction while taking care to adjust if necessary the position 
of the rails 851 so that these ones remain facing the lateral faces of the 
blade to sharpen. 
The present invention also covers all possible variations that could appear 
obvious for man skilled in the art. Furthermore, all the parts of the 
sharpener defined previously may be made of any known and appropriate 
materials, in particular of plastic materials (except for the file or file 
inserts defining abrasive surfaces).