Patent ID: 6845795

Claim:
A portable, handheld sharpener comprising: a. a body having an elongated, hallow shape and a first opening at one end; b. a first cap attached to said first opening, the first cap having a first aperture and an inwardly projecting sleeve for inserting an article to be sharpened; c. a receptacle for waste shavings detachably attached at a second opening of said body adjacent to the first cap; d. a sharpening unit rotatably positioned within the body and adjacent to the first aperture wherein the shapening unit is comprised of a housing; a second aperture leading to a hollow tapered recess within the housing; said housing also having a fourth opening and at least one blade mounted in the housing at least partially penetrating the fourth opening to engage the end of the object to be sharpened; e. a drive means coupled to the sharpening unit wherein the drive means is comprised of a plurality of gears adapted to reduce the speed of the sharpening unit; f. a means for accommodating a power source comprised of an internal compartment for housing one or more batteries; the drive means is comprised of a direct current electric motor coupled to the sharpening unit by a drive shaft and the sharpener is further comprised of a second end cap removably fitted to the body at a third opening of said body opposite the first opening for access to said batteries for battery insertion and removal; and g. a switch means for connecting the power source and the drive means to energize the drive means wherein the switch means is comprised of an actuator button disposed within the receptacle and adapted for switching of a plurality of conductive wires between the power source with the drive means and a conductive leaf spring; said leaf spring when depressed by contact by means of the actuator button completes an electrical circuit between the power source and the drive means.