Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to a multi-angle blade sharpener assembly. The invention also relates to a box for storing the components of the assembly therein with the support plate of the assembly also functioning as a lid or cover for the box. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     Hundreds of blade sharpener devices have been patented. Many of those devices utilize sharpening stones since, when used properly, they are the most effective method to sharpen knives and small tools such as wood chisels. The sharpening stones are inexpensive, have a long life, and are readily available. 
     Many cutting edges of blades have at least two opposing facets or blade angles which require sharpening. The most common blade angles or facets are 10, 14, 18, 21, 25 and 30 degrees. The use of a flat position single sharpening stone has multiple issues. First, it is unsafe to repeatedly flip the blade to sharpen both facets or angles. Second, it is difficult to maintain the correct blade edge sharpening angle. Third, it is difficult to track equal strokes to both sides of the edge. Fourth, it is difficult to control the water or cutting oil or mess. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key aspects or essential aspects of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, this Summary is not intended for use as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     A multi-angle blade sharpener assembly for blades with a cutting edge with two blade angles or facets is disclosed. The sharpener assembly includes a rectangular support plate having a first end, a second end, a first side, a second side, an upper side and a bottom side. A first bore extends downwardly into the upper side of the support plate at a first angle. A second bore extends downwardly into the upper side of the support plate at a second angle. The first and second bores are spaced-apart with the first and second angles being equal but opposite. A first sharpening stone holder having an upper end, a lower end, an inner side and an outer side is provided with the first sharpening stone holder having a cylindrical stud extended downwardly from the lower end thereof. A first sharpening stone is selectively removably secured to the first sharpening stone holder at the inner side thereof. The stud of the first sharpening stone holder is selectively removably extended downwardly into the first bore whereby the first sharpening stone holder and the first sharpening stone thereon extend upwardly and laterally from the support plate. 
     The blade sharpener also includes a second sharpening stone holder having an upper end, a lower end, an inner side and an outer side. The second sharpening stone holder has a cylindrical stud extending downwardly from the lower end thereof. A second sharpening stone is selectively removably secured to the second sharpening stone holder at the inner side thereof. The stud of the second sharpening stone holder is selectively removably extended downwardly into the second bore whereby the second sharpening stone holder and the second sharpening stone thereon extend upwardly and laterally from the support plate. 
     In the preferred embodiment, third and fourth bores extend downwardly into the upper side of the support plate at third and fourth angles respectively with the third and fourth bores being spaced-apart and wherein the third and fourth angles are equal but opposite and are different than the first and second angles with the third and fourth bores being configured to selectively removably receive the studs of the first and second sharpening stone holders respectively. 
     In the preferred embodiment, fifth and sixth bores extend downwardly into the upper side of the support plate at fifth and sixth angles respectively with the fifth and sixth bores being spaced-apart and with the fifth and sixth angles being equal and opposite and which are different than the third and fourth angles. The fifth and sixth bores are configured to selectively removably receive the studs of the first and second sharpening stone holders respectively. 
     In the preferred embodiment, seventh and eighth bores also extend downwardly into the upper side of the support plate at seventh and eighth angles respectively and wherein each of the seventh and eighth bores extend downwardly into the upper side at seventh and eighth angles with the seventh and eighth bores being spaced-apart and with the seventh and eighth angles being equal but opposite and which are different than the fifth and sixth angles and which are configured to selectively removably receive the studs of the first and second sharpening stone holders respectively. 
     The preferred embodiment also includes ninth and tenth bores extending downwardly into the upper side of the support plate at ninth and tenth angles respectively with the ninth and tenth bores being spaced-apart and with the ninth and tenth angles being equal but opposite. The angles of the ninth and tenth bores are different than the angles of the seventh and eighth angles with the ninth and tenth bores being configured to selectively removably receive the studs of the first and second sharpening stone holders respectively. 
     In the preferred embodiment, eleventh and twelfth bores extend downwardly into the upper side of the support plate at eleventh and twelfth angles respectively with the eleventh and twelfth bores being spaced-apart with the eleventh and twelfth angles being equal but opposite and which are different than the ninth and tenth angles. The eleventh and twelfth bores are configured to selectively removably receive the studs of the first and second sharpening stone holders respectively. 
     It is therefore a principal object of the invention to provide a blade sharpener including a pair of sharpening stones positioned in multi-angle holders which enables a person to sharpen both sides of knives, tools, and other instruments needing sharpening without flipping the blades thereof. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a blade sharpener which may be held securely in one hand. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a blade sharpener which is safe to use. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a blade sharpener which has no moving parts which may require repair or replacement. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a blade sharpener wherein it is easy to maintain the desired blade edge angle. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a blade sharpener including first and second sharpening stones which are snap-fitted into first and second sharpening stone holders respectively. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a blade sharpener wherein each of the first and second sharpening stone holders include a flat base and spaced-apart side walls. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a storage box for the blade sharpener wherein the support plate of the blade sharpener assembly functions as a lid or cover for the box. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a blade sharpener which is economical of manufacture, durable in use and refined in appearance. 
     These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the storage box of this invention with the support plate of the invention serving as a lid or cover for the storage box; 
         FIG. 2  is a partial exploded perspective view illustrating the support plate/lid being partially opened; 
         FIG. 3  is a view similar to  FIG. 2  but which illustrates the support plate/lid being detached from the box; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the second sharpening stone holder; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the first sharpening stone holder; 
         FIG. 6  is a side elevation view which illustrates the first and second sharpening stone holders in a first position and with broken lines illustrating the first and second sharpening stone holders in a second position; 
         FIG. 7  is a partial sectional view illustrating the manner in which a knife blade may be sharpened; and 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view illustrating a blade being sharpened through the use of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Embodiments are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying figures, which form a part hereof and show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments. These embodiments are disclosed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. However, embodiments may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense in that the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims. 
     The blade sharpener of this invention is designated by the reference numeral  10 . Sharpener  10  includes a horizontally disposed support plate  12  which is preferably rectangular in shape. Support plate  12  also serves as the lid of a container on box  13  as will be described in more detail hereinafter. Support plate  12  includes a first end  14 , a second end  16 , a first side  18 , a second side  20 , an upper side  22  and a bottom side  24 . Bottom side  24  of support plate  12  has a rectangular recess  25  formed therein. When the support plate  12  is functioning as a lid, the bottom side  24  will be facing upwardly as seen in  FIG. 1 . 
     Bores, sockets or openings  26 ,  28 ,  30  and  32  extend downwardly into the upper side  22  of support plate  12  in a spaced-apart manner inwardly of side  18  thereof. Bores  34 ,  36 ,  38  and  40  extend downwardly into the upper side  22  of support plate  12  intermediate sides  18  and  20  in a spaced-apart manner. Bores  42 ,  44 ,  46  and  48  extend downwardly into the upper side  22  of support plate  12  inwardly of side  20  in a spaced-apart manner. For purposes of description, bores  26  and  28  will be described as being a first pair of bores, bores  34  and  36  will be described as being a second pair of bores, and bores  42  and  44  will be described as being a third pair of bores. Bores  30  and  32  will be described as being a fourth pair of bores, bores  38  and  40  will be described as being a fifth pair of bores and bores  46  and  48  will be described as being a sixth pair of bores. 
     Bore  42  extends downwardly into support plate  12  at approximately a 10 degree angle as does bore  44 . The angles of bores  42  and  44  are the same but opposite to one another. In other words, the bores  42  and  44  extend inwardly into support plate  12  so as to extend slightly towards one another. Bores  34  and  36  extend downwardly into support plate  12  at approximately a 14 degree angle. Bores  26  and  28  extend downwardly into support plate  12  at approximately an 18 degree angle. Bores  30  and  32  extend downwardly into support plate  12  at approximately a 21 degree angle. Bores  38  and  40  extend downwardly into support plate  12  at approximately a 25 degree angle. Bores  46  and  48  extend downwardly into support plate  12  at approximately a 30 degree angle. The 10, 14, 18, 21, 25 and 30 degree angles correspond to the most common cutting edge facet angles plus or minus 1 degree. 
     The numeral  50  refers to a first sharpening stone holder while the numeral  50 ′ refers to a second sharpening stone holder which is identical to holder  50 , only holder  50  will be described in detail with “′” indicating identical structure on holder  50 ′. 
     Holder  50  includes a body member  52  having an upper end  54  and a lower end  56 . Body member  52  includes a flat base portion  58  and side walls  60  and  62 . Holder  50  may be constructed of plastic or metal. An elongated cylindrical stud  64  extends downwardly from the lower end  56  of body member  52  and which is configured to be selectively removably inserted into one of the bores formed in support plate  12  as will be described hereinafter. The numeral  66  refers to a conventional sharpening stone member which is snap-fitted into body member  52  between the side walls  60  and  62  of body member  52  as seen in the drawings. Sharpening stone member  66 ′ is snap-fitted into body member  52 ′ between the side walls  60 ′ and  62 ′ of body member  52 ′. 
     If it is desired to sharpen a blade having 10 degree facets, the stud  64  of holder  50  will be inserted into bore  42  of support plate  12  and the stud  64 ′ of holder  50 ′ will be inserted into bore  44  of support plate  12 . If it is desired to sharpen a blade having 14 degree facets, the stud  64  of holder  50  will be inserted into bore  34  of support plate  12  and stud  64 ′ of holder  50 ′ will be inserted into bore  36  of support plate  12 . If it is desired to sharpen a blade having 18 degree facets, stud  64  of holder  50  will be inserted into bore  26  of support plate  12  and stud  64 ′ of holder  50 ′ will be inserted into bore  28  of support plate  12 . If it is desired to sharpen a blade having 21 degree facets, stud  64  of holder  50  will be inserted into bore  30  of support plate  12  and stud  64 ′ of holder  50 ′ will be inserted into bore  32  of support plate  12 . If it is desired to sharpen a blade having 25 degree facets, stud  64  of holder  50  will be inserted into bore  38  of support plate  12  and stud  64 ′ of holder  50 ′ will be inserted into bore  40  of support plate  12 . If it is desired to sharpen a blade having 30 degree facets, stud  64  of holder  50  will be inserted into bore  46  of support plate  12  and stud  64 ′ of holder  50 ′ will be inserted into bore  48  of support plate  12 . 
     Box  13  includes a compartment  68  which receives the sharpener stones  66  and  66 ′ for the storage of the blade sharpener  10 . Box  13  also includes a compartment  70  which receives the sharpening stone holders  50  and  50 ′. Box  13  also has a small compartment  72  formed therein which receives a bottle  74  of sharpening oil. Support plate  12 , when functioning as a lid for box  13 , is selectively pivotally secured to box  13  so as to selectively close the upper end of box  13 . 
     The numeral  76  refers to a knife blade having blade angles or facets  78  and  80 . 
     The assembly of this invention is used as will now be described. Assuming that the components of the assembly are positioned in the box  13 , support plate  12  is opened and detached from the box  13 . The support plate  12  is then placed on a horizontally disposed supporting surface. The holders  50  and  50 ′ are removed from the box  13 . The sharpening stones  66  and  66 ′ are then snap-fitted onto the holders  50  and  50 ′ respectively. Assuming that the facets  78  and  80  of the blade  76  are disposed at an angle of 10 degrees, the studs  64  and  64 ′ of holders  50  and  50 ′ respectively are inserted downwardly into bores  26  and  28  respectively. Cutting oil or water is then placed on the faces of the sharpening stones  66  and  66 ′. The blade  76  is then vertically inserted between the stones  66  and  66 ′. The blade  76  is then brought into contact with stone  66  so that facet  78  is brought into contact with stone  66 . The blade  76  is then moved horizontally and downwardly to sharpen facet  78  as the blade  76  is moved along stone  66 . The blade  76  is then brought into contact with stone  66 ′ so that facet  80  is in contact with stone  66 ′. The horizontal and downwardly movement of blade  76  with respect to stone  66 ′ sharpens facet  80 . 
     The person sharpening the facets  78  and  80  repeats the movements described above until the blade  76  is sharpened. The person moves the blade  76  back and forth between the stones  66  and  66 ′ with each facet being sharpened the same number of times which is easily remembered by the person. 
     If the blade  76  has facets with angles different than 10 degrees, other pairs of the bores will be utilized. 
     Thus it can be seen that the invention accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives. 
     Although the invention has been described in language that is specific to certain structures and methodological steps, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific structures and/or steps described. Rather, the specific aspects and steps are described as forms of implementing the claimed invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be practiced without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.

Technology Category: 7