sharpener

Abstract

An apparatus for sharpening bladed tools includes a body portion forming an elongated handle portion adapted to be grasped in one hand by a user, the body portion curved or bent downwardly relative to the handle portion and including a forwardly projecting support member that engages a sharpening element at or near its end, the support member including a pair of spaced support arms extending generally parallel to a longitudinal region of the handle portion, the support arms positioned on either side of the sharpening element and defining an opening therebetween adapted to receive a tool blade or an anvil during sharpening of the tool blade.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for sharpening bladed tools, including gardening tools and the like. Garden tools with blades used for cutting, such as loppers, pruners, secateurs, knives, machetes, hoes, spades, hatchets, axes, etc., should maintain a sharp cutting edge for safe and efficient operation. Maintaining a sharp cutting edge can present a challenge for many reasons.

[0002] The cutting edge(s) of a gardening tool can be difficult to reach due to the tool's construction. For example, pruning shears are scissors-like tools with a pair of pivoting handles that can have one cutting blade (anvil type) that closes against a flat surface, or two cutting blades (bypass type). To facilitate ease of use, pruning shear handles are typically spring-loaded to remain in a normally open position. However, this limits disassembly of the blades or the blade and anvil, thereby limiting access with a sharpener. Furthermore, the blades or the blade and anvil are often curved, further limiting access to the cutting edge to be sharpened, particularly the blade base.

[0003] Not all garden cutting tools are held in one hand like pruners. For example, loppers may perform a similar movement, but have long handles that are operated with both hands to provide additional leverage. This long handle makes them difficult to operate. Therefore, sharpeners, which can be used on various types of tool blades, should be used to firmly hold the tool to be sharpened in one hand while being safely and securely operated with the other hand.

[0004] As mentioned above, there are two common cutting tools: anvil-type and bypass-type. Anvil-type pruning shears act similar to knives in that the blades are pressed through the plant material against a cutting board, or anvil. Anvil-type pruning shears typically have blades with bevels on each side of the cutting edge. Bypass-type pruning shears act like scissors in that the two blades pass each other, resulting in multiple blades with one flat side and one beveled side. For optimal sharpening, various sharpening element configurations are required for single-bevel and double-bevel types. It is known to provide sharpening tools with different sharpening elements on different parts of the tool. However, this compromises the ergonomics of the tool as well as the effective and efficient operation of the tool at the cutting edge.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention aim to address the above-mentioned problems, or at least to provide a useful alternative. In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for sharpening bladed tools, comprising a body portion forming an elongated handle adapted to be grasped in one hand by a user, the body portion having a forwardly projecting support member that curves or bends downwardly relative to the handle portion and engages a sharpening element at or near its end, the support member including a pair of spaced apart support arms extending generally parallel to a longitudinal region of the handle portion, the support arms being located on either side of the sharpening element and defining an opening therebetween adapted to receive a tool blade or an anvil during sharpening of the tool blade.

[0006] The sharpening elements may be provided in a cartridge that is removably fitted to the end of the support member. The sharpening elements may include one or more sharpening blades made of tungsten carbide or the like. The tool may be provided with two or more cartridges carrying sharpening blades configured to sharpen different types of tool edges, respectively. The tool body may have compartments therein for storing one or more cartridges.

[0007] The present invention also provides an apparatus for sharpening bladed tools, the apparatus including a body portion forming an elongated handle adapted to be gripped in one hand by a user. The body portion includes a support member that curves or bends downwardly relative to the handle portion and projects forwardly. The end of the support member is configured to engage a sharpening element cartridge having sharpening elements held therein. The support member includes a pair of spaced-apart support arms extending generally parallel to a longitudinal region of the handle portion. The support arms are located on either side of the sharpening elements of the engaging cartridge and define an opening therebetween adapted to receive a tool blade or an anvil during sharpening of the tool blade.

[0008] The present invention also provides an implement for sharpening bladed tools, including a body forming an elongated handle adapted to be gripped in one hand by a user. The body includes a support member that curves or bends downwardly relative to the handle and projects forwardly. The end of the support member is configured to engage a first sharpening element cartridge having a first sharpening element configuration for effective tool sharpening. The implement further includes a receiving receptacle formed in the body and configured to receive a second sharpening element cartridge having a second sharpening element configuration for reception. The first and second sharpening element cartridges are selectively interchangeable by a user for effective sharpening of different types of tool blades.

[0009] In an embodiment, the tool includes a storage carriage adapted to engage a sharpening element cartridge not engaged with a support member during use, the storage carriage having a sharpening element cartridge carried thereon received within a storage receptacle and adapted to engage with the tool body.

[0010] The tool according to embodiments of the present invention may include more than two sharpening element cartridges, each with a different sharpening element configuration adapted to sharpen a respective type of bladed tool. For example, cartridges with different sharpening element configurations may be provided for use with bypass-type loppers / secateurs, anvil-type loppers / secateurs, knives / machetes / hoes / sparrows, hatchets / axes, etc. The storage carriage may be arranged to hold one or more cartridges during storage within the receptacle.

[0011] Further aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments of the invention, which are given by way of example only and in which reference numerals are given. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view of a sharpener according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1A and 1B are bottom and top views, respectively, of the sharpener. [Figure 3] 1A and 1B are bottom and top views, respectively, of the sharpener. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the sharpener. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a top front perspective view of the sharpener. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a bottom-front perspective view of the sharpener. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a side view of the sharpener with the sharpening element cartridge removed. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a top front perspective view of the sharpener with the sharpening element cartridge removed. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is an enlarged front perspective view of the sharpener with the sharpening element cartridge removed. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an enlarged rear perspective view of the sharpener with the sharpening element cartridge removed. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a side view of the sharpener with the sharpening element cartridge and storage carriage removed. [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of the sharpener with the sharpening element cartridge and storage carriage removed. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is an enlarged rear perspective view of a portion of the sharpener with the storage carriage removed. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of the storage carriage with the sharpening element cartridge installed. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a front side view of the storage carriage with the sharpening element cartridge installed. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a front side view of the storage carriage with the sharpening element cartridge removed. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of the storage carriage with the sharpening element cartridge removed. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a top rear perspective view of the storage carriage with the sharpening element cartridge removed. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a top rear perspective view of the storage carriage separated; [Figure 20] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the sharpening element cartridge. [Figure 21] FIG. 2 is a top view of the sharpening element cartridge. [Figure 22] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the sharpening element cartridge. [Figure 23] FIG. 10 is a front underside view of the sharpening element cartridge. [Figure 24] FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating the use of a sharpener on a gardening tool. [Figure 25] FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating the use of a sharpener on a gardening tool. [Figure 26] FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating the use of a sharpener on a gardening tool. [Figure 27] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the use of a sharpener on a gardening tool. [Figure 28] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the use of a sharpener on a gardening tool. [Figure 29] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the use of a sharpener on a gardening tool. [Figure 30]FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a sharpener according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Sharpeners 10, 10' constructed in accordance with embodiments of the present invention are variously shown in the drawings and described below. The sharpener 10 has a tool body 100 including a handle 110 with a forwardly projecting support member 150. The handle 110 is configured to be comfortably gripped in one hand and has an underside surrounded by a finger guard 120. The handle is elongated and has rounded contours on the upper and lower surfaces for user comfort and grip. The handle (or its cross section) may include a "soft-touch" coating made from an elastomer or other suitable polymer to enhance user comfort and grip. The front upper surface of the handle 100 includes a thumb position recess 112 near the connection with the support member 150. During use, as described further below, an operator grasps the handle 110 in one hand with their fingers stretched between the handle and the finger guard 120, their thumb aligned with the length of the tool body, and the pad of the thumb resting in the recess 112.

[0014] The support member 150 projects forward from the handle portion and from the side as shown in FIG. 1, curves downward, and tapers to a cartridge support housing 160 provided at its end. The cartridge support housing 160 includes a receptacle configured to receive a sharpening element cartridge 200. The support member is formed from right and left support arms 152, 153. The support arms 152, 153 are generally planar structures parallel to the sides of the handle portion 110. The right and left support arms 152, 153 are attached to the front of the handle portion 110 and are joined at their forward ends by the cartridge support housing 160. This results in an opening 155 therebetween, as best seen in FIGS. 2, 3, and 5.

[0015] As will be described in detail below, at the rear of the sharpener 10, the tool body 100 includes a storage carriage 300. The storage carriage 300 includes a butt 302 that forms the rear of the tool 10 when in place. The tool body includes a web 121 that extends below the storage carriage and between the handle 110 and the finger guard 112. The web 121 includes a hole 122 therein that allows for the attachment of a cord or the like for hanging or securing the tool 10.

[0016] When the sharpening element cartridge 200 is installed in the receptacle of the cartridge support housing 160, it forms the forward end of the sharpener 10 and is bent downward by approximately 60 degrees by the downwardly curving support member 150. The sharpening element cartridge 200 includes a flange 210 having a tapered edge. When they mate, the surface of the flange 210 is substantially flush with the surface of the cartridge support housing 160. The flange 210 includes a generally V-shaped slot 202 formed in its center. The slot 202 is oriented parallel to the longitudinal extent of the tool body 100. The cartridge 200 has mounted therein a sharpening element 280 fixedly secured therein, the sharpening element 280 partially extending into the slot 202.

[0017] During use, the sharpening element cartridge 200 is secured within the receptacle formed by the cartridge support housing 160. However, as can be seen, for example, in FIGS. 7-10 , the sharpening element cartridge 200 can be removed or disassembled from the tool body 100. This is made possible by latch arms 220 on either side of the cartridge 200. The latch arms 220 are attached to the cartridge at its front, extend parallel to each other on either side of the cartridge, and are separated from the cartridge body 205 by a gap 206. Each latch arm 220 has a latch formation at its end, including an inclined surface 222 that connects to a ledge 223. At the center of each latch arm 220 is a release button 225 that protrudes laterally outward. When the sharpening element cartridge is received within the support housing receptacle, the latch formations are positioned within the openings 163 on either side of the support housing, and the release button 225 is received within the slot 165. This arrangement keeps the cartridge in place. To remove the sharpening element cartridge from the tool, the user presses the release button 225 inward, which flexes the latch arm inward so that the ledge 223 clears the opening 163. This allows the sharpening element cartridge 200 to slide out of the support housing. The position of the sharpening element cartridge 200 within the cartridge support housing is further assisted by a ridge 215 formed on the back of the cartridge that slides into a corresponding groove in the support housing receptacle (not shown).

[0018] The primary purpose of configuring the sharpening element cartridge 200 to be removable from the cartridge support housing 160 is to allow a different cartridge to be installed in its place. This allows the sharpener 10 to selectively incorporate various cartridges, such as a cartridge (200A) adapted to sharpen anvil-type blades and a cartridge (200B) adapted to sharpen bypass-type blades. The two different sharpening element cartridges 200A, 200B can be supplied with the tool, and the cartridge not in use can be stored in the tool body 100, as described below.

[0019] As best seen in Figures 12 and 13, the handle portion 110 of the tool includes a rearwardly opening hollow tub portion. A storage carriage 300 is adapted to engage within the hollow tub portion at the rear of the tool body and is configured to hold a sharpening element cartridge that is not operably attached to the front of the tool at a given time.

[0020] The storage carriage 300 includes an elongated body 310 attached to a butt 302. The carriage body 310 has an outer contour sized and shaped to fit relatively snugly within the hollow trough of the tool body handle 110. A wall structure 340 opening in one direction is formed at the front of the carriage body. This wall structure is configured to receive the sharpening element cartridge 200 when inserted through the open side. Once inserted, the sharpening element cartridge 200 is securely held by the wall structure 340 and latch formations at the ends of the latch arms 220 that engage with openings 345 in the wall structure provided for that purpose. One wall of the wall structure 340 includes a locating groove 346 that operably receives the cartridge ridge 215. The sharpening element cartridge 200 can be removed or removed from the carriage 300 by depressing the release button 225 on the latch arm 220, allowing the cartridge to be withdrawn.

[0021] The elongated body 310 of the storage carriage 300 includes latch formations 330 on either side, immediately forward of the butt 302. When the elongated body 310 of the storage carriage is inserted into the hollow trough until the flanges of the butt abut the rear end of the tool body, the outward projections on the ends of the latch formations engage with the openings 130 on either side of the handle. The projections on the latch formations 330 are preferably rounded to provide a snap-fit ​​engagement with the openings 130, but the storage carriage can be removed and disassembled by pulling on the butt 302, without the need to separately press in the latch formations 330.

[0022] By selectively positioning one of the two sharpening element cartridges 200 for active use in the cartridge support housing 160 and the other in the receiving carriage 300, the sharpener can be selectively configured for use with different types of tool blades. The instrument can be configured for the desired type of tool blade and used to sharpen tool blades such as those shown diagrammatically in Figures 24-26, which illustrate the step-by-step movement of the sharpener along the cutting edge of a bypass pruner tool 500. Figures 27-29 illustrate the same steps in opposite perspective views.

[0023] The pruning shear tool 500 as seen in the drawings includes two main components pivotally connected to each other to achieve a scissor action. One component includes a first handle 510 and a cutting blade 512, and the other component includes a second handle 520 and a bypass blade 522. Although not immediately apparent from the drawings, the structure of the tool 500 prevents the handles and blades from pivoting open more than is shown, and perhaps to a lesser extent. One reason for this is that tools typically include springs (not shown) that bias the handles / blades in an open position. Thus, some limiting structure is provided to limit separation of the handles to an open position that can be grasped with one hand.

[0024] Sharpening a tool cutting blade 512 with the sharpener 10 involves drawing the sharpening element 280 along the length of the cutting edge 515 in a controlled manner several times. First, the forward end of the sharpener carrying the sharpening element cartridge 200 is inserted into the space between the tool blades 512, 522 so that the cutting edge 515 rests in the slot 202 containing the sharpening element. The end of the sharpener 10 is initially positioned as close as possible to the juncture where the two blades 512, 522 meet (FIGS. 24 and 27). For optimal results, the sharpening element 280 should be positioned substantially perpendicular to the cutting blade while still allowing some pressure to be applied by the user. This positioning is made possible by the structure of the support member 150. The support member 150 curves downward relative to the handle and has a central opening 155 between the support arms 152, 153 that can accommodate the bypass blade 522, as particularly evident in FIGS. 24 and 27.

[0025] To sharpen the blade 512, a user typically holds the first handle 510 in one hand and the sharpener 10 in the other hand and draws the sharpening element 280 in the groove 202 along the length of the cutting edge 515, as shown in Figures 24-26 and 27-29, respectively. Throughout the length of the stroke, the handle of the sharpener 10 remains aligned with the cutting edge, and the sharpening element is substantially perpendicular to the portion of the cutting edge that it contacts.

[0026] While the illustrated embodiment of the sharpener 10 described above includes only two different sharpening element cartridges 200, more than two are equally possible, with each sharpening element cartridge having a different sharpening element configuration adapted to sharpen a respective bladed tool. For example, cartridges having different sharpening element configurations (e.g., different angular arrangements of sharpening elements) may be provided for use with bypass-type loppers / secateurs, anvil-type loppers / secateurs, knives / machetes / hoes / sparrows, hatchets / axes, etc. Other examples of cartridges include elements that complement the sharpening process, such as a deburring cartridge containing ceramic elements for deburring the blade after sharpening.

[0027] 30 illustrates another embodiment of a sharpener 10' configured to hold one or more cartridges during storage within a receiver. The carriage body 310' is longer than the carriage body 310 of the previously described embodiment in order to receive more than one cartridge (in this embodiment, the wall structure 340' of the carriage body 310' can hold up to five cartridges). For ease of user identification, individual cartridges adapted for different sharpening applications can be manufactured in different colors that are easily associated with the tools for which they are intended.

[0028] The embodiment 10' in FIG. 30 illustrates another example of a mechanism for attaching a storage carriage 300' to the sharpener body 110. The elongated body 310' of the storage carriage 300' includes a latch 600 attached to a finger rest 610 just forward of the base 302'. When the storage carriage elongated body 310' is inserted into the hollow trough, an outward protrusion on the end of the latch 600 engages with a ridge 620 formed on the inside wall of the handle. The latch 600 flexes as the storage carriage 300' is inserted into the body 110, causing the latch 600 to snap onto the ridge 620 and secure the carriage 300' in place. To remove the carriage 300', the user presses the finger rest 610 to deform the latch 600 and disengage it from the ridge 620.

[0029] The present invention has been described by way of non-limiting example only and many modifications and variations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Throughout this specification and the appended claims, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" and its variations "comprises" and "comprising" will be understood to mean the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other stated integer or step or group of integers or steps.

[0030] Below is a list of parts referenced in the above-described embodiment, with corresponding reference numbers: 10, 10' Sharpener 210 Cartridge Flange 100 Tool body 215 Cartridge body protrusion 110 Handle 220 Cartridge latch arm 112 Thumb position recess 222 Inclined surface 120 Finger guard 223 Shelf 121 Handle bone 225 Release button 122 Mounting hole 280 Sharpening element 130 Carriage latch opening 300, 300' Storage carriage 150 Support member 302, 302' Storage carriage base 152 Right support arm 310, 310' Carriage body 153 Left support arm 330 Carriage latch forming part 155 support member opening 340, 340' carriage wall structure 160 Cartridge support housing 345 Latch opening 163 Latch opening 346 Positioning groove 165 Release Button Slot 500 Pruning Shears Tool 200 Sharpening element cartridge 510 First handle 200A Anvil Type Sharpening Cartridge for 512 Cutting Blades 200B Bypass Type Sharpening Cartridge 515 Cutting Edge 202 V-shaped slot 520 Second handle 205 Cartridge body 522 Bypass blade 206 Latch arm gap 600 Latch 610 Finger rest 620 uplift

Claims

1. A sharpener for use with bladed tools, a plurality of sharpening element cartridges each having a sharpening element for sharpening the bladed tool; a body portion forming an elongated handle portion configured to be gripped by a user in one hand; and a carriage member; the body portion is curved or bent relative to the handle portion and includes a forwardly projecting support member; an end of the support member configured to operatively engage one of the plurality of sharpening element cartridges, thereby forming an operative cartridge engagement position; the body of the sharpener also includes a receiving receptacle within the handle for receiving one or more sharpening element cartridges; the carriage member is configured to hold one or more of the plurality of sharpening element cartridges and is adapted to be received by the receiving receptacle and configured to be releasably engaged with the body portion; The plurality of sharpening element cartridges are each selectively interchangeable with one another by the user between the operative cartridge engaging position and the receiving receptacle.

2. each of the plurality of sharpening element cartridges comprising a different sharpening element configuration suitable for sharpening a different type of tool blade; The sharpener of claim 1 .

3. each of the plurality of sharpening element cartridges is provided with an engagement mechanism designed to snap-fit ​​or frictionally engage with a mechanism on the carriage member to secure the cartridge while housed in the receiving receptacle during use; The sharpener of claim 1 .

4. the receiving receptacle includes an internal cavity formed in the handle portion into which the carriage member slides; The sharpener of claim 1 .

5. The carriage member may hold two or more cartridges for storage. The sharpener of claim 1 .

6. The carriage member is capable of holding at least five cartridges for storage; The sharpener of claim 1 .

7. the end of the support member includes a cartridge support housing that defines the actuating cartridge engagement location; The sharpener of claim 1 .

8. the support member includes a pair of spaced apart support arms extending generally parallel to a longitudinal region of the handle portion; the support arms terminate on opposite sides of the cartridge support housing; The opening between the support arms serves to accommodate a tool blade or anvil while sharpening one of the tool blades.

8. The sharpener of claim 7.

9. each said sharpening element cartridge including a positioning feature that functions in conjunction with said cartridge support housing during use to properly position said cartridge when in said operative cartridge engaging position; 8. The sharpener of claim 7.

10. each said sharpening element cartridge including an engagement mechanism designed to snap-fit ​​or frictionally engage with a mechanism on said cartridge support housing to secure said cartridge in said operative cartridge-engaged position during use; 10. The sharpener of claim 9.

11. A tool for sharpening bladed tools, a plurality of sharpening element cartridges, each having sharpening elements for sharpening the bladed tool; a main body; a carriage member; the body portion defines an elongated handle portion configured to be grasped by a user in one hand; the body portion includes a support member projecting forwardly from the handle portion to an end having an active cartridge engagement formation for engaging one of the plurality of sharpening element cartridges in an active cartridge engagement position; the support member includes a pair of spaced apart support arms extending generally parallel to a longitudinal region of the handle portion; the support arms are located on either side of the cartridge engaging formation and define an opening therebetween configured to receive a tool blade or an anvil during sharpening of one of the tool blades; The body of the tool further includes a receiving receptacle within the handle for receiving one or more sharpening element cartridges; the carriage member is configured to hold one or more of the sharpening element cartridges for storage and is adapted to be received by the storage receptacle and configured to be releasably engaged with the body portion; The tool includes at least first and second sharpening element cartridges, respectively, selectively interchangeable with one another, the at least first and second sharpening element cartridges configured to engage with the operative cartridge engagement formation or to be positioned within the receiving receptacle according to user preference.

12. each of the plurality of sharpening element cartridges is provided with an engaging feature designed to snap-fit ​​or frictionally engage with a feature on the carriage member to secure the cartridge while housed in the receiving receptacle during use; 12. The device of claim 11.

13. the receiving receptacle includes an internal cavity formed in the handle portion into which the carriage member slides; 12. The device of claim 11.

14. The carriage member may hold two or more cartridges for storage.

12. The device of claim 11.

15. The carriage member is capable of holding at least five cartridges for storage; 12. The device of claim 11.

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