Knife Sheath With Integrated Sharpener Collar

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing knife sheaths do not ensure that the user always has access to a sharp knife in a comfortable location, as they fail to provide a convenient method for sharpening and adaptable attachment for both right- and left-handed users.

Innovation Solution

A knife sheath with a collar featuring a sharpener and a rotating receptacle that allows the attachment piece to be positioned on either side, enabling the user to easily sharpen the knife and attach it comfortably regardless of handedness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the knife sheath provides basic protection and storage, then the knife is protected from injury and dulling, but the user cannot easily sharpen the knife or access it in a comfortable position

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of knife sharpeningVSAvoidstructure of knife sheath
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the sharpening function with the protective collar structure by integrating a sharpener (whetstone or ceramic rod) into the collar that surrounds the knife blade. This merging of protection and sharpening functions into a single integrated structure resolves the contradiction by enabling easy knife sharpening without requiring separate sharpening equipment or increasing overall structural complexity significantly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The collar structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it protects the knife blade during storage, provides a sharpening surface through the integrated sharpener, and offers a comfortable grip area. This multi-functionality allows the knife sheath to address both protection and sharpening needs without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the knife sheath has a fixed attachment piece position, then the structure is simple, but right-handed and left-handed users cannot both access the knife comfortably

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to right- and left-handed usersVSAvoidattachment piece positioning mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a rotatable attachment piece that can be positioned at multiple angles (e.g., 0°, 90°, 180°, 270°) around the knife handle. This dynamic positioning capability allows the attachment piece to be oriented according to the user's handedness and preference, providing adaptability without requiring multiple different sheath designs. The rotation mechanism adds minimal complexity while significantly improving versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment piece is designed as a separate, independently rotatable component from the main sheath body. This segmentation allows the attachment piece to be positioned at different orientations while the rest of the sheath remains unchanged, enabling adaptability for different users without redesigning the entire structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If the knife sheath only provides protection, then the structure remains simple, but the user cannot efficiently sharpen the knife during use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveefficiency of knife sharpeningVSAvoidcollar structure with sharpener
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sharpener is pre-positioned within the collar structure, ready for use whenever the knife is inserted or removed from the sheath. This preliminary arrangement of the sharpening function within the protective structure allows users to sharpen the knife efficiently during normal handling without requiring separate sharpening equipment or complex mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3210730B1Knife sheath
Publication Date: 2018.09.12 FISKARS FINLAND OY AB
  • EP3210730B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3210730B1 patent drawingFigure 4~8

AI summary

The invention relates to a knife sheath (1) comprising a receptacle (2) and an attachment piece (7) for suspending the knife sheath (1) from a user. The knife sheath (1) is provided with a collar (9) which is detachably attached to the receptacle (2) at an opening (3). An edge receiving portion (11) of the collar (9) is provided with a sharpener providing a sharpening action to a blade of a knife which is introduced into the receptacle (2). The receptacle (2) and the collar (3) are shaped to allow the collar and receptacle to be attached to each other in a first position and in an alternative second position such that the knife sheath is suitable for both left-handed and right-handed users.