Sharpening device
A sharpening device, components thereof, and associated methods. The sharpening device includes a sharpening assembly and a housing. The sharpening assembly is selectively receivable in the housing in a stowed configuration and supportable by the housing in an operational configuration to support the sharpening assembly for sharpening a blade. The sharpening assembly can include first and second arms having respective abrasive sharpening surfaces pivotable away from each other about a pivot connection.
1 . A blade sharpening device for sharpening a blade, the sharpening device comprising:
a first arm;
a first abrasive sharpener for sharpening the blade, the first abrasive sharpener being formed separately from and carried by the first arm;
a second arm;
a second abrasive sharpener for sharpening the blade, the second abrasive sharpener being formed separately from and carried by the second arm;
a third arm;
a third abrasive sharpener for sharpening the blade, the third abrasive sharpener being formed separately from and carried by the third arm;
a fourth arm;
a fourth abrasive sharpener for sharpening the blade, the fourth abrasive sharpener being formed separately from and carried by the fourth arm; and
a pivot connection connecting the arms to each other, the pivot connection forming a pivot axis, the pivot connection permitting at least two of said arms to be pivotable about the pivot axis;
wherein the arms are arrangeable in a first operational configuration in which the second and fourth arms extend downward with respect to the pivot connection, the first and third arms extend upward with respect to the pivot connection, and the first and third arms define a first sharpening space therebetween including a first opening above the pivot connection, the first opening arranged to permit the blade to be moved downward through the first opening and into the first sharpening space;
wherein the arms are arrangeable in a second operational configuration in which the first and third arms extend downward with respect to the pivot connection, the second and fourth arms extend upward with respect to the pivot connection, and the second and fourth arms define a second sharpening space therebetween including a second opening above the pivot connection, the second opening arranged to permit the blade to be moved downward through the first opening and into the second sharpening space.
2 . The blade sharpening device of claim 1 , wherein in the first operational configuration the second and fourth arms extend away from each other.
3 . The blade sharpening device of claim 2 , wherein in the second operational configuration the first and third arms extend away from each other.
4 . The blade sharpening device of claim 1 , wherein the arms are configured to be arrangeable in the second operational configuration by arranging the arms in the first operational configuration and conjointly inverting the arms and the pivot connection.
5 . The blade sharpening device of claim 1 , wherein the first and third abrasive sharpeners bound the first sharpening space and the second and fourth abrasive sharpeners bound the second sharpening space.
6 . The blade sharpening device of claim 1 , wherein the arms are arrangeable in a stowed configuration in which the first and third arms extend alongside each other and in which the second and fourth arms extending alongside each other.
7 . The blade sharpening device of claim 6 , wherein the first and third arms lie against one another and the second and fourth arms lie against one another when the arms are in the stowed configuration.
8 . The blade sharpening device of claim 6 , wherein the first abrasive sharpener includes a first abrasive sharpening surface for sharpening the blade, the second abrasive sharpener includes a second abrasive sharpening surface for sharpening the blade, the third abrasive sharpener includes a third abrasive sharpening surface for sharpening the blade, and the fourth abrasive sharpener includes a fourth abrasive sharpening surface for sharpening the blade, wherein, when the arms are in the stowed configuration, the first and third abrasive sharpening surfaces engage one another and the second and fourth abrasive sharpening surfaces engage one another.
9 . The blade sharpening device of claim 1 , wherein the pivot connection includes a first pivot hub and a second pivot hub, the first and second arms being connected to the first pivot hub, and the third and fourth arms being connected to the second pivot hub.
10 . The blade sharpening device of claim 9 , wherein the first and second arms are configured to pivot conjointly with the first pivot hub about the pivot connection.
11 . The blade sharpening device of claim 10 , wherein the third and fourth arms are configured to pivot conjointly with the second pivot hub about the pivot connection.
12 . The blade sharpening device of claim 1 , further comprising a base configured to support the arms in the first operational configuration and in the second operational configuration.
13 . The blade sharpening device of claim 1 , wherein the pivot connection permits each of the first arm, the second arm, the third arm, and the fourth arm to be pivotable about the pivot axis.
14 . The blade sharpening device of claim 1 , wherein:
the first abrasive sharpener of the first arm is disposed on a side of the first arm that faces the third arm;
the second abrasive sharpener of the second arm is disposed on a side of the second arm that faces the fourth arm;
the third abrasive sharpener of the third arm is disposed on a side of the third arm that faces the first arm; and
the fourth abrasive sharpener of the fourth arm is disposed on a side of the fourth arm that faces the second arm.
15 . The blade sharpening device of claim 1 , wherein:
in the first operational configuration, an angular distance about the pivot axis between the first and third abrasive sharpeners is less than an angular distance about the pivot axis between the first and third arms; and
in the second operational configuration, an angular distance about the pivot axis between the second and fourth abrasive sharpeners is less than an angular distance about the pivot axis between the second and fourth arms.
16 . The blade sharpening device of claim 1 , wherein:
in the first operational configuration, the first and third abrasive sharpeners are located directly across the first sharpening space from one another; and
in the second operational configuration, the second and fourth abrasive sharpeners are located directly across the second sharpening space from one another.
17 . The blade sharpening device of claim 1 , wherein the first abrasive sharpener includes a first abrasive sharpening surface for sharpening the blade, the second abrasive sharpener includes a second abrasive sharpening surface for sharpening the blade, the third abrasive sharpener includes a third abrasive sharpening surface for sharpening the blade, and the fourth abrasive sharpener includes a fourth abrasive sharpening surface for sharpening the blade;
wherein in the first operational configuration, a first circle with a center at the pivot axis intersects the first and third abrasive sharpening surfaces, the first circle intersecting the first abrasive sharpening surface at a location spaced from a perimeter of the first abrasive sharpening surface and intersecting the third abrasive sharpening surface at a location spaced from a perimeter of the third abrasive sharpening surface; and
wherein in the second operational configuration, a second circle with a center at the pivot axis intersects the second and fourth abrasive sharpening surfaces, the second circle intersecting the second abrasive sharpening surface at a location spaced from a perimeter of the second abrasive sharpening surface and intersecting the fourth abrasive sharpening surface at a location spaced from a perimeter of the fourth abrasive sharpening surface.
18 . The blade sharpening device of claim 1 , wherein the first and third abrasive sharpeners are coarser than the second and fourth abrasive sharpeners.
19 . The blade sharpening device of claim 1 , wherein when the arms are in the first operational configuration the first abrasive sharpener is offset an angular distance about the pivot axis from the third abrasive sharpener, and wherein when the arms are in the second operational configuration the second abrasive sharpener is offset an angular distance about the pivot axis from the fourth abrasive sharpener.
20 . The blade sharpening device of claim 19 , wherein when the arms are in both the first and second operational configurations the first abrasive sharpener is offset an angular distance about the pivot axis from the second abrasive sharpener.
21 . A blade sharpening device for sharpening a blade, the sharpening device comprising:
a first support having opposite first and second ends;
a second support having opposite first and second ends; and
a pivot connection connecting the first and second supports, the pivot connection disposed between the first and second ends of the first support and between the first and second ends of the second support, the first and second supports being pivotable about the pivot connection to pivot the first and second supports relative to one another to arrange the first and second supports in an operational arrangement for use in sharpening the blade, wherein in the operational arrangement the first and second supports are arranged to form a generally X shape;
wherein the first support includes a first abrasive sharpening surface disposed between the pivot connection and the first end of the first support, and the second support includes a second abrasive sharpening surface disposed between the pivot connection and the first end of the second support, the first and second abrasive sharpening surfaces arranged to generally face one another when the first and second supports are in the operational arrangement;
wherein the first support includes a third abrasive sharpening surface disposed between the pivot connection and the second end of the first support, and the second support includes a fourth abrasive sharpening surface disposed between the pivot connection and the second end of the second support, the third and fourth abrasive sharpening surfaces arranged to generally face one another when the first and second supports are in the operational arrangement;
wherein the first and second abrasive sharpening surfaces are coarser than the third and fourth abrasive sharpening surfaces;
wherein in the operational arrangement a circle with a center defined by the pivot connection intersects the first, second, third and fourth abrasive sharpening surfaces, the circle intersecting the first abrasive sharpening surface at a location spaced from a perimeter of the first abrasive sharpening surface, the circle intersecting the second abrasive sharpening surface at a location spaced from a perimeter of the second abrasive sharpening surface, the circle intersecting the third abrasive sharpening surface at a location spaced from a perimeter of the third abrasive sharpening surface, the circle intersecting the fourth abrasive sharpening surface at a location spaced from a perimeter of the fourth abrasive sharpening surface.
22 . The blade sharpening device of claim 21 , wherein the first and third abrasive sharpening surfaces are arranged to pivot conjointly about the pivot connection with the first support, and wherein the second and fourth abrasive sharpening surfaces are arranged to pivot conjointly about the pivot connection with the second support.
23 . The blade sharpening device of claim 21 , wherein the first and second supports are pivotable about the pivot connection to change from the operational arrangement to a stowed arrangement, the first and second supports extending alongside one another in the stowed arrangement.
24 . The blade sharpening device of claim 23 , wherein the first ends of the first and second supports are adjacent to one another when the first and second supports are in the stowed arrangement and the second ends of the first and second supports are adjacent to one another when the first and second supports are in the stowed arrangement.
25 . The blade sharpening device of claim 24 , wherein the first and second abrasive sharpening surfaces are in face-to-face engagement when the first and second supports are in the stowed arrangement.
26 . The blade sharpening device of claim 23 , wherein the first and second supports lie against one another when the first and second supports are in the stowed arrangement.
27 . The blade sharpening device of claim 23 , wherein, when the first and second supports are in the stowed arrangement, the first and second abrasive sharpening surfaces engage one another and the third and fourth abrasive sharpening surfaces engage one another.
28 . The blade sharpening device of claim 21 , further comprising a retainer arranged to retain the first and second supports in the operational arrangement.
29 . The blade sharpening device of claim 21 , further comprising a base having first and second receivers arranged to receive the second ends of the first and second supports when the first and second supports are in the operational arrangement and the first and second supports are in a first orientation relative to the base to support the first and second supports for use in sharpening the blade.
30 . The blade sharpening device of claim 29 , wherein the base has a third receiver, wherein the operational arrangement is a first operational arrangement, the first and second abrasive sharpening surfaces being spaced apart by a first angular distance about the pivot connection when the first and second supports are in the first operational arrangement, wherein the first and second supports are pivotable about the pivot connection to arrange the first and second supports in a second operational arrangement for use in sharpening the blade, the first and second abrasive sharpening surfaces being spaced apart by a second angular distance about the pivot connection when the first and second supports are in the second operational arrangement, the first angular distance being different than the second angular distance, and wherein the first and third receivers are arranged to receive the second ends of the first and second supports when the first and second supports are in the second operational arrangement to support the first and second supports for use in sharpening the blade.
31 . The blade sharpening device of claim 29 , wherein the first and second receivers are arranged to receive the first ends of the first and second supports when the first and second supports are in the operational arrangement and the first and second supports are in a second orientation relative to the base to support the first and second supports for use in sharpening the blade, the second orientation being inverted relative to the first orientation.
32 . The blade sharpening device of claim 21 , wherein the pivot connection directly connects the first and second supports to one another.
33 . The blade sharpening device of claim 21 , wherein the pivot connection forms a pivot axis about which the first and second supports pivot, the pivot axis intersecting a center of the X shape when the first and second supports are in the operational arrangement.
34 . The blade sharpening device of claim 21 , wherein in the operational arrangement the first and second abrasive sharpening surfaces are located directly across from one another and the third and fourth abrasive sharpening surfaces are located directly across from one another.
35 . The blade sharpening device of claim 21 , wherein the pivot connection includes a fastener having a head engaging the first support or the second support.
36 . The blade sharpening device of claim 35 , wherein the fastener is a first fastener and the head of the first fastener engages the first support, and wherein the pivot connection includes a second fastener having a head engaging the second support.
37 . The blade sharpening device of claim 36 , wherein the first and second fasteners are directly coupled to one another.
38 . The blade sharpening device of claim 21 , wherein the first and third abrasive sharpening surfaces are spaced apart from one another, and wherein the second and fourth abrasive sharpening surfaces are spaced apart from one another.
39 . The blade sharpening device of claim 21 , wherein the first, second, third, and fourth abrasive sharpening surfaces each have a radially inner edge and a radially outer edge spaced radially outward of the radially inner edge relative to the pivot connection, wherein when the first and second supports are in the operational arrangement the radially inner edges of the respective first, second, third, and fourth abrasive sharpening surfaces are each spaced radially outward and apart from the pivot connection.
40 . A blade sharpening device for sharpening a blade, the sharpening device comprising:
a blade sharpening assembly comprising:
a first support having opposite first and second ends;
a second support having opposite first and second ends; and
a pivot connection connecting the first and second supports, the pivot connection disposed between the first and second ends of the first support and between the first and second ends of the second support, the first and second supports being pivotable about the pivot connection to pivot the first and second supports relative to one another to arrange the first and second supports in an operational arrangement for use in sharpening the blade, wherein in the operational arrangement the first and second supports are arranged to form a generally X shape;
wherein the first support includes a first abrasive sharpening surface disposed between the pivot connection and the first end of the first support, and the second support includes a second abrasive sharpening surface disposed between the pivot connection and the first end of the second support, the first and second abrasive sharpening surfaces arranged to generally face one another when the first and second supports are in the operational arrangement; and
a base configured to selectively receive and support the second ends of the first and second supports when the first and second supports are in the operational arrangement and the first and second supports are in a first orientation relative to the base to support the blade sharpening assembly for use in sharpening the blade;
wherein the pivot connection connects the first and second supports when the first and second supports are received by the base and when the first and second supports are not received by the base.
41 . The blade sharpening device of claim 40 , wherein the base includes a first receiver and a second receiver, the first receiver being arranged to receive the second end of the first support when the first and second supports are in the operational arrangement and the first and second supports are in the first orientation, the second receiver being arranged to receive the second end of the second support when the first and second supports are in the operational arrangement and the first and second supports are in the first orientation.
42 . The blade sharpening device of claim 41 , wherein the base has a third receiver, wherein the operational arrangement is a first operational arrangement, the first and second abrasive sharpening surfaces being spaced apart by a first angular distance about the pivot connection when the first and second supports are in the first operational arrangement, wherein the first and second supports are pivotable about the pivot connection to arrange the first and second supports in a second operational arrangement for use in sharpening the blade, the first and second abrasive sharpening surfaces being spaced apart by a second angular distance about the pivot connection when the first and second supports are in the second operational arrangement, the first angular distance being different than the second angular distance, and wherein the first and third receivers are arranged to receive the second ends of the first and second supports when the first and second supports are in the second operational arrangement to support the first and second supports for use in sharpening the blade.
43 . The blade sharpening device of claim 40 , wherein the first support includes a third abrasive sharpening surface disposed between the pivot connection and the second end of the first support, and the second support includes a fourth abrasive sharpening surface disposed between the pivot connection and the second end of the second support, the third and fourth abrasive sharpening surfaces arranged to generally face one another when the first and second supports are in the operational arrangement, and wherein the base is configured to selectively receive the first ends of the first and second supports when the first and second supports are in the operational arrangement and the first and second supports are in a second orientation relative to the base to support the blade sharpening assembly for use in sharpening the blade, the second orientation being inverted relative to the first orientation.
44 . The blade sharpening device of claim 40 , wherein the first and second supports are pivotable about the pivot connection to change from the operational arrangement to a stowed arrangement; and
wherein the base includes an interior and an opening permitting access to the interior, the blade sharpening assembly being receivable in the interior of the base via insertion into the opening when the first and second supports are in the stowed arrangement.
45 . The blade sharpening device of claim 40 , wherein the base is configured to engage the second ends of the first and second supports when the first and second supports are in the operational arrangement and the first and second supports are in a first orientation relative to the base to support the blade sharpening assembly for use in sharpening the blade.