ES2539613T3 - Improvement in the devices to sharpen the blades of sharp tools - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus for sharpening the blades of cutting tools, comprising a stage (1) that extends in a plane (P), whose stage (1), delimited by a front face (10), a rear face (11), an end upper (12), a lower end (13) and two lateral sides (14, 15), is provided with an opening (2) leading to said upper end (12), for the passage of the tool blade, being practiced in front of said opening (2) two sharpening structures in the form of elongated rods (8, 9), each articulated at the level of one of its ends on said stage (1), each on one side of said opening ( 2), and said rods (8, 9) comprising elastic recoil means, so that a mobile sharpening V is obtained under the pressure of the blade to be sharpened, said platen (1) also comprising a clamp leg (17 ), which extends from said lower end (13), and said lower end (13) of said stage (1) was extended nga, on the side of its rear face (11), by an intermediate fin (16), which is extended in turn by said clamp leg (17), the latter extending in a plane (P ') that is parallel or substantially parallel to said plane (P) of said stage (1), and which is displaced with respect to said plane (P), by the side of said rear face (11) of said stage (1), characterized in that said fin intermediate (16) is delimited by a leading edge (18) attached to the lower end (13) of said stage (1), a rear edge (19), parallel to said leading edge (18), attached to the upper end (21) of said clamping leg (17), and two lateral edges (20), said front (18) and rear (19) edges defining the width (l) of said intermediate fin (16), and each of said lateral edges extending (20) of said intermediate fin (16) by a lateral lug (22), said platen (1), said intermediate fin (16), said clamp leg (17) and said lugs The lateral sides (22) made in a monobloc manner in cut and folded sheet metal.

Description

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DESCRIPTION

Improvement in the devices to sharpen the blades of sharp tools.

The present invention relates to the apparatus for sharpening the blades of cutting or cutting tools, in particular the knife blades.

The blades of cutting tools need regular maintenance to preserve their cutting power.

This maintenance consists of regular sharpening operations in the course of which the cutting edge is reformed by means of a wheel or an adapted machine; between two sharpening operations, cutting edge wear is delayed by sharpening operations by means of a tool called “chaira”, by means of a diabolo sharpener, or even by means of a cross-rod sharpening module (fixed or articulated).

The type of sharpening machine used is a function of the degree of wear of the blade. Very often, the operator uses a “rough” chaira to rough the work, before using a “smooth” finishing chaira that serves as a burnisher for the edge of the blade.

But the use of these chairas needs an important technicality and an experienced skill; Consequently, they cannot be used effectively by anyone.

Sharpeners of the type of diabolo or fixed rods are not very effective and do not allow to obtain an interesting quality of sharpening.

Sharpening modules of the type of articulated cross rods generally serve to burnish the tool blades and have the interest of being able to be used satisfactorily even by people who do not have extensive experience or great technique in the field of sharpening.

An apparatus of this kind, described in US-A-5,478,272, is constituted by a flat base on which a vertical groove is arranged for the passage of the blade to be sharpened, and provided with two sharpening rods that are They cross in front of that slit. The two sharpening rods, made of steel wire, have a general curved shape and are articulated at the level of their upper end on the flat base, by means of rotary buttons associated with return springs. These rods form among them a sharpening V that is movable under the pressure of the tool blade to be sharpened; the corresponding mobile V allows to ensure a regular or relatively regular treatment pressure on the tool blade.

Lower and upper stops limit the pivoting of said rods between a high position and a low position.

Another apparatus of the articulated cross-rod type, which operates according to the same principle, is described in EP 1 260 318.

In this case, the sharpening rods are carried by a metal plate whose lower end is extended by a flat monobloc leg located in the plane of said plate, and whose width is decreasing from top to bottom. This leg is used to hold the device with one hand by an operator who wishes to treat the blade of a tool caught with the other hand; It can also be used to fix the device on an adapted support. The stage of this device (with its monobloc leg) is made from a metal sheet cut and folded.

But taking the device by its grip leg, when working on the tool, is a source of risk of cut injuries to the operator's hand. In addition, this leg does not allow you to take the device by hand in an optimal way.

An apparatus of the same genre, made of molded plastic material, is described in DE 10 2007 006 974. In this case also, the monoblock clamp leg extends in the same plane as the tool holder plate; an protruding fin extends forward, between the tool holder stage and the clamp leg, to serve as a safety stop member.

This type of plastic device is not very easy to maintain and clean.

In addition, tools in the process of treatment can cut small pieces, with the risk, in the food industry, of finding some in food.

The present invention proposes an improvement for this type of sharpening apparatus, which allows to remedy the aforementioned inconveniences, easy to manufacture and clean, and which also ensures great safety of use, as well as a good hand grip.

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For this, in the sharpening apparatus according to the present invention, the lower end of the rod support plate is extended, by the side of its rear face, by an intermediate fin, which in turn is extended by said leg of tension, the latter extending in a plane P 'that is parallel or substantially parallel to said plane

5 P of said stage, and which is offset with respect to this plane P, by the side of said rear face of said stage. The intermediate fin is delimited by

-a leading edge attached to the lower end of said stage, -a rear edge, parallel to the leading edge, attached to the upper end of the clamping leg, and 10 -two side edges, said front and rear edges defining the width l of said intermediate fin;

and to optimize the maintenance and safety of the operator's hand, the lateral edges of the intermediate flap are each extended by a lateral lug.

15 In addition, the stage, the intermediate flap, the clamp leg and the lateral lugs of the apparatus are made monobloc in cut and folded sheet metal (advantageously a stainless steel sheet whose thickness is between 2 and 4 mm).

The intermediate fin constitutes a kind of stop for the edge of the hand that carries the apparatus (in particular for

20 the upper part of the thumb or forefinger), thus facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus by this same hand, and substantially limiting the risks of reaching this hand by the blade of the tool being processed.

The association of the intermediate flap and the lateral lugs allows a very good ergonomics of the device

25 when it is taken by hand. Indeed, its weight distribution is improved by providing supplementary support, in particular on the upper part of the thumb or forefinger, and reducing the necessary effort of grip grip.

According to a preferred embodiment, the intermediate fin is in the form of a flat fin that extends 30 square or substantially square with respect to the plane P of the stage, and the clamping leg extends square or substantially square with respect to said intermediate fin.

To ensure good maintenance and optimum safety, the width l of the intermediate fin is preferably between 20 and 40 m.

35 Preferably, the lateral lugs are flat and extend over all or practically the entire width l of the intermediate fin, in a plane inclined to some degrees with respect to the plane of this intermediate fin, in the direction of the clamp leg.

The corresponding angle of inclination of each lateral lug with respect to the plane of the intermediate fin is advantageously between 10 and 40 °, preferably between 20 and 30 °.

The invention will also be illustrated, without being limited in any way, by the following description of a particular embodiment, given by way of example only and represented in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a sharpening apparatus according to the present invention; - Figure 2 is a side view of the apparatus illustrated in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a front view of the apparatus illustrated in Figures 1 and 2; and Figure 4 is a top view of the apparatus illustrated in Figures 1 to 3.

The sharpening apparatus illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 is constituted by a metal plate 1 in whose median area an opening 2 is formed, which leads upwards.

At the top of this opening 2, stage 1 comprises monobloc extensions 3 and 4 that constitute

55 some supports, on the one hand for a pair of flat blades 6, 7 intended to guide the blade of the tool to be sharpened and, on the other hand, for two sharpening rods 8, 9 that cross up in front of said blades of guidance 6, 7.

Stage 1 has a general triangular shape; It is flat and extends in a flat P.

60 This stage 1 is delimited by a front face 10, a rear face 11, an upper end 12, a lower end 13 and two lateral sides 14, 15.

The opening 2 has a general triangular shape that opens upwards and ends at the upper end 65 12.

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The lower end 13 of the stage 1 extends backwards (that is, on the side of its rear face 11), square or substantially square, by a monobloc intermediate flap 16 which extends in turn, square or substantially in square, by a monobloc leg 17 useful for the fastening of the apparatus and, possibly, for its fixation on an adapted support.

The intermediate fin 16 is flat and has a general rectangular or substantially rectangular shape. This flap 16 comprises a leading edge 18 and a trailing edge 19 parallel to each other, as well as two lateral edges 20, also parallel to each other. The distance that separates its front 18 and rear 19 edges corresponds to its width l.

This fin 16 extends in a perpendicular or substantially perpendicular plane with respect to the plane P of stage 1; it joins the lower end 13 of said stage 1 at the level of its leading edge 18.

The monobloc leg 17 has a general triangular shape with a decreasing width from top to bottom; it is flat and its upper end 21 joins the rear edge 19 of the intermediate fin 16.

This clamping leg 17 extends in a plane P 'which is parallel to the plane P of the stage 1. This plane P' is displaced backwards with respect to the plane P of the stage 1 (ie on the side of the face rear 11 of stage 1); this at a distance l corresponding to the width of intermediate fin 16.

On the other hand, it is noted that the lateral edges 20 of the intermediate fin 16 are extended by monobloc lugs 22 whose width corresponds substantially to that of said intermediate fin 16.

As can be seen in particular in Figures 1 to 3, these lugs 22 extend in a plane that is slightly angularly displaced downwards (that is, in the direction of the clamp leg 17) with respect to the plane of the intermediate fin 16 .

The angle of inclination corresponding to is preferably between 10 and 40 ° and even preferably between 20 and 30 °; it is in the present memory of the order of 25º.

It is understood that when an operator holds the sharpening device by the leg 17 in his hand, the intermediate fin 16 serves as a protection guard for this hand. The support of the index and / or the thumb against the lower surface of this fin 16 further optimizes the support of the apparatus.

The two lateral lugs 22 increase the protection obtained as well as the comfort of support for a larger distribution of the contact surfaces. Its slight downward inclination with respect to the plane of the flap 16 allows to optimize the ergonomics of the grip by hand.

On the other hand, each support 3, 4 has a general form of L made as a monobloc with stage 1.

In particular, each support 3, 4 is disposed from the upper end of the opening 2, along one of the edges of this opening 2, and extends in a cantilever forward.

The two supports 3 and 4 comprise a base 23 that extends perpendicularly to the plane P of the stage 1, extended by an end wing 24 that extends perpendicularly to said base 23 and parallel to the plane P of the stage 1 (in a displaced plane forward with respect to plane P of stage 1).

The base 23 of the supports 3 and 4 comprises a threaded hole that allows the removable fixing of the flat sheets 6 and 7 by means of a screw 25. This threaded hole can be obtained by means of a threaded insert set in a hole made in the base 23.

The two flat sheets 6 and 7 are made, for example, in stainless steel; they are arranged face to face and extend perpendicularly to the plane of the stage 1. These sheets 6, 7 each comprise an end flange in L 26 which allows its fixation on the supports 3 and 4 by means of the screws 25; from this flange in L 26, the two sheets 6 and 7 each take the form of a dihedral to jointly constitute a first widened V 27 at the top of the opening 2 followed by a second narrowed V 28 in the lower part of said opening 2 (figure 3).

The lower edges 29 and 30 of the two sheets 6 and 7 are brought into contact with each other to form a self-tightening guiding system.

As described in EP 1 260 318, just above its lower edge 29 and 30, the two sheets 6 and 7 comprise displaced internal cutouts 31 and 32 forming monobloc tabs folded in the opposite direction to each other to constitute a V 33 that allows the straightening of the edge of the tool blade in a perfect alignment.

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The angle between these two tabs 31, 32 is between the order of 40 °.

Each of the monobloc tabs is associated with a lateral opening that allows the homologous tongue to be inserted.

As described in EP 1 260 318, the two sharpening rods 8 and 9 are made of metallic wire, for example stainless steel wire. They consist of a U-shaped rod, which comprises two parallel arms integral to one of its ends and whose free ends comprise monobloc square flanges that come to fit into appropriate holes made in the end wing 24 of the supports 3 and 4 .

This insertion of the rod flanges into the associated holes allows the articulation of the rods 8 and 9 on their respective support 3, 4 around axes perpendicular to the support plate 1.

These holes extend perpendicularly to the plane of the stage 1 and pass through the end wing 24 of the supports 3 and 4.

At this level, the presence of pieces 24 ’applied by welding on the outer faces of the wings 24 is highlighted to increase its thickness. These applied parts 24 ', in which the holes for inserting the rods are made, serve to maintain a well defined separation of the two arms of the rods, due in this case to the small thickness of the sheet used to form the plate 1 and its monobloc supports 3 and 4.

These 24 ’pieces prevent the rods from rubbing on each other and ensure that these rods pivot without parasitic friction.

On the other hand, the holes made in these applied parts 24 'and which extend in the wing 24 of the supports 3 and 4 ensure a good guidance of the rod flanges and ensure a rotation perfectly perpendicular to the plane of the support plate 1 .

The two corresponding holes are offset on each wing 24 to obtain an elastic recoil system of the rods 8 and 9 by a twisting effect of the two parallel arms, as detailed in EP 1 260 318. The positioning of the flanges of rods and that of the receiving holes is adapted to obtain the desired elastic recoil characteristics.

At rest, the two arms of the rods 8 and 9 are parallel, and one of these arms has a slightly more important length than that of the other to offset the two extreme flanges in order to allow their insertion in the associated holes.

These flanges are oriented in the opposite direction to each other so that the two parallel arms of the rods 8, 9 are positioned on either side of the end wings 24 of the supports 3 and 4, this positioning being possible thanks to the elasticity of the extreme union of said rods. The corresponding flanges are simply fitted in the receiving holes, free of rotation and removable.

The two sharpening rods 8 and 9 are mounted imbricated in one another to optimize the sharpening operations and also to limit the volume of the apparatus.

In Figures 1 and 3, the general curved shape of the two rods 8 and 9 is highlighted, which allows an angle of the order of 40 ° to be preserved between them, whatever the depth of penetration of the tool blade.

At rest, the two sharpening rods 8 and 9 are in a high position, their end being blocked by stop structures 34 arranged on the sides of the plate 1. These stops 34 can be made in a monobloc form, by folding the parts side of stage 1; they may also consist of independent elements, applied and fixed by any appropriate means.

At rest, it is noted that the two sharpening rods 8 and 9 intersect just below the transition level between the widened V 27 and the narrowed V 28 of the guide fins 6 and 7.

In the embodiment described above, the stage 1, the intermediate flap 16, the lugs 22, the leg 17, the supports 3 and 4 and the stops 34 have been made in monoblock form from a metal sheet cut and folded, advantageously a stainless steel sheet whose thickness is between 2 and 4 mm.

In a variant embodiment, this assembly could be obtained in molded plastic material.

In general, the height of this apparatus can be of the order of 280 mm, its width of the order of 130 mm and its thickness of the order of 80 mm. The width 1 of the intermediate fin is advantageously between 20 and 40 mm.

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The sharpening device can be used by hand or installed on an appropriate support or on it, fixed on the workstation. The apparatus can thus be very easily removed from its support, in particular with a view to cleaning or disinfecting it.

5 An internal cut 35 made in the monobloc leg 17 allows to lighten the weight of the apparatus.

Once the device is picked up by hand or positioned vertically on its support, the operator places the blade of the tool he wishes to sharpen between the two blades 6, 7 that form a self-tightening guide.

10 If you wish to use the straightening V 33 formed by the two monobloc tabs 31 and 32, exert a vertical pressure on the tool, sufficient for its blade to reach said V 33; the operator can then exercise the reciprocating movements adapted to “work” the edge of the tool blade, in a similar or appreciated way to the classic work by a “rough” chaira.

15 The tool blade is then guided by the self-pressing V of the guide blades 6, 7, which ensures a perfect working angle.

The two sharpening rods 8 and 9 are then used to ensure the finishing of the sharpening operation, that is to say, to “burnish” or smooth the tool blade, as can be done in a classical way by means of a “ smooth. ”

The operator then performs a reciprocating movement of the tool blade on the two sharpening rods 8, 9, exerting just enough pressure not to reach the straightening V.

25 The two sharpening rods 8 and 9 resemble mobile torsion bars in the form of arcs and allow to keep between them, and whatever the depth of penetration of the tool blade in the narrowed V 28, the good angle of attack that optimizes the work on the edge of the blade.

30 The downward movement of the tool blade is limited by the presence of the straightening V 33 and, therefore, it is not necessary to provide low stop structures for the two sharpening rods 8 and 9. Anyway, the Two rods 8 and 9, embedded in each other, cannot be separated from each other at the bottom.

The two sharpening rods 8 and 9 intrinsically comprise their own elastic recoil means, which simplifies the structure of the apparatus. In addition, these two rods can be easily disassembled and traced from their support, in particular for maintenance operations.

The apparatus according to the present invention has a relatively simple general structure and is very complete, since it proposes two associated assemblies that allow the cutting edge of the 40 tool blades to work differently.

On the other hand, the presence of the intermediate fin 16 and the monobloc lugs 22 optimizes their safety of use and their grip on the hand.

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Claims (6)

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one.

Apparatus for sharpening the blades of cutting tools, comprising a stage (1) that extends in a plane (P), whose stage (1), delimited by a front face (10), a rear face (11), an end upper (12), a lower end (13) and two lateral sides (14, 15), is provided with an opening (2) leading to said upper end (12), for the passage of the tool blade, being practiced in front of said opening (2) two sharpening structures in the form of elongated rods (8, 9), each articulated at the level of one of its ends on said stage (1), each on one side of said opening ( 2), and said rods (8, 9) comprising elastic recoil means, so that a mobile sharpening V is obtained under the pressure of the blade to be sharpened, said platen (1) also comprising a clamp leg (17 ), which extends from said lower end (13), and said lower end (13) of said stage (1) was extended nga, on the side of its rear face (11), by an intermediate fin (16), which is extended in turn by said clamp leg (17), the latter extending in a plane (P ') that is parallel or substantially parallel to said plane (P) of said stage (1), and which is displaced with respect to said plane (P), by the side of said rear face (11) of said stage (1), characterized in that said fin intermediate (16) is delimited by a leading edge (18) attached to the lower end (13) of said stage (1), a rear edge (19), parallel to said leading edge (18), attached to the upper end (21) of said clamping leg (17), and two lateral edges (20), said front (18) and rear (19) edges defining the width (l) of said intermediate fin (16), and each of said lateral edges extending (20) of said intermediate fin (16) by a lateral lug (22), said platen (1), said intermediate fin (16), said clamp leg (17) and said ears lateral etas (22) made in a monobloc manner in cut and folded sheet metal.

2.

Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said intermediate fin (16) is in the form of a flat fin that extends squarely or substantially squarely with respect to the plane (P) of said stage (1), and that said clamp leg (17) extends square or substantially square with respect to said intermediate fin (16).

3.

Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the width (l) of the intermediate fin

(16) is between 20 and 40 mm.

Four.

Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each of said lateral lugs (22) is flat and extends over all or practically all of the width (l) of said intermediate fin (16), in a plane inclined to some degrees, with respect to the plane of said intermediate fin (16), in the direction of the clamp leg (17).

5.

Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the angle of inclination (a) of each lateral lug (22) with respect to the plane of the intermediate fin (16) is between 10 and 40 °.

6.

Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises said stage (1), said intermediate flap (16), said clamping leg (17) and said lateral lugs (22) made monobloc in stainless steel sheet cropped and folded whose thickness is between 2 and 4 mm.

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