GB2460914A

GB2460914A - Knive blade protector

Info

Publication number: GB2460914A
Application number: GB0905163A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew John Stokes
Original assignee: Bisbell Magnetic Products Ltd
Current assignee: Bisbell Magnetic Products Ltd
Priority date: 2008-04-04
Filing date: 2009-03-26
Publication date: 2009-12-23
Anticipated expiration: 2029-03-26
Also published as: GB2460914B; GB0905163D0; GB0806105D0

Abstract

The invention relates to a knife blade protector formed by two plate-like members (1,2) connected together by hinge element (3), each plate-like member having a magnetic elements (8,9) on one face. Each magnetic elements being magnetised with a plurality of longitudinal poles that alternate in polarity across the width of the magnetic elements. The magnetic elements being so positioned that with the plate-like members folded about their hinged connection to bring the magnetic means into close proximity, each north pole of one magnetic element (8) is in alignment with each south pole on the other magnetic element (9). With a knife blade placed between the plate-like members and the respective magnetic elements closed on to the blade, the alignment between opposite poles creates force fields through the knife blade to allow each plate-like member to be held to the knife blade. In one embodiment one plate-like member being provided with an upstanding flange (4) on its edge opposite to the hinge (3) against which the other plate-like member can locate.

Description

KNIFE BLADE PROTECTOR

This invention relates to a knife blade protector.

Fixed blade knives, such as for example kitchen knives, must, if they are to serve their intended purpose, be relatively sharp, and by having a fixed blade, the sharp edge is permanently exposed.

In the circumstance where the knife is not in use and left, for example, on a work surface, its exposed sharp edge can put operatives working on that surface at risk of being accidentally cut. In addition to that, it is frequently so that fixed blade knives are stored in drawers, along with other knives and implements. Again it puts an operative at risk, at the point that the knife is retrieved from a drawer, or another implement is retrieved from the proximity of the knife, of being cut by accidental contact with the knife edge. Another problem affixed blade knife storage in such as drawers is that the exposed cutting edge of the knife can be damaged by contact with other knives or implements, to the detriment of the knife's performance. It can generate a need to re-sharpen the knife, but if the knife has, for example, a serrated edge and cannot be re-sharpened in conventional manner, such damage can reduce noticeably the usetul life of the knife.

The object of the invention is to provide a knife blade protector that eliminates those disadvantages mentioned above.

According to the present invention, a knife blade protector or guard comprises two plate-like members connected together by hinge means, each plate-like member having a magnetic means on one face, and each magnetic means being magnetised with a plurality of longitudinal poles that alternate in polarity across the width of the magnetic means, and the magnetic means on each strip being so positioned that with the plate-like members folded about their hinged connection to bring the magnetic means into close proximity, each north pole of one magnetic means is in alignment with each south pole on the other magnetic means.

Thus, with a knife blade placed between the plate-like members and the respective magnetic means closed on to the blade, the alignment between opposite poles creates force fields through the knife blade to allow each plate-like member to be held to the knife blade.

By having the plate-like members of a width greater that the width of an intended blade, and particularly if the knife blade is positioned with its cutting edge towards the hinge between the plate-like members, the knife blade protector can be positioned on and held to the knife blade, providing effective protection against any accidental injury to an operative or damage to the knife blade during storage, when not in use.

Each plate-like member may be a moulding of an appropriate plastics material, and the two plate-like members may be moulded with an integral hinge. Each magnetic means may be a strip of flexible magnetic material and each plate-like member may be moulded with a recess for the accurate positioning of a respective strip of flexible magnetic material.

To allow the plate-like members to close completely on a knife blade, one said plate-like member may be provided with an upstanding rim to engage against the edge of the other plate-like member when a knife blade is interposed between the magnetic means of each plate-like member.

Given the accuracy with which moulding of plate-like members and an integral hinge can take place, the relative positions of the recess in each member can be guaranteed to a substantial degree. To ensure that the magnetic strip located in one recess will have each of its north and south poles opposed by a respective south and north pole on the strip in the other recess, it is preferred to lay two sheets of magnetic material one on the other, the magnetic attachment of one sheet to the other confirming that the respective opposite magnetic poles on the sheets are in alignment. Pairs of strips may then be cut simultaneously from the overlaid sheets, and when the strips of such a pair are located and secured in the respective recesses of the plate-like members, it is substantially guaranteed that with blade removed, the plate-like members can be closed on to each other with opposite magnetic poles on the strips in alignment, to ensure that the plate-like members are held together whilst the protector is not in use.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a knife blade protector or guard comprises two plate-like members connected together by flexible hinge means, each plate-like member being recessed on its innermost face to receive a strip of isotropic magnetic material, and one plate-like member being provided with an upstanding flange on its edge opposite to the hinge, against which the other plate-like member can locate, the positioning of the recesses in each plate-like member and the respective widths of the plate like members being such that with one plate-like member folded over on to the other to put the outer edge of one plate-like member into contact with the upstanding flange on the other, the recesses in each plate-like member and the magnetic strips located therein are in precise alignment. The required alignment of the two plate like members is facilitated by the two isotropic magnetic strips being in total accord magnetically and having more than sufficient magnetic force to keep the two plate like members aligned.

One embodiment of a knife blade protector in accordance with the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front elevation of a knife blade protector or guard in accordance with the invention in a closed condition; Figure 2 corresponds to Figure 1 but shows the protector or guard in an open condition; and Figure 3 is a section on the line A-A of Figure 1 to an enlarged scale, indicating the disposition of magnetic poles on the magnetic means of each plate-like member.

In the drawings, a knife blade protector or guard comprises two plate-like members 1, 2 held together by a series of hinge members 3. Each plate-like member is a moulding of an appropriate plastics material, and the hinge members 3 moulded integrally with the plate-like members.

To one side of the plate-like member 2 is an upstanding flange 4 extending to a curved flange section 5 at one end of the member 2 and the width and length of the plate-like member I is such that with it folded about the hinge 3 and on to the plate-like member 2, the outer edge of the member 2 and its curved section at one end, are in close abutting relationship with the flange 4 and flange part 5 on the member 2.

In the inner surface of the plate-like member 1 is a recess 6, and in the inner surface of the plate-like member 2 is a recess 7, each recess being provided with a strip of isotropic magnetic material, 8 and 9 respectively, each strip being magnetised with multiple longitudinal magnetic poles across the width of the strip, with north and south poles in alternation. By virtue of the accuracy of the positioning of the respective recesses 6 and 7 and the close abutting relationship of the plate-like member 1 with the flange on the plate-like member 2, and by so magnetising or arranging the strips 8 and 9 that one has a first north pole to the side nearer the hinge and the other has a first south pole, it is ensured that when the plate-like member is laid on the plate-like member 2, the north and south poles on one strip are aligned with co-operating south and north poles on the other, to ensure the magnetic attraction of one plate-like member to the other and to a knife blade positioned between the plate-like members. To ensure magnetic pole alignment, two magnetised strips, wider than is required for the recesses, can be laid one on the other, and when the magnetic forces between opposed poles pulls the sheets into a condition of magnetic pole alignment. The sheets can then be cut together to size, with the guarantee of magnetic alignment when they are fitted to the recesses in the plate-like members, and the members are folded one on top of the other.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A knife blade protector or guard comprising two plate-like members connected together by hinge means, each plate-like member having a magnetic means on one face, and each magnetic means being magnetised with a plurality of longitudinal poles that alternate in polarity across the width of the magnetic means, and the magnetic means on each strip being so positioned that with the plate-like members folded about their hinged connection to bring the magnetic means into close proximity, each north pole of one magnetic means is in alignment with each south pole on the other magnetic means.
2. A knife blade protector or guard as in Claim 1, wherein each plate-like member is a moulding of an appropriate plastics material.
3. A knife blade protector or guard as in Claim 2, wherein the two plate-like members are formed with an integral hinge.
4. A knife blade protector or guard as in any of Claims I to 3, wherein each magnetic means is a strip of flexible magnetic material.
5. A knife blade protector or guard as in Claim 4, wherein each plate-like member is moulded with a recess for the accurate positioning of a respective strip of flexible magnetic material.
6. A knife blade protector or guard as in any of Claims 1 to 5, wherein to allow the plate-like members to close completely on a knife blade, one said plate-like member is provided with an upstanding rim to engage against the edge of the other plate-like member when a knife blade is interposed between the magnetic means of each plate-like member.
7. A knife blade protector or guard comprising two plate-like members connected together by flexible hinge means, each plate-like member being recessed on its innermost face to receive a strip of isotropic magnetic material, and one plate-like member being provided with an upstanding flange on its edge opposite to the hinge, against which the other plate-like member can locate, the positioning of the recesses in each plate-like member and the respective widths of the plate like members being such that with one plate-like member folded over on to the other to put the outer edge of one plate-like member into contact with the upstanding flange on the other, the recesses in each plate-like member and the magnetic strips located therein are in precise alignment. The required alignment of the two plate like members is facilitated by the two isotropic magnetic strips being in total accord magnetically and having more than sufficient magnetic force to keep the two plate like members aligned.
8. A knife blade protector or guard substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.