Configuration for knife sharpeners that rotationally stabilizes them and knife sharpeners that conform to it

Abstract

My invention is a configuration or layout for the pull-through type of knife sharpener that rotationally-stabilizes them during use as well as the sharpeners that incorporate this improvement. The improvement applies to the portable counter-top sharpeners that were primarily designed for sharpening knives. These sharpeners consist of a base with a set of blade-cutters. The blade-cutters are comprised of opposing sharpening members that form a V-notch that a knife blade is placed into and drawn through. The configuration is used to stabilize these sharpeners from the tendency to rotate both longitudinally and laterally while in use. The configuration includes three main features. The base is lengthened when compared to sharpeners of their type and the cutters are mounted on the front end on one side of the base. There is a stabilization-zone which holds a position relative to the base. Part of the handle-area is located in this stabilization zone.

1 . A configuration for a hand-stabilized, pull-through, counter-top, knife sharpener that makes the sharpener rotationally-stable, comprising: 
 a blade-cutter having generally opposing cutting elements, the cutting elements forming a transverse generally upright V-notch that opens upward with a cutter-vertex at the intersection of the cutting elements;    a base comprising: 
 a front portion and an opposing rear portion;  
 a front extent and a rear extent;  
 a left side and an opposing right side;  
 a bottom surface and a top surface;  
 a blade-path area on the base extending from the front extent to the rear extent; and  
 a handle-area for securing the sharpener relative to the counter-top; and  
   a stabilization-zone located relative to the base such that the sharpener can be stabilized on the longitudinal and lateral axes of the sharpener when the handle-area resides within the stabilization-zone and the handle-area is held by the user;    wherein the blade-cutter is mounted on the front portion of the base within the blade-path area;    wherein the width of the stabilization-zone extends two and one-half inches to either side of the cutter-vertex, the height of the stabilization-zone begins at the bottom surface and extends upward at least three inches, and the length of the stabilization-zone begins at least two inches behind the blade-cutter and extends to the rear extent of the base; and    wherein the handle-area is located at least partially within the stabilization-zone.    
   
   
       2 . A hand-stabilized, pull-through, counter-top, sharpener that is rotationally-stable, comprising: 
 a blade-cutter having generally opposing cutting elements, the cutting elements forming a transverse generally upright V-notch that opens upward with a cutter-vertex at the intersection of the cutting elements;    a base comprising: 
 a front portion and an opposing rear portion;  
 a front extent and a rear extent;  
 a left side and an opposing right side;  
 a bottom surface and a top surface;  
 a blade-path area on the base extending from the front extent to the rear extent; and  
 a handle-area for securing the sharpener relative to the counter-top; and  
   a stabilization-zone located relative to the base such that the sharpener can be stabilized on the longitudinal and lateral axes of the sharpener when the handle-area resides within the stabilization-zone and the handle-area is held by the user;    wherein the blade-cutter is mounted on the front portion of the base within the blade-path area;    wherein the width of the stabilization-zone extends two and one-half inches to either side of the cutter-vertex, the height of the stabilization-zone begins at the bottom surface and extends upward at least three inches, and the length of the stabilization-zone begins at least two inches behind the blade-cutter and extends to the rear extent of the base; and    wherein the handle-area is located at least partially within the stabilization-zone.    
   
   
       3 . The sharpener of  claim 2 , wherein the stabilization-zone optionally begins at least two and one-half inches rearward of the cutters and extends to the rear extent of the base.  
   
   
       4 . The sharpener of  claim 2 , wherein the stabilization-zone optionally begins at least three inches rearward of the cutters and extends to the rear extent of the base.  
   
   
       5 . The sharpener of  claim 2 , wherein the stabilization-zone optionally begins at least three and one-half inches rearward of the cutters and extends to the rear extent of the base.  
   
   
       6 . The sharpener of  claim 2 , wherein the stabilization-zone optionally begins at least four inches rearward of the cutters and extends to the rear extent of the base.  
   
   
       7 . The sharpener of  claim 2 , wherein the stabilization-zone optionally begins at least four and one-half inches rearward of the cutters and extends to the rear extent of the base  
   
   
       8 . The sharpener of  claim 2 , wherein the stabilization-zone optionally begins at least five inches rearward of the cutters and extends to the rear extent of the base  
   
   
       9 . The sharpener of  claim 2 , wherein the stabilization-zone optionally begins at least five and one-half inches rearward of the cutters and extends to the rear extent of the base  
   
   
       10 . The sharpener of  claim 2 , wherein the base is “L” shaped.  
   
   
       11 . The sharpener of  claim 2 , wherein the handle-area contains means for adjusting the handle-area between the left side of the base and the right side of the base.  
   
   
       12 . The sharpener of  claim 2 , wherein the handle-area contains means for adjusting the handle-area between the left side of the base and a neutral position.  
   
   
       13 . The sharpener of  claim 2 , wherein the base is “T” shaped.  
   
   
       14 . The sharpener of  claim 2 , wherein the base is rectilinear.  
   
   
       15 . The sharpener of  claim 2 , further comprising a vertical safety wall coupled to the base that extends longitudinally between the handle-area and the blade-path area.  
   
   
       16 . The sharpener of  claim 2 , further comprising a front alignment tab for aligning the sharpener to with the edge of the counter-top.  
   
   
       17 . The sharpener of  claim 2 , wherein the handle-area is sculpted to fit the hand.  
   
   
       18 . The sharpener of  claim 2 , wherein the handle-area ascends vertically and at least partially within the stabilization-zone.  
   
   
       19 . The sharpener of  claim 2 , wherein the blade-cutter is selected from the group consisting of V-bar, multiple disc, and V-file.  
   
   
       20 . The sharpener of  claim 2 , wherein the base further comprises a high-traction surface for reducing movement of the sharpener relative to the working surface.