Cutlery – Static pencil sharpener – With debris receiver
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-05
2001-09-11
Payer, Hwei-Siu (Department: 3724)
Cutlery
Static pencil sharpener
With debris receiver
C030S451000, C144S028110
Reexamination Certificate
active
06286218
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a sharpener for shaping the use end of a pencil-like marking implement.
Such a sharpener has a sharpener housing or a housing body having a shaping device, which is usually configured as a metallic sharpening blade. The sharper further has a receiving channel, which tapers conically usually starting from an introduction end and is intended for the use end of the marking implement or marking pencil. The latter is, in particular, a soft-core pencil that is used particularly frequently as a cosmetic pencil. However, it may also be a normal pencil for writing purposes or a core without a casing because, for example, a wooden or plastic casing is not an absolutely essential constituent part of a marking implement.
It is known from Published, Non-Prosecuted German Patent Application DE 29 53 022 A1 to fix such a sharpener as a protective cap, when it is not in use, with a clamping fit on the pencil circumference or use end, in order to encase the latter or the tip of the marking pencil and to screen it in the outward direction. Serving as a clamping connection device in the case of the sharpener are a number of retaining tongues which are integrally formed at the introduction end of the receiving channel for the use end of the marking pencil and can be deflected resiliently in the radially outward direction. The retaining tongues produce the normal force necessary for the friction of the clamping connection. The clamping connection system is thus one with an elastic spring force as an internal, dedicated force producer that is permanently active. This has the considerable disadvantage that, during the sharpening operation, first of all the friction fit provided by the internal clamping-force producer has to be overcome before the marking pencil can be turned for the actual sharpening operation in the sharpener.
It is also known, in the case of the sharpener, for the sharpening end of the latter, and thus in particular the space thereof which encloses the outlet slit for the sharpening shavings, to be covered by a releasable closure cap which thus acts as a shaving collector. With the closure cap attached, the latter ensures that the sharpener encloses the sensitive tip of the marking pencil, and the shaving waste produced during sharpening, and protects the surroundings from undesired contact with the shaving waste and the pencil or core tip.
Further sharpeners which, when not in use, likewise fulfill the additional function of protecting the tip of the marking implement or core are known from U.S. Pat. No. 2,514,761 and from British Patent No. GB 994 071. The clamping connection provided for this purpose is likewise based on internal clamping-force producers which belong to the sharpener housing and act in a manner similar to the subject matter of the Published, Non-Prosecuted German Patent-Application DE 29 53 022 A1.
A sharpener which can be used in the same way, when not in use, as a protective cap for the tip of a cosmetic pencil and can be attached to the latter with an adhering or friction fit is also known from German Patent No. DE 31 45 536 C2, corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 4,513,798. The sharpener is provided with a receiving device for a cleaning stick which, in the received position, projects into the interior of the shaving-collecting cap and can thus fulfill a further function. The receiving opening for the cleaning stick serves as a quiver in order that, when not in use, the cleaning stick is kept available in a captive and easy-to-grip manner and its often soiled cleaning end is screened from the surroundings. In this position, it has the further function of removing pasty shaving waste adhering to the inside of the shaving-collecting cap when the latter is removed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a sharpener, in particular for soft-core pencils that overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art devices of this general type, such that, in a resting state, a clamping connection of the sharpener ensures improved adherence to the marking pencil, but does not obstruct the sharpening operation.
With the foregoing and other objects in view there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a sharpener for shaping a use end of an item to be sharpened, including a housing having a receiving channel formed therein for receiving a use end of a marking implement having a shank; a blade-shaped sharpener disposed in the housing for shaping the marking implement; and a manually removable external clamping-force producer acting on the housing, the housing being seated as a protective cap, when not in use, with a clamping fit on the shank of the marking implement.
The object is achieved according to the invention in that the clamping connection provided is an external, and thus separate, clamping-force producer which can be separated manually from the housing. This does away with any obstruction of the sharpening operation by the clamping connection during sharpening operations because the latter is separate from the housing. In the use position on the housing, however, the separate clamping-force producer may be configured such that it actively blocks any release of the pencil from the sharpener. This does away with the risk of undesired release with the resulting soiling, which is extremely undesirable, and the associated risk to the core or pencil tip.
In a particularly expedient configuration, the external clamping-force producer is a cleaning stick and/or a shaping device for the core tip and thus a functional part that has a second use. The clamping-pressure or clamping-force producer is not necessary during the sharpening operation itself. However, immediately following the sharpening operation, it may be used as a cleaning tool and/or for shaping the core tip at the end of the sharpening operation. This prevents the risk of loss if, in order to release the marking pencil from the sharpener, it is loosened or removed from its clamping or rest position on the sharpener. This is because, once the core-shaping or cleaning operation has been carried out and the sharpener has then been pushed onto the use or core end of the pencil, the cleaning stick or the shaping device is immediately pushed into its quiver-like retaining channel on the sharpener or sharpener housing and, in this active rest position or functional position, in which the sharpener housing is seated with a clamping fit on the pencil shank, causes the sharpener to be fixed particularly securely in its protective position on the marking pencil.
It is also possible for the clamping-force producer to be, for example, a reserve blade for the sharpener, the reserve blade bringing about the clamping force when inserted in the housing. Another second use may be provided in that the clamping-force producer is a retaining clip which is secured on the implement or pencil shank by one retaining end, and is similar to the resilient retaining lug of a pen or the like, for the purpose of pushing or inserting the pencil into, for example, a shirt or jacket pocket. In the rest position, the retaining clip has its free end side pushed into the retaining channel on the housing and, in turn, brings about the clamping force.
In an advantageous development, the clamping-force producer acts directly on the outside of the pencil. For this purpose, the clamping-force producer is configured at its additional functional end, which is directed away from the insertion end, as an eccentric which, depending on the rotary or pivot position, acts with clamping action on the outside or shank of the inserted marking pencil or releases the same for unobstructed rotary movement. On the other hand, however, indirect action is also possible in that the clamping-force producer deflects, for example, an intermediate wall, which is provided integrally on the housing, or a pressure-exerting tongue, in its blocking position, radially inward, i.e. in the direction of the receiving channel for the use end or the core
Greenberg Laurence A.
KUM Limited
Lerner Herbert L.
Payer Hwei-Siu
Stemer Werner H.
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