Instrument sharpener system

Abstract

An instrument sharpener system for efficiently sharpening dental tools, such as but not limited to dental explorers. The instrument sharpener system generally includes a body including a motor and a drive member, wherein the drive member is mechanically connected to the motor and the motor rotates the drive member about a first axis. A sharpening unit including a pinion gear and a sharpening member positioned within the pinion gear, wherein the sharpening unit extends from the drive member and rotates about a second axis offset from the first axis. A head including an opening and a ring gear extends from the body, wherein the ring gear and the sharpening unit are positioned within the head. The pinion gear rotates around the ring gear and along the second axis, wherein the sharpening member of the outer member receives a tip of a dental explorer via the opening.

1 . An instrument sharpener system, comprising:
 a body including a motor and a drive member, wherein said drive member is mechanically connected to said motor and wherein said motor rotates said drive member;   wherein said drive member rotates about a first axis;   a sharpening unit including an outer member and a sharpening member, wherein said outer member of said sharpening unit extends from said drive member;   wherein said sharpening unit rotates about a second axis, wherein said second axis is offset from said first axis;   wherein said outer member is comprised of a gear configuration and wherein said sharpening member is positioned within said outer member; and   a head including an opening and a ring gear, wherein said head extends from said body, wherein said ring gear is positioned within said head and wherein said sharpening unit is positioned within said head;   wherein said outer member rotates around said ring gear and along said second axis and wherein said sharpening member of said outer member receives a tip of a dental explorer via said opening.   
   
   
       2 . The instrument sharpener system of  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of first engaging members of said outer member and a plurality of second engaging members of said ring gear are comprised of a hard rubber material. 
   
   
       3 . The instrument sharpener system of  claim 1 , wherein said ring gear is comprised of an internal ring gear. 
   
   
       4 . The instrument sharpener system of  claim 1 , wherein said motor operates at approximately 10,000 revolutions per minute. 
   
   
       5 . The instrument sharpener system of  claim 1 , wherein a first diameter of said opening is substantially similar to a second diameter of said tip of said dental explorer. 
   
   
       6 . The instrument sharpener system of  claim 1 , wherein said sharpening member includes a recessed portion extending within said sharpening member, wherein said recessed portion is comprised of an inverted conical shaped configuration and wherein an outer wall of said recessed portion defines a 70 degree angle with an inner end of said sharpening member. 
   
   
       7 . The instrument sharpener system of  claim 1 , wherein said sharpening member is comprised of a 400 grit sharpening stone. 
   
   
       8 . An instrument sharpener system, comprising:
 a body including a motor and a drive member, wherein said drive member is mechanically connected to said motor and wherein said motor rotates said drive member;   wherein said drive member rotates about a first axis;   a sharpening unit including an outer member and a sharpening member, wherein said outer member of said sharpening unit extends from said drive member;   wherein said sharpening unit rotates about a second axis, wherein said second axis is offset from said first axis;   wherein said outer member is comprised of a gear configuration and wherein said sharpening member is positioned within said outer member; and   a head including an opening and a ring gear, wherein said head extends from said body, wherein said ring gear is positioned within said head and wherein said sharpening unit is positioned within said head;   wherein said outer member rotates around said ring gear and along said second axis and wherein said sharpening member of said outer member receives a tip of a dental explorer via said opening;   wherein a plurality of first engaging members of said outer member and a plurality of second engaging members of said ring gear are comprised of a hard rubber material;   wherein said ring gear is comprised of an internal ring gear;   wherein said motor operates at approximately 10,000 revolutions per minute;   wherein a first diameter of said opening is substantially similar to a second diameter of said tip of said dental explorer;   wherein said sharpening member includes a recessed portion extending within said sharpening member, wherein said recessed portion is comprised of an inverted conical shaped configuration and wherein an outer wall of said recessed portion defines a 70 degree angle with an inner end of said sharpening member.   
   
   
       9 . The instrument sharpener system of  claim 8 , wherein said first axis is concentric with said body. 
   
   
       10 . The instrument sharpener system of  claim 8 , wherein said sharpening member is substantially concentric with said second axis. 
   
   
       11 . The instrument sharpener system of  claim 8 , wherein said head substantially encompasses said sharpening unit. 
   
   
       12 . The instrument sharpener system of  claim 8 , wherein said opening extends through an outer end of said head. 
   
   
       13 . The instrument sharpener system of  claim 8 , wherein said opening is substantially concentric with said first axis. 
   
   
       14 . The instrument sharpener system of  claim 8 , wherein said sharpening unit is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of said body. 
   
   
       15 . The instrument sharpener system of  claim 8 , wherein said body is comprised of a handheld tool configuration. 
   
   
       16 . The instrument sharpener system of  claim 8 , wherein said sharpening unit is attached to said drive member opposite said body. 
   
   
       17 . The instrument sharpener system of  claim 8 , wherein a first longitudinal axis of said drive member is substantially parallel to a second longitudinal axis of said sharpening unit. 
   
   
       18 . The instrument sharpener system of  claim 8 , wherein said sharpening member is comprised of a sharpening stone. 
   
   
       19 . The instrument sharpener system of  claim 18 , wherein said sharpening member is comprised of a 400 grit sharpening stone. 
   
   
       20 . An instrument sharpener system, comprising:
 a body including a motor and a drive member, wherein said drive member is mechanically connected to said motor and wherein said motor rotates said drive member;   wherein said drive member rotates about a first axis;   a sharpening unit including an outer member and a sharpening member, wherein said outer member of said sharpening unit extends from said drive member;   wherein said sharpening unit rotates about a second axis, wherein said second axis is offset from said first axis;   wherein said outer member is comprised of a gear configuration and wherein said sharpening member is positioned within said outer member; and   a head including an opening and a ring gear, wherein said head extends from said body, wherein said ring gear is positioned within said head and wherein said sharpening unit is positioned within said head;   wherein said outer member rotates around said ring gear and along said second axis and wherein said sharpening member of said outer member receives a tip of a dental explorer via said opening;   wherein a plurality of first engaging members of said outer member and a plurality of second engaging members of said ring gear are comprised of a hard rubber material;   wherein said ring gear is comprised of an internal ring gear;   wherein said motor operates at approximately 10,000 revolutions per minute;   wherein a first diameter of said opening is substantially similar to a second diameter of said tip of said dental explorer;   wherein said sharpening member includes a recessed portion extending within said sharpening member, wherein said recessed portion is comprised of an inverted conical shaped configuration and wherein an outer wall of said recessed portion defines a 70 degree angle with an inner end of said sharpening member;   wherein said first axis is concentric with said body and wherein said sharpening member is substantially concentric with said second axis;   wherein said head substantially encompasses said sharpening unit and wherein said opening extends through an outer end of said head;   wherein said opening is substantially concentric with said first axis;   wherein said sharpening unit is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of said body;   wherein said body is comprised of a handheld tool configuration;   wherein said sharpening unit is attached to said drive member opposite said body;   wherein a first longitudinal axis of said drive member is substantially parallel to a second longitudinal axis of said sharpening unit;   wherein said sharpening member is comprised of a 400 grit sharpening stone.