Knife sharpener

Abstract

A blade sharpening apparatus comprising a rotor, including a plurality of interleaved fingers, operative to interface with the cutting edge of a blade. The rotor is coupled to a rotary drive, such as an electric motor, thereby automating the sharpening process. Preferably, each of the fingers is flexible and includes a lead-in in the form of a radius or chamfer to prevent kick back from the heel of the blade or knife being sharpened. It is also preferable that the sharpening fingers include a portion of abrasive material or surface treatment.

1 . A blade sharpening apparatus comprising:
 (A) a rotor, including a plurality of interleaved flexible fingers, operative to interface with the cutting edge of a blade; and   (B) a rotary drive coupled to said rotor.   
   
   
       2 . A blade sharpening apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said fingers each include a lead-in. 
   
   
       3 . A blade sharpening apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein said lead-in is a radius. 
   
   
       4 . A blade sharpening apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said rotary drive is an electric motor. 
   
   
       5 . A blade sharpening apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said fingers are abrasive. 
   
   
       6 . A blade sharpening apparatus comprising:
 (A) a rotor assembly including first and second rotors, wherein each said rotor includes a hub with a plurality of fingers extending radially therefrom, said rotors being disposed about a rotor shaft such that respective fingers of said first and second rotors are interleaved with one another; and   (B) a rotary drive coupled to said rotor shaft.   
   
   
       7 . A blade sharpening apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein said fingers are flexible. 
   
   
       8 . A blade sharpening apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein said fingers each include a lead-in. 
   
   
       9 . A blade sharpening apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein said fingers are flexible. 
   
   
       10 . A blade sharpening apparatus according to  claim 9  wherein said lead-in is a radius. 
   
   
       11 . A blade sharpening apparatus according to  claim 6  wherein said rotary drive is an electric motor. 
   
   
       12 . A blade sharpening apparatus according to  claim 6  wherein said rotor assembly includes an abrasive.