Pencil sharpener

A pencil sharpener comprising:

• a base having a bottom surface adapted for being supported by a horizontal surface;
• a cutting assembly mounted to the base and projecting upwardly therefrom;
• a cage disposed above the base and having an upper portion surrounding the cutting assembly, said upper portion of said cage defining at least one radial chute and having an upper cover portion defining an opening for insertion of an end of a pencil;
• and
• a receptacle surrounding said cage and disposed above said base for collecting the shavings from sharpening a pencil, wherein the receptacle is vertically displaceable from the base for discarding the shavings.

A pencil sharpener comprising:

• a base having a bottom surface adapted for being supported by a horizontal surface;
• a cutting assembly mounted to the base and projecting upwardly therefrom;
• a cage disposed above the base and having an upper portion surrounding the cutting assembly, said upper portion of said cage defining at least one radial chute and having an upper cover portion defining an opening for insertion of an end of a pencil;
• and
• a receptacle surrounding said cage and disposed above said base for collecting the shavings from sharpening a pencil, wherein the receptacle comprises an outer wall, an inner wall and an annular floor panel extending radially between the outer and inner walls, the inner wall extending axially only a portion of the axial extent of the outer wall.

A pencil sharpener comprising:

• a base including
• an upper rim and
• a bottom surface adapted for being supported by a horizontal surface;
• a cutting assembly mounted to the base and projecting upwardly therefrom;
• a cage disposed above the base and having
• a lower portion extending a height from the base upper rim,
• an upper portion surrounding the cutting assembly, said upper portion defining at least one radial chute, and
• an upper cover portion defining an opening for insertion of an end of a pencil;
• and
• a receptacle surrounding said cage and disposed above said base, the receptacle including
• a transparent outer wall,
• an inner wall surrounding the cage lower portion, the inner wall having a height substantially equal to the height of the cage lower portion, and
• an annular floor panel extending radially between the outer and inner walls,
• the outer wall, inner wall and floor panel defining a holding container for collecting the shavings from sharpening a pencil.

A pencil sharpener comprising:

• a base including
• an upper rim and
• a bottom surface adapted for being supported by a horizontal surface;
• a motor dispose within the base;
• a cutting assembly mounted to the base and projecting upwardly therefrom, the cutting assembly being connected to the motor;
• a cage disposed above the base and having
• a lower portion extending a height from the base upper rim,
• an upper portion surrounding the cutting assembly, said upper portion defining at least one radial chute, and
• an upper cover portion defining an opening for insertion of an end of a pencil;
• a receptacle surrounding said cage and disposed above said base, the receptacle including
• a transparent, substantially cylindrical outer wall,
• a transparent, substantially cylindrical inner wall surrounding the cage lower portion, the inner wall having a height substantially equal to the height of the cage lower portion, and
• an annular floor panel extending radially between the outer and inner walls,
• the outer wall, inner wall and floor panel defining a holding container for collecting the shavings from sharpening a pencil;
• and
• a safety switch operable by the receptacle for preventing operation of the motor when the receptacle is not seated on the base.