Abstract: A clamping assembly includes first and second jaws supported above a base in opposed, spaced-apart alignment on opposite sides of a central clamp axis, each jaw having a proximal end portion adjacent the base and an opposite distal end portion, where the jaws are pivotable between an open position and a closed position. A wedge movable along the central clamp axis between the proximal end portions of the pair of jaws in response to moving a handle between a first handle position and a second handle position. A cam assembly between the wedge and the base includes a cam, a follower on the proximal handle end portion, and a spring between the cam and the base. Compressing the spring increases an axial distance between the cam and the wedge.

Abstract: A grinding jig for holding a blade tool having an edge in a grinding machine. The grinding jig may have a first and a second clamp half arranged to hold between them at least a portion of a blade tool. An elongate support portion may support the grinding jig onto a support bar of a grinding machine. The elongate support portion may comprise a front end abutment surface and a rear end abutment surface. The front and rear end abutment surfaces may be spaced to receive a portion of a support bar such that the grinding jig may be moved back and forth relative to the support bar in a direction parallel with its longitudinal center axis.

Abstract: A system and method for the preparation of food, but without the requirement of weight, time and/or temperature probe usage to determine the point at which the food has completed preparation. The exemplary embodiments provide a process where the food can be cooked without the requirements of calculation or temperature probes. The described process allows the process operator to be informed when the cooking process has completed, without regard to the size, shape, weight, density, or amount of materials to be prepared. The energy required to maintain the temperature of a water bath is compared to the energy required to maintain the temperature once a food item has been placed within the water bath.

Abstract: A blade sharpening stand including a support base body comprised of a pair of supporting stands spacedly provided, a blade set plate swingably attached at its rear side to the rear end of the support base body, a blade holder provided in the blade set plate for holding a blade of a knife on the blade set plate, and a guide roller provided on the front end of the support base body in a manner bridging the pair of supporting stands. A blade is held by the blade holder on the blade set plate after the blade set plate is set at desired inclined angle, and a grind stone set on the cutting edge of the blade and on the guide roller is moved back and forth to sharpen the cutting edge of the blade.

Abstract: An apparatus for sharpening a cutting implement has a base, a first clamping member and a second clamping member extending above the base. The clamping members have opposite top portions, bottom portions, and vertical inside surfaces substantially parallel to a vertical plane of the cutting implement. At least one guide rod is pivotably attached to the base. The guide rod distal end extends above the base at an angle to the vertical plane. An abrasive implement holder is configured to slidably move along the at least one guide rod. The abrasive implement holder has a body and holder aperture therethrough that extends along a guide rod axis and that is sized and configured to receive the guide rod. An adjustable face plate is pivotably connected to the body and defines a second angle with the guide rod axis. Pivoting the adjustable face plate changes the second angle.

Abstract: The present invention is a blade sharpening fixture, tool and kit for use with logging equipment with a rotary drum that has dozens of staggered blades mounted thereupon. The sharpening tool clamps onto a single blade of the logging equipment while the blade is still mounted on the rotary drum, so that the blade may be sharpened in the field. The sharpening tool includes a sharpening fixture and a grinder The sharpening fixture includes a blade clamp for clamping onto the blade; a track attached to an sloped surface that can be positioned parallel or perpendicular to the blade; and a grinder connector assembly for securing grinder securely and slibably to the track.

Abstract: A tool for setting the grind angle for sharpening jigs accurately and repeatably positions a movable support arm so that a consistent angle is ground into chisels regardless of the grinding wheel diameter and particular chisel.

Abstract: A sharpening guide for use with a chisel and a grinding wheel comprising a rod having a first end and a second end, a pivot assembly carried by the first end, a tool clamp attached to the pivot assembly and movable relative to the rod and adapted to retain the chisel, a base, and a base pivot for movably mounting the rod relative to the base whereby the base pivot is adapted to be mounted adjacent the grinding wheel. A method of sharpening a tool comprising the steps of locating a tool within a tool clamp, rotating the tool clamp toward a grinding wheel about a first axis until the tool is in contact with a grinding wheel, and rotating the tool clamp about a second axis to move the tool across the grinding wheel rotationally.

Abstract: A blade holding jig arrangement for either grinding or honing a blade including a mounting bracket assembly with an elongate guide bar and a device for rigidly supporting the guide bar. A support arm can be pivotally mounted on the guide bar by means of a tubular support mounted on one end of the arm and extending perpendicular thereto. The guide bar extends through a passageway in the tubular support. The support arm can be moved along the guide bar for grinding. A clamp unit for clamping a blade includes a U-bracket with two legs and two clamping jaws adjustably mounted on the U-bracket between the legs. The clamp unit is attached to an end section of the arm remote from the one end of the arm. The clamping jaws can be moved towards one another in order to clamp the blade.

Abstract: A notch-locating fixture for forming notches at predetermined locations along a needle wire used in a surgical suturing apparatus includes a base having at least one semi-circular recess shaped and dimensioned for receiving the needle wire. The fixture also includes a cover member including at least one aligned slot formed therein in a manner providing a grinding wheel with access to needle wire held between the base and the cover member. The fixture further includes a securing structure selectively coupling the base to the cover member.

Abstract: A motorized knife sharpener includes means of for sharpening heavy, medium, and fine blades at angles appropriate to the cutting edges of such blades.

Abstract: A hand tool grinding jig is described for use in co-operation with a grinding wheel. The jig has a tool clamp for clamping a hand tool and a leg is pivotally connected to the clamp to allow the angle between the leg and the clamp to be adjusted. An end of the leg remote from the clamp provides a pivot point for engagement in a pivot receiver of a pivot support member that is located adjacent to the grinding wheel. The pivot receiver is disposed so that, when a tool is in the tool clamp and the pivot point is provided in the pivot receiver, the pivotal axis between the leg and the clamp is further from the grinding wheel than the pivot receiver.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for processing microfeature workpiece samples are disclosed herein. An apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes a support body, a first contact surface portion, a second contact surface portion, and a sample holder configured to releasably carry the microfeature workpiece sample. The sample holder can be movable relative to the support body between a first position and a second position, wherein the sample holder has a first orientation relative to the first and second contact surface portions when in the first position and a second orientation when in the second position. At least one of the first and second contact surface portions can also be movable relative to the support body. Accordingly, an operator can move the first and/or second contact surface portions to make minor adjustments to an angle at which material is removed from the workpiece, and can move the sample holder to make more substantial adjustments.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes a rotatable spindle, a head detachably connected to the spindle, and a clamp for clamping outer circumferential surfaces of the spindle and the head to one another so that the head may be driven by the spindle. The clamp has an annular clamping frame sized to encircle the outer circumferential surfaces of the spindle and the head, a projection disposed on one end of the clamping frame, a lever pivotally connected to the other end of the clamping frame, and a fastener pivotally connected to the lever and configured to hook over the projection. Once the fastener is hooked over the projection, the lever is pivoted to force the ends of the annular clamping frame together and thereby produce a clamping force that secures the spindle and head to one another. The clamp can be manipulated easily and with a simple motion to clamp the head to the spindle. Also, the parts of the clamp generate little mechanical friction.

Abstract: Jig for grinding sharp-edged tools. The jig consists of a housing in the form of a casing designed with a passage running through it whose at least one end is flat, plus a seat, also in the form of a casing designed with a passage running through it, located in the passage of the housing and lockable in this housing in an inclined position in relation to the passage in the housing, whereby the seat is provided with a clamping device (4) for firmly holding a tool that is to be ground so that it extends through the passage of the seat, and that the seat has such a length that one end of it extends out beyond the housing at the flat end of the housing.

Abstract: A sharpening holder and a knife are uniquely configured for use with each other, the holder and the knife having permanent elements that mate when the holder is installed on the knife so that the holder is installed on the knife in exactly the same position on the knife every time that the knife is sharpened.

Abstract: A method includes the steps of providing fixed and movable cutting jaws for a surgical instrument, the fixed jaw having an opening in which the movable jaw is receivable; providing a fixture; placing the fixed jaw on the fixture; supporting the movable jaw on the fixture for pivotal movement relative to the fixture at a location spaced apart from the fixed jaw; pivoting the movable jaw relative to the fixture to a stop position; and grinding the movable jaw to reduce the length of the movable jaw so that the movable jaw fits within the opening in the fixed jaw.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding a tool having a cutting edge in a predetermined abrading orientation with respect to a tool abrading apparatus. The apparatus comprises a base member supportable on the tool abrading apparatus and adapted to support a tool thereon. A positioning member is movably attached to the base member for selective abutting contact with the tool. An adjustment assembly is attached to the base member for selectively advancing and retracting the positioning member relative to the base member to position the tool into the predetermined abrading orientation. A tool retaining member is removably attached to the base to selectively retain the tool on the base member in the predetermined abrading orientation.

Abstract: A device for supporting a workpiece for being ground to size by the use of a grinding means, comprising a base member having a work-supporting means operably associated therewith. The base member supports the work-supporting means by a hinge member, with the base member and the work-supporting means normally being in an aligned relationship, but with the hinge member enabling the relationship of the work-supporting means to the base member to be angularly modified on occasion. The work-supporting means has thereon a work-clamping device constructed and arranged to hold a workpiece in a selected position, such that a portion of the workpiece held in the work-clamping device can be brought into direct contact with the grinding means. A depth-controlling member operably mounted upon the base member is positioned to normally contact a workpiece held in the work-clamping device.

Abstract: A sharpener is disclosed which consists of a platform with formed grooves to accommodate instrument handles at specific angles to direct the blade of the instrument to a sharpening stone which slides in a groove on the platform. The sharpener will be sterilizable to prevent cross contamination.