Portable skate sharpener

Abstract

A skate sharpening device is provided which allows a grinding device to rotate with respect to a working surface of the device in both a cross grind configuration and a finish grind configuration. The grinding device pivots about a pin and is guided by a threaded stud protruding through an arcuate slot and securable using a flared, hand operated nut. A slidable rack attached to the grinding device is moveable in fore and aft directions relative thereto. A dressing tool may be attached to the rack and its forward position is governed by an actuating system. The actuating system allows a user to selectively inhibit forward movement of the rack to position the dressing tool at a suitable position to allow a dressing bit to contact a grinding wheel attached to and powered by the grinding device to dress the grinding wheel.

Description

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/653,610 filed Feb. 16, 2005.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to skate sharpening devices.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

The use of a grinding wheel for sharpening ice skates is well known. There exists numerous machines which utilize a motor-driven grinding wheel supported on a table top or other working surface for sharpening skates. To sharpen an ice-skate, an operator of the machine typically advances the blade of the skate towards the rotating grinding wheel making contact with the wheel to create a concave surface on the blade's ice engaging surface, commonly known in the art as a “hollow”. The hollow provides a pair of relatively sharp edges at terminal ends of the resulting concave surface.

In some cases, a skate will be sharpened by first cross grinding the blade to remove the old edge. A cross grind is performed by passing the bottom of the blade along a path which is parallel to the axis of rotation of the grinding wheel, i.e. transverse to the periphery of the wheel while bringing the blade into contact with the wheel. The path through which the blade travels as it contacts the grinding wheel is administered either using a contouring template or alternatively governed by the skill of a trained user.

Cross grinding imparts a substantially flat surface on the blade's ice engaging surface allowing for more precise sharpening subsequent to the cross grind operation. This technique is commonly used when the skate sharpener wishes to achieve a more accurate hollow, as this can be more readily achieved when beginning with a flat edge. Cross grinding is often beneficial for dealing with the unevenness of the blade's edge, that can result from wear on the blade and/or from previous sharpening. Such unevenness typically makes it more difficult to properly align or “centre” the blade with the convex periphery of grinding wheel.

Whether or not cross grinding is performed, in order to create the hollow on the blade, a finish grind operation is performed. Finish grinding is done by first preparing the grinding wheel using a technique which is commonly known as “dressing” the wheel. Dressing the wheel involves creating the desired convexity for the periphery of the grinding wheel which should match the desired hollow of the blade.

Once the grinding wheel is dressed, the blade may then be advanced on the grinding wheel through a path which is parallel to and aligned with the tangential direction of the periphery of the grinding wheel. Therefore, when finish grinding, the grinding wheel is oriented substantially perpendicular to the position of the grinding wheel during the cross grind operation. The blade is centred with the grinding wheel using a clamp or other device commonly known in the art.

In order to perform cross grind and finish grind operations, prior art machines have typically utilized a large bench or table top with separate grinding wheels for cross grinding and finish grinding, and a detachable dressing tool. Alternatively, entirely separate machines have been used for cross grinding and finish grinding. In either case, the machine is either bulky, requiring an oversize working surface, or requires two separate machines. Such arrangements are generally not suitable for portability. In fact, a machine which utilizes separate cross grinding and finish grinding machines is not only far too large to be portable but also can be quite heavy, even for relocating the machine within a shop.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a skate sharpening device which obviates or mitigates the above-mentioned disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF TH INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention provides a skate sharpening device comprising a surface for supporting an ice skate during sharpening thereof; and a grinding device operating a grinding wheel, the grinding device being moveable relative to said surface between a first position to permit cross grinding of the skate and a second position to permit finish grinding of the skate

In another aspect, the present invention provides a dressing tool for attaching to a skate sharpening device, the skate sharpening device having a grinding device operating a grinding wheel, the tool comprising a bit for dressing the grinding wheel, the bit having an integral support for attaching the tool to the grinding device, the bit being moveable with respect to the grinding device; and an actuator for adjusting the position of the bit relative to the wheel to control the extent to which the grinding wheel is dressed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the appended drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable skate sharpening device;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 1 in an alternate configuration;

FIG. 3 is top view of the portable skate sharpening device;

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the portable skate sharpening device; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 6 in an alternative configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring therefore to FIGS. 1 and 2, a portable skate sharpening device is generally denoted by numeral 10. The device 10 generally comprises a relatively smooth table top surface 12 with an upstanding wall or trunnion 14 attached at a rear edge of the surface 12, and a rotatable grinding device 16. The device 16 is supported such that its lower portion protrudes downwardly through an aperture 60 in the surface 12 when positioned in the configuration shown in FIG. 1. The grinding device 16 has a body 18, a guard 20 attached to the top of the body 18, and an actuating system 24 attached to the right wall of the body 18. The body 18 is attached to a plate 40 which is slidable relative to the trunnion 14

As best shown in FIG. 4, the grinding device 16 is pivotally attached to the trunnion 14 with a pin 100 and a threaded stud (not shown). The pin 100 is preferably supported by the trunnion 14 with a bearing 105. The threaded stud protrudes through an arcuate slot 102 in the trunnion 14 and is secured at a desired position with a flared nut 104 which is capable of being loosened and tightened by band.

The pin 100 preferably extends from the plate 40 into the bearing 105. The pin 100 is preferably attached to the plate 40 with another bearing (not shown) to provide smooth motion between the plate 40 and the trunnion 14. The guard 20 covers the open-top surface of the body 18 and a portion of the front surface of the body 18 and is secured to the body 18 by a set of quick-change threaded fasteners 21. A grinding wheel 22 partially protrudes through a slot 23 in the vertical face of the guard 20.

As best seen in FIG. 3, the grinding wheel 22 rotates within an upper portion of the body 18. The protruding portion of the grinding wheel 22 is exposed (as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) through the slot 23 when the guard 20 is attached. The wheel 22 is attached to a shaft 70 of an electric motor (not shown) which is housed in the remaining portion of the body 18 and is controlled by a switch 64.

Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, a pair of support beams 28a, 28b extend from the body 18. A handle 26 extends between distal ends of the beams 28a, 28b and is suitably sized to allow an operator of the device 10 to grip the handle 26.

A shield 62 extends outwardly and substantially perpendicular to the right wall of the body 18. The shield 62 is positioned such that when the device 10 is in the configuration shown in FIG. 1, its upper surface lies substantially flush with surface 12. The shield 62, covers the portion of the aperture 60 through which the body 18 moves when rotating between the configurations shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

A dressing tool 42 is attached to the grinding device 16 at respective distal ends of a pair of slider bars 34, 36 laterally spaced about the wheel 22. The dressing tool 42 comprises a yoke 44 and a chuck 46 attached to a central portion of the yoke 44. A diamond bit 48 is secured to the chuck 46 and is moveable along it axis by an adjustment knob 50. The yoke 44 terminates at a pair of lugs 43a, 43b which attach to the bars 34, 36 respectively using suitable fasteners. Preferably, the fasteners are spring loaded coupling mechanisms 45 (as shown in FIG. 1) comprising a moveable pin (not shown) for engaging a depression or hole in the respective bars 34 or 36 for easy removal of the dressing tool 42. It will be appreciated that other fasteners may be used such as a nut and bolt.

Referring to FIG. 3, the bars 34, 36 are most clearly seen when the guard 20 is removed. A pair of spacer flanges 72, 74 are fixed to the upper surface of the body 18. The bars 34, 36 are positioned in substantial abutment with outwardly facing surfaces of the flanges 72, 74 and are guided along the flanges 72, 74 when slid relative thereto. The bars 34, 36 maintain a lateral spacing using a cross bar 38 extending between them. The cross bar 38 is formed as a channel and connects to the bars 34, 36 using suitable fasteners (not shown) at respective rearward ends. The combination of the cross bar 38 and slidable bars 34, 36 provides a slidable rack 39 which supports with the dressing tool 42 and whose position may be adjusted using the actuating system 24.

The actuating system 24 is most clearly seen in FIG. 3 wherein a top portion of the body 30 is removed. The system 24 comprises an actuating member 80 threaded onto a worm 84. A finger 81 protruding from the opposite end of the actuating member 80, carries a suitable rolling mechanism such as a bearing or wheel 82 (as shown in FIG. 3) oriented to roll in fore and aft directions similar to the directions in which the slidable rack 39 moves. The worm 84 extends between a pair of blocks 86, 88, which support it for rotation about its longitudinal axis whilst remaining axially stationary. The worm 84 is rotated by turning an external dial 32. A pin 90 extends outwardly from the outward facing surface of the slider bar 36. The length of the pin 90 generally corresponds to a substantial portion of the finger 81 which therefore limits forward movement of the rack 39 by engagement of the pin 90 with the finger 81.

Portions of the dressing system 44 are ghosted in FIG. 3 to illustrate its intended configuration during use. A portion of an ice skate 78 is also ghosted in FIG. 3 to illustrate the orientation of the ice skate 78 relative to the grinding wheel 22 in the configuration shown in FIG. 1, namely with the blade generally parallel to the surface 12.

In operation, the grinding device 16 is interchangeable between a cross grind configuration (i.e. shown in FIG. 2) and a finish grind configuration (i.e. shown in FIG. 1). Since a typical skate sharpening routine concludes with a finish grind operation, the complete skate sharpening routine will be exemplified assuming that the grinding device 16 begins in the configuration shown in FIG. 1.

It will be assumed that an operator of the device 10 wishes to first apply a cross grind to a skate blade to eliminate an uneven hollow. To do so, the operator will alter the configuration of the device 16 from what is shown in FIG. 1 to what is shown in FIG. 2. If the dressing system 42 is attached to the device 16, the coupling mechanisms 45 are first pulled outwardly from the lugs 43a and 43b, and the lugs 43a and 43b are detached from the bars 34, 36 by simply holding the coupling mechanisms 45 in the outwardly effected position while removing the yoke 44, thereby completely detaching the dressing system 42 from the device 16. The dressing system 42 may be stored in a convenient location for later use and the bars 34, 36 would preferably then be pushed towards the trunnion 14 to avoid contact with the aperture 60 during rotation of the device 16.

To achieve the configuration shown in FIG. 2, the user may first loosen the flared nut 104. When the flared nut 104 is loosened, the threaded stud is free to slide within the slot 102. By gripping the handle 26, the user can rotate the device 16 through an angle of approximately ninety degrees, wherein the stud engages the upper-leftmost end 101 of the slot 102. At this time, the flared nut 104 would then be tightened by the user, thereby securing the device 16 in the cross grind configuration.

The user may then clamp the skate 78 in a suitable and well known clamping device (partially ghosted in FIG. 1) to retain the blade of the skate 78 in a substantially parallel orientation relative to the surface 12. The skate 78 may then slide along the surface 12 towards the grinding wheel 22. The user may then perform a cross grind operation to remove the uneven and possibly damaged edges of the skate blade to achieve a substantially flat edge. The wheel 22 is rotated by the motor (not shown). The motor is activated by the switch 64 and is connected to the wheel 22 in a manner commonly known in the art. The motor can be any desired horsepower depending on that required by the particular size or capability of the device 16.

When the user then wishes to perform a finish grind operation, a different grinding wheel 22 orientation is required, namely the configuration shown in FIG. 1.

To reconfigure the orientation of the device 16, the user may then loosen the flared nut 104 while gripping the handle 26 and rotate the device 16 back through the path defined by the arcuate slot 102 until the threaded stud engages the lower-rightmost end 103 of the slot 102. At this time, the flared nut 104 may again be tightened by the user, thereby orienting the grinding wheel 22 substantially parallel with the surface 12 as shown in FIG. 1.

In this example, the aperture 60 is therefore suitably sized to permit rotation of the body 18 between its two intended positions. As the device 16 rotates from a cross grind to a finish grind position, the body 18 will become partially captured below the surface 12 and the shield 62 will align substantially flush with the surface 12 to cover the portion of the aperture 60 which is not inhabited by the body 18. The handle 26 assists the user in rotating the device 16 when the flared nut 104 has been loosened.

Before the user performs the finish grind procedure, they will typically dress the grinding wheel 22 to give the periphery of the wheel 22 a desired convexity, which corresponds to the desired hollow of the blade. The dressing tool 42 is attached to the rack 39 by lining up the lugs 43a, 43b with the corresponding holes in the front ends of the bars 34, 36 and by attaching the lugs 43a, 43b to the bars 34, 36 by pulling the coupling mechanisms 45 apart as described above. The cross bar 38 aligns the bars 34 and 36, therefore an axis of rotation is defined along a line passing through the coupling mechanisms 45. The dressing tool 42 is rotatable about this axis and is also slidable in the fore and aft directions as permitted by movements of the attached slidable rack 39.

To dress the wheel 22, the diamond bit 48 is swept transversely across the edge of the wheel 22 as it rotates. The motion of the bit 48 is defined by the shape of the yoke 44 and the orientation of the dressing tool 42. As the dressing tool 42 is rotated about the aforementioned axis, the bit 48 will travel through an arc which corresponds to the convexity that is ultimately transferred to the periphery of the wheel 22. In addition to being rotated, the dressing tool 42 should also be positioned at a suitable forward location relative to the trunnion 14 to permit the bit 48 to grind off a portion of the wheel 22 during its sweeping motion. The exact forward position of the dressing tool 42 is at the discretion of the operator.

The position of the bit 48 is adjusted using the actuating system 24 to control the extent to which the wheel 22 is dressed (i.e. how much material is removed to achieve the desired convexity of the periphery of the wheel 22). The actuating member 80 moves along the worm 84 by turning the dial 32. It will be assumed in this example that the worm 84 has a right-hand thread wherein clockwise rotation of the dial 32 causes the actuating member 80 to move away from the trunnion 14 and conversely, counter-clockwise rotation of the dial 32 causes the actuating member 80 to move towards the trunnion 14.

A suitable method for setting the position of the actuating member 80 and thus the dressing system 42 begins by turning the dial 32 in a counter clockwise direction until the bit 48 overshoots its required location (i.e. where the finger 81 is positioned closer to the trunnion 14 than is required to dress the wheel 22). The dressing tool 42 may then be gently pulled forward until the pin 90 engages the finger 81. The dial 32 may then be turned clockwise while continuing to gently pull the dressing tool 42 forward until the bit 48 is in a desired position. Therefore turning the dial 32 allows the user to accurately position the bit 48 to dress the wheel 22 and allows the position of the bit 48 to be adjusted to compensate for wear imparted on the wheel 22 due to repeated use.

The use of a worm 84 also provides greater accuracy since a complete turn of the dial 32 will only slide the actuating member 80 a distance equal to the pitch of the thread of the worm 84. This allows the user to remove only a necessary portion of the wheel 22 thereby prolonging the life of the grinding wheel 22 by conserving material.

Once the dressing operation is complete, it may be desirable to remove the dressing tool 42 from the device 16. However the dressing tool 42 may alternatively be rotated away from the front of the wheel 22 (as shown in FIG. 1) which may be desirable when multiple skates are to be sharpened in turn. In either case, the device 16 will remain in the proper position for finish grinding and the user may incorporate known tools and techniques.

The surface 12, although not explicitly shown may rest upon a table top, or may incorporate an integral case 316 (see FIG. 6 and accompanying description below). Such a case 316 may also comprise a set of wheels 314 or castors and a handle 312 to allow the device 10 to roll between various locations. It will be appreciated that the device 10 may be suitably sized to allow the device 10 to be contained in a portable container or chest allowing the device 10 to be set up and operated at various locations.

Another embodiment of the device 10 is shown in FIG. 5. In this embodiment, a notch 200 is formed in the surface 12 to accommodate the inclusion of a contouring template 202, those of which are commonly used with previous skate sharpening machines. The contouring template 202 is attached to the surface with a pair of fasteners 204 and 206. The contouring template 202 incorporates a desired curvature on its outwardly facing edge which corresponds to a suitable path for moving the skate through, in order to achieve a desired blade contour during the cross grind operation. It will be appreciated that although FIG. 5 shows the device 10 in the finish grind position (e.g. similar to FIG. 1) the contouring template would most typically be used during the cross grind operation (e.g. with the orientation shown in FIG. 2). However, it may be seen from FIG. 5 that the template 202 does not interfere with the surface 12 when the device 10 is used for finish grinding (e.g. in the orientation shown).

A suitable skate clamp (not shown) would thus incorporate a depending guide member from its base that would engage the template 202 such that when the skate clamp moves over the surface 12 during the cross grind operation, the clamp will follow a path defined by the contouring template 202.

It will be appreciated that any number of templates may be interchangeably used and are preferably constructed using a separate structure. However, the template 202 may also be formed integrally with the surface 12 and have no interchangeable capabilities as desired.

Yet another embodiment is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. An exhaust system, generally denoted by numeral 300, includes a port 302 formed in surface 12, and a collection tube 304 mounted above surface 12 on support 306. The port 302 and tube 304 are connected through a duct system 308 beneath surface 12. The duct system 308 feeds a vacuum port 310 formed in the side wall of the supporting case 316. The port 310 is designed to couple with a standard vacuum tube (not shown). It will be appreciated that port 310 may be any suitable coupling mechanism capable of connecting the exhaust system 300 to an external repository.

In the cross grind orientation (e.g. as shown in FIG. 7) shavings from the skate blade may collect in the exhaust system 300 through port 302 as the wheel grinds the blade. In the finish grind orientation (e.g. as shown in FIG. 6), shavings may collect in system 300 through the tube 304. A vacuum (not shown) may be coupled to the port 310, to draw and collect the shavings from the exhaust system 300 for disposal as necessary. Alternatively, a vacuum may be included with, and electrically wired to the device 10 such that the vacuum will collect shavings whenever the sharpener 10 is operational.

Also shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the case 316, which elevates surface 12, includes a set of wheels 314 and a telescopic handle 312. The wheels 314 and handle 312 are similar to those typically used in a rolling luggage case. The wheels 314 and handle 312 increase the portability of the device 10 by allowing an operator to more easily transport the device 10. The handle 312 may be pulled from the case 316 and the device 10 tilted to support itself on the wheels 314. The case 316 and thus device 10 are then able to roll from one location to the next.

FIGS. 6 and 7 further illustrate an insert 202a for slot 200. The insert 202a includes a flat edge compared to the template 202 shown in FIG. 5. The insert 202a may be used when a contouring template 202 is not required. Also shown in FIG. 6 is a power cord 65 for connecting device to an electrical power source such as an electrical wall outlet or a generator.

Therefore, the device 10 allows a single machine to be used for cross grinding and finish grinding which utilizes a common surface 12 and requires fewer components and machinery, thereby reducing cost and weight, and allowing the aforementioned portability.

It will be appreciated that the device 10 can be used with any type of skate clamp, whether oriented vertically or horizontally due to the interchangeable horizontal and vertical configurations described herein.

Accordingly, the transformation between the configurations shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 permits flexibility and convenience by accommodating various sharpening techniques and permitting the use of various auxiliary tools, in a single portable unit. It will be appreciated that the rotatable grinding device 16 and actuating system 24 may also be used with other, non-portable skate sharpening machines. Additionally, wheels 314 and a handle 312 may be used to further increase portability by facilitating easy transport between locations.

Although the invention has been described with reference to certain specific embodiments, various modifications thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as outlined in the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. A skate sharpening device comprising a surface for supporting an ice skate during sharpening thereof; and a grinding device operating a grinding wheel, said grinding device being moveable relative to said surface between a first position to permit cross grinding of said skate and a second position to permit finish grinding of said skate.

2. A skate sharpening device according to claim 1 wherein said grinding device is supported by an upstanding wall extending from said surface and is rotatably attached to said wall for rotating said grinding device between said first and second positions.

3. A skate sharpening device according to claim 1 further comprising a handle extending from said grinding device for assisting in movement thereof between said first and second positions.

4. A skate sharpening device according to claim 1 wherein said surface comprising an aperture to permit movement of said grinding device between said positions, and further comprising a shield arranged to lie substantially flush with said surface over a portion of said aperture when said grinding device is in said second position.

5. A skate sharpening device according to claim 1 further comprising a dressing tool detachably supported by said grinding device, said tool comprising a bit for dressing said grinding wheel, said bit having an integral support for attaching said tool to said grinding device, said bit being moveable with respect to said grinding device; and an actuator for adjusting the position of said bit relative to said wheel to control the extent to which said grinding wheel is dressed.

6. A skate sharpening device according to claim 5 wherein said support comprises a yoke detachably connected to a rack, said rack being slidably secured to said grinding device, the position of said rack being controlled through adjustment of said actuator.

7. A skate sharpening device according to claim 6 wherein said actuator comprises an actuating member interacting with said rack to inhibit movement of said rack beyond a selectable position, said actuator further comprising a worm and dial operating with said actuating member to control movement thereof through rotation of said dial.

8. A skate sharpening device according to claim 1 further comprising an exhaust system for collecting shavings created when grinding said skate, said exhaust system including a coupling for attaching a vacuum thereto.

9. A skate sharpening device according to claim 10 wherein said exhaust system includes a port in said surface to collect said shavings when cross grinding said skate and a collection tube supported on said surface to collect said shavings when finish grinding said skate.

10. A skate sharpening device according to claim 11 wherein said port and said collection tube are connected to said coupling through a duct supported beneath said surface.

11. A skate sharpening device according to claim 1 wherein said surface is supported by a case, said case including a handle and wheels for transporting said device.

12. A skate sharpening device according to claim 11 wherein said handle is telescopic.

13. A skate sharpening device according to claim 1 further comprising a notch formed in said surface for attaching a contouring template.

14. A skate sharpening device according to claim 13 further comprising said contouring template detachably fixed in said notch.

15. A dressing tool for attaching to a skate sharpening device, said skate sharpening device having a grinding device operating a grinding wheel, said tool comprising a bit for dressing said grinding wheel, said bit having an integral support for attaching said tool to said grinding device, said bit being moveable with respect to said grinding device; and an actuator for adjusting the position of said bit relative to said wheel to control the extent to which said grinding wheel is dressed.

16. A dressing tool according to claim 15 wherein said support comprises a yoke detachably connectable to a rack, said rack being slidably securable to said grinding device, the position of said rack being controlled through adjustment of said actuator.

17. A dressing tool according to claim 16 wherein said actuator comprises an actuating member interacting with said rack to inhibit movement of said rack beyond a selectable position, said actuator further comprising a worm and dial operating with said actuating member to control movement thereof through rotation of said dial.