Abstract: A connector for an electrical cable, comprising a body in which is formed a passageway having a longitudinal axis, a contact element which projects into the passageway in order to make contact with the electrical cable when in the passageway, and a retaining element for hindering longitudinal withdrawal of the cable from the passageway, the retaining element comprising a pair of resiliently deformable lips extending into the passageway from a face thereof in a first direction transverse to the longitudinal direction, each of the lips being separated from a face of the passageway in a second direction transverse to both the first direction and the longitudinal axis, thereby to allow flexing of the lips in the second direction. The lips are advantageously shorter than the depth in the first direction of the passageway, typically 40 to 80% of the passageway depth. Further lips can be provided on a lid which covers the passageway, the further lips extending in a direction opposed to the first lips.

Abstract: The invention improves the assembly operation of a connector provided with a detecting member. A female housing 20 is provided with a locking arm 33 capable of engaging with a locking protrusion 14 of a male housing 10. A detecting member 50 capable of moving in an anterior-posterior direction is attached to an upper face of this locking arm 33. The detecting member 50 has an operating member 53 joined to a posterior end of a main body 51 by a hinge 52. A finger engages from the posterior with the operating member 53 to push in the detecting member 50, this detecting member 50 being pushed in its direction of fitting in an inclined downwards direction. When the detecting member 50 is in a waiting position, the operating member 53 thereof is located above a posterior portion of the upper face of the locking arm 33. This posterior portion of the upper face of the locking arm 33 has a guiding inclined face 44 formed thereon, this guiding inclined face 44 being inclined downwards in the pushing-in direction.

Abstract: A connector has female and male housings (10, 20) that are connectable with one another. A recess (28) is formed in an outer surface of the male housing (20). A detector (40) is mounted in an initial position in the recess (28) before the housings (10, 20) are connected, and is moved to a detecting position after the housings (10, 20) are connected properly for preventing separation of the housings (10, 20). The detector (40) has a disengaging hole (46), a rotation permitting space (47) that communicates with the disengaging hole (46) and a catchable portion (48) facing into the rotation permitting space (47). A disengaging jig (60) has a disengaging portion (62) that can be inserted into the disengagement hole (46), rotated and pulled against the catchable portion (48) to move the detecting member (40) to the initial position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electric signal plug with status display, including a plug that connects to an electric cable at one end for linking to the electric signal source; the above-described plug can detect and display electric signal strength by connecting a circuit detector equipped with an IC detector and at least one display component to the electric cable, moreover the formation of a display ring from the internal tube and outer case directly reveal to the outside the strength of the electric signal inside the electric cable.

Abstract: A system and method for connecting a plurality of terminal blocks. An expansion plug includes a first connector and a second connector which are electrically connected to each other. Each terminal block includes at least one plug connector to couple to one of the two connectors of the expansion plug, and may include both a top plug connector and a bottom plug connector to couple to a neighboring terminal block via the expansion plug using either top plug connectors or bottom plug connectors. Each of the plurality of terminal blocks couples to a corresponding switching module to form a plurality of switch matrices. Successive terminal block pairs are coupled via top and bottom plug connectors in an alternating manner, thus coupling any number of terminal block/module pairs together via expansion plugs in an interleaved manner, such that the plurality of switch matrices are integrated into a single integrated switch matrix.

Abstract: A board lock (1) for holding an electrical connector (2) to a PCB (3) comprises a body section (11). The body section has a first end (12) and a second end (13). The first end has a connector engaging portion (121) for engaging with the connector. The second end has a pair of legs (14) extending downwardly therefrom and adapted to extend into the PCB, and an additional beam (15) extending downwardly therefrom adapted for abutting against an edge of the PCB. Each of the legs has an outer edge (142) and a latch portion (141) extending laterally from the outer edge adapted to latch to a bottom surface of the PCB. The additional beam also has a latch portion (151) extending laterally toward the legs for latching with the bottom surface of the PCB.

Abstract: An RF cable connector assembly includes a plug connector (1) and a receptacle connector (2). The plug connector has a skirt (101) formed in a front portion of a body (10) thereof and a socket (13) with an annular raised bead (131). The receptacle connector has a shell (20), and a guide sleeve (200) at a front of the shell. An internal groove (203) is defined at a rear end of the guide sleeve, to engagingly receive with the bead. A distance d2 between a front end (250) of the guide sleeve and a front end of a female contact (23) of the receptacle connector is greater than a distance d1 between the front end of the body and a front end of a male contact (12) housed within the body.

Abstract: A coaxial electrical connector portion comprises a central conductor and an outer body (1) forming a ground contact and defining a cylindrical inside cavity. The central conductor is a metallized track (6) made on one face of a printed circuit insert (3), said printed circuit insert also carrying at least one metallized zone made on the face of the insert opposite from its face carrying said track (6) and/or on the face carrying it, said metallized zone(s) being electrically connected to ground and being in contact with the body (1) of said connector portion.

Abstract: A cable end connector includes a dielectric housing (10), a terminal (30) received in the housing, a shell (50) enclosing the housing, and a retainer (60) attached to the shell for holding a coaxial cable (70) therein. An inner conductor (71) of the coaxial cable is directly soldered to a lower surface of a bottom portion (31) of the terminal. Two locking tabs (63) of the retainer achieves two functions: keeping integrity of the cable end connector and grounding a braiding layer (73) of the coaxial cable.

Abstract: A connector housing is formed with a chamber into which a terminal is inserted. A retention member is formed in the chamber so as to retain the inserted terminal therein. The retention member is formed by a first portion of a mold which molds the housing. An inspection member is formed on an outer face of the housing for inspecting molding defect of the retention member. The inspection member is formed by a second portion of the mold having a higher flow resistance than the first portion of the mold.

Abstract: A connector element has a plurality of contacts (23) arranged in first and second directions (A1, A2) perpendicular to each other on a predetermined plane to form a matrix. A plurality of ground members (25) extend substantially in parallel to one another in an oblique direction inclined with respect to the first and the second direction on the predetermined plane. At least one of the contacts is positioned between adjacent ones of the ground members.

Abstract: A shield for an electrical connection header is provided. The shield comprises first, second, and third metal shield sections. Each of the first and second shield sections has open slots situated between the shield sections. The first and second sections are located substantially parallel to each other and have their corresponding slots substantially aligned with each other. The third metal shield sections are situated between the first and second sections and have an aperture for receiving a connection pin.

Abstract: A modular jack for housing magnetic components includes a housing which has a plurality of ports each of which can receive an electrical connector. Extending into each of the ports are a plurality of contacts for connecting to contacts of an electrical connector. The ports may be arranged in a stacked configuration in which case the modular jack is a double deck jack. Attached to the housing may be one or more magnetic housing. Each magnetic housing can house at least one magnetic component, which can be a transformer. Preferably, there is a magnetic housing for every two ports, and the magnetic housing houses a magnetic component for each port. Shields an be installed into the housing between the magnetic components in order to provide isolation of the components. A printed wire board can be attached to the magnetic housing, and a contact carrier having a plurality of contacts can be attached to the printed wire board.

Abstract: The control device has a printed circuit board with surface-mountable components. A wired component is accommodated in a plug-in connector housing that is mounted on a housing of the control device. The contact pins of the plug-in connector, the connecting wires of the wired component, and the surface-mountable components are soldered in a common working step.

Abstract: A jack module system is disclosed. The system includes a housing (12) defining an interior. The system also includes first and second jacks (14, 14′). Each jack (14, 14′) includes a jack body (100) including upper and lower edges. Receiving means are disposed within the housing (12) for slidably receiving the jack bodies (100) in a first direction and slidably removing the jack bodies (100) in a direction opposite the first direction. The jacks (14, 14′) are stacked along an axis perpendicular to the first transverse dimension. The system also includes a cover (102) removably securing the jack bodies (100).

Abstract: A modular jack includes a housing, a first signal pair, and a second signal pair. The first signal pair passes through the housing and includes a first conductor and a second conductor. A first imaginary plane contains the first and the second conductor. The second signal pair passes through the housing and includes a third conductor and a fourth conductor. A second imaginary plane contains the third and the fourth conductor, which are bent at least one time to cross each other inside the housing. The first and the second imaginary plane form a first angle of 80 to 90 degrees inside the housing before the crossing of the third and the fourth conductor while they form a second angle of 0 to 10 degrees inside the housing after the crossing thereof.

Abstract: A connector housing and a manufacturing method thereof are provided, which connector housing includes: an outside wall having an upper and lower walls and sidewalls; horizontal partition and vertical partition which form terminal accommodating chambers 9 inside the outside wall; and a thin sidewall portion 6 formed on each of the sidewalls and being thinner than a remaining portion of the corresponding sidewall, wherein a short shot preventing rib 8 is longitudinally formed on the thin sidewall portion integrally therewith in a generally vertical center thereof. The short shot preventing rib 8 projects outside over the remaining portion 7 continuing from the thin sidewall portion 6. The short shot preventing rib 8 is arranged in a line with the horizontal partition 15. The short shot preventing rib 8 is formed thicker than the horizontal partition 15.

Abstract: A three-phase connector carries all three phases in one connector and keeps the phases properly isolated from each other and the motor case. The three-phase connector has metal connector components that are spaced from one another and supported in a nylon over molding covering each of the connector components, except for upper and lower exposed ends of the connector components, which are each drilled and tapped to receive bolts. First and second connector components extend above and below a flange of the three-phase connector with their respective exposed upper and lower ends offset in different planes than the exposed upper and lower ends of the third connector component.

Abstract: A reinforcement rib is provided at a bottom connecting wall between a tab part and a main body part of a terminal fitting. The rear end of the rib extends slightly past the front end position of the main body part, and the front end of the rib is formed to extend to a position slightly forward of the rear end of the tab part. Also, the rib is formed to have a generally U-shaped cross-section. Accordingly, reinforcement of the boundary portion is possible, and even though a stress is concentrated on the boundary portion between the tab part and the main body part, the possibility of deformation can be reduced. Thus, male terminal fittings are provided in which deformation at the boundary portion of the tab part and the main body part rarely occurs.

Abstract: A terminal device of an electric apparatus having a terminal board of a main circuit includes a hollow member connected to the terminal board of the main circuit of the apparatus. The hollow member is formed of an elongated metal plate having a screw hole, one end with a projection, and the other end with an engaging groove. The elongated metal plate is bent such that the projection and engaging groove are directly joined together to connect the one and the other end. A terminal screw is engaged with the screw hole of the hollow member.

Abstract: Electrical connector with a contact element and an additional spring element, the contact element having a contact zone formed by two contact legs and a bent spring area that applies a contact force to a mating contact element inserted into the contact zone, the additional spring element having two legs and a bridge which connects the legs. The contact force is increased by the additional spring element which is arranged relative to the contact element such that the stretching of the additional spring element is in the direction of the contact force.

Abstract: One embodiment of an electrical contact has a copper alloy substrate and a hard underlayer plating such as nickel. The underlayer is coated with a thin, liquid barrier film coating. The substance that forms the coating is one of the proprietary materials that are described in military specifications MIL-C-81309E, and MIL-L-87177A, Amendment 1. The military specifications generally describe classes of ultra-thin film, water-displacing, corrosion preventive compounds that may be applied by dipping, brushing, or from gas-pressurized containers. The mating surfaces of both mating contacts (i.e., male and female) are provided with the coating. The coatings provide excellent corrosion protection for both contacts despite physical contact therebetween.

Abstract: A tilt device for a marine propulsion unit is disclosed having a damp bracket fixed to the hull of a vessel a swivel bracket tilting connected to the damp bracket, a cylinder device disposed between the damp bracket and the swivel bracket, and a pump device for extending and contacting the cylinder device, where in the cylinder device and the pump device are arranged in series.

Abstract: An assembly for an underwater vehicle that includes a motor, a duct assembly, and an actuator. The duct assembly includes a duct and a propeller mounted within the duct, where the propeller is driven by the motor. The actuator is connected to the duct assembly and the vehicle. The actuator pivots the duct assembly with respect to the vehicle. Alternatively, the assembly includes a motor, a duct having a generally cylindrical shape oriented about a longitudinal axis, and a propeller having an axis of rotation. The propeller is mounted within the duct and is driven by the motor. The propeller and the duct are connected such that the axis of rotation and the longitudinal axis have a fixed orientation with respect to one another. The assembly includes a configuration for changing an orientation of the axis of rotation and the longitudinal axis with respect to the vehicle.

Abstract: An outboard engine assembly having a V-type multi-cylinder engine. A breather chamber is formed in a cam chamber of one row of a V-bank, and an oil separating chamber is formed in a cam chamber of the other row, with the cam chambers of two rows effectively utilized. Both the breather chamber and the oil separating chamber communicate with a crank chamber, with the breather chamber connected to an upstream side of a throttle valve unit. The oil separating chamber is connected to a downstream side of the throttle valve unit via a passage having a PCV valve.

Abstract: A personal swim craft that has a liquid filled viewing area that is simply and inexpensively created within the craft requiring no tooling for molds or related costs. A walled cavity through the craft is sealed at its upper and lower openings with transparent panes. These panes are sealed in place without drilling or tapping holes or otherwise altering the surface area of the panes. The void between the transparent panes is filled with a transparent liquid via a vent that can be within the upper transparent pane or integrated into the craft adjacent to the upper pane and extending through the craft into the cavity void. The upper pane of the viewing area is slanted aft to allow extraneous water to run off into scuppers or vertical vents adjacent to the aft perimeter edge of the upper pane. These vertical vents and a forward set of vertical vents also remove air bubbles that may become trapped below the outer surface of the lower transparent pane.

Abstract: Electron emission structures formed using standard semiconductor processes on a substrate first prepared with a topographical feature are disclosed. At least one layer of a first material is concurrently deposited on the substrate and etched from the substrate to form an atomically sharp feature. An at least one layer of a second material is deposited over the atomically sharp feature. A conductive layer is deposited over the at least one layer of the second material. A selected area of material is removed from the conductive layer and the at least one layer of second material to expose the atomically sharp feature. Finally, electrical connectivity is provided to elements of the electron emission structure.

Abstract: An x-ray tube is provisionally assembled by interposing an upright part (12A) projecting from a first brazing agent (A) between a stem (3) and a bulb (2), and by interposing a second brazing agent (B) between the bulb (2) and an output window (4). This temporary assembly is conveyed into a vacuum brazing oven (P). Since a gap (K) is provided between the stem (3) and the bulb (2) by the upright part (12A), gas inside the bulb (2) can be discharged through the gap (K). Then, the vacuum brazing oven (P) is heated to a predetermined temperature to melt the first and second brazing agents (A, B), to thus fuse-bondingly fix the stem (3) and the output window (4) to the bulb (2). Brazing connection is completed in the vacuum brazing oven (P) while maintaining the sealed vessel (7) in a high vacuum condition without provision of a discharge pipe in the stem (3).

Abstract: A bubble generating assembly has a housing, a container coupled to the housing and retaining bubble solution, a trigger mechanism, a bubble generating device, a tubing that couples the interior of the container with the bubble generating device, a stationary wiping bar that is fixed to the housing, and a link assembly housed inside the housing. The link assembly couples the trigger mechanism and the bubble generating device in a manner in which actuation of the trigger mechanism causes the bubble generating device to move past the wiping bar and to contact the wiping bar, so as to create a film of bubble solution across the bubble generating device.

Abstract: A novelty item having extending appendages which are supported by springs so as to impart life-like movement thereto.

Abstract: A toy model building set that includes pluralities of generally circular daisy elements, wedge elements, and straight and curved rod elements. The rod elements may be equipped on their ends with various types of connectors, and the rods may be either curved, angled, or straight. The daisy elements can be joined to each other in at least four distinct ways, and can be used as connectors for different elements in a variety of ways. A large plurality of the daisies can be connected together to form a generally planar element. A through hole in the central hub allows the daisy element to receive rod elements in addition to other daisy elements. The wedge elements are pie-shaped elements including two adjoining straight sides and a third curved side. One of the straight sides is equipped with a ball connector, and the other straight side is equipped with a compatible socket connector. Using these connectors, multiple wedge elements can be joined to form circular components such as wheels.

Abstract: A modular elk call system comprising generally a mouthpiece assembly, a tubular portion, and a resonance producing end. The mouthpiece assembly can be completely removed from the call to enable the tubular section and resonance producing end piece to be used separately with any other type of call. The mouthpiece assembly comprises a detachable snap-on diaphragm that insures accurate, consistent tension of the membrane to allow high quality tones to be produced. Alternatively, a sheet of membrane material can be attached to the end of the mouthpiece assembly to create high quality tones. The resonance producing end piece allows the call to produce a resonant sound highly similar to a bugling bull elk.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is improvement of computer-controlled animated talking toy system in which novel methods and apparatus are provided to coordinate and control the sound and animation of a toy figure. Said toy figure has at least one articulated movable portion for providing animation with the actuation thereof provided by a multi-phase electro-mechanical drive device disposed therein which is feasible for digital control by a multimedia computer connected thereto. An audio output device is disposed within the body of said toy figure and is connected to and controlled by the sound subsystem of said computer. The animation of the toy is controlled by said computer according to detailed text content of the toy's audio speech.

Abstract: A telescopic mascot includes a head core, a shoulder supporting the head core and a body having a pair of upright telescopic tube assemblies adapted to support the shoulder. Each of the upright telescopic tube assemblies has a plurality of tubes, slidable one in another, to allow the upright telescopic tube assembly to be variable in length between an elongated position and a shortened position, and the tubes are further spring-loaded so as to urge the upright telescopic tube assembly to the elongated position. In addition, a pair of retainers is formed on the lowest tubes and the shoulder is provided with a pair of pivotal hooks adapted to be locked with the retainers when the telescopic tube assemblies is adequately shortened, so as to retain the telescopic tube assemblies in their shortened position.

Abstract: A prayer doll toy structure includes a base, a base drive set, a lower body skeleton, a lower body drive set, an upper body skeleton, an upper body drive set, a head, and a shade. Thus, the prayer doll toy structure may kneel on the pad, to simulate the human body to pray, thereby achieving an amusement effect.

Abstract: A roller coaster toy includes a set of cars mounted on a track. Each car has at least one pair of movable side wheel assemblies mounted for movement towards and away from opposite sides of a respective car to enable the cars to be easily placed on, or removed from, the track. A drive car has movable drive wheels for affirmatively engaging the track no matter the degree of curvature of the track.

Abstract: A confetti launcher is provided and includes a housing for storing the confetti, a rotatable actuator coupled to the housing, and a spring biased movable member disposed within an interior of the housing for ejecting the confetti. The movable member is positionable between a first position where it is locked relative to the actuator and a second position where it is free to move and an energy stored in a biasing element is released and translated into a force applied to the stored confetti such that the confetti is ejected from an open end of the housing.

Abstract: A modular toy station is transformable from a closed storage configuration to an open in-use configuration providing a play surface. The station includes a box section and a platform. The box section is hingedly connected to the platform so as to pivot from a storage configuration to an in-use play configuration. The platform has features typically like those of a service station extending from it, which are concealed by the box section in the storage configuration and which extend upwardly from the platform in the in-use play configuration. The toy station further includes a recessed ledge at an edge of the platform configured to support a tab of an ancillary item such as a ramp joining piece.

Abstract: There is provided a brassiere made of a stretchable material for comfort. Each breast cup has a breast receiving portion with an inner layer and an outer layer, and a support panel portion with the inner and outer layers and a breast supporting panel between the inner and outer layers. The breast supporting panel is substantially inelastic in all directions and, preferably, forms an arcuate edge for supporting the breast. Thus, the entire brassiere stretches and moves with the wearer, while each non-elastic breast supporting panel provides the desired breast support. The bottom edge of the breast supporting panel is spaced from the bottom edge of the brassiere. Decreasing the length of the breast supporting panel so that its bottom edge does not contact the bottom edge of the brassiere allows the bottom periphery of the brassiere to have additional flex that improves the overall comfort of the brassiere. Preferably, the bottom edge of the brassiere is turned to form the waistband of the brassiere.

Abstract: A polishing head of a polishing apparatus of this invention has a structure in which an air blast port is formed in a lower surface of a carrier 20, and an upper outer peripheral portion 24 of the carrier is so formed as to protrude in a diametric direction, and is placed on a retainer ring 30 to thereby form a seal portion 25. The retainer ring clamps a peripheral edge of a rubber sheet in such a form as to cover the carrier. Consequently, an air chamber 61 is formed between the carrier lower surface and the rubber sheet, and an air pressure of this air chamber pushes a wafer W to a polishing cloth 2.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a customized polishing pad for use in a wafer polishing machine. The polishing pad of the present invention includes a polishing surface integral with the polishing pad. The polishing surface is adapted to frictionally contact a wafer in the polishing machine, thereby polishing the wafer. The polishing surface of the polishing pad includes at least two areas, where each area is adapted to frictionally contact the wafer and achieve a polishing effect specific for that area. A customized polishing effect is achieved by the polishing pad of the present invention when the wafer is selectively moved frictionally against the at least two areas by the wafer polishing machine.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conditioning and monitoring a planarizing medium used for planarizing a microelectronic substrate. In one embodiment, the apparatus can include a conditioning body having a conditioning surface that engages a planarizing surface of the planarizing medium and is movable relative to the planarizing medium. A force sensor is coupled to the conditioning body to detect a frictional force imparted to the conditioning body by the planarizing medium when the conditioning body and the planarizing medium are moved relative to each other. The apparatus can further include a feedback device that controls the motion, position, or force between the conditioning body and the planarizing medium to control the conditioning of the planarizing medium.

Abstract: During a CMP operation, vibration-caused variations in the forces holding a wafer against a polishing pad, and/or relatively moving the pad and the wafer are measured and the standard deviation thereof is used to minimize or eliminate the deleterious effects of the vibrations.

Abstract: A grinding apparatus for grinding a spline ball groove on a workpiece comprises a rod-shaped grindstone, having a distal end portion with a curved surface corresponding to the groove to be ground, and a spindle mechanism for rotating the grindstone. The spindle mechanism and the grindstone are supported by means of a supporter in a manner such that they are inclined at a given angle to an axis of the workpiece. A rotary dresser, which has a dress groove corresponding to the curved surface of the distal end portion of the grindstone, is disposed near the grinding apparatus. The grindstone can be reciprocated along the axis of the workpiece by a drive mechanism between the workpiece and the dresser without changing its angle of inclination.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting a process endpoint. The method includes receiving a first data signal and a second data signal and combining the first data signal and the second data signal to generate a combined data signal. The method also includes detecting a peak in the combined data signal, wherein the peak indicates the process endpoint. The apparatus includes a data collection unit capable of receiving a plurality of data signals and a signal analysis unit. The signal analysis unit is capable of combining the plurality of data signals received through the data collection unit to generate a combined data signal and identifying a peak in the combined data signal indicative of the process endpoint.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of automated wafer-grinding using grinding surface position monitoring. In one embodiment, an apparatus for grinding a working surface includes a grinding surface engageable with at least a portion of the working surface, and a feed mechanism that controllably adjusts a position of the grinding surface. The apparatus further includes a position sensor that senses a position of the grinding surface along an axis approximately normal to the working surface and a controller that receives a position signal from the position sensor and transmits a control signal to the feed mechanism in response to the position signal. In alternate embodiments, the position sensor may be an acoustic sensor, an optical sensor, or another type of sensor. The grinding surface may include a grinding material suspended in a binder, the grinding material being worn during grinding.

Abstract: The present invention includes a platen having a plurality of concentric fluid-tight plenums for receiving fluids. One or more fluid delivery systems may be used to control the flow rate and composition of fluids communicated to the plenums. The top surface of the platen may have holes for allowing the fluids, once inside the plenums, to travel to the top surface of a polishing pad. By controlling the flow rate and composition of fluids, the material removal rate on the front surface of the wafer may also be controlled. The polishing pad is preferably orbited during the planarization process. A metrology instrument may be used for measuring the front surface of the wafer. Data regarding the measurements may be used by a computer to determine if different flow rates and/or composition of fluids should be used to compensate for nonuniform polishing of the wafer.

Abstract: A pad conditioning assembly includes a conditioner head with an end effector movable into contact with a polishing pad,a plurality of downwardly-projecting movable conditioning elements disposed at a bottom of the end effector; and a compliant backing member disposed above and adjacent the conditioning elements, wherein forces applied by the compliant backing member are transferred to the movable conditioning elements to move the conditioning elements. In one aspect, a pressurization circuit applies a pressure from a pressure source to the compliant backing member to flex the compliant backing member against the movable conditioning elements.

Abstract: A method of forming a base body for a diamond bit having a tubular carrier body (2, 12) with a bottom (4), and a shank (1, 11) projecting from the bottom (1), with the carrier body (2, 12) and the bottom being produced by a spinning process.

Abstract: A blade sharpener comprises a work surface consisting of a single support line. A grinding wheel defines a transverse plane that contains the support line. The grinding wheel is swingable in the transverse plane to a selected position relative to the support line. A blade is supported on the support line with the blade cutting edge perpendicular to the support line. The single support line enables a mulching blade to be sharpened without having to impart angular motions in space to it as it is fed past the grinding wheel. Swinging the grinding wheel to different positions relative to the support line enables it to produce different cutting surfaces on the blades. Swinging of the grinding wheel is achieved by mounting it to a plate that pivots about an axis perpendicular to the grinding wheel transverse plane. A mobile work table is selectively retainable over and removable from the support line support.