Skate sharpening apparatus and method
AssigneeM.J.S. Manufacturing, Inc.
InventorsRandy L. Strain, Jeffrey P. Jannetto, Robert M. Evans
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus and method for sharpening skate blades operate by measuring the length of a skate blade, determining a predetermined profile corresponding to a desired radius of curvature for the blade, and coordinating the motion of a grinding wheel and the blade to grind the blade according to the predetermined profile. A grinding force is applied by the grinding wheel against the blade using a stepper motor coupled through a screw drive, thereby not allowing the grinding wheel to chatter or bounce against the blade. In addition, the blade is clamped end-to-end by a clamping assembly that also determines the length of the blade via the position of the clamp.
Claims29
A method of automatically sharpening an ice skate blade comprising the step of controlling movement of a rotating grinding wheel relative to the blade in first and second directions such that the grinding wheel grinds the blade according to a predetermined profile that is representative of an arc having a predetermined radius, the first direction being generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the blade, and the second direction being generally perpendicular to a bottom surface of the blade;
- whereby the grinding wheel does not rely on a pre-existing profile of the blade when grinding the blade.
The method of claim 21, further comprising the step of determining a current profile for the blade including the steps of:
- (a) moving the grinding wheel along the blade in the first direction while the grinding wheel is not activated;
- (b) moving the grinding wheel relative to the blade in the second direction such that the grinding wheel exerts a substantially constant force on the blade as the grinding wheel moves along the blade in the first direction;
- and
- (c) recording the movement of the grinding wheel in the second direction.
An apparatus for sharpening an ice skate blade comprising:
- (a) a clamping assembly for clamping the blade;
- (b) a grinding wheel;
- (c) a first motor for varying the spatial relationship between the clamping assembly and the grinding wheel in a direction generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the blade;
- (d) a second motor, coupled to the grinding wheel through a screw drive, for varying the spatial relationship between the clamping assembly and the grinding wheel in a direction generally perpendicular to a bottom surface of the blade, wherein the second motor applies a grinding force for the grinding wheel against the blade;
- whereby rotation of the second motor moves the grinding wheel in a direction generally perpendicular to the bottom surface of the blade;
- and
- (e) a controller for activating the first and second motors to grind the blade.
An apparatus for sharpening an ice skate blade comprising:
- (a) clamping means for clamping the blade in a fixed position;
- (b) grinding means for grinding the blade;
- (c) first moving means for varying the spatial relationship between the clamping means and the grinding means in a direction generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the blade;
- (d) second moving means for varying the spatial relationship between the clamping means and the grinding means in a direction generally perpendicular to a bottom surface of the blade;
- and
- (e) control means for activating the first and second moving means to grind the blade according to a predetermined profile, the predetermined profile being representative of an arc of predetermined radius;
- whereby the grinding means does not rely on a pre-existing profile of the blade when grinding the blade.
An apparatus for sharpening an ice skate blade comprising:
- (a) a clamping assembly for clamping the blade, the clamping assembly including a pair of oppositely disposed clamps, at least one clamp being movable in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the blade to apply a clamping force along the longitudinal axis of the blade;
- (b) a grinding wheel;
- (c) a first motor for varying the spatial relationship between the clamping assembly and the grinding wheel in a direction generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the blade;
- (d) a second motor for varying the spatial relationship between the clamping assembly and the grinding wheel in a direction generally perpendicular to a bottom surface of the blade, wherein the second motor applies a grinding force for the grinding wheel against the blade;
- (e) a third motor coupled to the movable clamp through a screw drive and providing a position signal representative of the position of the third motor;
- and
- (f) a controller for activating the first and second motors to grind the blade, wherein the controller determines the length of the blade from the position signal.
An apparatus for sharpening a pair of ice skate blades comprising:
- (a) clamping means for clamping first and second blades in fixed positions next to one another;
- (b) grinding means for grinding the blades;
- (c) first moving means for varying the spatial relationship between the clamping means and the grinding means in a direction generally parallel to longitudinal axes of the blades;
- (d) second moving means for varying the spatial relationship between the clamping means and the grinding means in a direction generally perpendicular to bottom surfaces of the blades;
- and
- (e) control means for activating the first and second moving means to grind the blades according to independent and predetermined profiles.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.