# US 9,039,493 B2 · Blade sharpening system for multiple blade shapes > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,039,493 B2 - Document ID: US9039493B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/065,547 - Filed: 2013-10-29 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Granted: 2015-05-26 - Earliest claimed: 2009-12-03 - Applicants: Michael G. Borsch - Inventors: Michael G. Borsch - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9039493B2 ## CPC - B24B 3/36: of cutting blades (B24B3/58 takes precedence) - B24B 3/52: of shear blades or scissors - B24B 41/06: Work supports, e.g. adjustable steadies (B24B37/27 takes precedence) - B24B 41/066: {adapted for supporting work in the form of tools, e.g. drills} - B24B: MACHINES, DEVICES, OR PROCESSES FOR GRINDING OR POLISHING (grinding of gear teeth B23F, of screw-threads B23G1/36; by electro-erosion B23H; abrasive or related blasting B24C; tools for grinding, buffing or sharpening B24D; polishing compositions C09G1/00; abrasives C09K3/14; electrolytic etching or polishing C25F3/00; grinding arrangements for use on assembled railway tracks E01B31/17); DRESSING OR CONDITIONING OF ABRADING SURFACES; FEEDING OF GRINDING, POLISHING, OR LAPPING AGENTS ## Abstract A blade sharpening system using the interior surface of a grinding wheel against which a blade is drawn along its entire length for sharpening. The sharpening system includes a blade holding configuration having multiple hinged arms. A cam operating between two of the hinged arms serves to alter the angle of incidence between the blade and the grinding wheel as the blade is drawn across the grinding wheel. The result is that a wide variety of different blade configurations can be easily accommodated by the sharpening system. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A blade sharpening system comprising: a) a hollow grinding wheel having an interior circumference configured to provide an abrasive sharpening surface, and an external circumference; b) a blade holding arrangement configured to place a blade at said interior surface of said grinding wheel; and, c) an interface on said exterior circumference to transfer drive power to said hollow grinding wheel. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The blade sharpening system of claim 1, wherein said interface of said hollow grinding wheel comprises an outer circumference having a circumferential groove. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The blade sharpening system of claim 2, further comprising: d) a support structure having a horizontal section and a vertical section. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The sharpening system of claim 3, further comprising: e) a drive wheel on said vertical section, so said drive wheel positioned to interface with said circumferential groove of said grinding wheel. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The blade sharpening system of claim 4, further comprising: f) two separate idler wheels arranged on said vertical section, and positioned to interface with said circumferential groove of said grinding wheel. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The blade sharpening system of claim 5, wherein said two idler wheels, and said drive wheel form a triangular configuration around said grinding wheel. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The blade sharpening system of claim 6, further comprising: g) a quick release mechanism for said grinding wheel. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The blade sharpening system of claim 7, wherein said quick release mechanism comprises a spring loaded arm holding one of said idler wheels. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The blade sharpening system of claim 8, wherein said quick release mechanism comprises an L-shaped pin arranged in said vertical section of said L-shaped support wherein one leg of said L-shaped pin extends over said grinding wheel. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The blade sharpening system of claim 9, further comprising: h) an adjustable blade holding system configured to draw an external blade to be sharpened across said abrasive sharpening surface of said grinding wheel. ### Claim 11 A blade sharpening system including a grinding device, and a blade holding system, said blade holding system comprising: a) three multiple hinged arms configured to draw an external blade across an interior surface of said grinding device by folding and unfolding by pivoting around at least one common vertical axis; b) a cam vertically arranged between at least two of said hinged arms, one said at least one common vertical axis, wherein said cam causes a change in angle of attack between said external blade and said grinding device; and, c) a support system for said hinged arms and said grinding device. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The blade sharpening system of claim 11, wherein said support system comprises a horizontal section and a vertical section. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The blade sharpening system of claim 12, wherein said blade holding system is adjustably mounted on said horizontal section of said L-shaped support structure. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The blade sharpening system of claim 13, wherein said grinding device is an open grinding wheel having an abrasive interior surface and said open grinding wheel being mounted on said vertical section, said open grinding wheel being arranged to extend above said vertical section. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The blade sharpening system of claim 14, wherein said blade holding system is adjustably mounted on said vertical section of said L-shaped support, and extends above said vertical section. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The blade sharpening system of claim 15, wherein said blade holding system comprises at least one spring between at least two of said hinged arms. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The blade sharpening system of claim 16, wherein said blade holding system comprises a adjustable blade clamp on a distal end of a top hinged arm opposite a hinge with an adjacent arm. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The blade sharpening system of claim 17, wherein said blade clamp is adjustable to provide multiple angles of incidence between an external blade being held and said abrasive interior surface of said grinding wheel when said hinged arms are extended in a first position. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The blade sharpening system of claim 18, wherein said angle of incidence changes as said hinged arms are folded to a second position, drawing said blade across said interior abrasive surface of said grinding wheel. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The sharpening system of claim 19, wherein said cam operates to change said angle of incidence when said hinged arms move with respect to each other.