US2852895A

US2852895A - Cutlery sharpener

Info

Publication number: US2852895A
Application number: US715897A
Authority: US
Inventors: William F Lamison
Original assignee: PITTSBURGH ERIE SAW CORP
Current assignee: PITTSBURGH ERIE SAW CORP; PITTSBURGH-ERIE SAW Corp
Priority date: 1958-02-18
Filing date: 1958-02-18
Publication date: 1958-09-23
Anticipated expiration: 1975-09-23

Description

CUTLERY SHARPE'NER Filed Feb. 18, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR William F. Lumison Sept. 23, 1958 w. FPLAMISON CUTLERY SHARPENER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 18, 1958 INVENTOR William F. Lamison United States Patent Ofiice 2,852,895 Patented Sept. 23, 1958 CUTLERY SHARPENER William F. Lamison, Pittsburgh, Pa., assignor to Pittsburgh-Erie Saw Corporation, Pittsburgh, Pa., 2! corporation of Delaware Application February 18, 1958, Serial No. 715,897

7 Claims. (Cl. 51-135) This invention relates to cutlery sharpeners and particularly to a cutlery sharpener of the type disclosed in my Patent No. 2,677,218 and my copending application Serial No. 602,3 67, filed August 6, 1956. I have improved the cutlery sharpener in respect of maintaining the endless sharpening element in its normal path during operation of the cutlery sharpener and preventing the endless sharpening element from assuming an operative path displaced laterally from its normal path. I provide for automatically returning the endless sharpening element to its normal path if it begins to move laterally to either side.

My cutlery sharpener, like the cutlery sharpenersof my said patent and copending application, comprises an endless sharpening element, pulleys about which the endless sharpening element is trained and means for driving the endless sharpening element. The driving means may be a motor and one of the pulleys may be fixed to the motor shaft. Desirably the operative reach of the endless sharpening element is the reach between two other pulleys. Guide means are provided for properly positioning relatively to the sharpening element cutlery being sharpened, and the operative reach of the endless sharpening element is angularly adjustable relatively to the guide means to adapt the cutlery sharpener for sharpening articles of cutlery of different shapes.

I provide a lever pivoted for turning movement transversely of the general plane of the center line of the endless sharpening element and I provide for one of the pulleys-preferably one of the two pulleys defining the operative reach of the endless sharpening elementto be carried by the lever at one side of the lever pivot. The lever preferably has at the opposite side of the lever pivot means positioned to be engaged by the endless sharpening element when the endless sharpening element becomes some what laterally displaced from its normal path, whereby the lever is turned on its pivot, shifting the pulley carried by the lever so as to return the endless sharpening element to its normal path. I

The lever preferably has at one side of the pivot a bracket having arms partially embracing one of the pulleys, and a shaft on which that pulley is mounted is desirably supported by those arms. The lever has at the opposite side of the lever pivot the means positioned to be engaged by the endless sharpening element as above described.

The two pulleys which define the operative reach of the endless sharpening element are preferably mounted in a unit which is tiltable at ditferent selected angles to adapt the cutlery sharpener to sharpen cutlery of different characteristics, and the aforementioned lever is preferably pivoted to the unit for turning movement transversely of the general plane of the center line of the sharpening element and carries one of the pulleys defining the operative reach of the endless sharpening element.

Other details, objects and advantages of the invention 2 In the accompanying drawings I have shown a preferred embodiment of the invention in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cutlery sharpener; Figure 2 is an end view of the cutlery sharpener as viewed from the end at which the endless sharpening element and the casing containing it are disposed, the end cover of the casing being removed, the endless sharpening element being indicated by a heavy chain line;

Figure 3' is an elevational view of the unit comprising the two pulleys which define the operative reach of the endless sharpening element and the guiding meansfor the cutlery being sharpened;

Figure 4 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in vertical cross section of the unit shown in Figure 3 but with the side plate near the eye removed and the side element of the cutlery guide near the eye also removed;

Figure 5 is a bottom plan view of the unit shown in Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a vertical transverse cross-sectional 'view taken on the line VI-VI of Figure 3;

Figure 7 is a vertical transverse cross-sectional view taken on the line VII-VII of Figure 3; Figure 8 is a vertical transverse cross-sectional view taken on line VIII-VIII of Figure 3; and

Figure 9 is a vertical transverse cross-sectional view taken on the line IX-IX of Figure 3.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, my cutlery sharpener comprises a supporting structure desig nated generally by reference numeral 2 to which support ing feet 3 of rubber or other suitable material are attached. The supporting structure 2 comprises a motor base designated generally by reference numeral 4 which comprises two spaced apart upstanding portions 5. An electric motor 6 is provided, the motor being of the type comprising parts maintained in assembly by elongated connecting members such as bolts extending generally parallel to the motor shaft. The motor parts are main-' tained assembled by four bolts 7 one of which (the lower left-hand bolt 7 of Figure 2) projects at both ends from the motor and enters the portions 5 of the motor base 4, the projecting ends of the bolt acting as trunnions for the motor. The lower left-hand bolt 7 viewingFigure 2, or the bottommost bolt 7 viewing Figure 1 may be threaded at its ends and cap nuts 8 may be applied. Thus the motor is pivotally mounted in the supporting structure by one of the bolts maintaining the integrity of the motor, the mounting being eccentric to the center of gravity of the motor so that, viewing Figure 2, the motor attempts to swing downwardly and toward the right relatively to the lower left-hand bolt 7 under the action of gravity; The supporting structure 2 carries a bumper 9 which may be of rubber or other suitable material which is positioned in the path of swinging movement of the motor about the axis of the lower left-hand bolt 7 viewing Figure 2' but present below the operative position of the motor as will pres will become *apparentas the following descriptlon of a present preferred embodiment thereof proceeds.

ently be explained. When the endless sharpening element presently to be described is removed the motor rests against the bumper 9 and the normal position of the motor is approximately maintained. In Figure 2 the motor 6 is shown in dotted lines in operative position slightly spaced from the bumper 9.

A handle 10 for carrying the cutlery sharpener in one hand is carried by the top of the motor and has its grip portion 11 generally in vertical alignment with the center of gravity of the sharpener. The handle 10 has a connecting portion 12 connected with the top of the motor and the grip portion 11 extends generally toward the endless sharpening element presently to be described and has its extremity nearer such element free as shown. By means of the handle 10 the cutlery sharpener may be easily carried by one hand. The motor may be electrically connected with a source of electric current by conductors 12a. The current to the motor may be turned on or off by a switch 121:. V

The motor shaft is designated 13 and has fastened to its extremity adriving pulley14. Between the motor and the pulley the shaft 13 passes through an elongated slot 15in an upstanding casing 16 forming part of the supporting structure 2 of the sharpener. When the sharpener is lifted by the handle the motor 6 pivots generally upwardly about the axis of thelower left hand bolt 7 viewing Figure 2 until the shaft 13 engages the upper extremity of the elongated slot 15, such engagement limiting the extent of upward movement of the motor relatively to the supporting'st-ructure. The amp'litud'e of movement of the motor between its extreme upperlposition with theshaft 13 in engagement with the upper extremity of the slot 15 and its extreme lower position in engagement with the bumper 9 is not substantially greater thanabout an inch; thus under all conditions the normal position of the motor is approximately mainire The casing 16 carries a stud 18 whose axis is horizontaLand .parallel to the axis of the motor shaft. The stud 18 may be connected with the casing in any suitable manner, such, for example, as shown in either my aforementioned patent or my copending application. Pivotallymounted on the stud 18 is a unit designated generally by reference numeral 20 which comprises means presently to be described forguiding the endless sharpening element designated by reference numeral 44. The unit 20 which is shown in Figures 3-9 comprises a block 21 of aluminum having a transverse bore 45 receiving the stud 18 and having in its bottom a vertical threaded bore 22. A sleeve 23 is disposed below the vertical threaded bore 22 and is coaxial therewith. The bottom surface of the block 21 is slightly recessed at 24 to receive the upper end of the sleeve 23. A screw 25 having a head 26 extends through the sleeve 23 and is threaded into the vertical threaded bore22. A spring washer 27 is disposed next the screw head 26 and a plate 28 is disposed above and in contact with the spring washer, the plate 28'having therein a bore 29 of sufl'icient size to receive the shank of the screw 25. Above the plate 28 is aylever 30 having therein an opening 31 surrounding the lower end of the sleeve 23. When the screw 25 is tightened into the threaded bore 22 it maintains the assembly to the block 21 of the sleeve 23, the lever 30, the plate 28, the spring washer 27 and the screw itself, the lever 30 being capable of limited turning movement about the axis of the screw 25.

The lever 30 carries at one side of the pivot 25 a bracket 32 having arms 33 partially embracing one of the pulleys 34 and a shaft 35 on which the pulley 34 is rotatably mounted. Thus the pulley 34 is carried by the lever 30 so as to be rotatable under the action of the endless sharpening element 44 when trained about the pulley.

At the end of the lever 30 opposite the end at which the pulley 34 is carried there is provided a yoke 36 which embraces the endless sharpening element 44 with minute clearance at each lateral edge of the endless sharpening element so as to be engaged by the endless sharpening element when the endless sharpening element becomes somewhat laterally displaced from its normal path, where by the lever 30 is turned on its pivot 25, shifting the .pulley 34 carried by the lever so as to return the endless sharpening element to its normal path.

The pulley which cooperates with the pulley 34 in defining the operative reach of the endless sharpening element 44 is the pulley 37 which is carried by a shaft 38 stationarily positioned in the unit 20. The unit 20 has opposed

side'plates

39 and 40. The shaft 38 is carried by the side plate 39 and has its outer end supported in the side plate 40.

The cutlery sharpener may be otherwise the same as that shown in my said copending application and I shall not describe in detail all portions thereof which are the same as those of my said application. The casing 16 has arcuate slots 41 and 42 through which the shaft 38 and a stub shaft 38a carried by the side plate 39 project to be connected with a tilting lever 43 having a handle 46. Tilting of the lever 43 tilts the unit 20. The lever 43 hasa downward extension 47 having therein anarcuate slot 48 receiving a threaded pin to which is threaded a clamping nut 49 to maintain the lever 43 and hence the unit 20 in desired angular position. There is also provided a cutlery guide designated generally by reference numeral 50 which may be the same as that of my said copending application to assist in positioning the cutlery to be sharpened relatively to the operative reach of the endless sharpening element 44 which may be a flexible band having abrasive applied to its outer surface.

While I have shown and described a present preferred embodiment of the invention it is to be distinctly under stood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A cutlery sharpener comprising an endless sharpening element, pulleys about which the endless sharpening element is trained, means for driving the endless sharpening element and a lever pivoted for turning movement transversely of the general plane of the center line of the endless sharpening element, one of the pulleys being carried by the lever at one side of the lever pivot, the lever having, at the opposite side of the lever pivot, means positioned to be engaged by the endless sharpening element when the endless sharpening element becomes somewhat laterally displaced from its normal path, whereby the lever is turned on its pivot, shifting the pulley carried by the lever so as to return the endless sharpening element to its normal path.

2. A cutlery sharpener comprising an endless sharpening element, pulleys about which the endless sharpening element is trained, means for driving the endless sharpening element and a lever pivoted for turning movement transversely of the general plane of the center line of the endless sharpening element, one of the pulleys being carried by the lever at one side of the lever pivot, the lever having, at the opposite side of the lever pivot, a yoke embracing the endless sharpening element with minute clearance at each lateral edge of the endless sharpening element so as to be engaged by the endless sharpening element when the endless sharpening element becomes somewhat laterally displaced from its normal path, whereby the lever is turned on its pivot, shifting the pulley carried by the lever so as to return the endless sharpening element to its normal path.

3. A cutlery sharpener comprising an endless sharpening element, pulleys. about which the endless sharpening element is trained, means for driving the endless sharpening element, a lever pivoted for turning movement transversely of the general plane of the center line of the endless sharpening element, the lever having at one side of the pivot a bracket having arms partially embracing one of the pulleys, and a shaft on which the pulley is mounted supported by said arms, the lever having, at'the opposite side of the lever pivot, means positioned to be engaged by the endless sharpening element when the endless sharpening element becomes somewhat laterally displaced from its normalpath, whereby the'lever is turned on its pivot, shifting the pulley carried by the lever so as to return the endless sharpening element to its normal path.

4. A cutlery sharpener comprising an endless sharpening'eleme'nt, pulleys about which the endless sharpening element is trained, means for driving the endless sharpening element and "a lever pivoted for turning movement transversely of the general plane of the center line of the endless sharpening element, one of the pulleys being carried by the lever at one side of the lever pivot, the lever having, at the opposite side of the lever pivot, means positioned adjacent another of the pulleys about which the endless sharpening element is trained so as to be engaged by the endless sharpening element closely adjacent such pulley when the endless sharpening element become somewhat laterally displaced from its normal path, whereby the lever is turned on its pivot, shifting the pulley carried by the lever so as to return the endless sharpening element to its normal path.

5. A cutlery sharpener comprising an endless sharpening element, pulleys about which the endless sharpening element is trained, means for driving the endless sharpening element, a unit in which two of the pulleys are mounted defining the operative reach of the endless sharpening element, the unit being tiltable at different selected angles to adapt the cutlery sharpener to sharpen cutlery of diiferent characteristics, and a lever pivoted to the unit for turning movement transversely of the general plane of the center line of the endless sharpening element, one of the pulleys defining the operative reach of the endless sharpening element being carried by the lever at one side of the lever pivot, the lever having, at the opposite side of the lever pivot, means positioned to be engaged by the endless sharpening element when the endless sharpening element becomes somewhat laterally displaced from its normal path, whereby the lever is turned on its pivot, shifting the pulley carried by the lever so as to return the endless sharpening element to its normal path.

6. A cutlery sharpener comprising an endless sharpening element, pulleys about which the endless sharpening element is trained, means for driving the endless sharpening element, a unit in which two of the pulleys are mounted defining the operative reach of the endless sharpening element, the unit being tiltable at diflerent selected angles to adapt the cutlery sharpener to sharpen cutlery of different characteristics, a lever pivoted to the unit for turning movement transversely of the general plane of the center line of the endless sharpening element, the lever having at one side of the pivot a bracket having arms partially embracing one of the pulleys defining the operative reach of the endless sharpening element, and a shaft on which such pulley is mounted supported by said arms, the lever having, at the opposite side of the lever pivot, a yoke embracing the endless sharpening element with minute clearance at each lateral edge of the endless sharpening element so as to be engaged by the endless sharpening element when the endless sharpening element becomes somewhat laterally displaced from its normal path, whereby the lever is turned on its pivot, shifting the pulley carried by the lever so as to return the endless sharpening element to its normal path.

7. A cutlery sharpener comprising a supporting structure including generally horizontally oriented pivot means, an endless sharpening element, pulleys about which the endless sharpening element is trained, means for driving the endless sharpening element, a unit in which two of the pulleys are mounted defining the operative reach of the endless sharpening element, the unit being mounted on the pivot means so as to be tiltable at different selected angles to adapt the cutlery sharpener to sharpen cutlery of different characteristics, and a lever pivoted to the unit for turning movement transversely of the general plane of the center line of the endless sharpening element, one of the pulleys defining the operative reach of the endless sharpening element being carried by the lever at one side of the lever pivot, the lever having, at the opposite side of the lever pivot, means positioned to be engaged by the endless sharpening element when the endless sharpening element becomes somewhat laterally displaced from its normal path, whereby the lever is turned on its pivot, shifting the pulley carried by the lever so as to return the endless sharpening element to its normal path.

No references cited.