Cutting machine blade sharpener

Claim 2

A machine for cutting a fabric, comprising: a stationary frame; means for cutting fabric, said cutting means including a fixed track mounted on said frame and a cutter assembly adapted for reciprocal movement along said track so as to sever the fabric into sections during a cutting stroke; and means for sharpening the cutter assembly, said sharpening means being operatively associated with said track so as to be adapted for engagement intermittently with said cutter assembly at a preselected position in a cutting cycle and hone a cutting edge of said cutter assembly to a requisite degree of sharpness.

Claim 3

A machine as recited in claim 1, wherein said sharpening means comprises at least one abrasive member supported by said track to engage intermittently said cutter assembly at said preselected location in the cutting cycle thereof.

Claim 4

A machine as recited in claim 1, further comprising means for actuating automatically said sharpening means in response to said cutter assembly reaching said preselected position on said track in the cutting cycle thereof.

Claim 5

A machine as recited in claim 1, wherein said cutter assembly comprises: a rotary-power driven blade mounted for reciprocating movement on said track, said blade being adapted to cut the fabric during the reciprocal movement thereof; means for reciprocating said blade along said track; and means for rotating said blade.

Claim 6

A machine as recited in claim 4, wherein said sharpening means comprises: a pair of stones foR sharpening said blade; and means for supporting said pair of stones so as to resiliently urge said pair of stones to an at-rest position closely spaced from one another for permitting said blade to be interposed therebetween and closely spaced therefrom, said pair of stones being adapted for movement in unison in substantially a perpendicular direction relative to the direction of reciprocating movement of said blade to thereby position one of said pair of stones into engagement with a corresponding opposed surface of said blade, the other of said pair of stones being spaced from the other corresponding opposed surface of said blade.

Claim 7

A machine as recited in claim 5, wherein each of said pair of stones is substantially an annular disc shaped member including a beveled portion adapted for engagement with the respective corresponding opposed surfaces of said blade.

Claim 8

A machine as recited in claim 5, wherein said support means comprises: a bracket member mounted on said track so as to be adjustable slidably in substantially a horizontal direction; a guide member mounted on said bracket member so as to be adjustable slidably in substantially a vertical direction; a shaft member mounted rotatably and endwise slidably on said guide member, said pair of stones being secured to said shaft member in the region of one end portion thereof; and means for biasing said shaft member to an at-rest poistion so as to permit said blade to be interposed between and closely spaced from said pair of stones. means for supporting said pair of stones so as to resiliently urge said pair of stones to on at-rest position closely spaced fromone another for permitting said blade to be interposed therebetween and closely spaced therefrom, said pair ofstones being adapted for movementin unison in substantially a perpendicular direction relative to thedirection of reciprocatng movement of said blade to thereby position oneofsaid pairof stones into engagement wit a corresponding opposed surface of said blade,theother of said pair of stones being spaced fromtheother corresponding opposed surface ofsaid blad.