US3844067A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Knife sharpener
Assignee: American Optical Corp
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Filing: 1972-12-18
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Granted: 1974-10-29
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Expires: 1992-12-18
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for automatically sharpening microtome knives which repetitively strokes alternate sides of a microtome knife in a straight line motion against a planar non-stationary honing plate. The honing surface of the honing plate moves in a circular path within the principal plane of the plate. The honing surface of the honing plate is selectively positioned in a one of a plurality of parallel planes so that the knife edge is ground at a selected one of a corresponding plurality of angles. In a similar second mode of operation, a substantial pressure may be selectively applied to the knife against the honing plate to provide a high-speed sharpening operation. In a third mode of operation two worn honing plates are automatically resurfaced using a removable attachment to maintain a second honing plate in a stationary position supported by a moving abrasive-coated first honing plate. In this mode, the knife stroking means is stationary.
Inventors
- 👤 J Guerra
- 👤 C Ingraham
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 00:13
CPC Classifications
B; B24; B24B; B24B35/00; B24B3/00; B24B3/36
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
Automatic knife sharpening apparatus comprising: a planar glass honing plate; a honing plate positioning means to support said honing plate, said honing plate positioning means being selectively operative to position said honing plate in a one of two positions, each of said positions for maintaining the honing surface of said honing plate in a one of two parallel planes; stroking means for alternately stroking in a straight line a first and second side of a microtome knife against said honing plate positioned by said positioning means, said knife being positioned by said stroking means at a corresponding one of two predetermined angles to said plate; and a pressure means for selectively applying a substantial pressure to said knife against said honing plate including a solenoid activated forcing means for selectively generating a substantial mechanical force, and a scissors spring force transfer means for transferring said selectively generated force to said stroking means for applying substantial pressure to said knife against said honing plate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
163 words
Automatic knife sharpening apparatus comprising: a planar glass honing plate; a honing plate positioning means to support said honing plate, said honing plate positioning means being selectively operative to position said honing plate in a one of two positions, each of said positions for maintaining the honing surface of said honing plate in a one of two parallel planes; stroking means for alternately stroking in a straight line a first and second side of a microtome knife against said honing plate positioned by said positioning means, said knife being positioned by said stroking means at a corresponding one of two predetermined angles to said plate; and a pressure means for selectively applying a substantial pressure to said knife against said honing plate including a solenoid activated forcing means for selectively generating a substantial mechanical force, and a scissors spring force transfer means for transferring said selectively generated force to said stroking means for applying substantial pressure to said knife against said honing plate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
An automatic knife sharpening apparatus as defined In claim 1 wherein said first planar glass honing plate is coated with an abrasive suspension.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
An automatic knife sharpening apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said honing plate positioning means further includes a means means for repetitively translating said plate in a circular path in the principal plane of said plate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
An automatic knife sharpening apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein the frequency of repetitive translation of said means for supporting said honing plate is independent of the frequency of said stroking means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
207 words
An improved apparatus for automatically sharpening microtome knives including an automatic microtome knife sharpening means having an abrasive-coated planar glass honing plate and a stroking means for alternately stroking in a straight line a first and second side of a microtome knife against said honing plate, said knife being positioned by said stroking means at a predetermined angle to said plate, said improvement comprising a translating honing plate support means for supporting and translating said honing plate, said support repetitively translating said plate in a circular path in the principal plane of said plate, the frequency of said repetitive translation being independent of the frequency of repetitive stroking; a solenoid activated forcing means for selectively generating a substantial mechanical force; a scissors spring force transfer means for transferring said selectively generated force to said stroking means for applying substantial pressure to said knife against said honing plate; and a support positioning means for selectively positioning said honing plate support means in a one of a plurality of positions, each of said positions for supporting said honing plate in a one of a plurality of parallel planes, said knife being positioned by said stroking means at a corresponding one of a plurality of predetermined angles to said plate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
207 words
An improved apparatus for automatically sharpening microtome knives including an automatic microtome knife sharpening means having an abrasive-coated planar glass honing plate and a stroking means for alternately stroking in a straight line a first and second side of a microtome knife against said honing plate, said knife being positioned by said stroking means at a predetermined angle to said plate, said improvement comprising a translating honing plate support means for supporting and translating said honing plate, said support repetitively translating said plate in a circular path in the principal plane of said plate, the frequency of said repetitive translation being independent of the frequency of repetitive stroking; a solenoid activated forcing means for selectively generating a substantial mechanical force; a scissors spring force transfer means for transferring said selectively generated force to said stroking means for applying substantial pressure to said knife against said honing plate; and a support positioning means for selectively positioning said honing plate support means in a one of a plurality of positions, each of said positions for supporting said honing plate in a one of a plurality of parallel planes, said knife being positioned by said stroking means at a corresponding one of a plurality of predetermined angles to said plate.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-10-28 | 1978-04-29 | 1978-10-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-28 | 1982-04-29 | 1982-10-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-28 | 1986-04-29 | 1986-10-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |