Self-aligning blade angle guide

Abstract

A device for use in the manual sharpening of arrow broadheads, razor blades and the like includes a unique symmetrical clamp and axle assembly having interchangeable, matched pairs of special purpose jaw members for gripping blades of differing configurations. When coupled to the frame, the clamp and axle assembly is freely rotatable, and this free rotation automatically aligns the length of the edge of the blade with the surface of a sharpening medium. Additionally these rotational and self-aligning capability enables the user to service both sides of the blade's edge with a single blade clamping operation, by manually rotating the clamp 180 degrees between passes along the surface of the sharpening medium.

1 . A self-aligning blade angle guide, comprising: 
 (a) a clamp for securing a blade to be sharpened;    (b) a frame operatively associated with said clamp so as to enable free rotational movement of said clamp relative to said frame;    (c) a means for selecting a sharpening angle; and    (d) a means for coupling said clamp to said frame in a manner which provides for free rotational capability of said clamp relative to said frame,    whereby the weight of said self-aligning blade angle guide, combined with any added pressure applied by the user, causes said clamp to rotate on its axis when said self-aligning blade angle guide is placed in an operational position on the surface of a sharpening medium, thereby aligning the edge of a blade secured in said clamp with the surface of the sharpening medium, said rotational capability further enables the user to service both sides of a blade's edge with a single blade clamping operation by manually rotating said clamp 180 degrees between passes along the surface of the sharpening medium.    
   
   
       2 . The self-aligning blade angle guide of  claim 1 , wherein the means of coupling said clamp to said frame comprises: 
 (a) an axle having a first end and a second end;    (b) said clamp further providing a means for attaching said first end of said axle to said clamp;    (c) said frame further providing a means of attaching said second end of said axle to said frame,    whereby said clamp, said axle, and said frame may be coupled in combination, in a manner which enables said clamp to freely rotate on its axis in either direction with, or about said axle.    
   
   
       3 . (canceled)  
   
   
       4 . (canceled)  
   
   
       5 . (canceled)  
   
   
       6 . The self-aligning blade angle guide of  claim 1 , wherein the means of selecting a sharpening angle comprises: 
 (a) a bracket;    (b) a roller;    (c) a means of retaining said roller within said bracket in a manner that permits said roller to freely turn within said bracket;    (d) a means of attaching said bracket and said rollers in combination, to said frame in a manner which enables a user to present both said roller and a blade secured in said clamp to an abrasive surfaces,    thereby enabling said roller, in combination with a blade secured in said clamp, to select a sharpening angle, when the self-aligning blade angle guide is placed in its operational position.    
   
   
       7 . (canceled)  
   
   
       8 . A self-aligning blade angle guide, comprising: 
 (a) an axle having a first end and a second end;    (b) a clamp for securing a blade to be sharpened, said clamp configured to operatively couple to said first end of said axle,    (c) a frame configured to operatively couple to said second end of said axle,    (d) a support structure for positioning the self-aligning blade angle guide on the surface of a sharpening medium for selecting a sharpening angle,    whereby said axle, said clamp, said frame, and said support structure are coupled in combination in a manner which provides for free rotational capability of said clamp, enabling said clamp to freely rotate as the self-aligning blade angle guide is placed on the surface of a sharpening medium, thereby aligning the edge of a blade secured in said clamp with the surface of the sharpening medium, and further enabling the user to service both sides of a blade's edge with a single blade clamping operation by manually rotating said clamp 180 degrees between passes along the surface of the sharpening medium.    
   
   
       9 . A self-aligning blade angle guide, comprising: 
 (a) an axle having a first end and a second end;    (b) a clamp attached to said first end of said axle; and    (c) a frame operatively attached to said second end of said axle in a manner that allows free rotational movement of said clamp relative to said frame.    
   
   
       10 . The self-aligning blade angle guide of  claim 9 , further comprising a support structure for selecting a sharpening angle relative to a sharpening medium.  
   
   
       11 . The self-aligning blade angle guide of  claim 10 , in which said support structure comprises: 
 (a) a bracket attached to said frame; and    (b) a roller operatively coupled to said bracket in a manner that allows said roller to freely turn within said bracket.    
   
   
       12 . The self-aligning blade angle guide of  claim 9 , wherein said clamp comprises: 
 (a) a base having a hole through which said first end of said axle extends; and    (b) a pair of opposing jaw members coupled in combination with said base and said first end of said axle,    whereby said opposing jaw members are releasably retained by said base and said first end of said axle.    
   
   
       13 . The self-aligning blade angle guide of  claim 12 , further comprising a means for tightening and loosening said opposing jaw members.  
   
   
       14 . The self-aligning blade angle guide of  claim 13 , further comprising a support structure for selecting a sharpening angle relative to a sharpening medium.  
   
   
       15 . The self-aligning blade angle guide of  claim 14 , in which said support structure comprises: 
 (a) a bracket attached to said frame; and    (b) a roller operatively coupled to said bracket in a manner that allows said roller to freely turn within said bracket.