Self-aligning honing device

Abstract

A hand-operated honing device providing engagements of a blade of a tool by a honing stone at pre-selected angles to the blade is disclosed.

1 . A honing device, comprising:
 a roller module adapted to engage a blade in a plane motion upon a working surface of a honing stone at a pre-selected angle to said surface;   an arm movably secured to the roller module, the arm having a first end and a second end; and   a clamping mechanism secured to the first end of the arm and adapted to receive, grip, and release the blade and rotateable align the blade to said surface.   
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the roller module comprises:
 a cylindrical member adapted for rolling upon a substantially flat surface; and   a frame member rotateably supporting the cylindrical member.   
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the roller module further comprises a user-operable handle affixed to the frame member. 
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the frame member comprises a means adapted for movably guiding the second end of the arm. 
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the frame member comprises a recess adapted for movably guiding the second end of the arm. 
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the arm is adapted for securing the clamping mechanism at a pre-selected distance from the roller module, said distance defining the pre-selected angle. 
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the second end of the arm comprises an elongated opening or a groove adapted for movably securing the arm to the roller module. 
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the arm comprises a scale defining the pre-selected distance. 
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the clamping mechanism comprises a jaw assembly having an upper jaw and a lower jaw, said jaws operable using helical pairs disposed at a periphery of the jaws. 
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the clamping mechanism further comprises an elbow module having:
 a first member rotateably coupled to the upper jaw; and   a second member moveably secured to the arm and controlling a distance between the second end of the arm and the upper jaw,   
     said elbow adapting the jaw assembly to a swinging motion about a longitudinal axis of the first member. 
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the upper jaw comprises a bushing rotateably receiving the first member. 
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the upper jaw comprises a means adapted to define an angular range of the swinging motion of the jaw assembly. 
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein said means comprise a bracket secured to the upper jaw. 
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the arm comprises a member movably coupled to the arm and adapted to arrest the swinging motion of the jaw assembly. 
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the distance between the first end of the arm and the upper jaw is defined using an alignment nut coupled to the second member. 
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the first end of the arm comprises a recess adapted to rotateably immobilize the alignment nut. 
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one limiter for defining a length of a portion of the blade extending from the clamping mechanism. 
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the at least one limiter comprises a member that is secured to or a portion of the first end of the arm, said member adapted to pre-set the length of said portion of the blade. 
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the at least one limiter comprises a blade stopper affixed to a wire spring rotateably supported by cylindrical housings disposed on a component of the clamping mechanism. 
   
   
       20 . The device of  claim 19 , wherein the cylindrical housings adapted to movably secure the blade stopper in opposing horizontal positions. 
   
   
       21 . A honing device, comprising:
 a roller module adapted to engage a blade in a plane motion upon a working surface of a honing stone at a pre-selected angle to said surface;   an arm secured to the roller module, the arm having a first end and a second end; and   a clamping mechanism secured to the first end of the arm and adapted to receive, grip, and release the blade and rotateable align the blade to said surface.   
   
   
       22 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the roller module comprises:
 a cylindrical member adapted for rolling upon a substantially flat surface; and   a frame member rotateably supporting the cylindrical member.   
   
   
       23 . The device of  claim 22 , wherein the roller module further comprises a user-operable handle affixed to the frame member. 
   
   
       24 . A honing device, comprising:
 a roller module adapted to engage a blade in a plane motion upon a working surface of a honing stone at a pre-selected angle to said surface;   an arm movably secured to the roller module, the arm having a first end and a second end;   a clamping mechanism secured to the first end of the arm and adapted to receive, grip, and release the blade; and   at least one limiter for defining a length of a portion of the blade extending from the clamping mechanism.   
   
   
       25 . The device of  claim 24 , wherein the roller module comprises:
 a cylindrical member adapted for rolling upon a substantially flat surface; and   a frame member rotateably supporting the cylindrical member.   
   
   
       26 . The device of  claim 25 , wherein the roller module further comprises a user-operable handle affixed to the frame member. 
   
   
       27 . The device of  claim 25 , wherein the frame member comprises a means adapted for movably guiding the second end of the arm. 
   
   
       28 . The device of  claim 25 , wherein the frame member comprises a recess adapted for movably guiding the second end of the arm. 
   
   
       29 . The device of  claim 24 , wherein the arm is adapted for securing the clamping mechanism at a pre-selected distance from the roller module, said distance defining the pre-selected angle. 
   
   
       30 . The device of  claim 29 , wherein the second end of the arm comprises an elongated opening or a groove adapted for movably securing the arm to the roller module. 
   
   
       31 . The device of  claim 29 , wherein the arm comprises a scale defining the pre-selected distance. 
   
   
       32 . The device of  claim 24 , wherein the at least one limiter comprises a member that is secured to or a portion of the first end of the arm, said member adapted to pre-set the length of said portion of the blade. 
   
   
       33 . The device of  claim 24 , wherein the at least one limiter comprises a blade stopper affixed to a wire spring rotateably supported by cylindrical housings disposed on a component of the clamping mechanism. 
   
   
       34 . The device of  claim 33 , wherein the cylindrical housings adapted to movably secure the blade stopper in opposing horizontal positions.