Honing Apparatus for Sharpening Cutting Tools

Abstract

A honing apparatus has a top section which is disposed in a horizontal, transverse plane. First and second guide rails extend along the sides of the top section. A sharpening stone tray is located within the top section between the guard rails and a sharpening stone is positioned within the tray. An electric motor drives the sharpening stone tray in reciprocating motion within a path parallel to the horizontal plane of the top section. A clamp unit is located over the sharpening stone and secures a cutting tool at a given angle on and in relation to the sharpening stone. The reciprocating movement of the sharpening stone allows for precise sharpening of the cutting tool secured in the clamp unit.

1 . A honing apparatus for sharpening a cutting tool, said apparatus comprising:
 a housing having a top section disposed in a horizontal, transverse plane, a first guide rail extending along one side of the top section and a second guide rail extending along the opposite side of the top section;   a sharpening stone tray located within the top section and between the guard rails;   a sharpening stone positioned within the tray;   drive means located in the housing for providing reciprocating movement of the tray within a path parallel to the horizontal, transverse plane of the top section, whereby the reciprocating movement of the tray causes contemporaneous reciprocating movement of the sharpening stone within a path parallel to the horizontal, transverse plane of the top section; and   clamp means for securing a cutting tool at a given angle on and in relation to the sharpening stone, whereby the reciprocating movement of the sharpening stone sharpens the cutting tool secured in the clamp means.   
     
     
         2 . The honing apparatus as in  claim 1  wherein said tray is disposed in a horizontal, transverse plane parallel to the horizontal plane of the top section. 
     
     
         3 . The honing apparatus as in  claim 1  wherein the clamp means comprises clamp rails and a bevel table extending over the sharpening stone, whereby the clamp rails are configured to move the bevel table forward and backward along the guide rails. 
     
     
         4 . The honing apparatus as in  claim 3  wherein the bevel table comprises a top plate and interconnecting downwardly extending side plates extending over the clamp rails. 
     
     
         5 . The honing apparatus as in  claim 4  wherein the side plates each have a pivot point and an arced slot to allow angular adjustment of the bevel table in relation to the sharpening stone, and a clamping nut extending through each slot o lock the bevel table in angles in relation to the sharpening stone. 
     
     
         6 . The honing apparatus as in  claim 4  wherein the clamp means comprises a cutting tool holder and the top plate comprises a transverse extending slot for supporting the cutting tool holder. 
     
     
         7 . The honing apparatus as in  claim 6  whereby the cutting tool holder is configured for movement along the bevel table laterally in relation to the sharpening stone. 
     
     
         8 . The honing apparatus as in  claim 1  wherein the clamp means is located over the sharpening stone and is configured for forward and backward movement in relation to the housing and vertical movement for setting the angle of the cutting tool in relation to the sharpening stone. 
     
     
         9 . The honing apparatus as in  claim 1  wherein the drive means comprises a motor operating a drive rod through gearing to provide the reciprocating movement of the tray. 
     
     
         10 . The honing apparatus as in  claim 1  further comprising a sharpening stone lubrication system comprising a lubricant containing bottle and lubricant distribution channels. 
     
     
         11 . The honing apparatus as in  claim 1  wherein the clamp means comprises a cylindrically shaped clamp attachment for securing round cutting tools at given angles in relation to the sharpening stone. 
     
     
         12 . The honing apparatus as in  claim 1  further comprising block adapters positioned within the sharpening stone tray to accommodate sharpening stones of different sizes and shapes. 
     
     
         13 . The honing apparatus as in  claim 1  further comprising an “L” shaped guide attachment which rides over the guide rails for sharpening cutting tools of different configuration. 
     
     
         14 . The honing apparatus as in  claim 1  further comprising a knife guide attachment secured to one of the guide rails. 
     
     
         15 . The honing apparatus as in  claim 1  wherein the drive means provides reciprocating movement of the tray and sharpening stone at 200 rpm. 
     
     
         16 . The honing apparatus as in  claim 1  wherein the drive means provides variable speed reciprocating movement of the tray and sharpening stone.