초록 ▼

gAn apparatus and method for sharpening skate blades operate by measuring the length of a skate blade, determining a predetermined profile corresponding to a desired radius of curvature for the blade, and coordinating the motion of a grinding wheel and the blade to grind the blade according to the p

gAn apparatus and method for sharpening skate blades operate by measuring the length of a skate blade, determining a predetermined profile corresponding to a desired radius of curvature for the blade, and coordinating the motion of a grinding wheel and the blade to grind the blade according to the predetermined profile. A grinding force is applied by the grinding wheel against the blade using a stepper motor coupled through a screw drive, thereby not allowing the grinding wheel to chatter or bounce against the blade. In addition, the blade is clamped end-to-end by a clamping assembly that also determines the length of the blade via the position of the clamp.

대표청구항 ▼

A method of automatically sharpening an ice skate blade comprising the step of controlling movement of a rotating grinding wheel relative to the blade in first and second directions such that the grinding wheel grinds the blade according to a predetermined profile that is representative of an arc ha

A method of automatically sharpening an ice skate blade comprising the step of controlling movement of a rotating grinding wheel relative to the blade in first and second directions such that the grinding wheel grinds the blade according to a predetermined profile that is representative of an arc having a predetermined radius, the first direction being generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the blade, and the second direction being generally perpendicular to a bottom surface of the blade; whereby the grinding wheel does not rely on a pre-existing profile of the blade when grinding the blade.