Blade sharpening assembly

Abstract

A disclosed blade sharpening assembly includes at least one track and a shuttle including a hold portion and a guide portion configured to hold a blade edge against the sharpening surface and a support portion configured to align the guide portion relative to the sharpening surface and guide movement of the shuttle.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A blade sharpening assembly comprising:
 at least one track; and   a shuttle including a hold portion and a guide portion configured to hold a blade edge against the sharpening surface and a support portion configured to align the guide portion relative to the sharpening surface and guide movement of the shuttle.   
     
     
         2 . The blade sharpening assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the guide portion and the hold portion orientate a blade at an angle relative to the sharpening surface. 
     
     
         3 . The blade sharpening assembly as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the guide portion comprises a surface guiding the blade at a consistent angle relative to the sharpening surface. 
     
     
         4 . The blade sharpening assembly as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the hold portion includes a contact point that is spaced apart from the guide portion to define a gap configured to receive a blade. 
     
     
         5 . The blade sharpening assembly as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the hold portion is movable relative to adjust a position of the contact point and is aligned on the shuttle by at least one vertical rib received within a corresponding at least one vertical slot, wherein the hold portion is moveable along the shuttle for adjusting the gap to receive blades with different thicknesses. 
     
     
         6 . The blade sharpening assembly as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the guide portion includes a guide mount and at least one guide plate that attaches to the guide mount, the at least one guide plate defining a sharpening angle of the blade relative to the sharpening surface. 
     
     
         7 . The blade sharpening assembly as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the track includes a recess with drain holes. 
     
     
         8 . The blade sharpening assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the guide portion comprises a surface disposed within a plane angled relative to the sharpening surface. 
     
     
         9 . The blade sharpening assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein a position of the guide portion and the hold portion relative to the sharpening surface are adjustable to define a sharpening angle. 
     
     
         10 . The blade sharpening assembly as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the track comprises at least one peripheral channel with longitudinal portions, wherein the longitudinal portions are configured to receive portions of the support portion. 
     
     
         11 . The blade sharpening assembly as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the support portion includes at least one stop that contacts an abutment disposed on the at least one track for setting a position of the shuttle relative to the sharpening surface. 
     
     
         12 . The blade sharpening assembly as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the shuttle is rotatable relative to the track. 
     
     
         13 . The blade sharpening assembly as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the track includes a track width defined between an inner wall and an outer wall and the shuttle includes a curved outer surface that abuts the outer wall. 
     
     
         14 . The blade sharpening assembly as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the guide portion and the hold portion define a transverse axis disposed at a draw angle relative to a longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         15 . The blade sharpening assembly as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the draw angle is less than 90 degrees and greater than 0 degrees. 
     
     
         16 . The blade sharpening assembly as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the draw angle is a direction in which a blade is pulled through the guide portion and the hold portion. 
     
     
         17 . A method of sharpening a blade comprising:
 placing a shuttle into a track such that a guide portion of the shuttle is supported above a sharpening surface;   holding a blade against the sharpening surface between the guide portion and a hold portion of the shuttle; and   moving the shuttle along the sharpening surface with an edge of the blade held against the sharpening surface between the hold portion and the guide portion.   
     
     
         18 . The method as recited in  claim 17 , including guiding the blade longitudinally along the sharpening surface and drawing the blade transverse to the longitudinal movement of the shuttle. 
     
     
         19 . The method as recited in  claim 18 , wherein holding the blade includes pressing on a press surface to push a contact point against one side of the blade and supporting the blade on an opposite side with the guide portion. 
     
     
         20 . The method as recited in  claim 19 , including rotating the shuttle relative to a longitudinal axis and drawing the blade along a draw axis transverse to the longitudinal axis, wherein the transverse axis is disposed at a draw angle less than 90 degrees and greater than 0 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis.