Rotatable edge guide to support a cutting tool during a sharpening operation

Abstract

Apparatus for sharpening a cutting tool. In some embodiments, a tool sharpener includes an abrasive medium having an abrasive surface. A stationary tool support guide provides a guide surface that supports a side of the tool during presentation of a cutting edge of the tool against the abrasive surface. A rotatable edge guide has a roller member with a curvilinearly extending outer surface. The roller member is rotatable about an edge guide roller axis to engage, via rolling contact, the cutting edge during the presentation of the cutting edge against the abrasive surface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tool sharpener for sharpening a cutting tool, the tool sharpener comprising:
 a base structure configured to have an abrasive medium mountable thereto such that the abrasive medium can rotate about an abrasive axis;   a central body connected to the base structure, the central body being configured to pivot about an edge guide central axis; and   a roller member connected to the central body and being configured to rotate about an edge roller axis when engaged by a cutting edge of the cutting tool,   wherein the edge roller axis, the edge guide central axis, and the abrasive axis are nominally parallel to one another.   
     
     
         2 . The tool sharpener of  claim 1 , wherein the central body is configured to pivot relative to the base structure to selectively move the roller member between a retracted position and a deployed position. 
     
     
         3 . The tool sharpener of  claim 2 , further comprising a biasing member connected between the central body and the base structure, the biasing member being configured to bias the roller member towards the deployed position. 
     
     
         4 . The tool sharpener of  claim 3 , wherein the biasing member comprises a spring. 
     
     
         5 . The tool sharpener of  claim 2 , wherein the central body is configured to pivot relative to the base structure to enable the roller member to move to a deflected position. 
     
     
         6 . The tool sharpener of  claim 5 , wherein the deflected position is between the retracted position and the deployed position. 
     
     
         7 . The tool sharpener of  claim 2 , further comprising a stationary sharpening guide connected to the base structure. 
     
     
         8 . The tool sharpener of  claim 7 , wherein the roller member is a first distance from the stationary sharpening guide when in the deployed position and a second, greater distance from the stationary sharpening guide when in the retracted position. 
     
     
         9 . A tool sharpener for sharpening a cutting tool, the tool sharpener comprising:
 a base structure configured to have an abrasive medium mountable thereto;   a stationary sharpening guide connected to the base structure and configured to engage the cutting tool; and   a roller member connected to the base structure and configured to rotate when engaged by a cutting edge of the cutting tool, the roller member being selectively movable between a retracted position and a deployed position, the roller member being a first distance from the stationary sharpening guide when in the deployed position and a second, greater distance from the stationary sharpening guide when in the retracted position.   
     
     
         10 . The tool sharpener of  claim 9 , further comprising a locking mechanism that is configured to selectively hold the roller member in the retracted position. 
     
     
         11 . The tool sharpener of  claim 10 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a retention tab member that is configured to selectively engage the roller member. 
     
     
         12 . The tool sharpener of  claim 10 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a detent switch arrangement. 
     
     
         13 . The tool sharpener of  claim 9 , wherein the base structure is configured to enclose a substantial portion of the abrasive medium therein. 
     
     
         14 . The tool sharpener of  claim 13 , wherein the roller member is disposed external to the base structure. 
     
     
         15 . A tool sharpener for sharpening a cutting tool, the tool sharpener comprising:
 a base structure comprising a plurality of sharpening stations, each sharpening station comprising:
 an abrasive medium; and 
 one or more stationary sharpening guides positioned adjacent to an edge of the abrasive medium; 
   a rotatable edge guide coupled to the base structure, the rotatable edge guide comprising a roller member that extends along at least a portion of the base structure so as to be simultaneously positioned adjacent to each of the plurality of sharpening stations such that the cutting tool can engage the roller member when using any of the plurality of sharpening stations.   
     
     
         16 . The tool sharpener of  claim 15 , wherein the rotatable edge guide further comprises a central body connecting the roller member to the base structure, the central body being configured to pivot relative to the base structure. 
     
     
         17 . The tool sharpener of  claim 15 , wherein the roller member is selectively movable between a retracted position and a deployed position. 
     
     
         18 . The tool sharpener of  claim 17 , wherein the roller member is a first distance from the stationary sharpening guide when in the deployed position and a second, greater distance from the stationary sharpening guide when in the retracted position. 
     
     
         19 . The tool sharpener of  claim 15 , wherein abrasive medium is configured to rotate about an abrasive axis, the rotatable edge guide is configured to rotate about an edge guide central axis, and the roller member is configured to rotate about an edge roller axis. 
     
     
         20 . The tool sharpener of  claim 19 , wherein the edge roller axis, the edge guide central axis, and the abrasive axis are nominally parallel to one another. 
     
     
         21 . A tool sharpener for sharpening a cutting tool, the tool sharpener comprising:
 a base structure configured to have an abrasive medium mountable thereto;   a stationary sharpening guide connected to the base structure and configured to engage the cutting tool; and   an edge guide connected to the base structure and having a guide surface that is configured to engage a cutting edge of the cutting tool, the guide surface being selectively movable between a retracted position and a deployed position, the guide surface being a first distance from the stationary sharpening guide when in the deployed position and a second, greater distance from the stationary sharpening guide when in the retracted position.   
     
     
         22 . The tool sharpener of  claim 21 , wherein the abrasive medium is configured to rotate about an abrasive axis and the edge guide is configured to pivot about an edge guide central axis. 
     
     
         23 . The tool sharpener of  claim 21 , wherein the abrasive axis and the edge guide central axis are parallel to one another. 
     
     
         24 . The tool sharpener of  claim 23 , wherein the guide surface of the edge guide is on a roller member that is configured to rotate about an edge roller axis. 
     
     
         25 . The tool sharpener of  claim 24 , wherein the edge roller axis is parallel to the edge guide central axis and the abrasive axis. 
     
     
         26 . The tool sharpener of  claim 21 , wherein the base structure comprises a plurality of sharpening stations, each sharpening station being configured to have an abrasive medium mounted thereto and having one or more stationary sharpening guides positioned adjacent to an edge of the abrasive medium. 
     
     
         27 . The tool sharpener of  claim 26 , wherein the edge guide extends along at least a portion of the base structure so as to be simultaneously positioned adjacent to each of the plurality of sharpening stations such that the cutting tool can engage the guide surface when using any of the plurality of sharpening stations.