Knife Sharpener System and Apparatus

Abstract

A knife sharpening device is provided having a knife sharpening assembly with first and second grinding wheels. A robotic arm is actuable to grip and draw a knife to be sharpened along a sharpening pathway running between the to grinding wheels. A digital camera may be employed to capture digital images of the knife to be sharpened which are communicated to a computer running software to compare the digital image to a database of knife images and adjust the speed of the grinding wheels to predetermined levels of a knife image matching with the digital image.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A knife sharpening apparatus comprising:
 a knife sharpening assembly, said knife sharpening assembly having a first grinding wheel and having a second grinding wheel;   a first electric motor powering a first rotation of said first grinding wheel and a second motor powering a second rotation of said second grinding wheel;   a sharpening pathway running between said first grinding wheel and said second grinding wheel;   a robotic arm having a gripper on a first end and having a base on a second end thereof;   said gripper for removably holding a knife handle therein;   said robotic arm actuable to draw a knife blade extending from said knife handle of a knife to be sharpened through said sharpening pathway, whereby said knife blade is sharpened by contact against said first grinding wheel and said second grinding wheel.   
     
     
         2 . The knife sharpening apparatus of  claim 1  additionally comprising:
 a blade support extending from a first end thereof engaged to said gripper, to a second end thereof; and 
 said second end of said blade support contacting both sides of said blade while said blade is drawn along said sharpening pathway. 
 
     
     
         3 . The knife sharpening apparatus of  claim 1  additionally comprising:
 said assembly being positioned upon a linear bearing; 
 said linear bearing in a sliding engagement with a mounting plate; 
 said linear bearing having biasing components on opposing sides thereof, each imparting biased contact against one of said opposing sides; and 
 translation of said linear bearing upon said mounting plate as said knife blade is drawn along said sharpening pathway moving said sharpening pathway, whereby burrs on a sharpened edge of said knife blade are prevented. 
 
     
     
         4 . The knife sharpening apparatus of  claim 2  additionally comprising:
 said assembly being positioned upon a linear bearing; 
 said linear bearing in a sliding engagement with a mounting plate; 
 said linear bearing having biasing components on opposing sides thereof each imparting biased contact against one of said opposing sides; and 
 translation of said linear bearing upon said mounting plate as said knife blade is drawn along said sharpening pathway moving said sharpening pathway, whereby burrs on a sharpened edge of said knife blade are prevented. 
 
     
     
         5 . The knife sharpening apparatus of  claim 3  additionally comprising:
 tension adjustors for adjusting a force of said biased contact exerted by said biasing components. 
 
     
     
         6 . The knife sharpening apparatus of  claim 4  additionally comprising:
 tension adjustors for adjusting a force of said biased contact exerted by said biasing components. 
 
     
     
         7 . The knife sharpening apparatus of  claim 5  additionally comprising:
 a computer, said computer running software in electronic memory accessible by said computer operating to determine an optimum said force of said biased contact; and 
 said tensioning adjusters in electronic communication with said computer wherein said force of said biased contact exerted therefrom is adjusted by said computer. 
 
     
     
         8 . The knife sharpening apparatus of  claim 6  additionally comprising:
 a computer, said computer running software in electronic memory accessible by said computer operating to determine an optimum said force of said biased contact; and 
 said tensioning adjusters in electronic communication with said computer wherein said force of said biased contact exerted therefrom is adjusted by said computer controlled by signals. 
 
     
     
         9 . The knife sharpening apparatus of  claim 1  additionally comprising:
 said base of said robotic arm slidably engaged on a rail; 
 a geared engagement of said base with said rail imparting translation to said base along a length of said rail; and 
 said translation moving said robotic arm to draw said blade through said sharpening pathway. 
 
     
     
         10 . The knife sharpening apparatus of  claim 1  additionally comprising:
 a camera for capturing a digital image of said knife to be sharpened; 
 a computer having software running in electronic memory operating to the task of comparing said digital image to a database of electronic images of knives for a match of said digital image to an electronic image in said database; and 
 upon determination of a match, said computer adjusting a speed of said first motor and said second motor to a predetermined speed which is optimum to sharpen the knife to be sharpened. 
 
     
     
         11 . The knife sharpening apparatus of  claim 2  additionally comprising:
 a camera for capturing a digital image of said knife to be sharpened; 
 a computer having software running in electronic memory operating to the task of comparing said digital image to a database of electronic images of knives for a match of said digital image to an electronic image in said database; and 
 upon determination of a match, said computer adjusting a speed of said first motor and said second motor to a predetermined speed which is optimum to sharpen the knife to be sharpened.