AXE JIG

Abstract

An axe jig for use when grinding an axe, the axe jig comprising a first and a second clamp portion to be arranged on opposite sides of an axe head of the axe and configured such that the axe jig is attachable to the axe head. The first clamp portion comprises a first support surface for positioning the axe head during grinding and the second clamp portion comprises a second support surface for positioning the axe head during grinding. A grinding system comprises the axe jig and a grinding machine.

Claims

1. An axe jig for use when grinding an axe, the axe jig comprising a first and a second clamp portion to be arranged on opposite sides of an axe head of the axe and configured such that the axe jig is attachable to the axe head, wherein the first clamp portion comprises a first support surface for positioning the axe head during grinding and the second clamp portion comprises a second support surface for positioning the axe head during grinding.

2-15. (canceled)

16. The axe jig of claim 1, wherein the axe jig is configured for use when grinding the axe with a grinding machine that comprises a grinding wheel or a grinding belt and a support for supporting the first support surface and the second support surface of the axe jig during grinding.

17. The axe jig of claim 1, wherein the first support surface comprises a first proximal abutment and the second support surface comprises a second proximal abutment, the first and second proximal abutments being positioned to facilitate a uniform grinding of the axe when the axe jig is attached to the axe head.

18. The axe jig of claim 17, wherein, when the axe jig is attached to the axe head, the first proximal abutment, the second proximal abutment and a cutting edge of the axe head form an isosceles triangle.

19. The axe jig of claim 17, wherein the first and second proximal abutments of the first and second support surfaces are rounded.

20. The axe jig of claim 17, wherein the first support surface further comprises a first distal abutment that is distanced from the first proximal abutment in a direction that is non-parallel to a cutting edge of the axe head, and the second support surface further comprises a second distal abutment that is distanced from the second proximal abutment in the direction that is non-parallel to the cutting edge of the axe head.

21. The axe jig of claim 20, wherein the first distal abutment is distanced at least 20 millimeters from the first proximal abutment and the second distal abutment is distanced at least 20 millimeters from the second proximal abutment.

22. The axe jig of claim 17, wherein the first clamp portion further comprises a first proximal protrusion forming the first proximal abutment, and the second clamp portion further comprises a second proximal protrusion forming the second proximal abutment.

23. The axe jig of claim 20, wherein the first clamp portion further comprises a first proximal protrusion forming the first proximal abutment and a first distal protrusion forming the first distal abutment, and the second clamp portion further comprises a second proximal protrusion forming the second proximal abutment and a second distal protrusion forming the second distal abutment.

24. The axe jig of claim 1, wherein the axe head comprises an eye for a handle, and the first and second support surfaces are configured to extend across at least a portion of the eye.

25. The axe jig of claim 1, wherein the first clamp portion further comprises first clamp projections configured to be brought in contact with a first axe head side, and the second clamp portion further comprises second clamp projections configured to be brought in contact with an opposite second axe head side, wherein the number of first clamp projections is three and the number of second clamp projections is three.

26. The axe jig of claim 1, wherein the first clamp portion and the second clamp portion are separate parts.

27. The axe jig of claim 1, wherein the first clamp portion and the second clamp portion are movable with respect to one another to clamp the axe head.

28. The axe jig of claim 1, further comprising an actuating assembly configured to move the first and second clamp portions with respect to one another to clamp the axe head, the actuating assembly being configured to translationally and rotationally move the first and second clamp portions with respect to one another, such that the first and second clamp portions are configured to clamp axe heads of various dimensions, the actuating assembly comprising a first actuator and a second actuator, and wherein the actuators are distanced from one another in a direction that is non-parallel to a cutting edge of the axe head.

29. A grinding system comprising the axe jig of claim 1 and a grinding machine having a support and either a grinding wheel or a grinding belt.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Examples are described in more detail below with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0013] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an axe jig and an axe,

[0014] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the axe jig of FIG. 1,

[0015] FIGS. 3-4 show the axe jig of FIG. 2 when attached to axes of different types,

[0016] FIG. 5 shows the axe jig of FIG. 2 from a different viewing angle,

[0017] FIG. 6 is a side view of the axe jig of FIG. 2, and

[0018] FIGS. 7-8 illustrate a grinding system comprising the axe jig of FIG. 2 and a grinding machine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0019] The axe jig 1 according to the present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter. The axe jig 1 according to the present disclosure may however be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided by way of example so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to those persons skilled in the art.

[0020] The inventive concept of the present disclosure involves providing support surfaces on both sides of the head of an axe, such that accurate grinding of both axe head sides is facilitated. Thus, the inventive concept involves providing support surfaces on both sides of the axe head, such that accurate grinding of a cutting edge or bit of the axe head is facilitated. The support surfaces, or grinding support surfaces, are comprised in an axe jig that is configured to be attached to the axe head. When the axe jig is attached to the axe head, the support surfaces may serve are reference surfaces or reference points to accurately position the axe head for a grinding operation. The axe jig may be configured such that the support surfaces provide for a uniform grinding of the cutting edge, i.e. an equal grinding of opposing sides of the cutting edge.

[0021] FIGS. 1 to 8 disclose an exemplary embodiment of the axe jig 1. As is shown, the axe jig 1 comprises a first and a second clamp portion 10, 20 to be arranged on opposite sides 110a, 110b of an axe head 110 of the axe 100. In the present example, the first and second clamp portions 10, 20 are of essentially the same shape, apart from the below described actuating assembly 30. The similar or essentially same shape may be beneficial for keeping manufacturing costs down. The axe jig 1 is configured such that it attachable to the axe head 110. In the present example, the axe jig 1 is attachable to the axe head 110 by means of the first and a second clamp portions 10, 20.

[0022] The first clamp portion 10 comprises a first support surface 12, or first grinding support surface, for positioning the axe head 110 during grinding. As is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the grinding of the axe 100 may for example be performed by means of a grinding machine 200 that comprises a grinding wheel 210 and a support 220 for the first support surface 12. The present disclosure does not exclude other grinding equipment being used together with the axe jig 1, or other supports being provided for cooperating with the first support surface 12.

[0023] The second clamp portion 20 comprises a second support surface 22, or second grinding support surface, for positioning the axe head 110 during grinding, as is illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8.

[0024] Advantageously, axe jig 1 is configured such that the first support surface 12 and the second support surface 22 may, one after the other as the axe jig 1 and the axe head 110 are turned during grinding, abut against a support 220 to uniformly grind the opposite sides 110a, 110b of the axe head 110. In the present example, the first and second support surfaces 12, 22 are mirror-symmetric with respect to a center plane of the axe head 100. The cutting edge 112 of the axe head 110 is aligned with said center plane xy. The center plane is the xy-plane indicated in FIG. 2.

[0025] In the present example, the first support surface 12 comprises a first proximal abutment 14 and the second support surface 22 comprises a second proximal abutment 24, as is shown for example in FIGS. 2 to 4. In the present example, said first and second proximal abutment 14, 24 form a proximal end of the respective first and second support surface 12, 22. The first and second proximal abutments 14, 24 may be referred to as first and second proximal reference points.

[0026] The first and second proximal abutments 14, 24 may be configured to rest against a support 220, in the present example e.g. a support 220 in the form of a straight rod. When the axe is grinded while the axe jig 1 is held towards a support 220, the respective axe head sides 110a, 110b may be grinded at a specific grinding angle, depending on how the support 220 is positioned in relation to a e.g. a grinding wheel 210.

[0027] As is illustrated in FIG. 3, when the axe jig 1 is attached to an axe head 110, the first proximal abutment 14, the second proximal abutment 24 and a cutting edge 112 of the axe head 110 may form an isosceles triangle t. Thus, when the axe head 110 and the axe jig 1 are turned, both sides of the axe head 110a, 110b may be uniformly grinded. In other words, both sides of the axe head 110a, 110b may be grinded with the same grinding angle such that the resulting cutting edge 112 is uniform.

[0028] The first and second proximal abutments 14, 24 may be rounded, as seen in a plan view of the first and a second clamp portion 10, 20. Thereby, that a rotational in-plane movement R of the axe head 110 is facilitated. Such a rotational movement indicated in FIG. 7, and may be beneficial for grinding axe heads 110 comprising a curved cutting edge 112 (FIG. 7). As is to be apprehended, the first and second proximal abutments 14, 24 may be supported against a support 220 while the axe head 110 is rotated R or pivoted back and forth to grind the curved cutting edge 112.

[0029] Referring for example to FIG. 6, the present support surface 12 comprises a first distal abutment 16 that is distanced d (denoted in FIG. 6) from the first proximal abutment 14 in a direction y that is non-parallel to a cutting edge 112 of the axe head 110. In the present example, said distance d extends along a longitudinal axis y (FIG. 2) of the first clamp portion 10. The second support surface 22 may comprise a second distal abutment 26 that is distanced d from the second proximal abutment 24. Thereby, a controlled translational movement T back and forth of the axe head 110 may facilitated. Such a movement T, indicated in FIG. 8, may grind or obtain a convex grinding bevel of the cutting edge 112 (shown in FIG. 4). The first and second distal abutments 16, 26 may be referred to as first and second distal reference points.

[0030] The support surfaces 12, 22 may be configured to facilitate a movement of the axe jig 1 (and thus the axe 100) with respect to the support 220 during grinding. Said movement may include the above-described rotational in-plane movement R and/or the translational movement T. The support surfaces 12, 22 may be formed by polymer material to facilitate movement R, T. Polymer materials may have a lower coefficient of friction than metal (axe heads are typically metal).

[0031] In the present example, the first and second proximal abutments 14, 24 are mirror-symmetric with respect to the center plane xy of the axe head 100. Further, the first and second distal abutments 16, 26 are mirror-symmetric with respect to the center plane xy.

[0032] Typically, the first distal abutment 16 may be distanced d at least 20 millimeters from the first proximal abutment 14 and the second distal abutment 26 may be distanced d at least 20 millimeters from the second proximal abutment 24. Typically, said distances d do not exceed 100 millimeters.

[0033] In some more detail, the present first clamp portion 10 comprises a first proximal protrusion 15p forming the first proximal abutment 14 and a first distal protrusion 15d forming the first distal abutment 16. The second clamp portion 20 comprises a second proximal protrusion 25p forming the second proximal abutment 24 and a second distal protrusion 25d forming the second distal abutment 26. In the present example, said protrusions 15p, 15d, 25p, 25d are of essentially circular cross-sections. The present design may, in a material-saving manner, provide an easy to use axe jig 1.

[0034] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the axe head 110 may comprise an eye 114 for receiving an end of a handle 120, and the first and second support surfaces 12, 14 may extend across at least a portion of the eye 114. Such a design may be advantageous for the grinding operation, in view of the size and of the weight distribution of a typical axe head 110.

[0035] As is best shown in FIGS. 2, 5 and 6, the first clamp portion 10 and the second clamp portion 20 may comprise clamp projections 18a-c, 28a-c to clamp the axe head 110. In FIGS. 2 and 5, the clamp projections 18a-c of the first clamp portion 10 are not visible. In the present example, each clamp projection 18a-c, 28a-c essentially has the shape of a semi-sphere or a knob and tapers towards a distal end. It is to be apprehended that otherwise shaped clamp projections 18a-c, 28a-c are conceivable.

[0036] The clamp projections 18a-c, 28a-c may be beneficial for the first clamp portion 10 and the second clamp portion 20 stably clamping, or attaching to, the axe head 110. The clamp projections 18a-c, 28a-c may result in a point contact between the clamp portions 10, 20 and the axe head 110. Such a contact may be particularly stable, in particular if at least one of the clamp portions 10, 20 comprises exactly three clamp projections 18a-c, 28a-c.

[0037] In undepicted examples, only one of the first and second clamp portion 10, 20 comprises clamp projections, preferably exactly three clamp projections, wherein the clamp portion 10, 20 that lacks such projections instead e.g. comprises an essentially flat, e.g. slightly concave, clamp surface.

[0038] As is shown, in the present example the first clamp portion 10 comprises first clamp projections 18a-c to be brought in contact with the first axe head side 110a and the second clamp portion 20 comprises second clamp projections 28a-c to be brought in contact with an opposite second axe head side 110b. The number of first clamp projections 18a-c is three and the number of second clamp projections 28a-c is three.

[0039] In the present example, the first clamp portion 10 and the second clamp portion 20 are separate parts. Thus, the present first clamp portion 10 may be referred to as a first clamp part and the second clamp portion 20 may be referred to as a second clamp part, the first and second clamp parts 10, 20 being separate from one another.

[0040] As is schematically illustrated in FIG. 6, and as is clear from a comparison of FIGS. 3 and 4, the first clamp portion 10 and the second clamp portion 20 may be movable M with respect to one another to clamp the axe head 110. Thus, the first and second clamp portions 10, 20 may be movable M with respect to one another such that the axe jig 1 is attachable to the axe head 110.

[0041] The first and second clamp portions 10, 20 may be translationally movable towards and away from each other to clamp the axe head 110. The first and second clamp portions 10, 20 may be translationally and rotationally movable with respect to one other, to stably clamp axe heads 110 of various sizes and dimensions. The axe head 110 shown in FIG. 3 is relatively wide and short (in the yz plane) and the first and second clamp portions 10, 20 are generally oriented at an angle with respect to one another to fit the axe head. The axe head 110 shown in FIG. 4 is instead relatively sleek and the first and second clamp portions 10, 20 are generally oriented in parallel to one another to fit the axe head. The axe head 110 of FIG. 4 comprises a flat grinding bevel.

[0042] The axe jig 1 may comprise an actuating assembly 30 that is configured to move M the first and second clamp portions 10, 20 with respect to one another to clamp the axe head 110. The present actuating assembly 30 is configured for translationally and rotationally moving M the first and second clamp portions 10, 20 with respect to one another, as described in the preceding paragraph. The present actuating assembly 30 comprises a first actuator 32 and a second actuator 34, which actuators 32, 34 are distanced from one another in a direction (y) that is non-parallel to the cutting edge 112 of the axe head 110. In the present example, said direction is generally aligned with the longitudinal axis of the clamp portions 10, 20.

[0043] In some detail, the present first actuator 32 and second actuator 34 comprise threads and may be individually screwed to adjust the distance between the first and second clamp portions 10, 20 and the angle at which the first and second clamp portions 10, 20 are oriented with respect to one another. The first and second clamp portions 10, 20 comprise corresponding internally threaded through-holes and abutment surfaces for the externally threaded first and second actuators 32, 34.

[0044] The present first and second clamp portions 10, 20 are elongated. As is shown, when the axe jig 1 is attached to the axe head 110, the elongated clamp portions 10, 20 are oriented with their longitudinal axes aligned with the longitudinal axis y of the axe head 110. The longitudinal axis y of the axe head 110 here extends from poll to bit of the axe head. The longitudinal extension or length of the axe jig 1 essentially corresponds to the length from poll to bit of a typical axe head.

[0045] As is disclosed, when attached to an axe head 110, roughly half the length of the axe jig 1 may clamp the axe head 110 whereas the other half extends rearwards from the axe head 110. The actuating assembly 30 may be arranged in the portion of the axe jig 1 that extends rearwards the axe head 110.

[0046] The first actuator 32 may be threadedly received in the first clamp portion 10 and abut against the second claim portion 20. Thus, the first actuator 32 may be adapted to push the first and second clamp portions 10, 20 apart.

[0047] The second actuator 34 may extend through the first clamp portion 10, and be free to rotate with respect to the first clamp portion 10, and be threadedly received in the second clamp portion 20. Thus, the second actuator 34 may be adapted to pull the first and second clamp portions 10, 20 towards one another. In use, the second actuator 34 may be positioned between the axe head 110 and the first actuator 32. A compression spring may, as is shown, be positioned around the second actuator 34 to resiliently push the clamp portions 10, 20 apart to facilitate mounting the axe jig 1.

[0048] The first and second actuators 32, 34 may comprise screw heads that are adapted to be gripped by a user to manually screw the actuators 32, 34 to adjust the first and second clamp portions 10, 20 such that an axe head 110 may be firmly clamped, see in particular FIG. 6. The screw head of the second actuator 34 may in addition abuts against the first clamp portion 10 to force first clamp portion 10 towards the second clamp portion 20.

[0049] The axe jig 1 may be used to grind various axes, for examples axes comprising axe heads of different sizes and shapes and axes comprising different grinding bevels. The axe jig 1 may be used to grind an axe head comprising a straight cutting edge with a flat grinding bevel, a straight cutting edge with a convex grinding bevel, a curved cutting edge with flat grinding bevel, and a curved cutting edge with convex grinding bevel.

[0050] A grinding system comprising the axe jig 1 and a grinding machine 200 with a grinding wheel 210 and a support 220 is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The support 220 is adjustable in relation to the grinding wheel 210 to set the grinding angle. A user may adjust the height of the support 220 until a desired grinding angle is obtained, and subsequently hold the axe jig 1 towards the support 220 during grinding one head side 110a, 110b of an axe head 110 held by the axe jig 1. The user may then turn the axe jig 1 and the axe head 110 over to grind the other one of the head sides 110a, 110b. During the grinding process, the above-described support surfaces 12, 22 may rest towards the rod-shaped support 220. As is shown, the support surfaces 12, 22 alone may contact with the support 220. The axe head 220 is not in direct contact with the support 220.

[0051] Modifications and other variants of the described embodiments will come to mind to one skilled in the art having benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing description and associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the embodiments are not limited to the specific example embodiments described in this disclosure and that modifications and other variants are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure. For example, the axe jig 1 may be used together with an undepicted grinding machine that comprises a grinding belt, or abrasive belt, and an appropriate support.

[0052] Furthermore, although specific terms may be employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Therefore, a person skilled in the art would recognize numerous variations to the described embodiments that would still fall within the scope of the appended claims. As used herein, the terms comprise/comprises or include/includes do not exclude the presence of other elements or steps. Furthermore, although individual features may be included in different claims (or embodiments), these may possibly advantageously be combined, and the inclusion of different claims (or embodiments) does not imply that a certain combination of features is not feasible and/or advantageous. In addition, singular references do not exclude a plurality. Finally, reference signs in the claims are provided merely as a clarifying example and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims in any way.