Rotary Grinding Wheel Apparatus

Abstract

A rotary grinding wheel apparatus for shaping and sharpening saw blade teeth by grinding the saw blade teeth in a crisscross fashion comprising at least one removable and interchangeable rotary multi-point grinding wheel having a plurality of grinding blades disposed thereon, each of the plurality of grinding blades having at least one angular surface for removing saw blade teeth that are worn or damaged and shaping and sharpening new teeth into the saw blade. In a preferred embodiment, the rotary grinding wheel apparatus further comprises at least one removable and interchangeable single point grinding wheel.

Claims

1. A rotary grinding wheel apparatus for shaping and sharpening saw blade teeth comprising at least one removable and interchangeable rotary multi-point grinding wheel having a main body, a plurality of grinding blades evenly dispersed on said main body, each of said plurality of grinding blades having at least one angular surface coated with an abrasive material, and a shank for supporting said main body and for having a first end for providing a mounting point for use with a power source which powers a motor to drive said at least one rotary multi-point grinding wheel with sufficient rotational speed to shaping and sharpen teeth on a saw blade.

2. The rotary grinding wheel apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said abrasive material is selected from the group consisting of electroplated cubic born nitride (CBN) and electroplated diamond.

3. The rotary grinding wheel apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said power source can provide a sufficient rotational speed from about 5,000 rpm to about 12,000 rpm.

4. The rotary grinding wheel apparatus in accordance with claim 3, wherein said power source is in the form of a conventional AC power supply.

5. The rotary grinding wheel apparatus in accordance with claim 3, wherein said power source is in the form of a rechargeable battery.

6. The rotary grinding wheel apparatus in accordance with claim 3, further comprising a pulley and belt configuration with connecting means to a power tool as said power source, said pulley and belt configuration being capable of creating said sufficient rotational speed such that said rotary grinding wheel is driven indirectly by said pulley and belt arrangement and said power tool.

7. The rotary grinding wheel apparatus in accordance with claim 6, wherein said power tool is a power drill.

8. The rotary grinding wheel apparatus in accordance with claim 1, further comprising at least one single point grinding wheel removably secured to a second end of said shank.

9. The rotary grinding wheel apparatus in accordance with claim 8, further comprising a guard member removably secured to the rotary grinding wheel apparatus near said second end of said shank.

10. The rotary grinding wheel apparatus in accordance with claim 8, wherein said at least one single point grinding wheel creates custom saw blade tooth geometry, sharpens individual saw blade teeth, sharpens forward set directional saw blade teeth, and shapes and sharpens saw blade teeth having unusual teeth geometry.

11. The rotary grinding wheel apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said plurality of grinding blades are evenly dispersed on said rotary multi-point grinding wheel such that the plurality of grinding blades correspond to one side of the desired saw blade teeth.

12. The rotary grinding wheel apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein a plurality of teeth are shaped and sharpened on the cutting edge of a saw blade in at least two plunges including a first plunge wherein said cutting edge is plunged against the rotating plurality of grinding blades of said rotary multi-point grinding wheel to form a first side of each tooth of said plurality of teeth and a second plunge wherein the saw blade is shifted laterally and the cutting edge is plunged against the rotating plurality of grinding blades to shape and sharpen the second side of each tooth of said plurality of teeth on said cutting edge.

13. The rotary grinding wheel apparatus in accordance with claim 12, wherein a plurality of micro teeth are shaped and sharpened on the cutting edge of a saw blade in more than two plunges.

14. The rotary grinding wheel apparatus in accordance with claim 12, wherein said plurality of grinding wheels dispersed on said main body of said rotary grinding wheel is twelve (12) grinding wheels capable of creating at least twenty-three (23) teeth in two plunges.

15. The rotary grinding wheel apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said plurality of grinding blades are staggered along said main body of said rotary multi-point grinding wheel, and wherein each of said grinding blades has an angular surface disposed only on one side thereof.

16. The rotary grinding wheel apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of grinding blades has two angular surfaces, each coated with an abrasive material.

17. A rotary grinding wheel apparatus comprising two removable and interchangeable rotary multi-point grinding wheels, each of said rotary multi-point grinding wheels having a plurality of grinding blades, each of said plurality of grinding blades having at least one angular surface coated with an abrasive material, two removable and interchangeable single point grinding wheels, an electric motor having a power switch electrically connected thereto, a shank for supporting each of said two multi-point rotary grinding wheels, each of said two single point grinding wheels and said electric motor, wherein said electric motor is powered by a power source which drives said rotary grinding wheel apparatus with a sufficient rotational speed from about 5,000 rpm to about 12,000 rpm.

18. The rotary grinding wheel apparatus in accordance with claim 15, further comprising a first guard member removably secured to a first end of said rotary grinding wheel apparatus and a second guard member removably secured to a second end of said dual rotary grinding wheel apparatus.

19. The dual rotary grinding wheel apparatus in accordance with claim 16, wherein said plurality of said grinding wheels of at least one of said rotary multi-point grinding wheels is coated with an electroplated cubic boron nitride.

20. The dual rotary grinding wheel apparatus in accordance with claim 16 wherein said plurality of said grinding wheels of at least one of said rotary multi-point grinding wheels is coated with an electroplated diamond.

21. The rotary grinding wheel apparatus in accordance with claim 16, further comprising a pair of bearings disposed on either side of each of said rotary multi-point grinding wheels.

22. The dual rotary grinding wheel apparatus in accordance with claim 16, further comprising an on/off switch and a variable speed control knob.

23. The dual rotary grinding wheel apparatus in accordance with claim 16, further comprising a movable and extendable work light.

24. The dual rotary grinding wheel apparatus in accordance with claim 16, wherein said power source is in the form of a conventional AC power supply.

25. The dual rotary grinding wheel apparatus in accordance with claim 16, wherein said power source is in the form of a rechargeable battery.

26. The dual rotary grinding wheel apparatus in accordance with claim 16, wherein said electric motor is disposed in a housing having a hinged lid.

27. The dual rotary grinding wheel apparatus in accordance with claim 16, wherein housing further comprises a storage compartment for holding additional grinding wheels, said compartment accessible by said hinged lid.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0027] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the rotary grinding wheel apparatus of the present subject matter showing a rotary multi-point grinding wheel having a plurality grinding blades.

[0028] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a saw blade having no teeth.

[0029] FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the saw blade of FIG. 2A after a first plunge of the saw blade against the rotating multi-point grinding wheel.

[0030] FIG. 2C is a perspective view of the saw blade of FIG. 2A after a second plunge of the saw blade against the rotating multi-point grinding wheel.

[0031] FIG. 3 is a side view of a rotary multi-point grinding wheel of the present subject matter for shaping and sharpening saw blade teeth.

[0032] FIG. 4 is a side perspective view depicting a first plunge of a saw blade against the rotary multi-point grinding wheel of the present subject matter.

[0033] FIG. 5 is a side perspective view depicting a second plunge of a saw blade against the rotary multi-point grinding wheel of the present subject matter.

[0034] FIG. 6 is a side view an alternate embodiment of a rotary multi-point grinding wheel of the present subject matter.

[0035] FIG. 7 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of a rotary multi-point grinding wheel of the present subject matter.

[0036] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a single point grinding wheel for use with the rotary grinding wheel apparatus of the present subject matter.

[0037] FIG. 9 is a front view of an alternate embodiment of the rotary grinding wheel apparatus of the present subject matter further comprising a single point grinding wheel.

[0038] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the rotary grinding wheel apparatus of the present subject matter depicting the single point grinding wheel and a removeable safety guard.

[0039] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the rotary grinding wheel apparatus of the present subject matter powered by a power tool.

[0040] FIG. 12 is an exploded view of an alternate embodiment of the present subject matter depicting a rotary grinding wheel apparatus having two removable and interchangeable rotary multi-point grinding wheels and two removable and interchangeable single point grinding wheels, all powered by an electric motor.

[0041] FIG. 13 is a side perspective view of the rotary grinding wheel apparatus of the present subject matter illustrating additional features thereof.

[0042] FIG. 14 is a rear perspective view of the rotary grinding wheel apparatus of the present subject matter illustrating additional features thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0043] In the following description, like reference numbers are used to identify like elements. Furthermore, the drawings are intended to illustrate major features of exemplary embodiments in a diagrammatic manner. The drawings are not intended to depict every feature of every implementation nor relative dimensions of the depicted elements and are not drawn to scale. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to clearly describe various specific embodiments disclosed herein. One skilled in the art, however, will understand that the presently claimed invention may be practiced without all the specific details discussed below. In other instances, well known features have not been described so as not to obscure the invention.

[0044] The terms rotary grinding wheel apparatus, rotary grinding wheel device, grinding wheel apparatus, grinding wheel device, device, and apparatus, and similar terms may be used throughout the specification and it is to be understood that such terms are interchangeable and all refer to the rotary grinding wheel apparatus of the present subject matter.

[0045] Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of the terms including, comprising, having, and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.

[0046] Referring to FIG. 1, a rotary grinding wheel apparatus 100 is shown, supported by a shank 108 which provides a mounting point for use with a power source. The rotary grinding wheel apparatus can be powered by any suitable source which can provide sufficient rotational speed to the rotary multi-point grinding wheel to shape and sharpen saw blade teeth. For instance, the apparatus can be powered electrically with a conventional AC power supply connected to an electric source such as a wall out. The rotary grinding apparatus 100 also may be powered utilizing a battery adaptor that fits commercially available rechargeable batteries and custom battery configurations. By using a battery powered device, the rotary grinding wheel apparatus can be brought to a job site and easily set up for use. The rotary grinding wheel apparatus also can be driven directly from an electric motor. Preferably, the speed of the grinding wheel is from about 5,000 rpm to about 12,000 rpm, and more preferably at about 9,000 rpm.

[0047] The rotary grinding wheel apparatus 100 comprises a rotary multi-point grinding wheel 102 having a main body 101, and a plurality of staggered and angled grinding blades 104 that are dispersed evenly on the main body 101 in such a manner that the plurality of grinding blades corresponds to one side of a saw blade teeth arrangement. The main body 102 is of sufficient size to provide support to the plurality of grinding blades 104. As shown in FIG. 3, each of the plurality of grinding blades 104 has two sides and each side has an angular surface 106. The angular surfaces preferably are coated with an abrasive such as an electroplated cubic boron nitride (CBN) or electroplated diamond. The main body of the rotary multi-point grinding wheel can be composed of any steel material or any other durable metal material, suitable examples of which will be obvious to those skilled in the art. Preferably, the main body 101 of the rotary multi-point grinding wheel is composed of hardened steel.

[0048] FIG. 2A illustrates a saw blade 120 having a saw blade cutting edge 121 that is worn, dulled, or without teeth. To shape and sharpen a plurality of teeth onto the cutting edge 121, the saw blade engages the rotary multi-point grinding wheel 102 of the present subject matter in two separate passes or plunges. More particularly, and referring to FIG. 4, in the first phase, the cutting edge 121 of the saw blade 120 is plunged against the rotating row of staggered angled grinding blades 104 in the direction of the arrow D to the desired depth. In this manner, a first side of each tooth 122 is ground into the saw blade 120, resulting in the saw blade cutting edge depicted in FIG. 2B. In the second phase, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the saw blade shown in FIG. 2B is shifted laterally from the position depicted in FIG. 4 and the saw blade edge is plunged against the rotating row of staggered angled grinding blades 104 in the direction of the arrow D to shape and sharpen the second side of the teeth 122 and grind teeth in space 124, resulting in the saw blade edge shown in FIG. 2C.

[0049] The use of staggered angled grinding surfaces allows the user flexibility to create more teeth or fewer teeth over a given length of saw blade. Creating shallow teeth using shallow plunges into the rotary multi-point grinding wheel allows for more teeth to be created over a given length of saw blade. Creating deeper plunges allows for fewer, more aggressive larger teeth to be created over a given length of a saw blade.

[0050] The staggered multi-point grinding wheel design allows for many small teeth or larger but fewer teeth to be created. Smaller teeth are useful for cutting hard materials such as metal, plastics, and hardwood. Large aggressive teeth are good for softer woods and materials. This design allows for a wide range of capability when it comes to creating blade teeth. For example, a 12-row multi-point grinding wheel is designed to create at least 23 teeth and preferably 23 or 24 teeth in two passes, depending upon the width of the saw blade edge. However, that same grinding wheel can create more shallow teeth or fewer larger teeth, depending upon how it is used. The deeper inverted V shapes allow for larger teeth if desired.

[0051] An alternate embodiment of the rotary grinding wheel apparatus 200 of the present subject matter is illustrated in FIG. 6. In this embodiment, a rotary multi-point grinding wheel 202 is provided with a plurality of staggered grinding blades 204, each grinding blade having an angular surface 206 disposed only on one side thereof, and a shank 208 supporting the rotary multi-point grinding wheel. In this embodiment, because each grinding blade has only one angular surface, a saw blade must be flipped horizontally to shape and sharpen a second side of saw blade teeth. Each angular surface can be coated in an abrasive material as described above. It will be understood, particularly to those skilled in the art that a tighter pattern results in the creation of more teeth.

[0052] Another alternate embodiment of the rotary grinding wheel of the present subject matter is illustrated in FIG. 7. More particularly, a rotary grinding wheel apparatus 300 comprising a plurality of grinding blades 304 evenly and continuously spaced along a rotary multi-point grinding wheel 302, each of the grinding blades having dual angular surfaces 306 coated in an abrasive material. A shank 308 supports the rotary multi-point grinding wheel 302 and provides a mounting point for use with a motor. In this embodiment, when a saw blade edge is plunged against the rotating plurality of continuously spaced angular grinding blades, a full set of saw blade teeth can be shaped into radius tip points. Generally, this type of plunge or swipe is used to create micro teeth with radius points to be used on for a longer cutting life on hard materials such as steel.

[0053] The rotary grinding wheel apparatus of the present subject matter further can comprise at least one single point grinding wheel which can be removably connected to the shank supporting the rotary multi-point grinding wheel and which can be interchangeable with other single point grinding wheels having differing profiles. In some of the embodiments shown, the single point grinding wheel has a flat and thin profile. Such a design facilitates the sharpening of a single edge of many forward angled teeth or straight teeth. The thin profile fits in the narrow slot between forward angled teeth or straight teeth. Referring to FIG. 8, a single point grinding wheel is illustrated having an inverted V shape which is so configured to enable the grinding of individual teeth and custom shaping saw blade teeth.

[0054] The use of a single point grinding wheel can create custom tooth geometry, sharpen individual teeth, sharpening forward set directional teeth, or sharpen unusual teeth geometry. Adding a single point grinding wheel also enables the user to sharpen other cutting tools such as drill bits, chisels, knives, and circular saw blades. When a removable single point grinding wheel is utilized, it can be removed to allow for longer reciprocating and oscillating blades to be sharpened using the multi-row sharpening main multi-point grinding wheel.

[0055] Another embodiment of the rotary grinding wheel apparatus of the present subject matter is shown in FIG. 9 in which a rotary grinding wheel apparatus 400 further comprises a removable and interchangeable single point grinding wheel 410. More particularly, the apparatus 400 comprises a rotary multi-point grinding wheel 402, a single point grinding wheel 410, a removable work surface 412, and a drive shaft 414. In operation, a single tooth can be added to a piece of metal or a saw blade utilizing the single point grinding wheel 410 in a crisscross pattern. A saw blade or piece of metal first is rested upon the work surface 412, the single point grinding wheel 410 is rotated by drive shaft 414 and the blade or piece of metal is fed into the single point grinding wheel 410 to shape or sharpen a blade with a forward angled tooth in a single pass or a blade with a V-shaped tooth in two passes.

[0056] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the rotary grinding wheel apparatus of the present subject matter having a removable guard. More particularly, a rotary grinding wheel device 500 comprises a rotary multi-point grinding wheel 502, a plurality of grinding blades 504, a removable safety guard 516, a single point grinding wheel 510, a slot 518, a first common rotary bearing 520 and a second common rotary bearing 522. The removable safety guard 516 can be used as a blade rest or can be removed to gain access to the single point grinding wheel 510. The single point grinding wheel 510 can remove old teeth, sharpen an individual saw blade tooth, or forward angle teeth on reciprocating, oscillating or circular saw blades. The outward facing angled edge of the single point grinding wheel is used to remove old saw blade teeth. An abrasive is added to the exterior flat surface of the single point grinding wheel to allow for drill bit sharpening. The slot 518 allows access to the straight part of the grinding blades 504 which can be used to remove old teeth or change the overall shape of a saw blade. The grinding blades 504 have a staggered design which allows various sized teeth to be created. This design also allows for more teeth or less teeth to be shaped and sharpened along a saw blade's cutting edge. FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 each show the rotary grinding wheel apparatus 500 with the single point grinding wheel 510 removed and the removable safety guard 516 attached.

[0057] In addition to the rotary grinding wheel apparatus of the present subject matter being powered by an electric motor or by a rechargeable battery, the rotary grinding wheel device can be adapted to be driven by a separate power tool, such as a power drill. Referring to FIG. 11, a rotary grinding wheel apparatus 600 is shown having a smaller pulley 630, a larger pulley 632, a belt 634, and an engaging means 636 for a power tool PT. The pulley configuration is essential to create sufficient speed for the rotation of the rotary multi-point grinding wheel and/or the single grinding wheel. In operation, the rotary multi-point grinding wheel 602 is driven indirectly using the belt and pulleys and power tool. Alternatively, the same operation can be performed using a gear set to increase the speed from the power tool to the rotary multi-point grinding wheel. The belt and pulley arrangement also facilitates the increasing and decreasing of the speed and torque of the rotary multi-point grinding wheel and single point grinding wheel.

[0058] In an alternate embodiment of the present subject matter, the rotary grinding wheel apparatus utilizes a dual opposed multi-point grinding wheel arrangement as shown in FIG. 12, FIG. 13, and FIG. 14. More particularly and referring now to FIG. 12, a rotary grinding wheel apparatus 700 is illustrated having two rotary multi-point grinding wheels and two single point grinding wheels for shaping and sharpening a variety of saw blades, chisels, knives, and similar bladed tools, as well as drill bits. Preferably, the dual rotary grinding wheel device 700 comprises a CBN rotary multi-point grinding wheel 740 having plurality of grinding blades 744, each having two angular surfaces 746 coated with an electroplated cubic boron nitride abrasive (CBN) and a diamond rotary multi-point grinding wheel 750 having a plurality of grinding blades 754, each having angular surfaces 756 coated with electroplated diamond. The CBN rotary multi-point grinding wheel 740 is ideally suited for sharpening and shaping teeth for steel saw blades. The diamond rotary multi-point grinding wheel 750 is specifically suitable for grinding, shaping, and sharpening carbide saw blades.

[0059] The rotary grinding wheel apparatus 700 further comprises a first shank 708 for supporting the CBN rotary multi-point grinding wheel 740 between a first inner linear bearing 712 and a first outer bearing support 714, and for receiving a first single point grinding wheel 744. The rotary grinding wheel apparatus 700 further comprises a second shank 718 for supporting the diamond rotary multi-point grinding wheel 750 between a second inner bearing support 722 and a second outer bearing support 724, and for receiving a second single point grinding wheel 758. Disposed between the CBN grinding wheel 740 and the diamond grinding wheel 750 is an electric motor 760 having a power switch 762 and, in a preferred embodiment, a variable speed control knob 764, electrically connected thereto, the electric motor powering the CBN rotary multi-point grinding wheel 740, the diamond rotary multi-point grinding wheel 750, the first single point grinding wheels 744, and the second single point grinding wheel 758. A first removable work surface 710 and a second removable work surface 720 also are provided with the rotary grinding wheel apparatus of the present subject matter.

[0060] Each of the rotary multi-point grinding wheels is removable and interchangeable with other rotary multi-point grinding wheels. Similarly, each of the single point grinding wheels are removable and interchangeable, thereby providing the user with multiple options to shape and sharpen saw blade teeth, sharpen knives, drill bits, chisels, and similar bladed tools. As shown in FIG. 13, the motor 760 is disposed in a housing 766 having a hinged top lid 768 revealing a compartment within which additional grinding wheels 777 can be stored. The housing 766 further comprises two removable lids 770 that fasten the bearing supports in place and provide easy access to the linear bearings. In one embodiment, the rotary grinding wheel apparatus 700 further comprises a movable and extendable work light 771.

[0061] Referring now to FIG. 14, the rear side of the rotary grinding wheel apparatus 700 is shown having an optional battery adapter 772 for engaging a rechargeable battery pack to power the apparatus and thereby enable the portability of the apparatus. The apparatus can be powered by an electrical source via the power input 773 and a power cable (not shown). The rotary grinding wheel apparatus 700 may further comprise sharpening drum exhaust outlets 775 which is flush with the floor plate such that dust does not become trapped inside the apparatus.

[0062] The rotary grinding wheel apparatus 700 can cut new teeth for straight edge saw blades and curved edged saw blades by rotating the blade as the teeth are being formed. Straight surfaces on the grinding wheels can be used for removing old teeth which is useful prior to creating new teeth. Straight surfaces on the rotary multi-point grinding wheel also can be used to change the overall shape of the blade's cutting surface, such as forming a curved cutting surface along which teeth can be created.

[0063] While several illustrative embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, numerous variations and alternative embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. Such variations and alternative embodiments are contemplated and can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

[0064] The foregoing detailed description of exemplary and preferred embodiments is presented for purposes of illustration and disclosure in accordance with the requirements of the law. It is not intended to be exhaustive nor to limit the invention to the precise form(s) described, but only to enable others skilled in the art to understand how the invention may be suited for a particular use or implementation. The possibility of modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art. No limitation is intended by the description of exemplary embodiments which may have included tolerances, feature dimensions, specific operating conditions, engineering specifications, or the like, and which may vary between implementations or with changes to the state of the art, and no limitation should be implied therefrom. Applicant has made this disclosure with respect to the current state of the art, but also contemplates advancements and that adaptations in the future may take into consideration of those advancements, namely in accordance with the then current state of the art. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the Claims as written and equivalents as applicable. Reference to a claim element in the singular is not intended to mean one and only one unless explicitly so stated. Moreover, no element, component, nor method or process step in this disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, under the provisions of 35 U.S.C 112, sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase means for . . . and no method or process step herein is to be construed under those provisions unless the step, or steps, are expressly recited using the phrase step(s) for . . .