VERTICALLY ORIENTED HONING GUIDE FOR SHARPENING EDGED TOOLS

Abstract

A vertically oriented honing guide for sharpening edged tools is disclosed. The vertically oriented honing guide for sharpening edged tools eliminates nearly all setup time and is compatible with commercial products by orienting the tools vertically and through the use of a linear guide system. This eliminates the need for tool clamping, facilitates direct angle setting, improves ergonomics, and allows the use of generic sharpening media. Yet, the vertically oriented honing guide for sharpening edged tools may alternatively incorporate a clamping mechanism to clamp tools being sharpened.

Claims

1. A vertically oriented honing guide that orients edged tools vertically at specific angles for sharpening by a sharpening media block that moves linearly against the edges of the tools by way of a linear guide system, wherein the vertically oriented honing guide comprises: a baseplate assembly; a rotating tool holder assembly; and a sliding sharpening media holder assembly.

2. The vertically oriented honing guide of claim 1, wherein the baseplate assembly comprises a baseplate, a linear guide rail, an angle-setting mechanism, a locking knob threaded attachment point, and a threaded pivot attachment point.

3. The vertically oriented honing guide of claim 2, wherein the rotating tool holder assembly comprises a rotating plate with integrated shelf, a tool holder vertical backer, a tool ledge, a plunger, a locking knob, and a pivot that attaches to threaded pivot attachment point of the baseplate and enables rotation of the rotating plate, wherein the locking knob is configured to screw into the locking knob threaded attachment point of the baseplate to secure an angle set by the angle-setting mechanism, wherein the rotating of the rotating plate is prevented when the locking knob is screwed into the locking knob threaded attachment point of the baseplate.

4. The vertically oriented honing guide of claim 3, wherein the sliding sharpening media holder assembly comprises a gantry plate, a linear guide block attached to the gantry plate and mates to the linear guide rail of the baseplate assembly, a square block attached to the gantry plate, and a sharpening media holding plate to which a sharpening media block is affixed, wherein a first hand of a user grips the square block to move the sharpening media block affixed to the sharpening media holding plate back and forth along the linear guide rail of the baseplate assembly, wherein linear motion of and forward pressure applied to the sharpening media block grinds an edge of a tool positioned on the tool ledge and against the tool holder vertical backer.

5. The vertically oriented honing guide of claim 4, wherein the sharpening media holding plate comprises one or more magnet cutouts.

6. The vertically oriented honing guide of claim 5 further comprising one or more magnets that are embedded in the one or more magnet cutouts.

7. The vertically oriented honing guide of claim 6, wherein the sharpening media block is affixed to the sharpening media holding plate by the one or more magnets.

8. The vertically oriented honing guide of claim 4, wherein the angle-setting mechanism comprises a plurality of detents indexed at a plurality of fixed angles (indexed detents), wherein the rotating tool holder assembly further comprises a spring ball plunger that sets to a particular detent in the plurality of detents.

9. The vertically oriented honing guide of claim 4, wherein a second hand of the user grips the tool holder vertical backer, wherein a thumb of the second hand of the user applies pressure to the tool to secure the tool against a mating surface of the tool holder vertical backer.

10. The vertically oriented honing guide of claim 4 further comprises a clamping mechanism that secures the tool against a mating surface of the tool holder vertical backer when positioned on the tool ledge.

11. The vertically oriented honing guide of claim 10, wherein the clamping mechanism comprises a clamp, a clamp screw, and a screw hole.

12. The vertically oriented honing guide of claim 11, wherein the clamp faces the mating surface of the tool holder vertical backer and is affixed, at a bottom clamp edge, to the baseplate and, at a top clamp edge, to a top surface position of the tool holder vertical backer.

13. The vertically oriented honing guide of claim 11, wherein the tool comprises an edged tool, wherein the edged tool comprises one of a chisel, a handplane blade, and a particular edged tool, wherein the clamping mechanism applies pressure to the edged tool positioned on the tool ledge against the mating surface of the tool holder.

14. The vertically oriented honing guide of claim 11, wherein the screw hole is a first screw hole in a plurality of screw holes through the clamp.

15. The vertically oriented honing guide of claim 14, wherein the clamping mechanism obviates the need for an angle setting mechanism.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Having described the invention in general terms, reference is now made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

[0016] FIG. 1 conceptually illustrates a front perspective view of a honing guide assembly in some embodiments with a sharpening stone and an edged tool shown in place for sharpening.

[0017] FIG. 2 conceptually illustrates another front perspective view of the honing guide assembly with the sharpening stone and edged tool removed in some embodiments.

[0018] FIG. 3 conceptually illustrates a rear perspective view of the honing guide assembly in some embodiments.

[0019] FIG. 4 conceptually illustrates a front exploded view of the honing guide assembly in some embodiments.

[0020] FIG. 5 conceptually illustrates a rear exploded view of the honing guide assembly in some embodiments.

[0021] FIG. 6 conceptually illustrates a top view of the honing guide assembly in some embodiments.

[0022] FIG. 7 conceptually illustrates the top view of the honing guide assembly in some embodiments showing an adjustment of the angle of the rotating plate.

[0023] FIG. 8 conceptually illustrates a front perspective view of an alternate honing guide assembly in some embodiments with a sharpening stone and an edged tool clamped in place for sharpening.

[0024] FIG. 9 conceptually illustrates a side perspective view of the alternate honing guide assembly showing the clamping mechanism in some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] In the following detailed description of the invention, numerous details, examples, and embodiments of the invention are described. Also, some terms and phrases are defined here. As used herein, the terms comprises, comprising, includes, including and/or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a system, an article, a device, and/or an apparatus that comprises a list of elements (or components) does not include only those elements (or components) but can include other elements (or components) not expressly listed and/or inherent to such system, article, device, and/or apparatus. As used in this application, the term a or an means at least one or one or more. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the disclosure pertains. The terms first, second, third, fourth, and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar elements (or components) and not necessarily for describing a particular hierarchical, sequential, or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments described herein are, for example, interpreted in their entirety such that numbered components or otherwise described herein do not confer preference or order (e.g., a first bumper and a second bumper). The terms large, small, medium, normal size, and the like in this description and in the claims, if any, are understood as qualifiers of relative sizes and scale relevant to the particular field in which the inventive benefits of the vertically oriented honing guide are conferred. The terms left, right, front, back, top, bottom, over, under, and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing permanent relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operation in other orientations than those illustrated or otherwise described herein. In this description, the term sharpening media means any and all types of sharpening agents, such as sharpening stones, whetstones, diamond stones, and the like, commonly used with honing guides to sharpen the edge or blade of an edged tool. Furthermore, the term vertically oriented refers generally to the axial orientation of the sharpening media and the edge of the tool being sharpened by the vertically oriented honing guide. Thus, while the following description includes numerous examples of vertically oriented honing guides for sharpening edged tools, it will be clear and apparent to one skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the embodiments set forth and that the invention can be adapted for any of several applications.

[0026] Embodiments of the invention described in this Specification include a vertically oriented honing guide for sharpening edged tools. In some embodiments, the vertically oriented honing guide eliminates nearly all setup time and is compatible with commercial products by orienting the tools vertically and through the use of a linear guide system. In some embodiments, the vertically oriented honing guide eliminates the need for tool clamping, facilitates direct angle setting, improves ergonomics, and allows the use of generic sharpening media.

[0027] In some embodiments, the vertically oriented honing guide comprises a baseplate assembly. a rotating tool holder assembly, and a sliding sharpening media holder assembly. In some embodiments, the baseplate assembly comprises a baseplate, a linear guide rail, a plurality of indexed detents, a locking knob threaded attachment point, and an axle attachment point (also referred to as an axle bolt threaded attachment point). In some embodiments, the rotating tool holder assembly comprises a rotating tool holder shelf plate (also referred to as the rotating plate or the tool holder shelf), a tool holder vertical backer (or tool backer) disposed on the shelf of the rotating plate, a tool ledge formed at the junction of the tool backer and the shelf of the rotating plate, a spring ball plunger (or ball nose plunger), a locking knob, and an axle shaft (hereinafter also referred to as the axle bolt or the rotating plate pivot screw). In some embodiments, the sliding sharpening media holder assembly comprises a gantry plate, a linear guide block, a ninety degree (90) block (the linear motion sharpening block or, simply, the square block), a sharpening media holding plate (or magnet plate), and a plurality of magnets integrated into the magnet plate.

[0028] In some embodiments, the vertically oriented honing guide further comprises a clamping mechanism that secures a tool being sharpened against a mating surface of the tool holder vertical backer. In some embodiments, the clamping mechanism comprises a clamp, a clamp screw, and a screw hole. In some embodiments, the clamp faces the mating surface of the tool backer and is affixed, at a bottom clamp edge, to the baseplate and, at a top clamp edge, to a top surface position of the tool holder vertical backer. In some embodiments, the screw hole is a threaded screw hole through the clamp. In some embodiments, the clamp screw is configured to screw into the threaded screw hole to apply pressure to a tool positioned on the tool ledge against the mating surface of the tool holder. In some embodiments, the screw hole is a first screw hole in a plurality of screw holes through the clamp. In some embodiments, a plurality of clamp screws are threaded through the plurality of screw holes through the clamp to apply pressure to a tool positioned on the tool ledge against the mating surface of the tool holder.

[0029] As stated above, existing honing guides are typically time-consuming to set up and require the use of some mechanical hold or form to hold the angle at which the tool is oriented for sharpening. While tool clamping is an existing option, it requires additional setup time at each sharpening. This increases overall time, particularly when switching between tools of different widths. These mechanisms can also substantially limit the size and shape of tools that can be sharpened with the honing guide. In particular, most of the existing honing guides require difficult procedures in order to set the angle of sharpening and must be redone at every sharpening. Additionally, some honing guides available in the market set the angle of sharpening indirectly, through adjusting the length of protrusion of the tool out of the guide. Setting the angle by protrusion length is time consuming, inaccurate, and difficult to repeat. Consequently, most of the existing honing guides require substantial setup time involving inaccurate or slow methods for angle setting. Beyond the time limitations involved, many honing guides use specialized or uncommon sharpening media such as, without limitation, specialized sharpening wheels, sandpaper, sharpening plates, or other media that is relatively specific to one tool or device and/or one sharpening method. This reduces versatility of the honing guide. Furthermore, sharpening media are consumables purchased in the market, which increases costs since users are required to periodically purchase proprietary or otherwise specialized media for their honing guide. Moreover, some existing honing guides use a side-to-side motion (i.e., parallel with the edge of the tool) that uses only a small portion of the sharpening media surface area, causing the sharpening media to clog more easily and/or causing uneven and premature wear on the sharpening media. Nearly all existing honing guides are oriented horizontally with respect to the tool edge. This limits the designs available. Also, many of the current honing guides use sharpening media inefficiently, require electrical power, and/or use specialized or proprietary sharpening media. This also limits the options user have. Embodiments of the vertically oriented honing guide for sharpening edged tools described in this specification solve such problems by way of a vertical design for the honing guide which orients the tool and sharpening media vertically, where the tool rests against vertically oriented back reference surfaces and the sharpening media is parallel to the edge of the tool. In some embodiments, the sharpening media is attached through the use of a magnetic attachment mechanism and is compatible with commercially available (or off-the-shelf) sharpening plates. The sharpening media is moved through the use of a linear guide rail and block. In some embodiments, the vertically oriented honing guide uses a direct angle setting mechanism through rotating plates indexed to specific angles.

[0030] Embodiments of the vertically oriented honing guide are different from and improve upon existing honing guides. Specifically, the existing honing guides are relatively slow to use due to frequent touch-ups needed by woodworkers and may require expensive equipment, and also because they are simply difficult to set up. By contrast, the vertically oriented honing guide described in this Specification nearly eliminates setup time, provides accurate sharpening angles, allows a more ergonomic position for sharpening, negates the need to clamp the tool in place, and does not require the use of specialized sharpening media. Furthermore, the vertically oriented honing guide is compatible with commercial products by orienting the tools vertically and through the use of a linear guide system. Also, by orienting the tool and the sharpening media vertically, some key features of the vertically oriented honing guide arise. First, the tool can be held against the reference surface and edge through a combination of gravity and an ergonomic hand position, eliminating the need for clamping. Second, the rotating plate mechanism allows for direct angle setting that does not need to be set up at every sharpening. Third, the use of linear guides facilitates smooth and accurate motion of the sharpening media against the tools. Fourth, the magnetic attachment system allows the use of off-the-shelf sharpening plates.

[0031] Additionally, the vertically oriented honing guide described in this disclosure eliminates nearly all setup time and is compatible with commercial products by orienting the tools vertically and through the use of a linear guide system. In this way, the vertically oriented honing guide eliminates the need for tool clamping, facilitates direct angle setting, improves ergonomics, and allows the use of generic sharpening media.

[0032] The vertically oriented honing guide for sharpening edged tools of the present disclosure may be comprised of the following components and elements. [0033] 1. Ninety degree (90) block (also referred to as the square block or the linear motion sharpening block) [0034] 2. Axle shaft (also referred to as the axle bolt or the rotating plate pivot screw, but inclusive of alternative rotational mechanisms, such as rotational bearings or other rotational designs) [0035] 3. Axle attachment point (or the axle bolt threaded attachment point) [0036] 4. Baseplate [0037] 5. Gantry plate [0038] 6. Indexed detents [0039] 7. Linear guide block [0040] 8. Linear guide rail [0041] 9. Locking knob [0042] 10. Locking knob threaded attachment point [0043] 11. Magnets [0044] 12. Rotating tool holder shelf plate (also referred to as the rotating plate or the tool holder shelf) [0045] 13. Sharpening media holding plate (also referred to as the sharpening media holder or the magnet plate) [0046] 14. Spring ball plunger (also referred to as the ball nose plunger or, simply, the plunger) [0047] 15. Tool holder vertical backer (also referred to as the tool backer) [0048] 16. Baseplate assembly (an assembled combination of components comprising the baseplate, the linear guide rail, the indexed detents, the locking knob threaded attachment point, and the axle attachment point). [0049] 17. Rotating tool holder assembly (an assembled combination of components comprising the rotating plate, the tool holder vertical backer, the spring ball plunger, the locking knob, and the axle shaft). [0050] 18. Sliding sharpening media holder assembly (an assembled combination of components comprising the gantry plate, the linear guide block, the square block, the sharpening media holding plate, and the magnets).

[0051] The various components and elements of the vertically oriented honing guide for sharpening edged tools of the present disclosure may be related in the following exemplary fashion. It is not intended to limit the scope or nature of the relationships between the various elements and the following examples are presented as illustrative examples only. The vertically oriented honing guide is constructed from three assemblies, namely, the baseplate assembly, the rotating tool holder assembly, and the sliding sharpening media holder assembly). Collectively, the three assemblies form into a larger single assembly for the vertically oriented honing guide (also referred to as the honing guide assembly). A linear motion mechanism is incorporated into the design of the larger single assembly (also referred to as the linear motion system), thereby ensuring motion between the edge of the tool and the sharpening media, which is essential for making the honing guide assembly functional for sharpening edged tools.

[0052] In some embodiments, the baseplate assembly comprises the baseplate, the linear guide rail, the indexed detents, the locking knob threaded attachment point, and the axle bolt threaded attachment point. The baseplate is the attachment point for all other assemblies. The indexed detents, the locking knob threaded attachment point, and the axle bolt threaded attachment point are elements that have been machined into the baseplate. The linear guide rail for the linear motion system is attached to the baseplate using machine screws or bolts. The baseplate may also include markings, such as for choosing an angle. The other assemblies are attached to the baseplate assembly.

[0053] In some embodiments, the rotating tool holder assembly provides a tool holding system and a rotating sharpening angle system. The rotating tool holder assembly comprises the rotating plate, the tool holder vertical backer, the spring ball plunger, the locking knob, and the axle shaft. All components and elements of the rotating tool holder assembly are attached to the rotating plate. The tool holder vertical backer is bolted to the shelf of the rotating plate, both together forming the mating surfaces for tool holding, with a slight tool ledge provided at the junction of the tool backer and the shelf of the rotating plate. The spring ball plunger is threaded into a threaded hole in the rotating plate and locked in place using a threadlocker. The locking knob sits in a slightly curved slot of the rotating tool holder shelf plate (the slot providing an aperture or opening that is machined or molded into the rotating plate in curvilinear form). The locking knob screws into the locking knob threaded attachment point. The rotating plate is attached to the baseplate through the use of the axle shaft which connects to the axle attachment point of the baseplate. The axle shaft in some embodiments is a bolt that connects the rotating plate to the baseplate. In that case, the axle bolt screws into the axle bolt threaded attachment point through an axle bearing hole in the rotating plate. However, other rotational designs are supported including, without limitation, other axle shaft-like components, rotational bearings, etc. Similarly, the locking knob screws into the locking knob threaded attachment point. The rotating tool holder assembly is attached to the baseplate with the axle shaft and the angle locking knob. The spring ball plunger mates with the indexed detents in the baseplate for preset indexed angles.

[0054] In some embodiments, the sliding sharpening media holder assembly comprises the gantry plate, the linear guide block, the square block, the sharpening media holding plate, and the magnets. The linear guide block is attached to the gantry plate with machine screws or bolts. The gantry plate is attached to the square block with machine screws or bolts. The sharpening media holding plate is also attached to the square block with machine screws or bolts. Finally, the magnets are integrated into the sharpening media holding plate using an adhesive or screwed into recesses in the sharpening media holding plate. The sliding sharpening media holder assembly is attached to the baseplate assembly via the linear guide block, which attaches to and slides along the mating linear guide rail. In this way, linear motion is facilitated through the linear guide rails on the sliding sharpening media holder assembly. The bumpers along the surface of the baseplate prevent the sliding sharpening media holder assembly from sliding off of the linear guide rail at either side.

[0055] While the vertically oriented honing guide for sharpening edged tools described above involves a user manually holding the tool in place, alternative designs to the rotating tool holder assembly can be made to include tool clamping, alternatively shaped mating surface(s), and/or ability to be moved, can accommodate types of tools not currently usable with the device. The shelf, formed by the interface between the rotating plate and the tool holder vertical backer, can alternatively be achieved through a shelf machined into the tool holder vertical backer or by combining both pieces into one machined piece. Furthermore, the shelf may be designed to accommodate angles that give rise to other orientations beyond merely a horizontal orientation to allow sharpening in circumstances where the tool blade edge and sides are not perpendicular to one another. In some embodiments, the shelf may also be integrated with the clamping mechanism.

[0056] Furthermore, different kinds of clamping or sharpening media affixing mechanisms can be used to attach the sharpening media to the guide. In the preferred embodiment, sharpening media is affixed to the sharpening media plate through the use of embedded magnets. In alternative embodiments, mechanical clamping, such as clamps, bolts, or enclosures can be used.

[0057] Angle setting in the preferred embodiment involves manually rotating the rotating tool holder assembly around the axle shaft, with spring ball detents at fixed (or indexed) angles (that is, the indexed detents corresponding to the fixed angles). This rotating plate mechanism is an easy and highly effective way to set the angle for sharpening of an edged tool. However, alternative angle setting mechanisms can be used, including alternative indexing systems (e.g., pins, plungers, and/or stops), through visual scales, or other angle setting means. In another embodiment, the sharpening media holding assembly may be made to rotate with respect to the baseplate to facilitate angle setting. On the other hand, as another alternative, the rotating tool holder assembly may be fixed in place at a particular angle, disallowing angle setting. In that case, the vertically oriented honing guide would be a single, fixed angle guide suitable for sharpening tools with edges that conform to the single, fixed angle. Alternatively, mechanical shims or similar adjustments may be made to the tool backing surface to achieve desired angles.

[0058] Additionally, in some alternative designs, the relative linear motion of the sharpening media to the tool edge can be achieved through use of alternative linear motion assemblies to move the sharpening media against the semi-fixed tool. Also, the sharpening media holding assembly may be fixed in an alternate design, and the rotating tool holder assembly may be configured to move back and forth using similar mechanisms. Compare this to the preferred embodiment of the vertically oriented honing guide, in which the tool is secured/held fixed to the tool holder vertical backer component, but the sharpening media holding assembly moves back and forth along the linear guide rail. By contrast, in the alternative design, the sharpening media holding assembly may be fixed, with the rotating tool holder assembly moving back and forth using similar mechanisms.

[0059] While the tool holding mechanism in the preferred embodiment of the vertically oriented honing guide involves only manual hand (or thumb) pressure and gravity to hold the tool in place against both the back reference surface and the side reference edge, the alternate design uses a form of mechanical clamping or a tool holding system/assembly, including, for example, magnets, bolts, or other mechanical clamping mechanisms. Tool holding and clamping systems may also hold the tool such that its reference edge is not horizontal, which facilitates sharpening of tools that do not have a tool edge that is perpendicular to the sharp edge (e.g. skewed hand plane blades and chisels). An example of the alternative design of the vertically oriented honing guide is described below, by reference to FIGS. 8-9. Before demonstrating the alternative design, a preferred embodiment of the honing guide assembly is described by reference to FIGS. 1-5.

[0060] In some embodiments, the angle of the tool backer is configured to rotate to set a different angle for the backing. In this way, the tool backer would not be set to a single, fixed angle relative to the sharpening surface, but instead, would be allowed to rotate as needed to accommodate different sharpening surfaces. In some embodiments, edge pressure is achieved through rotational force of the rotational plate and tool assembly around the axis at the point of the axis bolt, rather than the pressure forward by force of a hand or thumb. This embodiment may be further facilitated with use of a clamping mechanism to fix the tool to the tool backer. While this embodiment may involve additional setup time, it may be particularly valuable for those with hand/finger dexterity issues and/or strength constraints, as it relieves the need for thumb pressure.

[0061] In particular, FIG. 1 conceptually illustrates a front perspective view of a honing guide assembly 10 with a sharpening stone and an edged tool shown in place for sharpening. Several components of the honing guide assembly 10 are shown in this figure. Specifically, the honing guide assembly 10 includes a baseplate 12, a plurality of indexed detents 14, a rotating plate 16, a locking knob 20, a ball nose plunger 22 (working in connection with the detents), a tool backer 24, a tool ledge 25, a magnet plate 26, a linear motion sharpening block 32, a linear guide rail 38, one of two bumpers 42, an exemplary woodworking chisel 44, and an exemplary sharpening stone 46. The locking knob 20 shown in this figure appears in the form of a star knob. However, the locking knob 20 is not constrained to this particular design, but may be any suitable locking mechanism, such as a thumb knob or screw, etc. Similarly, the ball nose plunger 22 may include any other type of spring detent or indexing fastener. Notably, while this example demonstrates a woodworking chisel 44, the honing guide assembly described in this specification is capable of sharpening a variety of other hand plane blades and/or other edged tools including, for example, metal milling tools, metal lathe tools, carving tools, and wood lathe tools.

[0062] Turning to another view, FIG. 2 conceptually illustrates the honing guide assembly 10 with the sharpening stone 46 and the chisel 44 removed. In particular, this view demonstrates several of the components noted above and some other components of the honing guide assembly 10. Specifically, the honing guide assembly 10 shown in this figure demonstrates the baseplate 12, the plurality of indexed detents 14, the rotating plate 16, a rotating plate pivot 18 (also referred to as the pivot screw, the axle shaft, or the axle bolt), the locking knob 20, the ball nose plunger 22, the tool backer 24, the magnet plate 26, a plurality of magnet cutouts 28, a plurality of magnets 30, the linear motion sharpening block 32, the linear guide rail 38, and another one of the bumpers 42.

[0063] Rounding out the perspective views of the honing guide assembly 10, FIG. 3 conceptually illustrates a rear perspective view of the honing guide assembly 10 with several of the components mentioned above, by reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, some other components of the honing guide assembly 10. Specifically, the honing guide assembly 10 shown in this figure demonstrates the baseplate 12, the plurality of indexed detents 14, the ball nose plunger 22, the tool backer 24, the magnet plate 26, the linear motion sharpening block 32, a gantry plate 34, a skid 36 (and attached linear guide block), the linear guide rail 38, and both of the bumpers 42.

[0064] The vertically oriented honing guide for sharpening edged tools of the present disclosure generally works by tool placement in the honing guide and user interaction with the honing guide to sharpen the edge of the tool. The following steps describe the typical way of working for the vertically oriented honing guide.

[0065] First (as an optional step), the user chooses the angle of sharpening. This step is optional because the angle may not require any change, as in most cases no change of angle is required between rounds of sharpening, such as when the same tool is sharpened multiple times. For instance, the user may sharpen the chisel 44 several times throughout a woodworking session. However, if the user changes the tool or if the angle is simply not set, then the chosen sharpening angle is set by the user through rotating the rotating tool holder assembly around the axle shaft 18 and locking it down with the locking knob 20. For example, the user may swap out the chisel 44 for another edged tool (e.g., a different hand plane blade, metal milling tool, metal lathe tool, carving tool, or wood lathe tool) which requires a change in the angle of sharpening. Then the user sets the specific angle through the use of the spring ball plunger which locks in a fixed angle at a particular indexed detent. In FIGS. 1-3, the angle is easily set by unlocking (or releasing) the locking knob 20 and swiveling the rotating plate 16 to an angle suitable for the edged tool being sharpened. In some embodiments, the ball nose plunger 22 is set into one of the detents 14 at the chosen angle, and once the angle is locked in by the ball/detent action of the plunger 22, the user would secure the rotating plate 16 down against the baseplate 12 via the locking knob 20.

[0066] Second (optional), the sharpening media of choice (e.g., a steel backed diamond coated steel stone or any other suitable sharpening media), is affixed to the magnets or other holding mechanism. As above, this step is optional as well, since the sharpening media can be left in place between sharpening. For instance, the sharpening stone 46 demonstrated in FIG. 1 may be suitable for the tool being sharpened, so the user would simply leave it in place (assuming it was left there previously). However, when a different choice of sharpening media is selected for inclusion in the vertically oriented honing guide, then the user obtains a sharpening media plate and places is on the sharpening media holding plate. The sharpening media plate is attached securely to the sharpening media holding plate by using the magnets. For instance, the user may detach the sharpening stone 46 shown in FIG. 1 and place a different sharpening media option against the magnet plate 26. If the sharpening media contains magnetic steel, the plurality of magnets 30 in the plurality of magnet cutouts 28 (shown in FIG. 2) of the magnet plate 26 will secure it in place. A stone-based sharpening media option may have bolts, plates, or other mechanical attachment that also allow the same attachment to the magnet plate 26.

[0067] A third step involves the user placing the tool in the referenced surfaces of the vertical tool holding assembly. Specifically, the tool is placed and held against the mating vertical tool back reference surface and side reference edge shelf (or tool ledge) formed from the rotating tool holder shelf plate and the tool holder vertical backer. Then the user applies light pressure with a thumb (or in the alternative embodiment, with the clamp mechanism) to hold the tool in the referenced surfaces during linear motion involved in sharpening. For instance, the chisel 44 shown in FIG. 1 is placed on the tool ledge 25 and against the mating tool backer 24 with the angle of the edge aligned to the sharpening stone 46 so when the chisel 44 is pushed forward, the edge of the chisel 44 will flush against the sharpening media 46. Then the user can apply simple linear motion to sharpen the chisel 44 (which is described in the fourth step, below). Notably, light pressure with user's thumb is all that is required to maintain reference surfaces, and no mechanical clamping is required. Nevertheless, when clamping is preferred, the user may opt to utilize the alternate embodiment of the vertically oriented honing guide, described below, by reference to FIGS. 8-9. Referring back to the thumb-held version of the vertically oriented honing guide, as the user's thumb applies light pressure, the rest of the user's hand can wrap around the back side of the tool holder vertical backer for comfort.

[0068] This leads to the fourth step, at which time the user can sharpen the tool. To sharpen the tool, the user merely presses lightly forward on the tool 25 with his or her thumb while moving the sharpening block back and forth. This results in pushing the tool edge into the sharpening media (at the set angle corresponding to the edge of the tool). In other words, the user grips the square block (which, in FIGS. 1-3, is referred to as the linear motion sharpening block 32) with one hand (e.g. the user's right hand), while the other hand (e.g., left hand) grasps the tool backer 24 and the user's (left) thumb presses the tool against the flat side of the tool backer 24. As user grips the tool backer 24 and the tool 25, the user's other hand (e.g., right hand) moves the sharpening plate assembly back and forth along the linear guidance mechanism (that is, along the linear guide rail 38 as shown in FIG. 3), which moves the sharpening media 46 itself. This linear motion grinds material off of the tool 25 and sharpens the tool edge.

[0069] To make the vertically oriented honing guide for sharpening edged tools of the present disclosure, with the exception of the linear rails and fasteners, all parts, components, elements, machined-in or etched elements, etc., of the vertically oriented honing guide are manufacturable using CNC machining or any other additive manufacturing process. The linear motion mechanism may use commercially available linear guides. In FIGS. 1-3, a linear guide rail 38 is shown along with other components. Fasteners, including bolts, spring detents (or indexed detents), screws, and stoppers, are commercially available. Assembly of these components is demonstrated and described next, by reference to FIGS. 4-5.

[0070] By way of example, FIG. 4 conceptually illustrates a front exploded view of the honing guide assembly while FIG. 5 conceptually illustrates a rear exploded view of the honing guide assembly. Starting with FIG. 4, the front exploded view of the honing guide assembly demonstrates components of the rotating tool holder assembly and components of a combined assembly of the baseplate assembly and the sliding sharpening media holder assembly. As shown in this figure, the rotating tool holder assembly comprises the rotating plate 16 (with integrated shelf or rotating plate shelf), the rotating plate pivot 18 (or pivot screw, axle shaft, axle bolt, etc.), the locking knob 20, the ball nose plunger 22, the tool backer 24, and a pair of bolts the secure the tool backer 24 to the rotating plate 16. The components of the combined assembly in FIG. 4 include components of the baseplate assembly and components of the sliding sharpening media holder assembly. Specifically, the components of the baseplate assembly comprise the baseplate 12, the plurality of indexed detents 14, an axle bolt threaded attachment point 15, a locking knob threaded attachment point 21, the linear guide rail 38, and the bumpers 42 (one of two bumpers 42 shown in this figure). The components of the sliding sharpening media holder assembly comprise the magnet plate 26, the plurality of magnet cutouts 28, the plurality of magnets 30, and the linear motion sharpening block 32. For assembly, the plurality of magnets 30 are inserted into the plurality of magnet cutouts 28 of the magnet plate 26. The magnet plate 26 is attached to the baseplate 12 in a vertical orientation, such that the sharpening media attached to the magnet plate 26 is oriented vertically (e.g., like an upright surface, not a floor surface that lays flat on the baseplate 12). Similarly, the linear guide rail 38 and the bumpers 42 are attached to the baseplate 12.

[0071] On the other hand, the components of the rotating tool holder assembly are interconnected with respect to the rotating plate 16, the rotating plate pivot 18, the locking knob 20, the ball nose plunger 22, the tool backer 24, and a pair of bolts 23 that secure the tool backer 24 to the shelf of the rotating plate 16. Also, when the rotating tool holder assembly is fully assembled, it is attached to the baseplate assembly by screwing the locking knob 20 through a curved aperture 31 (or slot) of the rotating plate 16 and into the locking knob threaded attachment point 21 in the baseplate 12, along with screwing the rotating pivot 18 (that is, the axle shaft) into the axle bolt threaded attachment point 15 in the baseplate 12. Then the rotating tool holder assembly can be manually rotated by a user to set a particular angle. When the user rotates the rotating tool holder assembly, the ball nose plunger 22 does not fit into detents 14. On the other hand, when the user selects the appropriate angle, then the ball nose plunger 22 is released into the corresponding detent 14.

[0072] Now turning to FIG. 5, the rear exploded view of the honing guide assembly demonstrates components of the sliding sharpening media holder assembly and components of a combined assembly of the baseplate assembly and the rotating tool holder assembly. The components of the sliding sharpening media holder assembly include the linear motion sharpening block 32, the gantry plate 34, the skid 36, and the linear guide block 40. Also, the linear guide rail 38 is shown to have screws or bolts to secure its connection to the baseplate 12. With the linear guide rail 38 secured to the baseplate 12, the sliding sharpening media holder assembly is able to attach with the linear guide block 40 connecting directly on the linear guide rail 38. The linear guide block 40 and the skid 36 are secured to the gantry plate 34 by screws or bolts and the linear motion sharpening block 32 is, in turn, screwed or bolted to the gantry plate 34. Furthermore, the linear motion sharpening block 32 is screwed or bolted to the sharpening media holding plate 26. In this configuration, the user simply grips the linear motion sharpening block 32 to move the sharpening media (attached to the magnet-side of the sharpening media holding plate 26) back and forth against the edge of the tool for sharpening. Thus, when fully assembled the components of the various assemblies, shown in the exploded views described above by reference to FIGS. 4-5, form the resulting honing guide assembly.

[0073] To use the vertically oriented honing guide for sharpening edged tools of the present disclosure, one may perform the four broad steps as described above (where the first and second steps are optional, but the third and fourth steps are key steps needed to use the honing guide assembly).

[0074] As noted above, an example of how a user can easily set a new angle is described by reference to FIGS. 6-7. Specifically, FIG. 6 conceptually illustrates a top view of the fully assembled vertically oriented honing guide for sharpening edged tools. Similarly, FIG. 7 conceptually illustrates the top view of the vertically oriented honing guide demonstrating the angle setting mechanism. Referring to FIG. 6, the fully assembled vertically oriented honing guide is with several of the components/assemblies shown in this top-down view. In particular, the components of the vertically oriented honing guide in this figure include the baseplate 12, the plurality of indexed detents 14, the rotating plate 16, the rotating plate pivot 18 (or pivot screw 18, axle shaft 18, or axle bolt 18), the locking knob 20, the ball nose plunger 22, the tool backer 24, the tool ledge 25, the sharpening media holding plate 26 (or magnet plate 26), the linear motion sharpening block 32, the linear guide rail 38, and the bumpers 42. In this figure, the rotating plate 16 is set to a particular angle as set by the ball nose plunger 22 over the detent 14 closest to the sharpening media holding plate 26. The user would lock the angle by tightening the locking knob 20 into the locking knob threaded attachment point 21 of the baseplate 12.

[0075] However, the user can change the angle by rotating the rotating plate 16 around the pivot formed by the axle shaft 18 (or pivot screw 18). This is demonstrated in the example shown in FIG. 7. Changing the angle may never be needed for some users. For example, a user who has only one edged tool or a user with several tools which all have the same edge angle may never need to change the angle of the honing guide assembly. On the other hand, many edged tools have different edge angles. Therefore, being able to change the angle is rather useful in situations when the user is changing the tool being sharpened to one that has a different edge angle or may wish to have two bevel angles on the same tool blade. For instance, a first tool sharpened by a user may have an edge with a first angle that corresponds to the rotating plate 16 configuration demonstrated in FIG. 6, while a second tool being sharpened by the user may have an edge with a different, second angle that corresponds to the rotating plate 16 configuration shown in FIG. 7. Assuming the locking knob 20 is screwed down to hold the previous angle, the user would first need to loosen the locking knob 20 from the locking knob threaded attachment point 21 and then rotate the rotating plate 16 around the pivot point centered at the axle shaft 18 until the ball nose plunger 22 is at the indexed detent 14 which corresponds to the desired fixed angle. In this figure, an arrow illustrates the rotation of the rotating plate 16 to the fixed angle desired by the user. After the user selects the angle, the ball nose plunger 22 is released to the particular indexed detent 14 and the user would only need to tighten the locking knob 20 to lock the rotating plate 16 in its position. Then the user could position the new tool on the tool ledge 25 and use thumb pressure to hold the tool against the tool holder vertical backer 24 with one hand, and user the other hand to move the linear motion sharpening block 32 back and forth along the linear guide rail 38 to grind the edge of the new tool.

[0076] Note that the locking knob 20 shown in FIG. 6 is at position, with respect to the rotating plate 16, that appears different to the position of the locking knob 20, relative to the rotating plate 16, shown in FIG. 7. That is due to the fact that the locking knob 20 is positioned at a fixed location with respect to the locking knob threaded attachment point 21 of the baseplate 12 and does not change when the user rotates the rotating plate 16. Instead, the slot 31 in the rotating plate 16 is curved in form so that angular changes of the rotating plate 16 are not obstructed, blocked, or hindered by the locking knob 20 (that is, when the locking knob 20 is not tightened down in the locking knob threaded attachment point 21). Accordingly, once the new angle is selected and the ball nose plunger 22 is released to the indexed detent 14 corresponding to the new angle, then the user locks/tightens the locking knob 20 into the locking knob threaded attachment point 21 to ensure that the rotating plate 16 is securely positioned while sharpening the tool.

[0077] As explained above, the vertically oriented honing guide for sharpening edged tools can incorporate an alternative design. One such alternative design is applied to the rotating tool holder assembly. For example, incorporating a clamping mechanism such that the honing guide assembly provides tool clamping instead of requiring the user to apply thumb pressure to secure the tool to the mating surface of the tool backer. Similarly, another optional design would incorporate alternatively shaped mating surface(s) coupled to the clamping mechanism, and/or providing the ability to be moved, such that the honing guide assembly is able to accommodate a wider range of different types of tools not supported by the preferred embodiment of the honing guide assembly. For instance, the shelf formed by and integrated into the rotating plate may be designed to provide an outer tool container or ridge along the tool ledge 25 or angled to accommodate skewed blades. The tool holder vertical backer 24 can alternatively be larger, wider, or made to be more ergonomic for a human hand, etc. Similarly, the rotating plate with integrated shelf 16 may be made as a separate, but connected, components, such that the shelf (with tool ledge 25) is attached by bolts or other adhering mechanism to the rotating plate.

[0078] Similar to an alternative tool clamping mechanism, the honing guide assembly could be made with different kinds of sharpening media clamping or attachment mechanisms that can be used to affix the sharpening media 46 to the sharpening media holding plate 26. In the preferred embodiment, the sharpening media 46 is affixed to the sharpening media holding plate 26 through the use of embedded magnets 30. In alternative embodiments, mechanical clamping, such as clamps, bolts, or enclosures can be used.

[0079] Turning now to an alternative design of the honing guide assembly, FIG. 8 conceptually illustrates a front perspective view of the honing guide assembly 10 with an alternative clamping mechanism to secure an edged tool in plate for sharpening against a sharpening stone. As shown in this figure, the honing guide assembly 10 includes the same baseplate assembly and sliding sharpening media holder assembly, but the rotating tool holder assembly is modified to incorporate the clamping mechanism. Specifically, the rotating tool holder assembly comprises a rotating plate with integrated shelf 48, a clamping tool backer 50 component, a clamp 52, and a clamp screw 54. The clamp 52 may be a C-clamp, a bridge clamp, or another type of clamp. The clamp screw 54 may be a manual clamp screw, a spring loaded clamp screw with nut, or another other type of clamp screw.

[0080] As shown in this figure, an edged tool 44 is positioned on the tool ledge 25 and is secured to the vertical backing surface of the clamping tool backer 50 component by tightening the clamp screw 54 through a threaded clamp screw hole to apply pressure to the outer surface of the tool 44. In this example, there is no locking knob or spring detent, allowing the rotating plate to rotate freely. To achieve tool edge pressure against the sharpening media, the user applies rotational force about the axis of the axle bolt (in the illustrated example case, looking from above, this is clockwise rotation). Thus, when the sharpening stone 46 is affixed to the sharpening media holding plate 26 (or magnet plate 26), and the tool 44 is secured to the vertical backing surface of the clamping tool backer 50 by the clamping mechanism, the user need only move the linear motion sharpening block 32 back and forth along the linear guide rail 38 to grind the edge of the tool 44 while lightly applying rotational pressure on the rotating tool assembly. Rotational mechanical pressure may also be applied through use of springs, magnets, or elastic materials.

[0081] Now turning to another example of the alternative clamping mechanism design, FIG. 9 conceptually illustrates a side perspective view of the honing guide assembly showing the alternative clamping mechanism. Specifically, two threaded clamp screw holes 56 are shown along the clamp 52, with the clamp screw 54 shown in the lower hole 56. Note, however, that when the user intends to sharpen the edge of a wider (or bigger) tool, then the user may tighten two clamp screws 54 into the two threaded clamp screw holes 56. Furthermore, while this figure only demonstrates a clamp using two threaded clamp screw holes 56, the clamp 52 may have more than two threaded clamp screw holes 56 (e.g., three, four, five, etc.). Alternatively, one or more screws may be used to push or pull a plate onto the back of the tool. Additionally, the height of the clamp 52 shown in this figure (from the baseplate 12 up to the top of the clamping tool backer 50) is greater than its width. However, the alternative clamping mechanism could utilize a clamp with a much wider profile. This alternative clamping mechanism (or another alternative) may also allow clamping and referencing of the tool at angles other than perpendicular to the edge of the tool. Furthermore, only one clamp 52 is shown in this figure for demonstrating the clamping mechanism. However, the clamping mechanism could be enabled by way of multiple clamps (e.g., two, three, or more clamps) secured to the top of the clamping tool backer 50 and extending down to the baseplate 12. In that case (multiple clamps 52), the size and/or form of the clamping tool backer 50 would be designed accordingly. Other components, such as the baseplate 12 may also be designed to accommodate such different sizes or forms of components. In all cases, however, this is fully supported by the description of the honing guide assembly because the absolute sizes of the various assemblies and components are not constrained, but rather, have been described in relative terms with respect to each other component and assembly.

[0082] Additionally, the vertically oriented honing guide for sharpening edged tools can be adapted to support sharpening non-woodworking tools. Furthermore, the vertically oriented honing guide for sharpening edged tools may also be used to measure the angle between two reference surfaces.

[0083] The above-described embodiments of the invention are presented for purposes of illustration and not of limitation. While these embodiments of the invention have been described with reference to numerous specific details, persons of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that numerous design configurations may be possible to enjoy the functional benefits of the vertically oriented honing guide for sharpening edged tools. Thus, given the wide variety of configurations and arrangements of embodiments of the present invention the scope of the invention is reflected by the breadth of the claims below rather than narrowed by the embodiments described above. Thus, one of ordinary skill in the art would understand that the invention is not to be limited by the foregoing illustrative details, but rather is to be defined by the appended claims.