Patent Publication Number: US-11660727-B2

Title: Handheld skate blade sharpener

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Sometimes ice skate blades are touched-up using a handheld sharpening tool that has a stone that is moved back and forth lengthwise along the skate blade within a slot of the sharpener which the skate blade fits in. The handheld sharpener files away material along the blade to make two sharp corners, which are called the inside and outside edges. If the sharpener is not orientated in the correct position, the sharpener will file away too much of the skate blade on one corner or the other. This causes uneven skate blade edges or corners and decreases the skater&#39;s control and ability to move on the ice. Also, since skate blades vary in width between skate manufactures, a one size fits all slot for handheld sharpeners would not orientate the stone accurately for all skates. In addition, keeping the stone in a fixed position above the blade causes a buildup of shavings that were filed away from the blade. This buildup causes the sharpener to become less effective. A stone needs to move easily or rotate to new, unused areas to allow the shavings to fall out. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Some embodiments of the present invention are directed to a hand-operated ice skate sharpening tool that functions to provide a more even and consistent sharpening of the blade edges. In yet other embodiments, the sharpener assembly is configured to be used in conjunction with another tool, such as a vise, or integrated into some other device. The sharpener preferably has a cylindrical sharpening stone that is positioned directly over the blade and an adjustable slot width in the sharpener using thumb screws to match the blade width. When tightening the thumb screws, the two halves of the tool handle will decrease the slot width onto the blade. However, a different set of fasteners are adapted and configured to bias the halves apart from each other with a variable biasing force, such as by way of a resilient washer or other spring-type member located between the fastener heads and the surfaces of the handle halves. This pressure on the blade will force the through shaft and cylindrical stone to be centered over the blade. 
     In some embodiments the sharpener has an adjustable slot for width of the blade, its sharpening stone orientation to the blade is held so it will not sharpen on one side more than the other. In yet other embodiments the shaft serves as the pivot point for pinching the blade as well as to guide the cylindrical stone. The two thumb screws preferably control how tightly the tool fits against the blade, limiting movement non-laterally and to hold the cylindrical stone over the blade. The sharpener preferably has a cylindrical sharpening stone that incrementally rotates with each stroke, whereby an unused surface of the stone is automatically exposed and used to sharpen the ice skate blade. The sharpener preferably also has a deburring stone mounted to the back of the handheld sharpener. 
     It will be appreciated that the various apparatus and methods described in this summary section, as well as elsewhere in this application, can be expressed as a large number of different combinations and subcombinations. All such useful, novel, and inventive combinations and subcombinations are contemplated herein, it being recognized that the explicit expression of each of these combinations is unnecessary. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Some of the figures shown herein may include dimensions. Further, the figures shown herein may have been created from scaled drawings, scaled models, or from photographs that are scalable. It is understood that such dimensions, or the relative scaling within a figure, are by way of example, and not to be construed as limiting unless so stated in a claim. Persons of ordinary skill will also recognize that CAD renderings may include lines that pertain to changes in surface geometry, and not necessarily to component features. 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of the ice skate sharpener invention according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  2    is a top view of the apparatus of  FIG.  1    showing the slot where the skate blade can be inserted and has access to the sharpening stone. 
         FIG.  3    is an end view of the apparatus of  FIG.  1    showing the view along the slot where the skate blade would be inserted and how the adjustment thumb screw turns to adjust the width between the two body halves. 
         FIG.  4    is a side view of the apparatus of  FIG.  1    showing the sharpening stone, thumb screws to adjust width, and deburring stone. 
         FIG.  5    is an internal view of the rotating stone, gears, and shaft on which they turn when the tool is taken apart. 
         FIG.  6    is an internal view of one of the two body pieces when the sharpener is taken apart. 
         FIG.  7    is an internal view of the second of the two body pieces when the sharpener is taken apart. 
         FIG.  8    is a side view of the skate sharpener with an ice skate blade inserted into the skate sharpener; 
         FIG.  9    is a partially sectioned end view of an ice skate blade showing the concave curved bottom surface of the blade as created by the invention. 
         FIG.  10    is an end view of the skate sharpener with an ice skate blade inserted into the skate sharpener. 
         FIG.  11    is an exploded assembly view showing how each part fits together. 
         FIG.  12 A  is a side elevational representation of a body half according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  12 B  is a side perspective representation of a spring useful in the apparatus of  FIG.  12 A . 
         FIG.  12 C  is a side perspective representation of a spring useful in the apparatus of  FIG.  12 A . 
     
    
    
     ELEMENT NUMBERING 
     The following is a list of element numbers and at least one noun used to describe that element. It is understood that none of the embodiments disclosed herein are limited to these nouns, and these element numbers can further include other words that would be understood by a person of ordinary skill reading and reviewing this disclosure in its entirety. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
             
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 10 
                 Ice Skate Blade Sharpener 
               
               
                 11 
                 Left Body Half 
               
               
                 12 
                 Right Body Half 
               
               
                 13 
                 Left Body Half Side 
               
               
                 14 
                 Right Body Half Side 
               
               
                 15 
                 Gap or Slot 
               
               
                 19 
                 Slot for Skate Blade to be Inserted Into 
               
               
                 21 
                 Sharpening Stone Bore 
               
               
                 22 
                 Lateral Arch to Access Stone 
               
               
                 23 
                 Far End Top Left Body Flange 
               
               
                 24 
                 Far End Top Right Body Flange 
               
               
                 25 
                 Close End Top Right Body Flange 
               
               
                 26 
                 Close End Top Left Body Flange 
               
               
                 27 
                 Sharpening Stone 
               
               
                 28 
                 Nut for Adjustment Screw 
               
               
                 29 
                 Screw Holding the Body Halves Together 
               
               
                 30 
                 Location for Deburring Stone 
               
               
                 31 
                 Clearance Hole for Screws 
               
               
                 32 
                 Adjustment Thumb Screw Holding the Body Halves Together 
               
               
                 33 
                 Skate Blade to be Sharpened 
               
               
                 34 
                 Concave Portion of the Skate Blade 
               
               
                 35 
                 Fit Screw Hole 
               
               
                 36 
                 Inside Edge of Skate Blade 
               
               
                 37 
                 Outside Edge of Skate Blade 
               
               
                 38 
                 Inside Side Edge of Skate Blade 
               
               
                 39 
                 Outside Side Edge of Skate Blade 
               
               
                 40 
                 Deburring Stone 
               
               
                 41 
                 Rotational Direction of Stone and Gears 
               
               
                 42 
                 Washer 
               
               
                 43 
                 Forward Motion When in Use 
               
               
                 44 
                 Backward Motion When in Use 
               
               
                 46 
                 O-Ring; spring; resilient member; biasing member 
               
               
                 55 
                 Far Rotation Gear Attached to Stone; rotating indexing feature 
               
               
                 56 
                 Close Rotation Gear Attached to Stone; rotating indexing feature 
               
               
                 61 
                 Far Gear Teeth on Body; stationary indexing feature 
               
               
                 62 
                 Close Gear Teeth on Body; stationary indexing feature 
               
               
                 65 
                 Shaft Half Saddle 
               
               
                 66 
                 Shaft 
               
               
                 67 
                 Inner Opposing Mating Surface, Above Shaft 
               
               
                 68 
                 Inner Opposing Mating surface, Below Shaft 
               
               
                 71 
                 Leaf Spring 
               
               
                 72 
                 Coil Spring 
               
               
                 73 
                 Leaf Spring pocket 
               
               
                 74 
                 Coil Spring pocket 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. At least one embodiment of the present invention will be described and shown, and this application may show and/or describe other embodiments of the present invention, and further permits the reasonable and logical inference of still other embodiments as would be understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art. 
     It is understood that any reference to “the invention” is a reference to an embodiment of a family of inventions, with no single embodiment including an apparatus, process, or composition that should be included in all embodiments, unless otherwise stated. Further, although there may be discussion with regards to “advantages” provided by some embodiments of the present invention, it is understood that yet other embodiments may not include those same advantages, or may include yet different advantages. Any advantages described herein are not to be construed as limiting to any of the claims. The usage of words indicating preference, such as “various embodiments” or “preferably,” refers to features and aspects that are present in at least one embodiment, but which are optional for some embodiments, it therefore being understood that use of the word “preferably” implies the term “optional.” 
     This document may use different words to describe the same element number, or to refer to an element number in a specific family of features (NXX.XX). It is understood that such multiple, different words are not intended to provide a redefinition of any language herein. It is understood that such words demonstrate that the particular feature can be considered in various linguistical ways, such ways not necessarily being additive or exclusive. 
     The sharpener in one embodiment preferably has two half bodies composed of right and left side on the longitudinal axis. A half cylindrical hole extends longitudinally through each of the body halves. A cylindrical stone with attached gears and through shaft is placed in the half cylindrical hole of each side of the body halves for sharpening edges of a skate blade. The diameter of the stone is less than the diameter of the cylindrical hole within the bodies so that the stone preferably never touches the body and can be rotated within the cylindrical hole. The stone and gears rotate on the through shaft, this shaft being fixed to one or both of the bodies. However in yet other embodiments, the shaft and stone are integral, such that rotation of the stone also results in rotation of the shaft. The stone preferably has a convex curved outer surface that is complementary to the concave bottom surface of the skate blade. The stone can be removed from the bore by removing the screws that hold the body halves together for replacement or cleaning purposes. An arch within the body halves gives the user a view of the stone and will allow the user to rotate the stone manually, if desired. 
     The body of the sharpener preferably has an elongated slot that extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical hole that houses the stone. This provides access to the outer surface of the stone for the blade to be sharpened. The skate blade is inserted into the slot to position the bottom surface of the blade in engagement with the outer surface of the stone. The slot is an adjustable width by using the thumb screws to match the width of the blade to prevent lateral movement of the skate blade within the slot. The two thumb screws are tightened to decrease the slot width of the tool and to orientate the cylindrical stone directly over the blade. The sharpener is then moved lengthwise along the blade in both longitudinal directions to sharpen the edges of the blade. Flanges guide the blade as the sharpener is moved relative to the blade. The sharpening procedure results in blade edges being sharper. A transverse arch in the halves of the sharpener body exposes the surface of the stone to facilitate the manual rotation within the bore, if desired. The user will use the attached deburring stone on the back of the tool to remove burrs from the skate blade and provide a clean edge. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1  and  12   , the invention is shown as an ice skate blade sharpener indicated generally at  10 . Ice skate blade sharpener  10  is preferably used to make a concave groove  34  and define bottom edges  36  and  37  of an ice skate blade  33 . Ice skate blade sharpener  10  is a handheld device that can be carried in an equipment bag and used at the rink to sharpen blade  33  to the user&#39;s personal preference. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1 ,  2 ,  7 , and  8   , ice skate blade sharpener  10  preferably has a generally rectangular left body half  11  and right body half  12  with a flat bottom surface that curves upward into a pair of upright side walls  13  and  14 . Left body half  11  and right body half  12  have generally flat ends that extend between side walls  13  and  14 . Upper portions of side walls  13  and  14  go to define a top wall with flanges  23  to  26 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  2 ,  3 ,  6 ,  7 ,  10 , and  11   , a skate blade slot  19  extends longitudinally on top wall with flanges  23  to  26  along the length of left body half  11  and right body half  12 . Slot  19  is open to each end of left body half  11  and right body half  12 . As shown in  FIG.  3   , slot  19  width preferably is adjusted by tightening the thumb screws  32  to match the width of blade  33 . The left body half  11  and right body half  12  have a slight gap or slot  15  between them shown in  FIG.  3   . The adjustment thumb screws  32  cause the body halves to toggle along the axis of the shaft  66 , such that the body halves pivot relative to each other about the centerline of shaft  66 . 
     In some embodiments, this ability to pivot the body halves relative to each other is a result of making the inner diameters of the saddle supports  65  slightly less than the outer diameter of the shaft  66 , such that the inner mating faces of the body halves  11  and  12  are unable to fully contact each other when the shaft is inserted and the fasteners tightened, thereby resulting in a gap  15 , as well as a tightly contained shaft. In yet other embodiments, the inner diameters of the saddle support  65  are about the same as the outer diameter of the shaft, but at least one or both of the saddle halves extend in a sector around shaft  66  that is less than 180 degrees, thereby resulting in a gap  15 . In still further embodiments, and referring to  FIGS.  6  and  7   , the above shaft inner mating surface  67  and below shaft inner mating surface  68  define an acute angle between them, such that there is a slight angled gap (as would be seen in  FIG.  3   ) when the body halves are fastened together, and an angled gap  15  would either be above shaft  66  (if thumb screws  32  are first tightened) or below shaft  66  (if fastener  29  is first tightened). 
     In yet other embodiments the ability to pivot the body halves relative to each other is made possible by the placement of the fasteners relative to shaft  66 . Referring to  FIGS.  6  and  7   , it can be seen that a first pair of fastener holes  31   a  are placed on one side of the shaft half saddle  65 , and the other pair of fastener holes  31   b  are placed on the other shaft half saddle  65 . By adjusting the tightening of the fastener  29  relative to thumb screws  32 , a torque can be applied on the body halves, with the body halves pivoting about shaft  66  in response to the relative tightening. In still further embodiments, one or both of the thumb screws  32  or the fasteners  29  can be spring-biased relative to the body pocket in which it is received. In some embodiments, a change in the engaged length of the thumb screw or fastener (i.e., the loaded length of the fastener between the engagement of the threaded portion and the underside of the head) results in an adjustment in the width of skate sharpening slot  19 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  11   , it can be seen that a resilient washer or other biasing member  46  such as an o-ring or spring washer (such as a split ring, Belleville disc, wave disc, curved disc, or the like) is placed between the underside of the fastener head and the receiving counterbore of the body half to provide a spring bias of one of more of the fasteners. The screws  29  and  0  rings or other elastic members or springs that provide back pressure on the body halves  11  and  12  for the adjustment thumb screws  32 . The top of bore  21  is open to slot  19 . Slot  19  can accommodate widths of blades by turning adjustment thumb screws  32  to match the blade width. In yet other embodiments, a biasing element  46  (such as the o-ring or washer described above, and also including coil springs  72  and leaf springs  71 , as examples) can be placed internally between the body halves (such as in a pocket  73  or  74  in one or both halves, referring to  FIGS.  12 A,  12 B, and  12 C ) during assembly, such that the biasing member applies a load along a direction that forces the halves apart. In such embodiments the internal biasing member, if placed on one side of the shaft, will tend to create a gap that can be compressed by tightening of one or more fasteners placed on that same side of the shaft. For example, a biasing member  71  placed in a pocket  73  will exert a force to spread apart the gap  19 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1 ,  2 ,  4 ,  6 , and  7   , left body half  11  and right body half  12  preferably have an access region for visual siting or mechanical manipulation comprising a removed section from the body such, such as a transverse arch or U-shaped access  22  in the top wall that interrupts slot  19 . The bottom of arch  22  intersects the bottom portion of bore  21  adjacent a mid-point of bore  21 . Top wall with flanges  23  to  26  are adjacent to groove  22 . Top wall with flanges  23  to  26  have transversely spaced inner surfaces, generally parallel to the inner surfaces of left body half  11  and right body half  12  that form the upper portion of slot  19 . Top wall with flanges  23  to  26  function to guide skate blade  33  and resist lateral movement of the blade during the sharpening process. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6 ,  7 ,  8 ,  9  and  11   , a generally cylindrical skate sharpening material stone  27  is located in bore  21  of left body half  11  and right body half  12 . Stone  27  has a diameter that is slightly less than the diameter of bore  21 , whereby stone  27  can be rotated on the shaft  66  in bore  21  easily, as shown by arrow  41  of  FIG.  2   . Stone  27  has a convex curved outer surface that is complementary to concave curve  34  on the bottom of skate blade  33 . Stone  27  is incrementally indexed to align an unused sharpening surface with the lower end of slot  19  with each change of longitudinal direction. Stone  27  can preferably be removed from bore  21  for replacement or cleaning purposes. The outer surface of stone  27  can have different convex curves to complement different concave curves on the bottom of other skate blades. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  2 ,  3 ,  5 ,  6 , and  7   , left body half  11  and right body half  12  have a half cylindrical longitudinal bore  21  which is slightly larger than the stone  27 . Left body half  11  and right body half  12  also have a half shaft saddle  65 , which is slightly smaller in diameter than the shaft  66 . In  FIG.  5   , gear teeth  55  and  56  are the same pitch and size to match body halves gear teeth  61  and  62  of  FIGS.  6  and  7   . In  FIG.  5   , stone gear teeth  55  and  56  are one half pitch rotated along the longitudinal axis from each other. In  FIG.  6   , body gear teeth  61  and  62  are aligned with each other. In  FIG.  5   , the shaft  66  is the only item that touches the shaft saddles  65  of  FIGS.  6  and  7   . When the ice skate blade sharpener  10  is in use, the sharpening stone  27  and gears  55  and  56  of  FIG.  5    will shift longitudinally on the shaft  66  causing the gear teeth of  55  to engage with the gear teeth  62  of  FIGS.  6  and  7   , which causes a rotational movement  41  within the sharpener. Moving the sharpener in the opposite direction will cause the stone gear teeth  56  to engage with body gear teeth  61 , which will cause another incremental rotation movement  41  along the longitudinal axis. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  2 ,  6 ,  7 ,  8 ,  9 , and  10   , in use, blade  33  is positioned on a stable surface with concave portion of the blade  34  facing upward. Ice skate blade sharpener  10  is inverted, as shown in  FIG.  8   , and slot  19  is aligned with the longitudinal exterior of blade  33 . Left body half side wall  13  and right body half side wall  14  of left body half  11  and right body half  12 , respectfully, are gripped with the thumb and forefinger of one hand of the user. The other hand is placed on the skate to temporarily fix the position of blade  33 . Ice skate blade sharpener  10  is installed on blade  33  by moving blade  33  into slot  19  and making contact with stone  27 . The width of slot  19  is only slightly larger than the width of blade  33 , whereby sides  38  and  39  of blade  33  are located adjacent to the inner surfaces of left body half  11  and right body half  12  that define slot  19 . The user will tighten the adjustment thumb screws  32  to match the width of the blade  33 . This prevents lateral movement of blade  33  within slot  19  and prevents skewing of blade edges  36  and  37  during the sharpening process. The inner surface of flanges  23  to  26  engage sides  38  and  39 . The operator moves ice skate blade sharpener  10  back and forth lengthwise along blade  33 , as indicated by arrows  43  and  44  in  FIG.  8   , several times using downward pressure. Top wall flanges  23  to  26  function to guide blade  33  longitudinally within slot  19  relative to stone  27 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  3 ,  4 ,  8 ,  9  and  10   , to finish blade  33 , ice skate blade sharpener  10  is removed from blade  33 . The deburring stone  40  is laid flat against the side  39  and moved along blade  33  to remove the metal burr created by the previous methods on the edge  37 . Next, the user will lay the deburring stone  40  on the other side  38  of the blade  33  and move along the blade to remove the metal burr. User then will wipe down the blade  33  with a cloth. 
     Various aspects of different embodiments of the present invention re expressed in paragraphs Z1, Z2, Z3, Z4, and Z5 as follows: 
     Z1. One aspect of the present invention pertains to an apparatus for sharpening a blade of a skate. The apparatus preferably includes a cylindrical sharpening stone having a surface. The apparatus preferably includes a housing including at least two separable bodies, at least one of the bodies rotatably supporting the sharpening stone; the bodies capable of being coupled to each other and forming a slot of adjustable width therebetween, the slot exposing a surface of the sharpening stone for abrading contact with the blade. The apparatus preferably includes a biasing member configured for applying a biasing force to act on at least one of the bodies when coupled together. The apparatus preferably includes a fastener for coupling the bodies together, wherein changing the engaged length of the fastener compresses the biasing member and adjusts the width of the slot. 
     Z2. Another aspect of the present invention pertains to an apparatus for sharpening a blade of a skate. The apparatus preferably includes a cylindrical sharpening stone having a surface and rotatably supported on a shaft having two ends and an axis. The apparatus preferably includes a housing including at least two separable bodies, the bodies capable of being coupled to each other to clamp the ends of the shaft therebetween and forming an axially oriented slot of adjustable width therebetween, the slot exposing a surface of the cylindrical surface of the sharpening stone. The apparatus preferably includes a first threaded fastener for threadably engaging at least one of the bodies and coupling the bodies together, the first fastener being located on one side of the axis. The apparatus preferably includes a second threaded fastener for threadably engaging at least one of the bodies and coupling the bodies together, the first fastener being located on one side of the axis; wherein the bodies are configured to permit pivoting relative to one another about the axis in relation to the threaded engagement of the first fastener relative to the threaded engagement of the second fastener and the pivoting acts to adjust the width of the slot. 
     Z3. Yet another aspect of the present invention pertains to an apparatus for sharpening a blade of a skate. The apparatus preferably includes a cylindrical sharpening stone having a surface and rotatably supported on a stationary shaft having two ends and an axis, the sharpening stone being translatable along the shaft and having two ends, one end of the sharpening stone including a first indexing feature. The apparatus preferably includes a housing including at least two separable bodies, the bodies capable of being coupled to each other to statically clamp the ends of the shaft therebetween and forming an axially oriented slot therebetween, the slot exposing a surface of the cylindrical surface of the sharpening stone, at least one of the bodies including a second indexing feature slidably engageable with the first indexing feature; wherein the first indexing feature and the second indexing feature are configured such that the sliding engagement of the first indexing feature with the second indexing feature causes the sharpening stone to rotate about the stationary shaft. 
     Z4. Still another aspect of the present invention pertains to an apparatus for sharpening a blade of a skate. The apparatus preferably includes a cylindrical sharpening stone having a surface and rotatably supported on a shaft having two ends and an axis. The apparatus preferably includes a housing including at least two separable bodies, the bodies capable of being coupled to each other to clamp the ends of the shaft therebetween and forming an axially oriented slot of adjustable width therebetween, the slot exposing a surface of the cylindrical surface of the sharpening stone. The apparatus preferably includes a threaded fastener for threadably engaging at least one of the bodies and coupling the bodies together, the fastener being located on one side of the axis. The apparatus preferably includes a biasing member configured for applying a biasing force to act on at least one of the bodies when coupled together, the biasing force acting on the at least one the body on the one side of the axis; wherein the bodies are coupled together to permit pivoting relative to one another about the axis in relation to the threaded engagement of the fastener 
     Z5 Yet another aspect of the present invention pertains to an apparatus for sharpening a blade of a skate. The apparatus preferably includes a cylindrical sharpening stone having a surface and rotatably supported on a shaft having two ends and an axis. The apparatus preferably includes a housing including at least two separable bodies, the bodies capable of being coupled to each other to clamp the ends of the shaft therebetween and forming an axially oriented slot of adjustable width therebetween, the slot exposing a surface of the cylindrical surface of the sharpening stone. The apparatus preferably includes a threaded fastener for threadably engaging at least one of the bodies and coupling the bodies together, the fastener being located on one side of the axis. The apparatus preferably includes a biasing member configured for applying a biasing force to act between the bodies when coupled together, the biasing force acting on the at least one the body on the other side of the axis; wherein the bodies are coupled together to permit pivoting relative to one another about the axis in relation to the threaded engagement of the fastener. 
     Yet other embodiments pertain to any of the previous statements Z1, Z2, Z3, Z4, and Z5, which are combined with one or more of the following other aspects. It is also understood that any of the aforementioned Z paragraphs include listings of individual features that can be combined with individual features of other Z paragraphs. 
     Wherein the biasing member comprises an elastomeric material compressible against one the body by tightening of the fastener. 
     Wherein the biasing member is configured and located to apply a force to urge the bodies together. 
     Wherein the biasing member is configured and located to apply a force to urge the bodies apart. 
     Wherein the biasing member is a washer configured to be elastically compressible by the fastener. 
     Wherein the biasing member is placed between the bodies and urges the bodies apart. 
     Wherein the biasing member is a spring. 
     Wherein the sharpening stone is cylindrical along an axis, the housing defines a cylindrical bore for containing the sharpening stone, and the sharpening stone is axially translatable within the bore. 
     Wherein the housing has two ends, and which further comprises a stationary shaft having two ends, with each shaft end affixed to a corresponding one of the housing ends, the shaft rotatably supporting the sharpening stone. 
     Wherein the housing has two ends, and which further comprises a stationary shaft having two ends along an axis, with each shaft end affixed to a corresponding one of the housing ends, the sharpening stone being axially translatable within the housing along the shaft. 
     Wherein each of the bodies having opposing mating surfaces configured to permit the bodies to pivot relative to one another about the axis when coupled together. 
     Wherein the mating surface of at least one the body are non-parallel to the corresponding mating surface of the other the body. 
     Wherein the opposing mating surfaces are configured to not completely enclose the outer cylindrical surface of the shaft, such that the clamping of the shaft results in a gap between the coupled bodies. 
     Which further comprises a biasing member configured for applying a biasing force to act on at least one of the bodies when coupled together. 
     Wherein the biasing member is configured to apply a force to urge the bodies together. 
     Wherein the biasing member is configured to apply a force to urge the bodies apart. 
     Wherein the sharpening stone being translatable along the shaft. 
     Wherein the housing is configured to be handheld, and both ends of the shaft are contained within the housing. 
     Which further comprises means for adjusting width of the axially oriented slot. 
     While the inventions have been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only certain embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.