Abstract:
The present invention comprises a tuning device for providing a desired operative edge of a tool or any item wherein a certain operative edge surface is desired. Whether for a new snowboard or ski, or for situations where these items no longer possess the operative edge surface desired, the present invention restores or creates a desired edge quickly with minimal effort. The present invention may include a base, a motor with attached tuning bit and at least one magnetic member designed to achieve a desired distance between the tuning bit and the tool or item being sharpened. By means of the attractive forces created by the magnetic member, the device of the present invention may travel in the same axial direction as that achieved by the rotation of the tuning bit. Although it is preferable for an operator to maintain control of the device at all times during operation, the magnetic forces utilized would ostensibly allow for substantially hands-free operation of the device as desired.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/766,409. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates generally to the field of edge tuning devices and more particularly to an automatic edge tuner. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Many of today&#39;s common tools and equipment include operative edges. Not surprisingly, these edges are used and operated in ways that cause them to degrade over time or with use. It is often the case that the best performance of the aforementioned tools and equipment can only be achieved by providing the most optimum operative edge possible. Therefore, operators will often alter the operative edges, or portions thereof, such that a desired surface of the operative edge is obtained. This procedure is sometimes referred to as “sharpening” or “tuning” the edge. Sharpening does not always imply that the edge is “sharp” in the sense of a cutting tool, but may simply mean that an operative edge has been altered to a desired surface state. 
         [0006]    An example of a tool designed to alter the operative edge of a ski or snowboard can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,702,656 to Hibbert. This patent discloses a device that is portable and is designed to sharpen the edges and bottom of a ski or snowboard. The device includes a handheld motor used in conjunction with a base. The motor may be attached to the base via bolts or similar means. 
         [0007]    The prior art therefore illustrates that a motor may be attached to a base to sharpen the edges of skis and snowboards. Although the above referenced invention may be suitable for its particular desired results, it lacks certain benefits provided by the present invention. 
         [0008]    Prior art devices used for tuning, sharpening, grinding and the like typically employed a grinding means that comprises a circular bit rotating about an axis in conjunction with a motor. The prior art devices then would be pushed axially in a direction opposite to the rotation of the circular bit. As a result of the frictional forces produced, a certain amount of force had to be employed to maintain contact between the bit and the operative edge of the tool being sharpened. This manner of tuning or sharpening almost invariably results in inconsistencies with regard to the degree of tuning that would take place. 
         [0009]    Therefore, what is required is a device for altering the operative edge of tools and equipment that is easy to use, yet provides consistency in the resulting operative edge. 
         [0010]    What is further required is a device for altering the operative edge of tools and equipment that may be operated “hands-free” by the operator. 
         [0011]    What is also required is a device for altering the operative edge of tools and equipment that is consistent and provides a repeatability of results that is desired by operators. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a device for altering the operative edge of tools and equipment, as well as a device that removes the inconsistencies caused by an operator. 
         [0013]    In operation, the device of the present invention may be placed alongside the operative edge of a tool that an operator wishes to tune or sharpen. The device may be held in place with a hand of the operator, but this is not entirely necessary in a preferred embodiment. A preferred embodiment of the present invention includes at least one magnetic member located within the base. The magnetic member is located within the base such that when the device of the present invention is applied to the operative edge of the tool to be sharpened, a magnetic force occurs strong enough to hold the device at an appropriate distance from the tool, as well as at a predetermined, desired frictional level. This in turn allows the device to provide a consistent tuning result that prevents operator error. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description, appended claims and accompanying drawings where: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is perspective view of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  illustrates a top view of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a rear view of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the present invention with motor in place. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a top view of the present invention in place upon a tool. 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a sectional view of the present invention viewed from the side. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0022]      FIG. 1  represents a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention  1 . The top side of base  2  can be seen including first magnetic member  4 . First magnetic member  4  may be removably attached to base  2  by means of a threaded portion of magnetic member  4 , or magnetic member  4  may be permanently attached. Guide member  5  is also depicted in a preferred embodiment, substantially opposite to magnetic member  4 . Located substantially between magnetic member  4  and guide member  5  is motor aperture  6 , which may also be threaded for attachment of a motor. It will be seen that guide member  5  preferably includes portions that extend through base  2 . Guide member  5  may comprise a top portion that includes a guide magnetic member  7 , and a bottom portion that comprises a guide bearing member  8 . A portion of base  2  may also be substantially transparent such that an operative edge of a tool may be viewed. 
         [0023]    In order for the device of the present invention to work properly a certain amount of force must be present between a tuning bit that is attached to the motor and the tool being sharpened or tuned. This is termed tuning force. The exact amount of tuning force necessary may vary depending upon the finished state of the operative edge surface of the tool or item being sharpened. Within this application the terms “tool,” “tool to be sharpened,” “tool being sharpened” or “item being sharpened” or similar phrases all refer to whatever piece of equipment an operator desires to employ the device of the present invention upon. Examples of such tools may include snow boards, skis, or any article that includes an edge. Edges may be substantially straight or may include various bevels, angles and the like. 
         [0024]    In addition to the tuning force the device of the present invention also comprises at least one magnetic force in a preferred embodiment. Although the magnetic force may have other applications, the primary purpose of the magnetic force is to provide appropriate placement of the device, and in turn the motor and tuning bit, relative to the tool being sharpened and its operative edge. The modifier “operative” when used in conjunction with “edge” merely refers to the idea that the edge will generally be used to achieve some sort of intended result, but this need not always be the case. 
         [0025]    The device of the present invention may accomplish the appropriate magnetic force due in at least part to the location of the magnetic member  4  within the device relative to the operative edge of the tool being sharpened. “Magnetic member” is intended to include magnets and any type of material that is capable of being magnetized or affected by magnetic forces. Additional magnetic members may be utilized in conjunction with guide member  5 . 
         [0026]      FIG. 5  illustrates a side view of the present invention in place along a tool  12 . In a preferred embodiment, the magnetic member  4  may be located such that the magnetic force created between the tool and the magnetic member is sufficiently strong so as to provide a desired attractive force between the magnetic member  4  and the tool. Because the magnetic member  4  is attached, perhaps removably, within the base of the prevent invention the device maintains its desired location relative to the operative edge of the tool being sharpened. 
         [0027]    As mentioned, a preferred embodiment includes a substantially circular tuning bit rotating by means of a motor. The device may pass along the operative edge of the tool in the same direction as the rotation of the tuning bit. Without the attractive force provided by the magnetic member, the entire assembly would quickly pass along the operative edge of the tool without applying the appropriate amount of tuning force necessary to achieve a desired operative edge surface. However, with proper placement of the magnetic member  4  an appropriate tuning force will result. 
         [0028]    It will be clear to those skilled in the art that an appropriate amount of magnetic force, and in turn tuning force, may be achieved in a number of ways and not depart from the spirit or scope of the present invention. In one preferred embodiment factors such as size of the magnetic member; location of the magnetic member within the base of the present invention; location of the magnetic member relative to the operative edge of the device; and others are contemplated. Additionally, all, some, or none of these factors may be varied to achieve a desired magnetic force. In one embodiment all of these factors are kept constant with the exception of the vertical distance between the magnetic member and that portion of the tool between which the magnetic force is achieved. This may be accomplished by raising or lowering the magnetic member within the base of the device. Such vertical deviations may be achieved where the magnetic member comprises a threaded relationship with its aperture. Therefore, simply turning the magnetic member in one direction or another will have the effect of raising or lowering the magnetic member, thereby increasing or decreasing its distance from the tool; with the ultimate result of altering the magnetic force. 
         [0029]    It is noteworthy that the present invention also contemplates the rare situation wherein the tool being sharpened has no material that may participate in the creation of a magnetic or other attractive force. In this instance that tool may be placed within a frame or similar device that is substantially fixed relative to the tool, and is capable of creating the attractive forces that were lacking. 
         [0030]    A preferred embodiment of the present invention also contemplates the use of a guide member  5 . The guide member  5  may take the form of a variety of structural shapes and compositions. It may comprise a surface designed to decrease friction, such as TEFLON® and may also include a guide magnetic member. In a preferred embodiment guide member  5  is substantially circular. Additionally, in a preferred embodiment the guide member  5  is substantially fixed in an axial direction, yet allows for rotational movement. An example of such a specific embodiment would include a guide member  5  that comprises a ball bearing member, wherein guide member  5  extends downwardly from the operative side of the base of the device. Such a guide member  5  would provide additional stability for the device relative to the tool, yet still allow for uninhibited movement along the tool. 
         [0031]    In another preferred embodiment the guide member  5  of the present invention may also be magnetized or comprise a magnetic member. This may be accomplished by means of a guide member magnet, or by magnetizing the guide member  5  itself. In this embodiment the magnetic force will act to further stabilize the device relative to the tool being sharpened. 
         [0032]    As a result of the various magnetic forces created by the device and/or the tool being sharpened, the operator could employ the device in a substantially hands-free manner. This is because the magnetic forces are the only forces necessary to achieve the desired distance between the tuning bit and the operative edge of the tool being sharpened. After the tuning process has begun, any involvement by the operator may be limited to guiding the device along the tool, thereby eliminating any risk that any undesirable force is applied to the operative edge of the tool. 
         [0033]    The operative side of the base of the present invention may also include portions that lend themselves to further ease of movement of the device along the tool in a preferred embodiment. These portions may be termed friction reduction areas, and are designated as friction reduction areas  9  in  FIG. 5 . The friction reduction areas  9  may take the form of additions to the base, or may be integral to the base itself. By way of example and not limitation, the friction reduction areas may be made of or coated with material sold under the trademark TEFLON®. 
         [0034]    The base  2  of the present invention is designed to be ergonomically efficient for the operator, and functionally superior in performance. The base  2  also comprises a base length in a preferred embodiment that provides additional stability as a result of its location and weight relative to a motor  10 . In a preferred embodiment the base comprises a substantially transparent central region  15 , through which an operator may view the tuning as it takes place without risking injury. Also, the base  2  may be sloped such that it naturally fits the curvature of the hand and fingers of the operator. Adjustments to portions located within and/or on the base are accomplished easily via knurled portions, allen or star wrench adjustment screws and the like. 
         [0035]    In another embodiment, the operative side of the base may include the attachment of a shield  16 , which can be seen in  FIG. 4 . The shield  4  may be magnetized, or not, and it may assist in providing safety to the operator by acting as a guard against any particles from the tool or the device itself that may become projected off of either. 
         [0036]      FIG. 7  illustrates a sectional view of the present invention viewed from the side. In a preferred embodiment the motor  10  and attached tuning bit  11  may also be adjusted. In one embodiment the motor and attached tuning bit may be raised or lowered vertically in relation to the base of the present invention. This may be accomplished where a portion of the motor is threaded within the base. Rotation therefore will raise or lower the motor  10  and attached tuning bit  11  accordingly. The motor  10  may also be substantially permanently affixed within base  2 . 
         [0037]    In another embodiment the angle formed between a line passing through the center of the tuning bit  11  relative to a plane horizontal to the base  2  (termed “motor angle”) may be adjusted. The motor angle may be increased or decreased by tilting the motor or a portion thereof relative to the base. This angular adjustment may be accomplished by fixing (removably or substantially permanently) a portion of the motor  10  and/or attached tuning bit to a swivel plate  13  that forms part of the base  2 , or is located substantially within the base  2 . With the motor  10  fixed within the swivel plate  13 , raising or lowering the swivel plate  13  may result in a decrease or increase in the motor angle. A decrease in the motor angle to less than ninety degrees may result in an operative edge that includes what may be called a beveled portion. An increase in motor angle beyond ninety degrees may result in a motor angle that is beveled in the opposite direction. Any combination of angle and or height adjustments may be employed to achieve a desired operative edge surface. Such adjustments may be preset, or conducted by the operator as desired. 
         [0038]    Additionally, in a preferred embodiment, the motor angle may be adjusted by means of an angle adjustment device  3 , such as a set allen screw, hex screw, star shaped screw, or the like. Also, the screw may be designed such that a desired degree of rotation accomplishes a previously determined angular adjustment. A knob or other such turning device may be employed in conjunction with the angle adjustment device  3  such that the operator may adjust the angle by hand in lieu of using a tool such as an allen wrench. Where adjustment is not desired, the angle may be preset and substantially fixed. 
         [0039]    Although the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variations and modifications can be substituted therefore without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention.