Patent ID: 7959494

Claim:
Apparatus for use in connection with a sharpening surface for sharpening a blade having a cutting edge and a cutting face with a length extending along the cutting edge and establishing a cutting angle at the cutting edge, the cutting angle changing progressively along the length of the cutting face through a predetermined angular measure, the apparatus comprising: an articulated arm assembly; a securing assembly including a clamping arrangement for selectively securing the blade within the securing assembly; and a coupling arrangement coupling the securing assembly with the articulated arm assembly such that upon placement of the articulated arm assembly so as to locate the securing assembly in juxtaposition with the sharpening surface, the securing assembly will be placed at a sharpening angle relative to the sharpening surface and will be movable along a sharpening path of travel extending in a longitudinal direction across the sharpening surface; the coupling arrangement including a drive mechanism for rotating the securing assembly about the longitudinal direction in response to movement of the securing assembly along the sharpening path of travel to change the sharpening angle progressively through a sharpening angular displacement corresponding to the predetermined angular measure of the change in the cutting angle as the securing assembly is moved along the sharpening path of travel with the blade drawn across the sharpening surface; the drive mechanism including a cam journaled for rotation relative to the securing assembly in response to movement of the securing assembly along the sharpening path of travel, and a follower engaging the cam and coupled with the securing assembly for rotation of the securing assembly about the longitudinal direction in response to rotation of the cam.