Patent ID: 8784162

Claim:
A sharpening apparatus comprising: an endless abrasive belt advanced along a belt path; a roller positioned along the belt path; and a tensioner assembly which applies a biasing force to the roller to maintain a selected tension in the belt and to facilitate translational displacement of the roller during deflection of the belt as a tool is presented against the belt to sharpen a cutting edge thereof as the belt advances along the belt path, wherein the tensioner assembly comprises: a base member; a shaft moveable with respect to the base member and having an outer surface into which extends an L-shaped groove with an elongated portion and an offset portion, the shaft having opposing proximal and distal ends, the distal end supporting the roller; a biasing member disposed between the shaft and the base member to apply said biasing force to the roller; and a guide member secured in a stationary position with respect to the base member and extending into the groove, wherein in an extended position the guide member slidingly advances along the elongated portion of the L-shaped groove relative to the shaft to facilitate said translational displacement of the roller during said deflection of the belt, and wherein the roller is moved to a locked retracted position to facilitate replacement of the belt by sliding movement of the guide member relative to the shaft and angular rotation of the shaft to place the guide member within the offset portion.