The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 25, 2006
Filed:
Apr. 11, 2005
Gary Varney, Medford, OR (US);
Dennis Sobolik, Ashland, OR (US);
Will Hilligoss, Ashland, OR (US);
Jim Wiltrout, Medford, OR (US);
John Griffin, Ashland, OR (US);
Jennifer Hanson, Ashland, OR (US);
Gary Varney, Medford, OR (US);
Dennis Sobolik, Ashland, OR (US);
Will Hilligoss, Ashland, OR (US);
Jim Wiltrout, Medford, OR (US);
John Griffin, Ashland, OR (US);
Jennifer Hanson, Ashland, OR (US);
Professional Tool Manufacturing, LLC, Ashland, OR (US);
Abstract
Method and apparatus for sharpening a tool, such as a drill bit. A tool sharpener includes a tool holder subassembly which retains and presents the tool against a grinding wheel subassembly. A sensor locates a cutting edge of the tool while the tool is retained by the tool holder. A circuit, preferably comprising a programmable processor, determines a web thickness of the tool from the located cutting edge. The cutting edge is preferably located by detecting at least first and second points at different radii along the cutting edge. A cross-feed subassembly preferably moves the sensor into position, and the tool holder subassembly preferably rotates the tool to facilitate detection of each of the at least first and second points. The tool holder subassembly thereafter presents the tool against the grinding wheel subassembly in response to the determined web thickness of the tool.