Machine for sharpening disc blades

Claim 2

A machine for sharpening disc blades comprising: a frame; grinder means operatively associated with said frame; said grinder means having a grinding surface disposable in a generally horizontal grinding plane and rotatable about an axis, said grinder surface having a configuration sufficient to grind the edges of a disc blade; mandril means operatively associated with said frame and said grinder means, said mandril means includes a mandril housing with a mandril rotatable therein about an axis, said mandril having a proximal end disposed adjacent said frame and a distal end disposed adjacent said grinding plane, and disc blade mounting means on the distal end of said mandril disposed to releasably mount a disc blade for engagement by said grinder means; grinder mounting means mounting said grinder means in said frame for linear movement in alignment with said grinding surface axis and for pivotal movement to swing said grinder means between a work position with said grinding surface in said grinding plane and a rest position with said grinding surface remote from said grinding plane; and mandril mounting means mounting said mandril means in said frame with the axis of said mandril means disposed to form an acute angle with said grinding plane, said mandril mounting means having arc adjustment means operable to pivot said mandril means about a pivot point disposed along the axis thereof to vary said acute angle between said grinding plane and said mandril axis, and axial adjustment means operable to vary the position of said pivot point along said mandril axis, said mandril mount-means including a pivotal mounting mounted on said mandril housing adjacent the proximal end of said mandril and supported in said frame, said pivotal mounting being movable axially with respect to said mandril housing in alignment with said mandril axis and being movable with respect to said frame to vary the distance between said point of support in said frame and said grinding plane.

Claim 3

A machine for sharpening disc blades as described in claim 1, in which: said mandril mounting means further includes a trunnioned collar releasably clamped to said mandril housing adjacent said proximal end and axially movable on said housIng for adjustment of said point of clamping, trunnion bearings on the trunnions of said collar, bearing housings operatively associated with said trunnion bearings and releasably attachable to said frame, elongated slots in said frame disposed to receive said trunnions and permit movement of said trunnions in said slots upon release of said attachment of said bearing housings, all operatively associated to pivotally mount the proximal end of said mandril to said frame.

Claim 4

A machine for sharpening disc blades as described in claim 1, in which: said mandril means includes a mandril having a proximal end mounted to said frame and a distal end disposed adjacent said grinding surface with disc blade clamp means thereon, said disc blade clamp means having a lock shaft interconnected with said mandril with a proximal end adjacent the proximal end of said mandril and a distal end adjacent the distal end of said mandril and disposed for reciprocating axial movement with respect to said mandril from an extended position with said distal end of said lock shaft extended outwardly from the distal end of said mandril to a retracted position with the distal end of said lock shaft substantially coextensive with the distal end of said mandril, and having a disc blade mounting plate on the distal end of said mandril, and further includes a lock plate releasably attachable to the distal end of said lock shaft to engage and clamp said disc blade against said disc blade mounting plate when said lock shaft is in its retracted position, and further includes drive means operatively associated with said mandril and said lock shaft and disposed to reciprocate said lock shaft as aforesaid.

Claim 5

A machine for sharpening disc blades as described in claim 1, in which: said mandril means includes a mandril having a proximal end and a distal end, a housing, a hollow drive shaft rotatably mounted in said housing, a disc blade mounting plate attached to the distal end of said drive shaft, a lock shaft disposed in the bore of said drive shaft and reciprocally movable with respect thereto from an extended position with the distal end of said lock shaft projecting outwardly beyond the distal end of said drive shaft to a retracted position with the distal end of said lock shaft substantially coextensive with the distal end of said drive shaft, a clamp plate releasably interlocked with the distal end of said lock shaft and disposed to engage a disc blade about its center opening and clamp said disc blade to said disc blade mounting plate when said lock shaft is reciprocated to its retracted position, lock shaft drive means operatively associated with said drive shaft and mandril housing and actuable to reciprocally drive said lock shaft between said extended and retracted positions, and drive shaft drive means operatively associated with said mandril housing and said drive shaft and disposed to rotate said drive shaft and a disc blade mounted thereon; and said axial adjustment means of said mandril mounting means includes a trunnioned collar releasably clamped to said mandril housing adjacent said proximal end and axially movable on said housing for adjustment of said point of clamping, trunnion bearings on the trunnions of said collar, bearing housings operatively associated with said trunnion bearings and releasably attachable to said frame, elongated slots in said frame disposed to receive said trunnions and permit movement of said trunnions in said slots upon release of said attachment of said bearing housings, all operatively associated to pivotally mount the proximal end of said mandril to said frame; and said arc adjustment means of said mandril mounting means further includes a mandril slot operatively associated with the distal end of said mandril including a mandril slot operatively associated with said mandril housing and disposed substantially parallel to the axis of said mandril, a slot operatively associated with said frame and disposed substantially parallel to an arcuAte path described by the distal end of said mandril upon pivotal movement about said point of pivot mounting of said mandril, and lock bolt means disposed in said mandril slot and frame slot and releasably lockable to secure said distal end of said mandril to said frame at a predetermined position along said arcuate path.

Claim 6

A machine for sharpening disc blades as described in claim 4, in which: said grinder means includes a grinder means mounting arm interconnected with said frame and pivotally movable with respect thereto to move said grinding surface from said grinding plane position juxtaposed the peripheral edge of a disc blade mounted on said mandril to a shut down position with said grinding surface removed from juxtaposition with said disc blade peripheral edge, a grinder means mounting plate movably mounted on said grinder means mounting arm for adjustment of the proximity of said grinding surface to said disc blade peripheral edge, and feed control means operatively associated with said grinder means mounting arm and said frame and disposed to control the rate of pivotal movement of said arm with respect to said frame when said grinding surface is juxtaposed said disc blade peripheral edge.

Claim 7

A machine for sharpening disc blades as described in claim 1, which further includes: a liquid reservoir disposed to submerge a disc blade mounted on the distal end of said mandril.

Claim 8

A machine for sharpening disc blades as described in claim 1, in which: said grinder mounting means includes feed means disposed to move said grinder means against the periphery of a disc blade mounted on said mandril means at a controlled rate.

Claim 9

A machine for sharpening disc blades as described in claim 6, in which: said liquid reservoir includes a liquid tank operatively associated with said frame and disposed to receive a disc blade mounted on said mandril means, and liquid supply means interconnected with said liquid tank and disposed to supply liquid thereto to a level sufficient to submerge substantially all of said disc blade.

Claim 10

A machine for sharpening disc blades as described in claim 6, in which: said liquid reservoir includes a liquid tank operatively associated with said frame and disposed to receive a disc blade mounted on said mandril means with a portion of said mandril means projecting through a wall of said liquid tank and movable with respect to said wall, a liquid seal interconnected between said wall and said mandril means, liquid supply means interconnected with said liquid tank and disposed to supply liquid to said liquid tank to a level sufficient to submerge substantially all of said disc blade, level control means operatively associated with said liquid tank and said liquid supply means and disposed to regulate the level of liquid in said liquid tank, and an auxiliary liquid conduit operatively associated with said liquid supply means and said liquid tank and disposed to supply a stream of liquid to the point of contact between said grinding surface and said disc blade peripheral edge.

Claim 11

A machine for sharpening disc blades as described in claim 1, in which: said grinder means includes grinder drive means, a grinder chuck drivingly interconnected with said grinder drive means and having a circular cavity and releasable clamping means and a circular grinding stone secured in said chuck cavity by said releasable clamping means with an exposed planar grinding surface.

Claim 12

A machine for sharpening disc blades as described in claim 10, in which: said grinder chuck releasable clamping means includes an annular face surface surrounding said cavity and disposed substantially normal to the walls of said cavity, and a beveled surface interposed between said cavity walls of said face surface and extending axially and radially inwardly, a retainer ring juxtaposed the face surface of said cavity with a beveled surface on its inner face extending axially inwardly and radially outwardly, said retainer ring havIng adjustable securing means disposed to tighten and loosen said retainer ring against said chuck face surface, and a split ring disposed about the periphery of said cavity and having an inner face disposed to engage said grinding stone and a wedge on its outer face having tapered surfaces disposed for engagement by said beveled surfaces on said chuck and retainer ring to force said split ring radially inwardly against the periphery of said grinding stone upon tightening of said retainer ring against said chuck face surface.

Claim 13

A machine for sharpening disc blades as described in claim 5, in which: said grinder means includes grinder drive means, a grinder chuck drivingly interconnected with said grinder drive means and having a circular cavity and releasable clamping means and a circular grinding stone secured in said chuck cavity by said releasable clamping means with an exposed planar grinding surface.

Claim 14

A machine for sharpening disc blades comprising: a frame; grinder means operatively associated with said frame and having a grinding surface disposable in a generally horizontal grinding plane; grinder mounting means interconnected with said frame and said grinder means and disposed to movably mount said grinder means on said frame; a mandril operatively associated with said frame and said grinder means and axially disposed in acute angular relationship with said grinding plane, said mandril having an upper end disposed adjacent said grinder means and a lower end disposed below said upper end and juxtaposed said frame, said mandril having a disc blade mounting means disposed to mount a disc blade on the upper end thereof; mandril mounting means interconnected with said frame and said mandril and having a pivotal mounting adjacent the lower end of said mandril and disposed to permit arcuate movement of the upper end of said mandril to change the angular relationship between said mandril and said grinding surface, and said pivotal mounting being axially movable with respect to said mandril to change the radius of said arcuate movement; and a liquid containing tank operatively associated with said frame, mandril and grinding surface, and disposed about the upper end of said mandril for submersion of substantially all of a disc blade mounted on said mandril.

Claim 15

A machine for sharpening disc blades comprising: a frame; grinder means operatively associated with said frame and having a grinding surface disposable in a generally horizontal grinding plane; grinder mounting means interconnected with said frame and said grinder means and disposed to movably mount said grinder means on said frame; a mandril operatively associated with said frame and said grinder means and axially disposed in acute angular relationship with said grinding plane, said mandril having an upper end disposed adjacent said grinder means and a lower end disposed below said upper end and juxtaposed said frame, said mandril having a disc blade mounting means disposed to mount a disc blade on the upper end thereof; mandril mounting means interconnected with said frame and said mandril and having a pivotal mounting adjacent the lower end of said mandril and disposed to permit arcuate movement of the upper end of said mandril to change the angular relationship between said mandril and said grinding surface, and said pivotal mounting being axially movable with respect to said mandril to change the radius of said arcuate movement; and a liquid containing tank operatively associated with said frame, mandril and grinding surface, and disposed about the upper end of said mandril for submersion of substantially all of a disc blade mounted on said mandril.

Claim 16

A machine for sharpening disc blades as described in claim 13, in which: said grinder means includes a drive motor having a drive shaft interconnected therewith, and a grinding wheel mounted on said shaft and having a grinding stone and a chuck disposed to releasably mount said grinding stone; and said grinder mounting means includes feed control means having a hydraulic ram interposed between said grinder means and said frame and interconnected with variable valve means disposed to regulate the speed of travel of said ram.

Claim 17

A machine for sharpening disc blades as described in claim 13, in which: said mandril includes a housing and a hollow drive shaft rotatably mounted in said housing, and said disc blade mounting means includes a disc blade mounting plate affixed to the upper end of said drive shaft inside said tank, a lock shaft disposed in the bore of said hollow drive shaft, lock shaft drive means interconnected with said mandril housing and said lock shaft and actuatable to axially reciprocate said lock shaft from an extended position with the upper end of said lock shaft projecting upwardly beyond said disc blade mounting plate to a retracted position with the upper end of said lock shaft substantially co-extensive with said disc blade mounting plate, and a clamping plate releasably engagable with the upper end of said lock shaft when said lock shaft is in its extended position and disposed to engage a disc blade about its center opening and clamp said disc blade to said disc blade mounting plate when said lock shaft is reciprocated to its retracted position.

Claim 18

A machine for sharpening disc blades as described in claim 13 iN which: said pivotal mounting of said mandril mounting means is pivotal for arcuate movement of said distal end of said mandril with respect to said proximal end, and being releasably secured to said mandril for axial adjustment with respect thereto to vary the distance between said pivotal mounting and said mandril distal end, and being adjustably mounted to said frame for movement of said point of mounting toward and away from said grinder means.

Claim 19

A machine for sharpening disc blades as described in claim 13 in which: said liquid containing tank includes a liquid seal interconnected between said wall and said mandril, liquid supply means interconnected with said liquid tank and disposed to supply liquid to said liquid tank to a level sufficient to submerge substantially all of said disc blade, level control means operatively associated with said liquid tank and said liquid supply means and disposed to regulate the level of liquid in said liquid tank, and an auxiliary liquid conduit operatively associated with said liquid supply means and said liquid tank and disposed to supply a stream of liquid to the point of contact between said grinding surface and said disc blade peripheral edge.

Claim 20

A machine for sharpening disc blades as described in claim 13, in which: said grinder mounting means includes a grinder means mounting arm interconnected with said frame and pivotally movable with respect thereto to move said grinding surface from a grinding position juxtaposed the peripheral edge of a disc blade mounted on said mandril to a shut down position with said grinding surface removed from juxtaposition with said disc blade peripheral edge, a grinder means mounting plate movably mounted on said grinder means mounting arm for adjustment of the proximity of said grinding surface to said disc blade peripheral edge, and feed control means operatively associated with said grinder means mounting arm and said frame and disposed to control the rate of pivotal movement of said arm with respect to said frame when said grinding surface is juxtaposed said disc blade peripheral edge; and said mandril mounting means includes said pivotal mounting being pivotal for arcuate movement of said distal end of said mandril with respect to said proximal end, and being releasably secured to said mandril for axial adjustment with respect thereto to vary the distance between said pivotal mounting and said mandril distal end, and being adjustably mounted to said frame for movement of said point of mounting toward and away from said grinder means.

Claim 21

A machine for sharpening disc blades as described in claim 13, in which: said mandril mounting means includes a trunnioned collar releasably clamped to said mandril housing adjacent said proximal end and axially movable on said housing for adjustment of said point of clamping, trunnion bearings on the trunnions of said collar, bearing housings operatively associated with said trunnion bearings and releasably attachable to said frame, elongated slots in said frame disposed to receive said trunnions and permit movement of said trunnions in said slots upon release of said attachment of said bearing housings, all operatively associated to pivotally mount the proximal end of said mandril to said frame; and said mandril mounting means further includes arc positioning means operatively associated with the distal end of said mandril including a mandril slot operatively associated with the distal end of said mandril including a mandril slot operatively associated with said mandril housing and disposed substantially parallel to the axis of said mandril, a slot operatively associated with said frame and disposed substantially parallel to an arcuate path described by the distal end of said mandril upon pivotal movement about said point of pivot mounting of said mandril, and lock bolt means disposed in said mandril slot and frame slot and releasably lockable to secure said distal end of said mandril to said frame at a predetermined posiTion along said arcuate path.

Claim 22

A machine for sharpening disc blades as described in claim 15, in which: said mandril mounting means includes a trunnioned collar releasably clamped to said mandril housing adjacent said proximal end and axially movable on said housing for adjustment of said point of clamping, trunnion bearings on the trunnions of said collar, bearing housings operatively associated with said trunnion bearings and releasably attached to said frame, elongated slots in said frame disposed to receive said trunnions and permit movement of said trunnions in said slots upon release of said attachment of said bearing housings, all operatively associated to pivotally mount the proximal end of said mandril to said frame; and said mandril mounting means further includes arc positioning means operatively associated with the distal end of said mandril including a mandril slot operatively associated with said mandril housing and disposed substantially parallel to the axis of said mandril, a frame slot operatively associated with said frame and disposed substantially parallel to an arcuate path described by the distal end of said mandril upon pivotal movement about said point of pivot mounting of said mandril, and lock bolt means disposed in said mandril slot and frame slot and releasably lockable to secure said distal end of said mandril to said frame at a predetermined position along said arcuate path.