Patent attributes
A blade sharpening and blade sharpness detection system for permitting blade sharpening and a determination of blade sharpness without mechanical contact with the blade cutting edge. An optical inspection unit inspects blade sharpness optically, and a blade positioning and guidance mechanism positions and guides the blade in relation to the optical inspection unit. An output display provides visual output of blade sharpness. The optical inspection unit, which can be a reflective optical sensor, and the blade positioning and guidance mechanism are retained by a pivotable support structure. The positioning and guidance mechanism can comprise first and second pairs of rotatable spheres, each such pair disposed in immediate juxtaposition to act as rolling supports for the blade. The entry of ambient light into the sharpness sensing volume can be prevented by resiliently deflectable light-blocking bodies retained to first and second sides of a sharpness inspection slot within the housing.
