Grinding wheel device

Abstract

A grinding wheel device for a grinding apparatus to grind a substrate (e.g., a runner of a skate), in which the grinding wheel device comprises a wheel and a grinding belt around the wheel that enable enhanced grinding (e.g., sharpening and / or profiling) of the substrate, such as by enabling faster, greater, and / or otherwise better grinding of the substrate, while maintaining simplicity and ease of use.

Description

[0001] GRINDING WHEEL DEVICE

[0002] FIELD

[0003] This application relates generally to grinding (i.e., machining), such as to sharpen, profile, and / or finish, substrates such as blades (i.e., “runners”) of ice skates and other substrates.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Various types of substrates such as blades, structural and other metal pieces, etc. have to be ground to sharpen, profile and / or finish them.

[0006] For example, an ice skate, such as those used for hockey, speed skating, figure skating and other skating activities, has a blade (or “runner”) with an ice-contacting surface that comes into contact with ice on which a skater skates. Runners require regular sharpening to create sharp edges against the ice. In some cases, runners may also be profiled to impart them with desired longitudinal shapes (i.e., profiles). Such sharpening and / or profiling is typically done by grinding the runners with grinding machines.

[0007] The grinding machines use abrasive grinding elements such as grinding wheels or belts to grind the runners. Grinding wheels or belts may offer different advantages and disadvantages and thus different trade-offs. For instance, in some cases, grinding wheels may be easier, more practical and / or simpler to use, while grinding belts may allow faster, greater and / or otherwise better grinding.

[0008] Accordingly, improvements in grinding elements for grinding ice skates’ runners and other substrates would be welcomed.

[0009] SUMMARY

[0010] According to various aspects, there is provided a grinding wheel device for a grinding apparatus to grind a substrate (e.g., a runner of a skate), in which the grinding wheel device comprises a wheel and a grinding belt around the wheel that enable enhanced grinding (e.g., sharpening and / or profiling) of the substrate, such as by enabling faster, greater, and / or otherwise better grinding of the substrate, while maintaining simplicity and ease of use. For example, according to one aspect, there is provided a grinding wheel device for a grinding apparatus to grind a substrate. The grinding wheel device comprises: a wheel configured to be rotated by the grinding apparatus; and a grinding belt retained around the wheel to contact and grind the substrate. The wheel comprises an adjustment mechanism configured to vary an outer diameter of the wheel. The adjustment mechanism is operable to increase the outer diameter of the wheel for retaining the grinding belt around the wheel. The adjustment mechanism is operable to decrease the outer diameter of the wheel for removing the grinding belt from the wheel.

[0011] According to another aspect, there is provided a grinding wheel device for a grinding apparatus to grind a substrate. The grinding wheel device comprises: a wheel configured to be rotated by the grinding apparatus; and a grinding belt retained around the wheel to contact and grind the substrate. An outer diameter of the wheel is variable. The outer diameter of the wheel is increasable to retain the grinding belt around the wheel. The outer diameter of the wheel is decreasable to remove the grinding belt from the wheel.

[0012] According to another aspect, there is provided a grinding wheel device for a grinding apparatus to grind a substrate. The grinding wheel device comprises: a wheel configured to be rotated by the grinding apparatus; and a grinding belt retained around the wheel to contact and grind the substrate. The wheel comprises a plurality of wheel members movable relative to one another to vary an outer diameter of the wheel. The wheel comprises an actuator operable to move the wheel members relative to one another to increase the outer diameter of the wheel for retaining the grinding belt around the wheel and move the wheel members relative to one another to decrease the outer diameter of the wheel for removing the grinding belt from the wheel.

[0013] According to another aspect, there is provided a grinding wheel device for a grinding apparatus to grind a substrate. The grinding wheel device comprising: a wheel configured to be rotated by the grinding apparatus; and a grinding belt retained around the wheel to contact and grind the substrate. The wheel comprises a plurality of wheel members movable relative to one another to vary an outer diameter of the wheel, including to increase the outer diameter of the wheel for retaining the grinding belt around the wheel and to decrease the outer diameter of the wheel for removing the grinding belt from the wheel. Afirst one of the wheel members and a second one of the wheel members are movable relative to one another along an axis of rotation of the wheel to vary the outer diameter of the wheel. A third one of the wheel members is movable relative to the first one of the wheel members and the second one of the wheel members radially with respect to the axis of rotation of the wheel to vary the outer diameter of the wheel. According to another aspect, there is provided a grinding wheel device for a grinding apparatus to grind a substrate. The grinding wheel device comprises: a wheel configured to be rotated by the grinding apparatus; and a grinding belt retained around the wheel to contact and grind the substrate. The wheel comprises a first wheel member, a second wheel member, and a tensioning ring movable relative to one another to vary an outer diameter of the wheel. The tensioning ring is disposed between the first wheel member and the second wheel member, defines a circumference of the wheel, and engages the grinding belt. The tensioning ring is configured to expand and increase the outer diameter of the wheel for retaining the grinding belt around the wheel when the first wheel member and the second wheel member move relative to one another in a given direction. The tensioning ring is configured to contract and decrease the outer diameter of the wheel for removing the grinding belt from the wheel when the first wheel member and the second wheel member move relative to one another in an opposite direction that is opposite to the given direction.

[0014] According to another aspect, there is provided a grinding wheel device for a runner grinding apparatus to grind a runner of a skate. The grinding wheel device comprises: a wheel configured to be rotated by the runner grinding apparatus; and a grinding belt retained around the wheel to contact and grind the runner. The wheel comprises an adjustment mechanism configured to vary an outer diameter of the wheel. The adjustment mechanism is operable to increase the outer diameter of the wheel for retaining the grinding belt around the wheel. The adjustment mechanism is operable to decrease the outer diameter of the wheel for removing the grinding belt from the wheel.

[0015] According to another aspect, there is provided a grinding wheel device for a runner grinding apparatus to grind a runner of a skate. The grinding wheel device comprises: a wheel configured to be rotated by the runner grinding apparatus; and a grinding belt retained around the wheel to contact and grind the runner. An outer diameter of the wheel is variable. The outer diameter of the wheel is increasable to retain the grinding belt around the wheel. The outer diameter of the wheel is decreasable to remove the grinding belt from the wheel.

[0016] According to another aspect, there is provided a grinding wheel device for a runner grinding apparatus to grind a runner of a skate. The grinding wheel device comprises: a wheel configured to be rotated by the runner grinding apparatus; and a grinding belt retained around the wheel to contact and grind the runner. The wheel comprises a plurality of wheel members movable relative to one another to vary an outer diameter of the wheel. The wheel comprises an actuator operable to move the wheel members relative to one another to increase the outer diameter of the wheel for retaining the grinding belt around the wheel and move the wheel members relative to one another to decrease the outer diameter of the wheel for removing the grinding belt from the wheel.

[0017] According to another aspect, there is provided a grinding wheel device for a runner grinding apparatus to grind a runner of a skate. The grinding wheel device comprises: a wheel configured to be rotated by the runner grinding apparatus; and a grinding belt retained around the wheel to contact and grind the runner. The wheel comprises a plurality of wheel members movable relative to one another to vary an outer diameter of the wheel, including to increase the outer diameter of the wheel for retaining the grinding belt around the wheel and to decrease the outer diameter of the wheel for removing the grinding belt from the wheel. A first one of the wheel members and a second one of the wheel members are movable relative to one another along an axis of rotation of the wheel to vary the outer diameter of the wheel. A third one of the wheel members is movable relative to the first one of the wheel members and the second one of the wheel members radially with respect to the axis of rotation of the wheel to vary the outer diameter of the wheel.

[0018] According to another aspect, there is provided a grinding wheel device for a runner grinding apparatus to grind a runner of a skate. The grinding wheel device comprises: a wheel configured to be rotated by the runner grinding apparatus; and a grinding belt retained around the wheel to contact and grind the runner. The wheel comprises a first wheel member, a second wheel member, and a tensioning ring movable relative to one another to vary an outer diameter of the wheel. The tensioning ring is disposed between the first wheel member and the second wheel member, defines a circumference of the wheel, and engages the grinding belt. The tensioning ring is configured to expand and increase the outer diameter of the wheel for retaining the grinding belt around the wheel when the first wheel member and the second wheel member move relative to one another in a given direction. The tensioning ring is configured to contract and decrease the outer diameter of the wheel for removing the grinding belt from the wheel when the first wheel member and the second wheel member move relative to one another in an opposite direction that is opposite to the given direction.

[0019] These and other aspects will now become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the following description of embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0020] A detailed description of embodiments is provided below, by way of example only, with reference to drawings annexed hereto, in which:

[0021] Figs. 1 to 3 show an embodiment of a grinding apparatus for grinding a substrate, in which the grinding apparatus is a runner grinding apparatus and the substrate is a runner of a skate;

[0022] Figs. 4 to 8 show components of the runner grinding apparatus and their interaction with external elements;

[0023] Figs. 9 to 12 show an embodiment of a grinding wheel device of the runner grinding apparatus;

[0024] Fig. 13 shows an embodiment of the skate;

[0025] Fig. 14 shows an embodiment of the runner;

[0026] Fig. 15 shows the runner worn from use;

[0027] Figs. 16 to 19 show other embodiments of the runner;

[0028] Fig. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the runner of Fig. 14 taken at a longitudinal mid-point of the runner;

[0029] Figs. 21 A to 21 E show variants of the runner with a variety of radii of curvature;

[0030] Fig. 22 is a cross-sectional view of the runner of Fig. 15 taken at the longitudinal mid-point of the runner;

[0031] Figs. 23 to 25 show other embodiments of part of the grinding wheel device;

[0032] Figs. 26 to 29 show another embodiment of the grinding wheel device; and

[0033] Figs. 30 to 32 show another embodiment of the runner grinding apparatus.

[0034] In the drawings, embodiments are illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood that the description and drawings are only for purposes of illustration and as an aid to understanding and are not intended to be and should not be limitative. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0035] Figs. 1 to 13 show an embodiment of a grinding apparatus 2000 comprising a grinding wheel device 100 for grinding (i.e., machining), such as to sharpen and / or profile, a substrate 52. In this embodiment, the substrate 52 is a runner (i.e., blade) of a skate 10 so that the grinding apparatus 2000 is a runner grinding apparatus.

[0036] As further discussed below, in this embodiment, the grinding wheel device 100 comprises a wheel 120 and a grinding belt 130 that enable enhanced sharpening and / or profiling of the runner 52, such as by enabling faster, greater, and / or otherwise better grinding of the runner 52, while maintaining simplicity and ease of use. For example, this may be particularly useful for profiling of the runner 52 via quicker profiling operations.

[0037] An embodiment of the skate 10 for a user (i.e., a “skater”) to skate on ice 13 is shown in Fig. 13. The skate 10 comprises a skate boot 11 for receiving a foot of the user of the skate, the runner 52 (i.e., blade) for contacting the ice 13, and a runner holder 28 between the skate boot 10 and the runner 52 for holding the runner 52.

[0038] In this example, the skate 10 is a hockey skate for the skater who is a hockey player playing hockey on the ice 13. Fig. 14 shows an embodiment of the runner 52h of a hockey skate. In other embodiments, the skate 10 may be a figure skate for the skater who is a figure skater skating on the ice 13. Fig. 16 shows an embodiment of the runner 52f for a figure skate. In yet other embodiments, the skate 10 may be a speed skate for the skater who is a speed skater skating on the ice 13. Fig. 17 shows an embodiment of the runner 52sfor a speed skate. In yet other embodiments, the skate 10 may be a bandy skate, a touring skate or any other skate for skating on the ice 13. Reference to the runner “52” herein is made generically (to generally refer to any runner including runners 52h, 52f, 52s, unless otherwise indicated). For ease of reference, features of the runner 52 that are common to the runners 52h, 52f, 52s, will be ascribed the same reference numerals when referencing the runners 52h, 52f, 52s.

[0039] As the skate 10 is used, the runner 52 usually becomes worn. Wear of the runner 52 causes gradual blunting of edges of the runner 52. Thus, the runner 52 must be sharpened periodically or otherwise processed (e.g., profiled) by a runner grinding apparatus, such as the runner grinding apparatus 2000. Referring to Fig. 14, the runner 52 comprises a first end 27 and a second end 29. In this embodiment, the first end 27 of the runner 52 may be generally located at a front 41 of a skate 10 such that the first end 27 may also be referred to as a “toe end” of the runner 52. In this embodiment, the second end 29 of the runner 52 may be generally located at a rear 45 of the skate 10 such that the second end 29 may also be referred to as a “heel end” of the runner 52. The runner 52 extends in a longitudinal orientation between the first end 27 and the second end 29 (i.e., the runner 52 is elongate along a longitudinal axis 59). The distance between the first and second ends 27, 29 of the runner 52 can be referred to as the length of the runner 52, denoted L. A longitudinal mid-point 49 of the runner 52 can also be defined as being half-way between the first and second ends 27, 29 of the runner 52. In some cases, the longitudinal mid-point 49 of the runner 52 may be identified by a mark on the runner 52.

[0040] With continued reference to Fig. 14 (which shows a side view of the runner 52) and with reference to Fig. 20 (which shows a cross-sectional view at the longitudinal mid-point 49 of the runner 52), the runner 52 includes ice-contacting material 140 which defines a lateral surface 148 and an opposite lateral surface 143. The ice-contacting material 140 includes an ice-contacting surface 127 for sliding on ice 13 while the skater skates, as well as for digging into the ice 13 to provide traction when the skater accelerates, decelerates or changes directions. The runner 52 also comprises a top surface 125 that is opposed to the ice-contacting surface 127. The ice-contacting surface 127 lies in a plane with a normal that is perpendicular to the normal of the lateral surfaces 148, 143 of the runner 52. The runner 52 comprises a thickness tb which is defined as the distance between the lateral surfaces 148, 143. A transverse midplane 91 may be defined mid-way between the lateral surfaces 148, 143.

[0041] In some embodiments, as shown in Fig. 18, the runner 52 may comprise a plurality of connectors 185i , 1852 to connect the runner 52 to the runner holder 28 of the skate 10. More particularly, the connectors 185i, 1852 extend upwardly from the top surface 125 of the runner 52. In the embodiment shown, the connectors 185i, 1852 comprise hooks 30i, 302 that project upwardly from the top surface 125 of the runner 52, with the hook 30i being a front hook and the hook 3O2 being a rear hook. The connectors 185i , 1852 may be configured in any other suitable fashion.

[0042] In this embodiment, the ice-contacting material 140 is a metallic material (e.g., stainless steel, titanium). The ice-contacting material 140 may be any other suitable material in other embodiments. Also, in this embodiment, an entirety of the runner 52 is made of the ice-contacting material 140. In some variants, the runner 52 may be made of different materials or combinations of materials. These include metal-and-polymer hybrid (where the polymer may be purely polymeric or fiber- reinforced) and coated metal where the coating may include a carbide, nitride, oxide, etc.

[0043] For example, the runner 52 may include a plurality of different materials M1-M3 disposed in different areas of the runner 52 and connected to each other, as shown in Fig. 19. For example, the material M may be disposed in a first portion 1 10 of the runner 52, the materials M2and M3may be disposed in a second portion 1 14 of the runner 52 secured to the first portion 110 of the runner 52. In the illustrated embodiment, the material Mi is a polymeric material 151 and the materials M2, M3are metallic materials 150. For instance, the material Mi may be a composite material comprising a polymeric matrix 120 and fibers 122i - 122F disposed in the polymeric matrix 120.

[0044] The polymeric matrix 120 may include any suitable substance (e.g., resin). For instance, in some examples, the polymeric matrix 120 may include a thermoplastic or thermosetting resin, such as epoxy, polyethylene, polypropylene, acrylic, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), polyether ether ketone (PEEK) or other polyaryletherketone (PAEK), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), polycarbonate, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), nylon, polyimide, polysulfone, polyamide-imide, self-reinforcing polyphenylene, polyester, vinyl ester, vinyl ether, polyurethane, cyanate ester, phenolic resin, etc., a hybrid thermosetting-thermoplastic resin, or any other suitable resin. In this embodiment, the polymeric matrix 120 includes an epoxy resin.

[0045] The fibers 122i - 122Fmay be made of any suitable material such as carbon fiber, polymeric fibers such as aramid fibers (e.g., Kevlar fibers), boron fibers, silicon carbide fibers, metallic fibers, glass fibers, ceramic fibers, etc. The fibers 122i-122Fmay be oriented in any suitable fashion and may have a continuous configuration.

[0046] In the case of a coated runner 52, the coating may comprise a thin film coating of any suitable thickness. The thin film may be deposited using techniques know in the art such as physical vapor deposition (PVD) or plasma assisted chemical vapor deposition (PACVD) for example.

[0047] The thin film coating may comprise a carbon-based top layer. A number of underlayers may be provided, between the substrate and the carbon-based top layer. The underlayers may be in metals, such as Cr, Ti, TiAl, Ni and W for example; nitrides, such as CrN, TiN and TiAIN for example; oxides; carbides; or they can be siliceous or carbon based layers for example (a-C:H (DLC), ta-C, WCC, ...). Other materials having a low friction coefficient may be contemplated, such as solid film lubricants or polymers such as PTFE for example.

[0048] The ice-contacting surface 127 of the runner 52 is not flat, but rather is curved. This allows the skate 10 to tilt forward or backward with respect to the ice 13, which gives the skater agility when taking off or changing directions. As can be seen from Fig. 14, the first and second ends 27, 29 are curved upwards such that the first end 27 of the runner 52 includes a curved region 35 and the second end 29 of the runner 52 includes a curved region 37. The ice-contacting surface 127 defines a contour of the ice-contacting material 140 when viewed from the side as in Fig. 14; such contour is referred to as a “longitudinal profile” LP of the runner 52. A balance point 99 of the runner 52 may be defined as the lowest point along the contour of the runner 52. In some cases, the balance point 99 corresponds to the longitudinal mid-point 49 of the runner 52. In other cases, the balance point 99 does not correspond to the longitudinal mid-point 49 of the runner 52. The longitudinal profile LP may have a generally convex shape and the transverse profile TP may have a generally concave shape.

[0049] When viewed in cross-section as in Fig. 20, the ice-contacting surface 127 also defines a contour referred to as a “transverse profile” TP of the runner 52. The transverse profile TP may have the shape of an arc (convex or concave) with a radius referred to as a “radius of hollow” 88. By way of certain examples, as shown in Figs. 21 A to 21 E , the radius of hollow 88 may vary from 3 / 8” to 1” (shown in this case for a .12” thick runner 52). Other radii of hollow 88 and runner thicknesses tb are of course possible. In some cases, the average radius of curvature of the transverse profile TP may be vary from 14” to 2”.

[0050] With continued reference to Fig. 20, the runner 52 comprises a first edge 55 and a second edge 57 opposing the first edge 55. As indicated above, as the skate 10 is used, the wear of the runner 52 causes gradual blunting of the edges of the runner 52. Referring now to Fig. 22, there is shown a runner 52wwhich is substantially worn, with the edges 55, 57 of the worn runner 52wthat appear blunted. Additionally, the edges 55, 57 are unlevel (i.e., the edges 55, 57 are not symmetrical about the transverse midplane 91 of the runner 52w). Moreover, the radius of hollow 88 of the runner 52wappears “flattened.” Thus, excess material 63 of the ice-contacting material 140 of the ice-contacting surface 127 of the worn runner 52wmust be removed to restore the edges 55, 57 and the radius of hollow 88. Accordingly, it is necessary to machine the transverse profile TP of the runner 52 (e.g., to grind for sharpening the runner 52) and apply the radius of hollow 88. To machine the transverse profile TP of the runner 52 and apply the radius of hollow 88, the runner grinding apparatus 2000 may be used. Grinding the runner 52 with the runner grinding apparatus 2000 causes the runner 52 to become shaped in the widthwise direction (perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction) with a “transverse profile” TP. Grinding the runner 52 with the runner grinding apparatus 2000 removes excess material from the ice-contacting surface 127 of the runner 52 such that the runner 52 is ground. Additionally or alternatively, in some cases, the runner 52 may be ground with the runner grinding apparatus 2000 to become shaped in its longitudinal direction with a desired longitudinal profile LP, a grinding operation that may be referred to as “profiling” the runner 52.

[0051] With renewed reference now to Figs. 1 to 12, the runner grinding apparatus 2000 has a housing 2080 containing various components. The runner grinding apparatus 2000 is shown extending in a longitudinal orientation between a first end 2081 of the housing 2080 of the runner grinding apparatus 2000 and a second end 2082 of the housing 2080 of the runner grinding apparatus 2000. The housing 2080 of the runner grinding apparatus 2000 comprises a frame 2078 supporting various components and includes a lower surface 2083, an upper surface 2084, a front surface 2085 and a rear surface 2086.

[0052] The longitudinal orientation of the runner grinding apparatus 2000 extends along an x-direction of the runner grinding apparatus 2000 defined by an “X axis”. A y-direction of the runner grinding apparatus 2000 is defined by a “Y axis” perpendicular to the X axis. A z-direction of the runner grinding apparatus 2000 is defined by a “Z axis” perpendicular to both the X axis and the Y axis.

[0053] In this embodiment, the runner grinding apparatus 2000 includes a clamping mechanism 2010 for clamping the runner 52. The runner grinding apparatus 2000 also includes a grinding mechanism 2020 which comprises the grinding wheel device 100 that is an abrasive element. Removal of excess material of the ice-contacting material 140 from the runner 52 is achieved when the grinding wheel device 100 contacts the ice-contacting surface 127 of the runner 52 from underneath the runner 52. As such, the runner grinding apparatus 2000 includes a carriage 2030 for allowing relative movement between the clamping mechanism 2010 (which holds the runner 52) and the grinding mechanism 2020.

[0054] The runner grinding apparatus 2000 also includes a control system 2048 comprising a controller 2050 for controlling operation thereof (e.g., including grinding operations, interactions with a user, etc.). In this embodiment, the controller 2050 comprises a user interface 2055 configured to interact (e.g., receive commands and / or other inputs from and / or provide information to) a user who desires to use the runner grinding apparatus 2000. The user interface 2055 comprises an input portion including one or more input devices (e.g., a touchscreen, a set of buttons, levers, dials, a microphone, etc.) allowing the user to input commands and / or other information into the runner grinding apparatus 2000 and an output portion including one or more output devices (e.g., a display, a speaker, etc.) to provide information to the user. In some embodiments, the user interface 2055 comprises a screen 2056 that implements a graphical user interface (GUI) providing graphical elements for interaction with the user, including graphical buttons and / or other graphical input elements actuatable by the user to control operation of the runner grinding apparatus 2000 as well as graphical alphanumeric characters, counters, charts, gauges, and / or other graphical output elements displaying information to the user.

[0055] In this embodiment, the runner grinding apparatus 2000 is powered by an external power source. More particularly, in this embodiment, the runner grinding apparatus 2000 comprises a power supply connectable to an electric outlet via an electric cable. In other embodiments, the power supply of the runner grinding apparatus 2000 may comprise a battery (e.g., a rechargeable or replaceable battery), so that the runner grinding apparatus 2000 may be usable without power from an external power source.

[0056] The clamping mechanism 2010 includes a runner-receiving portion 2013 for receiving a runner 52 loaded in the runner grinding apparatus 2000 and a clamp 2016 comprising one or more retaining elements 201 1 to retain the runner 52 loaded in the runner grinding apparatus 2000. The clamping mechanism 2010 also includes a clamp-actuating mechanism 2040 for actuating the clamp 2016 to retain the runner 52 in the clamping mechanism 2010 or to release the runner 52 from the clamping mechanism 2010. The clamping mechanism 2010 may also include a runner-centering mechanism 2014 for longitudinally and / or laterally center the runner 52 within the clamping mechanism 2010.

[0057] To remove some of the ice-contacting material 140 to sharpen and / or profile it, the runner 52 is loaded in the runner-receiving portion 2013 of the clamping mechanism 2010 and brought into contact with the grinding wheel device 100 of the grinding mechanism 2020 such that the runner 52 contacts the grinding wheel device 100 and such that the grinding wheel device 100 removes material from the ice-contacting surface 127 of the runner 52. In this embodiment, the runner-receiving portion 2013 of the clamping mechanism 2010 is configured as a slot 2012 which provides access to the grinding mechanism 2020 and the runner 52 is received in the slot 2012 of the clamping mechanism 2010. The one or more retaining elements 2011 of the clamp 2016 are configured to contact the lateral surfaces 148, 143 of the runner 52 to secure the runner 52 within the clamping mechanism 2010. Additionally or alternatively, in other embodiments, the one or more retaining elements 201 1 may be configured to contact the first and second ends 27, 29 of the runner 52 to secure the runner 52 within the clamping mechanism 2010.

[0058] More particularly, in this embodiment, the one or more retaining elements 201 1 comprise two plates configured to contact the lateral surfaces 148, 143 of the runner 52. In this case, the one or more retaining elements 201 1 comprise a first blade contacting surface 51 15 and a second blade contacting surface 51 16 each configured to contact the lateral surfaces 148, 143 of the runner 52 and to retain the runner 52 by applying pressure to the lateral surfaces 148, 143 of the runner 52. In some embodiments, the first and second blade contacting surfaces 51 15, 51 16 may comprise material configured to increase their frictional engagement with the lateral surfaces 148, 143 of the runner 52 when contacting the lateral surfaces 148, 143 of the runner 52. The one or more retaining elements 201 1 may comprise any suitable material (e.g., a metallic material, a polymeric material, etc.).

[0059] In this example, both of the retaining elements 2011 are movable towards each other to retain the runner 52 within the runner-receiving portion 2013 of the clamping mechanism 2010. In other examples, a first retaining elements 2011 may be fixed with respect to the runner grinding apparatus 2000 and a second retaining element 2011 may be movable towards the first retaining elements 2011 to retain the runner 52 (or vice-versa) within the runner-receiving portion 2013 of the clamping mechanism 2010.

[0060] The one or more retaining elements 201 1 may be adjustable to accommodate a variety of runners 52 (e.g., a variety of blade thicknesses tb, a variety of blade lengths L, one runner 52 or a plurality of runners 52). For example, the one or more retaining elements 2011 may be movable with respect to each other or with respect to the runner 52 to accommodate a variety of runners 52. Also, while in some cases only one runner 52 is loaded into and retained by the retaining elements 201 1 of the clamp 2016 and grinded by the grinding wheel 2021 , in other cases two or more runners 52 may be loaded into and retained by the retaining elements 201 1 of the clamp 2016 simultaneously so that these two or more runners 52 are grinded simultaneously by the grinding wheel 2021 .

[0061] The clamp-actuating mechanism 2040 is provided for actuating the clamp 2016 to retain or release the runner 52. The clamp-actuating mechanism 2040 may cooperate with the runnercentering mechanism 2014 to longitudinally and / or laterally center the runner 52 within the clamping mechanism 2010. Specifically, the runner-centering mechanism 2104 may cause the one or more retaining elements 201 1 to longitudinally and / or laterally center the runner 52 within the clamping mechanism 2010 with respect to the runner-receiving portion 2013 of the clamping mechanism 2010. The clamp-actuating mechanism 2040 may cooperate with the runnercentering mechanism 2014 to automatically longitudinally and / or laterally center the runner 52 within the clamping mechanism 2010. In this embodiment, the clamp-actuating mechanism 2040 may comprises an actuator (e.g., a motor or linear actuator) configured to move the clamp 2016 for retaining or releasing the runner 52 based on one or more signals from the controller 2050, which can be generated in response to input to the controller 2050 from a user and / or one or more sensors of the control system 2048, or may be operated manually by the user.

[0062] The grinding operation of the runner 52 involves relative movement of the grinding mechanism 2020 and the runner 52.

[0063] In this embodiment, the carriage 2030 is configured to translate the runner 52 longitudinally (along the X-axis) as the grinding mechanism 2020 is operative to remove excess material from the runner 52. In this example, the grinding mechanism 2020 remains fixed longitudinally (along the X-axis) and is movable vertically (along the Y-axis).

[0064] More particularly, in this embodiment, a drive assembly 2032 provides motive force to move the carriage 2030 carrying the runner 52 longitudinally relative to the grinding wheel device 100. Any suitable means for smoothly moving the carriage 2030, such as a belt, a lead screw, a feed screw etc. connected to motor, may be used. A spring-loaded member 2049 including a spring acts on an arm 2046 carrying the grinding wheel device 100 and allows the grinding wheel device 100 to move along the Y axis (e.g., vertically up and down) as it travels under the runner 52.

[0065] To remove excess material, the runner 52 is loaded in the clamping mechanism 2010 and brought into contact with the grinding wheel device 100 of the grinding mechanism 2020 driven in rotation such that the grinding wheel device 100 removes material from the ice-contacting surface 127 of the runner 52. In this embodiment, the grinding mechanism 2020 includes an axle (e.g., spindle) 2026 to which the grinding wheel device 100 is mounted and a grinding wheel motor 2027 configured to rotate the axle 2026 to drive the grinding wheel device 100. In this example, the grinding wheel motor 2027 drives a belt which drives the axle 2026. The grinding mechanism 2020 may be configured in any other suitable fashion (e.g., the grinding wheel motor 2027 may be directly connected to the axle 2026).

[0066] The grinding mechanism 2020 rotates the axle 2026 at a rotational speed such that the grinding wheel device 100 rotates about an axis of rotation 1 12 defined by the axle 2026. The rotational speed may comprise any suitable value. For example, the rotational speed may be between 5,000 and 25,000 revolutions per minute (RPM). The rotational speed may be constant or variable (i.e., the rotational speed may vary as the grinding wheel device 100 and the runner 52 move with respect to each other along a portion or all of the length L of the runner 52). For example, the rotational speed may be varied by varying the voltage applied to the grinding wheel motor 2027. In some embodiments, the rotation speed may be selected by the user of the runner grinding apparatus 2000 upon setup of the grinding operation.

[0067] The grinding mechanism 2020 may be activated for a period of time before the grinding wheel device 100 comes into contact with the runner 52 such that the grinding wheel device 100 may reach the desired rotation speed prior to grinding the runner 52.

[0068] As the grinding wheel device 100 grinds the runner 52, the grinding wheel device 100 exerts pressure on the runner 52. Thus, the runner grinding apparatus 2000 may include a pressure regulating mechanism 2060 to ensure that a correct grinding wheel pressure is applied against the runner 52 during the grinding operation. The pressure regulating mechanism 2060 may include means to adjust the pressure applied to the runner 52 by the grinding wheel device 100. For example, in one example of implementation, the pressure applied to the runner 52 by the grinding wheel device 100 may be increased by the user of the runner grinding apparatus 2000. In such cases, the grinding operation may be completed more quickly.

[0069] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 6, the controller 2050 of the runner grinding apparatus 2000 comprises a processor 500, a non-transitory memory 510 including various databases 51 1 for storing information used by processes, sensors 520 for sensing a variety of parameters related to the grinding operation, and an input / output module 531 for entering selections and displaying information, and may include any other suitable components. The processor 500 may include one or more central processing units (CPUs) having one or more cores. The processor 500 may also include at least one graphics processing unit (GPU) in communication with a video encoder / video codec (coder / decoder, not shown) for causing output data to be supplied to the input / output module 531 for display on a display device 532 (e.g., the screen 2056). The processor 500 may also include at least one audio processing unit in communication with an audio encoder / audio codec (coder / decoder, not shown) for causing output data to be supplied to the input / output module 531 to an auditory device (e.g., a speaker).

[0070] The memory 510 may include RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), flash memory, hard disk drive(s), and / or any other suitable memory device, technology or configuration. The memory 510 stores a variety of information including computer-readable instructions 85. The memory 510 may be in communication with the processor 500 which is configured to execute the computer-readable instructions 85 such that the processor 500 is able to perform various kinds of functions related to the processes it encodes.

[0071] The controller 2050 may be an electronic controller that can include a microprocessor and a plurality of communication ports to communicate with one or more components of the runner grinding apparatus 2000 such as the clamping mechanism 2010, the carriage 2030, the grinding mechanism 2020 including the grinding wheel device 100, and the pressure regulating mechanism 2060.

[0072] The sensors 520 (e.g., cameras, optical scanners, photosensors, contact sensors such as depth gauges or micrometers, non-contact sensors such as lasers, vibration detectors, etc.) are configured to detect a plurality of other parameters required for the grinding operation.

[0073] For example, the sensors 520 may be configured to detect a location of the runner 52 within the housing 2080 of the runner grinding apparatus 2000. The sensors 520 may be configured to detect a position of the carriage 2030 and / or the grinding mechanism 2020 including the grinding wheel device 100 within the housing 2080 of the runner grinding apparatus 2000. The sensors 520 may be configured to detect the relative position of the runner 52 and carriage 2030 and / or the grinding wheel device 100. For example, the sensors 520 may provide feedforward data (e.g., monitoring the control signals issued to the carriage 2030 or the grinding wheel device 100) and / or feedback data (e.g., data obtained from a laser or camera or contact-based position sensor, for example). The memory 510 may store various databases 51 1 storing information required for the grinding operation. For example, the memory 510 may store a database 51 1 storing material removal amounts with different levels of wear (i.e., wear states) of grinding wheel devices such as the grinding wheel device 100. The memory 510 may store a database 511 storing information regarding various runners 52, for example a material of the runner 52, the hardness of the runner 52, identifiers of the runner 52, a manufacturer and / or model of the runner 52. The memory 510 may store a database 511 storing vibration measurements associated with different levels of wear (i.e., wear states) of grinding wheel devices.

[0074] The input / output module 531 of the GUI 530 of the runner grinding apparatus 2000 is configured such that the user of the runner grinding apparatus 2000 may enter selections relating to the grinding operation of the runner 52. In some embodiments, the input / output module 531 of may include one or more input devices 533 (e.g., a touchscreen, buttons, a keyboard, a joystick, a touch pad, a keypad, a trackball, and the like) and one or more output devices such as the display device 532 (e.g., a screen which may be a touchscreen, etc.).

[0075] The GUI 530 of the runner grinding apparatus 2000 may include one or more indicators 534. The indicators 534 may provide cues or instructions to the user of the runner grinding apparatus 2000. For example, the GUI 530 may include a visual indicator (e.g., lights, icons, images) to guide the user during operation of the runner grinding apparatus 2000. The GUI 530 of the runner grinding apparatus 2000 may include an audible indicator (e.g., a speaker) configured to provide verbal instructions, a tone, a chime, or other suitable audible messages.

[0076] In this embodiment, the GUI 530 may be implemented as a console 535 integrated within the runner grinding apparatus 2000 to provide interactive capabilities.

[0077] With the runner 52 loaded in the clamping mechanism 2010, grinding (e.g., for sharpening and / or profiling) can proceed. By causing the grinding wheel device 100 to rotate and by placing the rotating grinding wheel device 100 in contact with the ice-contacting surface 127 of the runner 52, the ice-contacting surface 127 will be ground.

[0078] Referring to Figs. 9 to 12, in this embodiment, the grinding wheel device 100 comprises the wheel 120 and the grinding belt 130, which is retained around the wheel 120 to contact and grind the runner 52. The wheel 120 is mountable to the axle 2026 and comprises a circumferential surface 158 contacting the grinding belt 130, which comprises an abrasive peripheral surface 128 to abrasively engage the runner 52 for grinding the runner 52. As such, the abrasive peripheral surface 128 of the grinding belt 130 constitutes a circumferential surface of the grinding wheel device 100. In that sense, the grinding wheel device 100 may sometimes be referred to as a belted grinding wheel.

[0079] By having the grinding belt 130 separate from the wheel 120 and therefore mountable to and removable from the wheel 120, the grinding wheel device 100 can have enhanced grinding performance. For example, the grinding belt 130 may allow faster, greater, and / or otherwise better grinding, such as profiling, of the runner 52, including by being able to be removed and replaced by a new and more abrasive grinding belt conveniently and efficiently when the grinding belt 130 is worn to maintain that enhanced grinding performance, all whilst benefiting from simplicity and ease of use of the wheel 120.

[0080] More particularly, in this embodiment, to mount the grinding belt 130 to and remove the grinding belt 130 from the wheel 120, an outer diameter D of the wheel 120 is variable (e.g., while the wheel 120 is at rest, i.e., nonrotating). Notably, the outer diameter D of the wheel 120 is increasable to retain the grinding belt 130 around the wheel 120 and decreasable to remove the grinding belt 130 from the wheel 120. When the outer diameter D of the wheel 120 is increased, the wheel 120 radially expands and puts the grinding belt 130 in tension around the wheel 120, thereby securing it around the wheel 120 so that it remains fixed around the wheel 120 during grinding of the runner 52. When the outer diameter D of the wheel 120 is reduced, the wheel 120 radially contracts and releases the tension in the grinding belt 130 so that the grinding belt 130 is loosened and can be removed the wheel 120.

[0081] Variation of the outer diameter D of the wheel 120 may be by any suitable amount to allow the grinding belt 130 to be properly secured to and removed from the wheel 120. In some embodiments, that variation may be relatively small. For example, in some embodiments, the outer diameter D of the wheel 120 may vary by at least 0.4%, in some cases at least 0.6%, in some cases at least 0.8%, in some cases at least 1%, and in some cases more than 1 % (e.g., 1 .2%, 1 .5% or more), and / or by no more than 1 .5%, in some cases no more than 1 .2%, in some cases no more than 1%, in some cases no more than 0.8%, in some cases no more than 0.6%, and in some cases no more than 0.4%. For instance, in this embodiment, the outer diameter D of the wheel 120 may vary between 127 mm and 128.4 mm. In other embodiments, the outer diameter D of the wheel 120 may vary between any other suitable values. In this embodiment, the wheel 120 comprises an adjustment mechanism 150 configured to vary the outer diameter D of the wheel 120. The adjustment mechanism 150 is operable to increase the outer diameter D of the wheel 120 for retaining the grinding belt 130 around the wheel 120 and operable to decrease the outer diameter D of the wheel 120 for removing the grinding belt 130 from the wheel 120.

[0082] The adjustment mechanism 150 comprises an actuator 152 operable to vary the outer diameter D of the wheel 120. In this embodiment, the actuator 152 is manually operable to vary the outer diameter D of the wheel 120. For instance, in this case, the actuator 152 is manually operable with a tool, such as a wrench, a screwdriver, a key, etc., to vary the outer diameter D of the wheel 120. Alternatively or additionally, in some cases, the actuator 152 may be manually operable without any tool, i.e., by direct hand contact and manipulation, to vary the outer diameter D of the wheel 120.

[0083] In this example of implementation, the actuator 152 is rotatable to vary the outer diameter D of the wheel 120. More particularly, in this embodiment, the actuator 152 comprises a plurality of fasteners 180 spaced from one another and individually rotatable to vary the outer diameter D of the wheel 120. In this case, the fasteners 180 are screws and are distributed so that they surround the axis of rotation 112 of the wheel 120.

[0084] In this embodiment, the adjustment mechanism 150 comprises a plurality of wheel members 160, 162, 164 movable relative to one another, by operation of the actuator 152, to vary the outer diameter D of the wheel 120. Each of the wheel members 160, 162, 164 is circular and rigid so that it retains a circular shape thereof (i.e., does not deform) during rotation of the grinding wheel device 100, and may only alter its circular shape by operation of the actuator 152. For instance, in this example, each of the wheel members 160, 162, 164 is made of metallic material, such as steel (e.g., stainless steel), aluminum (e.g., anodized aluminum), or any other suitable metal. In other cases, each of the wheel members 160, 162, 164 may be made of polymeric material (e.g., which may or may not be fiber-reinforced, may comprise any suitable polymer (e.g., polyacetal copolymer, etc.)), ceramic material, or any other suitably rigid material.

[0085] More particularly, in this embodiment, the wheel member 160 is a main wheel body, the wheel member 162 is a pressure disc, and the wheel member 164 is a tensioning ring that is disposed between and around the main wheel body 160 and the pressure disc 162, defines a circumference C of the wheel 120, and engages the grinding belt 130. By operating the actuator 152, which in this case involves rotation of the screws 180, the main wheel body 160 and the pressure disc 162 are movable relative to one another axially, i.e., along the axis of rotation 112 of the wheel 120, while the tensioning ring 164 is movable relative to the main wheel body 160 and the pressure disc 162 radially, i.e., away from or toward the axis of rotation 1 12 of the wheel 120, to vary the outer diameter D of the wheel 120, effectively varying the circumference C of the wheel 120.

[0086] Therefore, the tensioning ring 164 is movable relative to the main wheel body 160 and the pressure disc 162 away from the axis of rotation 112 of the wheel 120 when the main wheel body 160 and the pressure disc 162 move toward one another along the axis of rotation 112 of the wheel 120 and press on the tensioning ring 164 to expand the tensioning ring 164, i.e., urge the tensioning ring 164 radially outward, against the grinding belt 130 and put the grinding belt 130 in tension around the wheel 120. Conversely, the tensioning ring 164 is movable relative to the main wheel body 160 and the pressure disc 162 toward the axis of rotation 1 12 of the wheel 120 when the main wheel body 160 and the pressure disc 162 move away from one another along the axis of rotation 1 12 of the wheel 120 and release pressure on the tensioning ring 164 to allow the tensioning ring 164 to contract, i.e., allow the tensioning ring 164 to move radially inward, to reduce force on the grinding belt 130 and release the tension in the grinding belt 130 so that the grinding belt 130 can be removed from the wheel 120.

[0087] In this embodiment, to allow its expansion and contraction, the tensioning ring 164 is discontinuous, i.e., includes a discontinuity 165. In this example, the discontinuity 165 is an opening (e.g., a cut) in the tensioning ring 164. When the tensioning ring 164 is expanded, the discontinuity 165 remains relatively small so that the tensioning ring 164 continues extend along a vast majority that is still a near totality of the circumference C of the wheel 120.

[0088] Also, in this embodiment, the main wheel body 160, the pressure disc 162 and the tensioning ring 164 comprise angled surfaces 170 engaging one another to allow the tensioning ring 164 to be movable relative to the main wheel body 160 and the pressure disc 162 radially with respect to the axis of rotation 1 12 of the wheel 120. The angled surfaces 170 are configured to convert axial relative movement of the main wheel body 160 and the pressure disc 162 to radial movement of the tensioning ring 164 relative to the main wheel body 160 and the pressure disc 162. In this example, the angled surfaces 170 are disposed on peripheral edge portions of the main wheel body 160, the pressure disc 162 and the tensioning ring 164. As such, the peripheral edge portions of the main wheel body 160, the pressure disc 162 and the tensioning ring 164 taper radially outward. More specifically, in this example, the angled surfaces 170 of the main wheel body 160 and the pressure disc 162 face one another and engage the angled surfaces 170 of the tensioning ring 164 that are opposite one another.

[0089] In this example of implementation, each of the main wheel body 160 and the pressure disc 162 occupies a vast majority of the outer diameter D of the wheel 120, while the tensioning ring 164 occupies only a small fraction of the outer diameter D of the wheel 120. More particularly, in this example of implementation, each of the main wheel body 160 and the pressure disc 162 occupies at least 80%, in some cases at least 90%, and in some case at least 95% of the outer diameter D of the wheel 120, whereas the tensioning ring 164 occupies no more than 20%, in some cases no more than 10%, and in some cases no more than 5% of the outer diameter D of the wheel 120.

[0090] In this embodiment, the main wheel body 160 and the pressure disc 162 are fastened together while movable relative to one another. More particularly, in this embodiment, the main wheel body 160 and the pressure disc 162 are fastened together by the screws 180 of the actuator 152. In this example, to fasten the main wheel body 160 and the pressure disc 162 together while allowing their relative motion for varying the outer diameter D of the wheel 120, the screws 180 are screwed into threaded openings 183 of the main wheel body 160 and extend freely in openings 187 of the pressure disc 162, which may be unthreaded. As they are screwed into the threaded openings 183 of the main wheel body 160, the screws 180 pull the main wheel body 160 and the pressure disc 162 together, thereby forcing the tensioning ring 164 radially outwards to secure the belt 130. When they are rotated in an unscrewing direction, the screws 180 let the main wheel body 160 and the pressure disc 162 move away from one another, thus allowing the tensioning ring 164 to move radially inwards to loosen and remove the belt 130.

[0091] In this example of implementation, the grinding wheel device 100 is secured to the axle 2026 defining its axis of rotation 1 12 by a fastener 154 and a flange 156. In this embodiment, the fastener 154 is a threaded fastener. Specifically, in this embodiment, the threaded fastener 154 is a nut that is fastened to a threaded part 2028 of the axle 2026. Also, in this embodiment, the flange 156 is engaged by the nut 154 to distribute pressure on an underlying part 159 of the wheel 120 when the nut 152 is tightened.

[0092] Furthermore, in this example of implementation, a connecting portion 181 of the main wheel body 160 is received within a connecting opening 182 of the pressure disc 162. More specifically, in this embodiment, the connecting portion 181 of the main wheel body 160 is a central projection and the connecting opening 182 of the pressure disc 162 is a central hole, so that the axle 2026 passes through an opening 186 delimited by the central projection 181 of the main wheel body 160, the central hole 182 of the pressure disc 162, and the flange 156 and is engaged by the nut 154.

[0093] In some embodiments, with additional reference to Fig. 23, the circumferential surface 158 of the wheel 120 contacting the grinding belt 130, which is part of the tensioning ring 164, may comprise a frictional enhancer 190 configured to enhance friction between the wheel 120 and the grinding belt 130. The frictional enhancer 190 is such that friction between the wheel 120 and the grinding belt 130 is greater than if the wheel 120 lacked (i.e., was without) the frictional enhancer 190 but otherwise identical.

[0094] More particularly, in this embodiment, the frictional enhancer 190 comprises a friction-enhancing texture 192. For example, in this embodiment, the friction-enhancing texture 192 comprises a pattern of recesses 194 and projections 196. In this case, the friction-enhancing texture 192 is a knurled texture.

[0095] In this example of implementation, the grinding belt 130 comprises abrasive particles (e.g., grains) 124, such as ceramic (e.g., aluminum oxide, silicon carbide, etc.) or other suitable particles, bonded (e.g., via a resin or another suitable substance in which they are embedded) to a support (i.e., backing) layer 126, which may be made of cloth (e.g., woven fabric), film, foam, felt, paper, polymer (e.g., polyester), or other suitable material.

[0096] An abrasiveness of the grinding belt 130 may have any suitable value. For example, in some embodiments, a grit of the grinding belt 130 may be at least 40, in some cases at least 50, in some cases at least 60, in some cases at least 70, and in some cases at least 80, and / or may be no more than 80, in some cases no more than 70, in some cases no more than 60, in some cases no more than 50, and in some cases no more than 40. For instance, in some embodiments, the grinding belt 130 may be a Viking R996 belt with a grit between 40 and 80 and a width between 8 mm and 10 mm, available from Norton Saint-Gobain. The grinding belt 130 may be implemented in any other suitable way in other embodiments.

[0097] The grinding wheel device 100, including the wheel 120 and the grinding belt 130, may be implemented in various other ways in other embodiments. For example, in other embodiments, as shown in Fig. 24, instead of being discontinuous, the tensioning ring 164 may be continuous (i.e., uninterrupted) and include a circumferential adjuster 167 that allows it to expand and contract under operation of the actuator 152. For instance, in some embodiments, the circumferential adjuster 167 may comprise a spring, a telescoping part, or any other suitable means allowing the tensioning ring 164 to expand and contract under operation of the actuator 152.

[0098] As another example, in other embodiments, as shown in Fig. 25, in addition to or instead of the friction-enhancing texture 192, the frictional enhancer 190 may comprise an elastomeric layer 195 secured to (e.g., vulcanized onto) a core 197 (e.g., a metallic core) of the tensioning ring 164 and contacting the grinding belt 130.

[0099] As another example, in other embodiments, as shown in Figs. 26 to 29, the actuator 152 of the adjustment mechanism 150 may comprise a flange 224 abutting the pressure disc 162 and including a fastener 226 to fasten the main wheel body 160 and the pressure disc 162 together while allowing their relative motion for varying the outer diameter D of the wheel 120. More particularly, in this embodiment, the fastener 226 of the flange 224 is an internally threaded part of the flange 224 that receives and is screwed to an externally threaded part 228 of the central projection of the connecting portion 181 of the main wheel body 160. As the flange 224 is screwed to the externally threaded part 228 of the central projection of the connecting portion 181 of the main wheel body 160, the main wheel body 160 and the pressure disc 162 are pulled together, thus forcing the tensioning ring 164 radially outwards to secure the belt 130. When the flange 224 is rotated in an unscrewing direction, it lets the main wheel body 160 and the pressure disc 162 move away from one another, thereby allowing the tensioning ring 164 to move radially inwards to loosen and remove the belt 130. Also, in this embodiment, the flange 224 includes a tool engager 235 to engage a tool (e.g., a wrench) to rotate the flange 224 in a screwing direction and the unscrewing direction relative to the externally threaded part 228 of the central projection of the connecting portion 181 of the main wheel body 160. In this case, the tool engager 235 of the flange 224 includes pin-receiving openings 232 to receive pins of a pin-wrench that can rotate the flange 224 relative to the main wheel body 160 and the pressure disc 162. The axle 2026 passes through the opening 186 delimited by the central projection 181 of the main wheel body 160, the central hole 182 of the pressure disc 162, and the flange 224 and is engaged by the nut 154.

[0100] In other embodiments, the runner grinding apparatus 2000 may be implemented in other manners. For example, in some embodiments, as shown in Figs. 30 to 32, the carriage 2030 may be configured to translate the grinding mechanism 2020 longitudinally (along the X-axis) while the runner 52 remains longitudinally fixed with respect to the housing 2080 of the runner grinding apparatus 2000. Also, the grinding wheel device 100 may move along the Y axis (vertically) relative to the remainder of the carriage 2030; as such, a first mechanism may be used for moving the carriage 2030 along the X axis and a second mechanism may allow movement of the grinding wheel device 100 along the Y axis.

[0101] For instance, in some embodiments, the runner grinding apparatus 2000 may be portable. That is, the runner grinding apparatus 2000 may be manually carriable by a single individual, so as to be transported between various locations (e.g., a residence, a skating rink, etc.). The runner grinding apparatus 2000 may therefore be sized and relatively lightweight such that is it can be readily carried by an average person. For example, in some embodiments, a length of the runner grinding apparatus 2000 may be no more than 1.2 m, in some cases no more than 1 m, and in some cases no more than 0.8 m, and / or a weight of the runner grinding apparatus 2000 may be no more than 18 kg, in some cases no more than 15 kg, and in some cases no more than 12 kg.

[0102] Although in embodiments discussed above the grinding apparatus 2000 is a runner grinding apparatus and the substrate 52 is a runner of a skate, the grinding apparatus 2000 with the grinding wheel device 100 may be any other type of grinding apparatus and the substrate 52 may be any other type of substrate to be ground in other embodiments. For example, in some embodiments, the grinding apparatus 2000 may be machinery in a construction, manufacturing or other site, a machine tool, etc., used for finishing, sanding or other grinding purposes, the substrate 52 may be a knife or another type of blade, a structural or other metallic piece, etc.

[0103] Certain additional elements that may be needed for operation of certain embodiments have not been described or illustrated as they are assumed to be within the purview of those of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, certain embodiments may be free of, may lack and / or may function without any element that is not specifically disclosed herein.

[0104] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the description and drawings merely illustrate certain principles and that various arrangements may be devised which, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody such principles. Furthermore, the examples and conditions recited herein are mainly intended to aid the reader in understanding such principles and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. It should be noted that references to relative positions (e.g., “top” and “bottom”) in this description are merely used to identify various elements as are oriented in the Figures. It should be recognized that the orientation of particular components may vary greatly depending on the application in which they are used.

[0105] Some embodiments are also intended to cover program storage devices, e.g., digital data storage media, which are, machine or computer-readable and encode machine-executable or computerexecutable programs of instructions, wherein said instructions perform some or all of the steps of the above-described methods. The embodiments are also intended to cover computers programmed to perform said steps of the above-described methods.

[0106] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that when a processor is described as being “configured” to carry out an action or process, this can mean that the processor carries out the action or process by virtue of executing computer-readable instructions that are read from device memory where these computer-readable instructions are stored.

[0107] Those skilled in the art should appreciate that any feature of any embodiment disclosed herein may combined with (e.g., used instead of or in addition to) any feature of any other embodiment disclosed herein in some examples of implementation. Certain additional elements that may be needed for operation of some embodiments have not been described or illustrated as they are assumed to be within a purview of those ordinarily skilled in the art. Moreover, certain embodiments may be free of, may lack and / or may function without any element that is not specifically disclosed herein.

[0108] Although various embodiments have been illustrated, this was for the purpose of describing, but should not be limiting. Various modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art and are within the scope of what is claimed.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:1 . A grinding wheel device for a grinding apparatus to grind a substrate, the grinding wheel device comprising:- a wheel configured to be rotated by the grinding apparatus; and- a grinding belt retained around the wheel to contact and grind the substrate; wherein: the wheel comprises an adjustment mechanism configured to vary an outer diameter of the wheel; the adjustment mechanism is operable to increase the outer diameter of the wheel for retaining the grinding belt around the wheel; and the adjustment mechanism is operable to decrease the outer diameter of the wheel for removing the grinding belt from the wheel.

2. The grinding wheel device of claim 1 , wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises an actuator operable to vary the outer diameter of the wheel.

3. The grinding wheel device of claim 2, wherein the actuator is manually operable to vary the outer diameter of the wheel.

4. The grinding wheel device of claim 3, wherein the actuator is manually operable with a tool to vary the outer diameter of the wheel.

5. The grinding wheel device of any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the actuator is rotatable to vary the outer diameter of the wheel.

6. The grinding wheel device of any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the actuator comprises a fastener.

7. The grinding wheel device of claim 6, wherein the fastener is a threaded fastener.

8. The grinding wheel device of claim 7, wherein the threaded fastener is a nut.

9. The grinding wheel device of any one of claims 7 and 8, wherein the actuator comprises a washer engaged by the threaded fastener.

10. The grinding wheel device of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the adjustment mechanism is operable to vary the outer diameter of the wheel while the wheel is nonrotating.1 1. The grinding wheel device of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises a plurality of wheel members movable relative to one another to vary the outer diameter of the wheel.

12. The grinding wheel device of claim 11 , wherein each of the wheel members is circular.

13. The grinding wheel device of any one of claims 11 and 12, wherein a first one of the wheel members and a second one of the wheel members are movable relative to one another along an axis of rotation of the wheel to vary the outer diameter of the wheel.

14. The grinding wheel device of claim 13, wherein a third one of the wheel members is movable relative to the first one of the wheel members and the second one of the wheel members radially with respect to the axis of rotation of the wheel to vary the outer diameter of the wheel.

15. The grinding wheel device of claim 14, wherein the third one of the wheel members is movable relative to the first one of the wheel members and the second one of the wheel members radially away from the axis of rotation of the wheel when the first one of the wheel members and the second one of the wheel members move toward one another along the axis of rotation and urge the third one of the wheel members radially outward.

16. The grinding wheel device of claim 15, wherein the third one of the wheel members is movable relative to the first one of the wheel members and the second one of the wheel members radially toward the axis of rotation of the wheel when the first one of the wheel members and the second one of the wheel members move away from one another along the axis of rotation and allow the third one of the wheel members to move radially inward.

17. The grinding wheel device of any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein the first one of the wheel members and the second one of the wheel members are fastened together while movable relative to one another.

18. The grinding wheel device of claim 17, wherein the first one of the wheel members and the second one of the wheel members are fastened together by a plurality of fasteners spaced from one another.

19. The grinding wheel device of claim 18, wherein the fasteners are screws.

20. The grinding wheel device of any one of claims 13 to 19, wherein a connecting portion of the first one of the wheel members is received within a connecting opening of the second one of the wheel members.

21. The grinding wheel device of claim 20, wherein the connecting portion of the first one of the wheel members is a projection and the connecting opening of the second one of the wheel members is a hole.

22. The grinding wheel device of any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the third one of the wheel members is a tensioning ring disposed between the first one of the wheel members and the second one of the wheel members, defining a circumference of the wheel, and engaging the grinding belt.

23. The grinding wheel device of claim 22, wherein the tensioning ring is discontinuous.

24. The grinding wheel device of claim 22, wherein the tensioning ring is cut.

25. The grinding wheel device of any one of claims 14 to 16 and 22 to 23, wherein the first one of the wheel members, the second one of the wheel members and the third one of the wheel members comprise angled surfaces engaging one another to allow the third one of the wheel members to be movable relative to the first one of the wheel members and the second one of the wheel members radially with respect to the axis of rotation of the wheel to vary the outer diameter of the wheel.

26. The grinding wheel device of any one of claims 1 1 to 25, wherein each of the wheel members is rigid.

27. The grinding wheel device of any one of claims 1 1 to 26, wherein each of the wheel members is nonelastomeric.

28. The grinding wheel device of any one of claims 1 1 to 27, wherein each of the wheel members is metallic.

29. The grinding wheel device of any one of claims 1 to 28, wherein the wheel comprises a circumferential surface contacting the grinding belt and comprising a frictional enhancer configured to enhance friction between the wheel and the grinding belt.

30. The grinding wheel device of claim 29, wherein the frictional enhancer comprises a frictionenhancing texture.

31. The grinding wheel device of claim 30, wherein the friction-enhancing texture comprises a pattern of recesses and projections.

32. The grinding wheel device of claim 30, wherein the friction-enhancing texture comprises a knurled texture.

33. The grinding wheel device of claim 29, wherein the frictional enhancer comprises an elastomeric layer disposed on a metallic part of the wheel and contacting the grinding belt.

34. The grinding wheel device of any one of claims 1 to 31 , wherein the grinding belt has a grit between 40 and 80.

35. The grinding wheel device of any one of claims 1 to 34, wherein: the substrate is a runner of a skate; and the grinding apparatus is a runner grinding apparatus.

36. A grinding wheel device for a grinding apparatus to grind a substrate, the grinding wheel device comprising:- a wheel configured to be rotated by the grinding apparatus; and- a grinding belt retained around the wheel to contact and grind the substrate; wherein: an outer diameter of the wheel is variable; the outer diameter of the wheel is increasable to retain the grinding belt around the wheel; and the outer diameter of the wheel is decreasable to remove the grinding belt from the wheel.

37. A grinding wheel device for a grinding apparatus to grind a substrate, the grinding wheel device comprising:- a wheel configured to be rotated by the grinding apparatus; and- a grinding belt retained around the wheel to contact and grind the substrate; wherein: the wheel comprises a plurality of wheel members movable relative to one another to vary an outer diameter of the wheel; and the wheel comprises an actuator operable to move the wheel members relative to one another to increase the outer diameter of the wheel for retaining the grinding belt around the wheel and move the wheel members relative to one another to decrease the outer diameter of the wheel for removing the grinding belt from the wheel.

38. A grinding wheel device for a grinding apparatus to grind a substrate, the grinding wheel device comprising:- a wheel configured to be rotated by the grinding apparatus; and- a grinding belt retained around the wheel to contact and grind the substrate; wherein: the wheel comprises a plurality of wheel members movable relative to one another to vary an outer diameter of the wheel, including to increase the outer diameter of the wheel for retaining the grinding belt around the wheel and to decrease the outer diameter of the wheel for removing the grinding belt from the wheel; a first one of the wheel members and a second one of the wheel members are movable relative to one another along an axis of rotation of the wheel to vary the outer diameter of the wheel; and a third one of the wheel members is movable relative to the first one of the wheel members and the second one of the wheel members radially with respect to the axis of rotation of the wheel to vary the outer diameter of the wheel.

39. A grinding wheel device for a grinding apparatus to grind a substrate, the grinding wheel device comprising:- a wheel configured to be rotated by the grinding apparatus; and- a grinding belt retained around the wheel to contact and grind the substrate; wherein: the wheel comprises a first wheel member, a second wheel member, and a tensioning ring movable relative to one another to vary an outer diameter of the wheel; the tensioning ring is disposed between the first wheel member and the second wheel member, defines a circumference of the wheel, and engages the grinding belt; the tensioning ring is configured to expand and increase the outer diameter of the wheel for retaining the grinding belt around the wheel when the first wheel member and the second wheel member move relative to one another in a given direction; the tensioning ring is configured to contract and decrease the outer diameter of the wheel for removing the grinding belt from the wheel when the first wheel member and the second wheel member move relative to one another in an opposite direction that is opposite to the given direction.

40. A grinding wheel device for a runner grinding apparatus to grind a runner of a skate, the grinding wheel device comprising:- a wheel configured to be rotated by the runner grinding apparatus; and- a grinding belt retained around the wheel to contact and grind the runner; wherein: the wheel comprises an adjustment mechanism configured to vary an outer diameter of the wheel; the adjustment mechanism is operable to increase the outer diameter of the wheel for retaining the grinding belt around the wheel; and the adjustment mechanism is operable to decrease the outer diameter of the wheel for removing the grinding belt from the wheel.

41. A grinding wheel device for a runner grinding apparatus to grind a runner of a skate, the grinding wheel device comprising:- a wheel configured to be rotated by the runner grinding apparatus; and- a grinding belt retained around the wheel to contact and grind the runner; wherein: an outer diameter of the wheel is variable; the outer diameter of the wheel is increasable to retain the grinding belt around the wheel; and the outer diameter of the wheel is decreasable to remove the grinding belt from the wheel.

42. A grinding wheel device for a runner grinding apparatus to grind a runner of a skate, the grinding wheel device comprising:- a wheel configured to be rotated by the runner grinding apparatus; and- a grinding belt retained around the wheel to contact and grind the runner; wherein: the wheel comprises a plurality of wheel members movable relative to one another to vary an outer diameter of the wheel; and the wheel comprises an actuator operable to move the wheel members relative to one another to increase the outer diameter of the wheel for retaining the grinding belt around the wheel and move the wheel members relative to one another to decrease the outer diameter of the wheel for removing the grinding belt from the wheel.

43. A grinding wheel device for a runner grinding apparatus to grind a runner of a skate, the grinding wheel device comprising:- a wheel configured to be rotated by the runner grinding apparatus; and- a grinding belt retained around the wheel to contact and grind the runner; wherein: the wheel comprises a plurality of wheel members movable relative to one another to vary an outer diameter of the wheel, including to increase the outer diameter of the wheel for retaining the grinding belt around the wheel and to decrease the outer diameter of the wheel for removing the grinding belt from the wheel; a first one of the wheel members and a second one of the wheel members are movable relative to one another along an axis ofrotation of the wheel to vary the outer diameter of the wheel; and a third one of the wheel members is movable relative to the first one of the wheel members and the second one of the wheel members radially with respect to the axis of rotation of the wheel to vary the outer diameter of the wheel.

44. A grinding wheel device for a runner grinding apparatus to grind a runner of a skate, the grinding wheel device comprising:- a wheel configured to be rotated by the runner grinding apparatus; and- a grinding belt retained around the wheel to contact and grind the runner; wherein: the wheel comprises a first wheel member, a second wheel member, and a tensioning ring movable relative to one another to vary an outer diameter of the wheel; the tensioning ring is disposed between the first wheel member and the second wheel member, defines a circumference of the wheel, and engages the grinding belt; the tensioning ring is configured to expand and increase the outer diameter of the wheel for retaining the grinding belt around the wheel when the first wheel member and the second wheel member move relative to one another in a given direction; the tensioning ring is configured to contract and decrease the outer diameter of the wheel for removing the grinding belt from the wheel when the first wheel member and the second wheel member move relative to one another in an opposite direction that is opposite to the given direction.

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