1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the field of abrading devices, including sanding and polishing devices and, more particularly, this invention relates to devices adapted to the abrading, sanding, and polishing of one or more curved surfaces.
2. Background of the Invention
Abrading, sanding, and polishing devices have long been developed for use with flat surfaces, especially for use in conjunction with power tools. But many such devices are ill-suited for use in conjunction with curved surfaces. Some devices allow the sanding and polishing of curved surfaces only by treating the curved surface as a series of flat surfaces tangent to a specific curve. This is the case with belt- or disk-sanders and polishers. U.S. Pat. No. 6,722,961 (“Polishing Machine for Wheel Rims”) awarded to Solanellas in 2004 constitutes an example of this approach.
Other sanders/polishers are brush-type devices. These devices accommodate curved surfaces only by applying more force on protruding portions of the surface and less force on the remainder. Typical brush-type devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,106,193 (“Rotary Scraper with Non-Gouging Finger Array”) awarded to Fisher et al. in 1978 and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,119,601 (“Apparatus for Abrading a Surface”) awarded to Yamashita et al. in 1992. One drawback of such devices is that they can engage only surfaces of very shallow depth or relief (i.e. they are limited in their use to a fraction of the height of the bristles).
A need exists in the art for a device that would allow abrading, sanding, and polishing of curved surfaces, including power-assisted abrading, sanding, and polishing of curved surfaces. The device should also provide a means to abrade a variety of surface shapes and dimensions.
An object of this invention is to provide a device for abrading, sanding, and polishing curved surfaces that overcomes many of the disadvantages in the prior art.
Another object of this invention is to provide a device for abrading, sanding, and polishing curved surfaces that allows work on a variety of surface shapes. A feature of this invention is an abrading substrate with an adjustable shape. An advantage of this invention is that it allows an operator to configure the shape of the abrading surface to the shape of the surface to be abraded during the actual abrading process.
Yet another object of this invention is to provide a device for power-assisted abrading, sanding, and polishing of curved surfaces that allows rapid change in the work done on a given surface. A feature of this invention is the use of an abrading substrate that can quickly be replaced by another substrate. An advantage of this invention is that it allows an operator to quickly change the task being performed (e.g. from sanding to polishing).
In brief, this invention provides an abrading device for curved workpieces that features interchangeable abrading surfaces which conform to the shape of the workpiece to be abraded during the abrading action itself.
Also provided is an abrading device comprising a substrate defining a rough surface, wherein the substrate has a first end and a second end; a first support attached to the first end; a second support attached to the second end, wherein the second support is movable relative to the first support; and a means for imparting motion to the first support and the second support relative to a workpiece.
The foregoing and other objects, aspects and advantages of this invention will be better understood from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawing, in which:
a is an overall schematic perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a device for abrading, sanding, and polishing of linearly-extending curved surfaces, in accordance with features of the present invention;
b is a detail of a schematic profile view of an exemplary embodiment of a device for abrading, sanding, and polishing of linearly-extending curved surfaces, in accordance with features of the present invention;
a is a schematic perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a linear device for abrading, sanding, and polishing curved surfaces, in accordance with features of the present invention;
b is a schematic perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a rotary device for abrading, sanding, and polishing of asymmetrical curved surfaces, in accordance with features of the present invention;
a is a schematic view of a mode of operation of a linear device for abrading, sanding, and polishing curved surfaces, in accordance with features of the present invention;
b is a schematic view of an alternative mode of operation of a linear device for abrading, sanding, and polishing curved surfaces, in accordance with features of the present invention;
c is a schematic view of an alternative mode of operation of a linear device for abrading, sanding, and polishing curved surfaces, in accordance with features of the present invention;
a is a schematic view of an alternative embodiment of a linear device for abrading, sanding, and polishing curved surfaces, in accordance with features of the present invention;
b is a schematic view of another alternative embodiment of a linear device for abrading, sanding, and polishing curved surfaces, in accordance with features of the present invention;
c is a schematic view of another alternative embodiment of a linear device for abrading, sanding, and polishing curved surfaces, in accordance with features of the present invention;
a is a view of a mode of operation of a rotary device for abrading, sanding, and polishing curved surfaces, in accordance with features of the present invention;
b is a schematic view of an alternative embodiment of a rotary device for abrading, sanding, and polishing curved surfaces, in accordance with features of the present invention;
c is a schematic view of another alternative embodiment of a rotary device for abrading, sanding, and polishing curved surfaces, in accordance with features of the present invention;
d is a schematic view of another alternative embodiment of a rotary device for abrading, sanding, and polishing curved surfaces, in accordance with features of the present invention;
a is a schematic view of a spring biasing arrangement for a device for abrading, sanding, and polishing curved surfaces, in accordance with features of the present invention;
b is a schematic view of an alternative spring biasing arrangement for a device for abrading, sanding, and polishing curved surfaces, in accordance with features of the present invention;
c is a schematic view of another alternative spring biasing arrangement for a device for abrading, sanding, and polishing curved surfaces, in accordance with features of the present invention;
d is a schematic view of another alternative spring biasing arrangement for a rotary device for abrading, sanding, and polishing curved surfaces, in accordance with features of the present invention;
e is a schematic view of another alternative spring biasing arrangement for a rotary device for abrading, sanding, and polishing curved surfaces, in accordance with features of the present invention;
The present invention provides an improved device for abrading, sanding, and polishing curved surfaces which overcomes disadvantages in the prior art. The present invention features interchangeable abrading surfaces with an adjustable shape that can be configured to the shape of the surface to be abraded. The invention facilitates conformation of the sanding surface to the workpiece during sanding or polishing. The invented device can be used either manually or in conjunction with a power tool.
The invented tool provides a continuously variable abrading surface. This allows for the thorough cleaning, sanding, cutting, shaping, and deburring of surfaces having varying contours. Any radius of curvature for the workpiece surface is accommodated with the invented tool given the ability of its abrading surface to contour and match with the topography (e.g., diameter) of the work piece.
a is an overall schematic perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the invention. As depicted in
The device is provided with means to impart motion to the supports 32 and 33 relative to the workpiece 40. In the embodiment depicted in
In one embodiment, the handle H is attached by means of a plurality of the rods 36 discussed supra, the rods transversely extending through the supports 32, 33. Longitudinally extending sides 27 of the handle 23 are positioned medially from inward-facing surfaces of the supports 32, 33 so as to provide a space 29 on either or both sides of the longitudinally extending sides 27 of the handle, the space adapted to receive the fingers of a user who wraps his hand about the circumference of the handle to grasp the handle. As such, the user manipulates the tool 10 by grasping its proximal end
Alternatively, the supports 32, 33 may be held fixed on a workbench and the workpiece 40 moved with respect to them. (See
As more fully discussed infra, the topography of the abrading substrate is also varied by the user applying axial and radial forces to the device during use.
Where the abrading membrane 20 is formed from a relatively flimsy material such as paper, a flexible but sturdy foundation membrane 21 in contact with the abrading membrane 20 may be used. Abrasion is accomplished by relative motion between the work surface 41 and the abrading membrane 20.
Two general embodiments are envisioned for the abrading device.
Linear Sanding Device.
a through 3c illustrate possible uses of the rectilinear embodiment.
c depicts a situation where the workpiece 40 is axially symmetric and rotating around an axial shaft 45 while it remains in contact with the abrading membrane 20 of the abrading device 10A. There are two possible arrangements in conjunction with
In all three of the above
a depicts a modified linear trough device where the abrading substrate 20 is draped over overhanging shoulders 132, 133. This arrangement allows the abrading of rectilinearly extending workpieces the cross-section of which is not uniformly decreasing.
Also, while a planar array of rods 36 is depicted in
c depicts a modification of the linear device 10A wherein either or both heights h1 and h2 are continuously adjustable. As shown in
Rotary Sanding Device
a depicts an arrangement where the workpiece 40 is a rail and the abrading device 10B is a rotary device where the plates 32 and 33 define co-axial circular disks 32c and 33c and the plate coupling rod 36 constitutes the axis of rotation of the device. The rotary device can be made to move back-and-forth on the rail as torque is imparted to the axial shaft 36 of the device or the position of the rotary device may remain stationary while the workpiece is transported with respect to it.
The rotary abrading device 10B may be used with a wide variety of workpiece shapes especially when the axial shaft 36c is driven by a hand-held torque-imparting device such as an electric drill or an impact driver.
While a single rod 36 is depicted in
c depicts an alternate embodiment facilitating the use of the invented device in conjunction with a hand-held torque-imparting device. As shown in
d depicts an alternative embodiment wherein the radius of the support plate 32c (or 33c, or both) is continuously adjustable. As shown in
In general, one or more rods each comprising a first end and a second end and a threaded mid-section are utilized in a rotary abrading device. Two plates are secured to said rods a distance apart by threaded nuts received by said threaded mid-sections. Finally, a membrane coated with abrading material is removably attached to said plates. A centrally-located rod is adapted to be received by a rotating chuck so as to impart high RPM functionality to the device.
Spring-Biased Embodiments.
The invented sanding and polishing device can be improved by the addition of biasing springs so as to allow lateral and medial movement of the plates relative to each other during sanding and polishing operations. This is in addition to the action already conferred by the device whereby the plates are simultaneously rotated or moved linearly in the same direction and speed. Throughout this disclosure, the term “spring” denotes a structure that changes configuration under stress but returns to its original configuration after the stress is removed, including coiled wires, bellows, accordion shaped metal or plastic members, etc. . . .
a depicts an embodiment wherein one or more springs 80 are placed between the plates 31 and 32. Nuts 82 and 83 limit the maximum length of the springs and nuts 84 and 85 the minimum length thereof.
b depicts an embodiment wherein springs 86, 87 are placed between the plates 31 and 32 and nuts 88 and 89 that limit the separation S between the supports 32, 33. The embodiments depicted in
Additional spring arrangements are depicted in
Depicted schematically in
e depicts an exemplary arrangement of an alternative embodiment wherein the supporting membrane 21 is attached to the rods 36 by one or more tang 98 and yoke 99 flexible coupling mechanisms together with optional springs 97.
Two or more of the spring arrangements illustrated in
Fabrication Details
Any rigid metallic material is appropriate for the device plates 32, 33 including but not limited to metal, wood, plastic, nylon, fiberglass, or cardboard. Preferably, the one or more rods 36 comprise materials such as steel, wood, plastic, nylon, fiberglass. Preferably, at least the ends 37, 39 of these rods would be capable of being threaded. Optionally, and as depicted in
The abrading substrate can be a membrane, webbing, sand paper, rasping material, perforated sheeting, or a plurality of wires. Suitable substrate include, but are not limited to sandpaper, chain male/mesh or sanding cloth, where the abrasive comprises materials such as Aluminum oxide, Silicon carbide, ceramic grains, diamond grains, polishing cloth, fur, etc. . . .
The abrading membrane can be commercially available sandpaper or sanding cloth, where the abrasive comprises materials such as Aluminum oxide, Silicon carbide, Ceramic grains, polishing cloth, fur, etc. . . . The abrading substrate may be attached to the foundational membrane by means of a non-hardening adhesive.
Single sheets of such materials can be used for the linear trough device 10A. For the rotary device 10B, the above materials can be cut into strips as depicted in
The abrading membrane can be attached to the plates 31,32 by a myriad of means such as screws, hooks, pins, non-hardening adhesive, and a variety of clamping mechanisms. For the linear device 10A, spring clamps are especially indicated while for the rotary device 10B, hose clamps are especially indicated.
While the invention has been described with reference to details of the illustrated embodiment, these details are not intended to limit the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20080274676 A1 | Nov 2008 | US |