The present disclosure is generally related to disk grinders and sanders, and more particularly is related to systems and methods for configuring the surfaces of disk grinders and sanders.
Disk grinders and sanders are useful for removing material along a plane defined by the grinding or sanding surface. A disk having a rough material is typically spun about an axis by a motor. The object being sanded or ground is typically placed against the disk at an angle orthogonal to the disk, and material is removed from the object where the disk meets the surface of the object.
Disk grinders and sanders currently known in the art are configured to be operated in a single orientation only—the grinding or sanding surface is oriented either vertically or horizontally. However, many users require sanding or grinding applications in multiple orientations. One known solution is to purchase multiple grinders or sanders in different orientations, e.g., a first device at a horizontal orientation and a second device at a vertical orientation. This requires additional cost, maintenance, and storage requirements, which is undesirable for users of small shops. Another known solution includes employing a bracket designed to secure a device at a different orientation than it is typically used, e.g. in a horizontal orientation when typically at a vertical orientation, and vice-versa. These brackets are limited in their configurability and require the use of tools and complex processes to reconfigure.
Thus, a heretofore unaddressed need exists in the industry to address the aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies.
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a system and apparatus for an adjustable grinder. Briefly described, in architecture, one embodiment of the apparatus, among others, can be implemented as follows. An adjustable grinding apparatus includes a grinder having a motor in communication with a grinding disk. A grinder base houses the motor. The grinder base has at least one sidewall extending around at least a portion of the motor. An adjustable motor support includes a motor support surface positioned between the motor and the grinding disk. First and second arms are affixed to first and second ends, respectively, of the motor support surface and rotatably secured to the at least one sidewall of the grinder base. At least one of the first and second arms has at least one slotted cutout. A locking mechanism is in communication with at least one of the first and second arms and the at least one sidewall of the grinder base through the at least one slotted cutout. The grinder and the adjustable motor support are rotatable about the grinder base to adjust a grinding orientation of the grinder. A position of the grinder is fixable by tightening the locking mechanism.
The present disclosure can also be viewed as providing an apparatus for housing a grinder. Briefly described, in architecture, one embodiment of the apparatus, among others, can be implemented as follows. An adjustable housing for a grinder includes a grinder base having an interior volume and at least one sidewall extending around at least a portion of the interior volume. A motor support surface is included. First and second arms are affixed to first and second ends, respectively of the motor support surface and rotatably secured to the at least one sidewall of the grinder base. A locking mechanism is in communication with at least one of the first and second arms and the at least one sidewall of the grinder base. The motor support surface is rotatable about the grinder base to adjust an orientation of the motor support surface. A position of the motor support surface is fixable by engaging the locking mechanism.
The present disclosure can also be viewed as providing methods of adjusting an orientation of a grinder. In this regard, one embodiment of such a method, among others, can be broadly summarized by the following steps: providing a grinder having a motor in communication with a grinding disk; housing the motor within a grinder base having at least one sidewall, the at least one sidewall extending around at least a portion of the motor; positioning a motor support surface between the motor and the grinding disk, the motor support surface having first and second arms affixed to first and second ends of the motor support surface, at least one of the first and second arms having at least one slotted cutout; rotatably securing the first and second arms to the at least one sidewall of the grinder base; adjusting, by rotating the grinder and the motor support surface about the grinder base, a grinding orientation of the grinder; and fixing, by engaging a locking mechanism in communication with at least one of the first and second arms and the at least one sidewall of the grinder base through the at least one slotted cutout, a position of the grinder.
Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present disclosure, and be protected by the accompanying claims.
Many aspects of the disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.
A grinder 110 has a motor 112 in communication with a grinding disk 114. The motor 112 may be any suitable motor for use in grinding and sanding applications. In one example, the motor 112 may be a 1½ horsepower A/C motor. The motor 112 may include a power source, such as alternating current provided through a wall outlet, direct current provided by a battery, and the like. The grinding disk 114 may be any suitable rotary grinding surface, material, or structure. As used herein, the term “grinding” may refer to any action that removes material through the contact of a rotary abrasive, including sanding and polishing. The grinding disk 114 may include any suitable type of grinding disk or wheel, including aluminum dioxide, diamond, fiberglass, silicon carbide, zirconia, and the like. The grinding disk 114 may include any suitable type of sanding disk, including aluminum oxide, ceramic, felt, silicon carbide, zirconia, and the like. The grinding disk 114 may also include any suitable type of surface conditioning disk, including felt, nylon, sandpaper, and the like. It should be understood that the grinding disk 114 may include any suitable size, grit, and attachment mechanism known in the art. The grinding disk 114 may be in mechanical communication with the motor 112, i.e., may be attached for operation to the motor 112 by any suitable means, including adhesives, magnets, clips, fasteners, and the like.
A grinder base 120 houses the motor 112. The grinder base 120 may provide a structure at least partially enclosing the motor 112 in order to facilitate rotation and adjustment of the grinder 110's orientation. In one example, the grinder base 120 may include at least one sidewall 122, 124 extending around at least a portion of the motor 112.
The grinder base 120 may be any suitable shape to house the grinder 110 and adjust the grinding orientation. By way of example,
In one example, the at least one sidewall 122, 124 may include any suitable number and orientation of sidewalls for rotatably mounting the grinder 110. For instance, the at least one sidewall 122 may be a single sidewall extending to opposite ends of the base plate 126. This may include a curved sidewall 122, for example having a U-shape with two ends substantially parallel to one another. This may also include a single sidewall piece 122 having one or more angled portions between two substantially parallel ends. The at least one sidewall 122, 124 may also include more than two sidewalls. The additional sidewalls may provide an enclosure for the motor 112, which may keep out dust, trimmings, and the like.
In one example, the grinder base 120 may completely enclose the motor 112. This may protect the motor from dust and debris, as discussed above. It may also protect the motor 112 from accidental contact with the user or with other materials in the shop, which may affect the orientation of the grinding surface. The enclosed grinder base 120 may be any suitable shape, including box, oblong, cylindrical, and the like. The enclosed volume of the grinder base 120 may allow the motor 112 to rotate freely therein.
The grinder base 120 may further include any additional members or components to improve stability, provide protection, or interface with other components. For example, the grinder base 120 may include a cross member 128 connected between the sidewalls 122, 124 and affixed to the base plate 126. The cross member 128 may have a height that allows the grinder 110 to rotate freely between a first orientation and a second orientation, such that the height of the cross member 128 does not cross a motion path of the grinder 110 or motor support 130. For example, when the grinder 110 and motor support 130 are oriented with the grinding disk 114 in a vertical position, the motor 112 may be positioned above the cross member 128. Cross member 128 may also hold a movable support table against the grinder base 120, which may provide a supportive surface for the object being ground.
The grinder base 120 may be formed from any suitable material, including metal, plastic, wood, ceramic, polymer, and the like. The grinder base 120 generally may be rigid and may be strong enough to support the weight of the grinder 110, the material being ground, and the force applied to operate the grinder 110. In one example, the grinder base 120 may be formed from ¼-inch steel.
An adjustable motor support 130 includes a motor support surface 132 positioned between the motor 112 and the grinding disk 114. The motor support 130 may be made from any suitable material, and in one example may be made from the same material as the grinder base 120. The motor support surface 132 may be substantially planar, and may be oriented substantially parallel to the grinding disk 114. In one example, a surface area of the motor support surface 132 may be larger than a surface area of the grinding disk 114. For instance, the length and/or width of the motor support surface 132 may be larger than the grinding disk 114. This may shield the motor 112 and other portions of the grinder base 120 from debris and other particulates during the grinding process. In one example, the motor support surface 132 may be generally shaped as a rectangle, and may extend between the at least one sidewall 122, 124. In a first position, the motor support surface 132 may, for example, have a horizontal orientation, and may be rotatably adjusted to a vertical orientation, or any orientation therebetween.
First and second arms 134, 136 may be affixed to first and second ends 135, 137, respectively, of the motor support surface 132. The first and second arms 134, 136 may be affixed by any suitable means, including welding, fasteners, adhesive, or other methods. In one example, the first and second arms 134, 136 may be manufactured as a unitary, monolithic piece with the motor support surface 132. The first and second arms 134, 136 may be substantially parallel to one another and may in at least some portions be substantially perpendicular to the motor support surface 132. This may allow the first and second arms 134, 136 to be secured to the at least one sidewall 122, 124. The first and second arms 134, 136 may be any suitable shape. In the example shown in
In one example, the first and second arms 134, 136 may extend from the motor support surface 132 at right angles. As shown in
The adjustable motor support 130 may be positioned over an exterior of the sidewalls 122, 124, including exterior side and top surfaces, as is shown in
The adjustable motor support 130 may be rotatably secured to the at least one sidewall 122, 124 of the grinder base 120. In one example, the first and second arms 134, 136 may be secured to the sidewalls 122, 124, respectively. The arms 134, 136 may be secured by any suitable means, including rotating bolts, fasteners, axles, and the like. In one example, the arms 134, 136 may be secured by shoulder bolts, low friction washers, and locking nuts.
The adjustable motor support 130 may further include additional components or members. In one example, a front motor plate 138 may be in connection with the motor support surface 132. The front motor plate 138 may be affixed to the motor 112 at a front side of the apparatus 100 to provide support when the grinder 110's orientation is being adjusted. The front motor plate 138 may be any suitable size. In one example, the front motor plate 138 may be sized to fit within the interior volume 102 of the grinder base 120, and may have a vertical length and a horizontal width smaller than the interior height and width, respectively, of the grinder base 120. In another example, the front motor plate 138 may be sized to extend along at least a portion of the vertical length of the motor 112 and along at least a portion of the horizontal width of the motor 112. The front motor plate 138 may be affixed to the motor 112 at an upper portion of the motor 112. The front motor plate 138 may be any suitable shape to support the motor 112 in operation. In one example, the front motor plate 138 may be substantially planar, having a flat shape against which the motor 112 may rest when in a horizontal orientation. In another example, the front motor plate 138 may be shaped to at least partially follow the shape of the motor 112. For instance, the front motor plate 138 may be at least partially curved to conform to the shape of the round motor 112.
At least one of the first and second arms 134, 136 has at least one slotted cutout, shown in greater detail in
The locking mechanism 140 may be any suitable locking mechanism capable of retaining the position of the motor support 130 and the grinder 110 after it has been rotated to a desired orientation. For example, the locking mechanism 140 may include a fastener, such as a handle, and a locking arm, as is shown in
In one example, the grinder base 120 may include additional components for controlling the operation of the grinder 110. For example, a controller bracket 150 may be affixed to the grinder base 120. The controller bracket 150 may provide support for a speed controller 152 or other component, such as an on/off switch. In another example, the apparatus 100 may include other components typically used in grinding operations, such as dust guards, debris catchers, vacuum dust catchers, and the like.
A locking arm 240 may be rotatably affixed to the at least one sidewall 122 by an arm bolt 242. The locking arm 240 may be an elongate member having a lever end 244 and a stop end 246. The lever end 244 may be manipulated by a user to rotate the locking arm 240 about the arm bolt 242. Manipulating the lever end 244 may cause the stop end 246 to be raised and lowered. The stop end 246 may be sized and shaped to fit into a plurality of stops 236 located on a radial edge of the first arm 134. The plurality of stops 236 may be notches or small cutouts in the radial edge of the first arm 134, and may be positioned to correspond to a desired angle of rotation of the first arm 134 and the motor support surface 132. For example, the stops 236 may be located to correspond to rotation angles of 0°, 45°, and 90°, or any other desired angles. When the stop end 246 is placed into a stop 236, it may prevent further rotation of the first arm 134 until the locking arm 240 is disengaged.
In one example, a spring 248 may be connected to a point on the locking arm 240 and a point on the at least one sidewall 122. The spring 248 may be configured to provide a constant force on the lever end 244 of the locking arm 240 to maintain a position of the stop end 246 within a stop 236. The spring 248 may be any suitable type of spring, including torsion springs, extension springs, compression and die springs, and the like.
The locking arm 240 and handle 230 may be made from any suitable materials, including metal, plastic, wood, ceramic, polymer, or any combination thereof. The bolts 234,242 may be any suitable bolts and may include any necessary hardware components, including nuts, washers, caps, and the like.
It should be understood that the locking mechanism 140 and associated components may be located on the second arm 136 or on both arms. The first arm 134 shown in
With regard to
Step 710 includes providing a grinder having a motor in communication with a grinding disk.
Step 720 includes housing the motor within a grinder base having at least one sidewall, the at least one sidewall extending around at least a portion of the motor. The grinder base may be at least partially enclosed. The motor may fit within an interior volume of the grinder base.
Step 730 includes positioning a motor support surface between the motor and the grinding disk, the motor support surface having first and second arms affixed to first and second ends of the motor support surface, at least one of the first and second arms having at least one slotted cutout. The motor support surface may be positioned over the motor before the grinding disk is attached to the motor.
Step 740 includes rotatably securing the first and second arms to the at least one sidewall of the grinder base. Bolts may be installed through the first and second arms and the at least one sidewall to rotatably secure the first and second arms. In one example, the bolts may be located along an axis about which the first and second arms rotate.
Step 750 includes adjusting, by rotating the grinder and the motor support surface about the grinder base, a grinding orientation of the grinder. The motor support surface and grinder may be rotated to any suitable angle. In one example, a locking mechanism may be disengaged before the grinder and the motor support surface may be rotated. The locking mechanism may include a locking arm and a handle that may be tightened and loosened.
Step 760 includes fixing, by engaging a locking mechanism in communication with at least one of the first and second arms and the at least one sidewall of the grinder base through the at least one slotted cutout, a position of the grinder. The locking mechanism may fix the position and orientation of the grinder such that the grinding disk remains substantially fixed during use.
The method may further include any other features, components, or functions disclosed relative to any other figure of this disclosure.
It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure, particularly, any “preferred” embodiments, are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) of the disclosure without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the disclosure. All such modifications and variations am intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and the present disclosure and protected by the following claims.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
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5681209 | Naumann | Oct 1997 | A |