Patent Application
20230113086
This patent application claims priority to EP Application 21201454.2 filed Oct. 7, 2021 which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
The present invention relates to a sander. More particularly, the present invention relates to an adjustable sander that is suitable for use on both flat and curved surfaces.
Sanders are well known tools. They are typically used in automotive or manufacturing applications wherein there is a need to obtain a smooth surface. Sanding is often applied to flat substrates. A handheld sander having a flat sanding surface may easily sand such flat substrates. However, often times there is a need to sand an object with a curved substrate. In such instances, a sander with a flat sanding surface may prove to be inadequate and even burdensome.
To address this problem, it is known to have a sander with a flexible base and sanding surface. The sanding surfaces of such sanders may contour to the substrate that is being sanded. However, such sanders require the operator to apply constant and even pressure so that the flexible sanding surface remains in contact with the curves of substrate. It would be advantageous to have a sander that is adjustable wherein the operator can select the contour (convexity or concavity) of the base and have said contour position maintained without further effort from the operator.
The present invention addresses one or more of the aforementioned problems by problems by providing an adjustable sander having a body and a flexible base. The flexible base includes a first end and a second end spaced apart from one another. The first end and second end are each pivotally attached to the body. The flexible base is configured to move between a concave configuration, a neutral configuration, and a convex configuration relative to the body. The adjustable sander further includes a removable sanding surface affixed to a surface of the flexible base that is distal from the body. The adjustable sander also includes a locking mechanism configured to selectively hold the flexible base in a desired concave, neutral or convex configuration. The locking mechanism is characterized in that it includes an axial having a head and a shaft having a series of shaft notches. The locking mechanism further includes a selector having an operator surface and a holder. The operator surface is accessible from outside the body. The holder includes an engagement surface having at least one holder notch configured to selectively engage at least one of the shaft notches. The selector is selectively movable between an engaged position wherein the at least one holder notch is engaged to one of the shaft notches, and a disengaged position, wherein the at least one holder notch is disengaged from the shaft notches.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing implementations or embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms, “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the root terms “can”, “include”, “can include”, “may”, and/or “have”, when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of at least one other feature, step, operation, element, component, and/or groups thereof.
As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” “including,” “has,” “having” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of features is not necessarily limited only to those features but may include other features not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.
As used herein “substantially,” “generally,” “slightly” and other words of degree are relative modifiers intended to indicate permissible variation from the characteristic so modified. It is not intended to be limited to the absolute value or characteristic which it modifies but rather possessing more of the physical or functional characteristic than its opposite, and preferably, approaching or approximating such a physical or functional characteristic.
The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following descriptions of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings:
The locking mechanism 22 includes an axial 24. The axial includes a head 26 and a shaft 28, having a series of shaft notches 30. The shaft notches 30 may be positioned on a single side of the shaft 28; on multiple sides of the shaft 28; or may be a screw-like surface that encompasses a circumference of the shaft 28. In alternate embodiments, the locking mechanism 22 may further include a sleeve 32 that is positioned around the shaft 28. Also included in the locking mechanism is a selector 34. As shown in
In a preferred embodiment, the sleeve 32 of the locking mechanism 22 may further define a window 58. The engagement surface 40 of the holder 38 may engage the shaft notches 30 through said window 58. The sleeve 32 may also include one or more holder guides 110. In this first embodiment, the holder guides 110 may be positioned immediately adjacent window 34. As best shown in
The locking mechanism may further include a detent 82 that is biased by a spring 84. The detent 82 and spring 84 are configured to prevent unwanted movement of the selector 34. In a preferred embodiment, the detent 82 and spring 84 are positioned inside the body 12. In a preferable embodiment, the detent 82 and detent spring 84, may be positioned within a detent housing 85 within the body 12. The spring 84 biases the detent 82 toward the holder 38. The detent 82 is configured to engage detent receiving surfaces 86, which are defined by the holder 38. As the selector 34 is moved between the engaged position and the disengaged position, the detent 82 is biased by the spring 84 toward the detent receiving surface 86. Once engaged to the detent receiving surface, the spring biased detent holds the selector 34 in the desired position, thereby preventing unwanted movement. When the operator desires to move the selector 34 to its other position, she must apply enough force so that the detent 82 presses back against the spring 84. When the selector reaches its desired position, the spring 84 biases the detent 82 into another detent receiving surface 86.
In a preferred embodiment, the locking mechanism 22 further includes a spring 88 positioned around the shaft 28. Spring 88 is configured to be selectively compressed between the head 26 of the shaft 28 and the sleeve 32. More specifically, that spring 88 may be selectively compressed between the head 26 of the shaft 28 and wings 33 on the sleeve 32. In operation, spring 88 may bias the flexible base 14 from a convex configuration towards a neutral configuration.
In any of the previously described embodiments, one or more of the following features may also be included. For example, one or the other of the shaft notches 30 and holder notches 44 may be chamfered 45. Still further, both the shaft notches 30 and the holder notches 44 may be chamfered 45. Similarly, in the embodiment wherein the locking mechanism 22 includes a gear nut 64 and a gear pin 70, one or more of the nut notches 68 and locking notches 76 may be chamfered 45. The chamfers 45 in any of said embodiments are configured to ease the sliding engagements between the shaft notches and the holder notches 44 or between the nut notches 68 and the locking notches 76.
Another feature that may be used in any of the previously described embodiments is the body 12 being constructed for a two-part clam shell 90. Such a construction eases the manufacturability of the adjustable sander 10.
Yet another feature that may be used in conjunction with any of the previously described embodiments is the inclusion of first and second connecting arms 92, 94. The first and second connecting arms are spaced apart from one another. Each having one end 96, 98 that is pivotally connected to the flexible base 14, and a second end 100, 102 that is pivotally connected to the body 12. The connecting arms 92, 94 are configured to facilitate greater pivotal movement of the flexible base 14 relative to the body 12.
Another feature that may be used in conjunction with any previously described embodiment is a vacuum tube coupling 104 having a first end 106 and a second end 108. The first end 106 is configured to engage a vacuum mechanism. The second end 108 is configured to facilitate access to sanded particle that are freed by the sanding surface. In operation, the vacuum tube coupling allows for the removal of excess dust from the sanded surface.
While certain features of the described implementations have been illustrated as described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes and equivalents will occur to those skilled in the art. It is to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the scope of the implementations. It should be understood that they have been presented by illustration only, not limitation, and various changes in form and details may be made. Any portion of the apparatus and/or methods described may be combined in any combination. The implementations described can include various combinations and/or sub-combinations of the functions, components and/or features of the different implementations described.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21201454.2 | Oct 2021 | EP | regional |
