Conformable sanding pad

Abstract

A flexible, hand-held sanding pad comprises a conformable, multi layered, semicircle pad having a surface capable of providing temporary adhesive attachment for a sheet of pressure-sensitive adhesive-coated abrasive material.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the preferred sanding pad of the invention in position on the hand;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the sanding pad shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional end view of the sanding pad shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional end view of the sanding pad shown in FIG. 1 with a sheet of pressure-sensitive adhesive-coated abrasive material adhered on its outer surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the accompanying drawing, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts, a sanding pad 101 is shown which has a top surface 306 and bottom surface 307 capable of providing temporary adhesive attachment for a sheet 409 of pressure-sensitive adhesive-coated abrasive material.

The pad must be a size convenient for holding in the hand. It has been found that sizes ranging from about 5 to about 8 inches are quite adequate. The shape of the pad is preferably a semicircle, as shown in the drawing.

The conformable pad is at least about 3/16 inch thick, preferably at least ⅜ to ¾ inch thick. The pad is formed of a material which is conformable and for the most part will conform easily around intricate and complex shapes, yet it has sufficient body and integrity to distribute the forces provided by the fingertips and palm. For convenient application of a pressure-sensitive coated abrasive sheet, the conformable pad should not be so conformable as to hang limp from the handle means. It may be difficult to apply the adhesive face of the abrasive sheet to a pad which is too limp.

any of a wide variety of conformable sheet materials have been found to be suitable for forming the conformable pad of the sanding pad of the present invention. Useful materials include solid rubber sheets or sheets of open or closed cell foam rubber formed of natural rubber, silicone rubber, neoprene, nitrile rubber, SBR rubber, vinyl rubber, epichlorohydrin rubber, ethylene propylene diene terpolymer rubber, polyurethane rubber, and the like; sheets of reticulated material formed of thermoplastic materials such as polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, polystyrene, and the like; nonwoven fabrics which may be formed of adhesively bonded staple fibers or of mechanically integrated fibers, e.g., felt; woven or knit fabrics; embossed-surfaced plastic material such as embossed films of polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, polyethylene, polypropylene; natural sheet goods such as leather; and laminations of one or more of the above. The preferred pad is formed of laminated closed cell neoprene.

The materials which are sufficiently soft and conformable will have a Shore A durometer hardness value of less than about 60. Harder materials will not be easily conformable to complex surfaces.

The surface of the pad is a closed cell neoprene to prevent permanent adhesion of the pressure-sensitive adhesive coated-abrasive sheet material and to provide temporary attachment of the pressure-sensitive coated-abrasive sheet.

The intermediate layer 305 will preferably have a Shore A durometer hardness value between 30 and 60. This will allow the pad the ability to maintain a sufficient body and integrity to distribute the forces provided by the fingertips and palm surface to eliminate discontinuities caused by finger impressions.

The top surface 306 and bottom surface 307 will preferably have a Shore A durometer hardness value between 20 and 40. This will allow the pad to conform to complex surfaces and prevent permanent adhesion of the pressure-sensitive adhesive coated-abrasive sheet material.

The semicircle straight edge 204 has rounded corners 308 to allow a single round disc of pressure-sensitive adhesive coated-abrasive sheet material 409 to be applied to the top surface 306 and bottom surface 307 preventing any creasing or crinkling.

Claims

1. A hand-held sanding pad for abrasive material, said pad comprising: a composite sheet structure of synthetic rubber having a top surface layer, a bottom surface layer, and an intermediate layer.

2. The sanding pad of claim 1 wherein said pad has at least one straight edge.

3. The sanding pad of claim 2 wherein said straight edge is arched from said top surface layer to said bottom surface layer.

4. The sanding pad of claim 1 wherein said pad is a semicircle having a straight edge.

5. The sanding pad of claim 4 wherein said semicircle straight edge is arched from said top surface layer to said bottom surface layer.

6. The sanding pad of claim 1 wherein said top surface layer has a flexural rigidity equal to said bottom surface layer.

7. The sanding pad of claim 1 wherein said intermediate layer has a flexural rigidity higher than said bottom surface layer and said top surface layer.

8. The sanding pad of claim 1 wherein said bottom surface layer and said top surface layer being formed of a Shore durometer hardness value lower than said intermediate layer.

9. A hand-held sanding pad comprising (1) a composite sheet structure of highly conformable resilient closed cell synthetic rubber having a top surface layer, a bottom surface layer, and an intermediate layer.(2) outer surface layers capable of providing temporary adhesive attachment for a sheet of pressure-sensitive adhesive-coated abrasive material and an intermediate stabilization and support layer aiding joining and support of the top and bottom surface layer

10. The sanding pad of claim 9 wherein said pad has at least one straight edge.

11. The sanding pad of claim 10 wherein said straight edge is arched from said top surface layer to said bottom surface layer

11. The sanding pad of claim 9 wherein said composite sheet structure is a semicircle having a straight edge.

12. The sanding pad of claim 11 wherein said semicircle straight edge is arched from said top surface layer to said bottom surface layer

13. The sanding pad of claim 9 wherein said top surface layer has a flexural rigidity equal to said bottom surface layer.

14. The sanding pad of claim 9 wherein said intermediate layer has a flexural rigidity higher than said bottom surface layer and said top surface layer.

15. The sanding pad of claim 9 wherein said bottom surface layer and said top surface layer being formed of a Shore durometer hardness value lower than said intermediate layer.