Patent Application
20140073229
The present subject matter relates generally to devices and methods for polishing and buffing various surfaces.
There are a wide variety of surfaces that require polishing and/or buffing. For example, granite countertops, leather shoes, purses, furniture, stainless steel sinks, silverware, car seats, metal automotive grills, automotive hubcaps, and automotive paint, among others, require regular polishing. However, each surface requires a different polishing tool or cloth, along with a different polishing solution. Further polishing these various surfaces is both time consuming and laborious, if not physically challenging.
Conventional rotary buffing tools are typically designed for one purpose. For example, electric shoe polishers, which are largely ineffective as they only buff the top surface of the shoe, are only designed to polish shoes. Similarly, electric buffing tools for automobiles are designed for a particular surface. For example, one buffing tool may be suitable for buffing the paint surface of automobiles, whereas a different buffing tool is needed to polish or buff the metallic hubcaps of the automobile. As a result, polishing the various surfaces of an automobile, including paint, metal, and plastic, requires various polishing devices and materials. Further, many polishing devices cannot access many areas of an automobile to properly polish the hard to reach areas, including the grill, side panels, headlight area, side mirrors, doors, door handles, trunk area, and recessed light, among others.
Accordingly, there is a need for polishing devices that efficiently polishes a variety of items and materials.
The present disclosure provides polishing devices. Various examples of the devices are provided herein.
The devices disclosed herein provide a polishing device with interchangeable polishing pads that are capable of polishing a wide variety of surfaces and applications. The design of the device is such that an adaptor is enabled to connect to any electric drill, but particularly portable hand held drills. A variety of polishing pads may be attached and removed from the adaptor to provide polishing solutions appropriate for different materials.
In an embodiment, the polishing device comprises an adaptor including a conical body including a first body end and a second body end, wherein a diameter of the second body end is greater than a diameter of the first body end. The adaptor also includes a drill bit including a shank configured to engage with a chuck of an electrical drill, wherein the drill bit extends from the second body end of the conical body.
The polishing device also includes a first polishing pad surrounding an outer surface of the conical body. The first polishing pad includes an outer surface of the first polishing pad and an inner surface of the first polishing pad, wherein the inner surface of the first polishing pad is in contact with an outer surface of the conical body of the adaptor. The first polishing pad also includes an elastic strap extending from one portion of the second body end to another portion of the second body end. The second body end of the conical body includes at least one channel for receiving the elastic strap of the first polishing pad such that the polishing pad remains secure on the conical body. In one example, the channel may be a rectangular divot (or a pair of divots) in the second body end.
In one example, the first polishing pad includes a seamless reticulated polyester foam, which may have a thickness between 0.5 inches and 3 inches, including 0.5 inches and 3 inches. In another example, the outer surface of the first polishing pad includes polishing fibers and the inner surface of the first polishing pad includes a backing to which the polishing fibers adhere. Alternatively, the inner surface of the first polishing pad may include a seamless reticulated polyester foam and the outer surface of the first polishing pad includes polishing fibers. The polishing fibers may be, for example, wool fibers.
The first polishing pad may be a seamless reticulated polyester foam, and the polishing device may further include a second polishing pad. The second polishing pad may include an outer surface of the second polishing pad and an inner surface of the second polishing pad. The outer surface of the second polishing pad may include polishing fibers and the inner surface of the second polishing pad may include a backing to which the polishing fibers adhere. In addition, the inner surface of the second polishing pad may surround the outer surface of the first polishing pad.
An advantage of the present device is providing a polishing tool with interchangeable polishing pads applicable to a variety of materials. In other words, only one device is needed to polish a variety of surfaces.
Another advantage of the present device is that it provides an efficient buffing pad that does not damage the surface of the material on which it is used even with applied pressure.
A further advantage of the present device is that the conical shape provides for precision polishing and buffing of hard to reach areas.
Another advantage of the present device is providing interchangeable polishing pads that can be removed easily for cleaning.
Yet another advantage of the present device is providing an adaptor such that the device may be attached to any conventional electric drill.
Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the examples will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following description and the accompanying drawings or may be learned by production or operation of the examples. The objects and advantages of the concepts may be realized and attained by means of the methodologies, instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in accord with the present concepts, by way of example only, not by way of limitations. In the figures, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements.
As shown in
As shown in
To mate with the elastic strap 26, the second body end 20 of the conical body 16 may include at least one channel 22 for receiving the elastic strap 26 of the first polishing pad 24 such that the first polishing pad 24 remains secure on the conical body 16. As shown in
The first polishing pad 24 may include a polymer-based foam, such as a seamless reticulated polyester foam, which may have a thickness between 0.5 inches and 3 inches, including 0.5 inches and 3 inches. The polymer based foam may be used to polish certain objects and materials, such as for automobile detailing of both metal and paint. The seamless design may be accomplished by router cutting or injection molding during the manufacturing process.
In another example, the outer surface 32 of the first polishing pad 24 includes polishing fibers and the inner surface 34 of the first polishing pad 24 includes a backing to which the polishing fibers adhere. For example, the first polishing pad 24 may include a microfiber material that is typically used in automotive detailing. Alternatively, the first polishing pad 24 may include natural seared wool with a polyester and cotton blend as the backing.
Alternatively, the inner surface 34 of the first polishing pad 24 may include a seamless reticulated polyester foam and the outer surface 32 of the first polishing pad 24 includes polishing fibers. In other words, the first polishing pad 24 may be a foam lined microfiber pad or wool pad with an elastic strap 26 to secure the first polishing pad 24 to the adaptor 12. The microfiber or wool may be attached to a foam backing pad to minimize the impact of the seam of the microfiber pad or wool pad when used with an electric drill. In addition, the use of a foam lined first polishing pad 24 allows the application of various levels of pressure to increase or decrease the cutting level of the first polishing pad 24.
As shown in
The first polishing pad 24 and/or the second polishing pad 28 may be color coordinated to indicate a pad suitable for a unique application, which allows a user to apply different waxes or polishing without inadvertently combining chemicals. For example, black first polishing pad 24 may be designated for polishing black shoes with a black shoe polish. A red first polishing pad 24 may be designated for polishing brown shoes with a brown shoe polish. Color coordinating is very important when working with various chemicals that are potentially dangerous when combined.
The disclosed polishing device 10 provides a solution for precision buffing, cutting, polishing, and finishing of detailed parts constructed of various materials including metal, stone, paint, plastic, and glass, among others. In other words, the presently disclosed polishing device 10 enables a user to polish various surfaces with the use of one tool, namely, the polishing device 10.
It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages. For example, various embodiments of the method and portable electronic device may be provided based on various combinations of the features and functions from the subject matter provided herein.
This application incorporates by reference and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application 61/698,631 filed on Sep. 8, 2012.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61698631 | Sep 2012 | US |
