BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a dual-sided buffing pad assembly having a quick release assembly fitting onto the spindle of a power buffer.
FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the dual-sided buffing pad assembly.
FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a circular ring and a pin of the quick release assembly.
FIG. 4 illustrates a plate unit, where the circular ring and pin is attached to the center of the plate of the buffing pad assembly.
FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the quick release assembly, including a connector and the circular ring with the attached pin.
FIG. 6 illustrates the circular ring with the pin releasably attached to the head of the connector.
FIG. 7 illustrates the circular ring coupled to the head of the connector, aligned with a central aperture of a mounting plate.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 7 and illustrates the pin engaging a second portion of a slot of the head of the connector.
FIG. 9 illustrates the connector releasably attached to the buffing pad assembly with exemplary wool pads.
FIG. 10 illustrates the connector releasably attached to the buffing pad assembly with exemplary foam pads.
FIG. 11 illustrates an adapter attached to the connector.
FIG. 12 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the connector.
FIG. 13 is a side sectional view of the alternative connector.
FIG. 14 is an end view of the alternative connector.
FIG. 15 illustrates an alternative plate unit having a circular ring socket adapted to engage the alternative connector.
FIG. 16 is a side sectional view of the alternative plate and circular ring socket.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The present invention provides a quick release assembly that is used to connect a dual-sided buffing pad assembly to the spindle of a power buffer. The present invention satisfies the need for a quick release mechanism that fits securely at the center of the dual-sided buffing pad assembly without interfering with the overall function of the power buffer, while being convenient and easy to attach and remove the buffing pad assembly from the power buffer. In the detailed description that follows, like element numerals are used to describe like elements shown in one or more of the figures.
FIG. 1 provides an exploded view of a power buffer 1, a dual-sided buffing pad assembly 4, and a quick release assembly 3. The power buffer 1 includes a handle that is carried by an operator and used to hold the buffer and buffing pad assembly in relation to a surface. The body of the power buffer 1 includes a motor that rotatably drives a spindle 2. The power buffer 1 will typically include a trigger switch that enables the operator to control the speed of operation of the motor. The buffing pad assembly 4 is attached to the spindle 2 using the quick release assembly 3 of the present invention. The power buffer 1 motor spins the attached buffing pad assembly 4 at a very high speed in varying motions, such as circular, orbital or both, in order to get optimal polishing or refinishing effects. The quick release assembly 3 allows for the operator to quickly release the dual-sided buffing pad assembly 4 from the power buffer 1 to either replace or flip to the opposite side of the dual-sided buffing pad assembly 4.
The dual-sided buffing pad assembly 4 includes a first pad 5 and a second pad 8 that are each separated by a plate 11 (see also FIG. 2). Buffing pads are usually circular in shape and can be made of varying materials depending upon the needs of the operator and the finishing effect desired. It is known in the industry to use buffing pads made of fibers, such as natural wool (see FIG. 9), synthetic fibers, a blend of the two, or with open or closed cell foam (see FIG. 10). The quick release assembly 3 enables the operator to rapidly remove the dual-sided buffing pad so that it can be replaced or flipped over.
Referring now to FIG. 2, the first pad 5 has a circular shape with a central aperture 6 and a rear surface 7. Likewise, the second pad 8 has a circular shape with a central aperture 9 and a rear surface 10. The central aperture 6, 9 are also circular in shape and aligned together. The plate 11 is of a rigid material such as plastic made by injection molding or other known techniques. The plate 11 has a first face 12 that attaches to the rear surface 7 of the first pad 5 and a second face 13 that attaches to the rear surface 10 of the second pad 8. The plate 11 has a circular central aperture 14 that aligns with the central apertures, 6, 9, respectively.
The buffing pad assembly 4 is completed by aligning the central aperture 6 of the first buffing pad 5 with the central aperture 14 of the plate 11 such that the rear surface 7 of the first buffing pad 5 faces the first face 12 of the plate 11. Similarly, the central aperture 9 of the second buffing pad 8 is aligned with the central aperture 14 of the plate 11 such that the second rear surface 10 of the second buffing pad 8 faces the second face 13 of the plate 11. The buffing pads 5 and 8 are then secured to the plate 11 using adhesive 18 that attaches the rear surfaces 7, 10 of pads 5, 8, respectively, to the plate 11. The resulting buffing pad assembly 4 has the first rear surface 7 of buffing pad 5 adhered to the first face 12 of the plate 11 and the second rear surface 10 of buffing pad 8 adhered to the second face 13 of the plate 11. The central apertures 6, 9 of the buffing pads 5, 8, respectively, are aligned with the central aperture 14 of the plate 11, which engages a ring 19 having an attached pin 28, as described below and illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. The plate 11 may additionally include one or more holes 15 that are intended to permit the two pads 5, 8 to be bonded together.
Referring now to FIG. 3, the ring 19 has an inner and outer diameter 20, 21, respectively. The ring 19 has a generally smooth top surface 22 and a generally smooth bottom surface 23. The ring 19 has ridges 25 along its sidewall 24, a first mounting hole 26 in one side of the sidewall 24 and a second mounting hole 27 in the sidewall 24 directly opposite the first hole 26. The pin 28 is inserted into the ring 19 through the first and second mounting holes 26, 27 so that it extends across the hollow center of the ring 19. The length of the pin 28 is preferably longer than the outer diameter 21 of the circular ring 19. Thus, the pin 28 has a first end 29 protruding from the first hole 26, a second end 30 protruding from the second hole 27, and a middle portion 31 that extends the length of the inner diameter 20 of the ring 19. The pin 28 is permanently affixed into the first and second holes 26, 27 respectively, of the sidewall 24 of the ring 19. The ring 19 and pin 28 are preferably constructed of metal material.
The ring 19 with the attached pin 28 of the present invention is further attached to the center of the plate 11. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the ring 19 with the attached pin 28 is permanently attached to the central aperture 14 of the plate 11 during the manufacturing process to provide a unitary plate structure 32 (see FIG. 4). For example, the plate 11 may be constructed of plastic using an injection molding technique with the ring 19 and pin 28 placed within the injection mold so that ring and pin become permanently embedded within the plastic material of the plate 11. FIG. 4 shows a partial sectional view of the plate 11, with the ring 19 and pin 28 exposed in the sectional portion and substantially covered by the injection molded material in the non-sectional portion. The protruding first and second ends 29, 30, respectively, of the pin 28 serve to anchor the ring 19 into the central aperture 14 of the plate 11, while the ridges 25 along the sidewall 24 of the ring 19 provide frictional engagement that would prevent slipping of the ring 19 relative to the plate 11 during the continuous rotations of the buffing pad assembly 4. As the buffing pad assembly 4 rotates at a very high speed, the ring rotates with the plate 11 as one unitary structure 32. Alternatively, the ring 19 can be releasably attached to the plate 11 by being coupled to the central aperture 14 of the plate 11, such as using a frictional engagement. As will be further described below, the resulting buffing pad assembly 4, with the ring 19 and pin 28 securely coupled to the center plate 11, is in turn releasably attached to a connector 33 that engages the spindle 2 of the power buffer 1.
Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, the connector 33 has a cylindrical shape having a body 34 and a head 39. The body 34 is roughly one inch in length and is hollow with a relatively thick wall 35. The body 34 includes a circular opening 36 at its end 37, with threads 38 lining the inner surface of the thick wall 35. The threads 38 are intended to engage the spindle 2 of the power buffer 1. The head 39 of the connector 33 extends from the opposite end of the body 34, with a shoulder 40 defined between the body 34 and the head 39. The head 39 is roughly half the overall length of the body 34, and has a circular top 41 and circular base 42. The head 39 has a diameter 43 that corresponds to the inner diameter 20 of the ring 19 and the length of the middle portion 31 of the pin 28. Hence, the head 39 is arranged to fit into and engage the ring 19. The body 34 may further include flat surfaces 56, 57 (see FIG. 5) that are oriented on opposite sides of the body. These surfaces 56, 57 may be engaged by a tool to allow the operator to tighten the connector 33 to the spindle 2 of the power buffer 1.
The head 39 further includes a continuous slot 44 that extends across the head and provides a path for the pin 28 as the head engages the ring 19. The slot has three successive portions, including a first (distal) portion 45, a second (proximal) portion 47, and a transition (intermediate) portion 49 disposed between the first and second portions. In the first portion 45, the slot 44 extends axially along the length of the head 39. In the second portion 47, the slot 44 extends axially along the length of the head 39 although offset circumferentially from the first portion by roughly 90°. In the transition portion 49, the slot 44 defines arcuate openings on opposite sides of the head 39. The transition portion 49 provides a transition path for the pin 28 as it traverses the first and second portions 45, 47 respectively (see FIG. 6). Accordingly, the ring 19 engages the head 39 with the pin 28 passing through the slot 44 as it traverses the three successive portions.
An opening 50 is provided at the base 42 of the head 39 of the connector 33 (see FIG. 6), providing communication into the second (proximal) portion 47 of the slot 44. A circular magnet 51 is permanently contained inside the hollow cylindrical body 34 of the connector 33. The circular magnet 51 is disposed directly adjacent to the shoulder 40 and head 39 of the connector 33. A first side 52 of the circular magnet 51 may be partly exposed through the opening 50 at the base 42 of the head 39 of the connector 33. The pin 28 is comprised of a magnetically attractive material, such as steel. Thus, when the ring 19 and the pin 28 are engaged with the head 39 of the connector 33, the first side 52 of the magnet 51 attracts the middle portion 31 of the pin 28. This magnetic attraction tends to keep the pin 28 seated in the second portion of the slot 44, with the ring 19 abutting the shoulder 40 of the connector 33.
In other words, the ring 19 is affixed to the head 39 of the connector 33 through a series of movements in which the ring is first moved axially with respect to the head, and is then rotated clockwise with respect to the head, and lastly is again moved axially with respect to the head. As the ring 19 is turned clockwise with the pin 28 in the first portion 45 of the slot 44, the middle portion 31 of the pin 28 passes through the transition portion 49 of the slot 44 until it is aligned with the second portion 47 of the slot 44. Then, the magnetic attraction of the magnet 51 draws the middle portion 31 of the pin toward the first side 52 of the circular magnet 51 that is exposed through the opening 50 at the base 42 of the head 39 of the connector 33.
To remove the ring 19 from the head, the process is simply reversed. The ring 19 with the attached pin 28 can be removed by pulling the same away from the body 34 of the connector 33, in order to overcome the magnetic attraction and disengage the middle portion 31 of the pin 28 from the first side 52 of the magnet 51 and remove it from the second portion 47 of the slot 44. The ring 19 and pin 28 is then manually rotated counterclockwise to align the middle portion 31 of the pin 28 with the first portion 45 of the slot 44, thereby allowing the ring 19 to be removed axially from the head 39 of the connector 33.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the ring 19 and the connector 33 may be made of a non-magnetically attractive material, such as stainless steel. The stainless steel material provides high strength for the connector to endure the mechanical stress applied by the power buffer 1, without demagnetizing the magnet 51 contained in the body 34 of the connector 33. It should be appreciated that other materials for the ring 19, connector 33, and pin 28 could also be advantageously utilized within the skill and knowledge of persons in the art. In another embodiment of the invention, a metallic slug may be disposed below the magnet 51 at a side opposite the first side 52. The slug serves to deform the magnetic field in the region below the magnet 51 to thereby increase the magnetic field above the magnet 51 and increase the attraction between the magnet 51 and the pin 28.
Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, the overall assembly of the connector 33 and the buffing pad assembly 4 containing the ring 19 and pin 28 provides a positive connection between the buffing pad assembly 4 and the power buffer 1. This gives the operator control of the buffing pads by preventing the buffing pad assembly from coming loose or detaching from the power buffer 1 during use, while at the same time allows for a quick release mechanism that requires minimal time and effort to remove and replace the buffing pad assembly. The buffing pad assembly 4 can be easily released from the connector 33, by withdrawing the ring 19 contained in the plate unit 32 from the connector 33, as described above. For example, the present quick release mechanism of the invention allows the operator to easily remove the buffing pad assembly 4, turn it over and use the second buffing pad 8 of the dual-sided buffing pad assembly 4 or to replace the dual-sided buffing pad assembly 4 altogether, at the operator's discretion.
FIGS. 12-16 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the connector and plate. As shown in FIGS. 12-14, the connector 33 is substantially identical to the embodiment described above, with the further inclusion of a sleeve 72 enclosing the head 39 of the connector. The sleeve 72 may be formed of like materials as the connector body, and may be permanently affixed to the head 39. The addition of the sleeve 72 serves to prevent introduction of materials, such as buffing compound, into the slot 44.
FIGS. 15 and 16 show an alternative embodiment of the plate and socket ring that are adapted to engage the connector of FIGS. 12-14. The plate includes an outer body 73 with a socket ring 80 embedded in the center. As discussed above, the outer body 73 may be formed of plastic material that is molded around the socket ring 80 disposed in the center, so that the ring is permanently affixed in the plate. Buffing pad material, such as wool or foam, is further affixed to the body 73 to provide a double-sided buffing pad. While a double-sided buffing pad is preferred, it should be appreciated that the plate could also be configured to provide a single-sided buffing pad.
The socket ring 80 further includes a ring 82 and a central disk 84. The central disk 84 extends perpendicularly across the ring 82 and is oriented in a plane corresponding to a central axis of the plate. A t-shaped key 86 extends from either side of the central disk 84. As shown in FIG. 15 the key 86 has a generally cylindrical central body with a cross-member extending perpendicularly from outermost ends of the central body. Alternative shapes for the key 86 could be advantageously utilized as long as the shape is configured to engage the slot 44. It is anticipated that the socket ring 80 have a unitary construction of a durable and magnetically attractive material, such as iron or steel.
The head end 39 with the affixed sleeve 72 is sized to engage the ring 82 of the socket ring 80, with the key 86 engaging the slot 44. In the same manner described above with respect to the foregoing embodiment, the key 86 is arranged to couple to the head end 39 of the connector by traversing three successive portions of the slot 44. Specifically, the key 86 provides the same function as the pin 28 described above. The magnet 51 disposed within the body of the connector will provide magnetic attraction that will tend to retain the key 86 in the second portion of the slot. The buffing-pad is removed from the engagement with the connector by reversing the direction of rotation of the pad to cause the key 86 to traverse the three successive portions of the slot 44 in the opposite direction. Since the socket ring 80 has a corresponding key 86 on either side, the buffing pad can be flipped over and reattached to the connector.
The present invention is superior to the known quick release mechanism in many ways. First, the head 39 of the connector 33 of the present invention is round. It is much easier to manufacture a round metal component using conventional machining techniques, in comparison with the hexagonal metal head of the known quick release mechanism. Furthermore, it is easier for the operator to align the round head 39 of the connector 33 with the plate 11, rather than having to align and insert a hexagonal head to a hexagonal connector. The present invention provides for a far more stable connection between the connector 33 and the buffing pad assembly 4, as the middle portion 31 of the pin 28 that is attached to the buffing pad assembly 4 is held firmly in the second portion 47 of the slot 44 by a magnetic attraction. This magnetic connection, along with the uniquely shaped slot, prevents the buffing pad assembly from inadvertently coming off the connector. Any force applied to the buffing pad assembly 4 away from the connector 33 would be countered by the magnetic force of the magnet 51, thus preventing the buffing pad assembly 4 from popping out.
For example, if the operator is buffing using the rear surface of the buffing pad and applies a force on the pad opposite to the direction of magnetic attraction that overcomes the magnetic attraction, the pin 28 may become disengaged from the magnet. But, the buffing pad assembly 4 won't become disengaged from the connector 33 since the pin 28 will advance only as far as the transition path of the slot, which provides a path that is directly opposite the direction of the spin of the spindle 2 of the power buffer 1. The rotation of the buffing pad assembly 4 keeps the pin 28 in physical contact with the side wall defining the slot. Hence, it is highly unlikely for the buffing pad to come off during operation of the power buffer. This provides a significant safety advantage over the known quick release mechanism that could allow the buffing pad to come off the connector body during use, as substantially discussed above.
Moreover, unlike the known quick release mechanism, the present invention does not contain any moving or resilient parts that could be jammed, worn out, misaligned or otherwise altered through use. Likewise, there is no tension adjusting mechanism that that could become improperly set by an operator. The connector body of the present invention is made of solid non-moving parts that interlock to form a firm connection yet still provide for a quick release, as controlled by the operator. It therefore takes much less force and is hence easier for the operator to install and remove the dual-sided pads from the connector body of the present invention in comparison to the prior art quick release mechanism.
The present invention can be used with high-speed rotary buffers, including dual-head buffers, as well as dual-action or random orbital buffers. As shown in FIG. 11, an adapter 53 enables the connector 33 to attach to a dual-action polisher. The adapter 53 has a first threaded end 54 adapted to engage the threads 38 of the inside wall of the body 34 of the connector 33, and a second threaded end 55 adapted to engage the particular threads of the spindle 2 of the power buffer 1.
Having thus described a preferred embodiment of a quick release connector used to connect a dual-sided buffing pad assembly to a power buffer or polisher, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that certain advantages have been achieved. It should also be appreciated that various modifications, adaptations, and alternative embodiments thereof may be made within the scope and spirit of the present invention. The invention is further defined by the following claims.
Patent Application
20070266514
