Rotating back up abrasive disc assembly

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6743085
  • Patent Number
    6,743,085
  • Date Filed
    Tuesday, November 20, 2001
    23 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, June 1, 2004
    20 years ago
Abstract
A holder for an abrasive disc allows for a quick manual change of the abrasive disc. The holder including an uncoupling mechanism that in turn includes a handle comprising a pin and an adjacent hub comprising a partial annular channel. The handle and hub have a limited rotational engagement wherein the pin travels in the channel. When an operator desires to replace an abrasive disc, the operator grasps the handle with one hand and rotates the disc, face plate, and hub, together as a unit, with the other hand. This counter-rotation breaks the tight attachment of the disc on the shaft of the finishing tool, so that disc can be easily unthreaded from the shaft.
Description




FIELD OF THE INVENTION




The present invention relates to a holder assembly for an abrasive (including polishing) disc. More specifically the invention relates to a holder which allows for a quick manual change of the abrasive disc.




RELATED ART




Abrasive articles generally contain an abrasive material, typically in the form of abrasive grains, abrasive brushes or nonwoven abrasive filaments bonded to a backing plate. Such articles usually take the form of sheets, discs, belts, bands, and the like, which can be adapted to be mounted on power tools. A variety of abrasive articles are used to abrade or polish various substrates, including steel and other metals, wood, wood-like laminates, plastic, fiberglass, leather, and ceramics. The abrasive articles can be in any of a variety of forms, including coated abrasives, bounded abrasives, abrasive brushes, and nonwoven abrasives. Such articles ususally take the form of sheets, discs, belts, bands, and the like, which may be adapted, for example, to be mounted on pulleys, wheels, or drums.




Many abrasive articles are used as discs in grinding assemblies. A typical such abrasive sanding or grinding assembly includes: an annular back-up pad made from a resilient and reinforced material such as rubber or plastic and an abrasive disc having a backing plate and an abrasive material (e.g., coated abrasive discs and nonwoven abrasive discs that include abrasive materials such as abrasive grains). The abrasive material may completely or partially cover the surface of the backing plate. For example, one type of abrasive disc uses a thick annular ring of abrasive material applied to the backing plate such that the inner radial boundary of the abrasive is concentric with the backing plate. Examples of abrasive discs having an annulus of abrasive material include flap discs, non-woven surface conditioning discs, and grinding wheels. The backing plate used in the abrasive discs are typically made of paper, certain polymeric materials (e.g., phenolic impregnated fiberglass), cloth, nonwoven materials, vulcanized fiber, and combinations of these materials. During the grinding process, the disc may be subjected to relatively severe stresses.




Abrasive discs have a finite useful life when applied against a workpiece. The discs are disposable so that they can be replaced after use. It is highly desirable for the discs to be easily and quickly removed and replaced.




In the past, many methods have been used to secure the abrasive disc to the tool. For example, it is known to mechanically mount a hub on the back side of the disc, the hub being attachable to the end of a tool shaft. If the torque load is substantial, the disc tends to rupture at the periphery of the hub or to separate from the hub. In addition to such disadvantages, a suitable hub and its permanent mounting on the disc involves a significant cost factor, as it must be discarded with the used disc.




An improvement includes attaching an abrasive disc to a tool by way of a holder assembly. Holders commonly include a back up pad or plate that supports the abrasive disc during use, thereby allowing an operator to exert frictional pressure on a workpiece. When the holder is rotated, the disc rotates with it, permitting the moving disc surface to effectively finish the surface of workpieces such as furniture and automobile body parts.




A variety of holder structures have been used heretofore to secure the abrasive disc to the power tool. One of the most common types includes a support pad having a reinforced central aperture arranged to be engaged over the threaded end of the rotary shaft of the power tool. The abrasive disc is placed on the flat surface of the pad and a flanged nut is turned down onto the shaft end protruding through both the holder and the disc. When the nut is tightened, it lays flush against the abrasive surface of the disc and clamps the disc to the support pad. In use, the shaft of the assembly is rotated and the abrasive surface of the disc is pressed against a workpiece with considerable force, abrading the workpiece.




During use of the abrasive disc, torque forces cause the nut member to lock onto the shaft with greater and greater holding force. Therefore, with conventional devices, the abrasive disc member can become locked so tightly onto the holder that it is difficult to remove and replace the abrasive disc. In many heavy industrial applications, the discs must be replaced quite often (e.g., over five times per hour). Consequently, considering the number of tools in use on a given shift, such disc replacement necessitates an excessive amount of downtime.




Several attempts have been made to address the problem of tightly locked discs on holders (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 3,765,130 (Block), U.S. Pat. No. 4,439,953 (Block et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 4,637,170 (Block), U.S. Pat. No. 4,655,006 (Block), and U.S. Pat. No. 4,683,683 (Block)). Disadvantages of such solutions typically include one or more of the following; for example, in some of these designs, because the abrasive disc and back up assembly are very close in both size and position, it is very difficult to grasp just the abrasive disc and turn it relative to the back up assembly for removal. In others, a disc or disc fastener must be especially designed for use with the particular back up assembly, rather than of a universal design to fit the threaded rotating shaft of a tool.




BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




In one aspect, the present invention provides a holder for supporting an abrasive disc on a tool shaft. The holder comprises an annular internally threaded central insert threadably engaging the shaft; a handle concentrically surrounding and in fixed rotational engagement with the central insert; a hub concentrically surrounding the central insert, abutting the handle, and rotationally engaged to the handle; a pin disposed on a first face; a discontinuous channel disposed on a second face, the channel opposing the pin, so that the pin engages the channel and travels within the channel as the handle and hub are rotated with respect to each other; and a faceplate concentrically surrounding the central insert, abutting the hub, and removably engaged to the hub. In a preferred embodiment, the first face is disposed on the handle, and the second face is disposed on the hub.




The invention can be used with most standard abrasive discs which are designed to thread directly onto a tool shaft. Its design allows a user to easily grasp the handle and counterrotate it with respect to the hub, faceplate, and abrasive disc, to loosen the abrasive disc from the tool shaft.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS




The present invention will be further explained with reference to the attached figures, wherein like structure is referred to by like numerals throughout the several views.





FIG. 1

is a perspective view of an exemplary abrasive disc holder according to the present invention and an abrasive disc.





FIG. 2

is an exploded perspective view of the holder shown in FIG.


1


.





FIG. 3

is a perspective view of a hub and face plate according to the present invention.





FIG. 4

is a sectional elevation view of the holder and abrasive disc shown in

FIG. 1

, mounted on a tool shaft.











While the above-identified drawing figures set forth one preferred embodiment of the invention, other embodiments are also contemplated, as noted in the discussion. In all cases, this disclosure presents the invention by way of representation and not limitation. It should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art which fall within the scope and spirit of the principles of this invention.




DETAILED DESCRIPTION





FIG. 1

is a perspective view of an exemplary holder according to the present invention


10


, and abrasive disc


12


to be used with holder


10


. Holder


10


meets the need for an easy-to-use decoupling mechanism to allow for the quick removal of abrasive disc


12


from a tool shaft. Advantageously, holder


10


can be used with standard discs


12


that are designed to thread directly onto a rotating tool shaft.




Holder


10


includes handle


14


, central insert


16


, hub


18


, and interchangeable face plate


20


. Abrasive disc


12


comprises coating of abrasive material


22


, plate of backing material


24


, and fastener


26


.




In holder


10


, face plate


20


is removably attached to hub


18


. An operator may be provided with several alternative face plates


20


of differing sizes, stiffnesses, hardnesses, or other variable characteristics. Handle


14


, central insert


16


, and hub


18


comprise a subassembly that may be permanently mounted to a finishing tool such as a pneumatic or electric right angle grinder (not shown). Hub


18


is rotationally engaged with handle


14


, as will be discussed further with respect to FIG.


2


. Central insert


16


fits through handle


14


, hub


18


, and face plate


20


, thereby holding together the components of holder


10


.




Abrasive disc


12


includes fastener


26


, which can be, for example, a sheet metal nut as is known in the art, as well as, for example, a Tinnerman nut fastening device, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,156,002 (Tinnerman), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. It is within the scope of the present invention to use other types of threaded fasteners without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. A preferred nut


26


is a 1.5 inch (38.1 mm) quick-change button for mating with ⅝-11 threads, manufactured, for example, by Metal Products Engineering, Los Angeles, Calif. This nut


26


is preferred because the single-thread design allows for an inexpensive component which offers quick alignment, engagement, and disengagement. Such a nut can be formed, for example, from brass, aluminum, or steel although other materials may be used, and may be formed integrally with backing plate


24


and abrasive coating


22


. A preferred abrasive disc is described in a copending patent application having U.S. Ser. No. 09/865,947, filed May 25, 2001, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.




In one embodiment, central nut


26


includes a single turn


28


supported above flat, annular flange


30


. Nut


26


is attached to the underside of abrasive disc


12


using tines


32


, which are disposed coaxially about flange


30


. Tines


32


pass through abrasive disc


12


and have tips


32


A (see

FIG. 4

) which are bent upward onto the back face of the plate of backing material


24


. In operation, holder


10


is threaded onto a rotational shaft of a tool such as an angle grinder or drill via central insert


16


. Abrasive disc


12


is then threaded, by central nut


26


, onto the end of the tool shaft, so that the plate of backing material


24


presses against face plate


20


.




An exemplary abrasive disc


12


includes backing plate


24


of, for example, a polyamide material or a glass-filled nylon. Abrasive coating


22


is adhered to backing plate


24


. During use, the abrasive qualities of abrasive coating material


22


wear down, necessitating replacement of abrasive disc


12


. When an operator desires to remove abrasive disc


12


, the operator grasps handle


14


with one hand and rotates abrasive disc


12


, hub


18


, and face plate


20


, together as a unit, with the other hand, such that abrasive disc


12


, hub


18


, and face plate


20


move in a direction opposite of the rotation of the tool during use. This counter-rotation breaks the tight attachment of central nut


26


to the shaft of the finishing tool, so that abrasive disc


12


can be easily unthreaded from the shaft.





FIG. 2

is an exploded perspective view of components of holder


10


.

FIG. 2

additionally shows longitudinal axis


34


, along which handle


14


, central insert


16


, hub


18


, and face plate


20


are aligned, and tool rotation direction


35


. In this description, the direction along axis


34


toward handle


14


is the “proximal” direction, and the direction toward face plate


20


is the “distal” direction. A direction radially away from axis


34


is an “outward” direction, and a direction radially toward axis


34


is an “inward” direction. In one embodiment, handle


14


includes central bore


36


, pin


38


, notches


40


, ribs


42


, and cored regions


44


. Central insert


16


includes internally threaded central bore


46


, external knurls


48


, and flange


50


. Hub


18


includes central bore


52


, channel


54


, and tabs


56


. Face plate


20


includes central bore


58


with a plurality of radially disposed recesses


60


.




In one embodiment, handle


14


is composed of a polymeric material and comprises a generally flat cylindrical shape with two planar, roughly circular, faces joined by a generally cylindrical perimeter edge surface. Examples of suitable polymeric materials that are widely available, economical, light weight, durable, strong, impact resistant, and easy to manufacture include polyamide and glass-filled nylon. A plurality of notches


40


may be disposed about the circumferential perimeter of handle


14


to make it easier for an operator to grasp and turn handle


14


relative to the assembly of hub


18


, faceplate


20


, and abrasive disc


12


. Notches


40


may be sized and positioned, for example, to comfortably fit the grip of a variety of users. While six notches


40


are shown, there may be more or fewer, as can be appreciated by one skilled in the art. Notches


40


may comprise, for example, smooth, concave indentations, evenly spaced around the circumference of handle


14


, which allow for improved grip without sharp edges. Surface texture, such as ribs


42


, may also be disposed about the perimeter of handle


14


to enhance an operator's gripping ability. Ribs


42


may be disposed on the unnotched circumferential surface of handle


14


, as shown in

FIG. 2

, or on the concave surfaces of notches


40


, or on the entire perimeter surface of handle


14


.




To save on weight and materials, cored regions


44


may be used to eliminate unnecessary material. This removal of excess material may lead to improved process control during manufacture and increased dimensional stability in the finished handle


14


. It also may increase the maximum operating speed of handle


14


. Typically, grinders reach speeds of about 5000 to 7500 RPM. Moreover, decreasing the mass of handle


14


can reduce the weight borne by the operator, thereby reducing worker fatigue. Also, requiring less material can result in cost savings. Pin


38


is disposed on distal face


76


of handle


14


which abuts hub


18


so that pin


38


can travel in channel


54


as handle


14


is rotated relative to hub


18


. In an alternative embodiment, pin


38


may be disposed on proximal face


78


of hub


18


, and channel


54


may be disposed on distal face


76


of handle


14


. While pin


38


is illustrated as being generally cylindrical, it may comprise other shapes and forms, as can be appreciated by one skilled in the art. Handle


14


concentrically surrounds a proximal portion of central insert


16


. In one embodiment, handle


14


has a diameter of about 3.5 inches (8.9 cm) and a thickness of about 0.5 inch (1.3 cm).




Central insert


16


is a generally cylindrical, internally threaded member composed, for example, of a metal which is resistant to deformation under high torque forces. Metals such as cold rolled steel may be chosen, for example, for its widespread availability, economy, light weight, durability, and ease of manufacture. Other suitable materials include hardened steel and cast alloys. Central insert


16


includes internally threaded bore


46


for threaded attachment of central insert


16


to externally threaded rotating shaft


63


of a finishing tool, which is shown and described further in FIG.


4


. Central insert


16


also includes outwardly disposed flange


50


on a distal portion of central insert


16


. Central insert


16


may include external surface textures such as knurls or ribs


48


to facilitate a non-slipping press fit between central insert


16


and bore


36


of handle


14


. Knurls


48


preferably comprise linear, parallel, and closely spaced ribs, oriented parallel to axis


34


, and disposed on an outer cylindrical surface of a proximal portion of central insert


16


. Alternatively, for example, central insert


16


may be insert molded into handle


14


so that they are permanently and fixedly attached.




In one embodiment, central insert


16


has a total length of about 0.9 inch (2.3 cm), and flange


50


comprises about the distal 0.3 inch (0.8 cm) of central insert


16


. Central insert


16


has an outer diameter of about 0.9 inch (2.3 cm) at its proximal end and an outer diameter of about 1.1 inch (2.8 cm) at flange


50


.




Hub


18


concentrically surrounds central insert


16


and is rotatable with respect to central insert


16


. Hub


18


may be composed, for example, of a polymeric material such as polyamide, or glass-filled nylon. Hub


18


comprises bore


52


, through which central insert


16


passes. Channel


54


comprises a partial annular channel disposed in a proximal face


78


of hub


18


, which abuts handle


14


. In one embodiment, discontinuous arcuate channel


54


is an arc of about 345 degrees (or even, for example, about 348.5 degrees), and has channel end faces


62


A and


62


B. Other rotational distances are also contemplated, as long as channel


54


is long enough to allow for adequate loosening of hub


18


from handle


14


. Channel


54


may be slightly deeper than the height of pin


38


of handle


14


and slightly wider than the diameter of pin


38


, in order to allow for free motion of pin


38


within channel


54


. While

FIG. 2

illustrates an embodiment with pin


38


on handle


14


and channel


54


on hub


18


, it is contemplated that alternatively, a pin may be disposed on hub


18


, and a corresponding channel may be disposed on handle


14


.




In one embodiment, hub


18


has a diameter of about 4.5 inches (11.4 cm) and a total thickness of about 0.7 inch (1.8 cm); channel


54


extends about 0.3 inch (0.8 cm) deep into the proximal face of hub


18


and is positioned approximately 1 inch (2.5 cm) from axis


34


. Of course, other dimensions may be used, depending, for example, on the size of abrasive disc


12


. Hub


18


further includes radially disposed tabs


56


on a distal face


67


of hub


18


(see

FIG. 3

) for non-rotational attachment of hub


18


to face plate


20


via mating recesses


60


.




Face plate


20


concentrically surrounds central insert


16


and may be composed, for example, of a polymeric material such as a polyamide or thermoplastic elastomer. Face plate


20


includes bore


58


through which central insert


16


passes. Bore


58


may be shaped, for example, to include recesses


60


between tabs


61


, the configuration of which will be discussed further with respect to FIG.


3


. Recesses


60


mate with tabs


56


of hub


18


so that when face plate


20


is pressed onto hub


18


, tabs


56


fit into recesses


60


, thereby forming an integral hub and face plate assembly.




In one embodiment, face plate


20


has a diameter of about 7 inches (17.8 cm) and a total thickness of about 0.25 inch (0.6 cm). Bore


58


has an outer diameter (not including tabs


61


) of about 2.3 inches (5.8 cm) and an inner diameter (the circle formed by the interior radial surfaces of tabs


61


) of about 1.1 inch (2.8 cm). However, face plate


20


may comprise many different sizes and materials corresponding to the size of abrasive disc


12


, the workpiece characteristics, and the flexibility desired of face plate


20


. For example, a detailed workpiece may require use of a relatively small abrasive disc


12


to allow for maneuverability around the contours of the workpiece. In that case, a smaller face plate


20


, to match the size of abrasive disc


12


, may be used. In contrast, when using a larger abrasive disc


12


, a larger faceplate


20


may be desired so that it could support the entire abrasive surface of disc


12


.




When holder


10


is assembled, pin


38


travels within channel


54


so that handle


14


and hub


18


have a limited rotational engagement. End faces


62


A and


62


B in channel


54


prevent over-spinning and possible disengagement of abrasive disc


12


. In one alternative embodiment, channel


54


may be a complete annular channel with a fixed obstruction therein to form channel end faces


62


A and


62


B and to prevent pin


38


from traveling more than one rotation.




In use, handle


14


rotates with the shaft of the finishing tool in direction


35


. At the beginning of the shaft rotation in direction


35


, pin


38


travels in channel


54


in the direction of rotation. When pin


38


reaches end face


62


A of channel


54


, pin


38


engages hub


18


so that hub


18


begins to rotate with handle


14


and the rotating tool shaft. Face plate


20


is attached to hub


18


and rotates along with hub


18


.





FIG. 3

illustrates the distal surfaces of hub


18


and face plate


20


, showing the spacial interrelation between tabs


56


on hub


18


and recesses


60


between tabs


61


in faceplate


20


. When assembled, each tab


56


fits into a corresponding recess


60


between tabs


61


so that hub


18


and face plate


20


form an integral unit which rotates together. While

FIG. 3

shows three trapezoidal tabs


56


on hub


18


and three trapezoidal tabs


61


with corresponding recesses


60


on face plate


20


, it would be clear to one skilled in the art that any number and shape of interlocking tabs and recesses could be used to provide for a nonrotational attachment of face plate


20


to hub


18


.




In one embodiment, hub


18


includes three tabs


56


disposed on the distal face of hub


18


, equally spaced about, and adjacent to, bore


52


. Each tab


56


is a distal projection from face


67


of hub


18


and comprises a curved trapezoidal member, with a wider side disposed radially away from bore


52


. The outer edge of each tab


56


comprises a flange


57


which extends distally from the distal face of hub


18


. As can be seen in

FIG. 4

, flange


57


forms recess


70


that allows for clearance space for tips


32


A of tines


32


of central nut


26


on abrasive disc


12


.




In one embodiment, three tabs


61


, of substantially the same configuration as tabs


56


, are disposed on face plate


20


, equally spaced about, and extending within, bore


58


. Tabs


56


are shaped and sized to press into recesses


60


between tabs


61


to form an integral recessed circular surface in the hub and face plate unit.




Faceplate


20


is interchangeable and allows the operator to select various degrees of flexibility by using different materials or constructions. In one embodiment, for example, ribs


59


reduces the surface area of faceplate


20


in contact with abrasive disc


12


. Compared to a planar faceplate, the operator can therefore transfer the same grinding pressure to the workpiece with less effort on the power tool. This results in less fatigue for the operator when using ribbed faceplate


20


. As shown in

FIG. 3

, ribs


59


are comprised of curved arms of various lengths emanating radially from center bore


58


. However, one skilled in the art will realize that a variety of rib configurations may be used.





FIG. 4

is a sectional, elevation view of holder


10


attached to abrasive disc


12


and mounted on tool shaft


63


. Shaft


63


includes threaded portion


64


and shoulder


66


.

FIG. 4

additionally shows recess


68


in hub


18


, recess


70


in hub


18


, recess


72


in face plate


20


, and recess


74


in central insert


16


.




Holder


10


is initially assembled by inserting central insert


16


into bore


52


of hub


18


. Flange


50


of central insert


16


engages shoulder


79


of hub


18


, formed at recess


68


. A proximal portion of central insert


16


is then inserted into bore


36


of handle


14


so that pin


38


of handle


14


is engaged in channel


54


of hub


18


. The assembly is then threaded onto threaded portion


64


of rotating shaft


63


. Flange


50


engages recess


68


in hub


18


to hold handle


14


and hub


18


against shoulder


66


of shaft


63


. While shoulder


66


is illustrated, a person skilled in the art would realize that any stop mechanism may be utilized, such as a nut or washer. Holder


10


is completed by pressing face plate


20


onto hub


18


so that tabs


56


of hub


18


press into recesses


60


of face plate


20


. This engagement produces a hub and face plate assembly which moves (i.e., rotates) together as a unit. Face plate


20


can be changed simply by pressing face plate


20


off and onto hub


18


, without disassembly of the rest of holder


10


.




Abrasive disc


12


is then mounted on shaft


63


by threading central nut


26


onto the end of threaded portion


64


so that the plate of backing material


24


of abrasive disc


12


abuts the distal face of face plate


20


. Recess


70


in hub


18


, recess


72


in face plate


20


, and recess


74


in central insert


16


are provided to allow for a clearance space about central nut


26


. The adjacent arrangement of abrasive disc


12


and face plate


20


prevents over-tightening of nut


26


, thereby preventing distortion of nut


26


.




To remove abrasive disc


12


from holder


10


, an operator grasps handle


14


with one hand and the assembly of hub


18


, faceplate


20


, and abrasive disc


12


with the other hand. The operator rotates the assembly of hub


18


, faceplate


20


, and abrasive disc


12


relative to handle


14


in the direction of shaft rotation direction


35


relative to view A. During this counterrotation, pin


38


travels in channel


54


until pin


38


meets channel end face


62


B. This action causes abrasive disc


12


to be unthreaded from threaded portion


64


of shaft


63


by nearly one rotation, thereby breaking the tight lock of abrasive disc


12


on shaft


63


. Once this lock is broken, an operator may easily continue to unthread abrasive disc


12


from shaft


63


, ultimately removing worn disc


12


and replacing it with another abrasive disc


12


.




Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.



Claims
  • 1. A holder for supporting an abrasive disc on a tool shaft, the holder comprising:an annular internally threaded central insert threadably engaging the shaft; a handle concentrically surrounding and in fixed rotational engagement with the central insert; a hub concentrically surrounding the central insert, abutting the handle, and rotationally engaged to the handle; a pin disposed on a first face of at least one of the handle or hub; a discontinuous channel disposed on a second face of the handle or hub, the channel opposing the pin, so that the pin engages the channel and travels within the channel as the handle and hub are rotated with respect to each other; and a faceplate concentrically surrounding the central insert, abutting the hub, and removably engaged to the hub.
  • 2. The holder of claim 1 wherein:the first face is disposed on the handle; and the second face is disposed on the hub.
  • 3. The holder of claim 2 wherein the abrasive disc has a centrally located nut, and the central insert is spaced from the nut.
  • 4. The holder of claim 2 wherein the central insert is made of metal and the handle, hub, and faceplate are made of polymeric materials.
  • 5. The holder of claim 2 wherein the faceplate comprises a rib design on a surface of the faceplate adjacent to the abrasive disc.
  • 6. The holder of claim 2 wherein the channel is arcuate with an arc of about 345 degrees.
  • 7. The holder of claim 2 wherein the abrasive disc includes a backing plate comprised of glass-filled nylon material.
  • 8. The holder of claim 2 wherein the handle comprises a generally cylindrical shape.
  • 9. The holder of claim 8 wherein the handle comprises a plurality of notches about the perimeter of a generally cylindrical surface.
  • 10. The holder of claim 2, further comprising:a flange disposed on an outer surface of the central insert; and a recess disposed on an inner surface of the hub, wherein the flange of the central insert engages the recess of the hub to retain the hub against the handle.
  • 11. The holder of claim 10 wherein the abrasive disc has a centrally located nut, and the central insert is spaced from the nut.
  • 12. The holder of claim 10, further comprising:a recess disposed in the faceplate; and a tab disposed in the hub, wherein the tab of the hub engages the recess of the faceplate to form an integral faceplate and hub assembly.
  • 13. The holder of claim 2, further comprising:a recess disposed in the faceplate; and a tab disposed in the hub, wherein the tab of the hub engages the recess of the faceplate to form an integral faceplate and hub assembly.
  • 14. The holder of claim 13 wherein the faceplate and hub assembly comprises a recess such that the assembly is spaced from a nut of the abrasive disc.
  • 15. The holder of claim 13, further comprising:a flange disposed on an outer surface of the central insert; and a recess disposed on an inner surface of the hub, wherein the flange of the central insert engages the recess of the hub to retain the hub against the handle.
  • 16. The holder of claim 13 wherein the abrasive disc has a centrally located nut, and the central insert is spaced from the nut.
  • 17. The holder of claim 13 wherein the handle comprises a generally cylindrical shape.
  • 18. The holder of claim 13 wherein the channel is arcuate with an arc of about 345 degrees.
  • 19. The holder of claim 1 wherein:the first face is disposed on the hub; and the second face is disposed on the handle.
  • 20. A holder for supporting an abrasive disc on a tool shaft, the abrasive disc having a centrally located nut, the holder comprising:an annular internally threaded central insert threadably engaging the shaft and spaced from the nut of the abrasive disc; a handle concentrically surrounding and in fixed rotational engagement with the central insert; a hub concentrically surrounding the central insert, abutting the handle, and rotationally engaged to the handle; the hub including a tab; a pin disposed on a face of the handle or the hub; a discontinuous channel disposed on a face of the handle or the hub, the channel opposing the pin, so that the pin engages the channel and travels within the channel as the handle and hub are rotated with respect to each other; a flange disposed on an outer surface of the central insert; a recess disposed on an inner surface of the hub, wherein the flange of the central insert engages the recess of the hub to retain the hub against the handle; and a faceplate concentrically surrounding the central insert, abutting the hub, and removably engaged to the hub, the faceplate having a recess, wherein the tab of the hub engages the recess of the faceplate to form an integral faceplate and hub assembly.
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