Patent Grant
7384328
The present invention relates to a sanding device, hereinafter referred to also as a “sanding tool”. More particularly, in its preferred intended use, the present invention relates to a sanding tool such as the ones used with vacuums and the like, and also relates to a vacuum/sanding assembly provided with such a sanding tool, and to a method of operating associated thereto.
Known in the art are various tools used for sanding applications and other related tasks.
The Assignee of the present application has developed several of such products, some of which are described in the following U.S. Pat. Nos. and industrial designs: D258,043; D263,277; D414,395; D431,993; D435,408; D463,639; D474,389; U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,629,331; 6,719,620; 6,726,868; 6,742,215; and 6,775,912, the contents of which are incorporated here by reference.
Also known to the Applicant are the following U.S. Pat. Nos. , patent application and industrial designs which describe sanding tools and the like: U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,160,995; 5,056,268; 5,123,216; 5,313,746; 5,319,889; 5,398,454; 5,398,457; 5,470,272; 5,482,499; 5,533,925; 5,558,569; 5,605,500; 5,709,595; 5,833,524; 5,967,886; 6,004,194; 6,099,397; 6,179,696 B1; 6,257,969 B1; 6,705,931 B2; Des. 343,104; Des. 387,962; Des. 404,273; D459,965 S; D494,434 S; D504,602 S; D511,954 S; and 2004/0192180 A1.
Indeed, sanding tools are very well known in the art. A typical sanding tool usually comprises a handle for manual operation of the tool and a working or operating surface onto which a sandpaper (or a sanding meshing) is mounted and rested so as to be able to carry out sanding applications by passing the sandpaper-covered operating surface over the area to be sanded.
Also known in the art are the fastening devices which are commonly used to removably mount a sandpaper onto such a sanding tool. Indeed, a typical fastening device generally consists of a pin projecting from a rear portion of the sanding tool onto which a clamping plate is pivotally mounted. A portion of the sandpaper is generally clamped between the rear portion and the clamping plate and this is generally achieved by urging the plate against the rear portion of the sanding tool by means of a nut threadedly engageable onto the pin and rotated thereabout so as to bias the clamping plate against the rear portion. The nut is usually provided with a pair of projections which are commonly known as “rabbit ears” and which are used to facilitate the rotation of the nut about the threaded pin with the fingers of an operator of the tool.
A major problem associated with the above-mentioned type of fastening device is that several turns of the nut about the pin are generally required to provide the necessary clearance to replace a worn-out sandpaper by a new sandpaper, and this is known to be very time-consuming and very strenuous on one's hands, particularly the fingers. Furthermore, usually two hands are required to carry out such an operation, causing an operator to cease any intermediate activities and having to direct his or her attention onto the sandpaper replacement operation. Another problem associated with the above-mentioned type of sanding tool is that if it is inadvertently flipped-over, when sanding, against the area being worked on, which is often drywall or plaster thereon, then the projections of the “rabbit ears” of the nuts of the fastening devices of the sanding tool will often cause substantial markings onto the area being worked on, which is very disadvantageous for obvious reasons. Indeed, such damages are very often tedious and time-consuming to repair and such damages also prevent an optimal finish from being obtained.
Furthermore, it is also known that most conventional sanding devices are not considered optimal for certain applications, particularly for sanding corners, side edges and the like.
Hence, in light of the aforementioned, there is a need for an improved sanding device which would be able to overcome and/or remedy some of the aforementioned prior art problems.
An object of the present invention is to provide a sanding device which, by virtue of its design and components, satisfies some of the above-mentioned needs and which is thus an improvement over other related sanding devices and/or methods known in the prior art.
In accordance with the present invention, the above object is achieved, as will be easily understood from the present description, with a sanding device such as the one briefly described herein and such as the one exemplified in the accompanying drawings.
More particularly, according to the present invention, there is provided a sanding device comprising:
According to another aspect of the invention, there is also a sanding assembly for sanding and evacuating particles, the sanding assembly comprising:
a vacuum system; and
sanding device, the sanding device comprising:
According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is also provided a method of operating the above-mentioned sanding device and/or assembly.
According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is also provided a method of securing/mounting the above-mentioned sanding device onto a vacuum or sanding assembly.
According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is also provided a kit for assembling the above-mentioned sanding device and/or assembly.
The objects, advantages, and other features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description of preferred embodiments thereof, given for the purpose of exemplification only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
In the following description, the same numerical references refer to similar elements. The embodiments, geometrical configurations, materials mentioned and dimensions shown in the figures are preferred, for exemplification purposes only.
Moreover, although the present invention was primarily designed for use with a sanding paper/meshing for carrying out sanding applications, preferably in conjunction with a vacuum system and/or the like, it may be used with other objects and/or in other types of applications, as apparent to a person skilled in the art. For this reason, expressions such as “sanding”, “paper”, “meshing”, “vacuum”, etc., used herein should not be taken so as to limit the scope of the present invention and include all other kinds of objects and/or applications with which the present invention could be used and may be useful.
Moreover, in the context of the present invention, the expressions “tool”, “device”, “system”, “sander”, “unit”, “assembly”, as well as any other equivalent expressions and/or compound words thereof, may be used interchangeably. The same applies for any other mutually equivalent expressions, such as “paper” and “meshing” for example, as well as “base”, “plate” and “handle”, or even “plate” and “blade”, as also apparent to a person skilled in the art.
In addition, although the preferred embodiments of the present invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings comprise various components, and although the preferred embodiments of the sanding device 1 and corresponding parts as shown consist of certain geometrical configurations as explained and illustrated herein, not all of these components and geometries are essential to the invention and thus should not be taken in their restrictive sense, i.e. should not be taken so as to limit the scope of the present invention. It is to be understood, as also apparent to a person skilled in the art, that other suitable components and cooperation thereinbetween, as well as other suitable geometrical configurations may be used for the sanding device 1 and corresponding parts according to the present invention, as will be briefly explained herein and as can be easily inferred herefrom by a person skilled in the art, without departing from the scope of the present invention.
Broadly described, and as better exemplified in the accompanying drawings, the present invention relates to a sanding device 1 with improved shape and features enabling for better, easier and more convenient sanding applications.
According to the present invention, the sanding device 1 generally comprises a base plate 3, an evacuating tube 5, an articulated joint 7 and a sealing member 9, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
As better shown in FIGS. 1 and 9-11, the base plate 3 has a sanding surface 11 and an opposite supporting surface 13, the base plate 3 also having an orifice 15 extending through the base plate 3, from the sanding surface 11 to the supporting surface 13 thereof, for allowing the passage of particles sanded by the sanding surface 11 into said orifice 15, as can be easily understood by a person skilled in the art.
The evacuating tube 5 has an inlet 17 operatively connected to the supporting surface 13 of the base plate 3, the inlet 17 being positioned about (close to, in proximity thereof, facing the, adjacent to, etc., as can be easily understood by a person skilled in the art) the orifice 15 of the base plate 3 for receiving particles sanded by the sanding surface 11 of the base plate 3, through the orifice 15 thereof. The evacuating tube 5 also has an outlet 19 configured for operatively connecting to a vacuum system for evacuating sanded particles from the sanding surface 11 through the orifice 15 of the base plate 3 via a suction effect provided by the vacuum system, as can also be easily understood by a person skilled in the art. Indeed, vacuum systems are well known in the art, and thus do not need to be explained in greater detail in the context of the present description.
The articulated joint 7 is configured for operatively connecting the inlet 17 of the evacuating tube 5 to the supporting surface 13 of the base plate 3, the articulated joint 7 having at least one pivot axis 21 for enabling the evacuating tube 5 to be articulated with respect to the base plate 3 along various operating angles, as can be easily understood by a person skilled in the art when referring to
The sealing member 9 is operatively mounted onto the base plate 3 for sealingly interconnecting the orifice 15 of the base plate 3 to the inlet 17 of the evacuating tube 5, as can be easily understood when contrasting
Preferably, the base plate 3 comprises a substantially rigid support plate 23, and an underlying padding 25 affixed to a bottom surface of the support plate 23, the support plate 23 and the underlying padding 25 being complementary in shape to one another and defining the orifice 15 of the base plate 3, as can be easily understood when referring to FIGS. 1 and 6-11.
Preferably also, the underlying padding 25 has an operating surface for carrying a sanding application with the sanding device 1, the operating surface of the underlying padding 25 being provided with a plurality of ribs 27 protruding from said operating surface and defining a plurality of channels 29 converging substantially towards the orifice 15 of the base plate 3 for directing sanded particles on the operating surface towards said orifice 15, as can be easily understood by a person skilled in the art when referring to
Preferably also, at least one of said ribs 27 extends over the orifice 15 of the base plate 3 in order to divide said orifice into at least one sub-orifice 15a, and the support plate 23 and corresponding underlying padding 25 are shaped accordingly for supporting said at least one of said ribs 27, as also better shown in
Preferably also, the support plate 23 is made of a substantially rigid elastomeric material, whereas the underlying padding 25 is preferably made of a softer and rubber-like material. However, it is worth mentioning that several other types of materials can be used for the base plate 3 and corresponding constituents thereof, namely support plate 23 and underlying padding 25, depending on the particular applications for which the sanding device 1 is intended for, as apparent to a person skilled in the art.
Preferably also, and as better shown in
Thus, it may now be better appreciated that this preferred embodiment of the articulated joint 7 is not only easy and cost-effective to assemble, but also enables the base plate 3 to be tilted and operated with respect to the evacuating tube 5 along different operating angles, which is very advantageous, for obvious reasons known in the art. According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the articulated joint 7 is a “universal” joint 7, but several different types of joints 7 can be used with the sanding device 1 without departing from the scope of the present invention, as can be easily understood by a person skilled in the art.
Preferably also, the sealing member 9 has a first end 41 securely mounted about the rim 31 of the support plate 23 and a second end 43 securely mounted about a first peripheral portion 45 of the evacuating tube 5, adjacent to the inlet 17 thereof, as can be easily understood when referring to FIGS. 1 and 9-12.
Preferably also, a second peripheral portion 47 of the evacuating tube 5, adjacent to the first peripheral portion 45 thereof, is provided with a peripheral groove for receiving a ring 49 with stoppers 51 for abutting against the second end 43 of the sealing member 9, as better shown in
Preferably also, the support plate 23 has a peripheral surface provided with at least one fastening device 53 for removably clamping at least one corresponding tab of a sanding meshing extendable over the operating surface of the underlying padding of the base plate 3. According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, as better exemplified in
Preferably also, each fastening device 53 comprises a pin 55 projecting from an upper surface of the support plate 23, and a clamping plate 57 mounted about said pin 55, the clamping plate 57 having a rear edge nested within an abutment ridge 59 and a front edge operable between raised and clamping configuration, the clamping plate 57 being provided with a resilient device 61 for biasing the clamping plate 57 into the raised configuration, and being further provided with a securing cam 63 mounted about the pin 55 and cooperable with an embossment 65 of said pin 55 for selectively securing the clamping plate 57 into the clamping configuration via a rotation of the securing cam 63. These fastening devices 53 are very similar to those described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,719,620 B1 belonging to the Assignee of the present application.
Preferably also, and as better shown in
Preferably also, and as also better shown in
According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, as exemplified in
As previously explained, the present invention essentially relates to a sanding tool with improved shape and features enabling for better, easier and more convenient sanding applications. The sanding tool preferably comprises a base plate 3 onto which several preferred components are operatively connected thereto. The base plate 3 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention preferably comprises an angled portion, having two substantially straight sides, and an arc-shaped portion extending between extremities of said two side edges 75. The base plate 3 is preferably made of a suitable material, such as a polymeric material, composite material, and/or the like, in order to be able to properly support the various components that may be operatively connected thereto, and in order to withstand the various loads that the sanding tool may be subjected to, as apparent to a person skilled in the art. Preferably, the base plate 3 is made of styrene and/or of any suitable derivative thereof.
The padding 25 is operatively connected to a bottom portion of said base plate 3, and preferably to the support plate 23 thereof. Preferably, said padding 25 is securely affixed, via suitable adhesive or fixing means (fasteners, glue, mechanical bond, etc.), onto said bottom portion of the base plate 3. The padding 25 is preferably made of a suitable material, such as an elastomeric material, or any other suitable rubberized material, so as to advantageously be used operatively against a surface to be treated. As better shown in
As can be easily understood by a person skilled in the art, the sanding paper and/or meshing preferably has a shape which is complementary to that of the padding 25 and corresponding base plate 3, and is provided with a corresponding number of tabs which are preferably used so as to removably fixed onto corresponding components of the sanding tool so as to enable an easy, quick and secure fastening of the sanding meshing onto the sanding tool. Preferably, and as better shown in
Preferably, each fastening device 53 comprises clamping means and guiding means. The clamping means are movable with respect to the upper portion of the base plate 3 between a first position where the clamping means are away from the supporting side and a second position where the clamping means rest operatively against the supporting side. The clamping means are mainly used to easily and quickly clamp a portion of the sandpaper, and more particularly, a tab thereof, against the supporting upper side of the base plate 3 and thus, may take on various other shapes and forms than the embodiments described herein. The same applies for the guiding means which are mainly used for guiding movement of the clamping means along a predetermined path between the first and second positions. In operation, a portion of the sandpaper is removably clamped between the supporting/upper side of the base plate 3 and the clamping means when the latter are in the second position.
As can be easily understood by a person skilled in the art, the fastening devices 53 each preferably comprise a pin 55 or a fastener which is preferably assembled onto the sanding tool by inserting said pin into the upper side of the base plate 3, and preferably a corresponding socket or flange thereof. Preferably also, the clamping means comprise a cam 63 and biasing means. According to the particular embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the cam 63 is preferably rotationally mounted about the pin and cooperates with the plate 57 which is preferably provided with suitable securing means so as to operate it between two configurations, the first one being used for operatively securing the cam 63 against the plate 57 so that a portion of the sandpaper is removably clamped between the cam 63 and the corresponding portion of the plate 57 by rotating the cam 63 and securing the same against the plate 57 with the securing means. Preferably also, each fastening device 53 further comprises a clamping plate 57 mounted about the pin 55 between the cam 63 and the supporting side of the base plate 3 such that the end portion of the sandpaper is removably clampable between the clamping plate 57 and the supporting side of the base plate 3 by rotating the cam 63 and securing the same against the clamping plate 57 with the securing means, as can be easily understood when referring to
As can be easily understood from these figures, each fastening device 53 preferably comprises at least one resilient device 61 for urging the clamping plate 57 away from the supporting side of the base plate 3 and the resilient device 61 may take on various embodiments, such as a spring for example, and the like. In the embodiment exemplified in the accompanying drawings, each resilient device 61 preferably consists of an L-shaped segment being shaped positioned and sized within the clamping plate 57 so as to urge a front portion of the clamping plate 57 away from the supporting upper side of the base plate 3, as can be easily understood when referring to
As also better shown in
As also better shown in
Referring now to
As may now better be appreciated, the present invention is a substantial improvement over the prior art in that, by virtue of its design and components, as explained herein, and the particular shape of the base plate thereof, the sanding tool according to the present invention enables for a quicker, easier and simpler manner than what is possible with the sanding tools available in the prior art, particularly for certain applications, such as for sanding corners, side edges and the like. Moreover, the present invention is also particularly advantageous in that it comprises fastening devices 53 which enable a quick, easy and secure manner of removably fixing sandpaper and/or meshing onto the sanding tool.
It is worth mentioning that several modifications could be made to the present sanding tool without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the base plate 3 and the supporting sides of the fastening devices 53 may consist of two distinct pieces, or could be devised so as to be made integral to each other, that is made of one single piece and made of one single material, as can easily be understood by a person skilled in the art. The same applies for other components and features of the present invention, and particularly in regard to the support plate 23 and underlying padding 25, which, as can be easily understood, may consist of two distinct pieces, operatively affixed to one another in a suitable manner, or may be devised so as to consist of one single piece made of one single material.
Of course, numerous modifications could be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention, as defined in the appended claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2529354 | Dec 2005 | CA | national |
The present application claims priority of U.S. provisional patent application No. 60/748,167 dated Dec. 8, 2005 and of Canadian patent application No. 2,529,354 dated Dec. 8, 2005, the contents of which are both incorporated herein by reference.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
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| 20070141968 A1 | Jun 2007 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
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| 60748167 | Dec 2005 | US |
