Patent Application
20200156217
The present invention relates to an improved sanding system for sculptures, and in particular, relates to modified gloves for sanding.
The sculpture refers to the art of making two- or three-dimensional representative or abstract forms, especially by carving stone or wood or by casting metal or plaster. It involves the art of forming an object representing the relationship of a subject body to space. In carving, a piece of stone, wood or other sculpture material of suitable size is used as a base. And with the help of machines and tools, the desired representation is carved out of the base. Various methods and tools of the carving are known in the art. The known methods generally include the steps of grounding, modeling, detailing and finishing. The last step in carving, the finishing, involves smoothening the surface of the sculpture. Typically, the surface of the sculpture is sanded using sandpaper.
The sandpaper is a kraft paper having a coating of an abrasive layer. The abrasives, also known as grits, are bonded to the kraft paper using an adhesive. The grits have sharp edges that cut down a material causing either the surface smoother or removes a layer of material from the surface. The sandpaper is produced in a range of abrasive particle sizes identified by a grit number. Grit number is a number inversely related to the particle size of the abrasives. The higher the grit number is equivalent to a finer abrasive, which creates smoother surface finishes. Lower grit numbers represent coarser abrasives that scrape off materials much quicker.
Thus, a key consideration in selecting sandpaper for a particular task is the grit number of the sandpaper. In the finishing of the sculpture, the artist generally progresses from coarse grit to a finer smoothness. The commonly used sandpapers are of grit numbers include #60-#80 (coarse) cuts through the rough edges with relative ease, #100-#150 (medium) is most often used for sanding bare wood surfaces in preparation for finishing, #180-#220 fine) is typically used for second and third sanding unless the surface is already smooth to touch, and #320 and up (Ultrafine) is used for extra smoothness. The grit numbers are standardized based on the average particle size of the grits. The United States CAMI (Coated Abrasive Manufacturers Institute, now part of the Unified Abrasives Manufacturer's Association) is the most used standard and the above grit numbers are based on the CAMI standard. Also, hereinafter in the specification, the grit numbers will be specified according to the CAMI standards.
Sanding of the sculptures is laborious and a time-consuming process because of the complex shape of the sculpture, finer details and limited freedom of the hand while sanding the sculpture. Also, the creators generally wear gloves to protect their hands. Holding the sandpaper with the gloves makes the sanding more difficult. Thus, there is a long-felt need for an improved sanding system for sculptures that is convenient to use.
The principal objective of the present invention is therefore directed to a sanding system for sculptures.
Another objective of the present invention is that the sanding system offers an individual the ability to use the curvature of their hands to sand any sculpting project.
Still another objective of the present invention is that the sanding system allows a user to access hard to reach areas for sanding.
An additional objective of the present invention is that the sanding system eliminates the need to fold and unfold a piece of sandpaper while smoothing out fine details of the sculpture.
Still an additional objective of the present invention is that the sanding system is economical to manufacture and use.
A further objective of the present invention is that the sanding system can be used for both wet sanding and dry sanding.
Yet another objective of the present invention is that the sanding system makes the sanding of wood, metal or plaster sculptures much easier.
The accompanying figures, which are incorporated herein, form part of the specification and illustrate embodiments of the present invention. Together with the description, the figures further explain the principles of the present invention and to enable a person skilled in the relevant arts to make and use the invention.
Subject matter will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and which show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments. Subject matter may, however, be embodied in a variety of different forms and, therefore, covered or claimed subject matter is intended to be construed as not being limited to any exemplary embodiments set forth herein; exemplary embodiments are provided merely to be illustrative. Likewise, a reasonably broad scope for claimed or covered subject matter is intended. Among other things, for example, the subject matter may be embodied as methods, devices, components, or systems. The following detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be taken in a limiting sense.
The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Likewise, the term “embodiments of the present invention” does not require that all embodiments of the invention include the discussed feature, advantage or mode of operation.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of embodiments of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”, “comprising,”, “includes” and/or “including”, when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
The following detailed description includes the best currently contemplated mode or modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention will be best defined by the allowed claims of any resulting patent.
The present invention is directed to a sanding system that allows an individual to use the curvature of their hands to sand wood, metal and plaster sculptures. Referring to
The composition of grits is obvious to a skilled person for sanding surfaces. For example, known sanding materials include garnet, aluminum oxide, silicon carbide, chromium (III) oxide, diamond, and ceramic aluminum oxide. The choice of the grit material depends upon the cost and objective of the sanding, for example, garnet is commonly used for woodworking. Sanding system 100 according to the present invention encompasses all types of grit material known to a skilled person for sanding surfaces of sculptures. Also, it is within the scope of the present invention to use a combination of grit materials in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. For example, different grit material could be applied to the palm area and the finger area. In one case, the thumb front area can have a different grit material than the palm and front finger areas. The sanding system having different grit materials can be produced to cater to different sanding needs of the user. Moreover, the left and right glove bodies can be manufactured having different grit materials.
In a preferred embodiment, the material of the glove body can be neoprene, while the grit areas can have a coating of rubber or polyurethane. The cuff can be made of a knitted material. Although in a preferred embodiment, the glove body can be made of neoprene material, it is within the scope of the present invention to use any other material known to a skilled person for the manufacture of working gloves. It is also preferable to use a material that allow enough breathing of the glove body to allow the hand to remain comfortable and dry and prevent the buildup of humidity. The lowering of the heat buildup also increases the comfort level of the hand in the glove body. Alternatively, the glove body can also be provided with an inner layer of a sweat wicking material. The glove body material could be a strong enough to prevent injury to the hands while working. Thus, the sanding system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention double up as a wok glove and be used to protect the hand and enhanced grip of the hands to hold the objects. It is preferable that the material of the glove body also provides sufficient flexibility to the hands to sand complex and hard to reach areas. The glove body can be manufactured in different sizes to fit different hand sizes. For example, the glove body can be produced in sizes including extra small, small, medium, large, and extra-large. Such sizes can be the standard sizes for gloves available commercially that fits most of the sizes of hands.
The grit material can be applied as a coating to desired outer surface of the glove body. In one case, the grit particles can be infused into the rubber or polyurethane layer. For example, a layer of rubber or polyurethane having grit particles can be applied over a portion of outer surface area of the glove body and cured thereafter. In another case, a layer of the rubber or polyurethane is applied to desired portions of the outer surface areas of the glove body and thereafter the glove particles can be applied over the rubber/polyurethane layer. Thereafter, the layer having the grit particles can be cured. Yet in another case, the grit particles can be applied to the surface of glove body using an adhesive layer.
The sanding system according the present invention can be produced having different degree of grit numbers. For example, grit coatings of different particle sizes (grit numbers) can be applied to the glove body. The sanding systems could be manufactured having the grit numbers including #60, #120, #180, #220 and like. Furthermore, grit coating having a range of particle size can also be applied to the glove body. In one case, the grit coating is coarse having a grit number in the range of #60-#80. In another case, the grit coating is medium having a grit number in the range of #100-#150. Still in another case, the grit coating is fine having a grit number in the range of #180-#220. Yet, in another case, the grit coating is ultrafine having a grit number #320 or above. Thus, the user can choose the sanding system of a particular grit number or a range of grit numbers. For example, the user wishing to smoothen a surface of an object can select the coarse sanding system having the grit number in the range of #60-#80. The user can interchange the sanding system of different grit numbers from coarse to superfine for completing the finishing of the sculpture.
In a preferred embodiment, the glove body can be provided with grit coatings of different particle sizes. i.e. different areas of the glove body can have grit coating of different grit numbers. In one case, the front thumb area can have a coarse grit coating and the palm area and the front finger area can have a fine grit coating. In another case, the front thumb area can have a coarse grit coating, the palm area and the front finger area can have a fine grit coating and the rear finger area can have a medium coating. This combination may allow a user to smoothen the surface of the sculpture using the palm area and the front finger area. And if any area of the sculpture requires coarse sanding, the front thumb area can be used. Similarly, for any surface area of sculpture requiring medium grit sanding, the rear thumb area of the sanding system can be used. Thus, the user does not have to interchange the sanding system in case the small area of the sculpture requires sanding with a different grit number. The areas of the glove having coatings of different grid numbers can be distinguished using a color code. For example, the front area of the thumb having coarse grit coating can be cream color, the front area of the fingers and the areas of palm can be of a grey color, and the rear finger color having medium coating can be of black color. Different combinations of the grit number range and color code can be used to make specialized sanding systems in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
In one embodiment, the grit is uniformly applied to the front face of the glove and the tips of the rear finger area. Additionally, the grit layer is having a different color than that of the glove body. The grit can be of a predetermined size range. For example, the sanding systems could be manufactured having the grit numbers including #60, #120, #180, #220 and like.
While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above-described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention as claimed.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62805292 | Feb 2019 | US |
