GB2244945A

GB2244945A - Sanding block for use with abrasive bands

Info

Publication number: GB2244945A
Application number: GB9013404A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christopher Archer Lovell
Original assignee: SCHEINER ROBERT
Current assignee: SCHEINER ROBERT
Priority date: 1990-05-23
Filing date: 1990-06-15
Publication date: 1991-12-18
Also published as: GB9011485D0; GB9013404D0

Abstract

A hand-held sanding block 1 defines a substantially flat area of supporting surface 3 or 4 for supporting a flexible sheet-like abrasive material 10 for abrasive contact with a work piece. The block 1 is arranged to hold a closed loop or band of such abrasive material 10, to resist any significant movement between the supporting surface 3 or 4 and the abrasive material 10, during abrasive contact between the band 10 and a work piece, and to allow the band 10 to be otherwise movable relative to the block 1, so that the entire band 10 can be used. <IMAGE>

Description

HAND-HELD SANDING BLOCK DESCRIPTION The present invention relates to a hand-held sanding block for supporting sheet-like abrasive material in contact with a work piece and; to a method of hand abrading a work piece using a sheet-like abrasive material supported on such a sanding block.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a hand-held sanding block, defining a substantially flat area of supporting surface for supporting a flexible sheet-like abrasive material for abrasive contact with a work piece, wherein the block is arranged to hold a closed loop or band of such abrasive material with a portion thereof so supported, to provide resistance to any significant movement between the supporting surface and the supported portion of a held band of abrasive material, during such abrasive contact, and to allow such a band to be otherwise movable relative to the block, so that the entire band can be used.

Preferably, the sanding block is a snug fit within the band, so that the band is retained in a substantially fixed relationship with the block during abrasive use, but is otherwise movable relative thereto, to allow the entire band to be used.

An advantage of the present invention is that there is no need for strips of abrasive paper to be cut to size, as is necessary when using a conventional sanding block, because bands of abrasive material can be used without modification. Also, the band can be slipped over the sanding block without cutting or tearing, allowing the entire band to be use without wastage.

The quality of abrasives available in bands is superior to those normally available in flat sheets and, thus, the present invention allows the hand sander to take full advantage of these.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a method of abrading a work piece which comprises, fitting a closed loop or band of flexible strip-like material, having an outwardly facing abrasive surface, onto a sanding block in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention, such that a portion of the band is supported for use as an abrasive and the band is retained in a substantially fixed relationship with the block during abrasive use, and rubbing the block and the supported portion of the band across the work piece to abrade the latter.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a side view of a sanding block in accordance with the present invention, shown within a suitable band of abrasive material; Figure 2 is a top view of the block shown in Figure 1, without the band of abrasive material and; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the block shown in Figures 1 and 2, again without the band of abrasive material.

The illustrated sanding block comprises a solid tablet 1 formed from a synthetic or natural rubber, or a like resin. The tablet 1 has an "endless' band supporting surface 2 comprising first and second parallel and substantially flat portions 3 and 4, and first and second hemi-cylindrical convex end portions 5 and 6. The tablet 1 is completed by first and second elongate side surfaces 7 and 8, each provided with a lengthwise extending elongate channel 9.

When readied for use, the tablet 1 is snuggly located within a band 10 of abrasive material, in the manner shown in Figure 1, with the inwardly facing and non-abrasive surface of the band 10 in contact with the endless band supporting surface 2 of the tablet 1. The tablet 1 is dimensioned so as to be a snug fit within the band 10. To use the sanding block, the tablet 1 should be gripped in the hand, with the thumb and fingers located in the channels 9 in the side surfaces 7 and 8 and the palm of the hand resting on the band 10, holding the latter in contact with one of the flat portions 3 or 4 of the endless surface 2.The exposed portion of the band 10, lying on the remaining flat portion 3 or 4 of the endless surface 2, should then be contacted with a work piece and the tablet 1, carrying the abrasive band 10, should be reciprocated relative to the work piece, in order to abrade the latter. As soon as any portion of the band 10 should become clogged or worn away, the band 10 may be moved around the tablet 1, so that a fresh portion of band 10 may be exposed for use.

The band of abrasive material 10 comprises a plurality of abrasive particles (typically glass, sand, aluminium oxide, carborundum etc.,) fixed by an adhesive to a flexible substrate, such as a paper, or cloth-like material. Such abrasive bands are commonly available in standard sizes for use with power driven sanding machines. The size of the tablet 1 is selected for use with such a standard size band.

The tablet 1 is shown is the drawings as including two slots 11 extending from the first side surface 7 to the second side surface 8. One of the slots 11 is adjacent to the first hemi-cylindrical end portion 5 and the other is adjacent to the second hemi-cylindrical end portion 6. The entrances to both slots 11 are in the first flat portion 3 of the supporting surface 2 and are substantially parallel; each slot 11 intersects the first flat portion 3 of the supporing surface 2 at an acute angle when viewed from the nearer end portion 5 or 6. The slots 11 are optional and, when provided, allow the sanding block to be used with a sheet of abrasive material, or a broken portion of a band, in place of a complete band 10.To use the block in this alternative manner, a first edge of a sheet of abrasive material is inserted into one of the slots 11 and the abrasive material is then wrapped around the adjacent end portion 5 or 6, the second flat portion 4 and the other end portion 5 or 6 of the band supporting surface 2, and then inserted into the other slot 11. The slots 11 may be dimensioned and spaced so that standard length sheets of abrasive material may be so accommodated on the sanding block. In the absence of such standard sheets, larger portions may be trimmed to fit.

When the tablet 1 is formed from rubber, the weight of this material assists in the abrasive action and its flexibility allows the block to be used on uneven work pieces. The portions of the band 10, which are supported on the convex portions 5 and 6 may be brought into contact with a work piece, if desired. Preferably the tablet 1 should be of the same width as a standard size band 10, thereby allowing the band 10 to be usefully supported into corners on a work piece. The rubber construction of the tablet 1 cushions impacts between the tablet 1 and a work piece, reducing the risk of damage to a delicate work piece.

Claims

1. A hand-held sanding block, defining a substantially flat area of supporting surface for supporting a flexible sheet-like abrasive material for abrasive contact with a work piece, wherein the block is arranged to hold a closed loop or band of such abrasive material with a portion thereof so supported, to provide resistance to any significant movement between the supporting surface and the supported portion of a held band of abrasive material, during such abrasive contact, and to allow such a band to be otherwise movable relative to the block, so that the entire band can be used.

2. A hand-held sanding block as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the supporting surface includes a convex portion adjacent to and continuing from the substantially flat area thereof.

3. A hand-held sanding block as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the supporting surface comprises two substantially flat areas, separated by and continuing from the convex portion.

4. A hand-held sanding block as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the two substantially flat areas of the supporting surface are joined by at least two convex portions.

5. A hand-held sanding block as claimed in any of the preceeding claims, wherein the supporting surface is shaped so that it can snuggly contact and engage substantially all of the inner surface of a closed loop or band of sheet-like material.

6. A hand-held sanding block as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the supporting surface is of substantially the same size as the inner surface of a standard size band abrasive material.

7. A hand-held sanding block as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the supporting surface is finished so as to frictionally engage the inner surface of a band of abrasive material.

8. A hand-held sanding block as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the block comprises a tablet of resiliently flexible and relatively dense material, preferably of a rubber or like resinous material.

9. A hand-held sanding block as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein a slot is formed in the supporting surface, for holding an edge of a sheet of abrasive material.

10. A hand-held sanding block as claimed in claim 9 wherein at least two slots are formed in one of the substantially flat areas of the supporting surface, for holding opposing edges of a sheet of abrasive material such that the latter is held on the block, wrapped around the convex portions and the unslotted substantially flat portion of the supporting surface.

11. A hand-held sanding block substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

12. A method of abrading a work piece comprising, fitting a closed loop or band of flexible strip-like material, having an outwardly facing abrasive surface, onto a sanding block in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention, such that a portion of the band is supported for use as an abrasive and the band is retained in a substantially fixed relationship with the block during abrasive use, and rubbing the block and the supported portion of the band across the work piece to abrade the latter.