GB2321421A - Device for use in sandpapering - Google Patents

Abstract

A device 10 for supporting a sheet of sandpaper when sanding, comprises block of resiliently flexible elastomeric material 12 and a suction port 24 for attachment to a vacuum. The block 12 contains a cavity 18 from which holes 20 extend to a face 16 of the block 12 for supporting a sheet of sandpaper. The suction port 24 is mounted in a removable cover 22 which preferably bears clips 32 to attach a sheet of sandpaper to the device 10 by trapping it between a clip 32 and an inclined face 36 of the block 12 (Fig. 4). Suitable materials for the block 12 are rubber and synthetic plastics, a suitable material for the cover 22 is a synthetic plastics. The sheet of sandpaper may have holes in a pattern matching that of the device 10. In operation air and dust is sucked through the holes 20 into the cavity 18 and then out through the suction port 24.

Description

DEVICE FOR USE IN SANDPAPERING A NON-PLANAR SURFACE THIS INVENTION relates to a device for use In sandpapering a non-planar surface.

In many industries there is a need to be able to sandpaper a surface which is non-planar. There is a particular need in the motor vehicle repair industry where, after a motor vehicle panel has been repaired, it must be rubbed down. Very few panels on a motor vehicle are planar.

To enable non-planar panels to be rubbed down, it is known to use a block of metal, wood or rubber and to wrap a sandpaper sheet around it. In some forms the block includes clips for holding the sandpaper in place.

However, in the most unsophisticated form, the sandpaper is simply held in place by the worker.

Another device which has been used in the motor industry comprises a base of thin sheet steel. The base is rectangular in plan view and is longer in the longitudinal direction than in the transverse direction. Because the base is thin, it can flex to some extent. On the top face of the base there are front and rear handles. Also on the top face of the base, and at the front and rear ends, there are clips for gripping a sheet of sandpaper. The sandpaper sheet is of substantially the same width as the base and longer than the base. By folding the ends of the sandpaper sheet upwards over the ends of the base, and then pushing them under the clips, the sandpaper sheet can be fixed to the base.

Whilst tlhe device described can flex to some extent, and thus be used on non-planar surfaces, its main drawback, like the simple block, is that all the dust produced is dispersed into the atmosphere. The device is also prone to breaking and Applicant believes that it is used fer less now than it was some years ago.

A further device known to Applicant comprises an elongate, hollow, rigid moulded plastics housing which includes integrally moulded handles and a connector for enabling a vacuum hose to be attached to the housing. The housing is open on the underside and the device further includes a base which closes-off the housing. The base has holes which lead through it into the hollow interior of the housing.

The advantage of this device is that dust is sucked away rather than being dispersed into the atmosphere. However, all flexibility is lost as a result of the rigid housing.

According to the present invention there is provided a device for use in sandpapering a surface, the device having a suction port to which a vacuum hose can be connected and including a block of resiliently flexible elastomeric material, there being holes which open through a face of the block and which are in communication with said port whereby air and dust can be sucked through said holes to said port, and the device further including means for releasably attaching a sheet of sandpaper thereto.

In the preferred form said block has a hollow interior and said port and said holes communicate with the hollow interior of said block. In this form there can be a removable top cover for closing-off the hollow interior of said block. The top cover is desirably in the form of a flexible sheet of synthetic plastics material.

The holes can be in a bottom wall of said block, and said port can be in said top cover.

Said means for releasably attaching a sheet of sand paper preferably comprise clips which in use bear on a sheet of sand paper and trap it between the block and the clip. The clips can be carried by said cover. In one constructional form said block includes opposed end faces which are inclined, the clips co-operating with said end faces.

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a pictorial view of a device for holding a sheet of sandpaper; Figure 2 is a pictorial view of the device of Figure 1 inverted; Figure 3 is an "exploded" view of the device of Figure 1; Figure 4 shows one end part of a different construction to that of the device of Figures 1 to 3; and Figure 5 is a pictorial view of another device for holding a sheet of sandpaper.

Referring firstly to Figure 1, there is illustrated a device, generally designated 10, which consists of a housing that comprises a hollow block 12. The block 12 is of rubber, a rubber compound or a synthetic plastics material which is resiliently flexible1 resistant to solvents and nonabsorbent.

The block 12 comprises upstanding side walls 14 and a bottom wall 16 which bound a cavity 18 (see Figure 3). There is a plurality of holes 20 in the bottom wall 16 which lead into the cavity 18.

The device 10 further includes a flexible top cover 22 which is rectangular in plan view and is provided for closing off the cavity 18. The cover 22 comprises a sheet of synthetic plastics material and is glued to the top faces of the side walls of the block 12. The material of the cover is such that it imparts some stiffness to the block 12 without, however, preventing it flexing enough to conform to the curving shape of a panel being sanded The cover 22 has therein an opening which is in register with a connector 24. The connector 24 forms a port which permits a vacuum hose (not shown) to be connected to the device 10 so that the cavity 18 can be evacuated and air, as well as dust, sucked through the holes 20. The holes 20 communicate with the port through the cavity 18, Two threaded bolts 28 are mounted on the cover 22. The heads (not shown) of the bolts 28 are on the same side of the cover 22 as the base 12, and are accommodated in the cavity 18. The threaded shafts 29 of the bolts 28 pass through holes in the cover and protrude upwardly from the cover. Two wingnuts 30 are screwed onto the shafts 29. The shafts 29 also pass through curved clips 32 of mild steel. When the wingnuts 30 are tightened onto the shafts 29, the clips 32 are flattened and hence grip the edges of a sheet of sandpaper (not shown) which has been inserted under the clips.

The front and rear lower edges of the block 12 are cut away as shown at 34. A sheet of sandpaper held by the clips 32 passes around the front and rear edges.

Because the block 12 and cover 22 are both flexible, the device 10 can be used on non-planar surfaces. In addition, because a vacuum connection 24 is provided, dust is not dispersed into the atmosphere when sanding is taking place.

Referring to Figure 4, the construction of the device is similar to that shown in Figures 1 to 3 and where applicable, like parts have been designated with like reference numerals with the addition of the suffix ".1".

The device 10.1 differs from that of Figures 1 to 3 in that the ends of the block 10.1 are bounded by two inclined end faces 36 and 38 which meet at an apex 40.

The clip, designated 18.1 in Figure 4, has two bends 42 and 44 in it to provide three portions 46, 48, 60 which lie at angles with respect to one another. The free edge of the portion 46 bears on the face 36 and the free edge of the portion 50 bears on the top surface of the cover 22.1. The bolt, the threaded shaft of the bolt and the wingnut shown in Figure 4 are designated 28.1, 29.1 and 30.1 respectively.

The free edge of the portion 46 presses Into the face 36 when the wingnut 30.1 is tightened and grips a sheet of sandpaper (not shown).

The sheet of sand paper can have holes in it in a pattern matching the holes 20.

Claims (9)

1. A device for use in sandpapering a surface, the device having a suction port to which a vacuum hose can be connected and including a block of resiliently flexible elastomeric material, there being holes which open through a face of the block and which are in communication with said port whereby air and dust can be sucked through said holes to said port, and the device further including means for releasably attaching a sheet of sandpaper thereto.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said block has a hollow interior and wherein said port and said holes communicate with the hollow interior of said block.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2, and including a removable top cover for closing-off the hollow interior of said block.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said top cover is in the form of a flexible sheet of synthetic plastics material.

5. A device as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein said holes are in a bottom wall of said block, and said port is in said top cover.

6. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said means for releasably attaching a sheet of sand paper comprise clips which in use bear on a sheet of sand paper and trap it between the block and the clip.

7. A device as claimed in claim 6 as appendant to claim 3,4 or 5, wherein said clips are carried by said cover.

8. A device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said block includes opposed end faces which are inclined, the clips co-operating with said end {aces.

9. A device for use in sand papering a surface substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 4 or to Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings.