NZ551304A - Improvements relating to a quick-release coupling for attaching an abrasive disc to a grinding apparatus and an abrasive disc for use with such a coupling - Google Patents

Abstract

A coupling for attaching an abrasive disc to a grinding apparatus is disclosed. The coupling comprises a first face (6) which engages a drive means, a second face (7) which engages the abrasive disk and a central locating means (10) to cooperate with an engagement means on the disc. The coupling is adapted to engage the disc along a mounting plane at the interface between one or more drive elements (12, 13) that extend outward from the central locating means and a corresponding receiving element on the engagement means of the disk. The or each drive element has a driving face (27, 28) substantially perpendicular to the mounting plane and the or each receiving element has a drivable face substantially perpendicular to the mounting plane. When the disc is mounted on the coupling at least a substantial portion of the or each driving face contacts at least a substantial portion of the corresponding drivable face or faces to provide a driving force in the direction of rotation.

Description

Patents Form 5 N.Z. No. 551304 NEW ZEALAND Patents Act 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION *10054996309 IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO A QUICK-RELEASE COUPLING FOR ATTACfflNG AN ABRASIVE DISC TO A GRINDING APPARATUS AND AN ABRASIVE DISC FOR USE WITH SUCH A COUPLING We, RICHMOND INDUSTRIES LIMITED, a New Zealand company of P O Box 35-075, Naenae, Lower Hutt 5041, New Zealand, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- intellectual property OFFICE OF N.Z 1 4 NOV 2007 PPO P!V/PQ -1 - (Followed by 1 A) 1A IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO A QUICK-RELEASE COUPLING FOR ATTACHING AN ABRASIVE DISC TO A GRINDING APPARATUS AND AN ABRASIVE DISC FOR USE WITH SUCH A COUPLING This invention relates to a quick-release coupling for attaching an abrasive disc to a grinding apparatus. The invention also relates to an abrasive disc that can be attached to a grinding apparatus using such a coupling.

As used throughout the specification, the term "grinding apparatus" is intended to refer to any device in which, during operation, a rotating disc is placed in contact with the surface of an object. The rotating disc will be referred to throughout the specification as an "abrasive disc" but could be a polishing disc. The term "grinding apparatus" includes but is not limited to: bench or pedestal grinders; handheld grinders, including an angle grinder or a straight grinder; portable grinders, including an asphalt grinder or a floor grinder; and stationary grinders, including a cylindrical grinder, surface grinder, a tool and cutter grinder; or a floor polisher.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION Abrasive discs used in a grinding apparatus can require frequent replacement due to wear on the disc as a result of friction between the disc and the workpiece. Furthermore, the disc must be securely attached to the apparatus to ensure that the disc is not released from the driveshaft during operation of the apparatus.

The time taken to detach a securely attached disc from a grinding apparatus and to securely attach a replacement disc can be lengthy. For example, it is known in the art to use a nut to secure an abrasive disc to a grinding apparatus. However, a nut can be over-tightened and consequently difficult to remove.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. - 7 APR 2009 RECEIVED 2 Quick-release couplings to attach an abrasive disc to a grinding apparatus are known in the art, for example, United States Patent No. 6,530,828 describes an abrasive disc that has an undercut, spirally shaped edge contour for engagement with a suitable counter-contour on an accommodating carrier.

However, there are a number of difficulties and/or disadvantages associated with the couplings of the prior art, including that the coupling does not allow the abrasive disc to be repositioned when some parts of the disc are more worn than other parts of the disc.

It is an object of the invention to provide a quick-release coupling for attaching an abrasive disc to a grinding apparatus that will overcome at least some of the abovementioned difficulties and/or disadvantages, or that will at least provide the public with a useful choice.

It is also an object of the invention to provide an abrasive disc for use with such a coupling that will overcome at least some of the abovementioned difficulties and/or disadvantages, or that will at least provide the public with a useful choice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a coupling for attaching an abrasive disc to a grinding apparatus and adapted for rotation about a central axis, the coupling comprising a first major face which will engage a drive means, a second major face which comprises a mounting surface to cooperate with a contact surface of the disc, and a central locating means to cooperate with an engagement means on the disc and locate the disc on the coupling, the coupling being adapted to engage the disc along a mounting plane at the interface between the mounting surface and the contact surface, the mounting surface having one or more drive elements that extend outward from the central locating means and are each sized to cooperate with a corresponding drive element on the contact surface INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. - 7 APR 2009 received 3 that extends outward from the engagement means to position the disc on the coupling, the first drive element in each cooperating pair being a protrusion from one of the surfaces and the second drive element in each cooperating pair being a recess in the other surface, the protrusion capable of being received and retained in the recess, the or each drive element on the mounting surface having a driving face substantially perpendicular to the mounting plane and the or each drive element on the contact surface having a drivable face substantially perpendicular to the mounting plane, whereby when the disc is mounted on the coupling at least a substantial portion of the or each driving face contacts at least a substantial portion of the corresponding drivable face to provide a driving force in the direction of rotation.

Expediently the mounting surface has two drive elements that are generally diametrically opposite on the surface and equally spaced from the central axis.

In one preferred embodiment, the driving faces of the drive elements on the mounting surface are generally parallel and equally offset from the diameter of the coupling and the drivable faces of the drive elements on the contact surface are generally parallel and equally offset from the diameter of the disc.

The pair of drive elements or each pair of drive elements may consist of a shaped protrusion and a correspondingly shaped recess, for example, a fin-shaped protrusion and a correspondingly fin-shaped recess.

In one preferred embodiment, the second major face is substantially parallel to the first major face.

The central locating means may comprise a centrally located extension from the second major face of the coupling. Preferably the extension is cylindrical. In a further preferred embodiment, the extension is a collar around an aperture that INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N 2. - 7 APR 2009 RECEIVED 4 passes between the centre of the first major face and the centre of the second major face. Preferably the aperture is cylindrical.

The engagement means may comprise a centrally located aperture in the disc. Preferably the aperture is cylindrical.

Preferably the shape of the first major face and the second major face is annular, circular, square, or a regular polygon. More preferably the shape of the first major face and the second major face is annular.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided an abrasive disc mountable on the drive coupling of a grinding apparatus and adapted for rotation about a central axis, the disc comprising a rear face, an operative front face, and an engagement means to cooperate with a central locating means on the coupling and locate the disc on the coupling, the rear face presenting a contact surface to cooperate with a mounting surface of the coupling, the disc being adapted to engage the coupling along a mounting plane at the interface between the contact surface and the mounting surface, the contact surface having one or more drive elements that extend outward from the engagement means and are each sized to cooperate with a corresponding drive element on the mounting surface that extends outward from the central locating means to position the disc on the coupling, the first drive element in each cooperating pair being a protrusion from one of the surfaces and the second drive element in each cooperating pair being a recess in the other surface, the protrusion capable of being received and retained in the recess, the or each drive element on the mounting surface having a driving face substantially perpendicular to the mounting plane and the or each drive element on the contact surface having a drivable face substantially perpendicular to the mounting plane, whereby when the disc is mounted on the coupling at least a substantial portion of the or each driving face contacts at least a substantial portion of the corresponding drivable face to provide a driving force in the direction of rotation. "intellectual fwemv OFFICE OP N.Z - ? APR ttlOS RECEIVED Expediently the contact surface has two drive elements that are generally diametrically opposite on the surface and equally spaced from the central axis.

In one preferred embodiment, the drivable faces of the drive elements on the contact surface are generally parallel and equally offset from the diameter of the disc and the driving faces of the drive elements on the mounting surface are generally parallel and equally offset from the diameter of the coupling.

The pair of drive elements or each pair of drive elements may consist of a shaped protrusion and a correspondingly shaped recess, for example, a fin-shaped protrusion and a correspondingly fin-shaped recess.

In one preferred embodiment, the rear face is substantially parallel to the front face.

The engagement means may comprise an aperture that passes between the centre of the front face and the centre of the rear face. Preferably the aperture is cylindrical.

The central locating means may comprise a centrally located extension on the coupling. Preferably the extension is cylindrical. In a further preferred embodiment, the extension is a collar around an aperture in the coupling. Preferably the aperture is cylindrical.

Preferably the shape of the front face and the rear face is annular, circular, square, or a regular polygon. More preferably the shape of the front face and the rear face is annular.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of mounting the abovementioned abrasive disc to the abovementioned coupling wherein the disc is located on the coupling through the cooperation of the central INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z -? APR 2009 Rcrciucn 6 locating means and the engagement means, and cooperating drive elements facilitate mounting of the disc in a desired position on the coupling.

In a preferred embodiment, more than one pair of cooperating drive elements are spread equally apart to allow mounting in more than one selected position.

In one embodiment, an axially mounted locking nut is used to secure the abrasive disc in position on the coupling. The cooperation of the protrusion with the corresponding recess in each pair of drive elements preventing rotation of the abrasive disc relative to the coupling. In some circumstances, it may be necessary to supplement the axially mounted locking nut with a number of radially dispersed mounting bolts.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a grinding apparatus including the abovementioned coupling. The abovementioned abrasive disc may be attached to the coupling.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A preferred embodiment of the quick-release coupling and the abrasive disc will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the second major face of the coupling.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the first major face of the coupling, showing hidden detail in dashed lines.

Figure 3 is a side view of the coupling, showing hidden detail in dashed lines.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the rear face of the abrasive disc.

Figure 5 is a plan view of the operative front face of the abrasive disc Figure 6 is an exploded side view of the coupling, a drive means, the abrasive disc, a locking nut, and a spanner. -7APRM0 RECEIVED 7 The quick-release coupling 1 is designed to allow the abrasive disc 2 to be quickly and securely attached to or detached from a drive means 3 in a grinding apparatus.

As used throughout the specification, the term "drive means" is intended to refer to any device in a grinding apparatus that can be rotated by an engine or motor. In the preferred embodiment, the drive means 3 comprises a driveshafit 4 and a flexible coupling 5 to which the quick-release coupling 1 can be attached. However, in another embodiment the quick-release coupling can be formed integrally with the drive means.

The quick-release coupling 1 is adapted for rotation about a central axis 9. The abrasive disc 2 is also adapted for rotation about a central axis 11.

The quick-release coupling 1 has two major faces. The first major face 6 is engaged with and is rotationally driven by the drive means 3. The second major face 7 is substantially parallel to the first major face 6 and comprises a mounting surface 7 to cooperate with a contact surface 31 for the abrasive disc 2.

The abrasive disc 2 has a rear face and an operative front face, the rear face of which presents a contact surface 31 for the quick-release coupling 1.

The quick-release coupling 1 is adapted to engage the abrasive disc 2 along a mounting plane at the interface between the mounting surface 7 and the contact surface 31.

The quick-release coupling 1 includes a cylindrical aperture 9 that passes between the centre of the first major face 6 and the centre of the second major face 7 of the quick-release coupling 1. The aperture 9 is designed to engage with a cylindrical extension 8 from the flexible coupling 5 to assist in mounting the quick-release coupling 1 to the flexible coupling 5.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N Z -1 APR 2009 RECEIVED 8 The quick-release coupling 1 also includes a centrally located cylindrical collar 10 around the circumference of the aperture 9 on the second major face 7. The collar 10 is designed to engage with a centrally located cylindrical aperture 11 in the abrasive disc 2 to assist in mounting the abrasive disc 2 to the quick-release coupling 1. The collar 10 has an external screw thread that enables a locking nut 25 with an internal screw thread to be screwed onto the collar 10 with a spanner 26. The locking nut 25 attaches the abrasive disc 2 to the quick-release coupling 1.

The quick-release coupling 1 has three bolt holes 16, 17, 18 that pass through the quick-release coupling 1 between the first major face 6 and the second major face 7. Similarly, the abrasive disc 2 has six bolt holes 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 that pass through the abrasive disc 2 between the operative front face and the rear face. It will be clear that both the quick-release coupling 1 and the abrasive disc 2 could contain a different number of bolt holes from those of the preferred embodiment. However, it is preferred that the abrasive disc 2 contains more bolt holes than the quick-release coupling 1.

Depending upon loading and use, a high speed quick-release coupling 1 may use only the collar 10 to retain the abrasive disc 2 onto the quick-release coupling 1, the cooperating fin-shaped projections 12, 13 and recesses 14, 15 described below restraining the abrasive disc 2 from rotation relative to the quick-release coupling 1. In this alternative embodiment, bolts do not pass between the bolt holes 16,17, 18 in the quick-release coupling 1 and the bolt holes 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 in the abrasive disc 2 and, as such, the bolt holes 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 in the abrasive disc 2 need not be present.

The mounting surface on the second major face 7 of the quick-release coupling 1 comprises two drive elements, namely two fin-shaped projections 12, 13 that each extend from diametrically opposite sides of the collar 10 and are equally spaced INTELLECTUAL PROPERTV I OFFICE OF N.Z ! - 7 APR m% RECEIVED 9 from the central axis 9. The two fin-shaped projections 12, 13 are each sized to cooperate with two corresponding drive elements to position the disc on the coupling, namely, two fin-shaped recesses 14, 15 that each extend from diametrically opposite sides of the aperture 11 in the contact surface of the abrasive disc 2 and are equally spaced from the central axis 11. The protrusions 12, 13 are capable of being received and retained in the recesses 14, 15.

When the fin-shaped projections 12, 13 are engaged with the fin-shaped recesses 14, 15, the three bolt holes 16, 17, 18 in the quick-release coupling 1 are aligned with three of the six bolt holes 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 in the abrasive disc 2. Bolts that are inserted into the aligned bolt holes are also able to be inserted into bolt holes in the flexible coupling 5 and therefore attach the quick-release coupling 1 and the abrasive disc 2 to the flexible coupling 5.

When the operator changes the abrasive disc 2, he or she can align the bolt holes in the abrasive disc 2 and the quick-release coupling 1 by simply rotating the abrasive disc 2 about the quick-release coupling 1 until the fin-shaped projections 12, 13 are engaged with the corresponding fin-shaped recesses 14, 15. This is much easier for the operator to do in the often hot and dusty environment in which a grinding apparatus is used than spending time aligning the bolt holes by sight.

A consequence of operating a grinding apparatus is that some parts of an abrasive disc 2 can be more worn than other parts of the same disc.

An advantage of positioning the fin-shaped projections 12, 13 on diametrically opposite sides of the collar 10 on the quick-release coupling 1 and the fin-shaped recesses 14, 15 on diametrically opposite sides of the aperture 9 on the abrasive disc 2 is that rather than replacing the abrasive disc 2 when one half of the disc is more worn than the other half, the abrasive disc 2 can be removed from the quick-release coupling 1, rotated 180 degrees, and reattached to the quick-release coupling 1. This can increase the useful life of the abrasive disc 2.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z k -7 APRffloa m Although in the preferred embodiment the projections 12, 13 on the quick-release coupling 1 and the recesses 14, 15 on the abrasive disc 2 are fin-shaped, a number of other shapes could also be used, for example, circles, rectangles, or triangles. However, it is advantageous if the drive elements 12, 13 on the mounting surface 7 each have a driving face 27, 28 that is substantially perpendicular to the mounting plane and the drive elements 14, 15 on the contact surface 31 each have a drivable face 29, 30 that is substantially perpendicular to the mounting plane.

When the driving faces 27, 28 on the projections 12, 13 are pushed into contact with the drivable faces 29, 30 on the recesses 14, 15 by the rotation of the drive element 3, the rotational force transferred by the quick-release coupling 1 to the abrasive disc 2 is greater. This is enhanced when the driving faces 27, 28 of the drive elements 12, 13 on the mounting surface 7 are generally parallel and equally offset from the diameter of the quick-release coupling 1 and the drivable faces 29, 30 of the drive elements 14, 15 on the contact surface 31 are generally parallel and equally offset from the diameter of the abrasive disc 2.

It will be clear that there can be more or less than two projections 12, 13 on the mounting surface of the quick-release coupling 1 and more or less than two recesses 14, 15 on the mounting surface of the abrasive disc 2. Alternatively or additionally, there can be one or more recesses on the mounting surface of the quick-release coupling 1 and one or more corresponding projections on the mounting surface of the abrasive disc 2.

In the preferred embodiment the shapes of the first major face 6 and the second major face 7 of the quick-release coupling 1 are annular. However, the shapes could be any geometrically symmetrical shape, for example, a circle, square, or regular polygon.

INIEUECTUtt.

OFFICE Of » 2 -i mm received 11 While some preferred aspects of the invention have been described by way of example, it should be appreciated that modifications and/or improvements can occur without departing from the scope of the invention as set out in this specification.

The terms comprise, comprises, comprising, or comprised, if and when used herein, should be interpreted non-exclusively, that is, as conveying "consisting of or including".

It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or New Zealand or any other country.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. -7 APR 2009 receiv e d 12

Claims (38)

CLAIMS What we claim is:

1. A coupling for attaching an abrasive disc to a grinding apparatus and adapted for rotation about a central axis, the coupling comprising a first major face which will engage a drive means, a second major face which comprises a mounting surface to cooperate with a contact surface of the disc, and a central locating means to cooperate with an engagement means on the disc and locate the disc on the coupling, the coupling being adapted to engage the disc along a mounting plane at the interface between the mounting surface and the contact surface, the mounting surface having one or more drive elements that extend outward from the central locating means and are each sized to cooperate with a corresponding drive element on the contact surface that extends outward from the engagement means to position the disc on the coupling, the first drive element in each cooperating pair being a protrusion from one of the surfaces and the second drive element in each cooperating pair being a recess in the other surface, the protrusion capable of being received and retained in the recess, the or each drive element on the mounting surface having a driving face substantially perpendicular to the mounting plane and the or each drive element on the contact surface having a drivable face substantially perpendicular to the mounting plane, whereby when the disc is mounted on the coupling at least a substantial portion of the or each driving face contacts at least a substantial portion of the corresponding drivable face to provide a driving force in the direction of rotation.

2. A coupling according to claim 1, wherein the mounting surface has two drive elements that are generally diametrically opposite on the surface and equally spaced from the central axis.

3. A coupling according to claim 2, wherein the driving faces of the drive elements on the mounting surface are generally parallel and equally offset from the INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. - 7 APR 2009 received 13 diameter of the coupling and the drivable faces of the drive elements on the contact surface are generally parallel and equally offset from the diameter of the disc.

4. A coupling according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the or each pair of drive elements consists of a shaped protrusion and a correspondingly shaped recess.

5. A coupling according to claim 4, wherein the or each pair of drive elements consists of a fin-shaped protrusion and a correspondingly fin-shaped recess.

6. A coupling according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second major face is substantially parallel to the first major face.

7. A coupling according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the central locating means comprises a centrally located extension from the second major face.

8. A coupling according to claim 7, wherein the extension is cylindrical.

9. A coupling according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the extension is a collar around an aperture that passes between the centre of the first major face and the centre of the second major face of the coupling.

10. A coupling according to claim 9, wherein the aperture in the coupling is cylindrical.

11. A coupling according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the engagement means comprises a centrally located aperture in the disc.

12. A coupling according to claim 11, wherein the aperture in the disc is cylindrical. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. - 6 MAY 2009 received! 14

13. A coupling according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the shape of the first major face and the second major face is annular, circular, square, or a regular polygon.

14. A coupling according to claim 13, wherein the shape of the first major face and the second major face is annular.

15. A coupling according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the coupling is formed integrally with the drive means of the grinding apparatus.

16. An abrasive disc mountable on the drive coupling of a grinding apparatus and adapted for rotation about a central axis, the disc comprising a rear face, an operative front face, and an engagement means to cooperate with a central locating means on the coupling and locate the disc on the coupling, the rear face presenting a contact surface to cooperate with a mounting surface of the coupling, the disc being adapted to engage the coupling along a mounting plane at the interface between the contact surface and the mounting surface, the contact surface having one or more drive elements that extend outward from the engagement means and are each sized to cooperate with a corresponding drive element on the mounting surface that extends outward from the central locating means to position the disc on the coupling, the first drive element in each cooperating pair being a protrusion from one of the surfaces and the second drive element in each cooperating pair being a recess in the other surface, the protrusion capable of being received and retained in the recess, the or each drive element on the mounting surface having a driving face substantially perpendicular to the mounting plane and the or each drive element on the contact surface having a drivable face substantially perpendicular to the mounting plane, whereby when the disc is mounted on the coupling at least a substantial portion of the or each driving face contacts at least a substantial portion of the corresponding drivable face to provide a driving force in the direction of rotation. RECEIVSf* 15

17. An abrasive disc according to claim 16, wherein the contact surface has two drive elements that are generally diametrically opposite on the surface and equally spaced from the central axis.

18. An abrasive disc according to claim 17, wherein the drivable faces of the drive elements on the contact surface are generally parallel and equally offset from the diameter of the disc and the driving faces of the drive elements on the mounting surface are generally parallel and equally offset from the diameter of the coupling.

19. An abrasive disc according to any one of claims 16-18, wherein the or each pair of drive elements consists of a shaped protrusion and a correspondingly shaped recess.

20. An abrasive disc according to claim 19, wherein the or each pair of drive elements consists of a fin-shaped protrusion and a correspondingly fin-shaped recess.

21. An abrasive disc according to any one of claims 16-20, wherein the rear face is substantially parallel to the front face.

22. An abrasive disc according to any one of claims 16-21, wherein the engagement means comprises an aperture that passes between the centre of the front face and the centre of the rear face of the disc.

23. An abrasive disc according to claim 22, wherein the aperture in the disc is cylindrical.

24. An abrasive disc according to any one of claims 16-23, wherein the central locating means comprises a centrally located extension on the coupling. -6 m 2069 RECEIVE tl 16

25. An abrasive disc according to claim 24, wherein the extension is cylindrical.

26. An abrasive disc according to claim 24 or 25, wherein the extension is a collar around an aperture in the coupling.

27. An abrasive disc according to claim 26, wherein the aperture in the coupling is cylindrical.

28. An abrasive disc according to any one of claims 16-27, wherein the shape of the front face and the rear face is annular, circular, square, or a regular polygon.

29. An abrasive disc according to claim 28, wherein the shape of the front face and the rear face is annular.

30. A method of mounting an abrasive disc according to any one of claims 16-29 to a grinding apparatus using a coupling according to any one of claims 1-15, wherein the disc is located on the coupling through the cooperation of the central locating means and the engagement means, and cooperating drive elements facilitate mounting of the disc in a desired position on the coupling.

31. The method according to claim 30, wherein more than one pair of cooperating drive elements are spread equally apart to allow mounting in more than one selected position.

32. The method according to claim 30 or 31, wherein an axially mounted locking nut is used to secure the disc in position on the coupling.

33. The method according to any one of claims 30-32, wherein a number of radially dispersed mounting bolts are used to secure the disc in position on the coupling. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. "6 MAY 2009 RECEIVED 17

34. A grinding apparatus including a coupling according to any one of claims

35. A grinding apparatus according to claim 34, wherein an abrasive disc according to any one of claims 16-29 is attached to the coupling.

36. A coupling substantially as herein described or exemplified, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

37. An abrasive disc substantially as herein described or exemplified, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

38. A coupling and disc arrangement substantially as herein described or exemplified, with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1-15. RICHMOND INDUSTRIES LIMITED By Their Attorneys HENRY HUGHES Per: INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. - 6 MAY 2009 received i—— ■■