US3160905A

US3160905A - Buffing wheel

Info

Publication number: US3160905A
Application number: US248453A
Authority: US
Inventors: Frederick J Lansing
Original assignee: Schlegel Manufacturing Co
Current assignee: Schlegel Manufacturing Co
Priority date: 1962-12-31
Filing date: 1962-12-31
Publication date: 1964-12-15
Anticipated expiration: 1981-12-15

Description

F. J. LANSING Dec. 15, 1964 BUFFING WHEEL 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 31, 1962 FIG. 2

. INVENTOR FREDERICK J. LANSING BY v hE utiorneys Dec. 15, 1964 F. J. LANSING 3,160,905

BUFFING WHEEL Filed DEC. 31, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 9 FGHI 8 N s INVENTOR.

9 FREDERICK J. LANSING F. J. LANSING 3,160,905

BUFF'ING WHEEL 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Dec. 15, 1964 Filed Dec. 51, 1962 JKLMNOP BCDEFGHI INVENTOR. FREDERICK J. LANSING ll his attorneys United States Patent ,0

3,160,? BUFFING WHEEL Frederick J. Lansing, Rochester, NY assigns-r to The Schlegel Manufacturing Company, Rochester, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Dec. 31, 1962, Ser. No. 248,453 20 Claims. (Cl. 1523tl.15)

This invention relates to buffing wheels. More particularly, the invention relates to new and improved construction-s for bufiing and polishing wheels of the radial strand type.

Buffing and polishing wheels of the radial strand type are usually formed with a plurality of layers of fabric. Each of these fabric layers is generally circular and is formed with concentric warp strands and with generally radial weft strands. These wheels are generally used for cutting down or polishing, for example, to remove the grain lines from previous abrading operations, or for coloring, to impart a bright and deep luster to the workpiece.

In use, such a wheel is mounted on a spindle or arbor, and is rotated at a high rate of speed. The workpiece is then engaged against the peripheral, working surface of the wheel. The ends of the weft or fill strands, that extend radially of the wheel, function together to form the working surface of the wheel. The cutting action of such a wheel has been observed to be directly proportional to both the number of ends of the radially-extending strands and the wheel speed at its working surface, that is, its circumferential or peripheral speed.

In one radial strand buffing wheel construction, the number of radial strand sections, in concentric circular sections of the wheel of any given constant size of arc lengths, such as, for example, one inch, increases out wardly from the center of the wheel. This is accomplished by laying in Weft strands of din' erent lengths and increasing their number toward the outer, working surface of the Wheel. Since the spindle is ordinarily driven at a constant rotary speed, as such a bufiing wheel wears down its peripheral speed drops and the number of radial strand ends at its working surface also drops. Thus, the effectiveness of such a wheel drops in a very marked manner as it is worn down.

In another type of construction for a radial strand buffing wheel, there are substantially the same number of weft or of fill strands in a concentric circular section one inch long at a section adjacent the periphery of the wheel as there are in any circular section one inch long inwardly of the wheel from its working surface. In a wheel of this type, as the wheel wears down, the cutting action drops off in direct proportion to the decrease in peripheral speed of the wheel.

Such variations in work rate make it difficult to standardize or automate the operation for which th wheel is used. 7

One object of the present invention is to provide a bull?- ingwh eel that is characterized by a substantially constant performance rate as the wheel wears down, even though it is driven from a spindle or arbor that is operated at a constant rotary'speed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a buffing wheel of the radialstrand type, that is sturdy and easy to use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved buffing wheel of the radial strand type that has satisfactory body and firmness and improved, consistent cutting action. v V i A further object of the invention is to provide a hurling wheel of the character described that can be manufactured on existing equipment. p

" Other objects of the invention will be apparent hereinice after from the specification and from the recital of the appended claims. To these and other ends, the invention resides in certain improvements, and arrangements of parts, all as will be hereinafter more fully described, the novel features being pointed out in the claims at'the end of this specification.

I have found that a practical bufiing wheel can be made that is characterized by a substantially consistent cutting action throughout its useful life, by making a wheel that has a greater number of radial strands, in concentric circular sections through the Wheel of any given constant arc length, from the periphery of the wheel toward its axis of rotation. In other words, in a landing wheel that is constructed in accordance with the present invention, and that is formed with generally circular and concentric warp strands and with generally radial weft strands, the weft strands are arranged so that the density of the exposed ends of the weft strands, in circular sections of similar areas through the wheel concentrically of the axis" of rotation of the wheel, increases from the periphery of the wheel inwardly toward its center. The term density is used to refer to the number of weft strands'that pass through a unit area on a cylindrical surface that is concentric with the axis of rotation of the wheel.

In the drawings:

' FIG. 1 is a plan view, partly broken away, of a wheel that is constructed in accordance with one embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2is a fragmentary section, on an enlarged scale, taken on the line 22 of FIG. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic exploded view, on an enlarged scale, of a sector of the wheel shown in FIG. 1, showing one complete unit of a pattern of repeating units of radial Weft strands, with only a small, representative number of warp strands shown;

FIGS. 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 are sectional, exploded views taken on the concentric, cylindrical section surfaces 4--%,

- 5-5, 66, 7-7, and 8-8 respectively of FIG. 3,

through a single layer of fabric, looking in the direction of the arrows, and

FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of FIG. 3, looking in the, direction of the arrows.

Referring now in detail to the drawings by numerals of reference, the numeral 10 denotes a buffing wheel that is formed from a plurality of

layers

11, 12, 13 and "14 (FIG.'2) of. fabric. Each of these layers represents one winding of helically-woven fabric. These fabric layers are wound about a core 15. A pair of stiff cardboard covers 16, 17 are mounted on opposite faces of the wheel, and are secured by a plurality of staple fasteners 18 to inner marginal portions of the fabric layers over which they extend. The cardboard covers 16, 17, and the core 15, are formed with a conjoint bore 20, into which a spindle or arbor can be inserted.

Since thefabric layers are in the form of a continuous helical winding, their free ends must be secured. Thus,-

wheel are formed, has the construction that is illustrated diagrammatically in FIGS. 3 through 9, and COHSiSlSDf a plurality of generally circular, concentrically arranged warp strands, that are identified in the drawings by nnmer als, and a plurality of generally radial weft or fill strands,

. e3 strands are arranged in a repeating pattern, one unit of the repeating units of which is shown in FIG. 3.

For convenient reference, radially-extending zones of the fabric layer are identified in the drawings by the letters, R, S, T, U and V respectively. Referring specifically to FIG. 3, the zone R extends from the radially inner edge e The zone S extends The zone T extends of the fabric layer to the line r-r. from the line r-r to the line s-s. between the lines ss and tt. The zone U extends between the lines tt and uu. The zone V extends from the line u'-u to the outer edge of the fabric layer. These lines rr, ss, and so on, correspond to visible boundary lines in the fabric between zones in which there are different constructions. The overall construction of the fabric will now be described in terms of the structure in each of these zones.

As the fabric is woven, a continuous strand, that is to form the several'fill strands, is pulled to form loops that pass back and forth between the warp strands. The arrangement of the individual loops, that form the fill strands, is controlled to provide the graduated, increasing density of fill strands in concentric circular sections of the wheel 'at different radial distances from its center of rotation, from its periphery to its center.

Thus, for example, in forming the Wheel sector that is illustrated in FIG. 3, the strands A and B are formed from a single continuous fill strand loop. As shown in FIG.

9, the lower reach A of this loop extends from the inner edge of the wheel radially outward to the periphery of the wheel, then back along itself as the reach A Approximately at the line ss, the loop is again folded upon itself to form the reach A and is extended radially out Wardly, superposed on the underlying reach A approximately to the line u-u, where it is led laterally and juxtaposed with the strand A, to form the separated, discrete loop that is designated in FIG. 3 as the strand B The strand B extends out to the wheel periphery, and then back as far as the line u-u, and is then ledback on the strand A as the reach A .that extends radially inward to the inner edge of the wheel. This same continuous'strand is then led outwardly again to form one part of the radial fill strand C, which is doubled upon itself at the line ss, and then led laterally at the line tt, to form the strand D; and the structure is continued inthis way to form the pattern illustrated in FIG. 3.

Thus, still referring to FIG. 9, the first radial strand in a unit. in the repeating pattern. from which the fabric layer is made actually comprises a first or lowermost reach A The strand is then bent back upon itself in a second reach A that extends through the zones V, U, and T, inclusive, and is then bent'back upon, itself to form a strand A that extends through the zones T and U. V The strand is turned laterally and is then projected radially outwardly again, and then is folded back upon itself to form the radial, strand, B. The strand B extends only through the. zone V. The strand is then bent laterally and is again extended radially inwardly upon itself, as the strand section 'A.,, that is superposed upon the strand section A 'through the zones T and U, and that is superposed upon the strand section A through the zones S and R. The strand is then turned laterally and again radially-outwardly, to form the radial strands C and D. The other radial strands generally are all formed in a similar manner. 7 I

The circular warp strands anchor the radial fill strands inplace and hold them at the desired angular spacing relative to, each other, or superposed, as requiredby the pattern. Thus, the warp strands30, 31, in zone R, are representative of the many warp strands that anehor the fill strands in placein this zone. The warp strands in zone R'are'plarticularly heavy, as these strands require extra strength. The circular strands.- 32, 34' are representative of the warp strands that anchor the. radial fill strands in zone S.

In zone T, the warp strands are woven in sets of three, of which thestrands 35, 3.6. and 3.7 arerepresentative, The.

threads.

warp strand 35 is passed beneath the fill strand reach A (FIG. 9'); the warp strand 36 is passed between the fill strand reaches A and A and the warp strand 37 is passed over the uppermost fill strand reach A In zone U, the warp strands are also arranged in sets of 3, of which the

strands

40, 41, and 42 are representative. The warp strand 40 is passed beneath the fill strand reach A the warp strand 41 is passed between the fill stand reaches A and A and the warp strand 42 is passed over the top fill strand reach A In zone V, the warp strands are again arranged in repeating sets of two strands, of which the

strands

44, 45 are representative. The warp strand 44 is passed beneath the fill strand reach A and the warp strand 45 is passed over the fill strand reach A In FIG. 4, the fill strand reaches A and A are separately shown and identified. However, in FIG. 4 and in FIGS. 5-8 as well, the other fill strands, while shown with the appropriate number of reaches, are identified simply as fill strands rather than by their individual reaches.

Moreover, while a single reach or section of a fill strand or warp strand is shown in the drawings as though it were a monofilament, each may be in the form of a cable made of individual cords that are twisted together. Furthermore, while the warp strands are described and shown, as in zone R,'for example, as being woven in sets of two strands, one or both strands may be double, triple, etc., instead of single.

Adjacent their radially outer ends, the fill strands are preferably left unbound by warp strands for a short interval, as is customary in radial strand wheels.

The net effect of the arrangement of fill strands, as described, is to provide that thenumber of fill strands per circumferential inch increases toward the center of the wheel. This is accomplished in part by packing the fill strands axially in a single fabric layer, adjacent the center of the wheel, and spreading them out angul arly of each other adjacent the periphery; and in part by employing loops that extend from the wheel periphery only part way back toward the wheel center.

To use a buffering wheel that is constructed in accordance with this invention, it is mounted on a spindle or arbor, and is driven at a suitable rotary speed. A suitable butfing or buffing and coloring compound may be employed to enhance the polishing action. The workpiece is engaged against the periphery of the wheel, and the en gagement is continued .until the desired action has been obtained. As the wheel is used, the strands from which it is made are worn away progressively, first to consume all of the strands in the zone V, then in the zone U, and then in the zone T. When the wheel is worn down to the end of zone T, it should be replaced.

As the strands are worn down, the rate of rotation remains constant. With wheels of the kind previously available, the rate of cutting action would decrease as the wheel diameter decreased. However, with wheels that are made in accordance with the present invention, the number of strand or fiber ends, in any concentric circular section of the wheel of'a given area, increases from zone V to zone U, and from zone U to zone T. This'increasein the density of the fiber ends compensates for the reduction. in circumferential speed, so that the rate of cutting action remains substantially constant as the wheel diameter decreases.

Polishing wheels that are constructed in accordance with this invention are often fabricated from cotton However, other materials may be employed in constructing polishing wheels in accordance with this invention such as, for example, fibrous metals, glass fibers, plastic fibers, and, as well, more familiar materials for fabric construction, including,'for example, combinations of linenand cotton, jute and cotton, and jute and linen.

Moreover, While I have illustrated this invention in terms of a particular kind of polishing wheel, that is, a

radial strand wheel, the principle herein disclosed may be applicable to other kinds of polishing wheel structures.

Accordingly, while the invention has been disclosed herein by reference to the details of a preferred embodiment thereof, it is to be understood that such disclosure is intended in an illustrative rather than in a limiting sense, and it is contemplated that various modifications in the construction and arrangement of the parts will readily occur to those skilled in the art, within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A generally circular rotary bufling wheel comprising generally radial strands that are arranged so that the density of the strands, in circular sections of equal respective areas through the strands, concentrically of the axis of rotation of the wheel, increases from the periphery toward the center of the wheel.

2. A generally circular buffing wheel comprising generally radial strands that are arranged so that the density of the strands, in successive concentric zones from the periphery of the wheel radially inward, increases in the respective zones from the periphery toward the center of the wheel.

3. A generally circular bufling Wheel comprising a fabric layer that is formed with generally circular and concentric warp strands and with generally radial weft strands,

said strands being arranged so that the density of the weft strands, in concentric circular sections respectively from the periphery toward the center of the wheel through the fabric layer, concentrically of the wheel axis of rotation, increases.

4. A generally circular rotary bufiing wheel comprising a fabric layer that is formed with generally circular and concentric warp strands and with generally radial weft strands, and in which the number of weft strands, in concentric circular sections of equal lengths respectively through the fabric layer, and concentrically of the wheel axis of rotation, increases from the periphery toward the center of the wheel.

5. A generally circular bufling wheel comprising a fabric layer that is formed with generally circular concentric warp strands and with generally radial weft strands, the weft strands being arranged so that the density of the weft strands increases in successive concentric zones from the periphery of the wheel radially inward.

6. A generally circular rotary bufiing wheel comprising a fabric layer that is formed with generally circular and concentric warp strands and with generally radial weft strands, and in which the weft strands are arranged so that the number of weft trends, in successive concentric zones from the periphery of the wheel radially inward, in concentric circular sections of equal respective lengths of arc, increases in the respective zones. a

7. A generally circular rotary bufiing wheel comprising generally radial strands that are arranged in a first zone that extends radially inwardly from the periphery of the wheel in a first array of juxtaposed, substantially contiguous strands that has a substantially uniform thickness, and that are arranged in a second zone that extends radially inwardly of the first zone in a second array of substantially contiguous strands thatare confined together and at least some of which are displaced axially of the wheel to take up the same angular space in the wheel as the first array and that therefore has greater thickness than the first array.

8. A bufling wheel in accordance with claim 7 wherein the radial strands are arranged in a third zone that extends radially inwardly of said second zone in a third array of substantially contiguous strands that are confined together and at least some of which are displaced axially of the wheel to take up the same angular space in the wheel as the second array and that therefore has greater thickness than the second array. a

9. A buffing wheel in accordance with claim 7 wherein the radial strands are arranged so that the density ofthe strands increases in the respective arrays from the periph ery toward the center of the wheel.

10. A bufiing wheel in accordance with claim 7 including generally circular, concentrically disposed Warp strands that are arranged to hold the radial strands in said arrays.

11. A generally circular rotary bufiing wheel comprising generally radial strands that are arranged in a first zone that extends radially inwardly from the periphery of the Wheel in a first array of juxtaposed, substantially contiguous strands that has a substantially uniform thickness, and that are arranged in a second zone that extends radially inwardly of said first zone in a second array of substantially contiguous strands that are confined together and wherein at least some adjacent radial strands are displaced relative to each other axially of the wheel, to take up the same angular space in the wheel as the first array, and wherein the radial strands are arranged in a third zone that extends radially inwardly of said second zone in a third array of substantially contiguous strands that are confined together and wherein at least some adja cent radial strands are displaced relative to each other axially of the wheel, to take up the same angular space in the wheel as the second array. 7 7

12. A bufiing wheel in accordance with claim 11 including generally circular, concentric warp strands that are disposed to hold the radial strands in said arrays.

13. A buifing wheel in accordance with, claim 11 wherein the radial strands are arranged so that the density of the strands increases in the respective arrays from the periphery toward the center of the wheel.

14. A generally circular bufiing Wheel comprising a fabric layer that is formed With generally circular and concentric warp strands and with generally radial fill strands, said radial fill strands being arranged with adjacent strands partly in axial juxtaposition'and partly'in circumferential juxtaposition, so that the radial strands are disposed in a first zone, that extends radially inwardly from the periphery of the wheel, in a first array of strands that has a substantially uniform thickness, and in a second zone, that extends radially inwardly of the first zone,

in a second array of strands that has a number of strands disposed in axial juxtaposition and a number in circumferential juxtaposition whereby the strands in the second array are confined together to take up the same angular space in the wheel as the first array and that therefore have greater thickness than the first array.

15. A buffing wheel in accordance with claim '14 wherein the radial strands are arranged so that the number of strands ,per inch, in circular sections concentrically of the wheel in the respective arrays, increases from the periphery toward the center of the wheel. g

16. A generally circular buffing wheel comprising a plurality of superposed, helically-wound layers of flexible fabric-like material, each layer comprising generally radial strands that are arranged in a first zone, that extends radially inwardly'from the periphery of the wheel, in a first array of strands that has a substantially uniform thickness, and in a second zone, that extends radially inwardly of said first zone, in a secondarray of strands that are confined together to take up the same angular space in the wheelasthe first array and that therefore have a greater thickness than the first array, and wherein the radialstrands are, also arranged in a third zone,,that extends radially inwardly of said second zone, in a third array of strands that are confined together to take up the same angular space in the wheel as the second'array and that therefore have greater thickness than the second a u sections concentrically of the wheel in the respective 20. A bufling Wheel according to claim 13 wherein arrays, increases from the periphery towardv the center the radial strands per inch of circumference of said ,wheel of the Wheel. in the respective arrays increases from the periphery 18. A bufiing Wheel in accordance with claim 16 toward the center of saidwheel.

wherein the density of the, radial strands increases in the 5 h respective arrays from the periphery toward the center References Cited in the file of this patent of X f h t I 7 h UNITED STATES PATENTS u g W ee accor mg 0 calm W ereln v I l the radial strands per inch of circumference of said Wheel Schlegel 1924 in the respective arrays increases from the periphery l0 7 toward the center of said Wheel.

Schlegel July 5',v 1960

Claims

1. A GENERALLY CIRCULAR ROTARY BUFFING WHEEL COMPRISING GENERALLY RADIAL STRANDS THAT ARE ARRANGED SO THAT THE DENSITY OF THE STRANDS, IN CIRCULAR SECTIONS OF EQUAL RESPECTIVE AREAS THROUGH THE STRANDS, CONCENTRICALLY OF THE AXIS OF ROTATION OF THE WHEEL, INCREASES FROM THE PERIPHERY TOWARD THE CENTER OF THE WHEEL.