US3540160A

US3540160A - Surface finishing device

Info

Publication number: US3540160A
Application number: US612968A
Authority: US
Inventors: Antonio De Rose; George De Rose
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1967-01-31
Filing date: 1967-01-31
Publication date: 1970-11-17
Anticipated expiration: 1987-11-17

Description

A. DE ROSE ET AL SURFACE FINISHING DEVICE Nov. 17, 1970 Filed Jan. 31. 1967 'IlIII/IIZ'I A I VEN 0R 650265 gs 025 ANTOM/O DE Ross United States Patent 3,540,160 SURFACE FINISHING DEVICE Antonio De Rose, 703 Glenoaks Blvd., and George De Rose, 2028 8th St, both of San Fernando, Calif.

Filed Jan. 31, 1967, Ser. No. 612,968 Int. Cl. 324i) 23/00; B24d 17/00, /04

US. Cl. 51170 1 Claim ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to surface finishing devices and, more particularly, to a novel surface finishing device having a substantially smooth and porous rubbing and grinding surface adapted to be moved in oscillatory action or stroking action over a prepared surface of an object for the purpose of finishing the prepared surface to a polished and smooth surface finish.

In the past, it has been the conventional practice to employ a variety of tools for manual or power operation effective to grind, rub or wipe a prepared surface of an article such as furniture, painted auto-mobile bodies, marble tops, wood surfaces, metal surfaces, etc. so that the articles are provided with a smooth and polished finish surface. To this end, a variety of abrasive or polishing materials are employed such as Wax, jewelers rouge, polishing red, water, and the like that are used in conjunction with any one of the variety of rubbing and grinding tools for effecting a finished surface. Generally, it is customary for the rubbing or grinding tool to be used in a sequence of steps with different abrasive or polishing materials such as those just mentioned so that the prepared surface is subjected to multi-rubbing and grinding operations. Such conventional procedure is extremely time consuming and represents a costly procedure in terms of equipment and polishing materials. The grinding tools are subject to rapid wearing and fatigue so that the tools or portion-s thereof are easily worn requiring frequent replacement and the polishing compounds or materials employed are readily exhausted and cannot be reclaimed for the future or prolonged use.

Accordingly, the surface finishing device of the present invention provides a novel pad of basically leather or leatherlike material that has been prepared by subjecting the pad to substantial emersion in water so that a relatively smooth but porous working surface develops that is extremely stable. Preferably, the leather pad is supported by a semi-rigid backingmember that is suitably secured to the side of the pad opposite to the side from which the Working surface is formed so that the pad is maintained relatively rigid during the rubbing and polishing operation by either powered equipment or manually. For manual use, one embodiment of the present invention provides for a strap or band having its opposite ends secured to the device by being interposed between the backing member and the pad in secured relationship therewith so that a persons hand may be insertably received between the band and the backing member. For powered operation, the backing member may be provided with a suitable collar or other attachment means for detachable securement with a conventional portable power tool.

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The device of the present invention can be used either dry or with any suitable polishing compound and a highly polished surface can be obtained on painted surfaces as well as on wood. On metal surfaces such as aluminum, chrome, etc., the device may be employed with either a pre-soaked pad or with a dry pad. For use on marble, it is preferred that the pad be unsoaked. The device is usable on either finished or unfinished surfaces such as an unfinished base or finished final coat of paint. In many instances, the device has been found adaptive for replacing sandpaper as an abrasive for both types of surfaces. In addition, the device has been found useful for polishing of metal implements such as pots, pans, stoves, or the like and in such instances, it has been found that the device is adapted to clean as well as to polish.

Therefore, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a novel surface finishing device that is adapted to operate on finished or unfinished surfaces so as to provide a smooth and highly polished finished surface.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel surface finishing device adapted to be operated by hand or by power equipment and which includes a working surface adapted to function by itself or in conjunction with a variety of polishing compounds to provide a finished surface for implements and articles composed of a variety of materials such as wood, marble, metal, etc.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a novel surface finishing device incorporating a smooth but porous working surface having desirable surface characteristics attained after immersion in water for a prescribed length of time and which is capable of effecting a smooth and polished finished surface for a variety of articles.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a novel metal finishing device having a working surface adapted to be forcibly engaged in either oscillatory or stroking movement with the surface of the article to be finished, of regular or irregular contour, so that a smooth and highly glossy polished finish ensues.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be understood by those skilled in the art from the following description and accompanying drawings which illustrates preferred embodiments of the invention, where- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the surface finishing device incorporating the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the surface finishing device of FIG. 1 as taken in the direction of arrows 22 thereof;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the surface finishing device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the surface finishing device illustrated in FIG. 1 and showing the device in typical manual usage;

FIG. 5 is a reduced perspective view of another version of the surface finishing device of the present invention adapted for power operation;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of the version shown in FIG. 5 illustrating the means for detachably connecting the pad to the shaft of the power device; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of still another embodiment of the present invention incorporating quantities of abrasive and polishing compounds.

Referring to FIG. 1, the novel surface finishing device of the present invention is illustrated in the direction of arrow 10 which includes a pad 11 fabricated from a square of tanned leather so as to have a working surface 12 and a top surface 13. A semi-rigid backing member 14 is secured to the top surface 13 by any suitable bonding or adhesive means so that the backing member and pad 11 form a unitary structure. It is to be particularly noted that the rear end of the backing member 14 terminates at the rear edge of the pad 11 while the forward end of the backing plate terminates to the rear of the leading edge of the pad 11. This feature permits the forward edge marginal region of the pad to flex about an axis common with the forward edge of the backing member 14 so that the device is operative in connection with articles of both regular and irregular contours. The backing member may be composed of any suitable material such as plastic, fiberboard, wood, or the like.

Referring now specifically to FIG. 2, it is noted that a band or strap 15 is employed which is adapted to extend about the back of a users hand when the device is employed for manual movement. The strap is relatively narrow at its mid-section and flares outwardly at its

opposite ends

16 and 17 which are secured to opposite sides of the device by disposing the opposite ends between the backing member 14 and the top surface 13 of the pad 11. The ends of the straps may be suitably secured therebetween by any suitable adhesive or bonding agent. In some instances, staples, rivets, or other types of fasteners may be employed to effect securement as long as the fastener devices do not extend through the working surface 12 of the pad 11.

If desired, the material of the band or strap 15 may be composed of elastic material or include a portion which is composed of elastic material so that the band will readily conform to the back of the hand of the user. Furthermore, in some instances, it may be found desirable to employ a cushion pad which is carried on the uppermost surface of the backing member 14. The cushioning pad is represented by numeral 18 and it may be composed of a fiberlike material such as felt or if desirable, the cushion pad may take the form Off a sponge or chemically foamed composition.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the surface finishing device 10 is illustrated wherein the working surface 12 is in frictional engagement with a surface 20 intended to be moved and polished. The sunface 20 represents the topmost surface of an article composed of marble composition. Preferably, the pad 11 has not been prepared other than by conventional tanning procedures so as to provide a smooth and porous surface which is then in direct engagement with the surface 20 of the marble slab 21.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the surface finishing device 10 is illustrated in a typical operation for smoothing and polishing the surface of a metal object 22. The surface of the object 22 may be either finished such as with a coat of paint or unfinished exposing bare metal and may be composed of aluminum, chrome, etc. For example, the object 22 may be a portion of an automobile body that has been painted and the device is employed for providing a high gloss polish finish to the paint.

In FIG. 5, another embodiment of the present invention is shown which includes a leather pad 23 similar to the pad 11 and a semi-rigid backing member 24 which is suitably secured to the top side of the pad 23. It is to be noted that semi-rigid backing member 24 is of substantially smaller peripheral dimension than the peripheral dimension of the pad so that peripheral edge marginal region of the pad extends beyond the periphery of the backing member 24. Thus, the backing pad may be permitted to flex along the edge marginal region so as to more precisely conform to the contour of the object to be polished. The version shown in FIG. is adapted to be operated by conventional power equipment such as an electrical drill 25, so that a rotary movement is produced. The drill may be grasped by handle 26 and power to the motor within the housing can be applied by means of a conventional trigger mechanism. The power motor 25 is connected to the backing plate 24 via a shaft 27 and a coupling coll-ar 28 by means of a fastener 31. The attachment is made so that the shaft is releasably coupled so that the pad may be detached therefrom when desired. Other power equipment may be used to produce oscillatory or rectilinear movements. The object to be worked on in FIG. 5 is a wooden object 30 and the object surface may be either finished or unfinished. By unfinished, it is meant that the wooden object has a base coat of primer and by finished it is meant that the object is provided with a finished final coat of paint, varnish, or the like.

In FIG. 6, the means for connecting the pad 23 to the drive member 27 is shown which comprises a headed bolt or screw 31 seated in a recess 32 formed in the surface of the pad 23. The shank of the bolt 31 passes through the pad, backing member 24 and collar 28 into threaded engagement with a mating threaded bore provided in the shaft 27. A second recess 33 is formed in the opposite pad surface to accommodate the beaded bolt when it is desired to reverse the pad to use its opposite surface. In this manner, either working surface of the pad may be utilized.

Another version of the invention is shown in FIG. 7 which includes a circular leather pad 34 employing either of its

opposite sides

35 and 36 as working surfaces. The pad includes a plurality of apertures or holes, such as a hole 37 in which a quantity of abrasive or polishing compound is disposed. Such an abrasive compound may be represented by a mixture of pumice with polyvinyl chloride resin, plasticized by di-Z-ethyl phthalate on an abrasive composition composed of polyurethane resin and abrasive particles such as aluminum oxide in ratios of abrasive to resin of as high as 7:1 and as low as -1: 1. Normally, these compounds will readily adhere to the pad wall surrounding each hole; however, a suitable adhesive may be employed, if desired, to secure the pellet-like quantitles of compound material in the respective holes. An alternate construction resides in the employment of slots, such as slot 38, formed in the pad. Abrasive and polishing compounds may be seated in these slots and be exposed through working surface sides of the pad. Therefore, the surface to be finished may be cut and polished at the same time.

Therefore, it can be seen that the surface finishing device of the present invention provides a practical and economical means for attaining a finished surface with high luster and smoothness. The working surface 12 of the pad 11 is relatively smooth and somewhat porous. However, the surface is characterized by a plurality of minute irregularities which is characteristic of tanned and finished leather. Such a surface has been found highly desirable for attaining high quality smoothness and polish of desirable luster and gloss. Furthermore, the working surface of the pad effects hardness of the articles finished surface as well. Preferably, when dealing with wood or woodlike material, the tanned leather pad may be presoaked in water for approximately two hours and then allowed to dry so that the working surface 12 is conditioned to be of a somewhat harder surface. In some instances, soaking need be not longer than '10 minutes. The soaking operation also tends to stabilize the working surface so that the pad may be used repeatedly without excessive wear. Also, because of the porous nature of the working surface 12, a variety of rubbing and polishing compounds may be employed which results in conservation of the compounds and which permits repeated usage of the pad with the same or different compound.

In FIG. 8 there is shown an embodiment in the form of a rotatable brush 10a which has a leather bristle mounting pad 37 connected to a power drive-n, rotatable shaft 39. A number of leather bristles 38 are attached to pad 37 in order to provide a polishing and cleaning device. As described in connection with FIG. 7, an abrasive or polishing composition can be incorporated within the bristles to increase the polishing action. The leather bristles produce a dragging action on the surface to be finished which is not obtained by other bristle compositions, such as nylon, and thereby increases the finishing action. It is understood that the brush need not be power driven but can be worked by hand. In one preferred form, the brush bristles are approximately 16 inches long and Ms inch in diameter. The leather bristles can be applied to other types of rotary brushes, such as vacuum cleaner brushes, for use in the finishing of surfaces.

While the instant invention has been shown and described herein what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom in the scope of the invention, which is therefore not to be limited to the details disclosed herein, but is to be afiorded the full scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A surface finishing device for finishing the surface of an article with a smooth and polished luster comprismg:

a soft flexible pad having a working surface adapted to frictionally engage with the surface of the article to be finished;

a semi-rigid backing member carried on the side of said pad opposite to its side constituting said working surface whereby said pad is maintained substantially rigid;

means releasably engageable with said backing member for effecting movement to said pad to cause said Working surface to rub against the surface of the article to be finished whereby said frictional engagement therewith is effective to smooth, harden and polish the articles surface;

said pad being composed of tanned leather wherein said working surface is characterized by a relatively smooth porous texture having minute surface irregularities:

said backing member including a peripheral edge arranged in fixed spaced apart relationship with respect to the peripheral edge of said pad whereby a continuous pad edge marginal region is provided that is adapted to flex about said backing member peripheral edge;

means for securing said pad with said moving means, said moving means comprising a portable power unit adapted to be hand held;

said leather pad being characterized by being subjected to immersion in water for a prescribed period of time so as to condition said working surface; and

said securing means including a head fastener; and said pad including a recess formed in opposite sides thereof in coaxial relationship and adapted to receive the head of said headed fastener whereby either side of said pad may be used for surface finishing purposes.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,040,599 5/1936 Davies 51-391 2,950,584 8/1960 Welch 51-378 3,030,742 4/1962 Costello 51-391 2,155,037 4/1939 Churgin 51-378 3,121,298 2/1964 Mellon 51-40 7 1,069,329 8/1913 Grombech 51-155 FOREIGN PATENTS 18,951 9/ 1929 Australia.

3,227 2/1903 Great Britain. 397,160 8/1933 Great Britain.

OTHELL M. SIMPSON, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R.