US3626646A

US3626646A - Finishing flap assembly

Info

Publication number: US3626646A
Application number: US857885A
Authority: US
Inventors: James A Belanger
Original assignee: Belanger Inc
Current assignee: Belanger Inc
Priority date: 1969-09-15
Filing date: 1969-09-15
Publication date: 1971-12-14
Anticipated expiration: 1988-12-14

Abstract

THE NOVEL REPLACEABLE FINISHING FLAP ASSEMBLIES ARE ARRANGED IN SIDE BY SIDE RELATION IN THE FORM OF AN ANNULUS ABOUT THE PERIPHERY OF A CYLINDRICAL HUB. THE HUB IS PROVIDED WITH CIRCUMFERENTIALLY EXTENDING GROOVES INTO WHICH THE INNER ENDS OF THE FINISHING FLAP ASSEMBLIES ARE INSERTED TO FORM A FINISHING WHEEL OR TOOL. SUCH ASSEMBLIES ARE PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO THE HUB AND ARE ADAPTED TO PIVOT THROUGH A SMALL PREDETERMINED ANGULAR MOVEMENT TO HELP MAINTAIN THE WHEEL OR TOOL IN PROPER BALANCE. THE FINISHING FLAP ASSEMBLY IS PROVIDED WITH AN ELONGATED HINGE TYPE RETAINER HAVING A PLURALITY OF LONGITUDINALLY SPACED NOTCHES IN ONE EDGE THEREOF WHICH ARE SEPARATED BY HINGE TYPE SOCKETS, THE LATTER BEING ADAPTED TO EXTEND INTO THE GROOVES OF THE HUB AND FORM PIVOT MOUNTINGS FOR A PIN CARRIED BY THE HUB. THE ASSEMBLY FURTHER INCLUDES A PACK OF FLEXIBLE MATERIAL EXTENDING OUTWARDLY FROM THE RETAINER AND HAVING AN END PORTION SECURED TO THE RETAINER BY MEANS OF STAPLES OR OTHER TYPE OF FASTENING ELEMENTS.

Description

Dec. 14, 1971 BELANGER 3,626,646

FINISHING FLAP ASSEMBLY Filed Sept. 15, 1969 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 F'IG.1

PIC-3.3

INVENTOR. JAMIS AfiiZA/VGfR ATTORNEYS Dec. 14, 1971 J BELANGER 3,626,646

FINISHING FLAP ASSEMBLY Filed Sept. 15, 1969 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. JAMfS A. fifZ/M/GZR BY W/MZWLQ Q! ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,626,646 FINISHING FLAP ASSEMBLY James A. Belanger, Livonia, Mich., assignor to Belanger, Inc., Northville, Mich. Filed Sept. 15, 1969, Ser. No. 857,885 Int. Cl. B24]: 9/02 US. Cl. 51--337 2 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The novel replaceable finishing flap assemblies are arranged in side by side relation in the form of an annulus about the periphery of a cylindrical hub. The hub is provided with circumferentially extending grooves into which the inner ends of the finishing flap assemblies are inserted to form a finishing wheel or tool. Such assemblies are pivotally connected to the hub and are adapted to pivot through a small predetermined angular movement to help maintain the wheel or tool in proper balance. The finishing flap assembly is provided with an elongated hinge type retainer having a plurality of longitudinally spaced notches in one edge thereof which are separated by hinge type sockets, the latter being adapted to extend into the grooves of the hub and form pivot mountings for a pin carried 'by the hub. The assembly further includes a pack of flexible material extending outwardly from the retainer and having an end portion secured to the retainer by means of staples or other type of fastening elements.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO- RELATED APPLICATIONS My eopending application, Ser. No. 822,776, filed Feb. 24, 1969, now US. Pat. No. 3,535,833, dated Oct. 27, 1970 entitled Finishing Wheels, discloses and claims a finishing tool having a cylindrical hub provided with a plurality of radially extending pivotally mounted finishing flaps. My copending application, Ser. No. 856,773, filed Sept. 10, 1969 entitled An Adjustable Width Finishing Tool, discloses and claims a finishing tool having a cylindrical hub made from a plurality of discs mounted in side by side relation, with a plurality of pivotally mounted finishing flaps connected thereto. The finishing flap assembly of the present invention may be utilized with the cylindrical hubs disclosed in the patent applications aforesaid.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (1) 'Field of the invention The finishing flap assembly of the present invention is adapted to be used with either a one-piece or a multiple piece cylindrical hub provided with circumferentially extending endless grooves in the outer periphery thereof. The resulting finishing tool or wheel finds application in the metal finishing industry for buffing wheels, polishing wheels, grinding wheels and like apparatuses for effecting buffing, brushing, burnishing, polishing, grinding and other surface finishing operations on metal or hard work pieces.

(2) Description of the prior art The prior art patents known to me dealing with replaceable finishing flap assemblies or units for cylindrical hubs are disclosed in US. Re. Pat. No. 25,025, entitled Sectional Abrasive Drum, issued Aug. 15, 1961 to R. W. Bernstein et al.; US. Re. Pat. No. 25,026, entitled Abrasive Wheel and Replaceable Abrasive Unit Therefor, issued Aug. 15, 1961 to R. W. Bernstein et al.; and US.

Patented Dec. 14, 1971 Pat. No. 3,058,269, entitled Surface Finishing Drum, issued Oct. 16, 1962 to A. Block.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The improved finishing flap assembly is of a very simple and inexpensive construction and one in which the elongated retainer thereof may be fabricated from commercially available steel material in strip form. The strip is initially processed through various punching, notching and/ or cutting operations and is then transversely severed into elements which are then subjected to a bending operation to form the retainer and the hinge type sockets. The retainer is provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced notches at one longitudinal edge portion which are separated by hinge type sockets for the pivot pin. In one embodiment the retainer is in the form of a generally flat plate, with the hinge type sockets being of cylindrical configuration. In another embodiment the retainer is of generally U-shaped cross section having a pair of spaced apart legs joined at adjacent edges by a curved connecting portion. The notches are located in the curved connecting portion and extend towards the middle of the legs. The portions of the retainer intermediate the notches form the U-shaped hinge type sockets for the pivot pin. \A pack of flexible material has one edge connected to the retainer by means of fastening elements such as staples. The pack of flexible material may consist of various types of fabrics, abrasives or other materials now utilized in the art or combinations thereof arranged in sheets or otherwise. The means for connecting the pack to the retainer may take various forms such as staples, rivets or clinch teeth. The resulting assembly is provided with retainer or anchor means of maximum simplicity and inexpensive and light weight construction combined with dependable sturdiness for maintaining the wheel in proper balance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the finishing Wheel 0]. tool incorporating a series of replaceable finishing flap assemblies made according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary end view of the finishing tool illustrating the manner in which a finishing flap assembly is pivotally connected to the hub;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side elevation of the finishing tool, partly in section, looking in the direction of arrows 3-3 of FIG. 2, and illustrating the manner in which the finishing flap assembly is pivotally connected to the hub;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a strip of steel, which has been notched and severed prior to forming the retainers;

FIG. 5 is a perspective of the preferred embodiment of the finishing flap assembly, with parts broken away;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the finishing flap assembly, with the outer portion of the pack brokn away;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary end view of a finishing flap assembly illustrating a modified retainer-pack construction;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary end view of still another modified retainer-pack construction;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary end view of yet another modified retainer-pack construction;

'FIG. 10 is a fragmentary end view of still another modified retainer-pack construction;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary end view of another modified retainer-pack construction;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary end view of another modified retainer-pack construction;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary end view of a finishing flap assembly illustrating a modified pack;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary end view illustrating another modified pack;

FIG. is a fragmentary end view illustrating still another modified pack; and

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary end view illustrating another modified pack.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG. 1 illustrates a rotary finishing tool or Wheel 10 of the type described in my copending application U.S. Ser. No. 822,776 (now U.S. Pat. No. 3,535,833), aforesaid. The tool 10 includes, as an example, an integral or one-piece cylindrical hub or carrier 12 having an axial bore 14 which extends completely through the center of the hub 12, with the opposite ends thereof being flat and defining end surfaces 18 and 20. The hub 12 is adapted to be mounted on and appropriately secured to a power driven shaft, not shown, which extends through bore 14 in a manner well known and understood in the art.

The outer periphery 24 of the hub 12 is provided with a plurality of circumferentially extending endless grooves 26. As an example, a total of four grooves 26 are illus trated in FIG. 3. The grooves 26 are of uniform depth and each groove 26 includes an annular bottom or inner surface 28. The grooves 26 are separated by radially extending rims or walls 30 which are integral with the main portion of the hub 12.

The hub 12 is further provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending holes or openings 32 having their centers arranged on a base circle having a radius R as illustrated in FIG. 2. Each hole 32 extends through the end face 18, rims 30 and end face 20 intermediate the outer periphery 24 of the hub 12 and the bottom annular surface 28 of grooves 26 to form a plurality of longitudinally spaced annular bearing points or areas. The holes 32 are circumferentially spaced apart an equal distance. As an example, for a hub 12 having thirty openings 32, the center of each opening 32 would be spaced 12 from adjacent centers. FIG. 3 illustrates each opening 32 extending through rims 30 as having three bearing points 34 intermediate the two end bearing points 36.

A plurality of elongated pivot pins 38 of circular cross section are mounted in each of the aforementioned openings 32 and upon which are mounted a series of replaceable finishing flap assemblies 40. Each assembly 40 comprises an elongated retainer 42 and a pack of flexible material 44. The pack 44 may consist of various fill or flexible materials such as abrasive sheets, leather, sewed sisal or cloth, pex, horsehair, coated abrasive cloth, or other type bristles or materials conventionally utilized in the art. As an example, each pack 44 may consist of abrasive leaves of flexible sheet material coated with abrasive grains or a pack of leaves alternately of abrasive coated sheet material and uncoated spacer sheets. The pack of flexible material 44 may be dipped in a solution of resin or other suitable materials so as to vary the hardness thereof as is conventional in the art.

The retainer 42 is made from a coil strip of steel material 46 having, as an example, a width of 3" and a thickness of .081". The coil of strip material 46 is moved through punching, piercing and severing operations in order to form along the longitudinal center axis 47 rectangularly shaped slots 48 having a length of 1%" and a width of .510", with opposite edges of said slots being longitudinally spaced .490 apart. After the coil 46 has been pierced in the manner just described, it is then sheared transversely every 4", as an example, at shear lines 50 as indicated in FIG. 4 to form a generally flat element 51 with the notches 48 therein. 'Each element 51 is then subjected to a bending operation wherein the element 51 is bent about its longitudinal axis 47 into a generally U-shaped con-figuration to form the retainer 42 as illustrated in FIG. 5. The retainer 42 is of generally U-shaped cross section having a pair of

legs

52 and 54 and a curved connecting portion 56. The retainer 42 thus includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced notches 58 which extend through the curved connecting portion 56 and extend towards the middle portions of the

legs

52 and 54. The pack flexible material 44, as shown in FIG. 5, has one edge portion thereof interposed in the retainer 42 between the

legs

52 and 54. A plurality of fastening elements, such as staples 60, extend transversely through the pack 44 and

legs

52 and 54 and secures the flexible material 44 in a compressed condition to look it to the retainer 42.

In FIG. 2 the pack of flexible material 44 includes an inner portion 62 interposed between the legs of the retainer 42 and outer portions 64 and 66 engageable with the outer surfaces of the legs of the retainer 42. In the latter construction, the several rows of laterally extending staples 68 secure the flexible material 44 in a compressed condition to the retainer 42.

When referring to FIG. 5 it will be noted that the portions of the retainer 42 intermediate the notches 58 form hinge type U-shaped sockets 70 which are adapted to extend into the grooves 26 of the hub 12 as illustrated in FIG. 3. After each finishing flap assembly 40 has been inserted into the hub 12, the pin 38 is inserted through the bearing points 34 and 36 of opening 32 so as to extend through end surface 18, rims 30, sockets 70, and finally through the end surface 20 of hub 12. The finishing flap assemblies 40 are thus pivotally supported on their inner ends by pins 38, with their outer ends extending radially outwardly as illustrated in FIG. 1. It will be noted that the finishing flap assemblies 40 are arranged in side by side relation so as to form an annulus on the hub 12. By arranging the finishing flap assemblies 40 and pivot pins 38 in the manner just described, the assemblies 40 are mounted for relatively slight angular movement. The amount of movement of each assembly 40 is dependent upon the number and size of such units utilized and the spacing thereof on the hub 12.

It has been found that the finishing tool 10 remains in balance throughout the normal level of the finishing flap assemblies 40. It is believed that this balance is attained due to the fact that the assemblies 40 are mounted for a relatively small but a predetermined amount of circumferential or angular movement. It should be noted that the component parts of the finishing tool 10 are constructed and arranged so that the finishing flap assemblies 40 may be readily replaced from time to time as they wear out. To replace the used flap assemblies 40 on the hub 12, it is first necessary to remove all of the pins 38 and thereby permit the flap assemblies 40 to be withdrawn from the hub 12. Thereafter new finishing flap assemblies 40 can be mounted on the hub 12 in the manner described heretofore. A punch or other suitable tool may be used to assist in moving the pins 38.

When the finishing tool 10 is to be used the operator, after connecting the tool 10 to a source of power, brings the rotating hub into proximity with the work, with its axis of rotation substantially parallel to the surface to be treated, until the ends of the flap assemblies 40 contact the work surface as is well known in the art.

FIG. 6 illustrates a modified finishing flap assembly 74 including a retainer 76 and a pack of flexible or fill material 78 of the types previously described. The retainer 76 is likewise formed from a coil strip of steel. The steel strip is initially cut to form notches 80 in one longitudinal edge portion of the strip. Thereafter the notched edge of the strip is subjected to a bending operation whereby portions of the strip intermediate the notches 80 are turned and formed into sockets 82 of generally cylindrical configuration as illustrated in FIG. 6. The hinge type retainer 76 includes only one leg 84 having one edge portion notched and bent to form the cylindrical shaped hinge type sockets 82. The pack of flexible material 78 is inserted over the plate 74 and is connected thereto by a plurality of staples 86 which extend through the pack 78 and plate 84. The modified finishing flap assembly 74 may be used in place of assembly 40 heretofore described. The finishing flap assembly 74 is pivotally mounted on the hub 12 by inserting the sockets 82 into the endless grooves 26 and thereafter inserting the pins 38 through the openings 32 and sockets 82.

The generally U-shaped retainer 42 illustrated in FIG. may be used with the modified retainer-pack constructions illustrated in FIGS. 710 inclusive.

In FIG. 7 a pair of U-shaped retainers 42' and 42" are connected by inserting the socket 70 of the inner retainer 42' through the notches 58 of the outer retainer 42" which is bent on a different radius than retainer 42'. The pack of flexible material 44 includes an inner portion 90 inserted between the legs of the inner retainer 42' and outer portions 92 inserted between the adjacent legs of the inner and outer retainers 42' and 42". Staples 60 or other types of fastening means which may be utilized extend transversely through the pack of flexible material 44 and the legs of the two retainers 42' and 42" in order to compress the flexible material 44 and to lock same to the two retainers.

In FIG. 8 the modified retainer-pack assembly includes the inner retainer 42' and the outer retainer 42" which is folded around the inner retainer 42' as illustrated. The outer retainer 42" is bent on a diflerent radius than retainer 42'. The pack of flexible material 44 is interposed between the legs of the two

retainers

42 and 42" and secured thereto in substantially the same manner as the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7.

In FIG. 9 the generally U-shaped retainer 42 is connected to the pack of flexible material 44 by staples 60 and by a longitudinally extended peg 94 around which the flexible sheets or elements are wrapped. The staples 60 and peg 94 serve as means for reinforcing and securing the connection between the retainer 42 and pack of flexible material 44.

In FIG. the pack of flexible material 44 is connected to the legs of the U-shaped retainer 42 by means of transversely extending longitudinally spaced rivets 96.

FIG. 11 illustrates a modified retainer-pack assembly 97. The inner end of the pack of fill or flexible material 98 is provided with suitable retainer means in the form of a conventional belt lacing 100. The belt lacing 100 includes a plurality of closed loops or elements 104 which are spaced apart. The elements 104 usually correspond in number to the number of grooves 26 provided in the outer periphery of the hub 12 although a number of loops 104 may be provided for each groove of the hub. Each loop 104 of the belt lacing 102 includes inwardly turned teeth 106 which are inserted into the pack 98, and appropriately clinched to firmly hold the retainer-pack assembly 97 together.

The modified retainer-pack assembly 108 illustrated in FIG. 12 includes a multi-tooth belt lacing 110 on the inner end of the pack 112. The loops 114 forming the retainer are of two sizes, with the smaller loop having inwardly turned teeth 118 and the larger loop having inwardly turned teeth 120. The teeth are inserted into pack 112 and appropriately clinched to firmly hold the retainer-pack assembly 108 together.

FIGS. 13-16 inclusive include modified packs for use with hinge type retainers of the types described. In FIG. 13 the pack 122 includes a series of stacked sheets of sisal or cloth forming an inner packet 124. The packet 124 has the inner end located between the legs of the retainer 42 and secured thereto. Spaced radially outwardly from the retainer 42 and superimposed against the sides of the packet 124 are a plurality of additional stacked sheets or extension elements of sisal or cloth forming outer packets 125 which are sewed at 126 onto the inner packet 124 in order to provide a fuller pack 122 by increasing the length and width of the pack.

In FIG. 14 the pack of flexible material 130 comprises an inner annulus 132 and an outer annulus 134. The sheets of material forming the inner annulus 132 is inserted between the legs of the U-shaped retainer 42 and secured thereto by rivets or staples. The outer ends of the sheets of material forming inner annulus 132 are pro vided with additional or supplemental sheets or extension elements of coated abrasive which form the outer annulus 134. The extension elements of coated abrasive are secured to the outer ends of the sheets of annulus 132 by suitable adhesive or bonding material.

In FIG. 15 the inner packet .136 of flexible material is also secured between the legs of the U-shaped retainer 42. In order to increase the length and width of the pack additional (and thinner) material forming outer packets 138 are connected to the thicker material forming inner packet 136. The thin tails 140 of packet 138 extend into the retainer 42 along side of the inner packet 136 and are held in place by the rivets 142.

In FIG. 16 the pack of flexible material 144 has a wedged shape cross-section and comprises a series of folded sheets 146. The rfolded ends of the sheets are inserted between the legs of the retainer 42.

-I claim:

1. A finishing flap assembly for a cylindrical hub having circumferentially extending grooves on the outer periphery thereof, said assembly comprising an elongated retainer having at one longitudinal edge portion a plurality of longitudinally spaced notches, the portions of said retainer intermediate said notches being provided with hinge type sockets which extend into the grooves of the hub and form mountings for a pin carried by the hub, a pack of flexible material having one edge thereof adjacent the other longitudinal edge portion of said retainer, with the remaining portion of said pack of flexible material extending outwardly from said retainer, fastening means for securing said pack to said retainer, said retainer being of generally U-shaped cross section having a pair of spaced apart legs joined at adjacent edges by a curved connecting portion, said notches located in said curved connecting portion and extending towards the middle portion of said legs, said pack of flexible material having one edge portion thereof engaging the legs of said retainer, said one edge portion of said pack of flexible material including an inner portion located between said legs and outer portions engaging the outer surfaces of said legs, and a second retainer having a U-shaped configuration cooperating with the first mentioned retainer, with the corresponding curved connecting portions in surface to surface engagement and the legs thereof in spaced parallel relation, with the legs of said second retainer engaging the outer surfaces of the outer portions of said one edge portion of said pack of flexible material, said fastening elements extending through said pack and the legs of both retainers.

2. A finishing flap assembly for a cylindrical hub having circumferentially extending grooves on the outer periphery thereof, said assembly comprising an elongated retainer having at one longitudinal edge portion a plurality of longitudinally spaced notches, the portions of said retainer intermediate said notches being provided with hinge type sockets which extend into the grooves of the hub and form mountings for a pin carried by the hub, a pack of flexible material having one edge thereof adjacent the other longitudinal edge portion of said retainer, with the remaining portion of said pack of flexible material extending outwardly from said retainer, fastening means for securing said pack to said retainer, said re tainer being of generally U-shaped cross-section and having a pair of spaced apart legs joined at adjacent edges by a curved connecting portion, said notches being located in said curved connecting portion and extending towards the middle portion of said legs, said pack of flexible material having one edge portion thereof engaging the legs of said retainer, said one edge portion of said pack of flexible material including and inner portion located between said legs and outer portions engaging the outer surfaces of said legs, and a second retainer extending through the notches of said first retainer, with the legs on said second retainer engaging the outer surfaces of said one edge portion of said pack of flexible material, said fastening elements extending through said pack and the legs of both retainers.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Cosmos 51-337 McAleer 51-334 X Block 51-337 Burns 51337 HAROLD D. WHITEHEAD, Primary Examiner