US3725969A

US3725969A - Polishing device

Info

Publication number: US3725969A
Application number: US00170461A
Authority: US
Inventors: E Horeni
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1971-08-10
Filing date: 1971-08-10
Publication date: 1973-04-10
Anticipated expiration: 1990-04-10

Abstract

A polishing device in which a generally cylindrical molded member encapsulates an elongated drive shaft to form a solid, generally cylindrical mass for supporting a polishing cloth.

Description

United States Patent 1 Horeni 3,725,9 9 1 Apr. 10, 1973 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS POLISHING DEVICE [76] Inventor:

Edward R. Horeni, 2433 South Pulaski Road, Chicago, Ill.

Aug. 10, 1971 51/298 x Wis 230.19 ...15/230.1s

mm S e e mom M9 777 536 999 111 WWW 3,252,775 5/1966 Tocci-Guilbert.................. 2,805,529 2,093,006 3,340,652

[22] Filed:

21 Appl. No.: 170,461

Primary Examinefi-Leon G. Machlin Attorney-Lettvin and Gerstman ABSTRACT A polishing device in which a generally cylindrical molded member encapsulates an elongated drive shaft [58] Field of Search 376, 380, 298; 32/59, 58 to form a solid, generally cylindrical mass for supporting a polishing cloth.

1 Claim, 2 Drawing Figures g. m a.

PATENH-inAPRmms 3,725,969

INVENTOR EDWARD R. HORE/V/ ATTORNEYS POLISHING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Conventional hand-held electrical polishing apparatus comprises a polishing cloth or the like fastened to the top surface of a disc which rotates about an axis that is perpendicular to the disc and centrally located with respect thereto. Such apparatus produces noticeable swirls, which are generally detrimental to the attractive, high-gloss finish desired.

In my copending application Ser. No. 43,520, filed June 4, 1970, now US. Pat. No. 3,665,546, I disclosed an electrical polishing device that has a polishing surface which extends parallel to the axis of a rotatable polishing cylinder, and which avoids producing the swirls which are produced by prior art polishing apparatus. I have discovered an improved construction of a polishing cylinder which is relatively simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture and comprises relatively few components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an electric polishing device comprising an elongated drive shaft having retaining means, such as protuberances extending therefrom or apertures extending therethrough. A generally cylindrical molded member formed from moldable, hardenable material encapsulates the shaft and its holding means, and forms a solid, generally cylindrical mass for supporting a polishing cloth.

In the illustrative embodiment, the shaft is formed of metal and there are metal protuberances which extend radially and orthogonally from the shaft. The moldable, hardenable material comprises a spongifoam material,

such as polyurethane, having density between 1.5

pounds per cubic foot and 8 pounds per cubic foot.

In one embodiment of the invention, the polishing device is produced by inserting a shaft into a generally cylindrical mold cavity having a fixed internal dimension. the shaft is maintained in place to extend coaxially with the mold cavity. There is introduced into the cavity a flowable material which hardens to encapsulate the shaft and to fill the cavity. After hardening, a unitary polishing device is removed from the cavity comprising the shaft and the hardened material.

A more detailed explanation of the invention is provided in the following description and claims, and is illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 1, the polishing device 10 shown therein comprises an axial shaft 12 fastened by suitable means to a shaft 14 having a greater diameter and car rying a number of radially and orthogonally extending projections or protuberances l6, equally spaced along shaft 14. Projections 16 are used to hold a molded cylindrical member in place, and other holding means, such as apertures extending through the shaft or knurled portions of the shaft, may be utilized if desired. A generally cylindrical molded member 18 having an angled distal end 20 surround s shaft 14 with the

shafts

12, 14 and the generally cylindrical member I8 being coaxial. As mentioned above, projections 16 aid in retaining the molded material'18 in its relationship with the shaft 14. The molded member 18 is covered with a lar'nbs wool cover 22 which is tied at 24 to shaft 14.

FIG. 2 shows, diagrammatically, the molding system for the device.

Shafts

12 and 14 and associated projections 16 are placed in a mold cavity 25 and the molding material is then introduced to the cavity with heat and pressure applied in the conventional manner to produce molded member 18. The shafts are maintained coaxially with the mold cavity by means of a top plate 26 which has a central opening 28 to encircle shaft 14 with the shaft being temporarily "fastened to top plate 26 and with means (not shown) being provided for holding the distal end of the shaft in place in the cavity.

Molded member 18 is formed. of a relatively soft, elastic material, such as low density polyurethane spongifoam material. As a specific example, although no limitation is intended, polyurethane having a density between about 1.5 pounds per cubic foot and about 8 pounds per cubic foot is suitable. A preferable range of density is from about 3 to about 6 pounds per cubic foot. It is to be understood, however, that other substances, such as other spongifoam plastic and rubber, could be used. Additionally, steel wire strands could be placed about the projections 16 before the molding operation in order to reinforce the molded substance.

Although shaft l2could be connected to any electrical motor, it is preferred that the molded unit compris' ing member 18 and its associated shafts l2 and 14 be sold as an accessory for electric drills, with the lambs wool cover 22 being removable and sold separately. It is preferred that the diameter of the molded member be between about four and five inches and, in this manner, satisfactory-service will be obtained with the use of soft molded material such as described above. Polishing action can thereby be obtained without the production of any noticeable swirls.

Summarizing, in the production of the polishingdevice illustrated in FIG. 1, as a specific example, a 7

steel shaft l2'fastened to larger steel shaft 14 having projections 16 extending therefrom, is inserted is cavity 25 and is maintained in axial alignment therewith by suitable means. The components of a selected foam system are mixed, rendered homogeneous, and poured into the cavity and allowed to rise to fill the cavity. After the product has filled the cavity and cooled, there is provided an encapsulated shaft with associated projections which are removed from the mold in the form of a polishing member. A lambs wool cover 22 which conforms in shape to the polishing member is tied to shaft 14 as illustrated in FIG. 1, and the shaft 12 is attached to a suitable electric motor for polishing purposes.

Although an illustrative embodiment of the invention "has been shown and described, it is to be understood that various modifications and substitutions may be' made by those skilled in the art without departing from the novel spirit and scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An accessory for an electric drill, which comprises: a first shaft having a cross-sectional dimension suitable for connection of said first shaft to the chuck of the electric drill; a second shaft coaxial with said first shaft and connected thereto, said second shaft having a greater cross-sectional dimension than said first shaft; a plurality of metal protuberances extending radially and

Claims

1. An accessory for an electric drill, which comprises: a first shaft having a cross-sectional dimension suitable for connection of said first shaft to the chuck of the electric drill; a second shaft coaxial with said first shaft and connected thereto, said second shaft having a greater cross-sectional dimension than said first shaft; a plurality of metal protuberances extending radially and orthogonally from said second shaft; a generally cylindrical member formed of polyurethane and having a density between 1.5 pounds per cubic foot and 8 pounds per cubic foot and molded in situ about said second shaft, said cylindrical member having an angled distal end aNd being adapted to support a lamb''s wool cover for polishing; said cylindrical member having a diameter between about four and about five inches, whereby polishing action may be obtained without the production of noticeable swirls.