WO1997038814A1

WO1997038814A1 - Rotating sanding accessory

Info

Publication number: WO1997038814A1
Application number: PCT/US1997/005835
Authority: WO
Inventors: Steven M. Antler
Original assignee: Antler Steven M
Priority date: 1996-04-18
Filing date: 1997-04-18
Publication date: 1997-10-23
Also published as: AU2662297A

Abstract

A rotating sanding accessory comprises a mandrel (2) with a rubberhead (4) and a sanding cap (6) fitted to the rubberhead (4). The rubberhead (4) has longitudinal peripheral slots (10) that allow the rubberhead (4) to be compressed within the sanding cap (6) to grip the cap (6) during use. The sanding cap (6) is made from brass with a cylindrical or disc surface coated with diamond and/or cubic boron nitride abrasive particles.

Description

ROTATING SANDING ACCESSORY

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to a sander and specifically to a sanding accessory for attachment to a rotary drive or flexible shaft tool. The accessory includes a replaceable sanding cap with cylindrical or flat surface coated with diamond abrasive particles and/or cubic boron nitride (CBN) particles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A typical prior art rotary sanding accessory is made from sandpaper formed into a hollow cylinder, which is wrapped around a rotating mandrel. Cutting is done through the rotating cylindrical surface. One type of mandrel to which the sandpaper is attached typically has a top screw that could cause scratches on the work surface if not operated properly, since the sandpaper hollow cylinder has an open top, exposing the screw on the mandrel.

The sandpaper typically wears out quickly and is prone to tearing or breaking apart during operation. Another type of a rotary sanding accessory is a sanding disc, which is typically affixed to a rotating flat surface part of a rubber-faced mandrel by means of glue or VELCRO fastener. Although sandpaper discs are inexpensive, they tend to wear out quickly. Moreover, a sandpaper disc when impacted on its edge will typically separate from the mandrel. Further, sandpaper discs made with a layer of glue for affixing to the tool would have to used within their shelf life for maximum effectiveness, since glue dries up over time.

There is therefore a need for a rotating sanding accessory that obviates the shortcomings of prior art sandpaper-based sanders.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a rotating sanding accessory with a cylindrical sanding cap that could outlast all types of sandpaper-based detail sander. It is another object of the present invention to provide a rotating sanding accessory that uses a brass cap coated with diamond and/or CBN abrasive particles, thereby preventing the danger of tearing or breaking apart during operation that is typical with sandpaper. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a rotating sanding accessory that can work on a larger variety of materials, such as glass and ceramics, than sandpaper.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a rotating sanding accessory that allows closer production tolerances than is possible with sandpaper, thereby allowing the user more precise control over the work being performed. It is still another object of the present invention to provide a rotating sanding accessory that utilizes a mandrel without exposed head screws.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a rotating sanding accessory with a sanding cap that is secured to the mandrel without the use of glue and/or VELCRO, thereby providing an unlimited shelf life.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a rotating sanding accessory with a sanding disc that would not fall off or be dislodged while operating at maximum speeds.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a rotating sanding accessory with a sanding disc that is secured to the rotating tool without the use of glue or VELCRO fastener.

In summary, the present invention is a rotating sanding accessory comprising a mandrel with a rubberhead and a sanding cap fitted to the rubberhead. The rubberhead has longitudinal peripheral slots that allow the rubberhead to be compressed within the sanding cap and prevents separation during use. The sanding cap is made from brass with cylindrical or disc surface coated with diamond and/or cubic boron nitride (CBN) abrasive particles.

These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a rotating sanding accessory made in accordance with the present invention. Figure 2 is a side elevational view of a mandrel and rubberhead assembly used in the sanding accessory of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a top end view of the rubberhead of Figure 2. Figure 4A is a side elevational view of a sanding cap used in the sanding accessory of Figure 1.

Figure 4B is a top end view of the cap of Figure 4A.

Figure 5 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of a rotating sanding accessory made in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 6 is a side elevational view of a mandrel and rubberhead assembly used in the sanding accessory of Figure 5. Figure 7 is a top end view of the rubbherhead of

Figure 6.

Figure 8A is a side elevational view of a sanding cap used in the sanding accessory of Figure 5.

Figure 8B is top end view of the sanding cap of Figure 8A. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A rotating sanding accessory R made in accordance with the present inventions disclosed in Figure 1. The sanding accessory R includes a mandrel 2, a rubberhead 4 secured to the mandrel 2, and a removable sanding cap 6. The mandrel 2 is preferably made from steel and is adapted to be secured in a drill chuck (not shown) or other standard driving means such as a flexible shaft tool for imparting rotary motion to the rubberhead 4 and the sanding cap 6.

The rubberhead 4 has a rounded end portion 8 and a plurality of longitudinal slots 10, as best shown in Figure 2. The slots are uniformly disposed along the periphery of the rubberhead 4 and are inclined preferably at 30 degrees, generally indicated at 12, with respect to a radius, as best shown in Figure 3. The slots 10 advantageously permit the rubberhead 4, which is slightly oversized than the inside diameter of the sanding cap 6, to be forced into the sanding cap 6. The slots 10 also advantageously allow the rubberhead 4 to expand somewhat against the inside wall of the sanding cap 6 during rotation from centripetal force during use.

The sanding cap 6 is preferably made from brass or other suitable material. The sanding cap 6 has an open end 11 through which the rubberhead 4 is inserted when seating the rubberhead within the cap. The sanding cap 6 has a rounded top portion 14 that substantially parallels the rounded end portion 8 of the rubberhead 4, such that substantial contact with the rounded end portion 8 is made when the sanding cap 6 is attached to the rubberhead 4 , as best shown in Figure 1. The sanding cap 6 has cylindrical outer surface 15 coated with diamond and/or cubic boron nitride (CBN) particles. The rounded top portion 14 is also coated with the abrasive particles. A standard electrolytic process, preferably using nickel sulfamate as the electrolytic solution, is used to plate the outside surface of the sanding cap 6 with the abrasive particles.

One such process is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,047,902, issued to Wiand. The inside surface of the sanding cap 6 designated not to receive the abrasive particles is temporarily coated with rubber to prevent deposition of the abrasive particles during the electrolytic process.

The rubberhead 4 is preferably made from neoprene with hardness range of 30-70 hardness scale. Other types of rubber and hardness could also work. The rounded end portion 8 of the rubberhead advantageously provides support to the rounded top portion 14 of the sanding cap 6 during use. Another embodiment of a sanding accessory S is disclosed in Figure 5. The sanding accessory S includes a mandrel 16, preferably made of steel, for attachment to a rotary drive, such as a hand drill or a flexible shaft tool. A rubberhead 18 is secured to the mandrel 16 and carries a sanding cap 20. The sanding accessory S is capable of rotating at high speed without the danger of the sanding cap 20 separating from the rubberhead 16. The range of operating RPM for the sanding accessory S is approximately between 10,000 to 30,000 RPM. The rubberhead 18 includes a first inverted cone section 22 and a second inverted cone section 24, as best shown in Figure 6. The inverted cone section 22 is wider at the top 26 than at the bottom 28 to provide a tight fit with the sanding cap 20.

A plurality of longitudinal slots 30 are provided around the periphery of the inverted cone section 22, as best shown in Figures 6 and 7. Each of the slots 30 is preferably oriented at 30 degrees with respect to a radius line, generally indicated at 32. The slots 30 advantageously allow the rubberhead 18 to be compressed when installing the sanding cap 20 thereto. Further, the slots 30 also allow the rubberhead 18 to expand outwardly during rotation to provide additional grip for the sanding cap 20. The rubberhead 18 is preferably made of neoprene with hardness range of 30-70 hardness scale. Other types of rubber and hardness could also work.

The sanding cap 20 is preferably made from brass. The sanding cap 20 has an open end 31 through which the rubberhead 18 is inserted when seating the rubberhead within the cap. The sanding cap 20 has a disc surface 36 coated with diamond and/or CBN particles by electrolytic deposition. An example of such procedure is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,047,902, issued to Wiand. The cylindrical surface 38 of the sanding cap 20 would preferably not be coated with abrasive particles.

The rubberhead 18 has a flat top surface 34 that advantageously provides support to the corresponding flat or disc surface 36 of the cap 20, as best shown in Figures

6 and 8A.

The sanding cap 20 functions as a sanding disc and replaces prior art sandpaper sanding discs. While this invention has been described as having preferred design, it is understood that it is capable of further modification, uses and/or adaptations following in general the principle of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains, and as may be applied to the essential features set forth, and fall within the scope of the invention or the limits of the appended claims.

Claims

I claim:

A rotating sanding accessory, comprising: a) a mandrel including a rubberhead; b) a sanding cap fitted onto said rubberhead; c) said rubberhead being adapted to be compressed within said sanding cap to grip said cap during use; d) said sanding cap including a sanding surface; and e) said sanding surface being coated with abrasive particles.

2. The sanding accessory as in claim 1, wherein said rubberhead includes longitudinal peripheral slots.

3. The sanding accessory as in claim 1, wherein said cap is made from metal.

4. The sanding accessory as in claim 3, wherein said metal is brass.

5. The sanding accessory as in claim l, wherein said abrasive particles include cubic boron nitride.

6. The sanding accessory as in claim 3, wherein said abrasive particles are deposited onto said sanding surface by electrolytic deposition.

7. The sanding accessory as in claim 3, wherein said abrasive particles include diamond.

8. The sanding accessory as in claim 7, wherein said abrasive particles are deposited onto said sanding surface by electrolytic deposition.

9. The sanding accessory as in claim 1, wherein said sanding surface is cylindrical.

10. The sanding accessory as in claim 2, wherein said sanding surface is a disc.

11. The sanding accessory as in claim 1, wherein said slots are inclined substantially at 30 degrees with respect to a radial plane.

12. The sanding accessory as in claim 1, wherein said rubberhead substantially conforms to an inner surface of said cap.

13. The sanding accessory as in claim 2, wherein: a) said rubberhead includes first and second conical sections; and b) said slots are disposed in said first conical section.

14. The sanding accessory as in claim 1, wherein: a) said sanding cap includes a rounded section; and b) said rubberhead has a complementary rounded section.

15. The sanding accessory as in claim 1, wherein said rubberhead is made from neoprene.