WO2008142544A1

WO2008142544A1 - Abrading blade holder

Info

Publication number: WO2008142544A1
Application number: PCT/IB2008/001281
Authority: WO
Inventors: Miksa Marton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-05-23
Filing date: 2008-05-22
Publication date: 2008-11-27
Anticipated expiration: 2009-11-23

Abstract

An abrading blade holder mountable on an oscillating and/or rotating backing plate of a sanding apparatus includes an elongated mount having an elongated slot therein for receiving an abrasive blade. A manipulable blade retainer interchangeably retains the abrasive blade in the slot. A resilient member may be in urged engagement with the abrasive blade.

Description

ABRADING BLADE HOLDER

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to sanding and grinding, and more particularly to abrading blade holders for use in sanding and grinding.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known in the art related to sanding and grinding to use conventional abrasive pads or discs, such as resin paper, resin cloth, or similar to sand or grind a surface. Conventional sanding and grinding methods are both time consuming and costly.

Multiple sanding steps result in a greater expenditure of time and require the use of multiple sanding pads or discs. Further, conventional abrasive pads and discs wear out quickly and must be frequently replaced.

It is also known that sanding or abrading uneven surfaces including concrete surfaces and surface having residues of adhesives thereon is difficult. Sanding or abrading surfaces to remove residues of adhesive or to smooth poured concrete could be facilitated with an abrading means that has the flexibility to follow an uneven surface. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an abrading blade holder that mounts an abrading blade for use in sanding or grinding a surface such as concrete, hardwood flooring, marble, or similar. The abrading blade holder provides for easy interchange of abrading blades. The abrading blade holder also provides a mount for an abrading blade that allows the abrading blade to follow the contour of the surface being abraded.

More particularly, an abrading blade holder in accordance with the present invention is mountable on an oscillating and/or rotating backing plate of a sanding apparatus. The abrading blade holder includes an elongated mount having an elongated slot therein for receiving an abrading/abrasive blade. A manipulable blade retainer interchangeably retains the abrasive blade in the slot.

The elongated mount may include a base for engaging the backing plate, a plurality of sides extending from the base, and a face terminating the sides and being a surface generally parallel to the base. The face includes the slot. Through holes may extend between the face and base, allowing the elongated mount to be fastened to the backing plate.

The blade retainer may include at least one pin, and the elongated mount may include a corresponding number of apertures through the sides for receiving the pin therethrough to keep the abrasive blade in the slot. The pins may include a shaft portion, an enlarged head portion at one end of the shaft portion, and a retaining portion at an other end of the shaft portion. The blade retainer may further include a keeper cooperable with the retaining portion of the pins.

A resilient member may be in urged engagement with the abrasive blade. The resilient member may comprise at least one spring. A spacer may be disposed between the resilient member and the abrasive blade.

In another embodiment, a backing plate of an oscillating and/or rotating sanding apparatus includes a plurality of abrading blade holders including an elongated mount having an elongated slot therein for receiving an abrasive blade, a base for engaging the backing plate, a plurality of sides extending from the base, a face, which includes the slot, terminating the sides and being a surface generally parallel to the base, and through holes extending between the face and base allowing the elongated mount to be fastened to the backing plate. A manipulable blade retainer interchangeably retains the abrasive blade in the slot. The blade retainer comprises at least one pin and the elongated mount includes a corresponding number of apertures through the sides for receiving the pin therethrough to keep the abrasive blade in the slot. A resilient member is in urged engagement with the abrasive blade. These and other features and advantages of the invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of the invention taken together with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an environmental perspective view of a plurality of abrading blade holders in accordance with the invention mounted on a backing plate of a sanding/grinding apparatus;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of one abrading blade holder and the backing plate,-

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the abrading blade holder; and

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the abrading blade holder mounted on the backing plate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings in detail, numeral 10 generally indicates an abrading blade holder in accordance with the invention. The abrading blade holder 10 is mountable on an oscillating and/or rotating backing plate 12 of a sanding apparatus. The abrading blade holder provides for the interchange of abrasive blades, allowing for replacement of worn blades and use of a variety of blades for different applications. During use, the abrading blade holder may also allow the abrasive blade to follow the contour of a surface being sanded or ground.

The abrading blade holder 10 includes an elongated mount 14 having an elongated blade receiving slot 16 therein for receiving and mounting an abrading/abrasive blade 18. The mount 14 has a base 20 that is engagable with the backing plate 12, a plurality of sides 22 extending from the base 20, and a face 24 terminating the sides 22 and being a surface generally parallel to the base 20. Through holes 26 extend between the face 24 and the base 20 allowing the mount 14 to be fastened to the backing plate 12 by fasteners or similar. The face 24 includes the slot 16. The slot 16 may extend along a lengthwise direction of the mount 14. A non-abrasive edge 28 of the blade 18 may be inserted into the slot 16 and a manipulable blade retainer 30 may releasably secure the blade on the mount 14. When mounted on the mount 14, the blade 18 has the freedom to travel into and out of the slot 16 while being retained in the slot. For example, the blade 18 may include a pair of slots 32 (e.g., circular, non-circular, oval, etc.) that may be aligned with a pair of apertures 34 that extend through the sides 22. The retainer 30 may be a pin(s) that is received through both the apertures 34 and slots 32 to keep the abrasive blade 18 in the slot 32. Each pin includes a shaft portion 36, an enlarged head portion 38 at one end of the shaft portion, and a retaining portion 40 such as an eyelet or similar at another end of the shaft portion. The shaft portion 36 is insertable into the apertures 34 of the mount 14 and the slots 32 of the blade 18. The head portion 38 engages a side 22 of the mount 14. A keeper 42, such as an elongated cotter pin or similar, may be inserted through the retaining portion 40 of the pins to secure the pins to the mount 14.

The slots 32 of the blade 18 may be generally as wide as the diameter of the shaft portion 36 of the retainer 30 in a first direction and longer than the shaft diameter in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. In a mounted disposition, the blade thereby may travel in the second direction corresponding to the length of the slots 32 but not in the first direction corresponding to the width of the slots. The slots 32 alternatively may have an elliptical or other similar oblong shape.

The mount 14 further includes at least one recess 44 in the base 20 opposite the blade receiving slot 16. In one embodiment, the mount 14 may include three recesses 44 generally evenly spaced from each other. The recess (es) 44 may be generally continuous with the slot 16.

A resilient member 46 such as a spring or similar is received in each recess 44, and the resilient member is in urged engagement with the blade 18. Preferably each recess 44 is cylindrical in shape for receiving a resilient member 46 that is a coil spring or similar. A spacer 48 may be inserted between the resilient member 46 and the blade 18 inserted into the slot 16. The spacer 48 provides an intermediate surface between the resilient member 46 and the blade 18, thereby reducing wear of the resilient member. In one embodiment, the spacer 48 may be a threadless bolt such as an alien head bolt or similar. In this embodiment, the resilient member 46 wraps around the shaft of the bolt and engages the head of the bolt, and the head of the bolt engages the blade 18. Alternatively, the spacer 48 may be a washer or similar. The resilient members 46 provide for the resilient loading of the blade in the support member.

As discussed above, the mount 14 is mountable to a backing plate 12 of a sanding/grinding apparatus. Fasteners such as mounting bolts 50 may be inserted into the through holes 26 of the mount 14 to secure the mount 14 to the backing plate 12. In a mounted disposition, the base 20 of the mount 14 that includes the recesses 44 is positioned adjacent the backing plate 12 and the slot 16 for receiving the abrading blade 18 is positioned opposite from the backing plate. The backing plate 12 may also include recesses 52 for receiving ends of the resilient members 46 therein when the mount 14 is mounted on the backing plate. Alternatively, the backing plate 12 may not include the recesses 52, and the resilient members may rest on the surface of the backing plate and may be entirely^" received within the recesses 44 of the mount 14. It should therefore be apparent that in the mounted disposition, the resilient members 46 allow for the travel of the blade towards and away from the backing plate. The blade holder 10 may be disposed proximate an outer edge of the backing plate 12 and may be angled relative to radii of the backing plate extending from the center of the backing plate to the outer edge. This allows for sanding waste to be directed towards the center of the backing plate 12 as the backing plate rotates during use.

A plurality of the blade holders 10 may be mounted on the backing plate 12. For example, in one embodiment, eight blade holders 10 may be mounted on the backing plate 12, although fewer or more blade holders may be mounted on the backing plate.

The backing plate 12 also may include a plurality of apertures 54 disposed along circle (s) that are concentric with the outer edge of the backing plate. One of the circles may be closer to the center of the backing plate 12 than the blade holders 10. The apertures 54 allow for the suction of sanding/grinding waste from a working surface being sanded to a vacuum source.

The blade holder 10 is capable of holding a variety of different blades 18. Therefore, interchangeable blades 18 may be used with the blade holder 10. For example, a blade having an abrasive surface at an end of the blade may be mounted in the blade holder. This blade can be removed from the blade holder, and a blade having a diamond-coated abrasive edge may be mounted in the blade holder. Furthermore, it may be desired to non spring load mount certain interchangeable blades 18. In this case, the resilient members 46 may be removed from the blade holder 10 prior to mounting of a blade 18 in the blade holder.

In operation, the backing plate 12 and associated abrading blade holders 10 may be mounted on a rotary sander, orbital sander, or similar. When mounted to a sanding or grinding apparatus in a use position, the abrasive blade 18 mounted in each blade holder 10 is contactable with a working surface to be sanded or ground. The "height" of the blades 18 relative to the mount 14 of the blade holder 10 is self -adjusted by contraction or expansion of the resilient members 46 in the blade holder. The sanding/grinding apparatus rotates the backing plate 12 at conventional rotational speeds up to 1200 rpm and above. As the backing plate 12 rotates, the blades 18 skim along the working surface without forming grooves or swirls in the working surface. Because the blades 18 are spring loaded, the blades evenly and equally sand/grind the working surface without one of the blades cutting deeper into the working surface than the others. This leaves the support surface smooth and straight without gouges or swirl marks.

Further, the blade holder 10 and backing plate 12 assembly is self-cleaning and does not become clogged with waste material generated during sanding/grinding the working surface. The angle of the blade holders 10 and their associated abrading blades 18 relative to radii of the backing plate 12 drives sanding waste towards the center of the backing plate as the backing plate rotates. The sanding waste is then sucked away from the working surface through the apertures 54 in the backing plate 12. The arrangement of the blade holders 10 prevents sanding waste from escaping beyond the outer edge of the backing plate 12 and forces sanding waste away from the abrasive blades 18 towards the center of the backing plate, cleaning the blades and preventing clogging.

The blade holders 10 and associated blades 18 also dissipate heat generated from sanding/grinding the working surface by functioning like a fan. While sanding/grinding the working surface, the blades 18 simultaneously function as fan blades to blow air on the working surface. This cools both the working surface and the blades themselves.

Although the invention has been described by reference to specific embodiments, it should be understood that numerous changes may be made within the spirit and scope of the inventive concepts described. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the described embodiments, but that it have the full scope defined by the language of the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. An abrading blade holder mountable on an oscillating and/or rotating backing plate of a sanding apparatus, said abrading blade holder comprising : an elongated mount having an elongated slot therein for receiving an abrasive blade; and a manipulable blade retainer for interchangeably retaining said abrasive blade in said slot.

2. The abrading blade holder of claim 1, wherein said elongated mount includes: a base for engaging said backing plate; a plurality of sides extending from said base ; and a face terminating said sides and being a surface generally parallel to said base, said face including said slot; wherein through holes extending between said face and base allow said elongated mount to be fastened to said backing plate.

3. The abrading blade holder of claim 2, wherein said blade retainer comprises at least one pin and said elongated mount includes a corresponding number of apertures through said sides for receiving said pin therethrough to keep said abrasive blade in said slot .

4. The abrading blade holder of claim 3 , wherein said pins include a shaft portion, an enlarged head portion at one end of said shaft portion, and a retaining portion at an other end of said shaft portion.

5. The abrading blade holder of claim 4, wherein said blade retainer further includes a keeper cooperable with said retaining portion of said pins.

6. The abrading blade holder of claim 1, including a resilient member in urged engagement with said abrasive blade.

7. The abrading blade holder of claim 6, wherein said resilient member comprises at least one spring.

8. The abrading blade holder of claim 6, including a spacer disposed between said resilient member and said abrasive blade.

9. The abrading blade holder mountable on an oscillating and/or rotating backing plate of a sanding apparatus, said abrading blade holder comprising : an elongated mount having an elongated slot therein for receiving an abrasive blade, a base for engaging said backing plate, a plurality of sides extending from said base, a face terminating said sides and being a surface generally parallel to said base, said face including said slot, and through holes extending between said face and base allowing said elongated mount to be fastened to said backing plate; and a manipulable blade retainer for interchangeably retaining said abrasive blade in said slot, said blade retainer comprising at least one pin and said elongated mount including a corresponding number of apertures through said sides for receiving said pin therethrough to keep said abrasive blade in said slot .

10. The abrading blade holder of claim 9, including a resilient member in urged engagement with said abrasive blade.

11. A backing plate of an oscillating and/or rotating sanding apparatus including a plurality of abrading blade holders in accordance with claim 9.