U.S. patent application number 10/267165 was filed with the patent office on 2004-04-15 for floating sander device.
Invention is credited to Corkill, Kenneth Scott, Firm, John Charles, Jones, Coyte Richard, Oddo, Ronald Alan, Roche, Ronald EuGene.
Application Number | 20040072519 10/267165 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32068350 |
Filed Date | 2004-04-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040072519 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Oddo, Ronald Alan ; et
al. |
April 15, 2004 |
FLOATING SANDER DEVICE
Abstract
A resilient sanding mechanism is provided for sanding the
contours of a working surface, such as an aircraft body. The
mechanism comprises an elongate frame having a frame axis, a sander
mechanism pivotally engaged to the frame and having a sanding
surface disposed distal to the frame. A resilient biasing apparatus
is engageable to the sander mechanism and to the frame, for biasing
the sander mechanism sanding surface in a predetermined orientation
with respect to the frame axis.
Inventors: |
Oddo, Ronald Alan;
(Lancaster, CA) ; Firm, John Charles; (Palmdale,
CA) ; Corkill, Kenneth Scott; (Lancaster, CA)
; Jones, Coyte Richard; (Lancaster, CA) ; Roche,
Ronald EuGene; (Phelan, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Bruce B. Brunda
STETINA BRUNDA GARRED & BRUCKER
Suite 250
75 Enterprise
Aliso Viejo
CA
92656
US
|
Family ID: |
32068350 |
Appl. No.: |
10/267165 |
Filed: |
October 9, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
451/353 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B23Q 9/00 20130101; B24B
7/184 20130101; B25F 5/006 20130101; B23Q 11/0046 20130101; B24B
23/02 20130101; B25G 1/01 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
451/353 |
International
Class: |
B24B 023/00 |
Claims
1. A resilient sanding mechanism for sanding contours of a working
surface comprising: an elongate frame having a frame axis; a sander
mechanism pivotally engaged to the frame, the sander mechanism
having a sanding surface disposed distal to the frame; and
resilient biasing apparatus engageable to the sander mechanism and
to the frame, for biasing the sanding mechanism sanding surface in
a predetermined orientation with respect to the frame axis.
2. The sanding mechanism as recited in claim 1 wherein the
resilient biasing apparatus comprises a plurality of springs.
3. The sanding mechanism as recited in claim 1 wherein the
resilient biasing apparatus biases the sanding surface to an
orientation substantially normal to the frame axis.
4. The sanding mechanism as recited in claim 4 wherein the springs
function to urge the sanding surface against the working surface as
the sanding surface traverses the working surface.
5. The sanding mechanism as recited in claim 1 wherein the frame is
resiliently compressible along the length thereof.
6. The sanding mechanism as recited in claim 1 further comprising
handle apparatus engageable to the frame at a plurality of axially
spaced locations along the frame.
7. The sanding mechanism as recited in claim 6 wherein the handle
apparatus includes a handle coupling member for enabling selective
rotational engagement of the handle apparatus to the frame.
8. The sanding mechanism as recited in claim 1 further comprising a
frame receiving member engageable to a user work belt, the frame
receiving member having a frame receiving collar for engaging and
supporting the frame.
9. The sanding mechanism as recited in claim 1 wherein the frame
has a second end portion, and further comprising a frame support
member pivotally engageable to the frame proximate the frame second
end portion, the frame support member being operative to facilitate
ground support of the sanding mechanism.
10. A manually operated sanding mechanism for sanding contours of a
working surface comprising: a sander disposable against the work
surface; a shaft body; a sander pivotal support apparatus for
pivotally engaging the sander to the shaft body; and a sander
biasing apparatus engaged to the sander pivotal support apparatus
and the shaft body, for resilient engagement therebetween, to urge
the sander to a predetermined orientation relative to the shaft
body.
11. The mechanism as recited in claim 10 further comprising a shaft
post normally extending from the shaft body, the shaft post being
axially compressible to urge the sander towards the work
surface.
12. The apparatus as recited in claim 10 further comprising at
least one handle and an associated handle coupling member
engageable to the shaft body at a plurality of locations along the
length thereof.
13. The apparatus as recited in claim 12 wherein the handle
coupling member is rotatable about the shaft body.
14. The apparatus as recited in claim 10 wherein the sander biasing
apparatus comprises a plurality of resilient tension springs, each
of said tension springs having a first end connected to the sander
pivotal support apparatus and a second end engageable to the shaft
body, the tension springs being cooperative to urge the sander to
an orientation normal to the shaft body, such that the sander is
urged into engagement with work surface contours.
15. The apparatus as recited in claim 14 further comprising a
tension spring coupling member connected to the tension springs and
translatable along the length of the shaft body for secure
engagement thereto.
16. The apparatus as recited in claim 10 wherein the frame is
entendable in length.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] (Not Applicable)
STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT
[0002] (Not Applicable)
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention relates to sanding devices and, more
particularly, to a floating head sanding device useful to provide
precision finishes to a product surface.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] A resilient sanding mechanism is provided for sanding the
contours of a working surface, such as an aircraft body. The
mechanism comprises an elongate frame having a frame axis, a sander
mechanism pivotally engaged to the frame and having a sanding
surface disposed distal to the frame. A resilient biasing apparatus
is engageable to the sander mechanism and to the frame, for biasing
the sander mechanism sanding surface in a predetermined orientation
with respect to the frame axis.
[0005] In the presently preferred embodiment the resilient biasing
apparatus comprises a plurality of springs operative to bias the
sanding surface to an orientation substantially normal to the frame
axis. The springs function to urge the sanding surface against the
working surface as the sanding surface traverses the working
surface.
[0006] The frame may be formed to be resiliently compressible along
the length thereof, to urge the sanding surface upwardly against
the contours of the working surface. The sanding mechanism may be
belt mounted, whereupon the upward force upon the sanding mechanism
is provided by the engagement of the frame to a belt mounted frame
receiving member.
[0007] In another embodiment the frame extends to the ground and
may be provided with a pivotal frame support member operative to
provide ground support to the sanding mechanism.
[0008] The frame may be constructed to be resiliently compressible
along the length thereof, to mitigate translation of vibration to
the worker, and/or to provide a resilient force urging the sander
upwardly as it is placed into compression against the working
surface.
[0009] The sanding mechanism may further be provided with a
plurality of handles engageable to the frame at a plurality of
locations along the frame. The handles may further be constructed
to be rotatably engageable to the frame to facilitate convenient
arrangement thereof.
[0010] Sanders have a wide variety of applications extending from
everyday home use to aerospace applications for composite
technologies, or for use on fiberglass boat holes. Particular types
of products and materials may require more of a precision finish to
achieve optimum functionality. The size and shape of the product
may also dictate types of sanders, the type of finish, etc. Sanding
techniques may also vary in accordance with the nature of the
product, materials or desired finish.
[0011] In some cases large products may require the use of
automated hand sanders to achieve the desired finish. While the
equipment to perform such operations is readily available, the
human operation of such equipment, particularly over extended
periods, can lead to injuries or disabilities to workers operating
such equipment. Where, for example, the surface to be sanded is
above the worker, the worker will typically hold the sander above
his chest or head, supporting the weight of the sander while
pressing the sander against the work surface. The position weight
and vibration of the sander can stress and pressure the worker's
body in a manner to cause injury over periods of such sanding
activity. As many companies recognize a safe and comfortable work
environment is not only in the interest of workers, but also in the
interest of companies who rely upon those workers to perform
skilled or touch work.
[0012] Accordingly, there exists a need to devise equipment to
facilitate the extended operation of sanders without jeopardizing
the health of workers or detracting from their productivity. That
need is particularly acute where large product areas are to be
sanded, from positions where manual support of the sander may be
stressful.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of the
invention in use against the underside of a working surface;
[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates a belt supported embodiment of the
invention; and
[0015] FIG. 3 illustrates a ground supported embodiment of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] The present invention is described in connection with the
illustrated embodiment. As such the structural features and
functional attributes of the invention are set forth in connection
with the particular construction of sander mechanism, sander
biasing apparatus, sander pivotal support apparatus, and sander
resilient axial support apparatus. However, as will be recognized
by those skilled in the art, the invention may have application to
a variety of other types of sander mechanisms, sander support
apparatus and apparatus for maintaining a desired orientation of
the sander mechanism sanding surface. Where, for example, the
surface to be sanded is contoured in an irregular manner, or
accessible only from restricted locations, modifications to
orienting and supporting components of the invention are
anticipated, within the broader aspects of the invention
illustrated and described below.
[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the sanding mechanism 10
including frame 11, and sanding mechanism 15, pivotally mounted to
frame post 13 and sander pivotal support apparatus 17. It is
anticipated that the frame 11 may be any of a variety of types of
elongate members, such as a metallic rod or elongated member of
other substantially rigid material. The sander 15 may be
implemented as any of a variety of oscillating, reciprocating or
vibrating sanders having a sanding surface 19 adapted for
frictional engagement to the working surface 21, i.e., the sander
19 will sand the surface 21 when the sanding mechanism is urged
against the working surface 21. The sanding surface 19 is disposed
on the sander 15, opposite the engagement of sander 15 to post 13
and pivotal support apparatus 17.
[0018] The pivotal support apparatus 17 incorporates a support
surface 23, which may be directly engageable to the sander 15, or
to a sander support mechanism, such as support mechanism 25,
adapted to securley engage and support the sander 15. Power to the
sander 15 may be provided by means such as cable 27. Vacuum line 29
may be provided to vacuum particles separated by action of the
sanding surface 19 against the working surface 21.
[0019] The sanding mechanism 10 may be directed towards the working
surface 21 by means of manual manipulation of handle apparatus 31a,
31b. The handle apparatus may be oriented as convenient along the
length of the frame 11, and rotatable thereabout by means of
retaining fasteners 35a, b, c, extendable through apertures, such
as 37a, b, to effectively clamp the handle mechanism at axially
spaced locations along the frame 11.
[0020] The post 13 may be rigidly secured to a first end portion 37
of frame 11, e.g., by means of screw attachment. Alternatively, the
post 13 may be supported by a resilient mechanism (not shown), such
as a spring that reciprocates within frame 11, along frame axis 33.
In such an embodiment, the post 13, and any supporting structure,
is urged outwardly from the frame, and compressible into the
frame.
[0021] The sander mechanism 15, including such sander support
apparatus as may be present, is preferably biased such that the
sanding surface is urged towards a predetermined orientation with
respect to the frame axis 33. Resilient sander biasing apparatus
39a, b, c, which are implemented as tension springs in the
illustrated embodiment, are secured to the sander support mechanism
at locations 41a, b, c, respectively. Opposing ends of the springs
39a, b, c, are engageable to the frame 11 via frame coupling member
43, which is secured to a frame 11. The coupling member 43 is
translatable about the frame 11 along the frame axis 33. The
coupling member 43 may be disposed at a selected location along
frame 11 to maintain the desired bias and orientation of sanding
surface 19. As the coupling member is drawn downwardly along the
frame 11, the biasing force acting on the sanding surface 19 will
become greater (stiffer), requiring more force to overcome the
predetermined orientation of sanding surface 19. In the presently
preferred embodiment the sanding surface 19 is biased to an
orientation substantially perpendicular to the frame access 33.
Deviation from that orientation, e.g., by moving the sander along
the contours of the work surface, generates a reactionary force
which urges the sanding surface into engagement with the working
surface. Consequently, the user need not manually manipulate the
angular orientation of the sander in order to facilitate the force
acting to urge the sander against the working surface. The user may
simply urge the sanding surface upwardly against the working
surface, and move the sanding surface along the working surface,
e.g., in an arcuate motion. The angular orientation of the sanding
surface with respect to the working surface is effected by pivotal
mounting of the sander and the resilient springs urging the sander
to return to its normal biased position.
[0022] FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of the invention wherein
the sander mechanism is floor supported. As shown therein the frame
11 extends from the sander 15 to floor mount 43, which rests on the
floor 45. The frame 11 includes frame extenders or support posts
47, 49, coupled at post coupler 51. In the presently preferred
embodiment the post members 47, 49 may be engageable to post
coupler 51 to permit resilient, reciprocating travel therebetween,
along post axis 33. Such resilient engagement sers to dampen
vibration from the sander, and to facilitate maintenance of an
upward force to keep the sanding surface in contact with the
working surface. The frame lower portion 53 is secured to floor
mount 43.
[0023] FIG. 3 illustrates a belt mounted embodiment of the sanding
mechanism. The upper portion of the sanding mechanism is preferably
constructed as indicated above. However, the lower portion of the
frame 11 includes cylindrical portions 55, 57, coupled to post
support 47. Support members 55, 57 may again be formed to permit
relative axial movement therebetween, similar to a shock absorber
or pogo stick to allow the user 20 to maintain the sanding surface
19 against the working surface, and mitigate the translation of
vibration to the user.
[0024] As shown in FIG. 3 the user 10 may be provided with a belt
60, which may be formed of elastomeric material, which is secured
to frame receiving member 65 via fastener 63 engageable to aperture
65. The frame receiving member 65 may be provided with frame
receiving collar 61 adapted to receive and support post member
57.
[0025] As described in connection with the previous embodiments,
the embodiment of FIG. 3 functions to bias the sander surface 19
into a predetermined position, such that it will urge the sanding
surface into contact with the working surface, as the sanding
surface is displaced from its normal position to follow the
contours of the work surface.
* * * * *