U.S. patent application number 10/819248 was filed with the patent office on 2005-10-06 for orbital sander with vertical handle.
Invention is credited to Cooper, Vincent P., VanWambeke, Weston J..
Application Number | 20050221737 10/819248 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35054997 |
Filed Date | 2005-10-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050221737 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cooper, Vincent P. ; et
al. |
October 6, 2005 |
Orbital sander with vertical handle
Abstract
An orbital sander having a housing defining an axis. A motor and
output with a sanding element are aligned on said axis. The housing
includes a power source as well as an activating member to energize
and de-energize the sander. A handle is spaced from the housing and
is substantially parallel to the axis. Further, additional gripping
members may be positioned on the housing to provide multiple
gripping surfaces.
Inventors: |
Cooper, Vincent P.;
(Baltimore, MD) ; VanWambeke, Weston J.;
(Timonium, MD) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HARNESS, DICKEY & PIERCE, P.L.C.
P.O. BOX 828
BLOOMFIELD HILLS
MI
48303
US
|
Family ID: |
35054997 |
Appl. No.: |
10/819248 |
Filed: |
April 6, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
451/357 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B24B 23/03 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
451/357 |
International
Class: |
B24B 023/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A orbital sander comprising: a housing, said housing defining an
axis, a motor in said housing; an output member coupled with said
motor, said output along said axis in said housing, said output
member for receiving a sanding element; a handle spaced from said
housing, said handle having an overall parallel orientation to said
axis.
2. The orbital sander according to claim 1, wherein said housing
has an axially aligned cylindrical portion and truncated conical
portion adjacent said cylindrical portion and a gripping member
positioned at the intersection of said cylindrical portion and said
truncated conical portion.
3. The orbital sander according to claim 1, wherein a gripping
member surrounding a portion of said housing.
4. The orbital sander according to claim 1, wherein a gripping
member is positioned on an end of said housing opposing said
output.
5. The orbital sander according to claim 3, wherein a gripping
member is positioned on an end of said housing opposing said
output.
6. The orbital sander according to claim 4, wherein said gripping
member includes a gel portion.
7. The orbital sander according to claim 3, wherein said gripping
member being an elastomeric member providing a comfortable surface
increasing feel.
8. An orbital sander comprising: a housing, said housing defining
an axis with a pair of ends; a motor positioned along said axis in
said housing; an output coupled with said motor for driving a
sanding element; a power source coupled with said motor; an
activation member coupled with said motor and said power source for
energizing and de-energizing said motor which, in turn, drives said
output; and a gripping member surrounding said housing, said
gripping member positioned between said ends of said housing.
9. The sander according to claim 8, wherein said gripping member
being an elastomeric member providing comfort and feel.
10. The sander according to claim 8, wherein said gripping member
being a continuous 360.degree. around said housing.
11. The sander according to claim 8, wherein said gripping member
having an annular portion and an extending tail portion.
12. The sander according to claim 8, wherein said housing having a
cylindrical portion and a truncated conical portion with said
gripping member at an intersection of said cylindrical and
truncated conical portions.
13. The sander according to claim 12, wherein said gripping member
is positioned on said truncated conical portion.
14. An orbital sander comprising: a housing, said housing defining
an axis with a pair of ends; a motor positioned along said axis in
said housing; an output coupled with said motor for driving a
sanding element; a power source coupled with said motor; an
activation member coupled with said motor and said power source for
energizing and de-energizing said motor which, in turn, drives said
output; and a plurality of gripping members coupled with said
housing, at least one gripping member spaced from and positioned
substantially parallel to said housing axis.
15. The sander according to claim 14, wherein said one of said
gripping members being a handle.
16. The sander according to claim 15, wherein the others of said
gripping members being on said housing.
17. The orbital sander according to claim 14, wherein a gripping
member surrounding a portion of said housing.
18. The orbital sander according to claim 14, wherein a gripping
member is positioned on an end of said housing opposing said
output.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to sanders and, more
particularly, to random orbital sanders including a spaced vertical
handle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Orbital sanders generally include a vertically orientated
housing having a handle at an axial end of the housing. Thus, the
handle is positioned above the orbital sanding element so that a
workman applies force directly onto the orbital sanding element.
These handles have various types of designs in order to accommodate
the workman's hand. Also, orbital sanders exist which include
handles which extend from the housing substantially perpendicular
to the orbital sander housing. These types of handles are in a
horizontal orientation. Thus, during use, for a significant period
of time, vibration can cause the user's hand to become fatigue.
Accordingly, it is desirable to have an orbital sander which
enables the user various gripping orientations to overcome the
shortcoming of the prior art.
[0003] The present invention provides the art with a orbital sander
that provides multiple gripping positions. The orbital sander
provides the user with a gripping surface spaced from the housing
and substantially parallel to the housing. Also, the present
invention provides the user with a gripping portion which surrounds
the housing to provide a 360 degree handle for various orientations
of the orbital sander. Also, the present invention provides the
user with a palm grip having a gel portion to reduce vibration in
the tool. The present invention also enables the user to utilize
both hands at various positions on the sander during operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] According to a first aspect of the invention, an orbital
sander comprises a housing with an overall axial orientation. A
motor is positioned within the housing. An output is coupled with
the motor to drive the orbital sanding element. A power source is
coupled with the motor. An activation member is coupled with the
motor and the power source. The activation member energizes and
de-energizes the motor which, in turn, randomly rotates the output
and sanding element. A handle is spaced from the housing. The
handle has an overall vertical orientation. The housing ordinarily
has a cylindrical portion and a truncated conical portion adjacent
the cylindrical portion. A gripping member is positioned at the
intersection of the cylindrical portion and a truncated conical
portion. The gripping member surrounds a portion of the housing.
The gripping member that surrounds the housing is formed from an
elastomeric material providing comfort and feel for the user. Also,
a gripping member maybe positioned on an end of the housing
opposing the output. The gripping member may include a gel
portion.
[0005] According to a second aspect of the invention, an orbital
sander comprises a housing that has an overall axial orientation
with two ends. A motor is positioned within the housing. An output,
coupled with the motor, is positioned at one of the ends of the
housing to drive a sanding element. A power source is coupled with
the motor. An activation member is coupled with the motor and the
power source to energize and de-energize the motor which, in turn,
drives the output and the sanding element. A gripping member
surrounds the housing. The gripping member is positioned between
the ends of the housing. The gripping member is elastomeric to
provide comfort and feel. The gripping member is continuous 360
degrees around the housing. The gripping member has an annular
portion and an extending tail portion. The gripping member is
positioned on a truncated conical portion of the housing.
[0006] According to a third aspect of the present invention, an
orbital sander comprises a housing having an axial orientation with
a pair of ends. A motor is positioned within the housing. An
output, coupled with the motor, is positioned at one of the end to
drive a sanding element. A power, source is coupled with the motor.
An activation member is coupled with the motor and the power source
to energize and de-energize the motor which, in turn, drives the
output and the sanding element. A plurality of griping members are
coupled with the housing. At least one gripping member is spaced
from and positioned substantially parallel to the housing. The one
gripping member is a handle. The others of the gripping members are
on the housing. One of the gripping members surrounds a portion of
the housing. One of the gripping members is positioned on the end
of the housing opposing the output.
[0007] From the following detailed description taken in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings and subjoined claims, other objects
and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to
those skilled in the art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The present invention will become more fully understood from
the detailed description and the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an orbital sander in
accordance with the present invention.
[0010] FIGS. 2a-2e are side perspective views of FIG. 1 with hands
shown in phantom for gripping the sander.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0011] The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is
merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the
invention, its application, or uses.
[0012] Turning to the figures, an orbital sander is illustrated and
designated with the reference numeral 10. The orbital sander
includes a housing 12, a motor 14 positioned within the housing, an
output 16 driven by the motor, and a sanding element 18 coupled
with the output. A dust collection system 20 is coupled with the
housing 12. Also, a plurality of gripping members 22, 24, and 26
are coupled with the housing. An AC power cord 28 is coupled with
the housing to provide power to the motor 14. Also, an activation
member 30 is coupled with the housing to energize and de-energize
the motor 14, in turn, the output 16 which, in turn, rotates the
sanding element 18.
[0013] The housing 12 defines an axis 13 and is normally used in a
vertical orientation. The housing 12 includes a cylindrical portion
32 and a truncated conical portion 34 positioned on axis 13. The
truncated conical portion 34 at its end includes a skirt 36. The
skirt 36 provides durability and protects the work surface while
sanding.
[0014] Gripping member 22 is positioned at the intersection of the
cylindrical portion 32 and the truncated conical portion 34. The
gripping member 22 includes an annular portion 40 and a tail 42.
The annular portion 40 surrounds the housing providing a 360 degree
grip on the housing. The annular portion 40 is positioned at the
other end of the truncated conical portion 34 wherein it intersects
the cylindrical portion 32. The tail portion 42 extends from the
annular portion towards the skirt 36. The gripping member 22 is an
elastomeric member and may be over molded onto the housing 12. The
elastomeric member provides a comfortable grip as well as increased
feel to the user.
[0015] The other end of the housing 12 includes gripping portion
24. The extending end of the cylindrical portion 32 has a teardrop
shaped head 44 with the gripping member 24 positioned on top of the
head 44. The gripping member 24 has a teardrop shape and is formed
from a gel material. Thus, the gel provides a top surface to absorb
vibration of the sander to increase the duration of use by the user
without fatigue.
[0016] The gripping member 26 is a handle spaced from the housing
12. The gripping member 26 runs substantially parallel to the
housing 12. The gripping member 26 has a vertical orientation
enabling the user to grip gripping member 26 to provide a different
orientation for the user's hands. The gripping orientations are
illustrated in FIGS. 2a-2e. Also, the user may use two hands when
gripping the gripping handle 26 with another one of the gripping
members 22 or 24.
[0017] The gripping member 26 is ordinarily formed with the housing
12 to provide a clamshell type of housing member. The gripping
member 26 includes gripping surface 46 and 48 on each of its side.
The gripping surfaces 46 and 48 are like gripping member 22 made of
an elastomeric material to provide comfort and feel to the
user.
[0018] During operation, a user may grip the orbital sander at
gripping member 22, 24 or 26. This allows the user to vary his hand
positions to reduce fatigue during prolonged operation. Also, the
user may use a plurality of the gripping members at one time. The
user may use grips 22 and 26, 24 and 26, or 22 and 24 at one time
to add increased control to the sander during operation.
[0019] The description of the invention is merely exemplary in
nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of
the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention.
Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the
spirit and scope of the invention.
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