U.S. patent application number 11/810219 was filed with the patent office on 2008-12-11 for scratch removal device and method.
This patent application is currently assigned to TCG International, Inc.. Invention is credited to Keith A. Beveridge, Jonathan P. Thomas.
Application Number | 20080305719 11/810219 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39847106 |
Filed Date | 2008-12-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080305719 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Thomas; Jonathan P. ; et
al. |
December 11, 2008 |
Scratch removal device and method
Abstract
A polishing wheel including a lower polishing surface and
defining a different color from a secondary portion of the
polishing wheel, so as to indicate wear of the polishing surface.
The polishing surface includes a plurality of main radial flutes
extending from a central passage to an outer edge. A reduced
profile for the main radial flutes is provided adjacent to the
outer edge. A plurality of secondary radial flutes is provided
extending from the outer edge, but not in communication with either
the central passage or the main radial flutes. The reduced profile
for the main radial flute is defined by a variable depth portion.
The secondary radial flutes defined by a variable depth portion.
Each of the main radial flutes and the secondary radial flutes
formed by a circular saw. An indexing machine is used to move the
polishing wheel during the forming process.
Inventors: |
Thomas; Jonathan P.; (Maple
Lake, MN) ; Beveridge; Keith A.; (Edina, MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MERCHANT & GOULD PC
P.O. BOX 2903
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55402-0903
US
|
Assignee: |
TCG International, Inc.,
|
Family ID: |
39847106 |
Appl. No.: |
11/810219 |
Filed: |
June 5, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
451/37 ;
451/550 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B24D 13/02 20130101;
B24B 7/242 20130101; B24D 7/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
451/37 ;
451/550 |
International
Class: |
B24B 1/00 20060101
B24B001/00; B24B 33/055 20060101 B24B033/055 |
Claims
1. A polishing wheel comprising: a body defining a central
longitudinal axis and a central passage coaxial with the
longitudinal axis, the body mountable to a rotating polishing tool;
the body having a lower polishing surface defining a planar
portion; wherein the lower polishing surface includes a plurality
of main radial flutes extending from the central passage to an
outer edge of the polishing surface; wherein secondary radial
flutes are provided in the lower polishing surface extending from
the outer edge and terminating in an area before the central
passage, and further wherein the secondary radial flutes are not in
communication with the main radial flutes; wherein the main radial
flutes have a reduced profile adjacent to the outer edge, relative
to a portion of the main radial flutes disposed radially inwardly,
wherein the reduced profile of each of the main radial flutes is
defined by a varying depth portion for each of the main flutes
adjacent to the outer edge.
2. The polishing wheel of claim 1, wherein six main radial flutes
are provided, and six secondary radial flutes are provided, equally
spaced around the longitudinal axis.
3. The polishing wheel of claim 1, wherein the secondary radial
flutes have a varying depth portion, wherein each of the varying
depth portions of the main radial flutes and each of the varying
depth portions of the secondary radial flutes are defined by a
curved surface.
4. The polishing wheel of claim 1, wherein the central passage
includes a threaded portion, the threaded portion of the central
passage mountable to a threaded shaft of the rotating polishing
tool.
5. A polishing wheel comprising: a body defining a central
longitudinal axis and a central passage coaxial with the
longitudinal axis, the body mountable to a rotating polishing tool;
the body having a lower polishing surface defining a planar
portion; the body having a lower portion defining the lower
polishing surface; the body having an upper portion, the upper
portion disposed on an opposite side of the lower portion from the
lower polishing surface; the lower portion including a first
material and having a first color; the upper portion including the
same first material, and having a second color visually different
from the first color; the lower portion including a polishing
material impregnated in the first material; the lower polishing
surface including a plurality of main flutes extending from the
central passage to an outer edge of the polishing surface; the
lower polishing surface including secondary flutes extending from
the outer edge and terminating in an area before the central
passage, and further wherein the secondary flutes are not in
communication with the main flutes; wherein the main flutes and the
secondary flutes extend radially relative to the longitudinal axis;
wherein the main flutes have a reduced profile adjacent to the
outer edge, relative to a portion of the main flutes disposed
radially inwardly, wherein the reduced profile of each of the main
flutes is defined by a varying depth portion for each of the main
flutes adjacent to the outer edge.
6. The polishing wheel of claim 5, wherein the upper portion does
not include the polishing material.
7. The polishing wheel of claim 5, wherein the first material is a
polymeric material.
8. The polishing wheel of claim 7, wherein the polymeric material
is a urethane material, and wherein the polishing material is
cerium oxide.
9. The polishing wheel of claim 5, wherein six main flutes are
provided, and six secondary flutes are provided, equally spaced
around the longitudinal axis.
10. The polishing wheel of claim 5, wherein the secondary flutes
have a varying depth portion for each of the secondary flutes
adjacent to the central passage.
11. The polishing wheel of claim 10, wherein the varying depth
portion of each of the secondary flutes is defined by a curved
surface.
12. The polishing wheel of claim 5, wherein the varying depth
portion of each of the main flutes is defined by a curved
surface.
13. The polishing wheel of claim 5, wherein the body includes a
threaded nut with an outer projection positioned in the upper
portion, wherein the threaded nut is not positioned in the lower
portion, the threaded nut including an inner threaded passage
coaxial with the central passage and mountable to the rotating
polishing tool.
14. A method of polishing a surface comprising a steps of: a.)
providing a polishing wheel including: i.) a body; ii.) a polishing
surface; iii.) a central fluid passage through the body; iv.) a
plurality of passages extending from the central fluid passage
across the polishing surface to an outside edge of the outside
surface; v.) a plurality of cutouts in the polishing surface not in
fluid communication with the plurality of passages; b.) passing
polishing fluid from the central fluid passage into the plurality
of passages; c.) rotating the body about the central longitudinal
axis; d.) polishing the surface with rotation of the polishing
wheel and with the polishing fluid passing from the central fluid
passage through the plurality of passages to the outside edge of
the polishing surface. e.) providing flow restriction passages
within the plurality of passages, wherein the flow restriction
passages are adjacent to the outside edge of the polishing surface,
wherein the flow restriction passages are defined by varying depth
portions; f.) restricting fluid flow through the plurality of
passages by the flow restriction passages.
15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: a.) polishing with
the polishing wheel until the flow restriction passages are worn
down to a predetermined level; b.) reforming the flow restriction
passages to a greater depth with a cutting tool, wherein the
reformed flow restriction passages have a reduced area relative to
the plurality of passages.
16. The method of claim 15, further comprising: a) polishing with
the polishing wheel until the reformed flow restriction passages
are worn to a predetermined level; b) further reforming the flow
restriction passages to a greater depth with a cutting tool,
wherein the further reformed flow restriction passages have a
reduced area relative to the plurality of passages.
17. A method of forming a polishing wheel comprising: a.) providing
a disk-shaped polishing wheel including: i.) a body; ii.) a
polishing surface; iii.) a central fluid passage through the body;
b.) cutting a plurality of main radial flutes extending from the
central fluid passage to an outer edge of the polishing surface,
wherein the main radial flutes include a varying depth portion
adjacent to the outer edge.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the varying depth portion is
curved.
19. The method of claim 17, wherein the plurality of main radial
flutes are equally spaced about the central fluid passage.
20. The method of claim 17, further comprising cutting a plurality
of secondary radial flutes extending from adjacent to the central
fluid passage but not in fluid communication with the central fluid
passage, the secondary radial flutes extending to the outer edge,
wherein the secondary radial flutes include a varying depth portion
adjacent to the central fluid passage.
21. The method of claim 20, wherein the plurality of main radial
flutes are equally spaced about the central fluid passage, wherein
the plurality of secondary radial flutes are equally spaced about
the central fluid passage, wherein the plurality of main radial
flutes and the plurality of secondary radial flutes alternate
around the central fluid passage.
22. The method of claim 21, wherein the varying depth portion of
each of the main radial flutes is curved.
23. The method of claim 22, wherein the cutting steps for the main
radial flutes and the secondary radial flutes include cutting the
body with a rotating circular saw perpendicularly positioned
relative to the polishing surface.
24. The method of claim 23, further comprising providing an
indexing machine for holding the body, and moving the indexing
machine to equally space the main radial flutes and the secondary
radial flutes.
25. The method of claim 16, wherein the cutting steps for the main
radial flutes and the secondary radial flutes include cutting the
body with a rotating circular saw perpendicularly positioned
relative to the polishing surface.
26. The method of claim 25, further comprising providing an
indexing machine for holding the body, and moving the indexing
machine to equally space the main radial flutes and the secondary
radial flutes.
27. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of
recutting only a portion of the main radial flutes adjacent to the
outer edge, after the polishing surface is partially worn away
during polishing.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application is related to application Ser. No.
11/240,129, filed Sep. 30, 2005, entitled, "Scratch Removal Device
and Method", now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,137,872, on Nov. 21,
2006.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for
removing scratches from smooth surfaces such as glass. More
specifically, the present invention relates to a polishing wheel
and methods for manufacture and for use in removing the
scratches.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Rotary tools are used to grind and polish glass to remove
scratches and other damage from the surface of the glass. After
processing the glass, such as windshields, it is desirable to leave
the glass so the scratch or other damage is less visible and/or
less likely to affect viewing through the glass. U.S. Pat. Nos.
4,709,513 and 4,622,780 show various tools for use in polishing
glass.
[0004] Further improvements are desired for the rotary tools and
methods used to polish glass.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention relates to a polishing wheel including
a body defining a central longitudinal axis and a central passage
coaxial with the longitudinal axis. The body is mountable to a
rotating polishing device. The body of the polishing wheel has a
lower polishing surface including a planar portion. The lower
polishing surface includes a plurality of main flutes extending
from the central passage to an outer edge of the lower polishing
surface. Further flutes extend from the outer edge of the lower
polishing surface and terminate without communicating with the
central passage or the main flutes.
[0006] In one embodiment, the main flutes have a different depth
between the central passage and the outer edge. As the lower
portion of the body of the polishing is worn away during use, the
different depth portion allows for the main flutes to be reformed
or recut so as to again be in fluid communication from the outer
edge to the central passage if a portion of the main flute becomes
worn away to a zero depth or an otherwise insufficient depth. In
one preferred embodiment, the different depth portion is a varying
depth portion located adjacent to the outer edge.
[0007] In one preferred method in accordance with the present
invention, a polishing wheel is formed by providing a generally
cylindrical disk of polishing material. The disk is formed, such as
being cut with a tool, to include a plurality of main flutes
located on a lower surface of the disk. The main flutes extend from
a central passage to an outer edge. The main flutes preferably
include a varying depth portion, adjacent to the outer edge. In one
preferred method, the tool for cutting the main flutes is a
circular saw. Preferably, secondary flutes separate from the main
flutes are cut with the same circular saw. One preferred method
uses an indexing machine to equally space the main flutes and the
secondary flutes around a central axis of the disk during
formation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a polishing wheel in
accordance with the present invention.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the polishing wheel of FIG.
1.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a side view of the polishing wheel of FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of the polishing wheel
of FIG. 1, taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 2.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a bottom view of an alternative embodiment of a
polishing wheel.
[0013] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side view of the polishing wheel
of FIG. 5, taken along lines 6-6 of FIG. 5.
[0014] FIG. 7 is a top view of the polishing wheel of FIG. 5.
[0015] FIG. 8 is a bottom view of a further alternative embodiment
of a polishing wheel.
[0016] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional side view of the polishing view
of FIG. 8, taken along lines 9-9.
[0017] FIG. 10 is a top view of the polishing view of FIG. 8.
[0018] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another alternative
embodiment of a polishing wheel.
[0019] FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the polishing wheel of FIG.
11.
[0020] FIG. 13 is a top view of the polishing wheel of FIG. 11.
[0021] FIG. 14 is a first side view of the polishing wheel of FIG.
11.
[0022] FIG. 15 is another side view of the polishing wheel of FIG.
11.
[0023] FIG. 16 is a first cross-sectional view of the polishing
wheel of FIG. 11, taken along lines 16-16 of FIG. 12.
[0024] FIG. 17 is a second cross-sectional view of the polishing
wheel of FIG. 11, taken along lines 17-17 of FIG. 12.
[0025] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of one system for forming the
polishing wheel of FIG. 11.
[0026] FIG. 19 is a side view as shown in FIG. 14, showing a
wearing of the polishing wheel and the reformed reduced profile
exit passages.
[0027] FIG. 20 is a cross-section as shown in FIG. 17, showing the
worn polishing wheel and the reformed reduced profile exit passages
as shown in FIG. 19.
[0028] FIG. 21 is a cross-section like FIG. 16, showing an example
T-nut.
[0029] FIG. 22 is a cross-section like FIG. 17, showing the T-nut
of FIG. 21.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0030] Referring to FIGS. 1-4, one embodiment of a polishing wheel
10 is shown. Polishing wheel 10 is usable in the apparatus and
methods described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,622,780 and 4,709,513, the
disclosures of which are incorporated by reference.
[0031] Polishing wheel 10 includes a body 12 defining a central
longitudinal axis 14. During use, body 12 is rotated about
longitudinal axis 14. Polishing wheel 10 is designed for use with a
center slurry feed tool like that described in the above noted
patents.
[0032] Body 12 includes a central passage 16 which is coaxial with
longitudinal axis 14. Central passage 16 is in fluid communication
with the slurry source provided by the rotating tool as described
in the above noted patents.
[0033] Body 12 further includes a lower portion or layer 18, and an
upper portion or layer 20. Lower portion 18 defines a lower
polishing surface 26. Upper portion 20 is located on an opposite
side of lower portion 18 from polishing surface 26. An upper
surface 28 is defined by upper portion 20 and faces in an opposite
direction to polishing surface 26. Body 12 further defines a side
surface extending between polishing surface 26 and upper surface
28. Polishing surface 26 extends from an inner edge 36 adjacent to
central passage 16 to an outer edge 38.
[0034] Lower portion 18 includes main flutes 40 extending from
central passage 16 at inner edge 36 to outer edge 38. In the
preferred embodiment, main flutes 40 extend radially. In one
preferred embodiment, main flutes 40 include reduced profile exit
passages 42 for providing control of slurry outflow. Generally, a
main portion 41 of main flutes 40 extends completely through lower
portion 18. Exit passages 42 are shown in the illustrated
embodiment as small v-grooves formed in lower portion 18. Main
flutes 40 are arranged radially relative to longitudinal axis 14.
Main flutes 40 are further arranged to be equally spaced from each
other.
[0035] Secondary flutes 44 are also provided in lower portion 18.
Secondary flutes 44 extend from outer edge 38 toward central
passage 16. However, secondary flutes 44 terminate before
communicating with central passage 16 or main flutes 40. In the
illustrated embodiment, secondary flutes 44 extend all the way
through lower portion 18. Secondary flutes 44 are radially
arranged, and are equally spaced about polishing surface 26.
[0036] Central passage 16 includes a T-nut 46 which permits
mounting of polishing wheel 10 to the rotating tool. Preferably, an
inner surface of T-nut 46 is threaded. Spikes or other projections
on T-nut 46 can be added to assist with holding T-nut 46 in
position.
[0037] Preferably, body 12 is made from a moldable material. In the
preferred embodiment, lower portion 18 and upper portion 20 are
made from a common material, such as a moldable elastomeric
material. Lower portion 18 is further provided with an impregnated
material to facilitate polishing. Preferably, the impregnated
material is a particulate. In one preferred embodiment, the
particulate material is cerium oxide.
[0038] Upper portion 20 is not designed to polish. Therefore, no
impregnated material for polishing is used in upper portion 20 in
the preferred embodiment.
[0039] Preferably, lower and upper portions 18, 20 are molded
together such that the layers are heat fused together. One
preferred elastomeric material is expanded urethane. LP66
designation by Universal Photonics of Hicksville, N.Y. is one
material for layer 18 that can be used. LP66 material includes
impregnated cerium oxide.
[0040] To indicate wear of lower portion 18 to the user, a colorant
is added to one or both of lower portion 18 and upper portion 20.
The colorant or colorants are selected so as to provide a visual
contrast between lower portion 18 and upper portion 20. Such
contrast provides a visual indication to the user when lower
portion 18 is worn away, or is otherwise sufficiently removed to no
longer be desired for continued use in further polishing
operations. For example, lower portion 18 can be rust in color, and
upper portion 20 can be gray.
[0041] Secondary flutes 44 reduce the lower surface area and allow
for an increase in the workload on the wheel by minimizing the
square area in contact with the surface being polished. Such
increase in the workload will allow the polishing operation to be
accomplished faster. The arrangement of flutes as shown in the
Figures also helps to more evenly distribute the polishing material
across the polishing surface 26, to minimize distortion. One
problem with prior art devices is that inexperienced users can
apply excessive pressure and cause uneven polishing, and possibly
distortion, to the glass. By providing an arrangement of polishing
surface 26 as described above, less distortion and less uneven
polishing results.
[0042] FIGS. 5-7 show an alternative embodiment of a polishing
wheel 100 including a body 112 having some similar features as
polishing wheel 10. Polishing wheel 100 includes a smaller
polishing surface 126. Polishing wheel 100 is useful for polishing
smaller areas, or areas near the edges of windshields.
[0043] Body 112 includes a central axis 114 and a central passage
116 including a T-nut 146 which permits mounting of polishing wheel
100 to the rotating tool. Lower portion 118 includes a different
color from upper portion 120. Body 112 includes a side taper 130
which tapers down to polishing surface 126.
[0044] In the illustrated embodiment, polishing wheel 100 includes
a plurality of radially extending flutes 140 extending from central
passage 116 to an outside edge of lower portion 118.
[0045] A further alternative embodiment of a polishing wheel 200 is
shown in FIGS. 8-10. Body 212 is more cylindrical in shape relative
to the earlier described embodiments. Body 212 includes a central
axis 214 and a central passage 216 including a T-nut 246 which
permits mounting of polishing wheel 200 to the rotating tool. Body
212 includes a lower portion 218 having a different color from
upper portion 220. Polishing surface 226 includes a plurality of
radially extending flutes 240 extending from central passage 216 to
an outside edge of lower portion 218.
[0046] Another alternative embodiment of a polishing wheel 300 is
shown in FIGS. 11-22. Body 312 includes a central axis 314, and a
central passage 316. A T-nut similar to those described above, can
be used to mount polishing wheel 300 to the rotating tool. FIGS. 21
and 22 show an example T-nut 352. T-nut 352 can be pressed into
place. T-nut 352 can be held with adhesive to further maintain it
in place.
[0047] Polishing surface 326 of polishing wheel 300 includes a
plurality of radially extending main flutes 340 extending from
central passage 316 to an outer edge 338 of lower portion 318.
Polishing surface 326 also includes a plurality of radially
extending secondary flutes 344. Secondary flutes 344 extend from
adjacent to, but not in fluid communication with, central passage
316. Secondary flutes 344 extend outward to outer edge 338.
[0048] Main flutes 340 include a width W.sub.1, and a depth D.sub.1
adjacent to central passage 316. At outer edge 338, the depth of
main flutes 340 is reduced to depth D.sub.2 Main flutes 340 each
have a variable depth portion 342 from depth D.sub.1 to D.sub.2. In
the illustrated embodiment, the variable depth portion 342 has a
curved surface 346. Exit passages 347 form reduced profile passages
for the polishing fluid to exit out from wheel 300.
[0049] Secondary flutes 344 include a width W.sub.2, and a depth
D.sub.3 adjacent to outer edge 338. Adjacent to central passage
316, the depth of each second flute 344 reduces from depth D.sub.3
to a zero depth where it terminates at polishing surface 326.
Preferably, each secondary flute 344 includes a variable depth
portion 348. In the illustrated embodiment, the variable depth
portion 348 has a curved surface 350.
[0050] FIG. 18 illustrates one system 400 for forming polishing
wheel 300. A disk-shaped body 402 is mounted on an indexing machine
404. Indexing machine 404 can move disk 402 horizontally in two
directions and rotationally about the central axis of the body 402.
A circular saw 408 is used to cut the main and secondary flutes
340, 344, respectively, as described in FIGS. 11-17. Saw blade 410
cuts the various grooves in disk-shaped body 402 to form the
flutes. In the preferred embodiments, widths W.sub.1 and W.sub.2
are the same. One example width is 0.12 inches cut by a 11/2 inch
diameter, 3/32 inch wide jeweler's saw. The variable depth portions
342 and 348 have a 0.75 radius curved shape. In the example
embodiment: D.sub.1=0.325 inches; D.sub.2=0.05 inches; and
D.sub.3=0.32 inches. Indexing machine 404 moves body 402 in the
desired manner relative to saw blade 410 so saw blade 410 can cut
each of the flutes 340, 344.
[0051] Referring now to FIGS. 19 and 20, polishing wheel 300 is
shown to illustrate use over time. During polishing, polishing
surface 326 will wear away, such as down to plane 360. At plane
360, main flutes 340 will no longer communicate between central
passage 316 and outer edge 338. Exit passages 347 will be closed or
too small to allow effective slurry flow. Slurry will be trapped in
flutes 340, preventing effective polishing. Polishing wheel 300
allows for new reduced profile portions 357 to be reformed by a
user in the filed. By using a cutting tool, such as a knife, body
portions 358 can be removed to reestablish fluid communication
between central passage 316 and outer edge 338.
[0052] The recutting process can be repeated as the newly recut
reduced profile portions 357 are worn away. For example, it is
preferred that polishing wheel 300 can be recut at least twice, and
more preferably more than twice, such as 3-5 times.
[0053] Any of the polishing wheels 10, 100, 200 described above can
also be made in accordance with the flute features provided in
wheel 300. Specifically, the materials, shapes and constructions
including the attachment nuts can be used with the flute shapes and
methods described with respect to FIGS. 11-22.
[0054] The above specification, examples and data provide a
complete description of the manufacture and use of the composition
of the invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be
made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention,
the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.
* * * * *