U.S. patent application number 14/944938 was filed with the patent office on 2016-05-19 for substrate grinding and polishing disk.
The applicant listed for this patent is Dexter Arthur Littlefield, Michael Jay Littlefield. Invention is credited to Dexter Arthur Littlefield, Michael Jay Littlefield.
Application Number | 20160136772 14/944938 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55960883 |
Filed Date | 2016-05-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160136772 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Littlefield; Michael Jay ;
et al. |
May 19, 2016 |
SUBSTRATE GRINDING AND POLISHING DISK
Abstract
A grinding disk, surfacing platform, apparatus and method
adaptable to a rotary concrete surfacing machine. A media disk is
pivotally attached to a surfacing platform to maintain a
substantially coplanar alignment of an abrasive or polishing media
surface and the underlying substrate to be polished. The surfacing
platform engages with rotating arms of the machine in operation and
may be readily be detached by rotating in the opposite direction of
operation.
Inventors: |
Littlefield; Michael Jay;
(North Berwick, ME) ; Littlefield; Dexter Arthur;
(North Berwick, ME) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Littlefield; Michael Jay
Littlefield; Dexter Arthur |
North Berwick
North Berwick |
ME
ME |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
55960883 |
Appl. No.: |
14/944938 |
Filed: |
November 18, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62081895 |
Nov 19, 2014 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
451/41 ;
451/548 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B24B 7/186 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B24B 7/18 20060101
B24B007/18 |
Claims
1. A grinding apparatus, comprising: a connecting shaft; a media
holder comprising an aperture defined through a top surface and a
bottom surface of the media holder, the media holder pivotally
coupled to the connecting shaft through the aperture for pivotal
displacement about the connecting shaft; and a media plate attached
to the bottom surface of the media holder, the media plate
comprising a lower surface comprising one of a grinding media, an
abrasive media, or a polishing media.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a magnet disposed
in the media holder; and a ferrous material attached to an upper
surface of the media plate, wherein the media plate is removably
attached to the media holder via magnetic attraction with the
magnet.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a magnet disposed
in the media holder; and the media plate is comprised of a ferrous
material, and is removably attached to the media holder via
magnetic attraction with the magnet.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the media plate comprises a
substantially circular disk.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the media plate further
comprises: a tapered edge defined around the periphery of a lower
portion of the media plate.
6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the media plate further
comprises: a plurality of radially extending channels defined in a
bottom surface of the disk.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a hemispherical
nut operatively coupled to the connecting shaft, the hemispherical
nut comprising an upper rounded surface; and the media holder is
pivotally disposed on the upper rounded surface of the
hemispherical nut.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, the media holder further comprising:
an attachment adapter attached to the top surface of the media
holder, a rounded depression defined in a lower surface of the
attachment adapter, the depression adapted to pivotally receive the
upper rounded surface of the hemispherical nut and the connecting
shaft.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, the attachment adapter further
comprising: a channel defined in an upper surface of the attachment
adapter surrounding the connecting shaft; and a flex ring received
in the channel and disposed about the connecting shaft.
10. The apparatus of claim 1, the media holder further comprising:
a slot defined in an outer face of the medial holder, the slot
providing an opening between the bottom surface of the media holder
and a top surface of the media plate.
11. A surface grinding apparatus, comprising: a platform plate
comprising a top surface and a bottom surface; a plurality of
brackets attached to the top surface of the platform plate, the
brackets defining an opening between the bracket and the top
surface of the platform plate; and a plurality of grinding
assemblies extending from the bottom surface of the platform plate,
disposed in spaced apart relation around a periphery of the
platform plate, the grinding assemblies comprising a media holder
pivotally coupled to the platform via a coupling shaft.
12. The surface grinding apparatus of claim 11, further comprising:
a media plate attached to a bottom surface of the media holder, the
media plate comprising a lower surface of one of a grinding media,
an abrasive media, or a polishing media.
13. The surface grinding apparatus of claim 12, the grinding
assembly further comprising: a slot defined in an outer face of the
medial holder, the slot providing an opening between the bottom
surface of the media holder and a top surface of the media
plate.
14. The surface grinding apparatus of claim 11, the media holder
further comprising: an attachment adapter attached to a top surface
of the media holder, a rounded depression defined in a lower
surface of the attachment adapter, the depression adapted to
pivotally receive an upper rounded surface of a hemispherical nut,
wherein the hemispherical nut is operatively coupled to the
connecting shaft.
15. The surface grinding apparatus of claim 14, further comprising:
a channel defined in an upper surface of the attachment adapter;
and an flex ring received in the channel and disposed between the
attachment adapter and the platform plate.
16. The surface grinding apparatus of claim 15, wherein the flex
ring is comprised of a resilient material.
17. The surface grinding apparatus of claim 11, further comprising:
a rotary power trowel, comprising a plurality of rotating arms,
wherein the arms are received in the bracket openings to secure the
platform plate with the power trowel with an operating rotation of
the power trowel.
18. The surface grinding apparatus of claim 17, wherein the
platform plate is detachable from the power trowel with a counter
rotation of the platform plate.
19. A method for polishing a substrate surface, comprising:
providing a powered rotary surfacing machine, comprising a
plurality of surfacing arms; providing a platform plate comprising
a top surface and a bottom surface; a plurality of brackets
attached to the top surface of the platform plate, the brackets
defining an opening between the bracket and the top surface of the
platform plate; a plurality of grinding assemblies extending from
the bottom surface of the platform plate, disposed in spaced apart
relation around a periphery of the platform plate, the grinding
assemblies comprising a media holder pivotally coupled to the
platform via a coupling shaft; and attaching the platform plate to
engage the brackets with the surfacing arms to secure the platform
plate to the power trowel.
20. The method of claim 19, further comprising: attaching a media
plate to a bottom surface of the media holder, the media plate
comprising a lower surface of at least one of a grinding media, an
abrasive media, or a polishing media.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S.
provisional application No. 62/081,895, filed Nov. 19, 2014, the
contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to the construction industry,
particularly in the area of providing a finish to concrete floors
within a building or other structure. More particularly, the
present invention relates to a grinding disk platform that uses
platform-sharing technology to create an apparatus that can produce
a full grind polished finish on concrete floors.
[0003] For homeowners, retailers, architects and engineers that are
choosing polished concrete as a finished floor of choice,
aesthetics', uniqueness, ease of maintenance and light reflectivity
are a few reasons why this flooring system is quickly becoming one
of the most popular and sought after hard surface floor.
[0004] Currently the process of polishing concrete requires a great
deal of expertise and the use of specialized heavy-duty machines
and tooling. The machines currently available in the art are very
expensive and labor intensive to use. These machines also require a
3 Phase power supply to operate. Moreover, they are very heavy to
move especially on multi-floor construction projects where
elevators or winches are required.
[0005] Due to the high investment cost some contractors have turned
to offering a topical polished surface versus the full grind
process. This method may look impressive when initially completed,
but is inferior in most situations when one considers that one of
the weakest parts of a concrete slab is the surface. Simply
abrading the surface, as practiced in the topical polished surface
process, will not stand up under heavy foot traffic. In addition
this method requires application of a coating material to the
surface to produce the shine of the finished surface. Some coating
materials do not allow moisture to escape from the concrete,
resulting in a buildup of hydrostatic pressure that could
delaminate the surfaces and or wear off prematurely requiring
additional applications of expensive coatings.
[0006] As can be seen, there is a need for an apparatus and method
to produce a polished concrete surface that provides an economical
way that allows everyone to enjoy the benefits of polished
concrete.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In one aspect of the present invention, a grinding
apparatus, comprises a connecting shaft; a media holder comprising
an aperture defined through a top surface and a bottom surface of
the media holder, the media holder pivotally coupled to the
connecting shaft through the aperture for pivotal displacement
about the connecting shaft; and a media plate that is removably
attached to the bottom surface of the media holder, the media plate
comprising a lower surface comprising one of a grinding media, an
abrasive media, or a polishing media.
[0008] In other aspects of the invention comprises a magnet
disposed in the media holder; and a ferrous material attached to an
upper surface of the grinding media plate, such that the media
plate may be attached to the media holder via magnetic attraction
with the magnet. The media plate may be comprised of a ferrous
material, and may be operatively coupled to the media holder via
magnetic attraction with the magnet. The media plate is preferably
formed as a substantially circular disk. In some embodiments, the
media plate may also comprise a tapered edge defined around the
periphery of a lower portion of the media plate. The media plate
may also be formed with a plurality of radially extending channels
defined in a bottom surface of the disk.
[0009] In another aspect of the invention, the grinding apparatus
is provided a hemispherical nut operatively coupled to the
connecting shaft, the hemispherical nut comprising an upper rounded
surface and the media holder is pivotally disposed on the upper
rounded surface of the hemispherical nut. The media holder may
further include an attachment adapter attached to the top surface
of the media holder, with a rounded depression defined in a lower
surface of the attachment adapter. The depression is adapted to
pivotally receive the upper rounded surface of the hemispherical
nut and the connecting shaft.
[0010] In another aspect of the invention, the attachment adapter
further comprises a channel defined in an upper surface of the
attachment adapter surrounding the connecting shaft; and a flex
ring is received in the channel and disposed about the connecting
shaft.
[0011] In another aspect of the invention, the media holder may
also have a slot defined in an outer face of the medial holder, the
slot providing an opening between the bottom surface of the media
holder and a top surface of the media plate.
[0012] According to other embodiments of the invention, a surface
grinding apparatus, comprises a platform plate comprising a top
surface and a bottom surface; a plurality of brackets attached to
the top surface of the platform plate, the brackets defining an
opening between the bracket and the top surface of the platform
plate; a plurality of grinding assemblies extend from the bottom
surface of the platform plate are disposed in spaced apart relation
around a periphery of the platform plate, the grinding assemblies
comprising a media holder pivotally coupled to the platform via a
coupling shaft.
[0013] In another aspect of the invention, a media plate is
attached to a bottom surface of the media holder, the media plate
comprising a lower surface of at least one of a grinding media, an
abrasive media, or a polishing media.
[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the grinding
assembly further comprises a slot defined in an outer face of the
medial holder, the slot providing an opening between the bottom
surface of the media holder and a top surface of the media plate.
The media holder may also include an attachment adapter attached to
a top surface of the media holder, a rounded depression defined in
a lower surface of the attachment adapter, the depression adapted
to pivotally receive an upper rounded surface of a hemispherical
nut, wherein the hemispherical nut is operatively coupled to the
connecting shaft. In other aspects of the invention, a channel is
defined in an upper surface of the attachment adapter; and a flex
ring is received in the channel and disposed between the attachment
adapter and the platform plate. Preferably, the flex ring is
comprised of a resilient material.
[0015] In yet another aspect of the invention, the arms of a rotary
power trowel are received in the bracket openings to secure the
platform plate with the power trowel with an operating rotation of
the power trowel. The platform plate may be detached from the power
trowel with a counter rotation of the platform plate.
[0016] Another aspect of the invention includes a method for
polishing a substrate surface. The method, comprises: providing a
powered rotary surfacing machine, comprising a plurality of
surfacing arms; providing a platform plate comprising a top surface
and a bottom surface; a plurality of brackets attached to the top
surface of the platform plate, the brackets defining an opening
between the bracket and the top surface of the platform plate; a
plurality of grinding assemblies extending from the bottom surface
of the platform plate, disposed in spaced apart relation around a
periphery of the platform plate, the grinding assemblies comprising
a media holder pivotally coupled to the platform via a coupling
shaft; and attaching the platform plate to engage the brackets with
the surfacing arms to secure the platform plate to the power
trowel.
[0017] A method of the present invention may also include,
attaching a media plate to a bottom surface of the media holder,
the media plate comprising a lower surface of at least one of a
grinding media, an abrasive media, or a polishing media. The method
may further include operating the powered rotary surfacing machine
with the lower surface of the media plate in contact with the
substrate surface.
[0018] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the
present invention will become better understood with reference to
the following drawings, description and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is a top perspective detail view of the invention
shown in use.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective detail view of the invention
shown in use.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a top perspective detail view of the invention
shown in use with multiple power trowel components omitted to
demonstrate interface between blades and platform.
[0022] FIG. 4 is a top perspective exploded detail view of the
invention shown in use with multiple power trowel components
omitted to demonstrate interface between blades and platform.
[0023] FIG. 5 is a top perspective detail exploded view of the
grinding disk assemblies.
[0024] FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective detail exploded view of the
grinding disc assemblies.
[0025] FIG. 7 is a section detail view of the invention along line
7-7 in FIG. 3.
[0026] FIG. 8 is a section detail view of the invention along line
8-8 in FIG. 4 and demonstrating exemplary usage.
[0027] FIG. 9 is a section detail view of invention demonstrating
exemplary usage/surface adaptation.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0028] The following detailed description is of the best currently
contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the
invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense,
but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general
principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is
best defined by the appended claims.
[0029] Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a
grinding disk platform that has a plurality of grinding disk
assemblies disposed on the disk platform. According to other
aspects of the invention, the grinding disk platform is adapted to
be readily attachable to a standard concrete leveling trowel. In
other aspects of the invention, the grinding disk assemblies are
attached to the disk platform so that a grinding media carried by
the assemblies may be maintained in a substantially coplanar
orientation with a concrete surface.
[0030] An object of the invention is to use a common platform
technology i.e. a common set of design, engineering and production
efforts to create an add-on apparatus to the chassis of a rotary
concrete finishing machine that converts the machine into a
concrete grinder. As such, aspects of the present invention
eliminate the need to purchase expensive grinding machines to
produce a mechanically ground polished surface.
[0031] Another object of the invention may utilize a shared set of
common components that can easily interchange various grinding disk
media to provide a tool platform that can significantly reduce the
number of steps to grind a concrete surface. The grinding disk
assemblies may utilize a plurality of heavy-duty metal bonded
diamond disc polishing media to produce an exposed aggregate
surface. Alternatively, the disk polishing media may include a
plurality of resin pads of varying grits to create a level of sheen
to meet a desired aesthetic requirement.
[0032] Embodiments of the present invention provide a unique design
and method that provides an economical way to allow everyone to
enjoy the benefits of polished concrete, including a homeowner, who
could rent the apparatus from equipment rental companies for a
do-it-yourself (DIY) project.
[0033] As seen in reference to FIG. 1, a grinding platform 10 is
shown coupled to a conventional concrete power trowel machine 38.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the platform
10 may be formed as a steel plate, more preferably a disk
dimensionally sized to fit a rotary concrete finishing machine 38.
The platform 10 provides a base for the components of the invention
and an attachment interface for coupling the platform 10 to the
power trowel 38.
[0034] The conventional power trowel 38 includes a plurality of
power trowel blades 40, radially disposed for powered rotation by
an engine or motor. The grinding platform 10 may comprise a
plurality of bracket hooks 12 attached to a top surface of the
grinding platform 10 and a plurality of grinder media assemblies 14
removeably attached to a bottom surface of the platform 10, via an
attachment shaft 24, such as a bolt, pin, rivet or screw 24.
[0035] As may be seen in reference to FIGS. 3, 4, and 7, the
brackets 12 are adapted to receive an arm 40, such as a leading
edge of the trowel blades 40 to retain the blades 40 in the bracket
12 as the trowel blades 40 are rotated by the machine 38. The
brackets 12 may be formed as a z-shaped steel plate. The brackets
12 may be attached to an upper surface of the platform 10, such as
by welds, bolts or screws, and defines a receiving slot 42 when
attached to the platform 10. The attachment brackets 12 are
preferably aligned so as to engage and interlock with the leading
edge of the trowel blades 40 of the rotary concrete finishing
machine 38. When attached to the arms 40, the brackets 12 hold the
platform 10 to the machine 38 for powered rotation of the platform
10 with the arms 40. The brackets 12 may be attached to the
grinding platform 10 so that the platform 10 may be adapted to one
or both of a clock wise or a counter clockwise rotation of the
trowel blades 40, based on the rotation of the power trowel 38
engine and any intervening transmission assembly. As will be
appreciated, the brackets 12 may alternatively be adapted to
receive an arm 40 of the power trowel 38, such as if the blades 40
were removed from the power trowel 38.
[0036] The grinder assemblies 14 may be disposed in a spaced apart
relation on the platform disk 10. In a preferred embodiment, the
grinder assemblies 14 are disposed around a periphery of the
platform 10. As seen in reference to FIGS. 5, 6, and 8, the grinder
media assemblies 14 may comprise a grinding media plate 16 retained
within a grinding media holder 18.
[0037] The grinding media plate 16 may have substantially flat
upper and lower surfaces. In a preferred embodiment, the grinding
media plate is formed as a substantially circular disk. A lateral
edge of a lower portion of the media plate 16 may have a taper to
facilitate movement over surface irregularities in the substrate
surface. The lower surface may also be provided with a plurality of
radially emanating channels to facilitate the dispersion of ground
particulate slurry developed during the grinding of the substrate
surface. As will be appreciated, the grinding media plate 16 may be
comprised of various grades of hardness and roughness to provide a
suitable grinding surface and to obtain a desired finish. Grinding
media composition may include steel bonded, ceramic, and resin
bonded grit elements. The media grades are selected to correspond
to the substrate surface to be ground, such as concrete.
[0038] The grinding media holder 18 may preferably be formed as a
cylindrically shaped body with a raised lip 21 projecting
downwardly from a bottom surface of the holder 18. The grinding
media plate 16 may be attached to the holder 18 via a fastener,
such as bolts or screws, an adhesive, or a magnet. The media plate
16 is dimensioned so that a top portion of the media plate is
received within the raised lip so as to prevent the media plate 16
from becoming dislodged or separated from the media holder 18 while
the grinder is in operation. The media holder 18 may have an
additional aperture 43 that is dimensioned to receive a retaining
pin 44 extending from an upper surface of the media plate 16 to
assist retention of the media plate 16, should the media plate 16
encounter a piece of debris, such as a bolt or a nail, that is
frequently encountered at a renovation site.
[0039] In a preferred embodiment, the grinding media holder 18 may
include a magnet 20 disposed within an opening in the bottom
surface of the holder 18. In this embodiment, the grinding media
plate 16 may be formed from a ferrous material or may have a
ferrous material applied to a top surface of the grinding media
plate 16. The media plate 16 is then retained within the media
holder 18 via magnetic attraction.
[0040] Regardless of attachment means between the grinding media
plate 16 and media holder 18, to facilitate replacement of the
grinding media plate 16, the media holder 18 may further comprise
at least one slot 19 extending inwardly from an outer wall of the
holder. The slot 19 provides a tool access point between a bottom
surface of the media holder 18 and an upper surface of the grinding
media plate 16. The user may insert a tool into the slot 19 and pry
the grinding media plate 16 from the media holder 18. A replacement
media plate 16 may then be inserted into the disk assembly 14, such
when the media 16 becomes worn, or to change the media grade so as
to obtain a smoother and more polished surface finish.
Alternatively, the media plate 16 may be provided with a laterally
extending tab that extends through the slot 19 so as to permit
ready removal of the media plate 16 from the holder.
[0041] As will be appreciated by those familiar with power trowels
38 and rotary disk surfacing machines, changing the directional
movement of the trowel 38 over the substrate surface 32 is
accomplished by changing the pitch of the rotating disk relative to
the surface. When grinding a finished surface to a substrate, it is
desirable that the grinding media plate 16 maintain a substantially
co-planar orientation with the substrate surface 32 when making
directional changes, so as to avoid gouging or scratching the
surface. According to certain aspects of the invention, the
grinding disk assemblies 14 are pivotally attached to the platform
10 so as to permit a lower grinding surface of the media plate 16
to maintain a flush orientation with the substrate surface 32. As
such, the attachment adapter 26 may be pivotally attached to the
platform 10 via the bolt 24 coupled to a hemispherical nut 30
retained within the attachment adapter 26.
[0042] In a preferred embodiment, the hemispherical nut 30
comprises a rounded upper surface 31 at a top end thereof and a
substantially flat surface 33 at a lower end thereof. The lower end
of the hemispherical nut 30 may also be provided with a shaped
tightening portion 33, such as a hexagon, square, or the like, for
holding by a wrench. The hemispherical nut 30 will preferably have
a threaded aperture extending from the top of end of the nut 30 so
as to threadingly receive the plate bolt 24.
[0043] The media holder 18 may further comprise an attachment
adapter 26 and the hemispherical nut 30 may be captively retained
with the media holder 18 via the attachment adapter 26. The
attachment adapter 26 may be formed as a plate corresponding to the
shape of the media holder 18, more preferably, it is shaped as a
cylindrical disk. An aperture is defined through the center thereof
and a rounded depression 27 is defined in a lower surface of the
attachment adapter 26 and coaxial with the aperture. The depression
is dimensioned to correspond to the rounded upper surface 31 of the
hemispherical nut 30 so as to allow pivotal displacement of the
media holder 18. The aperture should have a diameter that is larger
than that of the plate bolt 24 to allow the media holder 18 and
attachment adapter 26 to pivot on the hemispherical nut 30 around
plate bolt 24.
[0044] The media holder 18 may have a plurality of bores 23
extending through the bottom surface and the top surface of the
holder 18. The attachment adapter 26 may include a corresponding
plurality of bores 25 defined in at least a bottom surface of the
attachment adapter 26 and oriented for alignment with the bores 23
of the holder 18. The media holder 18 may then be removably
attached to the adapter 26 via a plurality of fasteners 22, such as
rivets, bolts, pins, or screws, to permit servicing of the grinding
assemblies 14. Alternatively, the attachment adapter may be secured
to the media holder via a bonding agent, or welds.
[0045] As best seen in reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, the top surface
of the holder 18 may include a clearance hole to receive the lower
end of the hemispherical nut 30. The upper rounded surface 31 of
the hemispherical nut 30 is received in the rounded depression 27.
The attachment adapter 26 may further include an annular channel 29
and a central hub defined in a top surface of the adapter 26. A
flex ring 28 may be received in the channel 29 and is disposed
between the adapter 26 and the bottom surface of the platform 10.
The flex ring 28 may be comprised of a resilient material, such as
rubber or other elastomeric material with varying degrees of
hardness. The hardness may be selected depending upon whether the
platform 10 will be utilized with a walk behind or seated power
trowel 38. For a walk behind power trowel 38, the flex ring 28 may
be of a softer material having a Shor A durometer of between about
30 to 50, preferably about 40. For a ride-on power trowel 38 or
heavier machines, the durometer would be between about 60 to 80,
and preferably about 70.
[0046] In reference to FIG. 8, with the weigh imparted by the power
trowel 38, the bottom surface of the grinding media plate 16 is
aligned substantially co-planar with a smooth surface 32 of the
substrate material. As directional changes are imparted, such as by
tilting the power trowel 38 the grinding assemblies 14 pivotally
adapt to maintain the lower surface of the grinding media plate 16
flush with the substrate surface 32, an seen reference to FIG.
9.
[0047] The pivoting configuration of each of the media assemblies
14 also permits automatic alignment the grinding surface of the
grinding media plate 16 as it encounters an irregularity 36 in the
substrate surface 32, the cooperative engagement between the
attachment adapter 26 and the rounded surface 31 of the
hemispherical nut 30 permit the grinding disk assembly 14 to pivot
on the hemispherical nut 30 about the plate bolt 24.
[0048] A method for polishing a substrate surface according to
aspects of the present invention comprises the steps of providing a
powered rotary surfacing machine 38. Attaching the platform plate
10 to engage the brackets with the surfacing arms 40 of the
surfacing machine 38 to secure the platform plate 10 to the
surfacing machine 38. Attaching a media plate 16 to a bottom
surface of the media holder 18 to provide at least one of a
grinding media, an abrasive media, or a polishing media, selected
based on the desired finish to be obtained and a stage of the
surface finishing process. At earlier stages, a coarse grinding
media is applied to the substrate surface 32. As the substrate
surface 32 is made progressively smoother, an abrasive media may be
applied, followed by a final polishing media. The method includes
operating the powered rotary surfacing machine 38 with the lower
surface of the media plate 16 in contact with the substrate surface
32.
[0049] As will be appreciated by those familiar with the operation
of rotary surfacing machines 38, the device is steered by tilting
the machine 38 so as to impart directional translation by the
rotating trowel blades. According to an aspect of the present
invention, when the machine 38 is tilted, directional control is
provided while the pivoting disposition of the media disk 16,
provided by the grinding assemblies 14 maintains the media disk
operating surface in a substantially coplanar alignment with the
substrate surface 32.
[0050] As an additional feature of the present invention, when the
grinding disk platform 10 is detached and removed from the chassis
of the rotary finishing machine 38, the machine 38 is returned to
its original purpose, therefore eliminating the need to purchase a
separate piece of expensive power equipment.
[0051] It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing
relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that
modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
* * * * *