U.S. patent application number 14/738171 was filed with the patent office on 2016-12-15 for sanding sponge with an adhesive and/or method for assembling the same.
This patent application is currently assigned to Speare Tools, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Speare Tools, Inc.. Invention is credited to William Speare.
Application Number | 20160361797 14/738171 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57516605 |
Filed Date | 2016-12-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160361797 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Speare; William |
December 15, 2016 |
SANDING SPONGE WITH AN ADHESIVE AND/OR METHOD FOR ASSEMBLING THE
SAME
Abstract
A sanding sponge having an adhesive and/or a method for
assembling the same may be used with a tool to sand a surface. The
sanding sponge may have a body constructed of a resilient material
and/or an abrasive may be secured to the the sanding sponge. The
adhesive may be on a top surface of the sanding sponge and/or may
be a pressure sensitive adhesive. The adhesive may attach a label,
the tool and/or the like to the sanding sponge and/or may allow the
label, the tool and/or the like to be removable from the sanding
sponge.
Inventors: |
Speare; William; (Williams
Bay, WI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Speare Tools, Inc. |
Williams Bay |
WI |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Speare Tools, Inc.
Williams Bay
WI
|
Family ID: |
57516605 |
Appl. No.: |
14/738171 |
Filed: |
June 12, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B24D 15/04 20130101;
B24D 3/007 20130101; B24D 18/0072 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B24D 15/04 20060101
B24D015/04; B24D 3/00 20060101 B24D003/00; B24D 18/00 20060101
B24D018/00 |
Claims
1. A system for sanding a surface, the system comprising: a sanding
sponge constructed of a resilient material wherein the sanding
sponge has a top surface, a bottom surface, end surfaces and side
surfaces wherein the top surface and the bottom surface are
substantially parallel and the side surfaces and the end surfaces
connect the top surface to the bottom surface; an abrasive on the
side surfaces and the bottom surface of the sanding sponge; a first
adhesive on the top surface of the sanding sponge; and a tool
connected to the top surface of the sanding sponge by the first
adhesive wherein only the first adhesive connects the tool to the
sanding sponge and further wherein the first adhesive has a
tackiness that allows the tool to be removable from the top surface
of the sanding sponge.
2. The system of claim 1 further comprising: a handle connected to
the tool wherein the handle is substantially C-shaped.
3. The system of claim 1 further comprising: a pole connected to
the tool wherein the pole is substantially cylindrical in
shape.
4. The system of claim 1 further comprising: a pad secured to a
base of the tool and the top surface of the sanding sponge wherein
the pad is shaped substantially the same as the base of the
tool.
5. The system of claim 1 further comprising: a label attached to
the first adhesive in a first position wherein the label is
substantially planar wherein the label is shaped to substantially
cover the first adhesive in the first position and further wherein
the label is peeled from the first adhesive in a second
position.
6. The system of claim 1 further comprising: a second adhesive on
the bottom surface and the side surfaces wherein the second
adhesive secures the abrasive to the sanding sponge.
7. The system of claim 1 further comprising: a mounting fixture
connected to the tool by a pin wherein the mounting fixture rotates
about an axis of the pin.
8. A method for assembling a sponge used with a tool to sand a
surface wherein the sponge has a top surface, a bottom surface and
sides wherein the sides connect the top surface to the bottom
surface wherein the bottom surface is substantially planar and
further wherein at least one of the sides joins the bottom surface
at an acute angle, the method comprising the steps of: applying an
adhesive to the bottom surface of the sponge and the sides of the
sponge; connecting an abrasive material to the adhesive; and
applying a pressure sensitive adhesive on the top surface of the
sponge wherein the pressure sensitive adhesive has a tackiness that
allows the tool to be removable from the pressure sensitive
adhesive.
9. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of: heating
the pressure sensitive adhesive to melt the pressure sensitive
adhesive into a liquid.
10. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of: attaching
a label to substantially cover the pressure sensitive adhesive
wherein the label is substantially planar.
11. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of:
contacting the pressure sensitive adhesive to a bottom side of the
tool to connect the sponge to the tool wherein the bottom side is
substantially shaped to match the top surface of the sponge and
further wherein only the pressure sensitive adhesive contacts the
bottom side.
12. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of:
separating the pressure sensitive adhesive from a pad attached to
the tool wherein the pad is constructed of a material softer than
the tool.
13. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of: heating
the sponge, the first adhesive and the abrasive material to secure
the abrasive material to the sponge.
14. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of: removing
a label attached to the pressure sensitive adhesive to expose the
pressure sensitive adhesive wherein the label is substantially
planar.
15. An apparatus for sanding a surface, the apparatus comprising: a
sponge having a resilient body having a top surface, a bottom
surface and sides wherein the top surface and the bottom surface
are substantially shaped as a rectangle and are substantially
parallel wherein the sides connect the bottom surface to the top
surface and further wherein at least one of the sides joins the
bottom surface at an acute angle; an abrasive having a grit wherein
the abrasive is secured to the bottom surface and at least one of
the sides of the body; and a layer of adhesive on the top surface
of the body wherein the layer of adhesive is the only layer on the
top surface of the body.
16. The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising: a sander having a
base that is substantially planar wherein the base has a top side
and a bottom side wherein a handle is connected to the top side
wherein the sander is attached to the sponge by only the layer of
adhesive wherein the bottom side of the sander contacts the layer
of adhesive and further wherein the sander is peelable from the
layer of adhesive.
17. The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising: a label shaped to
cover the layer of adhesive wherein the label is removable from the
layer of adhesive.
18. The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising: an adhesive on
the bottom surface and at least one of the sides to attach the
abrasive to the sponge.
19. The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising: a sander having a
top side and a bottom side wherein the bottom side is substantially
shaped to match the top surface of the sponge wherein a pole is
secured to the top side wherein the bottom side is attached to the
layer of adhesive and further wherein the sander is removable from
the sponge.
20. The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising: a pad secured to
a bottom surface of a tool wherein the pad is substantially shaped
as a rectangle and constructed of a material softer than the tool
wherein only the layer of adhesive is between the pad and the top
surface of the sponge and further wherein the pad is removable from
the layer of adhesive.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention generally relates to a sanding sponge
having an adhesive and/or method for assembling the same.
[0002] A surface, such as a wall and/or ceiling, may need to be
sanded. Known sanding devices, such as, for example, a sanding
block, a hand sander, a pole sander and/or the like may be used for
sanding the surface. The known sanding devices may secure a sheet
of abrasive paper to a tool with clamps, adhesives, hook-and-loop
fasteners and/or the like. The sheet of abrasive paper may be
secured to a resilient material which may be attached to the tool.
The known sanding devices may permanently secure the sheet of
abrasive material and/or the resilient material to the tool and/or
may temporarily attach the sheet of abrasive material and/or the
resilient material to the tool. However, to temporarily attach the
sheet of abrasive material and/or the resilient material to the
tool, the known sanding devices may need additional components,
such as hook-and-loop fasteners and/or adhesives, connected to the
tool.
[0003] A need, therefore, exists for a sanding sponge having an
adhesive and/or method for assembling the same. Additionally, a
need exists for a sanding sponge having an adhesive and/or method
for assembling the same that may releasably attach the sanding
sponge to a hand sander, a pole sander, and/or the like. Further, a
need exists for a sanding sponge having an adhesive and/or method
for assembling the same that may use a pressure sensitive adhesive
that may be on the sanding sponge to releasably attach the tool to
the sanding sponge. Moreover, a need exists for a sanding sponge
having an adhesive and/or method for assembling the same that may
have a label that may be peeled off the adhesive and/or may expose
the adhesive. Further, a need exists for a sanding sponge having an
adhesive and/or method for assembling the same that may directly
connect the adhesive to the hand sander, the pole sander and/or the
like.
SUMMARY
[0004] The present invention generally relates to a sanding sponge
and/or method for assembling the same.
[0005] To this end, in an embodiment of the present invention a
system for sanding a surface is provided. The system may have a
sanding sponge, an abrasive, a first adhesive and/or a tool. The
sanding sponge may be constructed of a resilient material wherein
the sanding sponge may have a top surface, a bottom surface, end
surfaces and side surfaces wherein the top surface and the bottom
surface may be substantially parallel and the side surfaces and the
end surfaces may connect the top surface to the bottom surface. The
abrasive may be on the side surfaces and the bottom surface of the
sanding sponge. The first adhesive may be on the top surface of the
sanding sponge. The tool may be connected to the top surface of the
sanding sponge by the first adhesive wherein only the first
adhesive connects the tool to the sanding sponge and further
wherein the first adhesive may have a tackiness that allows the
tool to be removable from the top surface of the sanding
sponge.
[0006] In an embodiment, the system may have a handle connected to
the tool wherein the handle may be substantially C-shaped.
[0007] In an embodiment, the system may have a pole connected to
the tool wherein the pole may be substantially cylindrical in
shape.
[0008] In an embodiment, the system may have a pad secured to a
base of the tool and the top surface of the sanding sponge wherein
the pad may be shaped substantially the same as the base of the
tool.
[0009] In an embodiment, the system may have a label attached to
the first adhesive in a first position wherein the label may be
substantially planar wherein the label may be shaped to
substantially cover the first adhesive in the first position and
further wherein the label may be peeled from the first adhesive in
a second position.
[0010] In an embodiment, the system may have a second adhesive on
the bottom surface and the side surfaces wherein the second
adhesive secures the abrasive to the sanding sponge.
[0011] In an embodiment, the system may have a mounting fixture
connected to the tool by a pin wherein the mounting fixture may
rotate about an axis of the pin.
[0012] In another embodiment of the present invention, a method for
assembling a sponge that may be used with a tool to sand a surface
wherein the sponge may have a top surface, a bottom surface and
sides wherein the sides connect the top surface to the bottom
surface wherein the bottom surface may be substantially planar and
further wherein at least one of the sides joins the bottom surface
at an acute angle is provided. The method may have the step of
applying an adhesive to the bottom surface of the sponge and the
sides of the sponge. The method may have the step of connecting an
abrasive material to the adhesive. The method may have the step of
applying a pressure sensitive adhesive on the top surface of the
sponge wherein the pressure sensitive adhesive may have a tackiness
that allows the tool to be removable from the pressure sensitive
adhesive.
[0013] In an embodiment, the method may have the step of heating
the pressure sensitive adhesive to melt the pressure sensitive
adhesive into a liquid.
[0014] In an embodiment, the method may have the step of attaching
a label to substantially cover the pressure sensitive adhesive
wherein the label may be substantially planar.
[0015] In an embodiment, the method may have the step of contacting
the pressure sensitive adhesive to a bottom side of the tool to
connect the sponge to the tool wherein the bottom side may be
substantially shaped to match the top surface of the sponge and
further wherein only the pressure sensitive adhesive contacts the
bottom side.
[0016] In an embodiment, the method may have the step of separating
the pressure sensitive adhesive from a pad attached to the tool
wherein the pad may be constructed of a material softer than the
tool.
[0017] In an embodiment, the method may have the step of heating
the sponge, the first adhesive and the abrasive material to secure
the abrasive material to the sponge.
[0018] In an embodiment, the method may have the step of removing a
label attached to the pressure sensitive adhesive to expose the
pressure sensitive adhesive wherein the label may be substantially
planar.
[0019] In another embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus
for sanding a surface is provided. The apparatus may have a sponge,
an abrasive and/or a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive. The
sponge may have a resilient body having a top surface, a bottom
surface and sides wherein the top surface and the bottom surface
may be substantially shaped as a rectangle and may be substantially
parallel wherein the sides connect the bottom surface to the top
surface and further wherein at least one of the sides joins the
bottom surface at an acute angle. The abrasive may have a grit
wherein the abrasive may be secured to the bottom surface and at
least one of the sides of the body. The layer of pressure sensitive
adhesive may be on the top surface of the body wherein the layer of
adhesive may be the only layer on the top surface of the body.
[0020] In an embodiment, the apparatus may have a sander that may
have a base that may be substantially planar wherein the base may
have a top side and a bottom side wherein a handle may be connected
to the top side wherein the sander may be attached to the sponge by
only the layer of adhesive wherein the bottom side of the sander
contacts the layer of adhesive and further wherein the sander may
be peelable from the layer of adhesive.
[0021] In an embodiment, the apparatus may have a label shaped to
cover the layer of adhesive wherein the label may be removable from
the layer of adhesive.
[0022] In an embodiment, the apparatus may have an adhesive on the
bottom surface and at least one of the sides to attach the abrasive
to the sponge.
[0023] In an embodiment, the apparatus may have a sander having a
top side and a bottom side wherein the bottom side may be
substantially shaped to match the top surface of the sponge wherein
a pole may be secured to the top side wherein the bottom side may
be attached to the layer of adhesive and further wherein the sander
may be removable from the sponge.
[0024] In an embodiment, the apparatus may have a pad secured to a
bottom surface of a tool wherein the pad may be substantially
shaped as a rectangle and constructed of a material softer than the
tool wherein only the layer of adhesive may be between the pad and
the top surface of the sponge and further wherein the pad is
removable from the layer of adhesive.
[0025] It is, therefore, an advantage of the present invention to
provide a sanding sponge having an adhesive and/or method for
assembling the same to sand a surface.
[0026] Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a
sanding sponge having an adhesive and/or method for assembling the
same that may be removably connected to a label, a hand sander
and/or a pole sander.
[0027] Moreover, an advantage of the present invention is to
provide a sanding sponge having an adhesive and/or method for
assembling the same that may be re-attached to the display label,
the hand sander and/or the pole sander.
[0028] Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide
a sanding sponge having an adhesive and/or method for assembling
the same that may use a pressure sensitive adhesive that may be in
direct contact with the label, the hand sander, and/or the pole
sander.
[0029] Further, an advantage of the present invention is to provide
a sanding sponge having an adhesive and/or method for assembling
the same that may not require attachment of additional components
to the hand sander and/or the pole sanding to secure the sanding
sponge to the hand sander and/or the pole sander.
[0030] Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide
a sanding sponge having an adhesive and/or method for assembling
the same that may be releasably adhered to the hand sander and/or
the pole sander using only the adhesive.
[0031] Moreover, an advantage of the present invention is to
provide a sanding sponge having an adhesive and/or method for
assembling the same that may not damage the hand sander and/or the
pole sander.
[0032] Additional features and advantages of the present invention
are described in, and will be apparent from, the detailed
description of the presently preferred embodiments and from the
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0033] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a sanding sponge
and a label in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0034] FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a sanding
sponge and a label in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0035] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a sanding sponge
and a hand sander in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0036] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a sanding sponge
and a pole sander on a wall in an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0037] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a sanding sponge
and a pole sander in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0038] FIG. 6 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a sanding
sponge and two hand sanders in an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0039] FIG. 7 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a sanding
sponge and two pole sanders in an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0040] FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of a sanding sponge in
an embodiment of the present invention.
[0041] FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of a sanding sponge in
an embodiment of the present invention.
[0042] FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of a sanding sponge
in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0043] FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of a sanding sponge
in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0044] FIG. 12 illustrates a perspective view of a sanding sponge
in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0045] FIG. 13 illustrates a perspective view of a sanding sponge
in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0046] FIG. 14 illustrates a perspective view of a sanding sponge
in an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0047] The present invention generally relates to a sanding sponge
having an adhesive and/or method for assembling the same. The
sanding sponge may be used to sand a surface, such as, for example,
dry wall. The adhesive may removably attach the sanding sponge to a
label, a hand sander and/or a pole sander.
[0048] Referring now to the drawings wherein like numerals refer to
like parts, FIGS. 1-14 show a sanding sponge 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d,
10e, 10f, 10g, and 10h (hereinafter collectively and individually
referred to as "the sanding sponge 10") having an adhesive 20 in an
embodiment of the present invention. The sanding sponge 10 may be
used to sand a surface, for example, dry wall. The sanding sponge
10 may have a body 12 formed from a resilient material, such as
foam and/or the like. In an embodiment, the sanding sponge 10 may
have a top surface 14, a bottom surface 16, side surfaces 18 and/or
end surfaces 20. In an embodiment, the sanding sponge 10 may be
formed so that the side surfaces 18 may join the bottom surface 16
at an acute angle 19.
[0049] As shown in FIGS. 1-14, the sanding sponge 10 may have an
abrasive 30 attached to and/or integrally formed on the bottom
surface 16, the side surfaces 18 the end surfaces 20 and/or the top
surface 14. The abrasive 30 may or may not be attached to and/or
integrally formed on the top surface 14, the side surfaces 18
and/or the end surfaces 20. The abrasive 30 may be a sheet of
abrasive material that may have a rubber backing and/or a film
backing that may be wrapped around the top surface 14, the side
surfaces 18, the bottom surface 16 and/or the end surfaces 20. The
abrasive 30 may be secured to the body 12 by an adhesive 31, such
as a glue and/or the like. The adhesive 31 may be applied to the
top surface 14, the bottom surface 16, the side surfaces 18 and/or
the end surfaces 20. The abrasive 30 may be applied to adhesive 31.
The sanding sponge 10 may be placed in an oven (not shown) to heat
the adhesive 31 and/or secure the abrasive 30 to the sanding sponge
10. The abrasive 30 may be a continuous sheet of material and/or
the abrasive 30 may be multiple sheets of material. The abrasive 30
may be 80 grit, 120 grit and/or any material that may be used for
sanding a surface as known to one having ordinary skill in the
art.
[0050] As shown in FIGS. 1-11, the sanding sponge 10 may have an
adhesive 40 that may be located on the top surface 14. As shown in
FIGS. 12-14, in an embodiment, the adhesive 40 may be located on
the abrasive 30 and/or the top surface 14. The adhesive 40 may have
specific adhesive properties, such as, for example, tackiness, that
may allow tools to be attached, for example, temporarily, to the
sanding sponge 10. The adhesive properties of the adhesive 40 may
allow the tools to be removed from the sanding sponge 10 and/or
reattached to the sanding sponge 10. The adhesive 40 may be a
pressure sensitive adhesive, such as, for example, a hot melt
adhesive, double-sided tape, and/or a cold roll adhesive. A
pressure sensitive adhesive may be a tacky substance that adheres
to a surface when pressure may be applied. A pressure sensitive
adhesive may maintain a balance between adhesion and/or cohesion.
Adhesion may be a holding power of the adhesive on external
substrates and/or cohesion may be a holding power of the combined
internal components of the adhesive. Pressure sensitive adhesives
may not require a chemical reaction to develop adhesive forces.
[0051] The adhesive 40 may be a hot melt pressure sensitive
adhesive that may be, for example, sold under the trademark
NOVAMELT.RTM. NSH1-35 by Novamelt Americas LLC, and/or a
double-sided tape that may be, for example, sold under the
trademarks INTERTAPE.RTM. 591, INTERTAPE.RTM. 592, INTERTAPE.RTM.
597, INTERTAPE.RTM. DCP050R, INTERTAPE.RTM. DCP051A, INTERTAPE.RTM.
DCP053A, INTERTAPE.RTM. DCT101A, INTERTAPE.RTM. DCT102A and/or
INTERTAPE.RTM. DCT100R by Intertape Polymer Group Inc. The hot melt
pressure sensitive adhesive may be a solid at room temperature
and/or may be heated to melt the hot melt pressure sensitive
adhesive into a liquid. The hot melt pressure sensitive adhesive
may be rolled on the top surface 14 of the sanding sponge 10 and/or
the abrasive 30 with a hot roll machine (not shown) and/or may be
applied manually by hand. The double-sided tape may be coated on
both sides with a natural rubber adhesive and/or a resin adhesive
on a release paper liner. The double-sided tape may be applied to
the sanding sponge 10 by a machine (not shown) and/or manually by
hand. The cold roll adhesive may be a liquid at room temperature.
The cold roll adhesive may be rolled on the top surface 14 of the
sanding sponge 10 and/or the abrasive 30 with a roll machine (not
shown) and/or may be applied manually by hand.
[0052] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in an embodiment of the present
invention, the sanding sponge 10 may have a label 50.
[0053] The adhesive 40 may adhere the label 50 to the sanding
sponge 10. The label 50 and/or the sanding sponge 10 may be
displayed in an environment, such as, for example, a retail store
and/or an online retailer. The adhesive 40 may allow the label 50
to be removed from the sanding sponge 10 and/or reattached to the
sanding sponge 10. The label 50 may display information related to
the sanding sponge 10, such as, for example, a manufacturer of the
sanding sponge 10, a website address, a telephone number, a quick
response code, a bar code, and/or other information related to the
sanding sponge 10.
[0054] As shown in FIGS. 3-7, the sanding sponge 10 may have a hand
sander 60 and/or a pole sander 70. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the
hand sander 60 may be attached to the sanding sponge 10 by the
adhesive 40. The hand sander 60 may have a plate 62 and/or a handle
64. The plate 62 may have a bottom surface 63 that may be
substantially planar. As shown in FIG. 3, the bottom surface 63 of
the plate 62 may be adhered to the adhesive 40. In an embodiment,
the plate 62 and/or the bottom surface 63 may be shaped
substantially as a rectangle. In an embodiment, the plate 62 and/or
the bottom surface 63 may be shaped substantially as a circle, a
square, an ellipse and/or any shape that may allow the plate 62 to
adhere to the adhesive 40 as known to one having ordinary skill in
the art.
[0055] The plate 62 may be connected to the handle 64 and/or may be
integrally formed with the handle 64. In an embodiment, the handle
64 may be substantially C-shaped. In an alternative embodiment, the
handle 64 may be a knob, a bar, a block and/or the like and/or any
surface that may be grasped by a user as known to one having
ordinary skill in the art. The plate 62 and/or the handle 64 may be
constructed from a material, such as, for example, a metal, a
plastic, a wood, a rubber and/or the like and/or a combination
thereof. The present invention should not be deemed as limited to a
specific embodiment of the material of the plate 62 and/or the
handle 64.
[0056] As shown in FIG. 6, in an alternative embodiment, the hand
sander 60 may have a pad 61 that may be secured to the bottom
surface 63 of the plate 62. The pad 61 may be substantially the
same shape as the bottom surface 63. The pad 61 of the hand sander
60 may be adhered to the sanding sponge 10 by the adhesive 40. The
pad 61 and/or the hand sander 60 may be removable from the sanding
sponge 10 and/or the adhesive 40. The pad 61 may be constructed of
a material that may be softer than the hand sander 60 and/or may be
constructed of any material that may adhere to the adhesive 40 as
known to one having ordinary skill in the art.
[0057] Further, as shown in FIG. 6, in an alternative embodiment,
the hand sander 60 may have clamps 65, wing nuts and/or threads 67.
Traditional hand sanders may use the clamps 65, the wing nuts 66
and/or the threads 67 to secure sand paper and/or a sanding block
to the bottom surface 63 and/or the pad 61. None of the clamps 65,
the wing nuts 66 and/or the threads 67 are necessary to use the
present invention. An example of the hand sander 60 in the
alternative embodiment may be Hand Sander Cat. No. WHS-76 sold by
WALBOARD TOOLS.RTM. of Long Beach, Calif.
[0058] As shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 7, the pole sander 70 may be
attached to the sanding sponge 10. The pole sander 70 may have a
base 72 that may have a top surface 74 and/or a bottom surface 76.
The top surface 74 may be positioned opposite the bottom surface
76. The bottom surface 76 may be substantially planar and/or may be
adhered to the adhesive 40. In an embodiment, the base 72 and/or
the bottom surface 76 may be shaped substantially as a rectangle.
In an alternative embodiment, the plate 72 and/or the bottom
surface 76 may be shaped substantially as a circle, a square, an
ellipse and/or any shape that may allow the base 72 to adhere to
the adhesive 40.
[0059] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the pole sander 70 may have a
joint 78 that may be attached to and/or integrally formed on the
top surface 74. The joint 78 may have a sleeve 80 that may be
mounted on a pin 82 that may extend between two bearings 84. A
mounting fixture 86 may be connected to the sleeve 80 by a pin 88,
and/or the mounting fixture 86 may rotate about the pin 88. The
mounting fixture 86 may have a fitting 90 that may be threaded. The
fitting 90 may receive a pole 92 and/or may connect the pole 92 to
the mounting fixture 86 and/or the pole sander 70. The present
invention should not be deemed as limited to a specific embodiment
of the pole sander 70. It should be understood that the pole sander
70 may be any pole sander that may connect a pole to a base as
known to one having ordinary skill in the art.
[0060] As shown in FIG. 7, in an alternative embodiment, the pole
sander 70 may have a pad 71 that may be secured to the bottom
surface 76 of the base 72. The pad 71 may be substantially the same
shape as the bottom surface 76. The pad and/or the pole sander 70
may be adhered to the sanding sponge 10 by the adhesive 40. The pad
71 and/or the pole sander 70 may be removable from the sanding
sponge 10 and/or the adhesive 40. The pad 71 may be constructed of
a material that may be softer than the pole sander 70 and/or may be
constructed of any material that may adhere to the adhesive 40 as
known to one having ordinary skill in the art. In an alternative
embodiment, the pole sander 70 may have clamps 73, wing nuts 75 and
threads 77. Traditional pole sanders may have used the clamps 73,
the wing nuts 75 and/or the threads 77 to secure sand paper and/or
a sanding block to the bottom surface 76 and/or the pad 71. None of
the clamps 73, the wing nuts 75 and/or the threads 77 are necessary
to use the present invention. An example of the hand sander 70 in
the alternative embodiment may be Universal Pole Sander Cat. No.
AS-22 sold by WALBOARD TOOLS.RTM. of Long Beach, Calif.
[0061] The sanding sponge 10 may be adhered to the hand sander 60
and/or the pole sander 70. To adhere the sanding sponge 10 to the
hand sander 60 and/or the pole sander 70, the hand sander 60 and/or
the pole sander 70 may contact, for example, directly, the adhesive
40. Pressure may then be applied to the sanding sponge 10 to adhere
the hand sander 60 and/or the pole sander 70 to the sanding sponge
10.
[0062] As shown in FIG. 4, the sanding sponge 10 and/or the pole
sander 70 may be used to sand a wall 100 and/or a wall 102. FIG. 4
illustrates the pole sander 70 adhered to the sanding sponge 10;
however, the hand sander 60 may be adhered to the sanding sponge
10. The wall 100 and/or the wall 102 may be a ceiling, a floor, a
counter and/or any surface that may be sanded. The wall 100 may be
substantially perpendicular to the wall 102, and/or a corner 104
may be formed between the wall 100 and/or the wall 102. The corner
104 may be an area where an edge 101 of the wall 100 may join an
edge 103 of the wall 102.
[0063] Further, as shown in FIG. 4, to sand the wall 100 and/or the
corner 104, the sanding sponge 10, the hand sander 60 and/or the
pole sander 70 may be placed on the wall 100 and/or may be moved on
the wall 100, for example, in a back and forth motion. The user may
grasp the pole 92 that may be connected to the pole sander 70 to
move the sanding sponge 10 on the wall 100. The sanding sponge 10
may be moved along the wall 100 to the corner 104. In an
embodiment, when sanding the wall 100 with the bottom surface 16
that may lay in a position flush on the wall 100, the side surfaces
18 may not sand the wall 102. To sand the wall 102 and/or the
corner 104, the sanding sponge 10, the hand sander 60 and/or the
pole sander 70 may be placed on the wall 102 and/or may be moved
along the wall 102, for example, in a back and forth motion. In an
alternative method to sand the corner 104, the sanding sponge 10
may be positioned at the corner 104 such that a junction 21 of the
side surfaces 18 and/or the bottom surface 16 may contact the
corner 104. In the alternative method, the bottom surface 16 may
not lie flush on the wall 100 and/or the wall 102. The sanding
sponge 10 may be moved along the corner 104 to sand the corner
104.
[0064] The sanding sponge 10 may be removed from the hand sander 60
and/or the pole sander 70 by pulling the sanding sponge 10 in a
direction away from the hand sander 60 and/or the pole sander 70.
The sanding sponge 10 may be reattached to the sanding sponge 10 by
contacting the adhesive 40 to the hand sander 60 and/or the pole
sander 70 and/or by applying pressure to the sanding sponge 10, the
hand sander 60 and/or the pole sander 70. The adhesive 40 may have
adhesive and/or cohesive properties that may allow the hand sander
60 and/or the pole sander to be used after being attached to and/or
removed from the sanding sponge 10, for example, with another
sanding sponge.
[0065] It should be understood that various changes and
modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described
herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes
and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the present invention and without diminishing its
attendant advantages. It is, therefore, intended that such changes
and modifications be covered by the appended claims.
* * * * *