U.S. patent application number 15/809029 was filed with the patent office on 2018-05-24 for ergonomic abrasive pad assembly.
The applicant listed for this patent is Lisle Corporation. Invention is credited to Mark Redding, Michael L. Whitehead.
Application Number | 20180141182 15/809029 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 62144700 |
Filed Date | 2018-05-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180141182 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Whitehead; Michael L. ; et
al. |
May 24, 2018 |
ERGONOMIC ABRASIVE PAD ASSEMBLY
Abstract
The abrasive pad is removably affixed to the first end and
configured to be easily adjustable by release of a hook and loop
connection arrangement affixing the abrasive pad to the plate. The
grip end and the abrasive pad end of the plate are separated by a
specific angle medial bend which facilitate use of the tool in an
ergonomic manner. The tool includes a rectangular plate having a
first end wrapped with an adjustable abrasive pad and a second grip
end. The plate is in the form of a rectangular, parallelepiped with
a medial bend between the first end and second end.
Inventors: |
Whitehead; Michael L.;
(Clarinda, IA) ; Redding; Mark; (Sierra Vista,
AZ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Lisle Corporation |
Clarinda |
IA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
62144700 |
Appl. No.: |
15/809029 |
Filed: |
November 10, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62425384 |
Nov 22, 2016 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B24B 23/046 20130101;
B24D 15/04 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B24B 23/04 20060101
B24B023/04 |
Claims
1. An ergonomic, abrasive polishing pad assembly for use by
technicians to effectively remove residual seal or gasket material
from generally flat surfaces of component parts of internal
combustion engines and for deburring engine and machine parts
comprising, in combination: a handle formed from a single flat,
unitary, rectangular, parallelepiped metal plate, said plate having
a longitudinal axis, a longitudinal length dimension, a width
dimension, a uniform thickness, said length dimension in the range
of 6 to 9 inches, said width dimension in the range of 7/8 to 11/4
inches and a thickness in the range of 0.1 to about 0.2 inches,
said handle including a top surface, a bottom surface, a planar
front side, a planar back side, said front and back sides generally
perpendicular to the top surface and the bottom surface, said
handle further including longitudinal, parallel side surfaces
perpendicular to the top side and bottom side surfaces, said side
surfaces parallel to each other, said handle including a forward
end abrasive pad assembly receiving section joined to a rearward
grip section and said pad assembly receiving section, and said
rearward grip section joined by an obtuse angle bend of said metal
plate, said bend having a radius of 0.5.+-.0.10 inches and forming
an obtuse angle in the range of 150.degree..+-.15.degree.; a
rectangular, polymeric, hook member including a hook surface on one
side and an adhesive surface on said opposite side, said adhesive
surface opposed side adhered on the receiving section of the plate
and extending generally from the bend on the bottom surface of the
plate receiving side, over the forward end and onto the top surface
of the receiving end and terminating at or short of the bend, said
hook member having a width substantially equal to the width between
the side surfaces +0.3%-0.0% of the span between the longitudinal
side surfaces of the plate receiving end; and a removable,
flexible, rectangular, polymeric loop pad including a top surface
comprising an outer abrasive material face mounted on a co-terminus
polymeric loop material with a bottom loop face, said loop material
bottom loop face releasably joined to the hook member outer face,
said loop pad substantially the same lateral dimension as the hook
pad in width and greater than the longitudinal length dimension of
the receiving end of the plate; and a removable handle grip member
on the grip section, said handle grip member formed from an
elastomeric material with an internal pocket, an opening at one end
of said grip member, said grip member fitted on the grip receiving
section.
2. The polishing pad assembly of claim 1 wherein the longitudinal
dimension of the hook pad and loop pad are substantially equal
length.
3. The polishing pad assembly of claim 1 wherein the loop pad has a
longitudinal length dimension no more than about 85% of the
longitudinal length dimension of the hook pad.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This is a utility application based on provisional
application Ser. No. 62/425,384 filed Nov. 22, 2016 entitled
"Ergonomic Abrasive Pad Assembly" which is incorporated herewith
and for which priority is claimed.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] An automotive repair tool for internal combustion engine
repair.
[0003] BACKGROUND
[0004] In a principal aspect the present invention relates to a
manual abrasive pad tool for deburring machine parts and which is
especially useful for abrading metal surfaces following removal of
seals and gaskets from generally flat surfaces of component parts
of an internal combustion engine or other machine parts.
[0005] When repairing automobiles and, in particular, automotive
engines, a mechanic may discover the necessity to disassemble the
engine components such as cylinder heads from the engine block.
Typically such components are separated by sealing gaskets designed
to prevent fluid or gas leakage from the engine and to insure
proper operation of the engine. Thus, when repairing vehicles or
other installations using internal combustion engines, it is often
necessary to remove the gaskets and seals and replace them with new
gaskets or seals upon reassembly of the engine. Removal of gaskets
can be effected by spatulas and, in some instances, deburring
devices which may be electrically operated and are designed to
rotate a disc pad to engage the gasket and effect its removal from
a surface of the engine component. In such circumstances, however,
dust and grit is generated. Additionally, the gasket may be
positioned on a surface with right angle or other angle corners
thus making it quite difficult to position the spatula or a rotary
deburring device in order to effect total removal of the gasket and
polishing of the remaining surface of the engine component.
[0006] Thus, there has developed a need for an improved special
purpose deburring or residual gasket removal tool which is
ergonomic yet can be used efficiently in confined spaces for
removal of residual gasket material and grit on surfaces having
various configurations. Heretofore, there have been various types
of apparatus proposed for seal removal or similar tasks including
the following:
TABLE-US-00001 Patent/ Publication No. Inventor(s) Title Issue Date
6,048,257 Greenman Abrasive Pad Holder Apr. 11, 2000 et al.
5,426,810 Rones Abrasive Pad Holder Jun. 27, 1995 4,454,624
Vandermer Scouring Pad Holder Jun. 19, 1984 4,222,204 Benner Holder
for an Abrasive Sep. 16, 1980 Plate 4,071,983 Thielen Griddle
Cleaning Pad Feb. 7, 1978 Holder 3,527,001 Kleemeier Holder for
Abrasive Jun. 1, 1967 et al. Product 1,832,068 Watkins Steel Wool
Pad and Nov. 17, 1931 Holder 1,143,725 Reed Pad Holder Jun. 22,
1915 US2004/0048561 Brinkmann Sanding Tool for Mar. 11, 2004
Moldings of Wood or the Like US2004/0255417 Young Mop Head with
Dec. 23, 2004 Abrasive Pad or Sheet
[0007] While the foregoing may be useful, such tools or devices
often fail to timely remove residual gasket material and grit in an
efficient manner that effectively polishes the surface of a
component.
SUMMARY
[0008] Briefly the present invention comprises an ergonomic,
abrasive pad assembly designed to remove seals and gaskets,
particularly residual materials and grit, from generally flat
surfaces located in difficult to access locations. The abrasive pad
assembly includes the combination of a metal handle formed from a
unitary rectangular flat metal plate which includes a bend
intermediate the opposite ends of the metal plate. The forward end
of the plate provides a receiving section for a pad construction
which includes a layer of polymeric hook material folded over the
forward end of the plate and adhered to the opposite flat sides of
the plate with a polymeric hook element facing outward from the
opposite surface sides of the plate. The pad assembly further
includes an abrasive pad having loops of polymeric material on an
interior surface or inside face of the pad designed to be wrapped
over the hook material affixed to the opposite sides of the plate.
The loop material component thus engages, supports and exposes an
adjustable abrasive outer pad layer facing outwardly from both
sides of the plate and over the distal end of the pad receiving end
of the handle. The position of abrasive pad may be longitudinally
adjusted by altering longitudinal engagement of the loop material
affixed to the abrasive pad with the hook material and affixed on
the surface of the receiving end of the handle. This arrangement
will enable a mechanic to adjust the abrasive pad or replace the
pad on the receiving end of the handle, depending upon the
particular task being performed and the location of the surface
which is to be abraded or polished.
[0009] Thus it is an object of the invention to provide a unique
and useful tool for the removal of gaskets and similar debris items
from a generally flat metal surface and polish that surface.
[0010] It is a further object of the invention to provide an
abrasive pad construction wherein the pad may be removed and
replaced as necessary due to use.
[0011] A further object of the invention is to provide an abrasive
pad wherein the abrasive section of the pad is combined with a loop
material cooperative with a hook material adhered to the receiving
end of the tool and wherein the elements comprising the pad as well
as the hook material and loop material are adjustable yet
substantially of the same configuration and compatible dimension as
the receiving end of the handle in order to facilitate placement of
abrasive pressure efficiently by manual adjustment of the pad on
the tool and operation of the tool.
[0012] A further object, advantage and feature of the invention is
to provide an improved tool assembly including a handle,
replaceable generally rectangular configured abrasive materials and
an adjustable structure which may be subjected to abuse.
[0013] Another object of the invention is to provide an abrasive
handle and pad construction or assembly which is easy to use, is
reasonably priced and is rugged.
[0014] These and other objects and advantages and features are set
forth in the detail description which follows.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] In the detail description which follows reference will be
made to the drawing comprised of the following figures:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of the tool of the
invention;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the metal handle or plate
which is incorporated in the tool of FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the handle component of FIG.
2;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a side elevation of an abrasive pad which is
incorporated in the tool of the invention;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the pad of FIG. 4;
[0021] FIG. 6 is a plan view of a hook strip of material with an
adhesive backing which is adhered to the forward receiving end of
the handle of the tools;
[0022] FIG. 7 is a plan view of a grip which is designed to fit on
the handle section of the tool of FIGS. 1; and
[0023] FIG. 8 is an end view of a pocket of the grip of FIG. 7.
DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0024] Referring to FIG. 1, a side elevation view of the tool of
the invention is depicted including a handle or plate 10 having a
grip end 12 and a forward pad receiving end 14. The handle 10 is
formed from a metal plate having a rectangular, parallelepiped
configuration as depicted in FIG. 3. The plate 10 thus is shaped to
include a bend 18 connecting the grip end 12 with the abrasive pad
receiving end or section 14. Typically, the bend 18 provides an
included obtuse angle in the range of 150.degree..+-.15.degree.
between the forward pad end 14 and the handle grip end 12 as
depicted. A typical longitudinal length dimension of the pad
receiving end 14 is 2-4 inches. The plate 10 includes a top side 28
and a bottom side 30. A lateral side of the handle 10; namely,
forward side sections 20, 22, and rearward or grip side sections 24
and 26 are flat and planar. Opposite forward end side 23 and
rearward grip end side 25 are generally perpendicular to the top
side 28 and bottom side 30 of the handle 10. The handle 10 thus has
a uniform cross sectional configuration in the longitudinal
direction or along axis 31 between opposite ends 23 and 25 which
facilitates the placement of the tool in spaces which are
restricted and thereby enables access for efficient manual movement
of the tool by means of gripping the handle 10 at the grip end 12.
However, the forward end side sections 20, 22 may be spaced less
than or greater than the rearward grip end sides 24, 26 or vice
versa to provide a tool for a specific deburring and polishing
task.
[0025] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, there is depicted an abrasive
component 32 of the unitary pad construction. Abrasive component 32
includes an abrasive pad 36 which is adhered to a loop material
layer 38 formed of elastic polymeric material. The longitudinal
dimension of the forward end 14 of the handle 10 is substantially
and typically 1.0 to 2.0 times the longitudinal length of the
abrasive pad component 32. The length and width and shape of the
abrasive pad 36, however, is coterminous with a loop material layer
38 affixed to the underside of the abrasive pad 36.
[0026] FIG. 6 depicts a separate hook material layer 44 which has
the same lateral or side to side size and dimension as the pad
component 32 of FIGS. 4 and 5. However, the longitudinal dimension
of the hook material 44 is, in the embodiment depicted, 1.0 to 2.0
times the longitudinal dimension of the abrasive pad component 32.
The hook material 44 is wrapped around the end side 23 and includes
polymeric hooks which extend outwardly from the top and bottom
surfaces of the hook layer 44 at the receiving end 14 of the plate
10. The hook layer 44 has an outwardly projecting hook surface
pattern and adheres by means of adherent or adhesive material on an
inside surface to hold the hook material layer 44 on the receiving
end section 14.
[0027] The hook material 44 interacts with the loop material 38 as
shown in FIG. 4. A trade name of a typical hook and loop assembly
is Velcro. As a result, the abrasive pad component 32 (which is
shorter longitudinally than hook element 44) may be adjusted
longitudinally with respect to the manner in which it folds over
the hook material 44 of the pad receiving section or receiving end
14 of the tool. That is, as the pad component 32 wears, it may be
necessary to move the pad component 32 from the pad receiving end
14. Additionally, as the pad component 32 is utilized certain parts
of it may wear move quickly than other parts. Thus, replacement
and/or adjustment of the pad construction 32 may be appropriate and
necessary from time to time.
[0028] Because the longitudinal dimension of the hook material 44
may or typically will exceed that of the pad component 32, locking
engagement of the pad component 32 along its entire longitudinal
dimension thereof is assured upon repositioning of the pad 32 on
the hook material 44 of the receiving end 14. Adjusting the pad
component 32 enables exposure of select portions of the pad 32 on
both sides of the pad support section 14 to more efficiently engage
a gasket to effect removal thereof. Further, by carefully matching
the lateral or side to side dimensions of the loop component of
FIGS. 4 and 5 with the size of the pad support hook layer 44 and
the receiving end 14, manual operation of the handle 10 at grip end
12 becomes more effective inasmuch as the force from the pad
support section is uniform and thereby may be effectively
positioned in otherwise very difficult places to access. This is
especially so with respect to right angle corners which are often
in recessed positions of flat surfaces designed to place a gasket
of a vehicle. In such a circumstance, a rotary gasket removal tool
is not adequately efficient. Thus, the adjustability of the
assembly of the abrasive pad component 32 by adjusting the position
of the hook loop material 38 provides an easily and quickly
adjustable assembly designed to efficiently position the pad
component 32 on the pad receiving end 14 of the handle 10.
[0029] FIGS. 7 and 8 depict the grip 50 which comprises a sleeve
having a pocket 52 at one end so that the grip 50 may fit over and
be retained on grip end 12.
[0030] The following Table 1 sets forth dimensions and design
parameters of a version of the subject matter of the invention.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 1 DESCRIPTION DIMENSION Thickness of handle 10
.18 .+-. .06 Length of handle 10 6 to 9 inches Width of handle 10
1.00 .+-. .12 Length of pad 36 4.00 .+-. .25 Width of pad 36 1.00
.+-. .12 Length of hook element 44 4.00 .+-. .25 to 5.00 .+-. .25
Width of hook element 44 1.00 .+-. .12 Specification for hook/loop
material Velcro Loop with Medium Pad
[0031] Alternative longitudinal length combinations of abrasive pad
component 32 and hook element 44 may provide a useful polishing
tool. For example, the longitudinal dimensions of abrasive pad
component 32 and hook member 44 may be equal or nearly equal.
Neither component should extend beyond the bend to avoid undesired
engagement or interference with wires or other mechanical
components. Thus, the length of the engagement end 14 may typically
vary between 2 inches and 5 inches. A set of such polishing tools
may thus be created to enable use of such an adjustable tool for
unique tasks and situations.
[0032] In sum, the combination of the handle 10 having the
described handle shape and dimensions with a specific size and
shape of an abrasive pad component with an abrasive pad 36, a
polymeric loop layer 38 and a polymeric hook layer 44 correlated in
shape and size with each other and the handle, results in an
ergonomic adjustable pad assembly especially useful to remove
material such as a gasket grit residue or layer from a flat surface
having corner sections with limited access for an abrasive tool. An
important aspect of the invention is positioning of a hook layer 44
having a greater longitudinal length than the abrasive pad section
32. Hook element 44 is affixed to the pad receiving end 14 and
extends preferably to the bend 18 or beyond on both the top side 28
and bottom side 30 of the handle 10 at the pad assembly and
receiving end 14. This enables adjustability and efficiency of the
placement of the pad or abrasive component 32. The placement of the
hook material vis-a-vis the loop material is a preferred
embodiment. However, they may be reversed or replaced by equivalent
fastening systems if necessary for technical reasons.
[0033] While there has been set forth an embodiment of the
invention it is to be understood that the invention is limited only
by the following claim and equivalents thereof.
* * * * *