U.S. patent application number 15/849522 was filed with the patent office on 2019-06-20 for rotary polishers and methods of making the same.
The applicant listed for this patent is SMART, INC.. Invention is credited to Paul Schneider.
Application Number | 20190184516 15/849522 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 66814990 |
Filed Date | 2019-06-20 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190184516 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schneider; Paul |
June 20, 2019 |
ROTARY POLISHERS AND METHODS OF MAKING THE SAME
Abstract
Embodiments of a rotary polisher with a spindle lock to allow
quick removal of the backplate are provided. In preferred
embodiments, the rotary polisher comprises: a body including a
neck; a spindle extending down from the body through the neck and
coaxial with the neck wherein the spindle has a threaded end
extending down below the neck and wherein the spindle has a cavity;
a backplate coupled to the threaded end of the spindle; and a
button coupled to a pin wherein the button and pin are aligned with
the cavity and pass through an outside wall of the neck and wherein
the pin is moveable in and out of the cavity.
Inventors: |
Schneider; Paul; (Gardena,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SMART, INC. |
GARDENA |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
66814990 |
Appl. No.: |
15/849522 |
Filed: |
December 20, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B24B 45/006 20130101;
B24B 23/028 20130101; B24B 23/022 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B24B 23/02 20060101
B24B023/02 |
Claims
1. A rotary polisher comprising: a body including a neck; a spindle
extending down from the body through the neck and coaxial with the
neck wherein the spindle has a threaded end extending down below
the neck and wherein the spindle has a cavity; a backplate coupled
to the threaded end of the spindle; and a button coupled to a pin
wherein the button and pin are aligned with the cavity and pass
through an outside wall of the neck and wherein the pin is moveable
in and out of the cavity.
2. The rotary polisher of claim 1 wherein the spindle includes a
boss and the cavity is formed in the boss.
3. The rotary polisher of claim 1, wherein the body includes a
lower handle, center portion and upper handle and the spindle is
located on a bottom of the upper handle.
4. The rotary polisher of claim 1, wherein the backplate includes a
releasable surface for connection to an applicator.
5. The rotary polisher of claim 1, wherein the button is round.
6. The rotary polisher of claim 1, further comprising a spring
wherein the spring biases the pin away from the spindle.
7. The rotary polisher of claim 3, wherein the button is located on
a front of the neck.
8. A rotary polisher comprising: a body including a bottom handle,
an upper handle and a neck extending down from a bottom of the
upper handle; a spindle extending down from the body through the
neck and coaxial with a hole through the neck wherein the spindle
has a threaded end extending down below the neck and wherein the
spindle has a cavity; a backplate coupled to the threaded end of
the spindle; and a button coupled to the neck and moveable in a
perpendicular direction to a longitudinal axis of the spindle
wherein translating the button towards the spindle causes a pin to
be inserted into a cavity in the spindle.
9. The rotary polisher of claim 8, wherein the spindle includes a
boss and the cavity is formed in the boss.
10. The rotary polisher of claim 8, wherein the backplate has a
releasable surface for coupling to an applicator.
11. The rotary polisher of claim 8, wherein the button is
round.
12. The rotary polisher of claim 8, further comprising a spring
wherein the spring biases the pin away from the spindle.
13. The rotary polisher of claim 8, wherein the button is located
on a front of the neck.
14. A rotary polisher comprising: a body including a neck; a
spindle extending down from the body through the neck wherein the
spindle has a threaded end extending down below the neck and
wherein the spindle has a hole in the outside surface of the
spindle perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the spindle; a
backplate coupled to the threaded end of the spindle; and a button
and a pin coupled to the neck and moveable in a perpendicular
direction to the longitudinal axis of the spindle wherein the
button and pin are aligned with the hole.
15. The rotary polisher of claim 14, wherein the spindle includes a
boss and the cavity is formed in the boss.
16. The rotary polisher of claim 14, wherein the body includes a
lower handle, center portion and upper handle and the spindle is
located on a bottom of the upper handle.
17. The rotary polisher of claim 14, wherein the backplate includes
a releasable surface for connection to an applicator.
18. The rotary polisher of claim 14, wherein the button is
round.
19. The rotary polisher of claim 14, further comprising a spring
wherein the spring biases the pin away from the spindle.
20. The rotary polisher of claim 16, wherein the button is located
on a front of the neck.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Design patent
application No. 29/615,696, filed Aug. 30, 2017, which is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
FIELD
[0002] The present patent document relates generally to rotary
polishers. More specifically, the present patent document relates
to rotary polishers and improved designs for rotary polishers for
use with automobiles.
BACKGROUND
[0003] For a very long time, America has had a fascination with the
automobile. In 1908, the Ford Motor Company.RTM. introduced the
Model T, and brought the automobile to the masses. Since that time,
America's love for the automobile has been second to none. Because
of America's love for the automobile, a large market for car care
has been created.
[0004] The car care market encompasses numerous products including
soaps, waxes, interior cleaners, filters, buckets, sponges,
sprayers and rotary polishers. Rotary polishers are used in the
application and removal of wax and other polishing substances to
the automobile paint surface. Although wax and other solutions may
be applied by hand, this is a tedious process. A rotary polisher
has a spinning head that is placed in contact with the painted
surface and eliminates most of the physical labor of polishing on
or off the wax or other polishing solutions.
[0005] Numerous rotary polishers exist on the market today. When
using a rotary polisher, one problem is the steady application of
the polisher such that the buffing is uniform. When the polishing
is done by hand, the human naturally controls the level of force
and keeps it even such that the polishing is done evenly. However,
it is difficult to determine when using a rotary polisher how much
force is being applied. One potential solution is offered by
Japanese Patent Application JP2016022533A, in which a portable
polisher has a meter attached thereto for displaying a torque
value. Numerous other solutions are available on the market that
have a readout. For example, the WEN 948 10 Amp Variable Speed
Polisher has a digital readout that shows a single number, like 1
to 15 for example. This provides the user with some feedback on the
speed but does not give accurate feedback. Other similar polishers
that lack the required accuracy in the rotational feedback are also
available.
[0006] The problem is that dividing the speed of the rotary
polisher up into large RPM ranges and representing each range with
a single number lacks the accuracy necessary to use the rotary
polisher with the precision required. What is needed is a more
accurate way to receive feedback on the rotational speed of the
rotary polisher.
[0007] In addition to the ability to closely monitor the speed of
the polisher, there is also a need to allow the rotating backing
plate of the rotary polisher to be easily changed. Depending on the
application, different size backing plates or backing plates made
from different materials may be desired. The backing plate rotates
rapidly when the rotary polisher is in operation and thus, existing
polisher designs have cumbersome connections. What is needed is a
rotary polisher that employs a securely connected with a quick
disconnect backing plate.
SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0008] The embodiments of the present patent document provide
rotary polishers and methods of making rotary polishers. The rotary
polishers disclosed herein are designed to eliminate or at least
ameliorate the deficiencies of the prior designs. In a preferred
embodiment, a rotary polisher is provided. The rotary polishers
comprises: a body including a neck; a spindle extending down from
the body through the neck and coaxial with the neck wherein the
spindle has a threaded end extending down below the neck and
wherein the spindle has a cavity; a backplate coupled to the
threaded end of the spindle; and a button coupled to a pin wherein
the button and pin are aligned with the cavity and pass through an
outside wall of the neck and wherein the pin is moveable in and out
of the cavity.
[0009] In some embodiments, the spindle includes a boss and the
cavity is formed in the boss. However, a boss is not required and
some embodiments may not use a boss.
[0010] Many different overall configurations maybe be used for the
rotary polisher. Different embodiments may have different body
shapes. In preferred embodiments, the body of the rotary polisher
includes a lower handle, center portion and upper handle and the
spindle is located on a bottom of the upper handle.
[0011] In most embodiments, the backplate includes a releasable
surface for connection to an applicator. Applicators are often made
from foam and the releasable surface is preferably Velcro or some
other hook and loop releasable connector.
[0012] In many embodiments, the button used to lock the spindle is
round. In many other embodiments, the shape of the button is not
round and may be square, or hexagon or some other shape. Although
the button may be located anywhere around the circumference of the
neck, in the preferred embodiments, the button is located on a
front of the neck. Locating the button on the front of the neck
allows the user to easily be able to depress the button with one
hand while freeing up the other hand to allow rotation of the
backplate.
[0013] In preferred embodiments, the rotary polisher further
comprises a spring wherein the spring biases the pin away from the
spindle.
[0014] In another aspect of the present patent document, a rotary
polisher comprises: a body including a bottom handle, an upper
handle and a neck extending down from a bottom of the upper handle;
a spindle extending down from the body through the neck and coaxial
with a hole through the neck wherein the spindle has a threaded end
extending down below the neck and wherein the spindle has a cavity;
a backplate coupled to the threaded end of the spindle; and a
button coupled to the neck and moveable in a perpendicular
direction to a longitudinal axis of the spindle wherein translating
the button towards the spindle causes a pin to be inserted into a
cavity in the spindle.
[0015] In still yet another aspect of the present patent document,
a rotary polisher is provided that comprises: a body including a
neck; a spindle extending down from the body through the neck
wherein the spindle has a threaded end extending down below the
neck and wherein the spindle has a hole in the outside surface of
the spindle perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the spindle; a
backplate coupled to the threaded end of the spindle; and a button
and pin coupled to the neck and moveable in a perpendicular
direction to the longitudinal axis of the spindle wherein the
button and pin are aligned with the hole.
[0016] The rotary polishers and methods of use are described in
more detail in the detailed description of the drawings below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of one embodiment of a
rotary polisher.
[0018] FIG. 2 illustrates a top down view of the rotary polisher of
FIG. 1.
[0019] FIG. 3 shows a top down close up view of just the portion of
the rotary polisher of FIGS. 1 and 2 that includes the digital
readout.
[0020] FIG. 4 illustrates an electrical schematic of a velocity
digital readout in electrical communication with the motor
controller.
[0021] FIG. 5 illustrates an electrical schematic of a torque
digital readout.
[0022] FIG. 6 illustrates a front view of the rotary polisher of
the previous figures.
[0023] FIG. 7 illustrates an exploded view of a portion of the
spindle lock mechanism of the rotary polisher of the previous
figures.
[0024] FIG. 8A illustrates a side view of the rotary polisher of
the previous figures.
[0025] FIG. 8B illustrates a side exploded view of the front
portion of the rotary polisher of the previous figures.
[0026] FIG. 8C illustrates an isometric exploded view of the front
portion of the rotary polisher of the previous figures.
[0027] FIG. 9 illustrates a bottom view of the head portion or
upper handle portion of the body of the rotary polisher of the
previous figures.
[0028] FIG. 10 illustrates an isometric view of the head portion or
upper handle portion of the rotary polisher of the previous
figures.
[0029] FIG. 11 illustrates an exploded view of the head portion or
upper handle portion of the rotary polisher of the previous
figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0030] FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of one embodiment of a
rotary polisher 10. The rotary polisher 10 is comprised by the body
12 and the head 14. In operation, the user holds the body 12 and
the head 14 rotates with respect to the body 12. The head 14
comprises the backplate 16 and the applicator 17. The backplate 16
comprises the main portion of the head 14 and typically has a
releasable coupling surface, like Velcro.RTM. for example, to allow
different applicators 17 to be releasably coupled to the backplate
16. Applicators 17 may come in various different shapes and sizes.
As just some examples, the applicator 17 may be, foam, cloth,
rubber or any other material. The applicator 17 may also be a
combination of materials such as a rubber piece designed to secure
a cloth such as a microfiber cloth. In preferred embodiments, the
applicator 17 has a complementary surface with a complementary
releasable coupling surface to the backplate 16. In preferred
examples, Velcro.RTM. may be used and different applicators 17 may
be easily added or removed from the backplate 16.
[0031] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the body 12 comprises
three separate portions: 1.) The lower handle 18; 2.) The
midsection 20; and 3.) The upper handle 22. The upper handle 22 is
the portion of the body 12 coupled to the head 14.
[0032] FIG. 2 illustrates a top down view of the rotary polisher 10
of FIG. 1. As may be seen in FIG. 2, rotary polisher 10 includes a
digital readout 30. As may be seen in FIG. 2, the digital readout
is located on the lower handle portion 18 of the body 12 of the
rotary polisher 10. In particular, the digital readout 30 is
located towards the middle section 20 side of the lower handle 18.
However, in other embodiments, the digital readout 30 may be
located in other portions of the rotary polisher 10 including on
the middle section 20 or the upper handle 22. The important thing
is that the digital readout 30 is located in a position that allows
the user of the rotary polisher 10 to easily view and read the
digital readout 30.
[0033] FIG. 3 shows a top down close up view of just the portion of
the rotary polisher 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2 that includes the digital
readout 30. As may be seen in FIG. 3, the digital readout 30 is a
four digit readout. Although different length readouts may be used,
a four digit readout is particularly advantageous. Rotary buffers
typically rotate between 300 rotations per minute ("RPM") and 3500
RPM. To this end, a four-digit readout allows the exact RPMs to be
displayed through the entire range of RPMs of the rotary polisher
10.
[0034] As may be seen in FIG. 3, a power switch 32 is located just
above the digital readout 30. In preferred embodiments, the power
switch 32 is located in close proximity to the digital readout 30.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the power switch 32 is a slide
switch. However, in other embodiments, other switches may be
used.
[0035] In addition to the power switch 32, a speed increase button
36 and speed decrease button 34 are located just below the digital
readout 30. In operation, the rotary polisher 10 is turned on by
sliding the power switch to the on position. The user can then
control the rotational speed of the head 12 by increasing or
decreasing the speed using the speed increase button 36 and speed
decrease button 34. In a preferred embodiment, the buttons 34 and
36 are hooked to an analog circuit such that the speed increases
and decreases proportionally. As an example, holding the speed
increase button 36 for a certain number of seconds may increase the
speed by a proportional amount related to the time the button is
depressed. In some embodiments, the amount of speed increase may
accelerate the longer the increase speed button 36 is depressed.
The decrease speed button 34 may work in a similar manner.
[0036] In another embodiment, the increase speed button 36 may
increase the speed in block increments. For example, a single press
might move the speed from 0 RPM to 300 RPM. An additional press
might move the speed from 300 RPM to 600 RPM. In such an example,
the speed may be increased by 300 RPM with each press of the
button. The speed decrease button 34 may work in a similar manner.
In other embodiments, increments other than 300 RPM may be used and
different increment amounts may be combined in the same
embodiment.
[0037] FIG. 4 illustrates an electrical schematic of a velocity
digital readout in electrical communication with the motor
controller 35. The motor controller 35 may be a microcontroller,
CPU, ASIC, FPGA, or any other type of controller or programmable
trip. As may be seen the various inputs and outputs of the motor
controller 35 are in electrical communication with the digital
readout 30. In operation, the motor controller 35 sends signals to
the digital readout 30 such that the readout appropriately displays
the rotations per minute of the motor on the four digit readout.
The output of the speed decrease button 34 and speed increase
button 36 are also fed into the motor controller 35 to signal the
motor controller to change the speed of the motor. In different
embodiments, the digital readout may show the torque or the
velocity depending on the calculations done within the
microcontroller.
[0038] FIG. 5 illustrates an electrical schematic of a digital
readout that displays the velocity or torque of the motor. As may
be seen in FIG. 5, the speed controller 30 includes a digital
display 31. As already explained, a four-digit digital display 31
is preferred. A speed decrease 34 and speed increase button 36 are
present on preferred embodiments. Note, in other embodiments the
same functionality may be provided through an alternative interface
such as a slide or rotating dial. Power is supplied via power
supply 72. The power supply shown in FIG. 5 is 120 Volts but other
values may be used. For example, some embodiments may use 230
Volts. A 230 Volt version may be useful for sale in places like
Europe and Australia where 220 V is a common power supply. A stator
circuit 76 surrounds the rotor 79 and carbon brushes 78. In the
embodiment shown, a capacitor 74 is placed in parallel with the
rotor 79. The capacitor 74 is not required for 120 V power supplies
but is required for 230 V power supply embodiments.
[0039] FIG. 6 illustrates a front view of the rotary polisher 10 of
FIGS. 1-3. As may be seen in FIG. 6, the rotary polisher 40 may
include a spindle lock mechanism 40. The spindle lock mechanism 40
is designed to allow the detachment of the head 14 including both
the back plate 16 and the applicator 17. The rotary polisher's 10
streamline configuration utilizes a spindle lock mechanism 40 for
quick detachment of the head that does not require tools. As may be
seen in FIG. 6, the spindle lock mechanism 40 includes a button 41.
In operation, the button 41 is pressed to engage the spindle lock
mechanism 40. The unique push button 41 is located at the base of
the head of the rotary polisher 10 where it can be easily accessed.
In preferred embodiments, the button is made of plastic and the
spindle is made of metal. However, in other embodiments, the button
may also be made from metal or other materials. Ideally, the
spindle is made from steel or a steel alloy.
[0040] FIG. 7 illustrates an exploded view of a portion of the
spindle lock mechanism 40 of the rotary polisher 10 of FIGS. 1-4.
In FIG. 7, the back plate and applicator are not shown to allow the
spindle 42, also known as shaft 42 or rotating shaft 42 to be seen.
The spindle 42 rotates about longitudinal axis 43 and has a
threaded end 44 on one end. The threaded end couples the spindle 42
to the back plate (back plate shown in FIG. 7). The opposite end of
the shaft from the threaded end 44 couples the spindle 42 to the
rotary polisher 10 and in particular, to the motor of the rotary
polisher 10. The spindle 42 may also have a boss 47. Boss 47 is a
larger diameter portion of the spindle 42 that is located between
the two ends of the shaft 42.
[0041] As may be seen in FIG. 7, the housing of the rotary polisher
10 has a neck 46. The neck 46 is on the bottom side of the upper
handle 22. The neck 46 surrounds and is coaxial with the spindle
42. The spindle 42 passes through the neck 46 up into the rotating
polisher 10.
[0042] The spindle 42 also has a cavity 45. In the embodiments
shown in FIG. 7, the spindle 42 actually has two identical
cavities, one on each side such that the cavities 45 oppose each
other. The second cavity 45 on the back side of the spindle 42,
cannot be seen in FIG. 7. In preferred embodiments, the cavities
are aligned around a circumference of the spindle 42. Although the
word "cavity" is used, in some embodiments, the cavity may be
thought of as a hole or slotted hole. In different embodiments, a
different number of cavities 45 may be used. Anywhere from 1 to 10
or even more cavities may be used. In some embodiments, two
cavities 45 may be formed by a single hole that passes through the
diameter of the spindle 42. Regardless of the embodiment, at least
one cavity 45 is required.
[0043] The cavity 45 in the embodiment of FIG. 7 is cylindrical in
shape however, the cavity 45 may be any shape. As will be explained
in more detail below, the cavity 45 preferably has a reciprocal
shape to a pin or plunger activated by the button 41. In the
embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the cavity 45 is bored into the boss 47
of the spindle 42. In preferred embodiments, the cavity 45 is
positioned on the boss 47 because the boss 47 provides increased
strength after the cavity 45 is created. The shaft of the spindle
42 has a widened center or boss 47 with two indents on it. This is
where the locking pin slides into to lock the spindle 42 and
prevent it from spinning. Without the boss 47, the integrity and
strength of the spindle 42 would be greatly compromised when the
hole or indents are added. One benefit of the design of the spindle
42 is that it allows the lock to easily slide in while minimizing
wear and tear. In other embodiments, the spindle 42 may not have a
boss 47 and the cavity 45 may be positioned anywhere on the spindle
42.
[0044] FIG. 8A illustrates a side view of the rotary polisher 10 of
the previous figures. As may be seen in FIG. 8A, the neck 46
extends down from the bottom side of the upper handle 22. The
spindle 42 is coupled to a motor within the body of the rotary
polisher 22. The threaded end 44 of the spindle 42 extends down
below the neck 46. In operation, the back plate, (not shown in FIG.
8A) couples to the threaded end 44 of the spindle 42 by receiving
the threaded end in a complimentary threaded fastener. The spindle
42 rotating in the opposite direction to the threads of the
threaded end 42 so that in operation, the back plate is not
unscrewed from the threaded end by the rotation of the spindle
42.
[0045] As may be seen, button 41 is located on an outside portion
of the neck 46. Neck 46 has a passage 50 that passes through the
outer wall of the neck 46 and allows access to the interior of the
neck 46 and the spindle 42 by the button 41. The back side or
interior facing side of the button includes a pin, plunger, rod or
shaft 52 that may be extended into and out of the interior of the
neck by pressing on the button 41. Once the pin 52 is pushed in and
the pin 52 aligns with the spindle 42 of the polisher 10, the pin
52 will lock the spindle allowing batching plates with different
sizes to be easily switched. In preferred embodiments, a spring 54
biases the pin 52 and button 41 such that the pin 52 wants to
return to the retracted position and only protrudes into the
interior of the neck 46 when the button is pressed 41. In preferred
embodiments, the pin 52 and button 41 may be made as a single
entity. In other embodiments, they may be comprised of separate
elements.
[0046] As may be seen in FIG. 8B, the neck 46 is comprised of two
portions. The first portion is the neck protrusion 63 and the
second portion is the flange 62. The flange portion 62 is a larger
diameter than the neck protrusion 63. The flange portion 62
interfaces with the body 12 along the upper portion of the handle
22.
[0047] The pin 52 may be a simple cylindrical pin or may be keyed
to prevent rotation. In a preferred embodiment, the pin may have a
boss 64 at the end. Similar to the boss on the spindle 42, the boss
64 on the pin 52 adds important strength to the pin 52. FIG. 8C
illustrates an isometric exploded view of the front portion of the
rotary polisher of the previous figures. As you can see in FIG. 8C,
in some embodiments, the passage, or hole, 50 may include a number
of flanges or steps.
[0048] In operation, the button 41 is depressed and forces the pin
52 farther into the interior of the neck 46 such that the pin 52
engages with the outside surface of the spindle 42. The button 41
and pin 52 are vertically aligned with the same level as the cavity
45. Accordingly, when the pin 52 engages the outside surface of the
spindle 42, if the shaft is rotated, the pin 52 will eventually
find the cavity 45. Once the pin 52 aligns with the cavity 45, the
pin 52 is inserted into the cavity 45. The insertion of the pin 52
into the cavity 45 prevents the further rotation of the spindle
42.
[0049] As one may appreciate, removing the head 14 including the
backplate 16 from the spindle 42 could be very difficult if the
spindle 42 was allowed to continuously rotate. This is because
anytime the head 14 is spun to try and unscrew it from the spindle
42, the spindle 42 would spin in response instead of the head 14
and backplate 16 rotating against the threads. However, if button
41 is depressed and the pin 52 engages the cavity 45 of the spindle
42, the spindle 42 is now held in place and a torque on the head 14
and backplate 16 may be realized on the threaded interface. To this
end, the head 14 may be easily and quickly separated from the
spindle 42. Accordingly, the backplate 16 and/or applicator 17 can
be removed from the rotary polisher 10 without the use of
tools.
[0050] FIG. 8 illustrates a bottom view of the head portion or
upper handle portion of the body of the rotary polisher of the
previous figures. As may be seen in FIG. 8, a boss may also be
formed on the neck 46 surrounding the button 41. This boss helps
prevent the button 41 from accidently being depressed during normal
operation.
[0051] FIG. 10 illustrates an isometric view of the head portion or
upper handle portion 22 of the rotary polisher 10 of the previous
figures. The boss 60 around the button 41 may be clearly seen in
FIG. 10. In the embodiment of FIG. 10, the boss 60 does not go all
the way around the button 41. In some embodiments, the boss 60 may
go all the way around. However, in other embodiments like the one
shown, a portion of the boss 60 at the bottom may be cut off to
maintain a flat plane where the back plate 16 attaches.
[0052] FIG. 11 illustrates an exploded view of the head portion or
upper handle portion 22 of the rotary polisher 10 of the previous
figures. In FIG. 11, the cavity 45 may be clearly seen in the boss
47.
[0053] If a user is desirous of swapping out the back plate 16 to a
different size, or for any other reason, the user can begin by
placing the polisher 10 on its back. For safety reasons, it should
be confirmed that the rotary polisher 10 is unplugged. The spindle
release button 41, located beneath the backing plate, may be
gripped with a thumb, placing the remaining figures around the
metal housing. By using the thumb placed on the spindle lock button
41 to apply pressure, the spindle lock button may be depressed
until it moves completely inward. Pressure should be maintained on
the button 41 until the backing plate 16 spins freely. Holding the
spindle release button 41 locks the spindle 42 in place so that the
backing plate 16 can rotate independently of the spindle 42. With
the hand not on the rotary polisher 10, rotate the backing plate 16
counterclockwise. Some resistance will be felt when turning the
backing plate 16. A small amount of force is needed to get the
backing plate 16 to spin. Continue to turn the backing plate 16
counter clockwise until it is fully dislodged from the spindle
42.
[0054] Although the invention has been described with reference to
preferred embodiments and specific examples, it will readily be
appreciated by those skilled in the art that many modifications and
adaptations of the methods and devices described herein are
possible without departure from the spirit and scope of the
embodiments as claimed hereinafter. In addition, elements of any of
the embodiments described may be combined with elements of other
embodiments to create additional embodiments. Thus, it is to be
clearly understood that this description is made only by way of
example and not as a limitation on the scope of the claims
below.
* * * * *