U.S. patent application number 17/520679 was filed with the patent office on 2022-02-24 for surface-abrading tool configured for mounting to an extension pole.
The applicant listed for this patent is Hyde Tools, Inc.. Invention is credited to Romeo Arvinte, Richard M. Farland, Corey Talbot.
Application Number | 20220055172 17/520679 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-02-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220055172 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Arvinte; Romeo ; et
al. |
February 24, 2022 |
SURFACE-ABRADING TOOL CONFIGURED FOR MOUNTING TO AN EXTENSION
POLE
Abstract
A surface-treating tool is configured for coupling to an
extension pole with opposed proximal and distal pole ends. The tool
comprises a tool head including a rigid tool support having
mutually opposed tool-support upper and lower surfaces. A pole
coupling configured for selectively coupling the tool support to
the pole distal end is affixed to the tool-support upper surface
such that a coupled extension pole is pivotable relative to the
tool support about mutually orthogonal first and second pivot axes.
A tool pad includes a rigid plate with plate top and bottom
surfaces and a resilient layer permanently adhered the plate bottom
surface. The resilient layer includes an attachment surface to
which a working material may be removably attached without tools. A
pad fastener introduced through the resilient layer attaches the
tool pad to the tool-support lower surface with the rigid plate
between the tool support and the resilient layer.
Inventors: |
Arvinte; Romeo; (Laval,
CA) ; Farland; Richard M.; (Fiskdale, MA) ;
Talbot; Corey; (Hebron, CT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Hyde Tools, Inc. |
Southbridge |
MA |
US |
|
|
Appl. No.: |
17/520679 |
Filed: |
November 7, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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PCT/US2020/031824 |
May 7, 2020 |
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17520679 |
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62844209 |
May 7, 2019 |
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International
Class: |
B24B 7/18 20060101
B24B007/18 |
Claims
1. A hand manipulated surface-treating tool configured for coupling
to an extension pole having longitudinally opposed proximal and
distal pole ends, the surface-treating tool comprising: a tool head
including a rigid tool support having mutually opposed tool-support
upper and lower surfaces bounded by a common tool-support
periphery, and further including a tool-support center; a pole
coupling affixed to the tool-support upper surface and configured
for selectively coupling the tool support to the pole distal end,
the pole coupling being affixed to the tool-support upper surface
and further configured such that an extension pole coupled to the
tool head by the pole coupling is pivotable relative to the tool
support about mutually orthogonal first and second pivot axes; and
a tool pad including (i) a rigid plate having mutually opposed
plate top and bottom surfaces bounded by a peripheral plate edge
extending between the plate top and bottom surfaces and (ii) a
resilient layer with a resilient-layer upper surface permanently
adhered to the plate bottom surface and an attachment surface that
is opposite the resilient-layer upper surface and configured for
releasably retaining a working material, wherein (a) the tool pad
is attached to the tool head with the plate top surface in
contacting engagement with the tool-support lower surface; (b) the
tool pad includes a tool-pad center; (c) there is a plate-center
hole through the rigid plate and a resilient-layer-center hole
extending through the resilient layer and aligned with the
plate-center hole at the tool-pad center; and (d) the tool pad is
attached to the tool-support lower surface by a pad fastener
introduced into at least the resilient-layer-center hole and
secured to the tool-support center.
2. The surface-treating tool of claim 1 wherein the pad fastener is
a permanent fastener such that the tool pad is permanently attached
to the tool head with the plate top surface in contacting
engagement with the tool-support lower surface.
3. The surface-treating tool of claim 2 wherein the permanent pad
fastener is a threaded fastener that has applied to the threads an
adhesive before being threadably joined with the tool support such
that, when the adhesive cures, the subsequent unthreading of the
fastener and removal of the tool pad from the tool support are
prevented.
4. The surface-treating tool of claim 1 wherein the pad fastener is
a removable fastener such that the tool pad is removably attached
to the tool head with the plate top surface in contacting
engagement with the tool-support lower surface.
5. The surface-treating tool of claim 4 wherein the removable pad
fastener is a threaded fastener.
6. The surface-treating tool of claim 5 wherein the pad fastener is
a tool-less fastener.
7. A hand manipulated surface-abrading tool configured for coupling
to an extension pole having longitudinally opposed proximal and
distal pole ends, the surface-abrading tool comprising: a tool head
including a rigid tool support having mutually opposed tool-support
upper and lower surfaces bounded by a common tool-support
periphery, and further including a tool-support center within the
tool-support periphery; a pole coupling affixed to the tool-support
upper surface for selectively coupling the tool support to the pole
distal end, the pole coupling being affixed to the tool-support
upper surface and configured such that an extension pole coupled to
the tool head by the pole coupling is pivotable relative to the
tool support about mutually orthogonal first and second pivot axes;
and a tool pad including (i) a rigid plate having mutually opposed
plate top and bottom surfaces bounded by a peripheral plate edge
extending between the plate top and bottom surfaces and (ii) a
resilient layer with a resilient-layer upper surface permanently
adhered to the plate bottom surface and an attachment surface that
is opposite the resilient-layer upper surface and configured for
releasably retaining an abrading material, wherein the tool pad and
the tool-support lower surface are cooperatively configured to
enable removable attachment of the tool pad to the tool head with
the rigid plate between the resilient layer and the tool-support
lower surface.
8. The surface-abrading tool of claim 7 wherein (a) the tool pad
includes a tool-pad center; (b) there is a plate-center hole
through the rigid plate and a resilient-layer-center hole that
extends through the resilient layer and is aligned with the
plate-center hole at the tool-pad center; and (c) the tool pad is
removably attached to the tool-support lower surface by a pad
fastener introduced into at least the resilient-layer-center hole
and secured to the tool-support center.
9. The surface-abrading tool of claim 8 wherein the rigid plate and
the tool-support lower surface are complementarily keyed such that,
when the tool pad is removably attached to the lower surface of the
tool support, and the pad fastener is secured, the tool pad is
prevented from rotating relative to the tool support.
10. The surface-abrading tool of claim 9 wherein the complementary
keying comprises at least one off-center key aperture in the rigid
plate and at least one key protrusion extending downwardly from the
tool-support lower surface and into the at least one off-center key
aperture, thereby establishing an interference fit between the
tool-support and the rigid plate.
11. A surface-treating tool configured for coupling to an extension
pole having opposed proximal and distal pole ends, the
surface-treating tool comprising: a tool head including a rigid
tool support having mutually opposed tool-support upper and lower
surfaces; a pole coupling configured for selectively coupling the
tool support to the pole distal end and affixed to the tool-support
upper surface such that a coupled extension pole is pivotable
relative to the tool support about mutually orthogonal first and
second pivot axes; a tool pad including a rigid plate with plate
top and bottom surfaces and a resilient layer permanently adhered
to the plate bottom surface, the resilient layer including an
attachment surface to which a working material can be removably
attached without tools; and a pad fastener for attaching the tool
pad to the tool-support lower surface, wherein the pad fastener is
introduced through the resilient layer and secured to tool-support
lower surface in order to attach the tool pad to the tool-support
lower surface with the rigid plate between the tool support and the
resilient layer.
12. The surface-treating tool of claim 11 wherein the working
material is an abrading material in the form of one of (i) a sheet
and (ii) a pad.
13. The surface-treating tool of claim 12 wherein the abrading
material is attached to the resilient-layer attachment surface by a
plurality of hook-on-loop fasteners.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS/PRIORITY CLAIMS
[0001] The present application is a continuation application of
International Application Serial No. PCT/US2020/031824 filed May 7,
2020 pursuant to the Patent Cooperation Treaty, and under the title
"SURFACE-ABRADING TOOL CONFIGURED FOR MOUNTING TO AND EXTENSION
POLE." Application PCT/US2020/031824 claimed priority benefits in
U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/844,209 filed May 7, 2019 under
the title "SURFACE-ABRADING TOOL CONFIGURED FOR MOUNTING TO AND
EXTENSION POLE."
[0002] The present application claims the benefit of the filing
date of Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/844,209, as well as the
filing date of PCT Application No. PCT/US2020/031824, based on the
priority chain outlined above. Moreover, the entireties of the
disclosures, including the drawings, of both previous applications
in the aforesaid priority chain are incorporated herein by
reference as if set forth fully in the present application.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Hand manipulated surface-treating tools have been employed
since antiquity for the preparation, cleaning, and finishing of
surfaces such as walls, ceilings, and floors. A plethora of
configurations with tool heads coupleable to extension poles has
evolved over time, each providing one or a few advantageous
features. Attached or attachable to these tool heads are changeable
and/or reconfigurable working materials in the form of pads and or
sheets of surface-treating material. Such tools have included pads
or sheets for cleaning, polishing, painting, sealcoating, and
abrading (e.g., sanding) surfaces.
[0004] Embodiments of the present invention improve upon previous
related apparatus by, in some versions, variously facilitating
rapid, tool-less changing and durable selective securement of tool
pads to a unitary tool head with infinite angular displaceability
within specified ranges about two mutually orthogonal pivot axes.
In alternative versions otherwise substantially similar, securement
of tool pads to tool heads is permanent.
SUMMARY
[0005] Illustratively embodied, a hand manipulated surface-treating
tool is configured for coupling to an extension pole having
longitudinally opposed proximal and distal pole ends. The
surface-treating tool has a tool head including a rigid tool
support with mutually opposed tool-support upper and lower surfaces
bounded by a common tool-support periphery, and, within the
tool-support periphery, a tool-support center. A pole coupling is
affixed to the tool-support upper surface and configured for
selectively coupling the tool support to the pole distal end.
[0006] Illustratively, the pole coupling may include a sleeve
member defining an internally-threaded socket into which an
externally-threaded pole distal end is selectively threaded. Such
threadable coupling between a surface-engaging tool and an
extension pole is ubiquitous and not in itself a limitation or a
point of novelty relative to the present invention. The pole
coupling is affixed to the tool-support upper surface such that an
extension pole coupled to the tool head by the pole coupling is
pivotable relative to the tool support about mutually orthogonal
first and second pivot axes. In various embodiments, this
dual-pivot-axis functionality is achieved by what amounts to a
universal joint, a mechanical coupling itself also well-known
across multiple applications wherever large relative angular
displacement along a continuum between two coupled components is
desired. Thusly joined, in at least several embodiments, the
proximal pole end could occupy an infinite number of points along
substantially an imaginary hemispherical shell with a radius that
includes the length of the pole and has as its origin a point
located near or at a crossing between the mutually orthogonal first
and second pivot axes, depending on whether the first and second
pivot axes are coplanar or nearly coplanar. An equivalent
functionality can be alternatively achieved through use of a
ball-and-socket joint.
[0007] While the particular mechanisms employed to enable pivoting
about mutually orthogonal first and second axes is quite secondary
to the broader inventive aspects, the manner in which it is
achieved relative to the illustrative embodiment(s) depicted and
later discussed in the detailed description involves a yoke and
axle system. An axle is mounted between two stanchions that depend
from--and extend upwardly from--the tool-support upper surface, one
stanchion on each side of the tool-support center. The axle defines
the first pivot axis. The axle includes an axle block. A yoke
connected to the pole coupling straddles the axle block and is
attached for pivotal movement relative to the axle block, thereby
defining the second pivot axis, which is orthogonal to the first
pivot axis. This illustrative set of mechanisms, while warranted
some mention in the summary, is not called out in all of its
specific detail in the detailed description because (i) it is only
one illustrative set of pivoting mechanisms that could be
implemented and (ii) it is not tied to a claimed point of novelty.
Nevertheless, its antecedent is hereby established with sufficient
specificity to support a claim if later warranted.
[0008] An embodiment of the surface-treating tool further includes
a tool pad. The tool pad includes a rigid plate having mutually
opposed plate top and bottom surfaces bounded by a peripheral plate
edge extending between the plate top and bottom surfaces. A
resilient layer has a resilient-layer upper surface and an opposed
attachment surface. The resilient-layer upper surface is
permanently adhered to the plate bottom surface, while the
attachment surface is configured for releasably retaining a working
material. In each of various embodiments, the working material is
an abrading material in the form of a sheet or pad, such as
sandpaper or a sanding pad. However, the working material could
more broadly be a non-abrading material, such as a cleaning or
painting pad or sponge, for example. In any event, it is desirable
that the working material be attachable to the attachment surface
without the use of tools.
[0009] In each of various configurations, by means of a pad
fastener, the tool pad is attached to the tool head with the plate
top surface in contacting engagement with the tool-support lower
surface. More specifically, the tool pad has a tool-pad center at
which there is defined through the rigid plate a plate-center hole
and, through the resilient layer, a resilient-layer center hole
aligned with the plate-center hole. The pad fastener is introduced
from below the tool pad into at least the resilient-layer center
hole and secured to a portion of the tool-support lower surface
configured for receiving the pad fastener. That is, the tool pad is
retained by a pad fastener introduced from the tool pad side for
fastening to the tool-support lower surface. Among other
advantages, this permits the rigid plate to be relatively thin
compared to a plate required to carry threads for receiving
top-down fasteners from the tool support side, for example.
[0010] According to one version, the pad fastener is a permanent
fastener such that the tool pad is permanently attached to the tool
head with the plate top surface in contacting engagement with the
tool-support lower surface. "Contacting engagement" is to be
interpreted broadly to include other-than-direct contact; an
intermediate medium or element could be present, such as a washer
or gasket, by way of non-limiting example. In any event, whether
the pad fastener is permanent or not, the tool pad, when mounted
and fastened to the tool support, is oriented such that the rigid
plate is situated between the resilient layer and the tool-support
lower surface.
[0011] In a version in which the pad fastener is permanent, it
would be installed as part of the fabrication process. In at least
one variation, the permanent pad fastener is a threaded fastener
that has applied to the threads an adhesive before being threadably
joined with the tool support such that, when the adhesive cures,
the subsequent unthreading of the fastener and removal of the tool
pad from the tool support are prevented. An example of such an
adhesive is a fastener-thread adhesive presently sold under the
trademark Loctite.RTM.. While an illustrative example of a threaded
pad fastener is shown as internally threaded in the drawings
discussed in the detailed description, it is to be understood that
the pad fastener could be internally of externally threaded.
[0012] In alternative versions, the tool pad is removably attached
to the tool head by a non-permanent, removable pad fastener. The
removable pad fastener may be a threaded fastener. In a
still-more-specific version, the threaded fastener is a tool-less
fastener Representative embodiments are more completely described
and depicted in the following detailed description and the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a surface-abrading tool
configured for mounting to an extension pole;
[0014] FIG. 2 shows the tool support, tool pad, and pad fastener of
the surface-abrading tool of FIG. 1 in a disassembled state;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the surface-abrading
tool of FIGS. 1 and 2 showing how a tool pad is attached to the
tool support from the bottom using the pad fastener;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the surface-abrading tool of
FIGS. 1-3 with an abrading material sheet removable attached to the
tool pad; and
[0017] FIG. 5 shows the tool support and tool pad in a disassembled
state.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] The following description of variously embodied
surface-abrading tools is demonstrative in nature and is not
intended to limit the invention or its application of uses.
Accordingly, the various implementations, aspects, versions and
embodiments described in the summary and detailed description are
in the nature of non-limiting examples falling within the scope of
the appended claims and do not serve to restrict the maximum scope
of the claims. Moreover, among the various depicted embodiments,
like reference numbers are used to refer to similar or analogous
components.
[0019] Referring to FIGS. 1-5, an embodiment of a surface-abrading
tool 10 is configured for coupling with an elongated extension pole
20 having longitudinally opposed proximal and distal pole ends 22
and 24. The surface-abrading tool 10 includes a tool head 100
having a rigid tool support 110. The tool support 110 has mutually
opposed tool-support upper and lower surfaces 120 and 130 bounded
by a common tool-support periphery 140, and further includes a
tool-support center 150.
[0020] As shown in FIG. 1, a pole coupling 200 configured for
selectively coupling the tool support 110 to the pole distal end 24
is affixed to the tool-support upper surface 120. The pole coupling
200 is configured and affixed to the tool-support upper surface 120
such that the extension pole 20, when coupled to the tool head 100
by the pole coupling 200, is pivotable relative to the tool support
110 about mutually orthogonal first and second pivot axes A.sub.P1
and A.sub.P2. While the particular mechanisms employed to enable
pivoting about mutually orthogonal first and second pivot axes
A.sub.P1 and A.sub.P2 is quite secondary to the broader inventive
aspects, the manner in which it is achieved relative to the
illustrative embodiment(s) depicted is self-explanatory.
[0021] The tool head 100 is configured for use with a removably
mountable tool pad 300. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 5, the tool pad
300 includes a rigid plate 310 which has mutually opposed plate top
and bottom surfaces 320 and 330. The plate top and bottom surfaces
320 and 330 are bounded by a common peripheral plate edge 340 that
extends between the plate top and bottom surfaces 320 and 330. In
an exemplary version, the rigid plate 310 is comprised of sheet
metal, such as aluminum or steel, but can be fabricated from any
material that is self-supporting and provides rigidity.
[0022] The tool pad 300 further includes a resilient layer 360 with
a resilient-layer upper surface 362 permanently adhered to the
plate bottom surface 330. An attachment surface 364 is situated
opposite the resilient-layer upper surface 362 that is adhered to
the rigid plate 310. The attachment surface 364 is configured for
releasably retaining a working material 370. Most commonly, the
working material 370 is an abrading material 380 in the form of a
sheet or pad, such as sandpaper or a sanding pad. However, the
working material 370 could more broadly be a non-abrading material,
such as a cleaning or painting pad or sponge, for example. In
broader configurations encompassing non-abrading working materials
370, the tool 10 may be alternatively and interchangeably referred
to as a surface-treating tool 10. The working material 370 pad or
sheet may have a back surface 372 attachable to the attachment
surface 364 of the resilient layer 360 by a plurality of
hook-and-loop fasteners 366 such as those most commonly known and
sold under the tradename "Velcro.RTM.."
[0023] The resilient layer 360 may comprise a material providing
cushioning, but also exhibiting a "memory" property allowing it,
when deformed, to return to a predefined default shape. Nonlimiting
examples of suitable materials include foam, foam-rubber, and
rubber. The resilient layer 360 is bounded by a resilient-layer
periphery 365. In at least one version, the resilient-layer
periphery 365 extends to the outside of the peripheral plate edge
340 of the rigid plate 310 in order to prevent damage to surfaces
of adjacent workpieces being abraded by the surface-abrading tool
10. This is clearly shown in FIG. 5.
[0024] With principal reference now to FIGS. 1 and 2, in one
embodiment, the rigid plate 310 and the tool-support lower surface
130 of the tool support 110 are cooperatively configured to enable
removable attachment of the tool pad 300 to the tool head 100 with
the plate top surface 320 in contacting engagement with the
tool-support lower surface 130. In the embodiments depicted, and
especially most clearly in FIGS. 2 and 3, a single pad fastener 400
retains the tool pad 300 on the tool head 100. More specifically,
the tool pad 300 has a tool-pad center 305. At the tool-pad center
305 there is a plate-center hole 325 through the rigid plate 310
and a resilient-layer-center hole 367 extending through the
resilient layer 360 and at least partially aligned with the
plate-center hole 325.
[0025] The tool pad 300 is removably attached to the tool-support
lower surface 130 by introducing the pad fastener 400 into at least
the resilient-layer-center hole 367 and securing the pad fastener
400 to the tool-support center 150. More specifically, as seen most
clearly in FIG. 2, the tool-support center 150 has defined
thereabout an annular pad mount 155 that, in this case, is provided
with external threads 156. The illustrative pad fastener 400
depicted includes a ring 410 provided with internal threads 412
configured for threadable engagement with the external threads 156
of the pad mount 155.
[0026] As shown in FIG. 3, the pad fastener 400, resilient layer
360, and the resilient-layer-center hole 367 are configured such
that, at least when the pad fastener 400 is fully secured to the
tool support 110, the pad fastener 400 is recessed relative to the
attachment surface 364 of the resilient layer 360. In this way,
when an abrading material 380--or other working material 370--pad
or sheet is attached to the attachment surface 364 of the resilient
layer 360, as shown in FIG. 4, the pad fastener 400 is covered and
does not cause bulging of the abrading material 380 sheet/pad.
[0027] Referring again to FIG. 2, it can be seen that the
plate-center hole 325 is smaller than the resilient-layer center
hole 367 such that an annular portion 326 of the rigid plate 310 is
visible through the resilient-layer center hole 367. When the tool
pad 300 is aligned and mounted to the tool-support lower surface
130, the annular pad mount 155--and external threads 156 of
same--protrude(s) downwardly through the plate-center hole 325 and
partially into the resilient-layer center hole 367 below the
plate-center hole 325. The pad fastener 400 is introduced into the
resilient-layer center hole 367 and the internal threads 412 of the
pad fastener 400 are threaded onto the external threads 156 of the
pad mount 155 until the ring 410 of the pad fastener 400 bears down
on the annular portion 326 of the rigid plate 310 and forces the
rigid plate 310 toward and against the tool-support lower surface
130.
[0028] It is advantageous, and therefore preferred, that the pad
fastener 400 be tool-less. That is, that the pad fastener 400 can
be tightened and loosened without the use of tools. Accordingly, in
the version depicted, a ring bridge 420 extends diametrically
across the center of the ring 410. A user can grasp the ring bridge
420 between two finger fingers--most likely the thumb and index
finger--to tighten and loosen the pad fastener 400.
[0029] For various reasons, preventing rotation of the tool pad 300
relative to the tool support 110 is advantageous. Accordingly, with
reference to FIG. 5, it can be seen that the rigid plate 310 and
the tool-support lower surface 130 are complementarily keyed such
that, when the tool pad 300 is removably mounted to the
tool-support lower surface 130 and the pad fastener 400 is secured,
the tool pad 300 is prevented from rotating relative to the tool
support 110. In this particular example, the complementary keying
comprises at least one off-center key aperture 328 in the rigid
plate 310 and at least one key protrusion 138 extending downwardly
from the tool-support lower surface 130. When the at least one key
protrusion 138 is caused to protrude into the at least one
off-center key aperture 328, an interference fit is established
between the tool-support 110 and the rigid plate 310, thereby
preventing the aforesaid relative rotation.
[0030] In connection with various versions, it is envisioned that,
when the resilient layer 360 is worn or a change is otherwise
indicated, a user of the tool 10 can remove and replace the tool
pad 300, a fact that is readily appreciated from the description
above. However, in other cases, the tool 10 is configured at
manufacture such that the tool pad 300 and tool head 100 are
permanently attached. In one version, the tool 10 is generally
configured as described above and illustratively depicted FIGS.
1-5. However, in order to prevent inadvertent or intentional
separation of the tool pad 300 from the tool support 110, a
permanent pad fastener 400 is used to retain the rigid plate 310 of
the tool pad 300 against the tool-support lower surface 130. Such a
fastener 400 could be variously configured as at least one of a
rivet, pin, bolt, screw, spot weld, press-fit interference, or
adhesive, by way of non-limiting example. Where a threaded fastener
400 is used, the threads 412 may have applied to them an adhesive
415 before or while being threadably joined with the tool support
110 via the pad mount 155. The adhesive 415, when cured, prevents
subsequent unthreading of the fastener 400 and removal of the tool
pad 300 from the tool support 110.
[0031] The foregoing is considered to be illustrative of the
principles of the invention. Furthermore, since modifications and
changes to various aspects and implementations will occur to those
skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of
the invention, it is to be understood that the foregoing does not
limit the invention as expressed in the appended claims to the
exact constructions, implementations and versions shown and
described.
* * * * *