RECIPROCATING LINEAR SANDER

A reciprocating linear sander has a base, at least one abrasive assembly, at least one reciprocating device and a driving device. The base has two sides and a belt. Each abrasive assembly is mounted in the base above the belt and has a rotating axle and an abrasive brush mounted around the rotating axle. The reciprocating device is connected respectively to the abrasive assembly and has a driven axle coaxially connected to the rotating axle of the abrasive assembly to allow the rotating axle to move reciprocatorily and linearly. The driving device is connected to the reciprocating device, drives the rotating axle of the abrasive assembly and has a couple to rotate the driven axle of the reciprocating device.

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Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sander and more particularly to a reciprocating linear sander that can simultaneously move an abrasive assembly reciprocatorily and rotatably to sand or polish an object.

2. Description of Related Art

A conventional linear sander is usually used to smooth surfaces of an article for finishing or polishing finished surfaces and comprises a base, a conveyor belt, two axles, a driver and an abrasive brush. The conveyor belt is mounted in the base. The axles are mounted rotatably through the base in parallel above the conveyor belt. The driver is mounted on the base and rotates at least one of the axles. The abrasive brush is mounted around and rotated by the axles to sand a surface of an object abutting the abrasive brush.

However, unstable movement of the rotating abrasive brush of the conventional sander causes inconsistency of finish on the article. Therefore, the conventional linear sander cannot provide a fine finish to the article, and the fine finish must be achieved by other means such as using disc sanders or manual hand sanding.

To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention provides a reciprocating linear sander to mitigate or obviate the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The main objective of the invention is to provide a reciprocating linear sander that can move an abrasive assembly reciprocatorily and rotatably at the same time to provide a preferred polishing effect.

The reciprocating linear sander in accordance with the present invention has a base, at least one abrasive assembly, at least one reciprocating device and at least one driving device. The base has two sides and a belt. Each abrasive assembly is mounted on the base above the belt and has a rotating axle and an abrasive brush mounted around the rotating axle. The reciprocating device is connected to respectively to the abrasive assembly and having a driven axle coaxially connected to the rotating axle of the abrasive assembly to allow the rotating axle to move reciprocatorily and linearly. The driving device is connected to the reciprocating device, drives the rotating axle of the abrasive assembly and has a couple to rotate the driven axle of the reciprocating device.

Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective rear view of a reciprocating linear sander in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the reciprocating linear sander in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective rear view of a reciprocating assembly of the reciprocating linear sander in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged front view in partial section of the reciprocating assembly of the reciprocating linear sander in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged side view in partial section of the reciprocating assembly of the reciprocating linear sander in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged top view in partial section of the reciprocating assembly of the reciprocating linear sander in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged front view in partial section of the reciprocating assembly of the reciprocating linear sander in FIG. 3;

FIG. 8A is an enlarged side view in partial section of a couple of the reciprocating linear sander in FIG. 7;

FIG. 8B is an enlarged front view of the couple of the reciprocating linear sander in FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 is an operational front view in partial section of the reciprocating assembly of the reciprocating linear sander in FIG. 3.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, a reciprocating linear sander in accordance with the present invention comprises a base (10), at least one abrasive assembly (20), a reciprocating device (40) and a driving device (50).

The base (10) has a top, a bottom, two longitudinal sides, at least four stanchions, at least two crossbars (12) and a conveyor belt (11). Each crossbar (12) is mounted between two different stanchions on the longitudinal sides of the base (10). The conveyor belt (11) is movably mounted in the base (10) between the sides.

Each abrasive assembly (20) is mounted rotatably on the base (10) above the conveyor belt (11), two abrasive assemblies (20) may be implemented and rotated in opposite directions, and each abrasive assembly (20) has two mounting brackets (22), a rotating axle (23), an abrasive brush (24), two optional clearance adjustors (30) and an optional adjustor driver (33).

The mounting brackets (22) are mounted adjacent to the sides of the base (10), may be mounted slidably on the crossbars (12) of the base (10) and each mounting bracket (22) has an inner side and an outer side.

The rotating axle (23) is rotatably mounted through the mounting brackets (22) and has a drive end, a non-drive end and a central segment. The central segment of the rotating axle (23) is mounted between the inner sides of the mounting brackets (22) and above the conveyor bell (11).

The abrasive brush (24) is mounted around the central segment of the rotating axle (23) to polish surfaces of an article mounted on the conveyor belt (11), and may be a sand cloth.

With further reference to FIGS. 4 to 6, the clearance adjustors (30) are connected to the base (10) and respectively to the abrasive assembly (20) at the ends of the rotating axle (23) to allow the abrasive assembly (20) to be moved perpendicularly relative to the conveyor belt (11) and each clearance adjustor (30) has a guide frame (34), an adjustor shaft (31), and an adjustor pulley (32).

The guide frame (34) is mounted on one side of the base (10) and through a corresponding mounting bracket (22) of the abrasive assembly (20) and comprises two guiding shafts (340) and a stopping block (341). The guiding shafts (340) are vertically mounted securely on the side of the base (10) and through the corresponding mounting bracket (22) and each guiding shaft (34) may be connected to the crossbar (12) of base (10) and have a distal end. The stopping block (341) is mounted on the guiding shafts (340) to limit movement of the mounting bracket (22) along the guiding shafts (340) and may be mounted between the distal ends of the guiding shafts (340).

The adjustor shaft (31) is mounted securely on the mounting bracket (22), parallel to the guiding shafts (340) and has a connecting end, a distal end and an external thread. The connecting end of the adjustor shaft (31) is mounted securely on the mounting bracket (22). The external thread is formed around the adjustor shaft (31) near the distal end.

The adjustor pulley (32) is rotatably mounted on the distal end of the adjustor shaft (31), engages the external thread, and has an annular surface and multiple teeth (321) formed on the annular surface.

The adjustor driver (33) is mourned on the top of the base (10) between the guide frames (34) and has a chain (331), may engage the teeth (321) of the adjustor pulleys (32), and is connected to the adjustor pulleys (32). The chain (331) of the adjustor driver (33) rotates the adjustor pulleys (32) synchronously to move the adjustor shaft (31) through the adjustor pulley (32). Therefore, the mounting bracket (22) will move the rotating axle (23) perpendicularly relative to the conveyor belt (11).

With further reference to FIG. 7, the reciprocating device (40) is connected to the abrasive assembly (20) to move the rotating axle (23) reciprocatorily and linearly along a rotational axis and may comprise a buffering frame (41), a driven axle (42), a connecting collar (43), a linear driver (44) and a linking segment.

The buffering frame (41) is mounted securely on the outer side of the mounting bracket (22) and has a top, all inner side, an outer side, a barrel (411), an axle mount and two bearings (412). The barrel (411) is formed on and protrudes from the buffering frame (41) and is mounted rotatably around the rotating axle (23) of the abrasive assembly (20). The axle mount is formed through the outer side of the buffering frame (41) and communicates with the barrel (411). The bearings (412) are mounted in the axle mount of lie buffering frame (41).

The driven axle (42) may be rotatably mounted slidably in the barrel (411) and the bearings (412) of the buffering frame (41), is connected securely to the rotating axle (23) and has an external surface, an inner end, an outer end, a fastener (421) and multiple engaging teeth (422). The inner end of the driven axle (42) is connected securely to the drive end of the rotating axle (23). The outer end of the driven axle (42) may protrude out of the buffering frame (41). The fastener (421) is mounted around the outer end of the driven axle (42). The engaging teeth (422) are formed on the external surface of the driven axle (42) and are mounted in the bearings (412) of the buffering frame (41).

The connecting collar (43) is rotatably mounted around the driven axle (42), is connected to the fastener (421) and has an external surface and a connecting wing (431). The connecting wing (431) is formed on and protrudes from the external surface of the connecting collar (43).

The linear driver (44) is connected to the driven axle (42) and may be mounted on the buffering frame (41) and has a drive shaft (441) disposed adjacent to the connecting wing (431) of the connecting collar (43).

The linking segment is connected to the connecting collar (43) and the linear driver (44) and has a crank (45) and a connecting rod (46). The crank (45) is connected to the drive shaft (441) of the linear driver (44). The connecting rod (46) is connected to the crank (45) and the connecting wing (431) of the connecting collar (43). The linear driver (44) moves the crank (45) that moves the connecting rod (46) and the driven axle (42) reciprocatorily to give the rotating axle (23) reciprocating motion along the rotational axis.

The driving device (50) is connected to the reciprocating device (40), drives the rotating axle (23) of the abrasive assembly (20) and has an optional driving motor (51) and a couple (52).

With further reference to FIGS. 8A and 8B, the couple (52) is rotatably mounted in the buffering frame (41) near the outer side, is connected to the driving motor (51), is mounted slidably on the driven axle (42) and has an internal surface, an inner ends an outer end, two locking rings (521), multiple engaging grooves (522) and a couple wheel (523). The inner end of the couple (52) is mounted in the buffering frame (41) in the bearings (412). The outer end of the couple (52) protrudes out of the outer side of the buffering frame (41). The locking rings (521) are mounted around the couple (52) adjacent to and abutting the bearings (412) to hold the couple (52) in the buffering frame (41). The engaging grooves (522) are axially formed in the internal surface of the couple (52) and engage the engaging teeth of the driven axle (42). The couple wheel (523) is mounted securely around the outer end of the couple (52).

The driving motor (51) is mounted on the buffering frame (41), drives the couple (52) and has a driving shaft (511), a drive wheel (512) and a drive belt (513). The drive wheel (512) is connected securely to the driving shaft (511) of the driving motor (51). The drive belt (513) is mounted around the drive wheel (512) and the couple wheel (523).

With further reference to FIG. 9, when the drive shaft (441) is rotated by the linear driver (44), the crank (45) and the connecting rod (46) of the linking segment will push the driven axle (42) toward the mounting bracket (22) along the couple (52) and the barrel (411) moves the rotating axle (23) and the abrasive brush (24) linearly. As the drive shaft (441) is continuously rotated by the linear driver (44), the linking segment will push and pull the driven axle (42) toward and away from the mounting bracket (22) to change the location of the rotating axle (23) and the abrasive brush (24) repeatedly.

At the same time, the driving, motor (51) will rotate the wheels (512, 523) to ensure the driven axle (42) rotates with the couple (52) since the engaging teeth (422) always engage the engaging grooves (522). Then, the rotating axle (23) can be rotated with the driven axle (42), and the abrasive brush (24) on the rotating axle (23) can rotatably polish the surfaces of an article reciprocalorily and linearly to provide a preferred polishing effect. Furthermore, the abrasive assemblies (20) may be rotated in different directions by the driving devices (50) to polish the surfaces of the article completely. In addition, the reciprocating linear sander can have the distance between the rotating axle (23) and the belt (11) adjusted by rotating the adjustor shafts (31) of the clearance adjustors (30), and the adjustor shafts (31) will move up or down the mounting brackets (22) along the guiding shafts (340) to change the distance between the abrasive brush (24) and the surfaces of the article to provide different polishing results.

Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape) size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.

Claims

1. A reciprocating linear sander comprising at least two crossbars mounted between two of the stanchions on the longitudinal sides; and

a base having a top; a bottom; two longitudinal sides; at least four stanchions;
a conveyor belt being movably mounted in the base between the longitudinal sides;
at least one abrasive assembly being mounted rotatably on the base above the conveyor belt and each abrasive assembly having two mounting brackets being mounted adjacent to the sides of the base and each mounting bracket having an inner side and an outer side; a rotating axle being mounted rotatably through the mounting brackets and having a drive end; a non-drive end; and a central segment being mounted between the inner surfaces of the mounting brackets and above the conveyor belt; and an abrasive brush being mounted around the central segment of the rotating axle;
at least one reciprocating device being connected respectively to the at least one abrasive assembly and each one having a driven axle being connected securely to the rotating axle of the corresponding abrasive assembly; and a linear driver being connected to the driven axle to allow the rotating axle to move reciprocalorily and linearly; and
at least one driving device being connected respectively to the at least one reciprocating device, driving the rotating axle of a corresponding one of the least one abrasive assembly and each one having a couple being mounted slidably around and engaging the driven axle of the corresponding one of the at least one reciprocating device.

2. The reciprocating linear sander as claimed in claim 1, wherein

each reciprocating device further has a buffering frame being mounted securely on the outer side of one of the mounting brackets of the corresponding one of the at least one abrasive assembly and having a top; an inner side; an outer side; a barrel being formed on and protruding from the buffering frame and being mounted rotatably around the rotating axle of the corresponding abrasive assembly; an axle mount being formed through the outer side of the buffering frame of the at least one reciprocating device and communicating with the barrel; and two bearings being mounted in the axle mount of the buffering frame; and
the driven axle of the corresponding reciprocating device being rotatably mounted slidably in the barrel and the bearings of the buffering frame and further has an external surface; an inner end being connected securely to the drive end of the rotating axle; an outer end protruding out of the buffering frame; a fastener being mounted around the outer end of the driven axle; and multiple engaging teeth being formed on the external surface of the driven axle and being mounted in the bearings of the buffering frame; and
the couple being rotatably mounted in the buffering frame near the outer side and further has an internal surface; an inner end being mounted in the buffering frame in the bearings; an outer end protruding out of the outer side of the buffering frame; and multiple engaging grooves being axially formed in the internal surface of the couple and engaging the engaging teeth of the driven axle.

3. The reciprocating linear sander as claimed in claim 2, wherein the at least one reciprocating device each further has

a connecting collar being rotatably mounted securely around the driven axle of the corresponding reciprocating device, being connected to the fastener and having an external surface; and a connecting wing being formed on and protruding from the external surface of the corresponding connecting collar;
the linear driver further has a drive shaft being disposed adjacent to the connecting wing of the corresponding connecting collar; and
a linking segment being connected to the connecting collar and the linear driver of the corresponding reciprocating device and having a crank being connected to the drive shaft of the linear driver; and a connecting rod being connected to the crank and the connecting wing of the corresponding connecting collar.

4. The reciprocating linear sander as claimed in claim 3, wherein

the couple further has two locking rings being mounted around the couple adjacent to and abutting the bearings to hold the couple in the corresponding buffering frame; and a couple wheel being mounted securely around the outer end of the couple; and
the at least one driving device further has a driving motor being mounted on the corresponding buffering frame, being connected to and driving the couple and having a driving shaft; a drive wheel being connected securely to the driving shaft of the driving motor; and a drive belt being mounted around the drive wheel and the couple wheel.

5. The reciprocating linear sander as claimed in claim 4, wherein the at least one abrasive assembly each further has two guiding shafts being vertically mounted securely to the side of the base and each guiding shaft having a distal end; and

two clearance adjustors being connected to the base and respectively to a corresponding one of the at least one abrasive assembly at the ends of the rotating axle and having a guide frame being mounted on one side of the base and through one of the mounting brackets of a corresponding one of the at least one abrasive assembly and comprising
a stopping block being mounted on distal ends of the guiding shafts to limit movement of the corresponding mounting bracket along the guiding shafts.

6. The reciprocating linear sander as claimed in claim 5, wherein each clearance adjustor further comprises

an adjustor shaft being mounted securely on the corresponding mounting bracket and parallel to the guiding shafts and having a connecting end being connected to the corresponding mounting bracket; a distal end; and an external thread being formed around the adjustor shaft near the distal end; an adjustor pulley being rotatably mounted on the distal end of the adjustor shaft engaging the external thread and having an annular surface and multiple teeth formed on the annular surface; and
an adjustor driver being mounted on the top of the base between the guide frames and having a chain engaging the teeth of the adjustor pulleys.

7. The reciprocating linear sander as claimed in claim 6, wherein each abrasive brush is a sand cloth.

8. The reciprocating linear sander as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reciprocating linear sander has two abrasive assemblies being rotated in opposite directions.

9. The reciprocating linear sander as claimed in claim 1 further comprising

a clearance adjustor being connected to the base and teach the at least one abrasive assembly to allow the at least one abrasive assembly to be moved relative to the conveyor belt.
Patent History
Publication number: 20090163124
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 19, 2007
Publication Date: Jun 25, 2009
Inventor: Wen-Chi CHANG (Taichung Hsien)
Application Number: 11/959,468
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: One-way Work Traverse (451/130); Rectilinear (451/124)
International Classification: B24B 7/06 (20060101);