Interchangeable Polishing and Buffing Device

Abstract

The disclosed polishing devices include an adaptor including a conical body including a first body end and a second body end, wherein a diameter of the second body end is greater than a diameter of the first body end. The adaptor also includes a drill bit including a shank configured to engage with a chuck of an electrical drill, wherein the drill bit extends from the second body end of the conical body. The polishing device also includes a first polishing pad surrounding an outer surface of the conical body. The first polishing pad includes an outer surface of the first polishing pad and an inner surface of the first polishing pad, wherein the inner surface of the first polishing pad is in contact with an outer surface of the conical body of the adaptor. The first polishing pad also includes an elastic strap extending from one portion of the second body end to another portion of the second body end. The second body end of the conical body includes at least one channel for receiving the elastic strap of the first polishing pad such that the polishing pad remains secure on the conical body.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application incorporates by reference and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application 61/698,631 filed on Sep. 8, 2012.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter relates generally to devices and methods for polishing and buffing various surfaces.

There are a wide variety of surfaces that require polishing and/or buffing. For example, granite countertops, leather shoes, purses, furniture, stainless steel sinks, silverware, car seats, metal automotive grills, automotive hubcaps, and automotive paint, among others, require regular polishing. However, each surface requires a different polishing tool or cloth, along with a different polishing solution. Further polishing these various surfaces is both time consuming and laborious, if not physically challenging.

Conventional rotary buffing tools are typically designed for one purpose. For example, electric shoe polishers, which are largely ineffective as they only buff the top surface of the shoe, are only designed to polish shoes. Similarly, electric buffing tools for automobiles are designed for a particular surface. For example, one buffing tool may be suitable for buffing the paint surface of automobiles, whereas a different buffing tool is needed to polish or buff the metallic hubcaps of the automobile. As a result, polishing the various surfaces of an automobile, including paint, metal, and plastic, requires various polishing devices and materials. Further, many polishing devices cannot access many areas of an automobile to properly polish the hard to reach areas, including the grill, side panels, headlight area, side mirrors, doors, door handles, trunk area, and recessed light, among others.

Accordingly, there is a need for polishing devices that efficiently polishes a variety of items and materials.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure provides polishing devices. Various examples of the devices are provided herein.

The devices disclosed herein provide a polishing device with interchangeable polishing pads that are capable of polishing a wide variety of surfaces and applications. The design of the device is such that an adaptor is enabled to connect to any electric drill, but particularly portable hand held drills. A variety of polishing pads may be attached and removed from the adaptor to provide polishing solutions appropriate for different materials.

In an embodiment, the polishing device comprises an adaptor including a conical body including a first body end and a second body end, wherein a diameter of the second body end is greater than a diameter of the first body end. The adaptor also includes a drill bit including a shank configured to engage with a chuck of an electrical drill, wherein the drill bit extends from the second body end of the conical body.

The polishing device also includes a first polishing pad surrounding an outer surface of the conical body. The first polishing pad includes an outer surface of the first polishing pad and an inner surface of the first polishing pad, wherein the inner surface of the first polishing pad is in contact with an outer surface of the conical body of the adaptor. The first polishing pad also includes an elastic strap extending from one portion of the second body end to another portion of the second body end. The second body end of the conical body includes at least one channel for receiving the elastic strap of the first polishing pad such that the polishing pad remains secure on the conical body. In one example, the channel may be a rectangular divot (or a pair of divots) in the second body end.

In one example, the first polishing pad includes a seamless reticulated polyester foam, which may have a thickness between 0.5 inches and 3 inches, including 0.5 inches and 3 inches. In another example, the outer surface of the first polishing pad includes polishing fibers and the inner surface of the first polishing pad includes a backing to which the polishing fibers adhere. Alternatively, the inner surface of the first polishing pad may include a seamless reticulated polyester foam and the outer surface of the first polishing pad includes polishing fibers. The polishing fibers may be, for example, wool fibers.

The first polishing pad may be a seamless reticulated polyester foam, and the polishing device may further include a second polishing pad. The second polishing pad may include an outer surface of the second polishing pad and an inner surface of the second polishing pad. The outer surface of the second polishing pad may include polishing fibers and the inner surface of the second polishing pad may include a backing to which the polishing fibers adhere. In addition, the inner surface of the second polishing pad may surround the outer surface of the first polishing pad.

An advantage of the present device is providing a polishing tool with interchangeable polishing pads applicable to a variety of materials. In other words, only one device is needed to polish a variety of surfaces.

Another advantage of the present device is that it provides an efficient buffing pad that does not damage the surface of the material on which it is used even with applied pressure.

A further advantage of the present device is that the conical shape provides for precision polishing and buffing of hard to reach areas.

Another advantage of the present device is providing interchangeable polishing pads that can be removed easily for cleaning.

Yet another advantage of the present device is providing an adaptor such that the device may be attached to any conventional electric drill.

Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the examples will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following description and the accompanying drawings or may be learned by production or operation of the examples. The objects and advantages of the concepts may be realized and attained by means of the methodologies, instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in accord with the present concepts, by way of example only, not by way of limitations. In the figures, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements.

FIG. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of the polishing device in connection with an electric drill.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the polishing device in connection with an electric drill.

FIG. 3 is a side view of an embodiment of the adaptor.

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the adaptor.

FIG. 5 is a back perspective view of an embodiment of the adaptor.

FIG. 6 is a back perspective view of the adaptor in combination with a first polishing pad.

FIG. 7 is a back view of the adaptor in combination with a first polishing pad and a second polishing pad.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a side view of the presently disclosed polishing device 10 in connection with an electric drill. In an embodiment, the polishing device 10 comprises an adaptor 12, as shown in FIGS. 2-3. The adaptor 12 includes a conical body 16 including a first body end 18 and a second body end 20, wherein a diameter of the second body end 20 is greater than a diameter of the first body end 18. The conical shape allows a user to polish objects having areas that are hard to access, such as those having small openings and crevasses. FIG. 4 shows a front view of the adaptor 12, wherein the first body end 18 has rounded edges. The rounded edges of the first body end 18 help to prevent the polishing device 10 from scratching or damaging the object and/or material being polished, even in a situation in which a user applies additional force to the polishing device 10.

As shown in FIG. 5, the adaptor 12 also includes a drill bit including a shank 14 configured to engage with a chuck of an electrical drill, wherein the drill bit extends from the second body end 20 of the conical body 16. As shown in FIGS. 2-3, the shank 14 may be a hex-shaped shank 14. Although, any suitable drill bit having any suitable shape of the shank 14 may be used to connect the adaptor 12 to the electric drill such that the adaptor 12 rotates upon activating the electric drill. The drill bit may be made by injection molding of a polypropylene plastic with an embedded zinc-plated shank 14. Of course, alternative construction techniques may be used.

As shown in FIG. 6, the polishing device 10 also includes a first polishing pad 24 surrounding an outer surface of the conical body 16. The first polishing pad 24 includes an outer surface 32 and an inner surface 34, wherein the inner surface 34 is in contact with the conical body 16 of the adaptor 12. The first polishing pad 24 also includes an elastic strap 26 spanning an opening 36 of the first polishing pad 24 such that, when fitted to the adapter 12, the elastic strap extends from one portion of the second body end 20 to another portion of the second body end 20 to secure the first polishing pad 24 in place on the adapter 12. For example, the elastic strap 26 may extend generally along the diameter of the second body end 20. The first polishing pad 24 may include more than one elastic strap 26 to further secure the first polishing pad 24 to the conical body 16 of the adaptor 12.

To mate with the elastic strap 26, the second body end 20 of the conical body 16 may include at least one channel 22 for receiving the elastic strap 26 of the first polishing pad 24 such that the first polishing pad 24 remains secure on the conical body 16. As shown in FIGS. 5-6, in the example provided, the second body end 20 includes two channels 22 for receiving the elastic strap 26. As shown, the channels 22 are rectangular divots located in the edge of the second body end 20.

The first polishing pad 24 may include a polymer-based foam, such as a seamless reticulated polyester foam, which may have a thickness between 0.5 inches and 3 inches, including 0.5 inches and 3 inches. The polymer based foam may be used to polish certain objects and materials, such as for automobile detailing of both metal and paint. The seamless design may be accomplished by router cutting or injection molding during the manufacturing process.

In another example, the outer surface 32 of the first polishing pad 24 includes polishing fibers and the inner surface 34 of the first polishing pad 24 includes a backing to which the polishing fibers adhere. For example, the first polishing pad 24 may include a microfiber material that is typically used in automotive detailing. Alternatively, the first polishing pad 24 may include natural seared wool with a polyester and cotton blend as the backing.

Alternatively, the inner surface 34 of the first polishing pad 24 may include a seamless reticulated polyester foam and the outer surface 32 of the first polishing pad 24 includes polishing fibers. In other words, the first polishing pad 24 may be a foam lined microfiber pad or wool pad with an elastic strap 26 to secure the first polishing pad 24 to the adaptor 12. The microfiber or wool may be attached to a foam backing pad to minimize the impact of the seam of the microfiber pad or wool pad when used with an electric drill. In addition, the use of a foam lined first polishing pad 24 allows the application of various levels of pressure to increase or decrease the cutting level of the first polishing pad 24.

As shown in FIG. 2, the polishing device 10 may include more than one polishing pad 24. For example, the first polishing pad 24 may be a seamless reticulated polyester foam, and the polishing device 10 may further include a second polishing pad 28. The second polishing pad 28 may include an outer surface 38 and an inner surface 40. The outer surface 38 of the second polishing pad 28 may include polishing fibers and the inner surface 40 of the second polishing pad 28 may include a backing to which the polishing fibers adhere. In addition, the inner surface 40 of the second polishing pad 28 may surround the outer surface 32 of the first polishing pad 24.

The first polishing pad 24 and/or the second polishing pad 28 may be color coordinated to indicate a pad suitable for a unique application, which allows a user to apply different waxes or polishing without inadvertently combining chemicals. For example, black first polishing pad 24 may be designated for polishing black shoes with a black shoe polish. A red first polishing pad 24 may be designated for polishing brown shoes with a brown shoe polish. Color coordinating is very important when working with various chemicals that are potentially dangerous when combined.

The disclosed polishing device 10 provides a solution for precision buffing, cutting, polishing, and finishing of detailed parts constructed of various materials including metal, stone, paint, plastic, and glass, among others. In other words, the presently disclosed polishing device 10 enables a user to polish various surfaces with the use of one tool, namely, the polishing device 10.

It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages. For example, various embodiments of the method and portable electronic device may be provided based on various combinations of the features and functions from the subject matter provided herein.

Claims

1. A polishing device comprising:

an adaptor including: a conical body including a first body end and a second body end, wherein a diameter of the second body end is greater than a diameter of the first body end; and a drill bit including a shank configured to engage with a chuck of an electrical drill, wherein the drill bit extends from the second body end of the conical body; and

a first polishing pad surrounding an outer surface of the conical body, wherein the first polishing pad includes: an outer surface of the first polishing pad and an inner surface of the first polishing pad, wherein the inner surface of the first polishing pad is in contact with an outer surface of the conical body of the adaptor; and an elastic strap extending from one portion of the second body end to another portion of the second body end,

wherein the second body end of the conical body includes at least one channel for receiving the elastic strap of the first polishing pad such that the polishing pad remains secure on the conical body.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the first polishing pad includes a seamless reticulated polyester foam.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the first polishing pad has a thickness between 0.5 inches and 3 inches, including 0.5 inches and 3 inches.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the outer surface of the first polishing pad includes polishing fibers and the inner surface of the first polishing pad includes a backing to which the polishing fibers adhere.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the inner surface of the first polishing pad includes a seamless reticulated polyester foam and the outer surface of the first polishing pad includes polishing fibers.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the first polishing pad is a seamless reticulated polyester foam, and wherein the polishing device further includes a second polishing pad,

wherein the second polishing pad includes an outer surface of the second polishing pad and an inner surface of the second polishing pad,

wherein the outer surface of the second polishing pad includes polishing fibers and the inner surface of the second polishing pad includes a backing to which the polishing fibers adhere,

wherein the inner surface of the second polishing pad surrounds the outer surface of the first polishing pad.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein the channel is a rectangular divot in the second body end.