Including Expansible External Surface Patents (Class 451/504)
  • Patent number: 11084144
    Abstract: A sanding block. The sanding block includes a first member and a second member forming a planar body. The first member and second member have opposing angled edges and are connected via a tongue and groove joint along the opposing angled edges. A continuous channel is disposed through the first and second members. A barrel nut is disposed and can revolve in the channel of the first member. A screw is rotatably disposed through an exterior edge of the second member, wherein a shaft of the screw passes through the channel and is threaded through the barrel nut. A user can rotate the screw which causes the planar body to expand and contract. As the planar body expands and contracts, the barrel nut revolves allowing the shaft of the screw to pivot. A belt of sand paper can be secured to the sanding block via expansion of the planar body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Inventor: Scott Bates
  • Patent number: 11059248
    Abstract: A machine for retreading tires includes a rotatable hub that includes a moveable conical element, and an expandable rim disposed around the rotatable hub. The expandable rim includes a plurality of shoes. Each shoe of the plurality of shoes may have a base portion and a rim portion. The base portion may have a two-piece construction that allows for replacement of a worn interface that may include a channel and a ramp. A method for assembling an expandable rim for use in a tire retreading machine, and a method for servicing a machine having an expandable rim are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Bridgestone Bandag, LLC
    Inventors: Eric M. Henriksen, Todd R. Frisbie, Christopher J. A. Ferrell
  • Patent number: 9004979
    Abstract: The invention relates to a replaceable fine machining membrane (19) for fixing on a tool head (1), to which pressure can be applied, of a stationary fine machining tool for fine machining a workpiece surface. A fine machining means substrate (27) is integrated in the fine machining membrane (19), said fine machining membrane (19) having a crosslinked elastomer (40) and said fine machining means substrate (27) being embedded in the crosslinked elastomer (40). The invention also relates to a method for producing such a fine machining membrane (19) and to a stationary fine machining tool with a tool head (1) to which pressure can be applied and which has a removable fixing means (31) for fixing such a replaceable fine machining membrane (19). Finally, the invention relates to a method for producing the novel fine machining membrane (19). The invention allows the precise reproducible fine machining of workpiece surfaces even with highly convex or freely shaped membranes (19).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventor: Roland Tuecks
  • Patent number: 8784163
    Abstract: Sanding apparatus comprises a rigid non-expanding cylindrical sanding drum (1) formed with splines on its outer surface (4) and a separate cylindrical cover (2) formed of elastomeric material fitted removably onto the drum and formed with splines on its inner surface (8) adapted to engage with the outer surface of the drum so as to be driven in rotation therewith. An abrasive tube (3) fits over the cover (2) and is gripped by the cover which expands radially when the apparatus is in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Hire Technicians Group Ltd.
    Inventor: Mark Graham Rogers
  • Patent number: 8231440
    Abstract: A sanding block for supporting an exteriorly mounted looped sanding belt having an elongated and planar shaped base. A planar shaped cover exhibits first and second oblique extending surfaces and, upon engaging with the base by a plurality of mating tabs and slots, collectively defines a three-dimensional article for supporting thereupon the looped sanding belt. A trigger exhibits a three-dimensional rectangular shape and extends laterally across a widthwise defined opening in the base in communicating fashion with an end surface associated with the cover, such that the trigger is positioned between the base and cover. The trigger is displaced in a first lateral direction to lengthwise displace the cover away from the base, the trigger displacing in a second and opposite lateral direction to reverse displace the cover inwardly towards the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Inventor: Paul LaMarche
  • Patent number: 8028977
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for supporting sheet-like materials for at least one separating process in the sheet-like materials, with at least one jet cutter device which may be displaced in the Y-direction during a separation process, with a first and second support surface together forming a support table for supporting the sheet-like material and with a jet trapping device, arranged between the first and second support surfaces and provided to be able to be displaced in the X-direction. The first and the second support surfaces are made from a flexible material forming part of at least one enclosed chamber, filled with a gas under pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: TRUMPF Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Martin Blaser, Daniel Graf, Eberhard Wahl
  • Patent number: 8011998
    Abstract: A sanding block for supporting an exteriorly mounted looped sanding belt having an elongated and planar shaped base. A planar shaped cover exhibits first and second oblique extending surfaces and, upon engaging with the base by a plurality of mating tabs and slots, collectively defines a three-dimensional article for supporting thereupon the looped sanding belt. A trigger exhibits a three-dimensional rectangular shape and extends laterally across a widthwise defined opening in the base in communicating fashion with an end surface associated with the cover, such that the trigger is positioned between the base and cover. The trigger is displaced in a first lateral direction to lengthwise displace the cover away from the base, the trigger displacing in a second and opposite lateral direction to reverse displace the cover inwardly towards the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Inventor: Paul Lamarche
  • Patent number: 7891279
    Abstract: A saw chain rivet is provided including a flange, and a hub extending from a side of the flange. A shoulder defined by a junction between the hub and the flange has properties optimized to resist shear forces. The hub may be optimized for ease of rivet head formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Blout, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Seigneur, David Scott Penrose, Michael Goettel
  • Publication number: 20100015901
    Abstract: A back-up assembly for a sanding device, where the back-up assembly includes a driving disk rotating around a rotational axis, rigid segment plates, a flexible pad layer positioned between the rigid segment plates and the driving disk, and semi-flexible wedges located at the bottom of each rigid segment plate. Rigid segment plates are arranged circumferentially and spacedly around the rotational axis of the driving disk and are secured to the bottom surface of the driving disk by the flexible pad layer. Further, adjacent rigid segment plates are allowed to move with respect to each other in a direction parallel to the rotational axis of the driving disk.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Inventor: Ryszard Mikrut
  • Publication number: 20080254723
    Abstract: A sanding block for supporting an exteriorly mounted looped sanding belt having an elongated and planar shaped base. A planar shaped cover exhibits first and second oblique extending surfaces and, upon engaging with the base by a plurality of mating tabs and slots, collectively defines a three-dimensional article for supporting thereupon the looped sanding belt. A trigger exhibits a three-dimensional rectangular shape and extends laterally across a widthwise defined opening in the base in communicating fashion with an end surface associated with the cover, such that the trigger is positioned between the base and cover. The trigger is displaced in a first lateral direction to lengthwise displace the cover away from the base, the trigger displacing in a second and opposite lateral direction to reverse displace the cover inwardly towards the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2007
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Inventor: Paul Lamarche
  • Patent number: 7201646
    Abstract: A tension adjustment apparatus for a sander includes a first rigid portion and an opposed second rigid portion. A pair of elongated members are attached to the second portion and slideably received within the first portion. A pair of edge cavities are provided within the first portion each exposing a portion of the elongated member having a notch. A wheel is disposed within each edge cavity and caged by the notch of such elongated member. The wheel has axially disposed threaded apertures engaging a threaded fastener employed for attaching the wheel to the first portion for enabling linear motion of the elongated member and a corresponding linear motion of the second portion in a first direction away from the first portion to apply a predetermined tension in a sanding element and in a second linear direction towards the first portion to release the applied tension during reciprocal rotation of the wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Inventor: Richard C. Patton
  • Patent number: 7121933
    Abstract: Disclosed is a chemical mechanical polishing apparatus for polishing a surface of a wafer using a mechanical friction as well as a chemical polishing agent. The chemical mechanical polishing apparatus includes a polishing head for absorbing a wafer and a polishing means for polishing the wafer. The polishing apparatus may include a platen composed of at least three segments formed in conformity with polishing zones, a polishing pad provided on each of the segments, and a support for supporting the segments such that the segments are separately adjustable in the height depending on the polishing zones and are rotatable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Dongbu Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hwal Pyo Kim
  • Patent number: 6945849
    Abstract: A polishing method particularly suitable for mirror-polishing the concave surface of a lens and a polishing device, the method characterized by including the step of polishing work surfaces (50a, 50b) while allowing parts of the dome-shaped parts of elastic polishing objects (10a, 10b) matching the curved shapes of the concaved work surfaces of the works (50a, 50b) selected from among the plurality of the elastic polishing bodies having the dome-shaped parts (11a, 11b) different in curvature and larger in area than the concaved work surfaces of the works (50a, 50b) to come into contact with the generally entire surfaces of the work surfaces, wherein the curvature centers (40) of the dome-shaped parts are generally aligned with the swing centers (41) of the works, whereby the concaved work surfaces can be rapidly and uniformly polished.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Makoto Miyazawa
  • Patent number: 6913518
    Abstract: A platen for chemical mechanical polishing of a substrate includes a surface upon which a polishing pad can be placed, a support structure, and a controller. The surface has a first region and a second region and is operable to exert force against the polishing pad during polishing. The support structure is located beneath the second region and is operable to cause the second region to exert more force than the first region. The controller is operable to adjust the amount of force that is exerted by the second region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Hung Chih Chen, Steven M. Zuniga, Charles C. Garretson, Thomas H. Osterheld, Sen-Hou Ko, Mohsen Salek
  • Patent number: 6908267
    Abstract: A variable radii cutter which eliminates the need for having to provide a wide assortment of cutting tool bits for continuously imparting various sizes of radii on a workpiece is disclosed. In one embodiment, the variable radii cutter has a cutter in the form of a plurality of blades which mechanically expand and contract in response to one of an automated adjustment mechanism and a manual adjustment for accommodating various sizes of radii. In another embodiment, a ball made of rubber having an abrasive disposed thereon is used as the cutter and operates in the same manner as described above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Inventors: Hiep N. Tran, Haris Doumanidis
  • Patent number: 6896606
    Abstract: A drywall sanding implement having a shaft, a yoke attached to the shaft, a block pivotably mounted to the yoke, a pair of spindles mounted to the block, and a sanding block removably mounted on each spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Inventors: Robert J. Turgeon, Clifford F. Dawson
  • Patent number: 6875090
    Abstract: In a conformable lap and related method for finishing ophthalmic lens surfaces, a rigid base surface of the lap defines a nominal ophthalmic lens curvature corresponding to a predetermined range of curvatures. A work surface of the lap is defined by a thin, hard, polymeric material extending adjacent to the base surface for contacting a selected ophthalmic lens surface and conforming to the curvature of the selected surface. A selectively conformable substance consisting of a mixture of thermoplastic and metallic particles forms a layer extending between the rigid base surface and the work surface, and is selectively changeable between solid and non-solid forms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Gerber Coburn Optical, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Goulet, Jonathan M. Dooley
  • Patent number: 6739961
    Abstract: An abrasive drum, suitable for polishing or sanding a workpiece, that incorporates an internal expansion member, configured so that when a belt of abrasive material fitted to the exterior cylindrical surface so that a loop of the band is disposed around the internal expansion member, expansion of the member tensions the abrasive band against the surface of the drum. The invention includes the abrasive drum, a sander or polisher that incorporates the abrasive drum, and a method of using the drum of the invention to grind, shape, polish, or sand a workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Inventor: Donald E. Haney
  • Patent number: 6692341
    Abstract: The abrasive machine of the present invention is capable of controlling a shape of an abrasive face of a small abrasive plate. The abrasive machine comprises: a plate holder holding an abrasive plate; a fixed engaging member being fixed to the plate holder and engaging with the abrasive plate; a first O-ring being provided between the fixed engaging member and the abrasive plate; a second O-ring being provided between the plate holder and the abrasive plate; and a fluid supply-discharge mechanism for supplying a fluid to and discharging the same from a zone enclosed by the abrasive plate, the plate holder and the second O-ring. An outer circumferential face of the abrasive plate is separated from an inner circumferential face of the fixed engaging member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Fujikoshi Machinery Corp.
    Inventors: Hiromi Kishida, Yoshio Nakamura, Susumu Onishi
  • Patent number: 6685547
    Abstract: The pneumatic sanding roll has an elongate housing with an outside driving axle separated from an inside portion by a large diameter disc. An air supply channel extends in the housing from the driving axle to a mouth of the inside portion. A spacer is in operative engagement with the driving axle and the disc. A semi-spherical hollow flexible rubber socket has a bottom edge portion and includes an opening. The bottom edge portion is captured between the spacer and the large diameter disc so that an enclosed cavity is defined inside the rubber socket. An abrasive semi-spherical cloth sleeve encloses the rubber socket and is locked to the rubber socket when the rubber socket is filled with air and expanded. A rubber tube is sealingly arranged about the inside portion to cover the mouth of the air supply channel to prevent air in the cavity from leaking back out through the air supply channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Inventor: Peter Boman
  • Patent number: 6663479
    Abstract: A hand held tool using continuous sanding belts for sanding and smoothing flat surfaces with the additional capability to produce more uniformly rounded edges and corners of various work pieces. Its two piece construction comprises a flat base plate rotationally attached to the bottom side of a housing. The housing has along the length of its top side a deep channel into which a portion of a mounted sanding belt may be wedged, creating a concave sanding surface, that can then be used to produce more uniformly rounded edges and corners. The housing is made of a resilient, compressible material, while the base plate is of a rigid structure. The tool incorporates a way for placing and tensioning continuous sanding belts on it by simply swiveling the base plate that is attached to the bottom of the housing, which by such rotational positioning compresses the compressible material of the housing, or releases it, thus applying or releasing tension on a mounted belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Inventor: Robert Lee Sendelbeck
  • Patent number: 6645060
    Abstract: An expandable wheel for supporting an endless abrasive belt. The present invention relates more particularly to an expandable wheel for supporting an endless abrasive belt, which includes an hub having an axis and a plurality of wheel segments engaged with the hub, where the hub and the plurality of wheel segments are adapted to rotate about the axis, and where the plurality of wheel segments are movable between a first radial position and a second radial position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Arthur P. Luedeke
  • Patent number: 6585571
    Abstract: Honing devices configured for use with a source of pressurized fluid. The honing device includes a honing body with a base extending along an longitudinal axis. The base may include a distal end and a proximal end adapted for fluid communication with a source of pressurized fluid. The honing body further includes a plurality of leaves with a first end attached to the distal end of the base and a second end spaced from the distal end. The outer surface of at least one of the plurality of leaves includes an abrasive work engaging surface. Pressurized fluid may encourage the second end of at least one of the plurality of leaves to move away from the longitudinal axis in order to hone the interior surface of the workpiece. Methods of honing the interior surface of a bore hole are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Makino, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Aaron Hyatt, David Wayne Bricker, Steven G. Hall
  • Patent number: 6579152
    Abstract: A polishing apparatus is used for polishing a workpiece such as a semiconductor wafer to a flat mirror finish. The polishing apparatus includes a turntable having a polishing surface, and a top ring having a pressing surface for holding a workpiece to be polished and pressing the workpiece against the polishing surface of the turntable. At least one of the polishing surface of the turntable and the pressing surface of the top ring is a curved surface such as a convex surface or a concave surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventor: Norio Kimura
  • Patent number: 6551178
    Abstract: A reamer with adjustable expansion/contraction and a bore finishing machine comprising the reamer. The reamer has a rotation shaft that is externally operable and a grinding section. The grinding section is cylindrically shaped, and has a plurality of axially-extending slits in its peripheral wall and a tapered inner surface. The rotation shaft is connected via threaded sections to a sliding shaft, which is in turn connected to a diameter expansion member consisting of a tapered cone fitted into the tapered inner surface of the grinding section. When the rotation shaft is operated to rotate, the rotational motion is converted into linear motion of the slide shaft due to a guide pin and a guide hole. The linear motion moves the diameter expansion member back and forth inside the grinding section, thereby contracting/expanding the outer diameter of the grinding section mechanically and precisely. The bore finishing machine has a hollow main rotation spindle, and a rotation spindle inside the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Takezawa Seiki, Kuraki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junichi Tanaka, Toshiyuki Nomoto, Eiji Takezawa
  • Patent number: 6527632
    Abstract: In a conformable lap and related method for finishing ophthalmic lens surfaces, a rigid base surface of the lap defines a nominal ophthalmic lens curvature corresponding to a predetermined range of curvatures. A work surface of the lap is defined by a thin, hard, polymeric material extending adjacent to the base surface for contacting a selected ophthalmic lens surface and conforming to the curvature of the selected surface. A selectively conformable substance consisting of a mixture of thermoplastic and metallic particles forms a layer extending between the rigid base surface and the work surface, and is selectively changeable between solid and non-solid forms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Gerber Coburn Optical, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan M. Dooley, Michael Goulet, David J. Logan
  • Publication number: 20020004363
    Abstract: The pneumatic sanding roll has an elongate housing with an outside driving axle separated from an inside portion by a large diameter disc. An air supply channel extends in the housing from the driving axle to a mouth of the inside portion. A spacer is in operative engagement with the driving axle and the disc. A semi-spherical hollow flexible rubber socket has a bottom edge portion and includes an opening. The bottom edge portion is captured between the spacer and the large diameter disc so that an enclosed cavity is defined inside the rubber socket. An abrasive semi-spherical cloth sleeve encloses the rubber socket and is locked to the rubber socket when the rubber socket is filled with air and expanded. A rubber tube is sealingly arranged about the inside portion to cover the mouth of the air supply channel to prevent air in the cavity from leaking back out through the air supply channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Publication date: January 10, 2002
    Inventor: Peter Boman
  • Patent number: 6203410
    Abstract: A reamer with adjustable expansion/contraction and a bore finishing machine comprising the reamer. The reamer has a rotation shaft that is externally operable and a grinding section. The grinding section is cylindrically shaped, and has a plurality of axially-extending slits in its peripheral wall and a tapered inner surface. The rotation shaft is connected via threaded sections to a sliding shaft, which is in turn connected to a diameter expansion member consisting of a tapered cone fitted into the tapered inner surface of the grinding section. When the rotation shaft is operated to rotate, the rotational motion is converted into linear motion of the slide shaft due to a guide pin and a guide hole. The linear motion moves the diameter expansion member back and forth inside the grinding section, thereby contracting/expanding the outer diameter of the grinding section mechanically and precisely. The bore finishing machine has a hollow main rotation spindle, and a rotation spindle inside the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Takezawa Seiki, Kuraki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junichi Tanaka, Toshiyuki Nomoto, Eiji Takezawa
  • Patent number: 6152814
    Abstract: An expandable abrasive sleeve is used on an inflatable tool for abrading or finishing a surface of a workpiece. The inflatable tool includes an inflatable bladder clamped at first and second ends of a core having an elastomeric outer core portion. The inflatable bladder is inflated by a pressurized medium and forms a pocket or chamber around the elastomeric outer core portion. The expandable abrasive sleeve is disposed around the inflatable bladder and expands from one end to the other end when inflated. The expandable abrasive sleeve includes an elastomeric backing and abrasive strips adhered to the elastomeric backing in an overlapping arrangement. In one embodiment, the elastomeric backing includes stiffeners embedded therein and extending generally longitudinally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: RP Abrasives & Machine Co. Inc.
    Inventors: Robert P. Amarosa, Sr., Peter J. Amarosa
  • Patent number: 6139414
    Abstract: The present invention provides a radially expandable plateauing tool for finishing bore surfaces. The tool includes a shank for attachment to a means for rotation, and a substantially cylindrical portion including an outer work-engaging surface including abrasive particles secured thereto, and an inner surface defining a bore therethrough with at least one longitudinal split permitting radial expansion and contraction of the cylindrical portion. A metallic spring is disposed within the bore and a threaded bolt assembly or other device is provided for applying an axial compressive force on the spring such that the spring exerts a radial expansive force on the cylindrical portion causing the cylindrical portion to expand to adjust the outer work-engaging surface. The spring is comprised with longitudinal splits aligned with corresponding longitudinal splits on the cylindrical portion to permit coolant flow therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Accu-Out Diamond Tool Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Stanley K. Domanski, Stephen C. Ball
  • Patent number: 6086466
    Abstract: A centrifugal expansion roller (1) for sanding machines, particularly floor sanders, of the type consisting of a metal core (3) with an outer elastomeric annular cover (4). The entire surface of the cover is provided with a plurality of longitudinal slits (5, 8) extending into the annular cover along non-radial planes. The slits (5, 8) are formed along trajectories which have opposite ends that are inclined in opposite directions in respect of a longitudinal generatrix of the surface of the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Unibase S.p.A.
    Inventors: Claudio Tasin, Alberto Felici
  • Patent number: 5931727
    Abstract: A portable grinder (10; 50; 80) with a grinding tool, wherein a flexible cushion (30; 60; 94) is disposed between an abrasive device, particularly an abrasive disk, and a grinding plate becomes particularly useful for working with contoured workpieces, in that the cushion (30; 60; 94) is embodied as volume-variable, an easily malleable container, which can be sealed gas-tight and can be evacuated and is used for receiving granules or fillers (34; 64; 94) of that type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Joachim Schadow
  • Patent number: 5931719
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for planarizing the surface of a semiconductor wafer by applying non-uniform pressure distributions to a polishing pad are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a chemical mechanical polishing apparatus for polishing a surface of a semiconductor wafer includes a polishing pad with a first surface and a second surface. The first surface of the polishing pad is arranged to contact the surface of the semiconductor wafer in order to polish the surface of the semiconductor wafer. The apparatus also includes a mechanism which is used to apply a non-uniform pressure distribution over the second surface of the polishing pad, wherein applying the non-uniform pressure distribution to the polishing pad facilitates evenly polishing the surface of the semiconductor wafer. In one embodiment, the mechanism for applying the non-uniform pressure distribution to the polishing pad is an air bladder arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: LSI Logic Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald J. Nagahara, Dawn M. Lee
  • Patent number: 5921854
    Abstract: The roller and belt assembly for mounting on a spindle or drive shaft comprises a closed loop belt having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface having an engaging material thereon, and the outer surface having an abrasive or bussing material thereon. The assembly further includes a cylindrical roller having an outer cylindrical surface, having a longitudinal axis and having a resilient, compressible material attached to and covering the outer cylindrical surface. Sliding and engaging structure is attached to the resilient, compressible material which, when the belt is rotated in the first direction, allows the belt to slidingly rotate around and about the longitudinal axis of the roller and, when the belt is rotated in a second direction, the sliding and engaging structure engages the engageable material on the inner surface of the belt and prevents the belt from rotating about the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Inventor: Kenneth R. Evensen
  • Patent number: 5895311
    Abstract: An abrasive apparatus adopted to abrade a curved surface of workpiece includes: an abrading head including an abrading tip having a substantially spherical outer surface and a rotating shaft supporting the abrading tip, the abrading head being positioned to face the curved surface; a thrust moving mechanism for relatively moving the abrading head and the curved surface; a lateral moving mechanism for relatively moving the abrading head and the curved surface; a pivotal moving mechanism for relatively moving the abrading head and the curved surface pivotally around a center point; and a controller for controlling the abrading head, the thrust moving mechanism, the lateral moving mechanism and the pivotal moving mechanism synchronously so that the abrading tip contacts and presses the curved surface at any point thereon with a substantially constant pressure in a direction consistent with a normal line thereat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takekazu Shiotani, Kimihiro Wakabayashi, Kazutoshi Hamada, Takaaki Sakakibara, Toshimasa Fujisawa
  • Patent number: 5890953
    Abstract: A hard, sanding roller has a cylindrical sleeve that can be telescoped onto and removed from and clutched to a hard, supporting roller or drum This is achieved by a one-way, clutch mechanism between the supporting roller and abrasive sleeve that allows axially sliding and rotational turning when sliding the sleeve onto the roller and turning the sleeve in the non-sanding direction, and this clutch mechanism drives the sleeve without rotational turning of the sleeve relative to the roller when abrading. The inner surface of the abrading roller carries one-half of a clutch surface; and the mating roller surface carries the other half of the clutch surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Inventor: Kenneth Evensen
  • Patent number: 5762546
    Abstract: A conformal tool for fining/polishing ophthalmic lenses has a rigid base, a substantially air impervious elastic membrane and a bladder conformable to a surface of the lens to be fined/polished. The perimeters of the base, the membrane and the bladder are contiguously clamped to provide a pneumatically discrete chamber between the base and the membrane and a chamber containing conformable filler such as sand between the membrane and the bladder. The pneumatically discrete and filler containing chambers together have a substantially fixed volume. The clamping provides a passage into the pneumatically discrete chamber so that air under pressure, when admitted into the pneumatically discrete chamber, stretches the membrane to increase the pneumatically discrete chamber volume and decrease the filler containing chamber volume. As air pressure is increased, the air separates the membrane from the base to build an air cushion therebetween as the conformable filler chamber volume decreases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Coburn Optical Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. James, Fritz R. Kruis
  • Patent number: 5707279
    Abstract: An abrasive tool includes in combination a tubular sleeve of exteriorly coated abrasive which has an axial length and an inside diameter. A drive arbor for the sleeve includes a mandrel adapted to be rotated by a power tool and the like. An elastomeric generally cylindrical arbor is mounted on one end of the mandrel and has an outer and inner axial end. The arbor includes a radially projecting stop flange at its inner end and has a tapered configuration between the stop flange and its outer end to receive the abrasive tubular section, but which creates an interference fit as the tubular section is telescoped on the arbor until one axial end of the tubular section engages the stop flange. The arbor body is provided with non-radial slots which make the body more pliable in a static condition, but which improve the grip of the arbor on the sleeve at speed. The slots also improve heat dissipation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignee: Even Cut Abrasive Company
    Inventors: William A. Mitchell, Arthur E. Ellison
  • Patent number: 5679056
    Abstract: A drum sander attachment used with a rotary-driven power new or recycled container (50) as a dram secured to a shaft (54) with a drive means attached. The securing means having capability of sealing for purposes of producing a desired and/or firmness to the recycled container (50) drum. The vast assortment of recycled containers (50) available produce a variety of shapes and sizes for drum use allowing for abrading of both curved and flat surfaces. The design allows for repositioning of recycled container (50) on shaft (54) for a variety of configurations. The unit is constructed to be selectively portable or mounted in a stationary manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Inventor: Robert D. Coussens
  • Patent number: 5672096
    Abstract: An inflatable tool is used for abrading or finishing a surface of a workpiece. The inflatable tool includes an inflatable bladder clamped at first and second ends of a core having an elastomeric outer core portion. The inflatable bladder is inflated by a pressurized medium and forms a pocket or chamber around the elastomeric outer core portion. An abrasive sleeve is disposed around and secured by the inflatable bladder when inflated. The elastomeric outer core portion provides a resilient support surface for the inflatable bladder and the abrasive sleeve while abrading a workpiece. One example of the abrasive sleeve includes one or more bulging abrasive regions created by one or more slots in the abrasive sleeve. One example of a method of using the inflatable tool includes abrading a surface of a workpiece with one or more bulging abrasive regions, and chamfering both sides of a hole extending through a workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Assignee: R. P. Abrasives & Machine, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert P. Amarosa, Sr., Peter J. Amarosa
  • Patent number: 5655958
    Abstract: The elastic base grinding wheel for the smoothing and polishing of toroidal contours of hard material comprises a rigid-material support body, which may also be divided into two parts along an equatorial plane in a substantially centered position, has an internal shape suitable for mating operatively with the motor shaft with which it is coupled, and an external shape congruent with that of the contour of the material to be smoothed or polished. At least, a wing at or the end of the support body, is arranged for receiving and holding a coating of elastomeric material injected or vulcanized in situ. The part of the injected coating of elastomeric material directed towards the workpiece is coated with elements of relatively flexible abrasive material, so that the overall contour corresponds to the final shape that must have the workpiece after the smoothing or polishing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Inventor: Quintilio Lupi
  • Patent number: 5567197
    Abstract: A soft sanding roller apparatus is provided with a soft compressible sanding sleeve and roller that allows a wide flat to form on the side of the sanding sleeve being pushed against a substrate, such as a piece of wood. The preferred sleeve is backed by a soft deformable layer, such as a soft foam layer, which allows the sanding sleeve to conform to the surface of the substrate without chattering or digging into the substrate. The sleeve has a bore diameter smaller than the uncompressed diameter of the soft foam layer so that the foam layer exerts an even force on the cylindrical sleeve to retain its cylindrical shape. The sleeve is driven by a connection such as a one-way clutch between the sanding sleeve and the foam layer on the roller. The roller is rotated in one direction by a motor to do sanding with the one-way clutch driving the sleeve. The sleeve is removed by turning it in a direction opposite to the sanding direction and pulling it axially against the force from the compressed foam layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Inventor: Kenneth Evensen
  • Patent number: 5564971
    Abstract: The roller and belt assembly for mounting on a spindle or drive shaft comprises a closed loop belt having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface having an engagable material thereon, and the outer surface having an abrasive or buffing material thereon. The assembly further includes a cylindrical roller having an outer cylindrical surface, having a longitudinal axis and having a resilient, compressible material attached to and covering the outer cylindrical surface. Sliding and engaging structure is attached to the resilient, compressible material which, when the belt is rotated in a first direction, allows the belt to slidingly rotate around and about the longitudinal axis of the roller and, when the belt is rotated in a second direction, the sliding and engaging structure engages the engagable material on the inner surface of the belt and prevents the belt from rotating about the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Inventor: Kenneth Evensen
  • Patent number: 5529529
    Abstract: An apparatus for microfinishing an interior cylindrical surface. The apparatus includes a mechanism which holds and rotates the workpiece about an axis. A tool, having radially directed work areas, is positioned within the workpiece and causes a strip of abrasive sheet material, positioned over the work areas, to engage the rotating workpiece. With the abrasive sheet material engaging the rotating workpiece, the tool is axially oscillated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: Industrial Metal Products, Corporation
    Inventors: Norman R. Judge, Edward E. Judge
  • Patent number: 5482498
    Abstract: The invention relates to a honing tool for carrying out honing working of a work with high accuracy and super precision finishing method using the honing tool. The honing tool is mainly constituted by a pilot section (5), a rough grinding section (7), a finish grinding section (10) and a correction section (13). The honing tool is sent at rapid speed while being reciprocated little, and the machining working and correction finishing of the straightness are carried out thereby the honing working is carried out. According to the invention, the machining working efficiency and the working accuracy can be improved, and the honing finishing with high straightness becomes possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1996
    Assignee: Toyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsutoshi Higashikawa
  • Patent number: 5371978
    Abstract: The invention relates to a honing tool for carrying out honing working of a work with high accuracy and super precision finishing method using the honing tool. The honing tool is mainly constituted by a pilot section (5), a rough grinding section (7), a finish grinding section (10) and a correction section (13). The honing tool is sent at rapid speed while being reciprocated little, and the machining working and correction finishing of the straightness are carried out thereby the honing working is carried out. According to the invention, the machining working efficiency and the working accuracy can be improved, and the honing finishing with high straightness becomes possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Toyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsutoshi Higashikawa