HAND-HELD BUFFING APPARATUS

Abstract

A hand-held buffing apparatus (1) having a cylindrical body (6) with a core (7) and an outer pad (8) that spins around a horizontal axis located between a substantially U-shaped frame (2). Upper handles (5) extend upward from the substantially U-shaped frame. The placement of the upper handles is directly above two parallel outer members (3a, 3b), thereby allowing a user to exert forward pressure on the buffing apparatus while ergonomically controlling the motion of the hand-held buffing apparatus. A motor (10) located on the substantially U-shaped frame and housed in one of the two parallel outer members is mechanically coupled to the cylindrical body to enable the cylindrical body to rotate about the horizontal axis horizontally and parallel to a desired surface.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a continuation-in-part application of Ser. No. 12/080,849 filed on Apr. 7, 2008. The patent application identified above is incorporated here by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to buffing devices, more particularly, to a hand-held buffing apparatus that is easy to use and does not create swirl marks on a surface being buffed.

Buffing apparatus are commonly used by automobile body shops and detailing shops to buff and shine the surfaces of automobiles. Buffing devices are also used on boats, recreational vehicles, etc. for the same purpose. Current buffing devices typically have a housing that holds a motor, a handle extending from the bottom of the housing and a rotating drive shaft extending perpendicular from the top of the housing. Flat circular buffing pads are attached to the drive shaft. A problem with current buffing devices is the skill level required to use them. This mainly is due to the flat circular buffing pads and their rotation on the surface being buffed. The circular buffing pads cannot be placed flat on the surface being buffed, but instead the buffing pads have to be placed at an angle on the surface. A user also has to pay special attention to the speed of the buffing device and the pressure being applied to the buffing pad. Using current buffers takes a tremendous amount of skill that requires hours of practice to learn the proper technique. If used improperly, current buffing devices can cause swirl marks in the surface being buffed and/or irreparable damage to the surface being buffed. However, even skilled users still cannot avoid some minor swirl marks in the surface being buffed. In addition, the use of current buffing devices is very labor intensive. In fact, current buffering devices require that a user tape off the area being buffed in order to avoid damage to plastic or rubber trim as circular buffing pads will cause damage to these areas if they come into contact. In addition, there are ergonomic problems caused by current buffering devices because of the design of the handles and the excessive amount of repetitive strain placed upon the hands and the wrists. Furthermore, current buffing devices pose a safety risk as they do not have splash guards to prevent polishes, rubbing compounds and other foreign objects from being thrown from a spinning buffing pad towards the user.

Therefore, a need exists for a hand-held buffing device that is easy to use, is ergonomic, is safe to use, will not damage trim or other areas adjacent to a surface being buffed and a device that will not cause swirl marks on the surface being buffed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a hand-held buffing apparatus that is easy to use.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand-held buffing apparatus that will not cause swirl marks in the surface being buffed.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a hand-held buffing apparatus that will decrease the likliehood of damage to trim around the surface being buffed.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand-held buffing apparatus that has ergonomic handles.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a hand-held buffing apparatus that provides a splash guard and splash shields for safety.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hand-held buffing apparatus that can be adapted to other purposes such as sanding, grinding, etc.

The present invention fulfills the above and other objects by providing a hand-held buffing apparatus having a cylindrical body with a core and an outer pad that spins around a horizontal axis located between a substantially U-shaped frame. The substantially U-shaped frame has two parallel outer members and at least one cross member connecting the two parallel outer members. Upper handles extend upward from the substantially U-shaped frame. The placement of the upper handles is directly above the two parallel outer members, thereby allowing a user to exert forward pressure on the buffing apparatus while ergonomically controlling the side to side motion and up and forward to backward motion of the buffing apparatus while keeping the user's arms shoulder width from each other. The upper handles may also be pivotally attached to the substantially U-shaped frame, via pivot points that allow a user to adjust the angle of the upper handles in relation to the substantially U-shaped frame. The cylindrical body is removably attached via an attachment means to the substantially U-shaped frame in-between and perpendicular to the parallel outer members along the horizontal axis. The outer pad of the cylindrical body may be constructed out of a variety of materials, such as foam, wool, a brush, sandpaper, drywall sandpaper, grinding material, etc. The use of foam is preferred for most buffing applications because it allows a user to press the outer pad against the surface being buffed, thereby creating a flat surface and greater contact between the foam and the surface being buffed. In addition, the foam conforms to shaped surfaces and will not harm objects on vehicles, such as trim, emblems, glass, mirrors, etc. A motor located on the substantially U-shaped frame and housed in one of the two parallel outer members and is mechanically coupled to the cylindrical body to enable the cylindrical body to rotate about the horizontal axis horizontally and parallel to a desired surface. The motor is controlled by an activation means, such as a trigger, switch, button, etc. The power of the motor and the revolutions per minute (“RPM”) of the cylindrical body are controlled by a variable speed dial. The power of the motor and the RPM of the cylindrical body may also be controlled by applying more or less pressure on the trigger. For example, if a user adjusts the variable speed dial to full power, then the user may run the motor at full power by fully pressing the trigger or to half power by only pressing the trigger half way. A user may also lock the trigger in place using a trigger lock, thereby allowing the user to continue using the buffing apparatus without having to be in physical contact with the trigger. A splash guard having a upper edge and a lower edge extends upward from the substantially U-shaped frame over the top of the cylindrical body. A upper splash shield, preferably made of a flexible material, extends downward from the upper edge of the splash guard and rests against the cylindrical body. The upper splash shield prevents polishes, rubbing compounds and so forth from spraying onto the surface being buffed and/or onto the user. A lower splash shield, preferably made of a flexible material, extends downward from the lower edge of the splash guard. The lower splash shield prevents polishes, rubbing compounds and so forth from spraying out of the back of the buffing apparatus onto the user and/or onto the surface being buffed. The lower splash shield may also be used as a squeegee to spread polishes, rubbing compounds and so forth on the surface being buffed. The upper splash shield and the lower splash shield may be removably attached to the splash guard to allow for easy cleaning of the splash shields. A horizontal handle is located between the two parallel outer members. The horizontal handle allows a user to carry the buffing apparatus when not in use and to use the buffing apparatus on areas that are hard to reach like the roofs of cars or trucks. For example, a user can activate the motor using the trigger and trigger lock then use the horizontal handle to move the buffing apparatus back and forth over the roof of a car. A height extension bar that attaches to the buffing allows a user to use the buffer apparatus of elevated surfaces. The height extension bar may be telescoping to allow a user to adjust the height of the elongated handle. In addition, the height extension bar includes a trigger and a variable speed dial to control the motor of the buffing apparatus.

The buffing apparatus may be used to buff the surfaces of automobiles, motor homes, boats, air planes etc. In addition, the hand-held buffing apparatus can be used for a number of purposes other than just buffing. For example, the hand-held buffing apparatus may be used to polish granite, to sand drywall, clean floors, polish floors and other surfaces, to clean surfaces, etc.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention should become even more readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings wherein there is shown and described illustrative embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following detailed description, reference will be made to the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a hand-held buffing apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of a hand-held buffing apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a top view of a hand-held buffing apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of a hand-held buffing apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a front cutaway view of an attachment means of a hand-held buffing apparatus of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a side view of a detachable height extension bar that attaches to the hand-held buffing apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of describing the preferred embodiment, the terminology used in reference to the numbered accessories in the drawings is as follows:

1. buffing apparatus

2. U-shaped frame

3a. first outer member

3b. second outer member

4. cross member

5. upper handle

6. cylindrical body

7. core

8. outer pad

9. attachment means

10. motor

11. activation means

12. trigger

13. variable speed dial

14. trigger lock

15. splash guard

16. upper edge

17. lower edge

18. upper splash shield

19. lower splash shield

20. horizontal handle

21. pivot point

22. mechanical coupling means

23. quick release means

24. axle

25. shaped head

26. shaped aperture

27. knob

28. free spinning aperture

29. ball bearing

30. spring

31. height extension bar

32. distal end

33. proximal end

34. securing means

35. side stand

36. tab

With reference to FIG. 1, a front perspective view of a hand-held buffing apparatus 1 of the present invention is shown. The buffing apparatus 1 comprises a substantially U-shaped frame 2 having two parallel outer members 3a, 3b and at least one cross member 4 connecting the two parallel outer members 3a, 3b, with upper handles 5 extending upward from the substantially U-shaped frame 2. The placement of the upper handles 5 is directly above the two parallel outer members 3a, 3b, thereby allowing a user to exert forward pressure on the buffing apparatus 1 and to easily control the buffing apparatus 1 while keeping the user's arms shoulder width from each other. The upper handles 5 may also be pivotally attached to the substantially U-shaped frame 2, via pivot points 21, as shown in FIG. 2. A cylindrical body 6 having a core 7 and an outer pad 8 is removably attached via an attachment means 9 to the substantially U-shaped frame 2 in-between and perpendicular to the parallel outer members 3a, 3b along a horizontal axis. The outer pad 8 may be constructed out of a variety of materials, such as foam, a buffing pad, wool, micro fiber, a brush, sandpaper, drywall sandpaper, etc. A motor 10 is located on the substantially U-shaped frame 2 and, as shown here, preferably housed in one of the two parallel outer members 3a. The motor 10 is mechanically coupled to the cylindrical body 6 to enable the cylindrical body 6 to rotate about the horizontal axis horizontally and parallel to a desired surface. The motor 10 is controlled by an activation means 11, such as a trigger 12 (as shown here), switch, button, etc. The power of the motor 10 and the revolutions per minute (“RPM”) of the cylindrical body 6 are controlled by a variable speed dial 13. The power of the motor 10 and the RPM of the cylindrical body 6 may also be controlled by applying more or less pressure on the trigger 12. For example, if a user adjusts the variable speed dial 13 to full power, then the user may run the motor at full power by fully pressing the trigger 12 or to half power by only pressing the trigger 12 half way. A user may also lock the trigger 12 in place using a trigger lock 14, thereby allowing the user to continue using the buffing apparatus 1 without having to be in physical contact with the trigger 12. A splash guard 15 having an upper edge 16 extends upward from the substantially U-shaped frame 2 over the top of the cylindrical body 6. An upper splash shield 18, preferably made of a flexible material, extends downward from the upper edge 16 of the splash guard 15 and rests against the cylindrical body 6. The upper splash shield 18 prevents polishes, rubbing compounds and so forth from spraying onto the surface being buffed and acts as a scraper on the cylindrical body 6, thereby removing any foreign objects from the surface of the cylindrical body 6. The upper splash shield 18 may be removably attached to the splash guard 15 to allow for easy cleaning of the upper splash shield 18. A horizontal handle 20 is located between the two parallel outer members 3a, 3b. The horizontal handle 20 allows a user to carry the buffing apparatus 1 when not in use and to use the buffing apparatus 1 on areas that are hard to reach like the roofs of cars or trucks. For example, a user can activate the motor 10 using the trigger 12 and trigger lock 14 then use the horizontal handle 20 to move the buffing apparatus 1 back and forth over the roof of a car. A side stand 35 having a plurality of tabs 36 extending from the parallel outer members 3a, 3b allow a user to place the buffing apparatus 1 in a sideways position on a horizontal surface so that the cylindrical body 6 will not get dirty.

With reference to FIG. 2, a side view of a hand-held buffing apparatus 1 of the present invention is shown. Upper handles 5 extend upward from parallel outer members 3a, 3b. As shown here, the upper handles 5 are pivotally attached to the parallel outer members 3a, 3b, via pivot points 21. A cylindrical body 6 removably attached in-between and perpendicular to the parallel outer members 3a, 3b along a horizontal axis. A motor 10 is housed in one of the two parallel outer members 3a, 3b. The motor 10 is mechanically coupled to the cylindrical body 6 to enable the cylindrical body 6 to rotate about the horizontal axis horizontally and parallel to a desired surface. The motor 10 is controlled by an activation means 11, such as a trigger 12 (as shown here), switch, button, etc. The power of the motor 10 and the RPM of the cylindrical body 6 are controlled by a variable speed dial 13. A user may also lock the trigger 12 in place using a trigger lock 14, thereby allowing the user to continue using the buffing apparatus 1 without having to be in physical contact with the trigger 12. A splash guard 15 having an upper edge 16 and a lower edge 17 extends upward from the substantially U-shaped frame 2 over the top of the cylindrical body 6. An upper splash shield 18, preferably made of a flexible material, extends downward from the upper edge 16 of the splash guard 15 and rests against the cylindrical body 6. The upper splash shield 18 prevents polishes, rubbing compounds and so forth from spraying onto the surface being buffed and acts as a scraper on the cylindrical body 6, thereby removing any foreign objects from the surface of the cylindrical body 6. A lower splash shield 19, preferably made of a flexible material, extends downward from the lower edge 17 of the splash guard 15. The lower splash shield 19 prevents polishes, rubbing compounds and so forth from spraying out of the back of the buffing apparatus 1 onto the user or onto the surface being buffed. The lower splash shield 19 may also be used as a squeegee to spread polishes, rubbing compounds and so forth on the surface being buffed. The upper splash shield 18 and the lower splash shield 19 may be removably attached to the splash guard 15 to allow for easy cleaning of the upper splash shield 18 and the lower splash shield 19. A side stand 35 having a plurality of tabs 36 extending from the parallel outer members 3a, 3b allow a user to place the buffing apparatus 1 in a sideways position on a horizontal surface so that the cylindrical body 6 will not get dirty.

With reference to FIG. 3, a top view of a hand-held buffing apparatus 1 of the present invention is shown. The buffing apparatus 1 comprises a substantially U-shaped frame 2 having two parallel outer members 3a, 3b and at least one cross member 4 connecting the two parallel outer members 3a, 3b. Upper handles 5 extending upward from the substantially U-shaped frame 2. The placement of the upper handles 5 is directly above the two parallel outer members 3a, 3b, thereby allowing a user to exert forward pressure on the buffing apparatus 1 and to easily control the buffing apparatus 1 while keeping the user's arms shoulder width from each other. A cylindrical body 6 is removably attached via an attachment means 9 to the substantially U-shaped frame 2 in-between and perpendicular to the parallel outer members 3a, 3b along a horizontal axis. A motor 10 is located on the substantially U-shaped frame 2. The motor 10 is mechanically coupled to the cylindrical body 6 to enable the cylindrical body 6 to rotate about the horizontal axis horizontally and parallel to a desired surface. The power of the motor 10 and the RPM of the cylindrical body 6 are controlled by a variable speed dial 13. A splash guard 15 having an upper edge 16 extends upward from the substantially U-shaped frame 2 over the top of the cylindrical body 6. An upper splash shield 18, preferably made of a flexible material, extends downward from the upper edge 16 of the splash guard 15 and rests against the cylindrical body 6. The upper splash shield 18 prevents polishes, rubbing compounds and so forth from spraying onto the surface being buffed and acts as a scraper on the cylindrical body 6, thereby removing any foreign objects from the surface of the cylindrical body 6. The upper splash shield 18 may be removably attached to the splash guard 15 to allow for easy cleaning of the splash shield 18. A horizontal handle 20 is located between the two parallel outer members 3a, 3b.

With reference to FIG. 4, a bottom view of a hand-held buffing apparatus 1 of the present invention is shown. The buffing apparatus 1 comprises a substantially U-shaped frame 2 having two parallel outer members 3a, 3b and at least one cross member 4 connecting the two parallel outer members 3a, 3b. A cylindrical body 6 removably attached in-between and perpendicular to the parallel outer members 3a, 3b along a horizontal axis. A motor 10 is housed in one of the two parallel outer members 3a, 3b. The motor 10 is mechanically coupled to the cylindrical body 6 to enable the cylindrical body 6 to rotate about the horizontal axis horizontally and parallel to a desired surface. A splash guard 15 having a lower edge 17 extends upward from the substantially U-shaped frame 2 over the top of the cylindrical body 6. A lower splash shield 19, preferably made of a flexible material, extends downward from the lower edge 17 of the splash guard 15. The lower splash shield 19 prevents polishes, rubbing compounds and so forth from spraying out of the back of the buffing apparatus 1 onto the user or onto the surface being buffed. The lower splash shield 19 may also be used as a squeegee to spread polishes, rubbing compounds and so forth on the surface being buffed. A horizontal handle 20 is located between the two parallel outer members 3a, 3b.

With reference to FIG. 5, a front cutaway view of an attachment means 9 of a hand-held buffing apparatus 1 of the present invention is shown. The attachment means 9 comprises a mechanical coupling means 22 and a quick release means 23. The mechanical coupling means 22 extends from a first outer member 3a perpendicular to the first outer member 3a. The mechanical coupling means 22 attaches the cylindrical body 6 to the motor 10, thereby enabling the cylindrical body 6 to rotate about a horizontal axis horizontally and parallel to a desired surface. The mechanical coupling means 22 comprises an axle 24 having a shaped head 25 that fits into a correspondingly shaped aperture 26 on the cylindrical body 6. For example, the head 25 may be shaped like a hexagonal nut that fits into a hexagonal aperture on the cylindrical body 6 or the head 25 may be shaped like a cross nut that fits into a cross-shaped aperture on the cylindrical body 6. The quick release means 23 comprises a knob 27 having an axle 24 extending therefrom that passes through the second outer member 3b and engages a free spinning aperture 28 having ball bearings 29 that allow the cylindrical body 6 to spin freely about the axle 24 when rotated by the motor 10 via the mechanical coupling means 22. A spring 30 located in the second outer member 3b provides resistance to the quick release means 23, thereby ensuring that the axle 24 remains in an engaged position with the free spinning aperture 28. To remove a cylindrical body 6 from the buffing apparatus, a user simply pulls the knob 27, thereby disengaging the axle 24 from the free spinning aperture 28.

Finally, with reference to FIG. 5, a side view of a detachable height extension bar 31 that attaches to the hand-held buffing apparatus 1 is shown. The height extension bar 31 allows a user to use the buffing apparatus 1 on elevated surfaces that are out of reach from the ground. The height extension bar 31 may be telescoping to allow a user to adjust the height of the height extension bar 31. The height extension bar 31 has a distal end 32 and an proximal end 33. A securing means 34 for attaching the height extension bar 31 to the buffing apparatus 1 is located on the distal end 32. An activation means 11, such as a trigger 12, a variable speed dial 13 and a trigger lock 14 are all located on the proximal end 33 of the height extension bar 31. The activation means 11, such as a trigger 12, a variable speed dial 13 and a trigger lock 14 are electronically coupled to the motor 10 when the height extension bar 31 is attached to the buffing apparatus 1, thereby allowing a user to control the motor 10 using the height extension bar 31.

It is to be understood that while a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and drawings.

Claims

1. A hand-held buffing apparatus for buffing a desired surface, said hand-held buffing apparatus comprising:

a frame having at least one outer member perpendicular to a normally horizontal axis and secured to at least one cross member;

a cylindrical body removably attached to the at least one outer member along the horizontal axis with an attachment means;

a motor being mechanically coupled to said cylindrical body for enabling said cylindrical body to rotate about said normally horizontal axis horizontally and parallel to said desired surface;

said motor being secured to said frame; and

at least one upper handle extending upward from said frame, thereby allowing a user to exert forward pressure on the buffing apparatus.

2. The hand-held buffing apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

said frame forms a substantially U-shaped configuration.

3. The hand-held buffing apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

at least one pivot point located between the at least one upper handle and the frame that allows a user to adjust the angle of the at least one upper handle in relation to the frame.

4. The hand-held buffing apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a splash guard having an upper edge and a lower edge;

said splash guard extending upward from said frame and partially over said cylindrical body.

5. The hand-held buffing apparatus of claim 4 further comprising:

an upper splash shield located along the upper edge of the splash guard.

6. The hand-held buffing apparatus of claim 4 further comprising:

an lower splash shield located along the lower edge of the splash guard.

7. The hand-held buffing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said attachment means further comprises:

a mechanical coupling means located on the frame between the cylindrical body and the motor for transferring rotational power from the motor to the cylindrical body; and

a quick release means located on the frame.

8. The hand-held buffing apparatus of claim 7 wherein said mechanical coupling means further comprises:

an axle having a shaped head that corresponds to and engages a shaped aperture located on the cylindrical body, thereby allowing rotational power from the motor to be transferred to the cylindrical body through the axle and the shaped head.

9. The hand-held buffing apparatus of claim 7 wherein said quick release means further comprises:

a knob;

an axle connected to the knob that passes through the frame and engages a free spinning aperture located on the cylindrical body.

10. The hand-held buffing apparatus of claim 9 wherein said quick release means further comprises:

a spring located around the axle that holds the axle in an engaged position with the free spinning aperture located on the cylindrical body.

11. The hand-held buffing apparatus of claim 9 wherein said spinning aperture further comprises:

at least one ball bearing.

12. The hand-held buffing apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

said cylindrical body further comprises a core and an outer pad located on the core.

13. The hand-held buffing apparatus of claim 12 wherein:

said outer pad is a buffing pad.

14. The hand-held buffing apparatus of claim 12 wherein:

said outer pad is made of foam.

15. The hand-held buffing apparatus of claim 12 wherein:

said outer pad is a brush.

16. The hand-held buffing apparatus of claim 12 wherein:

said outer pad is micro fiber.

17. The hand-held buffing apparatus of claim 12 wherein:

said outer pad is a sand paper.

18. The hand-held buffing apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

an activation means for activating and deactivating said motor.

19. The hand-held buffing apparatus of claim 18 wherein:

said activation means is a trigger.

20. The hand-held buffing apparatus of claim 18 further comprising:

a variable speed dial for enabling speed rotation control of said cylindrical body.

21. The hand-held buffing apparatus of claim 18 further comprising:

a trigger lock for locking said activation means in a desired position.

22. The hand-held buffing apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

at least one horizontal handle secure to the at least one outer member.

23. The hand-held buffing apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a side stand located on the at least one outer member.

24. The hand-held buffing apparatus of claim 23 wherein:

said side stand further comprises at least one tab located on the at least one outer member.

25. The hand-held buffing apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

an height extension bar having a proximal end and a distal end.

26. The hand-held buffing apparatus of claim 25 wherein:

said height extension bar is removably attachable to the buffing apparatus via a securing means.

27. The hand-held buffing apparatus of claim 25 wherein:

said height extension bar further comprises an activation means located on the proximal end.

28. The hand-held buffing apparatus of claim 25 wherein:

said height extension bar further comprises a variable speed control located on the proximal end.

29. The hand-held buffing apparatus of claim 25 wherein:

said height extension bar further comprises a trigger lock located on the proximal end.