Abrasive Tool

Abstract

A slender abrading tool includes an elongated body assembly constructed to carry a removable, flexible endless abrasive strip longitudinally about the body assembly. The body assembly includes a first body section and a second body section. A biasing element is positioned between the first and second body sections. The first body section has a work piece engaging surface and recess defined in one end thereof. The second body section has a post for mating with the recess in the first body section.

Description

FIELD

The examples described herein relate to abrasive tools used in abrading. In particular, the examples relate to a relatively thin device that has a removable abrasive strip that serves as a sanding tool.

BACKGROUND

In many situations in industry, as well as in the home, an abrasive tool is needed to finish the surface of a work piece or product. Hand-held sanding blocks or grinders generally find advantageous application when the work surface is larger or flat, and there is sufficient room to manipulate the tools. With smaller or more detailed work, or where space adjacent the work surface is limited, such tools are unsuitably large. For smaller areas, nail files, small, expensive Swiss files, or folded sand paper have been used, but these tools often do not provide optimum results.

Elongated, relatively thin, hand-held abrasive tools having a removable, endless abrasive strip, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,730,340 and U.S. Design Pat. No. D374,160, are known. These devices permit the use of removable abrasive strips that allow for ease in interchanging strips having different abrasive characteristics.

SUMMARY

An abrasive tool is disclosed and described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective top view of an example abrasive tool in an assembled position;

FIG. 2 is an expanded perspective top view of the example abrasive tool of FIG. 1 in an unassembled position;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the example abrasive tool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a proximal plan end view of the example abrasive tool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a distal plan end view of the example abrasive tool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a right side plan view of the example abrasive tool of FIG. 1, with the left side plan view being a mirror image of the left side plan view;

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the example abrasive tool of FIG. 1:

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken longitudinally along the length of the assembled device along line 8-8 in FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective top view of the example abrasive tool of FIG. 1 with a strip of abrasive material installed on the device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The examples described herein are directed toward an abrasive tool 10 that is hand-held and is utilized for abrading, polishing, or sanding of a work piece. The abrasive tool 10 has a work piece engaging portion 12 and a handle portion 14 for holding in the hand. Whereas expensive precision Swiss files were previously used for precision sanding, the examples described herein are an inexpensive alternative that serves the same purpose as Swiss files. The example abrasive tool 10 permits a user to utilize different abrasive strips 16 based upon the user's needs by allowing easy replacement of abrasive strips 16. For example, different grades of sandpaper may be utilized for the abrasive strips 16. The example abrasive tool 10 is usable like a Swiss file because of its sleek, thin body, which enables it to be grasped and used in a manner similar to a file. The example device 10 is easily held by hand and, at the same time, has a work piece engaging portion 12 that can be readily manipulated against intricate or small work surfaces.

Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 1-9 show a hand-held tool 10 for abrading, sanding, or buffing a work piece. FIGS. 1-8 depict the tool 10 without an abrading strip 16 positioned along the length (longitudinally) of the tool 10 and FIG. 9 depicts an abrading strip 16 positioned longitudinally along the length L of the tool 10. The tool 10 has a longitudinal axis A-A extending along the length L of the tool 10. The tool 10, when constructed forms a unitary body assembly having a first body section 18 and a second body section 20 that couple together, but are movable axially relative to one another. A biasing member 22 is positioned between the first and second body sections 18, 20. The biasing member 22 may be a coiled spring and normally biases the first body section 18 away from the second body section 20 into an extended position. The extended position is shown in FIGS. 1 and 9 and is the position where the unitary body is extended in order to maintain an abrading strip 16 on the tool 10.

The first body section 18 is elongated and slender, having a width W about the width of a file. The first body section 18 has a top surface 24 and a bottom surface 26. The top and bottom surfaces 24, 26 are the surfaces that the flexible endless abrasive strip 16 seats upon when installed around the body assembly 10. At a proximal end 28 of the first body section 18, a work-piece engaging portion 12 is provided. The work-piece engaging portion 12 is wedge-shaped, with the point 30 of wedge-shape 12 being positioned near the bottom surface 32 of the body section 18. The point 30 of the wedge-shape, as well as the bottom surface 26 of the wedge shape may be planar and aligned with a planar bottom surface 26 of the body section 18, as shown. Alternatively, the bottom surface 32 of the wedge shape 12 could be positioned in a different plane from the bottom surface of the body section 18.

Guide posts 34 are positioned near or at the end of the work-piece engaging portion 12. The guide posts 34 help to maintain the abrading strip 16 in alignment on the top and bottom surfaces 24, 26 of the body section 18. The guide posts 34 extend upwardly from a substantially flat side surface 36 on the sides of the body section 18. This flat section 36 provides a position for the user to place their fingers to grasp the proximal end 28 of the body section 18 while their palm and other fingers may wrap around the distal portion 38 of the body section 18. A smooth rounded section 40 on the sides of the device 10 are positioned distal the flat section 36. The guide posts 34 extend upwardly from the flat section 36 such that the guide posts 34 form a channel 42 through which the abrading strip 16 can be positioned. The body section 18 that is positioned distal the guide posts 34 is rounded or could be octagonal or other shapes, if desired.

The distal end 38 of the first body section 18 is hollowed out to form a recess 44. The recess 44 is surrounded by four walls 46, 48, 50, 52. These walls 46, 48, 50, 52 may be solid or may contain cut outs formed in the walls of the device 10, which help to reduce the amount of material utilized, allow a user to see what is happening inside the device 10, and provide greater ease in manufacturing. The recess 44 extends axially from the distal end 38 of the first body section 18 towards the proximal end 28 of the first body section 18 about ¼ to ½ the length L3 of the first body section 18. A distal end 38 of the recess 44 is open in order to permit another part to enter the recess 44, as will be described in greater detail below. A proximal end 54 of the recess 44 includes a first surface 56 that is perpendicular to the axis A-A for abutting a biasing member 22 and a second surface or stop 58 that is perpendicular to the axis A-A for abutting another part in order to limit the motion of the part as it enters the recess 44. The device 10 shown has the abutting surface 56 for the biasing member 22 positioned above the stop surface 58. The abutting surface 56 for the biasing member 22 extends inwardly into the recess 44 a first length L1 and the stop 58 extends inwardly into the recess 44 at a second length L2. In the example shown, the first length L1 is less than the second length L2, although the device 10 could be configured differently, if desired.

The first body section 18 includes a pair of spring arms 60 positioned at a distal end of the recess 44. The spring arms 60 are configured to bend slightly outwardly upon the application of force in order to allow another part to enter the recess 44. In particular, as another part enters the recess 44, the force applied to the part helps to spread the spring arms 60 apart. The spring arms 60 have teeth or protrusions 62 positioned at their leading edge in order to capture another part inside the recess 44. An outer surface of the teeth 62 may be angled in order to permit easier entry of the part into the recess 44. The spring arms 60 serve as a locking mechanism for locking another part into the recess 44 in the first body section 18.

The second body section 20 is similar to the first body section 18 and is elongated and slender, having a width W about the width of a file. The width W of the first body section 18 is substantially the same width W as the second body section 20. The height H of the first body section 18 is substantially the same height H as the second body section 20. In addition, the length L3 of the first body section 18 is substantially about the same length L4 of the second body section 20, although the width W, height H, and length L3, L4 could all be different from one another, if desired.

Like the first body section 18, the second body section 20 has a top surface 24 and a bottom surface 26. The top and bottom surfaces 24, 26 are the surfaces that the flexible endless abrasive strip 16 seats upon when installed around the body assembly 10. A rounded surface 64 is positioned at the distal end 66 of the second body section 20. This rounded surface 64 is provided in order to permit the abrasive strip 16 to easily roll or be moved about the body assembly 10 when rotated about the body assembly 10 by a user. In addition, the user may use the rounded section 64 as a work-piece engaging portion 12, if desired. Other shapes could alternatively be used.

Guide posts 34 are positioned near or at the distal end 66 of the second body section 20 adjacent the rounded portion 64. The guide posts 34 help to maintain the abrading strip 16 in alignment on the top and bottom surfaces 24, 26 of the second body section 20. The guide posts 34 extend upwardly from a substantially flat side surface 68 on the sides of the body section 20. The flattened section 68 of the side surface for the second body section 20 is shorter in length than the flattened section 68 of the side surface for the first body section 18 since it is used as a transition from the slightly wider sides to the narrower distal end 66 of the device 10, which has a width W substantially the same as the abrasive strip 16. The flat section 36 on the first body section 18 is used for gripping, but the flat section 68 on the second body section 20 generally is not used for gripping. As such, it is acceptable to have a shorter flattened section 68 on the second body section.

Smooth, rounded sides 40 of the device 10 are positioned proximal the flat section 36 of the second body section. The sides are used for gripping. The guide posts 34 extend upwardly from the flat section 36 such that the guide posts 34 form a channel 42 through which the abrading strip 16 can be positioned. The part of the body section 20 that is positioned proximal the guide posts 34 is rounded or could be octagonal or other shapes, if desired.

A post 70 extends outwardly and is axially aligned with the longitudinal axis A-A of the second body section 20 from the proximal end 72 thereof. The post 70 has a cross-sectional shape that allows the post 70 to seat inside the recess 44 and be movable longitudinally inside the recess 44. The post 70 provides a seat for the biasing element 22.

In particular, the post 70 has a channel 42 that is defined in a top surface 24 of the post 70 to define an open top surface. A first end 76 of the coil spring 22 seats within the channel 42. The channel 42 includes a base surface 78 defined on a bottom wall 80 of the post 70 and two upstanding walls 82 that define the confines of the channel 42. The upstanding walls 82 have a limited length L5 and the bottom wall has a length L6 that is greater than the length L5 of the upstanding walls 82 so that the first end 76 of the coil spring 22 is trapped within the channel 42 and a second end 84 of the coil spring 22 sits on top of the bottom wall 80. In addition, the coil spring 22 has a length L7 that is greater than the length of the bottom wall L6 so that the second end 84 of the coil spring 22 extends outwardly from the post 70 and is unsupported by the post 70. The channel 42 provides a tight fit around the spring 22 so that the first end 76 of the spring 22 is trapped in the channel 42.

The post 70 extends from a narrowed portion 86 of the second body section 20 and has a width W2 that is slightly greater than the width W3 of the narrowed portion 86 of the second body section 20 such that a step 88 is provided between the narrowed portion 86 and the post 70. This step 88 serves as a detent for receipt of the teeth 62 of the spring arms 60 and is part of the locking mechanism for locking the post 70 inside the recess 44 of the first body section 18. As an alternative to this, the narrowed portion 86 of the second body section 20 and the post 70 could have the same width W2 and a projection (not shown) could be positioned on the sides of the post 70 in order to mate with the teeth 62 on the spring arms 60. The narrowed portion 86 should be narrow enough to extend at least partially into the recess 44 of the first body section 18. The narrowed portion 86 and post 70 could be the same part having a planar side and/or top walls.

The bottom wall 80 of the post 70 has a leading edge 90 defined at the proximal end 72 thereof that abuts the stop 58 defined inside the recess 44 in order to limit axial movement of the post 70 inside the recess 44. The bottom wall 80 of the post 70 may have a smooth and planar lower surface. The stop 58 is positioned relative to the abutting surface 56 for the spring 22 inside the recess 44 in order to limit the total amount of compression that is applied to the spring 22 in order to prolong the life of the spring 22 and to permit proper operation of the device 10.

The first body section 18 and the second body section 20 may be substantially the same length. The first body section 18 may have a length L3 of about 4 inches and the second body section 20 may have a length L4 of about 4 inches. The work-piece engaging portion 12 of the first body section 18 may have a length of about 1 inch. A radiused tip may be positioned around the point 30 at the proximal end 28 of the first body section 18. The flattened side wall portions 36, 68 of the first and second body sections 18, 20 may have a height H of about 0.5 inches. The width W of the body assembly 10 may be about 0.5 inches. The coil spring 22 may have a length L7 of about 1 inch. The post 70 and narrowed portion 86 of the second body section 20 may have a length of about 1.7 inches. The recess 44 may have a length of about 1.6 inches to the stop 58 and 1.4 inches to the abutting surface 56 for the spring 22.

In order to assemble the device 10, a coil spring 22 is positioned in the channel 42 of the post 70 so that it is longitudinally aligned with the axis A-A of the device 10 until it is firmly positioned in the channel 42. Then the post 70 of the second body section 20 is slid into the recess 44 of the first body section 18 such that the spring arms 60 spread apart to allow the post 70 to enter the recess 44. The post 70 is slid into the recess 44 until the teeth 62 of the spring arms 60 engage behind the detent 88 or projection of the post 70. In order to position the endless abrasive strip 16 around the body assembly 10, the first and second body sections 18, 20 are pressed towards one another in order to compress the coil spring 22 inside the recess 44 against the abutting surface 56. Then the first and second body sections 18, 20 are held in the compressed position while an endless abrasive strip 16 is positioned longitudinally around the body assembly 10. The endless abrasive strip 16 seats between the guide posts 34 at the proximal 28 and distal 66 ends of the body assembly 10 on both the top and bottom surfaces 24, 26 of the device 10. Then the first and second body sections 18, 20 can be released in order to resume their normal position, at which point the endless abrasive strip 16 is fixed in position around the body assembly 10. The abrasive strip 16 can be rotated around the body assembly 10 without having to compress the spring 22, although it does not easily rotate on its own. The body assembly 10 provides a grasping portion for grasping the tool.

The work piece engaging portion 12 may assume other wedge shapes than those shown, or other shapes that are not triangular, like rounded or curved shapes, or square shapes, among other shapes. The outer contours of the device are designed to provide an ergonomic shape to be held in the user's hand. Other shapes and contours may be used. Other surface treatments than those shown may be used, if desired, such as roughed surfaces or smoothed, curved surfaces.

An example slender abrading tool includes a slender elongated body assembly that includes a first elongated body section and a second elongated body section, and a biasing element positioned between the first and second body sections. The body assembly is constructed to carry a removable, flexible endless abrasive strip longitudinally about the body assembly. The first elongated body section has a work piece engaging portion at a proximal end thereof and a recess formed therein in a distal end thereof. The recess defines four surrounding walls. The second elongated body section has a post portion extending axially from a proximal end thereof and that is configured to be irremovably entrapped, but slidable within the recess defined in the first body section. The post is trapped between the four surrounding walls of the first body section. The first and second body sections together form a unitary body, with the unitary body defining a handle for grasping the tool and a path for maintaining an abrasive strip around the length thereof. The biasing element normally biases the first and second body sections away from one another. With application of substantially axial force, the first and second body sections move toward one another in order to permit a user to position an abrasive strip around the unitary body.

The biasing element may be a coiled spring. Other types of biasing elements may also be utilized, if desired.

The recess in the first body section may be rectangular in cross-section and the post of the second body section may be rectangular in cross-section. The post may include a recess for holding at least part of the spring, and at least part of the spring may be unsupported by the post. An abutting surface may be positioned inside the recess for abutting a proximal end of the spring. A stop may be positioned inside the recess for abutting a proximal end of the post in order to deter further proximal axial motion of the post inside the recess.

The second body section may have a groove for receiving part of the length of the biasing element. The groove may be a channel having an open top surface, and a proximal end of the biasing element may be unsupported by the channel.

The work piece engaging portion may be wedge-shaped. The wedge-shaped work piece engaging portion may have at least one surface that is angled relative to a top surface of the unitary body. The top surface of the unitary body may be substantially planar.

The second body portion irremovably seats in the first body portion via a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism may include spring arms that mate with one or more projection or detent. The spring arms may be positioned on an inner surface of the recess and the projection or detent may be formed on an outer surface of the post at a distance that is spaced from a proximal end of the post in order to allow the post to move longitudinally inside the recess, but to deter the post from exiting the recess when at an extended position. The one or more projection or detent is formed in an outer surface of the post, and the spring arms include one or more protrusions that seat in the detents.

The first body section may have a length that is about the same as the length of the second body section so that the biasing means is positioned substantially in the middle of the device when the first and second body sections are coupled together.

Another example slender abrading tool includes a slender elongated body assembly and a biasing element. The body assembly includes a first body section and a second body section, with the biasing element being positioned between the first and second body sections. The body assembly has an axis defined longitudinally that is constructed to carry a removable, flexible endless abrasive strip longitudinally about the body assembly. The first elongated body section has a work piece engaging portion at a proximal end thereof and a recess formed therein extending axially inward from a distal end thereof. The recess defines surrounding walls that form a recess having a substantially rectangular cross-section. The second body section has a distal grasping portion and a proximal post portion that extends axially from the grasping portion. The post portion is configured to movably seat within the recess defined in the first body section in order to trap the post portion inside the surrounding walls of the first body section. The first and second body sections together forming a unitary body that defines a path for maintaining an abrasive strip around the length of the device. The biasing element is positioned between the first and second body sections. The biasing element normally biases the first and second body sections away from one another, but can be pressed axially toward one another to permit the first and second body sections to move toward one another in order to permit an abrasive strip to be positioned around the unitary body. The tool also includes a locking mechanism that locks the post portion inside the recess of the first body section such that the post portion is movable longitudinally within the recess, but is not removable from the recess during normal use.

The locking mechanism may include at least one spring arm having a protrusion at an end thereof that mates with one or more of at least one detent and at least one projection. The protrusion of the at least one spring arm may be positioned on an inner surface of the recess. One or more of at least one detent and at least one projection may be formed on an outer surface of the post. The work piece engaging portion of the first body section may have a wedge shape. The distal end of the second body section may have a rounded shape for permitting an abrasive strip to easily roll over the distal end of the second body section.

The term “substantially,” if used herein, is a term of estimation.

While various features are presented above, it should be understood that the features may be used singly or in any combination thereof. Further, it should be understood that variations and modifications may occur to those skilled in the art to which the claimed examples pertain. The examples described herein are exemplary. The disclosure may enable those skilled in the art to make and use alternative designs having alternative elements that likewise correspond to the elements recited in the claims. The intended scope may thus include other examples that do not differ or that insubstantially differ from the literal language of the claims. The scope of the disclosure is accordingly defined as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A slender abrading tool comprising:

a slender elongated body assembly constructed to carry a removable, flexible endless abrasive strip longitudinally about the body assembly, the body assembly including:

a first elongated body section having a work piece engaging portion at a proximal end thereof and a recess formed therein in a distal end thereof, with the recess defining four surrounding walls;

a second elongated body section having a post portion extending axially from a proximal end thereof and that is configured to be irremovably entrapped, but slidable within the recess defined in the first body section, with the post being trapped between the four surrounding walls of the first body section, with the first and second body sections together forming a unitary body, with the unitary body defining a handle for grasping the tool and a path for maintaining an abrasive strip around the length thereof; and

a biasing element positioned between the first and second body sections that normally biases the first and second body sections away from one another, but with application of substantially axial force, the first and second body sections move toward one another in order to permit a user to position an abrasive strip around the unitary body.

2. The tool of claim 1, wherein the biasing element is a coiled spring.

3. The tool of claim 1, wherein the recess is rectangular in cross-section and the post is rectangular in cross-section.

4. The tool of claim 2, wherein the post includes a recess for holding at least part of the spring, and at least part of the spring is unsupported by the post.

5. The tool of claim 2, further comprising an abutting surface inside the recess for abutting a proximal end of the spring.

6. The tool of claim 1, further comprising a stop inside the recess for abutting a proximal end of the post in order to deter further proximal axial motion of the post inside the recess.

7. The tool of claim 1, wherein the second body section has a groove for receiving part of the length of the biasing element.

8. The tool of claim 7, wherein the groove is a channel having an open top surface, and a proximal end of the biasing element is unsupported by the channel.

9. The tool of claim 1, wherein the work piece engaging portion is wedge-shaped.

10. The tool of claim 9, wherein the wedge-shaped work piece engaging portion has at least one surface that is angled relative to a top surface of the unitary body, and the a top surface of the unitary body is substantially planar.

11. The tool of claim 1, wherein the second body portion irremovably seats in the first body portion via a locking mechanism.

12. The tool of claim 11, wherein the locking mechanism comprises spring arms that mate with one or more projection or detent.

13. The tool of claim 12, wherein the spring arms are positioned on an inner surface of the recess and the projection or detent is formed on an outer surface of the post at a distance that is spaced from a proximal end of the post in order to allow the post to move longitudinally inside the recess, but to deter the post from exiting the recess when at an extended position.

14. The tool of claim 13, wherein the one or more projection or detent is formed in an outer surface of the post, and the spring arms include one or more protrusions that seat in the detents.

15. The tool of claim 1, wherein the first body section has a length that is about the same as the length of the second body section so that the biasing means is positioned substantially in the middle of the device when the first and second body sections are coupled together.

16. A slender abrading tool comprising:

a slender elongated body assembly having an axis defined longitudinally that is constructed to carry a removable, flexible endless abrasive strip longitudinally about the body assembly, the body assembly including:

a first elongated body section having a work piece engaging portion at a proximal end thereof and a recess formed therein extending axially inward from a distal end thereof, with the recess defining surrounding walls that form a recess having a substantially rectangular cross-section;

a second elongated body section having a distal grasping portion and a proximal post portion that extends axially from the grasping portion, with the post portion being configured to movably seat within the recess defined in the first body section in order to trap the post portion inside the surrounding walls of the first body section, with the first and second body sections together forming a unitary body that defines a path for maintaining an abrasive strip around the length thereof; and

a biasing element positioned between the first and second body sections that normally biases the first and second body sections away from one another, but can be pressed axially toward one another to permit the first and second body sections to move toward one another in order to permit an abrasive strip to be positioned around the unitary body, and

a locking mechanism that locks the post portion inside the recess of the first body section such that the post portion is movable longitudinally within the recess, but is not removable from the recess during normal use.

17. The tool of claim 16, wherein the locking mechanism comprises at least one spring arm having a protrusion at an end thereof that mates with one or more of at least one detent and at least one projection.

18. The tool of claim 17, wherein the protrusion of the at least one spring arm is positioned on an inner surface of the recess and the one or more of at least one detent and at least one projection are formed on an outer surface of the post.

19. The tool of claim 18, wherein the work piece engaging portion of the first body section has a wedge shape and the distal end of the second body section has a rounded shape for permitting an abrasive strip to easily roll over the distal end of the second body section.