HAND SANDER VACUUM ADAPTER

Abstract

Example implementations relate to a hand sander vacuum adapter. The hand sander vacuum adapter can include an adapter base and a vacuum collar. The adapter base can include a base plate configured to releasable engage a number of hand sander bases and a shaft extending from the baseplate. The vacuum collar can be rotatable three hundred and sixty degrees about an axis running through the shaft. The vacuum collar can include a chamber through which the shaft is positioned and a vacuum attachment member extending from the chamber. The vacuum collar can provide vacuum communication between a first end of the vacuum attachment member and a number of channels in the base plate and the base plate can be fixed with respect to the handle during operation.

Description

BACKGROUND

Abrading a surface of a material can alter its properties, such as its smoothness, by removing surface material. Abrading the surface of the material can cause the removed material to dissipate from the surface of the material into the local environment. Dissipation of the abraded material can be controlled utilizing mechanisms such as a vacuum to collect the abraded material. In order to achieve a targeted surface property, appearances, and/or uniformity, abrasion of the surface can be controlled utilizing mechanisms such as a maneuverable abrasive (e.g., sandpaper mounted on a sanding device, etc.).

In some examples, a sheet of abrasive can be mounted onto a sanding device. The sanding device can be an electric/motorized sander (e.g., random orbit sander, belt sander, finishing sander, etc.) wherein the abrasive sheet is moved through the action of an electric motor to encourage abrasion of a surface. Motorized sanders have very specific applications including assisting in the abrasion of harder to abrade surfaces such as wood and/or metal. The motorized sanders are not always suited for abrasion of softer surfaces such as drywall compound. The motorized movement of the abrasive sheet can be too aggressive leaving the operator with little control over the amount of material being abraded away and ultimately being apt to remove too much material. Further, the abrasion of softer surfaces such as drywall compound can generate very fine particulate matter (e.g., colloquially referred to as “dust”), which unlike its more coarse counterpart generated from abrasion of harder surfaces can result in infiltration into and damage of the motorized components of the motorized sanders.

As an alternative to the electric/motorized sander, a sheet of abrasive can be mounted onto a hand sander. A hand sander can include a nonmotorized hand tool utilized to abrade a surface through the application of mechanical force generated by a human operator. Hand sanders do not include an electric motor that encourages abrasion of the surface and/or moves an abrasive sheet in relation to the surface. A hand sander can abrade a surface via an operator manually moving the abrasive sheet of the hand sander across and in contact with a surface while applying force.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of a hand sander vacuum adapter according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of a hand sander according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3A illustrates an exploded view of a hand sander and vacuum coupling mechanism according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3B illustrates a perspective view of a releasably coupled hand sander and vacuum coupling mechanism according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 a perspective view of a hand sander according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a hand sander according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Abrading the surface of a material can generate particulate matter (e.g., colloquially referred to as “dust”) including abraded portions of the material surface. The dust resulting from the abrasion of a surface can be spread into the local environment and settle requiring cleaning to remove. The dust can also pollute the local environment and/or represent a health risk to inhabitants of the local environment. For example, the dust can be harmful to the health of the inhabitants, acting as an irritant and/or carcinogen upon exposure to the skin, eye, throat, lungs, esophagus, stomach, etc. Controlling the dissipation of the abraded particulate matter can include applying suction proximate to the surface of the material via a vacuum.

To achieve a targeted surface property and/or a uniformity of a target surface property, the abrasive applied to the surface of the material can be precisely maneuvered. For example, the abrasive can be attached to a handle (e.g., a hand sander). A user of a hand sander can precisely maneuver the abrasive over the surface of the material and precisely adjust the pressure applied to the abrasive as it is maneuvered over the surface (altering the amount of material abraded with a given pass of the abrasive). In contrast to an electric/motorized sander, a hand sander allows an operator to precisely adjust the force applied, the direction of an abrading action, the amount of material abraded away, and the uniformity of abrasion based on feel.

Some hand sanding tools may include a port (e.g., an air intake) through which suction is generated by applying a vacuum at one end of the port. For example, some hand sanding tools generate suction through and/or around the abrasive surface through application of a vacuum to a vacuum port. The vacuum port on such hand sanding tools is fixed in place in relation to a handle and/or the abrasive surface. The fixed port can accommodate a direct connection to a vacuum and/or a connection to a rigid hose leading to a vacuum.

The maneuverability of a hand sander tool can be limited by the connection through the port. For example, the hand sander can include a drywall hand sander that is used to sand various surfaces of drywall (e.g., wall and/or ceiling surfaces). The weight and rigidity of the hose attached to the fixed port can influence the maneuverability of the hand sander via a lever effect of the hose. Changing direction with the hand sander on a vertical surface, for example, can cause the uneven application of force to the hand sander body as the fixed port unevenly translates the gravitational force upon the hose to the body of the sander through the lever effect. With a change in direction of the sander the force applied to the hand sander and to the person maneuvering the hand sander can be changed. Such a change can alter the amount and/or uniformity of force applied to the surface and restrict maneuverability of the hand sander.

Additionally, the center of gravity of a hand sander can influence the maneuverability. With a center of gravity that is too high on the hand sander (e.g., above the handle) the hand sander can be prone to tipping over while being maneuvered. With a center of gravity that is too low, a hand sander can be prone to a difficulty in generating side to side movement. With a rigid heavy vacuum hose attached to a fixed port on a hand sander, the center of gravity can be altered. For example, if the fixed port is too high on the sander (e.g., shifting the center of gravity above the handle) then movement of the hand sander is made more difficult and the hand sander can be prone to toppling over, prone to uneven application of force to the hand sander/the surface being abraded, and/or prone to interference with the operator of the hand sander. If the fixed port is too low on the hand sander then the directional and/or side to side movement of the sander can be much more difficult due to a fixed hose that can dictate the range of motion of the hand sander during operation.

Further, the weight and rigidity of the heavy rigid hose attached to the fixed port of a hand sander can represent additional challenges to the operation of the hand sander. For example, maneuvering the hand sander can cause the positioning of the hose relative to the operator to change. This can cause the hose to become entangled with the operator and or interfere with the operator's ability to grip and/or maneuver the hand sander. Moreover, with a fixed port and a heavy rigid hose the hose can be prone to coiling and binding at any directional change of the hand sander while abrading a surface.

In contrast to prior approaches embodiments of the present disclosure provide various benefits as compared to previous vacuum sanders such as manual hand vacuum sanders (e.g., motorized and/or non-motorized) and/or orbital vacuum sanders. For instance, a number of embodiments of the present disclosure can provide improved maneuverability as compared to prior approaches, which can result in time savings and/or improved sanding results, for example. A hand sander vacuum adapter, in accordance with the present disclosure, can include an adapter base including a base plate configured to releasably engage a number of hand sander bases and a shaft extending from the baseplate. A hand sander vacuum adapter can additionally include a vacuum collar, rotatable three hundred and sixty degrees about an axis running through the shaft, including a chamber through which the shaft is positioned and a vacuum attachment member extending from the chamber. The vacuum collar can be positioned between the base plate and a handle. The vacuum collar can provide vacuum communication between a first end of the vacuum attachment member and a number of channels formed in the base plate. The baseplate can be fixed with respect to the handle during operation. In this manner, the hand sander vacuum adapter provides a maneuverable sanding platform that mitigates the problems of a vacuum/hand sander arrangement including binding of the vacuum hose, improper center of gravity disrupting the balance of the sander, the operator becoming entangled in the hose, and/or the operator having to overcome and compensate for forces originating from the lever effect of a vacuum that disrupt maneuverability. By providing a hand sander vacuum collar that can freely rotate three hundred and sixty degrees about a central shaft of the hand sander adapter while leaving the handle and base in a fixed position embodiments of the present disclosure provide the operator with a dust removing vacuum communication mechanism while offering improved control and maneuverability over prior solutions.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of a hand sander vacuum adapter 100 according to the present disclosure. The hand sander vacuum adapter 100 can include an adapter base 102. The adapter base 102 can include a base plate 104. The base plate 104 can be a portion of the hand sander vacuum adapter that is configured to releasably engage a number of tools. For example, the base plate 104 can be configured to reliably engage a number of hand sander bases. The number of hand sander bases can be bases that have circular, rectangular, square, triangular, or otherwise shaped planar surfaces upon which an abrasive such as sandpaper can be positioned. Each of the number of hand sander bases can have a distinct conformation, but they can all share a similar portion for releasable engagement with the base plate 104.

In an example, the base plate 104 can include a disc shaped plate with threading around its periphery for engaging complimentary threading of a sander base. The base plate 104 can further include an engagement lever 106 located on a first surface of the base plate 106 proximate the periphery of the disc shaped base plate 104. The engagement lever 106 can be attached to the base plate 104 and pivot about a dowel 108 press fit into the engagement lever 106 and the base plate 104. The engagement lever 106 can also include a pocket having a magnet 110 glued below flush therein. The engagement lever 106 can, upon engagement of the base plate 104 into a hand sander base, engage the hand sander base in a manner that exerts a force resisting disengagement from the hand sander base. The engagement lever 106 can be actuated by pivoting about the dowel 108 by applying force upon one end of the engagement lever 106. Actuating the engagement lever 106 can remove the force resisting disengagement and/or exert a force encouraging disengagement of the base plate 104 from the hand sander base. Embodiments are not limited to the example provided above and can include a number of means of attaching a baseplate 104 to a hand sander base.

The adapter base 102 can include a shaft 112 extending from the base plate 104. The shaft 112 can extend perpendicular to the base plate 104. The shaft 112 can extend from the center of the base plate 104. The shaft 112 can extend from the first surface of the base plate 104. The shaft 112 can include a substantially circular first portion having a first radius. The shaft 112 can include a substantially circular second portion having a second radius less than the first radius. The shaft 112 can include a substantially polygonal third portion with an area less than the second portion. The walls of the substantially polygonal third portion can include slots cut therein.

The base plate 104 can include integral air channels that allow air to pass from the first surface of the base plate 104 to a second surface of the base plate 104 opposite the first surface. The air channels can extend radially from the shaft 112 extending perpendicularly from the center of the base plate 104. The air channels can be slightly recessed into the first surface of the base plate 104 creating a lip extending from the recessed air channels to the first surface around the periphery of the air channels. The lip can be beveled or otherwise shaped to provide a ledge upon which a complimentary piece can ride. That complimentary piece can be a vacuum collar 114.

The hand sander vacuum adapter 100 can include a vacuum collar 114. A vacuum collar 114 can include a chamber 116 and a vacuum attachment member 118. The vacuum collar 114 can engage the shaft 112 in a collar like fashion. That vacuum collar 114 can surround the shaft 112 and maintain a seal to provide vacuum communication through the base plate 104 while remaining rotatable around the shaft 112. For example, the vacuum collar 114 can be rotatable three hundred and sixty degrees about an axis extending perpendicularly from the base plate 104 through the center of the shaft 112.

As mentioned above, the vacuum collar 114 can include a chamber 116. The chamber 116 can include a chamber wall with a radius larger than the first radius of the first portion of the shaft 112 such that communication of suction can occur between the walls of the chamber and a wall of the first portion of the shaft 112. The chamber wall can have a radius that is substantially identical to or slightly less than the radius of the radially extending air channels within the base plate 104 such that the chamber wall will fit within the lip extending from the recessed air channels to the first surface of the base plate 104 around the periphery of the air channels. If the lip includes a bevel or some other geometry, an edge of the chamber wall can include a complementary geometry configured to mate therewith. The chamber 116 can additionally include a raised lip having a radius less than the radius of the chamber wall and substantially identical to or slightly larger than the second radius of the second portion of the shaft 112. In this manner, the raised lip of the chamber 116 can be configured to rest on, ride along, and be substantially in contact with the second portion of the shaft 112. In some examples, the raised lip is sized such that the chamber 116 forms a seal along the raised lip such that, when suction is applied through the vacuum collar 114, air and/or accompanying particulate is drawn up through the air channels of the base plate 104.

The vacuum collar 114 can include a vacuum attachment member 118. The vacuum attachment member 118 can include a radial extension from the chamber 116. The vacuum attachment member 118 can include a channel extension that extends substantially parallel to the base plate 104. The vacuum attachment member 118 can include a first end distal to the chamber 116. The first end can include a vacuum coupling mechanism adapter. For example, the first end of the vacuum attachment member 118 can be a portion of the channel configured to engage a vacuum hose and/or a vacuum hose adapter. The vacuum attachment member 118 can at least partially taper from the first end to the second end which can be integrally molded into the chamber wall of the chamber 116. The vacuum attachment member 118 can include a channel extension that extends substantially parallel to the baseplate 104 to a length such that the first end is located beyond bounding edges of any other component of the hand sander vacuum adapter 100 (e.g., baseplate 104, handle 120, etc.). That is, the vacuum attachment member 118 can extend radially from the chamber 116 such that the first end is a radially furthest point of the hand sander vacuum adapter 100 from the chamber 116. As such, the vacuum attachment member 118 can engage a vacuum hose and/or vacuum hose adapter without interfering with the use of the hand sander vacuum adapter 100 and/or without involuntarily disengaging the vacuum hose and/or vacuum hose adapter while operating the hand sander vacuum adapter 100 and/or without involuntarily disengaging the vacuum hose and/or vacuum hose.

The vacuum collar 114 is free to rotate around the shaft 112 passing through the center of the chamber 116. The vacuum collar 114 can ride along the lip extending from the recessed air channels to the first surface of the base plate 104 around the periphery of the air channels and/or along the second portion of the shaft 112 rotating freely in response to forces exerted thereupon. For example, during operation the hand sander vacuum adapter 100 may be operated vertically. In doing so, gravitational force may act upon the vacuum collar 114 (e.g., the vacuum attachment member 118) and/or an associated vacuum coupling mechanism causing the vacuum collar 114 to orient itself vertically preventing the vacuum attachment member 118 and/or any associated vacuum coupling mechanism to act as a lever limiting and/or influencing the maneuvering of the hand sander vacuum adapter 100. Since the vacuum attachment member 118 can have a relatively long length with respect to the footprint of the hand sander vacuum adapter 100 in order to accommodate vacuum hose and/or vacuum hose adapter engagement and/or clearance in a manner that does not interfere with usage, the vacuum attachment member would act as such a limiting and/or influencing lever if not for the free rotation of the vacuum collar 114 around the shaft 112.

The hand sander vacuum adapter 100 can include a handle 120. The vacuum collar 114 can be positioned between the handle 120 and the base plate 104. The handle 120 can include a raised grip configured to be grasped by the hand of an operator. The handle 120 can include a cavity therein configured to receive a portion (e.g., the third portion) of the shaft 112. The cavity can be configured to releasably engage the shaft 112. In an example, the cavity can include a set of threads complementary to, and engageable with, threads located on the shaft and/or threads located on a fastener 122. In an example, the handle 120 can include a post 124 molded therein configured to receive the shaft 112 and/or a complimentary portion of the fastener 122 (e.g., mated threads). The fastener 122 can extend through the shaft 112 and fasten the adapter base 102 to the handle 120 via releasably engaging material of the handle 120 and or the post 124 molded within the handle 120.

The handle 120 can include an over mold substrate 126. The over mold substrate can be a hard plastic over mold glued and/or ultrasonically bonded to the handle 120. Further, the handle 120 can include a soft touch over mold 127. The soft touch over mold 120 can include a material that is softer and/or more flexible than the over mold substrate 126. The soft touch over mold 127 can be glued and/or ultrasonically bonded to the hard plastic over mold 126.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of a hand sander 230 according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The hand sander 230 can include the hand sander vacuum adapter 200. As described above, the hand sander vacuum adapter 200 can include the adapter base 202 including a base plate 204, a shaft 212, a dowel 208, a magnet 210, and an engagement lever 206. The hand sander vacuum adapter 200 can further include vacuum collar 214 can be positioned between a handle 220 and the base plate 204. The vacuum collar 214 can include a chamber 216 and a vacuum attachment member 218. The vacuum collar 214 can extend in a direction perpendicular to an axis running vertically through the center of the hand sander 230. The vacuum collar 214 can be long enough to reach outside of the perimeter of the hand sander plate 234.

The handle 220 can be fixed during operation in relation to the adapter base 202. The handle 220 can be connected to the adapter base 202 via connection through the shaft 212. In an example, the handle 220 can be connected to the adapter base 202 via a fastener 222 running through the shaft 212 and threaded into a post 224 attached to the handle 220. The handle 220 can also include an attached over mold substrate 226 and/or an attached soft touch over mold 227. The handle 220 can include a lip configured to allow a user to apply additional leverage to the hand sander 230 utilizing finger pressure, to allow a finger rest and/or stop, and/or to prevent a user's hand from interfering with the three hundred and sixty degree rotate-ability of the vacuum collar 214.

The hand sander 230 can include a hand sander base 232. The hand sander base 232 can include a hand sander plate 234. The hand sander plate 234 can be square, rectangular, triangular, circular, or any other geometry. The hand sander plate 234 can have sidewalls that can be straight or angled. The hand sander plate 234 can have a first surface with an opening therethrough. The opening can be configured to releasably engage the base plate 204. In an example, the opening can be threaded and or include a lip that engages complementary geometries of the base plate 204. When engage, a portion of the base plate 204 can be positioned within the opening (e.g., within the body of the hand sander plate 234).

The hand sander plate 234 can include a complementary mechanism to the engagement lever 260 that encourages engagement and/or disengagement of the base plate 204 from the opening of the hand sander plate 234. For example, the hand sander plate 234 can include a shelf and/or lip that releasably engages a portion of the engagement lever 260 holding it in place. In another example, the hand sander plate 234 can include a shelf and/or lip that provides leverage to a portion of the engagement lever 260 upon its actuation encouraging disengagement of the base plate 204 form the hand sander plate 234. The hand sander plate 234 can include a magnet 236 mounted flush or below flush with the surface of the hand sander plate 234 positioned to align with the magnet 210 within the engagement lever 206 upon releasable engagement of the base plate 204 with the hand sander plate 234. The magnet 236 can be a polar complement to magnet 210 and can serve to bias the engagement lever 260 to a particular position (e.g., encouraging engagement between the base plate 204 and the hand sander plate 234).

The hand sander plate 234 can include a number of channels therethrough. The number of channels can provide vacuum communication throughout the hand sander plate 234. For example, the number of channels can provide vacuum communication from the opening of the first surface of the hand sander plate 234 to a number of inlets on a second, opposing surface of the hand sander plate 234. The number of channels can be internally segmented and/or disrupted by projections from the periphery of the opening into the center of the opening. The number of channels can translate, via suction, abraded particulate matter therethrough. In this manner, the number of channels can remove abraded material from the surface of and around the area of the abrasive sheet 246 as the abrasive sheet 246 is utilized to abrade a surface. The abraded material can be sucked through the number of channels toward a vacuum source such as a shop vacuum and/or backpack vacuum.

The hand sander base 232 can include a connecting plate 242; the connecting plate 242 can include a mechanism (e.g., adhesive, hook and loop fastener, etc.) that connects a first surface of a backing plate 244 to the second surface of the hand sander plate 234. The connecting plate 242 and the backing plate 244 can include channels formed through them to provide vacuum communication from the number of air inlets on a second surface of the hand sander plate 234 through the connecting plate 242 and the backing plate 244 to a number of air inlets on the second surface of the backing plate 244. The backing plate 244 can be made of a material such as lightweight foam and can be square, rectangular, triangular, circular, etc.

The hand sander base 232 can include an abrasive sheet 246 (e.g., sandpaper). The abrasive sheet can be cut to the approximate dimensions of the backing plate 244. The abrasive sheet 246 can be positioned against the backing plate 244. The abrasive sheet can be maintained in an original position by an abrasive sheet releasable engagement mechanism mounted on the hand sander plate 234. The abrasive sheet releasable engagement mechanism can include a number of opposing clamps 240-1 . . . 240-N. The opposing clamps 240-1 . . . 240-N can be attached to the hand sander plate 234 by clamp dowels 238-1 . . . 238-N press fit into openings in the clamps 240-1 . . . 240-N. The clamps 240-1 . . . 240-N can be pivoted about the clamp dowels 238-1 . . . 238-N and lowered into place over a number of edges of the abrasive sheet 246 extending above the backing plate 244 clamping the abrasive sheet 246 against the hand sander plate 234.

FIG. 3A illustrates an exploded view of a hand sander 330 and vacuum coupling mechanism 350. The hand sander 330 can include a vacuum attachment member 318. The vacuum attachment member 318 can be configured to be releasably coupled at a first end to a first hose portion 354. The vacuum attachment member 318 can be releasably coupled directly to the first hose portion 354 or can be coupled to the first hose portion 354 through a first hose portion adapter 352. The vacuum attachment member 318 can be inserted within a female portion of the first hose portion adapter 352 and a male portion of the first hose portion adapter 352 can be inserted within the first hose portion 354. The first hose portion 354 can be coupled to the second hose portion 358. The first hose portion 354 can be coupled directly to the second hose portion 358 or the first hose portion 354 can be coupled to the second hose portion 358 through a second hose portion adapter 356. The second hose portion adapter 356 can have two male ends (e.g., a collet sleeve) that are inserted into the first hose portion 354 and the second hose portion 358 releasably coupling the two together. The first hose portion 354 can be a highly flexible and light weight length of tubing through which to communicate suction. The second hose portion 354 can be a less flexible and heavier length of tubing as compared to the first hose portion.

FIG. 3B illustrates a perspective view of a hand sander 330 with a releasably coupled vacuum coupling mechanism 350 according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The second hose portion 358 of the vacuum coupling mechanism 350 can be coupled, directly or indirectly, to a vacuum source. The vacuum coupling mechanism 350 can provide vacuum communication from the vacuum source to the vacuum attachment member 318. When operating the hand sander 330, the vacuum coupling mechanism 350 and the vacuum attachment member 318 can move independent of the rest of the hand sander 330 (e.g., the baseplate and the handle are fixed with respect to one another while the vacuum attachment member 318 is free to orbit around the connecting shaft), orbiting about an axis running through the center of the shaft of the hand sander vacuum adapter portion of the hand sander 330. The vacuum coupling mechanism 350 and the vacuum attachment member 318 are joined with the hand sander 330 at a point below the ergonomic handle preserving a center of gravity below the hand sander 330, but not so low as to cause binding of the hand sander 330 during operation. When operating the hand sander 330 on a vertical surface the vacuum coupling mechanism 350 and the vacuum attachment member 318 will automatically orient vertically due to the gravitational forces they are experiencing. Any maneuvering of the hand sander 330 on the vertical surface can cause the vacuum coupling mechanism 350 and the vacuum attachment member 318 to orient in a direction corresponding to forces exerted thereupon followed by reorienting to a vertical orientation upon cessation of the force. In this manner, the vacuum coupling mechanism 350 and the vacuum attachment member 318 will automatically orient out of the way of the operator and allow increased maneuverability without binding of the vacuum coupling mechanism 350. Further, the first hose portion 354 being made of a more flexible and lightweight tubing that the second hose portion 358 decreases the amount of force exerted on the hand sander 330 via the lever effect by reducing the weight contributing to the force and mitigating the experienced force by dissipating the force with flexibility of the first hose portion 354. In this manner, the flexible and lightweight tubing of the first hose portion 354 improves the function of the vacuum attachment member 318 by relieving binding or leverage issues present with traditional vacuum hoses.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a hand sander 430 according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The hand sander 430 includes a hand sander vacuum adapter such as that described above coupled to a rectangular hand sander base.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a hand sander 530 according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The hand sander 530 includes a hand sander vacuum adapter such as that described above coupled to a circular hand sander base.

In the present disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration how a number of examples of the disclosure can be practiced. These examples are described in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to practice the examples of this disclosure, and it is to be understood that other examples can be used and that process, electrical, and/or structural changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

The figures herein follow a numbering convention in which the first digit corresponds to the drawing figure number and the remaining digits identify an element or component in the drawing. Elements shown in the various figures herein can be added, exchanged, and/or eliminated so as to provide a number of additional examples of the present disclosure. In addition, the proportion and the relative scale of the elements provided in the figures are intended to illustrate the examples of the present disclosure, and should not be taken in a limiting sense. As used herein, the designator “N”, particularly with respect to reference numerals in the drawings, indicate that a number of the particular feature and/or component so designated can be included with a number of examples of the present disclosure. The designator “N” can refer to a same feature and/or component, or different features and/or components.

As used herein, “a” or “a number of” something can refer to one or more such things. For example, “a number of widgets” can refer to one or more widgets. Also, as used herein, “a plurality of” something can refer to more than one of such things.

The above specification, examples and data provide a description of the device, method, and use of the device and method of the present disclosure. Since many examples can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the system and method of the present disclosure, this specification merely sets forth some of the many possible embodiment configurations and implementations.

Claims

1. A hand sander vacuum adapter, comprising:

an adapter base comprising: a base plate configured to releasably engage a number of hand sander bases, and a shaft extending from the baseplate; and

a vacuum collar rotatable three hundred and sixty degrees about an axis running through the shaft and comprising: a chamber through which the shaft is positioned, and a vacuum attachment member extending from the chamber,

wherein the vacuum collar is positioned between the base plate and a handle, wherein the vacuum collar provides vacuum communication between a first end of the vacuum attachment member and a number of channels formed in the base plate, and wherein the baseplate is fixed with respect to the handle during operation.

2. The hand sander vacuum adapter of claim 1, wherein the vacuum attachment member extending from the chamber extends radially from the chamber parallel to the base plate.

3. The hand sander vacuum adapter of claim 2, wherein the vacuum attachment member terminates at a vacuum coupling mechanism adapter at a first end of the vacuum attachment member distal to the chamber.

4. The hand sander vacuum adapter of claim 3, wherein the vacuum coupling mechanism adapter is outside of an outer perimeter of the baseplate.

5. The hand sander vacuum adapter of claim 3, including a vacuum coupling mechanism comprising a first hose portion releasably engaged to the vacuum coupling mechanism adapter and a second hose portion releasably engaged to the first hose portion, wherein the first hose portion is more flexible than the second hose portion.

6. The hand sander vacuum adapter of claim 1, wherein the base plate is releasably engaged into an opening of a hand sander base, wherein the hand sander base includes a number of channels providing vacuum communication therethrough.

7. The hand sander vacuum adapter of claim 6, wherein the number of channels accommodate translation of abraded particulate matter therethrough from an abrading surface of the hand sander base toward a vacuum source during operation.

8. The hand sander vacuum adapter of claim 1, wherein the handle is attached to the adapter base via a fastener running through the shaft.

9. A hand sander vacuum adapter, comprising:

an adapter base comprising: a base plate configured to releasably engage a number of hand sander bases, and a shaft extending from the baseplate; and

a vacuum collar rotatable three hundred and sixty degrees about an axis running through the shaft during operation, wherein the baseplate is fixed with respect to the handle during operation, wherein the vacuum collar is configured to be attached to a first hose portion, and the first hose portion is configured to be attached to a second hose portion, and wherein the first hose portion is more flexible than the second hose portion.

10. The hand sander vacuum adapter of claim 9, wherein the vacuum collar includes a chamber comprising a chamber wall with a radius larger than a radius of the shaft.

11. The hand sander vacuum adapter of claim 9, wherein the vacuum collar includes a chamber comprising a chamber wall with a radius substantially identical to a radius of a number of radially extending air channels within the base plate.

12. The hand sander vacuum adapter of claim 9, wherein the vacuum collar includes a chamber surrounding the shaft and maintaining a seal between the shaft a number of air channels in the baseplate providing vacuum communication through the baseplate.

13. The hand sander vacuum adapter of claim 9, wherein the base plate comprises a disc shaped plate.

14. The hand sander vacuum adapter of claim 13, wherein the disc shaped plate includes threading around a periphery of the plate that is configured to engage complimentary threading of a sander base.

15. The hand sander vacuum adapter of claim 13, wherein the disc shaped plate includes an engagement lever located on a first surface of the plate proximate a periphery of the plate, wherein the engagement lever is configured to engage a sander base and resist disengagement.

16. A hand sander, comprising:

an adapter base releasably engaged to a hand sander base,

a vacuum collar positioned around a shaft running between the hand sander base and a handle of the adapter base, wherein the vacuum collar is rotatable three hundred and sixty degrees about an axis running through the shaft during operation and wherein the hand sander base is fixed with respect to the handle during operation; and

a vacuum coupling mechanism coupled to the vacuum collar, wherein the vacuum coupling mechanism includes a first hose portion and a second hose portion wherein the first hose portion is more flexible than the second hose portion.

17. The hand sander of claim 16, wherein the hand sander base includes a hand sander plate with a number of channels therethrough.

18. The hand sander of claim 17, wherein the adapter base includes a base plate including a number of channels therethrough, wherein the number of channels through the base plate at least partially align with the number of channels through the hand sander plate.

19. The hand sander of claim 16, wherein the first hose portion is more flexible that the vacuum collar.

20. The hand sander of claim 16, wherein the first hose portion mitigates leverage exerted from the second hose portion on to the adapter base and hand sander base through the vacuum collar by flexing more than the second hose portion and the vacuum collar.