Vacuum Sander
A vacuum sander includes a head assembly. A handle attachment is rotatable coupled to a drive to allow selective rotation of the handle attachment relative to the drive and a debris shroud about a first axis. The drive is rotatable relative to the debris shroud to allow selective rotation of the drive and the handle attachment relative to the debris shroud about a second axis different from the first axis. The drive is rotatably coupled to a forked handle attachment between two prongs thereof. The drive is configured to couple to a sanding implement and to selectively drive rotation of the sanding implement about an axis.
The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Ser. No. 63/216,997, filed Jun. 30, 2021, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSUREThe present disclosure generally relates to a vacuum sander.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSUREA motorized vacuum sander may be used to sand drywall and reduce clean up time by collecting dust and debris while sanding drywall compound, for example. A dust collection system may be coupled to the motorized sander whereby a vacuum draws the sanded drywall dust into a dust collecting vessel as the drywall compound is removed.
SUMMARYIn one aspect, a vacuum sander generally comprises an elongate handle; a forked handle attachment coupled to the elongate handle, wherein the forked handle attachment includes two prongs; and a drive coupled to the forked handle between the two prongs thereof, wherein the drive is configured to couple to a sanding implement and to selectively drive movement of the sanding implement.
In another aspect, a head assembly for a vacuum sander generally comprises a forked handle attachment configured to couple to an elongate handle, wherein the forked handle attachment includes two prongs; a drive rotatably coupled to the forked handle attachment between the two prongs thereof, wherein the drive is configured to couple to a sanding implement and to selectively drive rotation of the sanding implement about an axis; and a debris shroud coupled to the drive and configured to enclose the sanding implement when coupled to the drive.
In yet another aspect, a head assembly of a vacuum sander generally comprises a handle attachment configured to couple to an elongate handle; a drive configured to couple to a sanding implement and to selectively drive rotation of the sanding implement about an axis; and a debris shroud configured to enclose the sanding implement when coupled to the drive. The handle attachment is rotatable coupled to the drive to allow selective rotation of the handle attachment relative to the drive and the debris shroud about a first axis. At least a portion of the drive is rotatable relative to the debris shroud to allow selective rotation of said at least a portion of the drive and the handle attachment relative to the debris shroud about a second axis different from the first axis.
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The belt assembly 72 includes an input shaft 90 coaxially coupled to the output shaft 60 of the motor 50 for rotation about the axis OA1 of the output shaft; an input gear 92 coupled to the input shaft for rotation about the axis OA1 of the output shaft; an output gear 96 coupled to the input gear by a toothed belt 98 and configured to rotate about its center; and an output shaft 100 coaxially coupled to the output gear for rotating about its axis OA2. The input and output gears 92, 96 and the belt 98 are received in the cover 76 and on the side of the divider plate 78 opposite the housing body 74. The output shaft 100 of the belt assembly 72 extends through an opening 102 in the divider plate 78 and is coupled to a bearing 104 received in the opening. The diameter of the first gear 92 is less than the diameter of the second gear 96. For example, the gear ratio may be from about 3:1 to about 6:1, or other suitable ratios.
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As can be understood from the above description, in operation the output shaft 60 of the motor 50 is rotatably driven to impart coaxial rotation of the input shaft 90 and input gear 92 of the belt assembly 72. Rotation of the input gear 92 drives axial rotation of the output gear 96 and output shaft 100 of the belt assembly 72 via the belt 98. Rotation of the output shaft 100 of the belt assembly 72 drives rotation of the worm 111, which in turn drives rotation of the worm gear 112 and the output shaft of the gearbox transmission to rotate the sanding disc.
As mentioned above, the drive 17 defines the portion of the vacuum passage that fluidly connects the debris shroud 18 to the handle attachment 19 and the handle 14. In this regard, the vacuum passage is defined the coupling 40, the belt-drive housing body 74, and the gearbox housing 110. The coupling 40 defines upper and lower downstream openings 120a, 120b fluidly connecting the prongs 40a, 40b of the forked attachment 19 and a coupling plenum 124 defined by the coupling. The coupling plenum 124 is fluidly connected to a housing plenum 126 defined by the housing body 74 and the divider plate 78. The divider plate 78 separates the vacuum passage and the belt assembly cover 76. The housing body 74 defines an opening 128 (e.g., an annulus) to fluidly connect the housing plenum 126 to a gearbox plenum 130 in the gearbox housing 110. A boss 140, which may include a bearing, for the output shaft 100 of the belt-drive transmission 52 extends through the opening 128, whereby the vacuum passage extends around the boss. As shown in
As can be understood from the above description, in operation the vacuum pulls a vacuum or creates negative pressure within the vacuum passage to draw debris from the sanding disc, through the sanding head 17, the attachment 19, and the handle, into the container 24. The debris flows through the openings 134 in the debris shroud 18 and into the gearbox plenum 130. From the gearbox housing 110, the debris flows through the housing body 74 of the belt-drive transmission 52, into the plenum 124 of the coupling 44. From the coupling plenum 124, the debris is drawn into the handle attachment 19, and then into the vacuum passage of the handle 14 where it exits and enters the container 24.
Modifications and variations of the disclosed embodiments are possible without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims.
When introducing elements of the present invention or the embodiment(s) thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising”, “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.
As various changes could be made in the above constructions, products, and methods without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
Claims
1. A vacuum sander comprising:
- an elongate handle;
- a forked handle attachment coupled to the elongate handle, wherein the forked handle attachment includes two prongs; and
- a drive coupled to the forked handle between the two prongs thereof, wherein the drive is configured to couple to a sanding implement and to selectively drive movement of the sanding implement.
2. The vacuum sander set forth in claim 1, wherein the drive is rotatably coupled to the two prongs of the forked handle attachment to allow for selective rotation of the forked handle attachment and the elongate handle relative to the drive about an axis.
3. The vacuum sander set forth in claim 2, wherein the drive is disposed in a space between the two prongs to provide clearance for the drive as the forked handle attachment rotates about the axis.
4. The vacuum sander set forth in claim 3, wherein together the handle, the forked handle attachment and the drive define a vacuum passage extending therethrough and configured to provide fluid communication between the sanding implement and the vacuum source.
5. The vacuum sander set forth in claim 1, wherein the drive comprises an electric motor.
6. The vacuum sander set forth in claim 1, wherein a proximal end of the handle is configured to be fluidly connected to a vacuum source.
7. The vacuum sander set forth in claim 1, further comprising a control coupled to the handle, the control including an actuator in electrical communication with the drive configured to actuate operation of the drive.
8. The vacuum sander set forth in claim 1, wherein the drive includes a motor, a gearbox transmission having an output shaft configured to couple to the sanding implement for rotating the sanding implement about the axis, and a belt-drive transmission operatively connecting the motor to the gearbox transmission.
9. The head assembly set forth in claim 8, wherein the belt-drive transmission is rotatably coupled to the gearbox transmission to allow selective rotation of the belt-drive transmission, the motor, and the forked handle attachment relative to the gearbox transmission and the debris shroud.
10. A head assembly for a vacuum sander comprising:
- a forked handle attachment configured to couple to an elongate handle, wherein the forked handle attachment includes two prongs;
- a drive rotatably coupled to the forked handle attachment between the two prongs thereof, wherein the drive is configured to couple to a sanding implement and to selectively drive rotation of the sanding implement about an axis; and
- a debris shroud coupled to the drive and configured to enclose the sanding implement when coupled to the drive.
11. The head assembly set forth in claim 10, wherein the drive includes a motor, a gearbox transmission having an output shaft configured to couple to the sanding implement for rotating the sanding implement about the axis, and a belt-drive transmission operatively connecting the motor to the gearbox transmission.
12. The head assembly set forth in claim 11, wherein the belt-drive transmission is rotatably coupled to the gearbox transmission to allow selective rotation of the belt-drive transmission, the motor, and the forked handle attachment relative to the gearbox transmission and the debris shroud.
13. The head assembly set forth in claim 11, wherein the drive is rotatably coupled to the two prongs of the forked handle attachment to allow for selective rotation of the forked handle attachment and the elongate handle relative to the drive about an axis.
14. The head assembly set forth in claim 13, wherein the drive is disposed in a space between the two prongs to provide clearance for the drive as the forked handle attachment rotates about the axis.
15. The head assembly set forth in claim 11, wherein together the forked handle attachment and the drive define a vacuum passage extending therethrough and configured to provide fluid communication between the sanding implement and a vacuum source.
16. A head assembly of a vacuum sander comprising:
- a handle attachment configured to couple to an elongate handle;
- a drive configured to couple to a sanding implement and to selectively drive rotation of the sanding implement about an axis; and
- a debris shroud configured to enclose the sanding implement when coupled to the drive,
- wherein the handle attachment is rotatable coupled to the drive to allow selective rotation of the handle attachment relative to the drive and the debris shroud about a first axis,
- wherein at least a portion of the drive is rotatable relative to the debris shroud to allow selective rotation of said at least a portion of the drive and the handle attachment relative to the debris shroud about a second axis different from the first axis.
17. The head assembly set forth in claim 16, wherein the handle attachment is rotatable about the first axis in a first plane, wherein together said at least a portion of the drive and the handle attachment are rotatable about the second axis in a second plane, wherein the first and second planes are transverse to one another.
18. The head assembly set forth in claim 16, wherein the drive includes a motor, a gearbox transmission having an output shaft configured to couple to the sanding implement for rotating the sanding implement about the axis, and a belt-drive transmission operatively connecting the motor to the gearbox transmission.
19. The head assembly set forth in claim 18, wherein the belt-drive transmission is rotatably coupled to the gearbox transmission to allow selective rotation of the belt-drive transmission, the motor, and the forked handle attachment relative to the gearbox transmission and the debris shroud.
20. The head assembly set forth in claim 17, wherein together the forked handle attachment and the drive define a vacuum passage extending therethrough and configured to provide fluid communication between the sanding implement and a vacuum source.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 30, 2022
Publication Date: Jan 5, 2023
Inventors: Harrison Miller (Lowell, AR), John M. Reynolds (Rogers, AR)
Application Number: 17/810,193