HAND-HELD SANDING TOOL

Abstract

A hand-held sanding tool for sanding various objects is disclosed. The sanding tool includes a machined sanding block aligned with a detachable wedge-shaped part on any of its side surfaces, and a sanding belt wrapped around the machined block and the detachable wedge. The wedge-shaped part includes a rounded-side placed facing outward and a flat surface aligned with the machine sanding block to tighten the sanding belt in place. The sanding belt is used as an abrasive installed on the machined sanding block with finger grips. A high-density foam cushion is glued to another side of the machined block for expansion. The foam cushion expands to maintain tightness. Also, the detachable wedge is a pop-out wedge for easy change of belts. Further, the machined sanding block and the wedge-shaped block include a marking on any one end for indicating an upper end or top that is faced up during work.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Sanding tools are designed for sanding various objects. These tools are small blocks that can be easily held in hand. These sanding blocks are wrapped with sandpapers around the blocks and held in place for softening the impact on the wood and other materials. These blocks consist of a flat block with an abrasive coating. These blocks are often used by construction workers.

There are a variety of sanding tools for sanding various objects on a job site. These tools are used daily for years to come. Most tools include abrasive sheets or abrasive coating on one side. The use of machine grade abrasive for a hand application gives one use 10-15 times. The life of the abrasion is less than the sandpaper used for sanding. Further, the other sanding tool includes a tightening belt on the machined block with springs. However, the use of mechanical parts or springs is difficult to operate. Moreover, there is always a gap between the flat sanding surface which creates an uneven sanding surface, or a drop-down which makes for a poor plane surface for straight edges.

Henceforth, there is a need for a sanding block with a detachable wedge to tighten the sanding belt in place. Also, there is a need for a sanding tool having a smooth surface for even sanding as well as a rounded end for curved surfaces. Further, there is a need for a sanding tool with a pop-out wedge for easy change of belt.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention discloses a hand-held sanding tool (hereinafter referred as “sanding tool”). The present invention further discloses a sanding tool for sanding various objects. The sanding tool is designed for an experienced craftsman or a weekend hobbyist.

In one embodiment, the sanding tool comprises one or more components including a machined sanding block aligned with a detachable wedge-shaped part at the top of the machined sanding block and a sanding belt wrapped around the machined sanding block and the wedge-shaped part. In one embodiment, the wedge-shaped part includes a rounded side placed facing outward and a flat aligned with the machine sanding block to tighten the sanding belt in place. In one embodiment, the sanding belt is used as the abrasive installed on the machined sanding block with finger grips and a machined or milled) half-rounded wedge-shaped part that slides in against the machined sanding block to tighten the sanding belt. In one embodiment, the sanding belt is of any standard 3″×21″ sanding belt. In one embodiment, the sanding belt uses a sandpaper belt originally made for power sanders.

In one embodiment, the machined block and the wedge-shaped part further include a “T” marking on any one side for indicating the top. In one embodiment, the “T's” are used facing up when at work. In one embodiment, the wedge-shaped part is a pop-out structure for easy change of belts. In one embodiment, the small wedge-shaped part pops out by pressing the other side of the “T” label.

In one embodiment, the sanding tool is a two-part sanding block that uses a wedge principle for making the sanding belt stay in place. In one embodiment, the wedging principle keeps the sanding belt snug for a full flat sanding surface to work with. In one embodiment, the sanding tool is used for cleaning saw cuts (rough or finished), ease edges, flat plane sanding, contour sanding, reach sanding for hard-to-get spots. In one embodiment, the sanding tool is used for wood, plastics, plasters, drywall, masonry steel, marine, sculpture, auto bodywork, and glassworks.

In one embodiment, the sanding tool further includes a high-density foam cushion or memory foam glued to any one side of the machined block for expansion. In one embodiment, the foam cushion expands to maintain tightness. In one embodiment, the foam is high-density foam used to maintain sanding belt tightness. In one embodiment, the foam cushion allows different minor belt measurements.

In one embodiment, the one or more components of the sanding tool are aligned/positioned inside the sanding belt. At one step, the open side of the sanding belt is placed upon a flat surface. In one embodiment, the sanding belt can be of any 3×21 sanding belt. At another step, the machined block is inserted into the open side of the sanding belt with “T” facing up. At another step, a small wedge-shaped part is inserted into the open side of the sanding belt with “T” facing up such that the rounded side out facing the end of the sanding belt and the flat side aligned with the large part of the sanding tool, i.e., “T” to “T”.

One aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a hand-held sanding tool for sanding objects, comprising: (a) a first sanding member or machined sanding block and a second sanding member or a wedge-shaped part aligned to any one of the machined sanding blocks; and (b) a sanding belt configured to form a wrap around the machined block and the wedge-shaped part, wherein the wedge-shaped part includes a rounded-side placed facing outward and a flat surface aligned to any one side of the machined sanding block, wherein the wedge-shaped part tightens the sanding belt, thereby allowing the sanding belt for sanding of flat as well as rounded end for curved surfaces. In one embodiment, the sanding tool further comprises a high-density foam cushion or a memory foam glued to another side of the machined sanding block for expansion. In one embodiment, the foam cushion expands to maintain tightness. In a related embodiment, the foam cushion allows different minor belt measurements.

In another embodiment, the wedge-shaped part is a pop-out wedge that allows to change the belt easily. In one embodiment, the wedge-shaped part tightens the sanding belt to be in place to avoid any slippage or movement of the sanding belt. In one embodiment, the wedge-shaped part keeps the sanding belt snug for full flat sanding surface to work with any surfaces. In another embodiment, the sanding belt is an abrasive material wrapped around the machined sanding block and wedge-shaped part. In one embodiment, the sanding belt is a sandpaper belt made for power sanders.

In another embodiment, the sanding tool further includes a marking on any one end of the machined block and the wedge-shaped part for indicating an upper end or top end, thereby aligning them inline. In one embodiment, the machined sanding block has finger grips for easy handling. In another embodiment, the sanding tool is utilized for cleaning saw cuts, ease edges, flat plane sanding, contour sanding, reach sanding for hard-to-get spots, and others. In another embodiment, the sanding tool is utilized for sanding of wood, plastic, plaster, drywall, masonry, steel, marine, sculpture, auto body work, and glass work.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and the specific examples, while indicating specific embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 exemplarily illustrates a sanding tool, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 exemplarily illustrates one or more components of the sanding tool, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 exemplarily illustrates an exploded view of the sanding tool, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 4-6 exemplarily illustrate the sanding tool with a slightly moved detachable wedge-shaped part, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 7-10 exemplarily illustrate the aligning or positioning of the one or more components of the sanding tool, according to one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 11 exemplarily illustrates the sanding tool sanding an object in a typical use case, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A description of embodiments of the present invention will now be given with reference to the figures. It is expected that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

The present invention generally relates to sanding tools and more particularly relates to a hand-held sanding tool configured to provide a single smooth surface for flat sanding as well as rounded end for curved surfaces.

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction nor to the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, various views of a hand-held sanding tool (hereinafter referred as “sanding tool”) 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The sanding tool 100 is used for sanding/polishing various objects. In one embodiment, the sanding tool 100 is an intelligent and unique polishing product that has been designed to clean or sand various surfaces such as saw cuts quick (rough or finish), ease edges, flat plane sanding, contour sanding, reach sanding for hard-to-get spots. The sanding tool 100 is designed to fit in the hand as well as the tool bucket or the job to work on the shop or out in the field. In one embodiment, at least two sanding tools 100 are used, where one is for rough and another is for finished work.

In one embodiment, the sanding tool 100 comprises one or more components including a first sanding member or a machined sanding block 104, a second sanding member or a detachable wedge-shaped part 106 aligned with the machined sanding block 104, and a sanding belt 102 that wraps around the machined sanding block 104 and the wedge-shaped part 106. In one embodiment, the detachable wedge-shaped part 106 is used to tighten the sanding belt 102 in place. In one embodiment, the sanding belt 102 is an abrasive material that is installed on the machined sanding block 104. In one embodiment, the machined sanding block 104 has finger grips 110 on its front surface for easy handling. The wedge-shaped part 106 is a machined or milled, half-rounded wedge-shaped sanding member that slides against the machined sanding block 104 to tighten the sanding belt 102 in place.

In one embodiment, the sanding tool 100 further comprises a high-density foam cushion or a memory foam 108 glued to another side of the machined sanding block 104 for expansion. In one embodiment, the machined sanding block 104 along with the foam cushion 108 is inserted into the sanding belt 102. In one embodiment, the foam cushion 108 allows different minor belt measurements. In one embodiment, the foam cushion 108 expands to maintain tightness of the sanding belt 102 tightness.

In one embodiment, the sanding tool 100 is a two-part sanding block that uses a wedge principle for making the sanding belt 102 to stay in place. In one embodiment, the wedging principle keeps the sanding belt 102 snugs for a full flat sanding surface to work with any surfaces. In one embodiment, the sanding tool 100 is utilized for cleaning saw cuts (rough or finished), ease edges, flat plane sanding, contour sanding, reach sanding for hard-to-get spots. In some embodiments, the sanding tool 100 is utilized for sanding of wood, plastics, plasters, drywall, masonry steel, marine, sculpture, auto bodywork, and glass work.

Referring to FIGS. 4-6, the sanding tool 100 with a slightly moved detachable wedge-shaped part 106, according to one embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, the sanding belt 102 is a standard 3″×21″ sanding belt. In one embodiment, the sanding belt 102 is a sandpaper belt originally made for power sanders. In one embodiment, the machined sanding block 104 and wedge-shaped part 106 are disposed inside the sanding belt 102. In one embodiment, a high-density foam cushion or a memory foam 108 is glued to any one side of the machined sanding block 104 opposite to the another side aligned with the wedge-shaped part 106. In one embodiment, the machined sanding block 104 and the wedge-shaped part 106 further includes a marking 114 on any one side for indicating the top surface. In one embodiment, the marking may be “T” label. The marking “T's” are used for facing up the machined sanding block 104 and the wedge-shaped part 106 when at work. In one embodiment, the “T” label in the movable wedge-shaped part 106 is aligned with the “T” label in the sanding block 104. In one embodiment, the small wedge-shaped part 106 pops out by pressing the other side of the “T” label.

Referring to FIGS. 7-10, aligning or positioning the components of the sanding tool 100, according to one embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, the wedge-shaped part 106 includes a rounded-side 116 and a flat surface 118. In one embodiment, the rounded-side 116 is placed facing outward and the flat surface 118 is aligned with the machined block 104. In one embodiment, the wedge-shaped part 106 is placed with facing the “T” marking 114 upwards. In one embodiment, the wedge-shaped part 106 is a pop-out structure for easy change of sanding belts 102. In one embodiment, the wedge-shaped part 106 slides inside the sanding belt 102 against the machined sanding block 104 to tighten the sanding belt 102 in place.

In one embodiment, the one or more components of the sanding tool 100 are aligned or positioned inside the sanding belt 102. At one step, an open side of the sanding belt 102 is placed upon a flat surface. In one embodiment, the sanding belt 102 is a standard 3″×21″ sanding belt. At another step, the large part, i.e., the machined sanding block 104 is inserted into the open side of the sanding belt 102 with “T” marking 114 facing up. In one embodiment, the “T” marking 114 indicates for the top facing of the machined sanding block 104. At another step, the small wedge-shaped part 106 is inserted into the open side of the sanding belt 102 with “T” marking 114 facing up such that the rounded-side 116 out facing the end of the sanding belt 102 and the flat surface aligned with the machined sanding block 104 of the sanding tool 100 i.e., “T” to “T”. In case of removing the small wedge-shaped part 106, the sanding tool 100 is placed on a flat surface with the “T's” 114 facing down and the small wedge-shaped part 106 hanging beyond the edge of the flat surface. Then take a small wood drift and hammer and tap out the small wedge-shaped part 106. In one embodiment for a smooth wedge in and out operation, bar soap is rubbed on inner wedge surfaces and on rounded end surfaces.

Referring to FIG. 11, exemplarily illustrates the sanding tool 100 sands an object 112 in a typical use case, according to one embodiment of the preset invention. In one embodiment, the machined sanding block 104 and the wedge-shaped part 106 includes a marking 114 on any one side for indicating the top surface. In one embodiment, the marking may be “T” label for facing up the machined sanding block 104 and the wedge-shaped part 106 when at work. The moved wedge_wedge-shaped part 106 is aligned to the machined sanding block 104 by pressing on the “T” label. The sanding tool 100 polishes flat or curved surface of the object 112. The sanding tool 100 provides a single smooth surface for even flat sanding as well as rounded end for curved surfaces.

Advantageously, the sanding tool of the present invention is a simple tool for sanding various objects without using any mechanical parts or springs. The wedge-shaped part of the sanding tool tightens the sanding belt in place. The wedge-shaped part keeps the sanding belt in place to avoid any slippage or movement of the sanding belt for more even sanding. Further, the wedge-shaped part is a pop-out wedge-shaped part that allows for easy change of belt. The sanding tool available in the shop or out in the field is the durable block sander of choice. The sanding tool provides a flat even surface without any dips. Further, the sanding tool has a single smoothing surface for even sanding as well as rounded end sanding for curved surfaces. Also, the sanding belt is easy to change.

The foregoing description comprise illustrative embodiments of the present invention. Having thus described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted by those skilled in the art that the within disclosures are exemplary only, and that various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention. Merely listing or numbering the steps of a method in a certain order does not constitute any limitation on the order of the steps of that method.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions. Although specific terms may be employed herein, they are used only in generic and descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments illustrated herein. While the above is a complete description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, various alternatives, modifications, and equivalents may be used. Therefore, the above description and the examples should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A hand-held sanding tool for sanding objects, comprising:

a first sanding member or machined sanding block and a second sanding member or a wedge-shaped part aligned to any one of the machined sanding blocks, and

a sanding belt configured to form a wrap around the machined block and the wedge-shaped part, wherein the wedge-shaped part includes a rounded-side placed facing outward and a flat surface aligned to any one side of the machined sanding block, wherein the wedge-shaped part tightens the sanding belt, thereby allowing the sanding belt for sanding of flat as well as rounded end for curved surfaces.

2. The sanding tool of claim 1, further comprises a high-density foam cushion or a memory foam glued to another side of the machined sanding block for expansion.

3. The sanding tool of claim 2, wherein the foam cushion expands to maintain tightness.

4. The sanding tool of claim 2, wherein the foam cushion allows different minor belt measurements.

5. The sanding tool of claim 1, wherein the wedge-shaped part is a pop-out wedge that allows to change the belt easily.

6. The sanding tool of claim 1, wherein the wedge-shaped part tightens the sanding belt to be in place to avoid any slippage or movement of the sanding belt.

7. The sanding tool of claim 1, wherein the wedge-shaped part keeps the sanding belt snug for full flat sanding surface to work with any surfaces.

8. The sanding tool of claim 1, wherein the sanding belt is an abrasive material wrapped around the machined sanding block and wedge-shaped part.

9. The sanding tool of claim 1, wherein the sanding belt is a sandpaper belt made for power sanders.

10. The sanding tool of claim 1, further includes a marking on any one end of the machined block and the wedge-shaped part for indicating an upper end or top end, thereby aligning them inline.

11. The sanding tool of claim 1, wherein the machined sanding block has finger grips for easy handling.

12. The sanding tool of claim 1, is utilized for cleaning saw cuts, ease edges, flat plane sanding, contour sanding, reach sanding for hard-to-get spots, and others.

13. The sanding tool of claim 1, is utilized for sanding of wood, plastic, plaster, drywall, masonry, steel, marine, sculpture, auto body work, and glass work.