Patent ID: 6676498
Filing Date: 2004-01-13
Classification: B24B

Abstract:
A bi-directional grinder comprising:a grinding wheel; a housing having a front end, a rear end and a top surface; a shroud having a top wall, a bottom wall, and a pair of side walls that extend from the housing, the shroud also having an open mouth portion, wherein the grinding wheel is mounted within, and partially enclosed by, the shroud such that a portion of the grinding wheel extends from the open mouth; a shaft, having a top portion and a bottom portion which is threaded in a first direction, the shaft extending vertically within the shroud for mounting the grinding wheel, wherein the bottom portion has a bottom end with a bore that extends upwardly therefrom and is threaded in a second direction which is opposite from the first direction; a locking mechanism being in communication with the bottom portion of the shaft, the locking mechanism comprising a nut and a bolt with a broad head, wherein the nut mates with the bottom portion of the shaft to tighten the grinding wheel thereon and the bolt mates with the bore at the bottom portion of the shaft so that the bolt tightens against the nut and the broad head prevents the nut from loosening; a drive motor for rotating the shaft and the grinding wheel mounted thereon, the drive motor being capable of bi-directional rotation; and a circular gear mounted coaxially on the shaft, the circular gear being in communication with the drive motor and allowing the grinding wheel to rotate, wherein the circular gear has an off-center hole extending transversely through its width.