Abstract:
An embodiment of the present invention is directed to a multi-purpose sanding system. The sanding system includes a motor, a drive mechanism in mechanical communication with the motor, and a plurality of interchangeable sanding devices. Each of the interchangeable sanding devices is interchangeably coupleable with the drive mechanism.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION INFORMATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/121,433, filed on Dec. 10, 2008. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to the field of power tools. 
     2. Background 
     In the power tool field, various types of sanding apparatuses such as power belt sanders, power drum sanders, and power rasps are all known. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,410,412, 7,381,118, 7,338,348. 7,235,005, 7,179,158, and 7,083,508—the disclosures of which are hereby expressly incorporated within—each disclose examples of conventional belt sanders. 
     However, there currently does not exist a single power tool that is capable of performing the functions of a belt sander, a drum sander, and a rasp. Thus, a craftsman who is in need of all three functionalities must separately purchase a conventional belt sander, a conventional drum sander, and a conventional power rasp. Not only is this costly from a monetary perspective, but it is also costly from a storage perspective. 
     SUMMARY 
     This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     An embodiment of the present invention is directed to a multi-purpose sanding system. The sanding system includes a motor, a drive mechanism in mechanical communication with the motor, and a plurality of interchangeable sanding devices. Each of the interchangeable sanding devices is interchangeably coupleable with the drive mechanism. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of embodiments of the invention: 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a sanding apparatus including an interchangeable sanding device that is a belt sander roller, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2A  is an isometric view of a sanding apparatus including an interchangeable sanding device that is a sander drum, wherein the rasp drum is not attached to the sanding apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2B  is an isometric view of a sanding apparatus of  FIG. 2A , wherein the sander drum is attached to the sanding apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3A  is an isometric view of a sanding apparatus including an interchangeable sanding device that is a rasp drum, wherein the rasp drum is not attached to the sanding apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 3B  is an isometric view of a sanding apparatus of  FIG. 3A , wherein the rasp drum is attached to the sanding apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention will be described in conjunction with the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the invention to these embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims. Furthermore, in the detailed description of the present invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the present invention. 
     Generally speaking, embodiments provide for an interchangeable, multi-purpose sanding system that allows a single- or variable-speed handheld sanding apparatus to interchangeably serve as multiple sanding tools. The multiple sanding tools may include, but are not limited to, a belt sander, a drum sander, and a power rasp. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a sanding apparatus  10  in accordance with an embodiment that has been configured as a belt sander. Generally, the sanding apparatus includes a motor housing  24  having a motor disposed therein, a front handle  22  and a rear handle  20 . The motor is operable to drive a drive mechanism. In one embodiment, the drive mechanism includes a drive cylinder  12 , which enables the drive mechanism to translate power from the motor into rotational motion of the drive cylinder  12 . The drive cylinder  12  is operable to couple with and drive a plurality of sanding devices, including a sanding belt  14  and/or a plurality of interchangeable drums. In one embodiment, the drive mechanism is coupled to one end of the drive cylinder, while permitting the sanding belt  14  or interchangeable drum to be slid over or removed from the other end of the drive cylinder  12 . The drive mechanism may additionally or alternatively incorporate a solid shaft, a compressible rubber cylinder, a pneumatic cylinder, splines, keys, or the like. 
     In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the drive cylinder  12  serves as a belt sander roller, which is in frictional contact with a sanding loop  14 . Thus, the drive mechanism causes the drive cylinder  12  to rotate, thereby also causing the sanding loop  14  to also rotate. The sanding apparatus may also include one or more substantially permanently mounted and freely rotatable rollers, for example, at location  26 . Accordingly, in the configuration depicted in  FIG. 1 , the sanding apparatus  10  may be used as a belt sander. 
     The sanding loop  14  may be removed from the sanding apparatus  10  so that the sanding apparatus  10  may be re-configured as another sanding tool. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, the drive cylinder  12  comprises an expandable mandrel. As shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , a sanding drum  16  may be slid over and secured to the drive cylinder  12 . Subsequently, bolt  28  may then be screwed into hole  30 , which then causes the drive cylinder  12  to expand, thereby securing the sanding drum  16  into place. In such as configuration, the drive cylinder  12  causes the sanding drum  16  to rotate. Accordingly, in the configuration depicted in  FIG. 2B , the sanding apparatus  10  may be used as a drum sander. 
     Similarly, the sanding drum  16  may be removed from the drive cylinder  12  (e.g. by loosening bolt  28 ) so that the sanding apparatus  10  may be re-configured as another sanding tool. As shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , a rasp drum  18  may be slid over the drive cylinder  12  and secured into place (e.g. by tightening bolt  28 ). In such as configuration, the drive cylinder  12  causes the rasp drum  18  to rotate. Accordingly, in the configuration depicted in  FIG. 3B , the sanding apparatus  10  may be used as a power rasp. 
     In addition to the illustrated expanding mandrel, the attachment and detachment of the interchangeable drums may be implemented in a number of other ways. For example, the drums and/or drive cylinder  12  may include a latch, cartridge, or other type of quick-connect mechanism to enable convenient connection to and disconnection from the drive mechanism. 
     Thus, embodiments provide for a hand-held sanding apparatus that may be re-configured into different sanding tools, such as a belt sander, a drum sander, and a power rasp. Such an apparatus according to various embodiments save a would-be purchaser the added cost of having to purchase two or more separate sanding apparatuses. Moreover, because only a single sanding apparatus is needed in order to perform multiple sanding operations, the sanding apparatus of various embodiments therefore provides improved portability over conventional sanding apparatuses. 
     The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.