Abstract:
A polishing, buffing, compounding, and cleaning device incorporating rotary motion. The outer body of the invention includes two components. At least one of the components has a base and a plurality of projection members extending in a uniform direction away from the base. Projection members are spatially separated from one another, creating space in between each pair of adjacent projection members. At least one of the components is able to receive the projection members, thereby coupling the two components and forming the outer body. A plurality of extending material, such as disposable cloth or shop towels, is inserted in the empty space in between the projection members, such that both ends of each extending material extends radially from the central body. In one variation, the outer body is connected to rotary machinery, such as a drill, via a rotation rod extending from the outer body, to the rotary machinery, so as to provide rotary motion.

Description:
This nonprovisional application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/418,704, filed Oct. 17, 2002. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a device for cleaning, compounding, polishing, brushing, burnishing and buffing that uses extending material elements, and in particular, to a device that accomplishes such results using the rotary motion of a plurality of standard-sized, disposable shop towels, paper towels, or surgical towels that are readily available at commercial vendors. 
   2. Background of the Technology 
   Many devices for buffing only operate when the buffing materials are pressed against the material to be buffed, and are thus difficult to use for at least this reason. The following devices exemplify these types of buffing devices. U.S. Pat. No. 5,890,249 to Hoffman discloses a multi-purpose vibrational cleaning, scrubbing, buffing, and polishing device. U.S. Pat. No. 5,477,582 to Yamashita discloses a mop sheet holder and a corresponding mop sheet. U.S. Pat. No. 3,869,833 to Belanger discloses a rotary finishing wheel. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,298,517 and 6,405,403 to McKay disclose a cleaning tool with removable cleaning sheets. U.S. Pat. No. 5,542,352 to Blackman, et al., discloses a method and apparatus for cleaning, wiping, scouring, and abrading. 
   Additionally, conventional buffing devices may extend radially from the central axis, but the buffing sheets are typically not readily disposable or otherwise easy to obtain, and instead must be custom manufactured to fit the device. The following patents disclose these types of devices. U.S. Pat. No. 2,805,530 to Schaffner discloses a wheel-shaped, rotary finishing apparatus that may be used to buff. U.S. Pat. No. 5,560,744 to Schaffner III discloses a rotary buffing wheel in which layers of fabric attached to the wheel extend radially from the central axis of the wheel. 
   Some buffing devices, in which the buffing materials extend radially from the body, secure the buffing materials to the body, which is located on the central axis of the device, by using fastening devices, rather than friction, which for example, may unnecessarily complicate the device to make it difficult to use. Examples of these types of devices include the following. U.S. Pat. No. 6,295,687 to Dehart discloses a buff section assembly and method of making the assembly. U.S. Pat. No. 2,423,992 to Nordgren et al. discloses a rotary buffing tool in which wiping elements rotate about a rotary shank. 
   Many embodiments of conventional buffing devices, in which the buffing fingers extend radially, position the buffing fingers between grooves specially carved in the body and located on a central axis. Drawbacks of these devices include the fact that they do not use a fastening system to retain the buffing materials, and these devices typically do not have a retaining member attached to the body to keep the buffing fingers safely in the grooves during operation. The following patents disclose one or more of these features. U.S. Pat. No. 2,440,856 to Harrison discloses a finishing device in which a finishing element extends in two directions from a rotating central mandrel. U.S. Pat. No. 2,516,870 to Harrison discloses a finishing device wherein a flexible, plurality of material extends through a central mandrel so that it extends in two directions. U.S. Pat. No. 4,133,146 to De Cola discloses a rotary abrasive tool. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention overcomes the above-mentioned problems, as well as others, by providing an apparatus that includes a rotary, mechanical device that is easily assembled, and for which extending material (also referred to herein “extending material elements”), such as shop towels, may be quickly and easily replaced. The present invention provides a multi-purpose device to clean, buff, abrade, polish, compound, burnish, and perform similar functions by using a plurality of extending material, such as disposable shop towels, extending radially from a main body. 
   One embodiment uses a two-portion body that provides an area for the extending material to be inserted and retained during use. The extending material, while retained, extends radially from the outer body, thereby allowing functions, such as cleaning, compounding, abrading, buffing, and polishing, of objects located peripherally to the main body. Moreover, the present invention allows the user to easily replace and/or dispose the extending material of the invention with readily available extending material, such as standard disposable shop towels, surgical towels, or paper towels. In one embodiment, the extending material is fixed to the mechanical device using friction, and therefore, in this embodiment, the extending materials do not require complex fastening features. Optionally retaining rings are used to further secure the extending material. 
   In a second embodiment, the plurality of extending material, such as shop towels, are held in between two complementary portions that each include extensions and that are coupled to form the outer body. The device is connected along its central axis to a rotary machine, such as a drill, which provides the power for the rotating motion. 
   Another feature of the present invention is that it provides a cost effective method for cleaning. The plurality of extending material, such as shop towels, are ready-made and readily available at commercial centers selling cleaning supplies. The present invention does not require specialized replacement parts, which are typically high in cost. 
   The present invention also provides a cleaning device that may be assembled and disassembled quickly and simply. The extending material, such as the shop towels, may be efficiently replaced as the material becomes soiled, or at the discretion of the user. Removal of the towels only requires disengaging of the two components that comprise the outer body of the invention. Alternatively, the user may manually pull one end of a shop towel to unthread and remove the towel from the fully assembled device. 
   Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, which disclose multiple embodiments of the present invention. It should be understood, however, that the drawings are designed for the purpose of illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention. Additional advantages and novel features of the invention will also become more apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or upon learning by practice of the invention. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the drawings, similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout several views and embodiments. 
       FIG. 1A  is an exploded side view of a first embodiment of the present invention showing the detached cap, a plurality of shop towels attached to the main body and the rotation rod connecting to rotating machine; 
       FIG. 1B  is an overhead view of the another embodiment of the present invention, with the cap and extending materials removed, but with holder rings around the circumference of the main body and a central cavity for detaching the rotation rod; 
       FIG. 1C  is an exploded front view of one embodiment of the present invention showing the detached cap and a plurality of shop towels attached to the main body; 
       FIG. 1D  is an exploded bottom view of one embodiment of the present invention illustrating the bottom of the main body, the retainer nut, the central rod, and plurality of shop towels; 
       FIG. 1E  is an exploded front view of one embodiment of the present invention with the extending material removed, illustrating main body, the retainer nut, the central cavity and the rotation rod; 
       FIG. 2A  is a front view of the tool base, first disc, plurality of base rods, and rotation rod of a second embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2B  is a front view of the tool end, second disc, end rods, and retainer member of the second embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2C  is a bottom view of the tool base, rotation rod, and first disc of the second embodiment of the present invention illustrating the plurality of apertures in the first disc in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2D  is a bottom view of the tool end, and second disc of the second embodiment of the present invention illustrating the plurality of end openings in the second disc; and 
       FIG. 2E  is a front view of the second embodiment of the present invention illustrating the assembled invention without the shop towels intertwined between the end rods and the base rods. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   This invention provides an apparatus for performing a number of functions, including buffing, cleaning, compounding, polishing, burnishing, and abrading, using rotary power supplied by a rotary machine. Extending members are inserted into the outer body of the invention and are retained using friction. When assembled, the plurality of extending members extend radially from the outer body of the invention. The user of the invention positions the invention such that the extending members come in contact with an intended surface. The extending members may be easily replaced and disposed of at the discretion of the user. There are numerous embodiments for this invention. The detailed description and drawings present two embodiments and several variations of these embodiments, but do not encompass all embodiments for this invention, additional variations of which will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 
   Referring to the drawings,  FIGS. 1A-1E  show a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1C , the outer body of the invention is generally designated by the reference numeral  2  and the main body is generally designated by the reference numeral  10 . The main body  10 , which may be of any shape, such as cylindrical, spherical, or cubical, is comprised of a base  36  and a plurality of projection members  32 ,  34 . The embodiment shown in  FIG. 1A  includes three projection members: two outside projection members  34  and one middle projection member  32 . One end of the projection members can be formed with the base  36 , or they can be fixed to the base  36  by any of a number of methods, including, for example, welding or chemical bonding. In one embodiment, the projection members  32 ,  34  extend in a general, first direction (“A”) from the first face  35  of the base  36 . This embodiment also includes slots  12  between projection members  32 ,  34 . The area and volume of each slot  12  may vary in various embodiments. In this embodiment, the slot  12  (also referred to herein as “apertures”) is formed by the space between each outside projection member  34  and the middle projection member  32 . As shown in  FIG. 1B , this embodiment has two such slots  12 . 
   One end of the projection members  32 ,  34 , also known as the distal end  14 , receives a cap  16 . As shown in  1 E, the cap  16  is placed over or on top of the distal end  14  of the projection members  32 ,  34 . The cap  16  is retained by any number of methods, such as via a retaining lip or via threads on the inner surface of the cap  16  that fit corresponding features on the distal end  14  of the projection members  32 ,  34 . In one embodiment, each projection member  32 ,  34  tapers at the distal end  14 , forming a narrowed end, which receives the cap  16 . Tapering this feature, for example, may ease assembly and disassembly. 
   A rotation rod  38  extends from the second face  37  of the base to a rotary machine  4 , such as a handheld drill. The rotation rod  38  may be formed or affixed to the main body  10  in a similar manner as the projection members  32 ,  34 . 
   In one embodiment of the present invention, the rotation rod  38  can be disassembled and removed from the main body  10 , as further shown in  FIG. 1E . In this embodiment, the main body  10  has a central cavity  22 , which extends from the second face  37  of the base  36  to the first face  35  of the base  36 , and continues to extend through the middle projection member  32 . The rotation rod  38  has T-shape or any similar shape allowing the rotation rod  38  to be retained within the central cavity  22  as described further below. In one embodiment, the rotation rod  38  is comprised of two sub-parts: 1) a central rod  23  is perpendicularly formed or affixed to 2) a central anchor  24 . The rotation rod  38  and main body  10  are assembled such that the central rod  23  of the rotation rod  38  is inserted in the central cavity  22  from the first face of the base through the middle projection member  32 . The rotation rod  38  is positioned by pulling the central rod  23  to the second face  37  of the base  36  until the central anchor  24  rests against the first face  35  of the base  36 . As shown in  1 E, in one embodiment, the second face  37  of the base  36  has a receiving area  33  to fixedly position the central anchor  24 . The central anchor  24  and corresponding receiving area  33  on the base  36  may be arbitrarily held by any number of retaining features, such as adhesives or a retainer nut that abuts the second face  37  of the base  36 . In one embodiment of the present invention, as shown in  FIGS. 1D and 1E , a retainer nut  26  is positioned against the second face  37  of the base  36  and is secured to the rotation rod  38  using, for example, thread features on the inner surface of the retainer nut and the exterior of the rotation rod  38 . 
   A plurality of extending material  20 , such as shop towels, paper towels, or surgical towels, are inserted through the slots  12 . In one embodiment of the present invention, the extending material  20  is manipulated to fit through the slots  12 , such as by rolling, folding, or similar compacting methods. In one embodiment of the invention, two pieces of extending material  20 , which form a first tier, are inserted in the slots  12 , such that the surface of each extending material  20  is positioned flush against the first face  35  of the base  36  and in between two projection members  32 ,  34 . The extending materials  20  are positioned so as to extend beyond both sides of the slot  12 .  FIG. 1D  illustrates an overhead view of one relationship between the extending material  20  and the main body  10  while the present invention is in use. Additional extending material  20  may be positioned on top of the first tier until the slots  12  are filled. 
   As shown in  FIG. 1D , in one variation of the invention, a holder ring  18 , which, for example, is of a complementary shape as the main body  10  having, for example, an inner diameter slightly larger than the main body  10 , is slidably placed over the outer circumference of the main body  10 , such that it encompasses one or more of the projection members  32 ,  34  so as to secure the first tier of extending material  20 . In one embodiment of the present invention, successive tiers of extending material  20  are then inserted in the slots  12  of the main body  10 , with additional holder rings  18  positioned in between each tier of extending material  20 . 
   Upon completion of the extending material insertion, the last tier of extending material  20  rests just below the distal end  14  of projection members  32 ,  34 . The cap  16  is placed over the projection members  32 ,  34  so as to secure the extending members  20  to the main body  10 . 
   In one embodiment of the invention, a rotary machine  4 , such as a drill, for example, is then optionally attached to the rotation rod  38  so as to provide a power source for the main body  10  of the invention to rotate the outer body  2  around its central axis (“B”). 
   A second embodiment of the current invention is shown in  FIGS. 2A-2E . This embodiment of the present invention is comprised of two portions, a tool base  52  and a tool end  62 , which are coupled together to form an outer body  68 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2A , the tool base  52  is comprised of a first disc  56 , which may be of any of a variety of cross-sectional shapes, and a plurality of base rods  50  extending from a first face  55  of the first disc  56 . A variation of the invention may have a rotation rod  54  extending from the second face  57  of the first disc  56 . The base rods  50  and rotation rod  54  are formed or affixed into position on the first disc  56  by any number of methods, such as welding, chemical bonding, or other securing and retaining features. 
   As further shown in  FIG. 2C , interposed between the base rods  50  on the first face  55  of the first disc  56  are base openings  51 , such as through holes, which are of any cross-sectional shape, so as to be complementary to the shape of the end rods  60 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2C , the first disc  56  includes two base openings  51 . The base openings  51  and plurality of base rods  50  are positioned in any manner, such as a symmetrical path, which may be in a circular pattern, as shown in  FIGS. 2C and 2D , about the first disc  56 . In one embodiment, the positions of the base openings  51  and plurality of base rods  50  on the first disc  56  are complementary to the position of the plurality of end rods  60  and end openings  61 , respectively, on the second disc  66 . 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 2B , the tool end  62  is comprised of a plurality of end rods  60  extending from the first face  67  to the second face  65  of the second disc  66 , which may be of any variety of cross-sectional shapes. The end rods  60  are formed or affixed to the second disc  66  using, for example, any of the methods to form or affix the base rods  50  to the first disc  56 . In one embodiment, the first face  67  of the second disc  66  also has a plurality of end openings  61 , such as through holes, interposed with the end rods  60 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2D , in this embodiment, the second disc  66  has two end openings  61 , which are of any cross-sectional shape but are greater in diameter than the base rods  50 . In one embodiment, the end openings  61  are positioned in between the end rods  60  in any path, including symmetrical paths, such as in a circular pattern, about the second disc  62 . In one embodiment, the positions of the end openings  61  and end rods  60  are complementary to the position of base rods  50  and base openings  51  on the first disc  56 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 2A-2E , the outer body  68  is assembled by engaging the tool base  52  and the tool end  62 . The plurality of base rods  50  extend towards the tool end  62 , and the plurality of end rods  60  extend towards the tool base  52 . The tool end  62  and tool base  52  are arranged such that each base rod  50  and each base opening  51  align with the corresponding end opening  61  and a end rod  62 , respectively. Hence, each base rod  52  has a complementary end opening  61 , and each end rod  62  has a complementary base opening  51 . 
   In one embodiment of the present invention, a retaining member  64 , such as a retaining pin, retaining lock, adhesive, or other retaining feature or features, are located at the distal end  59  of the plurality of end rods  60 . As shown in  FIG. 2B , at least one end rod  60  contains a retainer member  64 . In one variation of this invention, the end rods  60  are slightly longer than the base rods  50 , and thus, when the invention is assembled, the end rods  60  extend through the base openings  51  to the second face  57  of the first disc  56 . The retaining member  64  on the end rods  60  prevents the tool base  52  and tool end  62  from disengaging. 
   In one embodiment, when the tool end  62  and tool base  52  are engaged, the outer body  68 , between the first disc  56  and second disc  66 , contains a plurality of slots  70  interposed between the base rods  52  and the end rods  62 . 
   A plurality of extending material elements  20 , such as standard shop towels, are inserted in the slots  70 . In one embodiment, the extending material element is manipulated, by folding, rolling, or otherwise compacting, to fit through the slots  70 . Extending material elements  20  are stacked or placed side-by-side, until the slot  70  is filled. The amount of extending material  20  depends upon the amount of extending material  20  that is necessary to fill the slots  70 . The extending material  20  is retained in the slots  70  by friction from, for example, the sides of the slots  70  and/or the compressing force of the disks  56 ,  66  produced upon assembly. 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 2E , in one embodiment, the invention is fully assembled when the outer body  68  is formed by engaging the tool end  62  with the tool base  52 , and the plurality of extending members  20 , such as shop towels  20 , extends radially from the central axis of the outer body  68 . In one embodiment, to replace or dispose of the extending  20  material, the retainer member  64  is unlocked and the tool end  62  is disengaged. Alternatively, the extending material  20  may simply be pulled out of the outer body  68  without disassembling the outer body  68 . 
   In one embodiment, a rotation rod  54  extends from the second face  57  of the first disc  56  and connects to a rotary machine  4 , such as a drill. Such a rotation rod  54  may be formed or assembled with this embodiment similar to that described with regard to the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1A-1E . This embodiment of the invention may be used with handheld machinery as well as larger machinery. 
   Example embodiments of the present invention have now been described in accordance with the above advantages. It will be appreciated that these examples are merely illustrative of the invention. Many variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art.