Abstract:
A sanding block comprises a support block having a right side and a left side. A gripping slot extends from the right side to the left side. The gripping slot is capable of receiving ends of a sheet of sandpaper folded around the support block.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION INFORMATION 
     This Application is a Non-Provisional of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/297,046, filed Jan. 21, 2010. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates a sanding block. More specifically, the invention relates to a multi-surface sanding block with a self-locking mechanism for sandpaper. 
     Existing sanding blocks typically use only one sanding surface. Further, adhesive or some other locking system is required to hold the sandpaper to the sanding bock, making manufacturing more expensive and requiring more setup time for use. 
     As can be seen, there is a need for a multi-surface sanding block that is less expensive to manufacture and use. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect of the present invention, a sanding block comprises a support block having a right side and a left side. A gripping slot may extend from the right side to the left side. The gripping slot may be capable of receiving ends of a sheet of sandpaper folded around the support block. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, a sanding block comprises a tubular support block having a right side and a left side. A gripping slot may extend from the right side to the left side. The gripping slot may be capable of receiving ends of a sheet of sandpaper folded around the support block. 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a sanding block according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a sectional view of the sanding block taken along line  2 - 2  in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a detail view of the sectional view of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a sanding block according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 5  is a sectional view of the sanding block taken along line  5 - 5  in  FIG. 4 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
     Various inventive features are described below that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features. 
     Broadly, embodiments of the present invention generally provide a sanding block with a self-locking mechanism for sandpaper. 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of a sanding block  10  is shown according to one embodiment. The sanding block may include a support block or tube  14 , the support block or tube having a hollow main body having a top surface, a bottom surface, two side surfaces and two end surfaces, and a longitudinal axis. An elongated gripping slot  12  may be formed along the entire front side, the slot formed between two, spaced apart, hollow secondary bodies, the secondary bodies having longitudinal axes that are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the main body, the edges of the slot having rounded edges. The gripping slot  12  may extend from the right side to the left side. 
     With reference  FIG. 2 , a section view of the sanding block  10  taken along line  2 - 2  in  FIG. 1  is shown. In  FIG. 2 , a sheet of sandpaper  18  may be folded in the manner shown around the support block  14 . Ends of the sandpaper  18  may be inserted into the gripping slot  12 . In one embodiment, the ends of the sandpaper  18  may fit snugly into the gripping slot  12  to thereby secure the sandpaper to the support block  14  during use. 
     With reference to  FIG. 3 , a detail of the sectional view of  FIG. 2  is shown. In  FIG. 3 , the manner in which the sandpaper  18  may be folded and fit into the gripping slot  12  can be seen in more detail. 
     With reference to  FIG. 4 , a perspective view of the sanding block  10  is shown according to an alternative embodiment. In the embodiment of  FIG. 4 , the support block  14  may be tubular, instead of square shaped, and formed around one hollowed or open area  16  extending through the support block  14 , which may have a left side and a right side. The gripping slot  12  may comprise a slot or break cut in the tube, extending from the left side to the right side as shown. 
     With reference to  FIG. 5 , a sectional view of the sanding block taken along line  5 - 5  in  FIG. 4  is shown. In  FIG. 4 , the sandpaper  18  may be positioned around the support block  14  in the manner shown. Ends of the sandpaper  18  may be inserted into the gripping slot  12 . In one embodiment, the ends of the sandpaper  18  may fit snugly into the gripping slot  12  to thereby secure the sandpaper to the support block  14  during use. 
     It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.