Abstract:
An improved sanding block formed in a manner so as to have a beveled side to remove sanded debris or particles from the area that was just sanded, further comprising an inserted slit to remove knicks from drywall knives integrated into the side opposite from the beveled side, further comprising a strap for ease of use, transportation and preventing the sanding block from being dropped or misplaced.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/895,947, filed on Oct. 25, 2013, and incorporated by reference as if rewritten herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to sanding blocks and the ability to remove debris from walls and other tools and, more particularly, to a sanding block incorporating an inverted beveled edge for further providing a means of sharpening tools with knife blades and removing knicks from drywall. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Sanding blocks have been in use in various forms for many years. Such blocks include sanding pads and sanding sponges of various sizes and shapes. 
     These sanding blocks can be made of a specific shape and design to serve a particular function. For example, a prior sanding block or sponge provides a shape that generally forms a point or apex so as to allow it to sand more efficiently into corners. A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention; however, the following references were considered related. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,364,501, issued in the name of Ali et al., discloses a sanding block that includes a compressible core having at least one pair of sides characterized such that an abrasive material is adhered to said sides substantially along the surface thereof and having a juncture area defined between said two sides which does not have said abrasive material adhered thereto such that the abrasive material does not run continuously about the sides of the core thereby providing the two sides to be readily compressed toward one another. A method of forming the same is also provided. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,014,550, issued in the name of Mansfield et al., discloses a sanding system comprising a detachable sanding pad with a plurality of sides adapted for different degrees of sanding retained in contact with a backing plate by teeth penetrating into opposed sides of the sanding pad. U.S. Pat. No. 5,168,672, issued in the name of Gregoire, Sr., discloses an abrasive paper sheet holder having a base provided with clamping shoulders formed in a pair of opposed side edges thereof. A handle member is detachably secured over a rear surface of the base. The handle member has opposed flexible flange walls for clamping opposed end edge portions of an abrasive paper sheet which is positioned over a front working surface of the base with the edge portions of the paper sheet extending over the clamping shoulders. The handle member applies a wedging pressure on the flexible flange walls to immovably clamp the opposed edge portions of the abrasive paper sheet between the end edges of the flexible flange walls and the clamping shoulders. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,264,541, issued in the name of Ray et al., discloses an improved drywall corner sander with an elongated body having opposite sides, and a pair of spaced apart braces extending between the sides. An axle is pivotally mounted between the braces so as to define a first longitudinal pivot axis. A tab on the axle defines a second, perpendicular pivot axis. A handle is connected to the tab of the axle so as to be pivotal about the first and second axes for easy operation of the sander without forming grooves in the side wall adjacent the outer edges of the sander. The pivot axes both reside within the cavity defined by the side walls of the sander. 
     U.S. Pat. D497,092, issued in the name of McCarthy, discloses an ornamental design for a corner sanding sponge. 
     U.S. Pat. D527,974 issued in the name of Petersen et al., discloses an ornamental design for a millwork sanding sponge. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,439,988, issued in the name of Long et al., discloses sanding tools made from a block of a foamed polymer sponge having two contiguous sides meeting at a right angle that are provided with an abrasive coating and which have in addition a means for grasping the tool formed in the body of the sponge so that the user can simultaneously sand two walls meeting to form a corner. 
     United States Patent Application 2005/0059329, filed in the name of Stubbs, discloses a direct-coated sponge abrasive material bearing a releasable securing means comprising one part of a two part hook and loop attachment system is provided. 
     However, in spite of all these improvements in the art, problems exist with a general or normal rectangular sanding block, including the pointed sanding block. One problem is sanding blocks or sponges are constantly dropped by the drywaller from various heights, thereby causing delays in production. Additionally, when a drywall finisher knicks his knife, additionally delays can occur due to imperfections in the finish work caused by the damaged knife. Further, the use of conventional rectangular drywall sanding blocks lack the ability to sharpen the various tools associated with drywall sanding. 
     Therefore, a need exists to provide a drywall sanding block sponge for convenience when performing drywall work, including providing a ‘drop-less’ drywall finishing sanding block that includes the ability to sharpen tools associated with sanding or the ability to remove knicks from the drywall knife, thereby preventing ridges in the finished product. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Objectives of the invention includes providing an improved sanding block or sponge that utilizes an insert to remove knicks from knives. 
     It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a durable rubber handle to prevent dropping the sponge while performing drywall work. 
     Briefly described according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an improved sanding block formed in a manner so as to have a beveled side to remove sanded debris or particles from the area that was just sanded. An inserted slit is formed, and functions to remove knicks from drywall knives integrated into the side opposite from the beveled side. A strap circumscribes one side for ease of use, transportation and preventing the sanding block from being dropped or misplaced. 
     These objectives and advantages are obtained by the sanding block/sponge of the present invention, the general nature of which may be stated as including a sanding block or sponge comprising: an inserted slit which can remove knicks from knives associated with applying tape or plaster when drywalling. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of the sanding block of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 2  is an end perspective view of the sanding block of the present invention, showing the edge containing the edge  40  that removes knicks from drywalling knives. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within the Figures. 
     1. Detailed Description of the Figures 
     The improved sanding block of the present invention is indicated generally as  10  in  FIG. 1  and is shown (without a slit or handle) in a neutral position as it is intended to be used. The sanding block  10  comprise six sides: a top surface  15 , a bottom surface  25 , a first side surface  20 , a second side surface  21  (not shown in  FIG. 1 ), a beveled side  30 , and an opposite side  35 . The totality of these connected surfaces create the sanding block  10 . 
     The entire block is coated or covered with a surface that provides the ability to sand a surface. This is done with conventionally known methods and can be made in any amount of known sanding roughness (i.e. measure grit value, an example being 100 grit). 
     The top surface  15  is parallel with the bottom surface  25  of the sanding block  10 . The first side surface  20  and the second side surface  21  are parallel to each other. It is anticipated that top surface  10  an the bottom surface  25  connect with the first side surface  20  and second side surface  21  to interior angles  50 . It is anticipate that the interior angle  50  will form right angles of 90 degrees, however, other angled possibilities are available, such as 30, 60, 120, 150, or other degrees. 
     The beveled side  30  connects with the bottom surface  25  and forms a first connection angle  31 . This first connection angle  31  is an acute angle. The beveled side  30  connects with the top surface  15  and forms a second connection angle  32 . This second connection angle  32  is an obtuse angle. 
     A strap  45  may be attached to the sanding block  10 . The strap may be made of any conventionally known material, however it is anticipated that the strap will have elastic properties. The strap  45  is also able to with stand significant forces without breaking. The strap  45  may be attached to any of the six sides of the sanding block, however it is anticipated that the strap  45  will be attached to either the first side surface  20 , the second side surface  21 , or the top surface  15 . 
     The opposite side  35  connects with the bottom surface  25  and forms a third connection angle  33 . This third connection angle  33  is a right angle. The opposite side  35  connects with the top surface  15  and forms a fourth connection angle  34 . This second connection angle  34  is a right angle. 
     Integrated into the opposite side is an insert or slit  40  that functions to remove knicks from drywall knives. The insert or slit  40  has a sharpener opening  41  that is coplanar with the top surface  15  and bottom surface. The sharpener  40  is invertedly tapered up towards the top surface  15  so as to create a means for sharpening a tool, such as a knife. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing the opposite side  35  and the knife insert opening  41  running coplanar with the top surface  15 . Further depicted is the top surface  15  connecting with first side surface  20  and the second side surface  21 . 
     2. Operation of the Preferred Embodiment 
     In operation, the present invention is used to sand and to remove debris from walls and other tools. Further, using the inverted beveled edge, tools, such as knife blades, can be sharpened knicks can be removed from drywall. Further still, the durable rubber handle is provided to prevent dropping the sponge while performing drywall work. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the Claims appended hereto and their equivalents. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be limited only by the following claims.