Sanding block tool

An apparatus including first and second sections of a sanding block slidably interconnected and adapted for use with a continuous belt, and a resilient member interposed between the first section and second sections such that the resilient member both selectively repels the first and second sections one from the other while securing the first and second sections in a desired position relative to one another. The resilient member is rotatably connected to the first section of the sanding block such that the resilient member moves between alternate rotational positions. The resilient member produces variable pressure on the second section of sanding block depending on the rotational position of the resilient member. The resilient member includes a lever for securing the second section of sanding block in a position relative to the first section of sanding block.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

This invention relates to an abrading tool, and more particularly, to a continuous loop sanding belt tool being a block having two sections adapted for mounting and removing a continuous sanding belt wherein the two sections are slidable interconnected with a resilient member adapted to push the two sections apart.

2. Related Art

Smoothing and abrading metal and wood surfaces can be accomplished by sanding the surface with an abrasive material such as sandpaper. Sanding can be done either mechanically with a power sander or manually by hand. Manual sanding is made easier and more efficient by using a sanding block in conjunction with a strip or sheet of sanding paper. A sanding block can be anything from a rectangular section of wood, such as a 2×4, to which the sandpaper is secured, to a specially configured block having a curved resilient surface which receives the sandpaper and includes fastening means at the ends of the block for securing the sandpaper to the surface.

In addition to strips or sheets of sanding paper, there also are sanding belt tools having a continuous loop or belt of sanding paper used in conjunction with a tension mounted block for manual sanding. A tension mounted block used in a sanding belt tool typically comprise a pair of blocks with like cross sections which may be of equal or unequal lengths and disposed in coplanar relationship to one another. The two blocks are held in spaced relationship by one or more relatively strong springs. In operation, the blocks are pressed together, thereby compressing the springs, so that the sanding belt is positioned around the blocks. Once in place, the holding pressure on the blocks is released so that the blocks move apart to provide tension to the sanding belt, thereby holding the sanding belt in place around the blocks. This type of tension mounted block usually includes one or more dowel pins on one block that are slidably and removably inserted in corresponding spring locked sockets of the other block. Thus, with this type of tension mounted block, the two blocks are manually pressed or wedged together while at the same time the user must handle the sanding belt for mounting or removal. Since the two blocks are freely movable relative to each other only to a point which will exert the appropriate amount of pressure on the continuous belt surrounding it, any loss of the manual grip on the pressed together blocks before the sanding belt is adequately in place will result in the blocks moving away from each other under the force of the springs—even to the point of complete separation.

One attempt to overcome this separation problem involves a hand sanding block formed from two blocks which are freely movable towards and away from each other, but not to the point of separation. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,383,308 to Beloff, et al., the two blocks are positioned by a pair of spaced dowel pins with springs attached and projecting from one block for telescopic engagement into a corresponding hole of the other component block wherein the two blocks are held apart in spaced relationship by screw secured springs traversely inserted into the end of spiral of the springs. That is, the screws are inserted through the top surface of the sanding block and into the springs to prevent the springs from exiting the block into which they are inserted, thereby preventing the blocks from separating. For mounting and removing the continuous belt, the blocks are pressed together so that the inner ends of the blocks abut. Once the sanding belt is in place around the blocks, the holding pressure is released and the blocks move apart to provide tension on the sanding belt.

While this arrangement, i.e., the screws inserted into the springs, does prevent the blocks from inadvertently separating completely from each other, it is still difficult to mount and remove the continuous sanding belt because the springs must be manually compressed while at the same time manipulating the sanding belt onto the sanding block. Thus, there remains a need in the art for a simple means of mechanically holding the blocks in a compressed position thereby enabling a user to freely mount or remove the continuous sanding belt from around the blocks while eliminating the possibility of the user inadvertently releasing the pressure on the blocks and causing the blocks to separate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention solves the foregoing problems by providing a resilient member interposed between first and second sections of a sanding block which both pushes the inner ends of the sections away from each other, while at the same time securing and locking the blocks in a desired position relative to one another.

One aspect of the invention is a sanding tool having first and second sections of a sanding block slidably interconnected and adapted for use with a continuous sanding belt, and a resilient member interposed between the first section and the second section, such that the resilient member both selectively repels the first and second sections from each other, and secures the first and second sections in a desired position relative to one another.

Another aspect of the invention is a method of securing a first section of a sanding block in a position relative to a second section of the sanding block including connecting a resilient member to the first section of sanding block, interconnecting the first and second sections of sanding block, and interposing the resilient member between the first and second sections of sanding block such that the resilient member both repels the first and second sections from each other, and secures the first and second sections of sanding block in a desired position relative to one another.

Another aspect of the invention is an apparatus including a resilient member interposed between first and second sections of a sanding block, such that the resilient member both selectively repels the first and second sections from each other, and secures the first and second sections of sanding block in a desired position relative to one another.

A feature of the invention is a resilient member interposed between the inner ends of first and second sections of a sanding block such that the resilient member both selectively repels the first and second sections from each other, and secures the first and second sections in a desired position relative to one another.

Another feature of the invention is that the resilient member is rotatably connected to a first section of the sanding block such that the resilient member can be placed and locked in alternate rotational positions.

Another feature of the invention is a lever on the resilient member which allows for easy rotation of the resilient member.

An advantage of the invention is that the first and second sections of the sanding block can be positioned and locked relative to one another without the use of dowel rods and springs.

Another advantage of the invention is that the inner ends of the first and second sections can be moved together into an abutting relationship with relatively little effort.

Another advantage of the invention is that it allows for easy mounting and removing of a continuous sanding belt.

Another advantage of the invention is that it does not require one or more screws through the top surface of the sanding block in order to prevent the first and second sections from separating completely.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The components of a sanding block tool100of the present invention are shown inFIGS. 1 and 2. The sanding block tool100comprises a sanding block102for receiving and tensioning a continuous sanding belt104, e.g., a continuous belt of sandpaper. The preferred sanding block102has a first section102aof sanding block102and a second section102bof sanding block102. The first section102ais slidably interconnected within the second section102bby sliding an inner end110of the first section102ainto a cavity112in the inner end114of the second section102b. In this embodiment, the first section102aand the second section102bare detachable one from the other as shown inFIG. 1. Alternatively, the sanding block102is made such that the first section102aand the second section102b, while having a slidable relationship to each other, remain attached at all times, i.e., are not detachable.

In the preferred embodiment, the second section102bhas a flat generally rectangular top surface108that has an sloped section116that tapers downward. As a result, the sloped section116of the second end102bof the sanding block102is useful for sanding tight corners and other tough to reach areas. As discussed above, the inner end114of the second section102bhas a cavity112of a predefined size and shape adapted for receiving the inner end110of the first section102a. The second section102boptionally but preferably has a length greater than that of the first section102a, such that the second section102bcreates a majority of available flat surface area useful for sanding. The sides of the second section102balso are preferably hollowed out, or have a one or more cutouts, to make holding the sanding block102easier during use. In addition, the second section102bhas a lever aperture106through which a lever214of a resilient member200extends.

Similar to the second section102b, the first section102aalso has a flat top surface108. As discussed above, the length of the top surface108of the first section102ais less than the length of the top surface108of the second section102b. The distal end of the first section102ais optionally rounded thereby protecting the sanding belt104from being cut or damaged during use. The inner end110of the first section102acorresponds in size and shape to the cavity112in the second section102b. The first section102aand the second section102bthus are slidably interconnected by inserting the inner end110of the first section102ainto the cavity112in the inner end114of the second section102b. In so doing, a sanding block102having a generally flat, relatively long top sanding surface108is created with its distal ends being rounded and narrow, respectively, for sanding in tight areas and protecting the sanding belt104, and with inner ends110,114that are slidably interconnected. The sides of the first section102a, like those of the second section102b, are hollowed out or contain one or more cutouts to make holding the sanding block102easier during use.

In the preferred embodiment, the sanding block tool100also comprises a means for exerting outward pressure on the first section102aand the second section102bof the sanding block102. Thus, when the sanding belt104is disposed around the sanding block102, the first section102ais repelled from the second section102bsuch that the sanding belt104is held in place around the sanding block102by the outward pressure exerted by the first section102aand the second section102b. Preferably, a resilient member200is positioned within the cavity of the second section102bfor forcing the inner ends110,114of the first and second sections102a,baway from one another and for securing the relative positions of the first and second sections102a,bof the sanding block102.

As shown inFIG. 2, a resilient member200of the present invention is preferably made of a first half piece202and a second half piece204which are interlocked to form a single component—the resilient member200. The first half piece202has a curved first end206and a looped second end208. Likewise, the second half piece204has a circular first end terminating in a curved portion210and a looped second end212. The second half piece204also has a connecting loop216for securing the resilient member200within the second section102bof the sanding block102and has a pressure portion218for contacting and moving the first section102aof the sanding block102. To interconnect the ends of the first half piece202and a second half piece204, the curved first end206of the first half piece202corresponds and aligns with the shape of the curved portion210of the circular first end of the second half piece204. Thus, the curved first end206of the first half piece202is placed in contact with the outer curved surface of the curved portion210of the circular first end of the second half piece204. Then the looped second end208of the first half piece202is bent toward and put in contact around the looped second end212of the second half piece204such that the looped second end212of the second half piece204is contained with the looped second end208of the first half piece202. Once the two halves202,204are interconnected, the alignment of the second ends of the pieces forms a lever214on the resilient member200which is used to rotated the resilient member200as described herein for securing the first section102aof the sanding block102in a position relative to the second section102bof the sanding block102.

The use of a resilient member200as shown inFIGS. 2 and 3is for convenience purpose only. An alternative embodiment of a resilient member400is shown inFIG. 4. In this embodiment, a first half piece402is interconnected with a second half piece404and such interconnection is supported by a supporting piece406. Specifically, the first half piece402has a first end414that terminates at a ball which locks into a socket424of the second piece404, and has a second end412that fits within a first flange410of the second half piece404. The first half piece402also has a connecting loop426for securing the resilient member400within the second section102bof the sanding block102, as well as a pressure portion428for contacting and moving the first section102aof the sanding block102. The second half piece404also has a lever408extending therefrom, with optional grooves430on the top surface for improving a user's grip on the lever408. The lever408is used to rotated the resilient member400as described herein for securing the first section102aof the sanding block102in a position relative to the second section102bof the sanding block102.

The supporting piece406is Y-shaped having a first flange420and a second flange422at its ends. The supporting piece406secures the first half piece402and the second half piece404by inserting the first flange420of the supporting piece406under a supporting flange416of the interior of the second half piece404and inserting the second flange422of the supporting piece406under a supporting flange418of the first half piece402. The supporting piece406is made of a flexible, but resilient, material, e.g., metal, having an inherent spring or elasticity due in part to the Y-shape of the supporting piece406. Therefore, in constructing the resilient member400, a user first inserts the ball end414of the first half piece402into the socket424of the second half piece404while sliding the second end412of the first half piece402into the first flange410of the second half piece404. Once the pieces are connected, the user applies pressure to the sides of the supporting piece406bring the first flange420and the second flange422closer together, then positions the first flange420under the supporting flange416of the second half piece404and the second flange422under the supporting flange418of the first half piece402. Once in proper position, the pressure on the supporting piece406is released thereby locking the supporting piece406in place and further securing the first half piece402to the second half piece404.

As shown inFIGS. 5–8, a resilient member, such as resilient member200, is secured within the cavity112of the second section102bof the sanding block102via the connecting loop216. In the preferred embodiment, the connecting loop216is placed over a protrusion704on the bottom surface of the second section102bof the sanding block102. Thus, the resilient member200freely rotates or pivots about the protrusion704. Furthermore, the resilient member200is positioned within the second section of the sanding block102with the lever214extending through the lever aperture106so that it is easily accessible by the user.

FIG. 8is a perspective front view of the inner end114of the second section102bshowing the cavity112and the protrusion704on which the connecting loop216of a resilient member200is placed in order for the resilient member200to rotate. Also, for convenience purpose only, the preferred embodiment of the second section102bincludes a groove708within a back wall of the cavity112, the groove708having a height of a size adapted to accommodate the resilient member200. In the preferred embodiment, the groove708is made plurality of bottom flanges706and top flanges710.

FIG. 5shows the internal operation of the present invention with the resilient member200being in a released position. That is, the resilient member200is positioned within the cavity112of the second section102bwith the lever214against the back edge502of the lever aperture106. In this released position, the first section102afreely moves in direction A such that the first section102ais retracted a maximum distance within the cavity112of the second section.

Then, as shown inFIGS. 6 and 7, as the user moves the lever214of the resilient member200forward, until the lever214contacts the front edge602of the lever aperture106, the resilient member200rotates about the protrusion704causing the pressure portion218of the resilient member200to rotate against and apply an inward force against the inner end110of the first portion102a, thereby pushing the first portion102aforward in direction B and placing the resilient member200into an engaged position. Once the lever216contacts the front edge602, the resilient member200is secured or locked in this position due to the inherent characteristics of the resilient member200. That is, the resilient member200cannot be pushed automatically to its original released position, as shown inFIG. 5, because the concave shape of the resilient member200and the position of the pressure portion218render the resilient member200immobile until the user moves the lever216to the back edge502which causes the rotation of the resilient member200about the protrusion704.

FIGS. 9 and 10show the complete sanding block tool900,1000, respectively, of the present invention wherein the sanding block102is disposed within the sanding belt104. As seen inFIG. 9, the lever408of the resilient member400is against the back edge502of the lever aperture106, thereby placing the resilient member400in the released position. The released position allows the first section102ato move freely within the cavity112of the second section102b, which in turn causes slack in the sanding belt104around the sanding block102.

InFIG. 10, the lever408of the resilient member400is pulled forward to the front edge602such that the resilient member400is rotated into the engaged position. The engaged position results in the pressure portion428of the resilient member400to rotate against and apply an inward force against the inner end110of the first portion102a, thereby pushing the first portion102aforward until it removes the slack from the sanding belt104and the sanding belt104is tight against the outer surface of the sanding block102.

CONCLUSION