Abstract:
One embodiment of an adjustable dry wall sander comprises a handle ( 40 ), a pole ( 11 ), a portable, rechargeable electric power source ( 50 ) powering a vibrating eccentrically weighted electric motor ( 21 ) and interchangeable sanding head ( 30 ).

Description:
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
       [0001]    Not Applicable 
       SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    1. Field of Invention 
         [0004]    The present invention generally relates to the field of power tools, and more particularly to a device for sanding drywall. 
         [0005]    2. Prior Art 
         [0006]    Drywall panels assembled to cover walls are bonded together using a process by which tape applied to any holes and seams and then covered in joint compound embedding said tape and forming a unified sheet upon drying. Once dry any excess compound is then sanded smooth. Commonly hand sanding using poles or blocks is used. This method requires great stamina, and strength especially when working on large ceilings. 
         [0007]    On larger jobs heavy, corded, electrically powered rotational sanders are employed. These produce large amounts of dust due to their rotational disks and their high torque. These machines also require a great amount of strength and stamina as the machines are heavy and restricted by electrical cords. These electrical cords become a tripping hazard on many job sites. Additionally rotational drywall sanders have difficulties with the corner where a wall and ceiling meet and this area needs to be hand sanded. Rotary sander operators must frequently change positions as these sanders do not have the ability to have fully pivoting sanding heads. 
         [0008]    It would be desirable to provide a sander capable of being lightweight, which creates less dust than current motorized drywall sanders, and is free from cumbersome and potentially dangerous electrical cords. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0009]    In accordance with one embodiment an adjustable dry wall sander comprises a handle, a pole, a portable, rechargeable electric power source powering a vibrating eccentrically weighted electric motor and interchangeable sanding head. 
     
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    Figures 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  shows the overall tool and its components without cutaways. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  shows a cutaway of the motor enclosure and sanding head attachment. 
       
    
    
     DRAWINGS 
     Reference Numerals 
       [0013]      
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 10 pole 
                 11 shaft of pole 
               
               
                 20 motor enclosure 
                 21 electric motor 
               
               
                 22 bolts 
                 23 electric wires 
               
               
                 24 eccentrically mounted weight 
                 25 mounting block 
               
               
                 30 sanding head 
                 32 sanding head screw mount 
               
               
                 40 handle 
                 42 actuator switch 
               
               
                 50 rechargeable electric power source 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIGS.  1  and  2 —Preferred Embodiment 
       [0014]    One embodiment of the tool is illustrated in  FIG. 1  (side view) and  FIG. 2  (cutaway/detail view). The rechargeable electric power source connects to the handle the electric motor  21  is mounted externally to the shaft of the pole  11  using bolts  22  threaded through the mounting block  25 . The mounting block  25  is attached to the electric motor  21  via a spot welded joint. Connected to electric motor  21  is eccentrically mounted weight  24  composed of lead or other some other similarly heavy metal and connected via press fitting. Covering electric motor assembly  21  is the two halves of plastic motor enclosure  20  attached to pole  11  via screws. Sanding head  30  is connected to pole  11  at sanding head screw mount  32  via a screw end on pole  11  fitting into sanding head screw mount  32  on sanding head  30 . Electric motor  21  is powered using electric wires  23  which are run through pole  11  to handle  40  with one wire connected directly to the rechargeable electric power source and the other to actuator switch  42 . 
       Operation 
       [0015]    The manner of using the cordless drywall sander to sand drywall or gypsum board is identical to existing powered drywall sanders and is similar to existing manual sanding devices. Before use the sanding head  30  must have sand paper attached to in a sufficiently fine grit. The rechargeable electric power source  50  must also contain sufficient electrical charge to rotate electric motor  21 . By depressing actuator switch  42  and grasping handle  40  in one hand and pole  11  in the other one can guide the position of the sanding head  30  on the drywall joint surface to smooth the joint. 
       Advantages 
       [0016]    From the above descriptions a number of advantages of some embodiments of my cordless drywall sander.
       a) The primary advantage of the cordless drywall sander is the cordless freedom of movement. This freedom of movement translates into a more professional finish of the drywall compound. Larger and more unwieldy machines have in the past been too cumbersome for finer detail work.   b) Use of a square sanding head as opposed to the standard circular sanding head will allow the cordless drywall sander to reach into corners where other machines cannot go.   c) Being cordless also means a safer tool as there is no longer an electrical power cord which can become a tripping hazard.   d) By making the unit lighter than previous powered sanders the cordless drywall sander can be used on ceilings for longer periods without a break. This will help to reduce strain injuries.   e) Versus the manual pole sander, the cordless drywall sander has the advantage that it reduces the effort of sanding considerably and will result in a reduction in the amount of time that it takes to complete sanding.       
 
       Conclusion, Ramifications, and Scope 
       [0022]    Accordingly the reader will see that the cordless drywall sander can be used safely and efficiently to sand drywall compound with greater efficiency than using previous tools.
       It permits the ability to sand inside corners with it&#39;s square sanding head.   It provides ease of use through it&#39;s light weight.   It prevents injuries caused by tripping over electrical power cords.   It significantly reduces the amount of time it takes to sand versus manual methods and tools.   It provides for use of the tool in locations that do not have electrical power.       
 
         [0028]    The scope of this sanding tool should not be limited to sanding only drywall. It can be used to sand nearly any surface which requires a long reach without a long electrical power cord.