Abstract:
A buffing ball is formed by compressing a stack of generally circular buffing pads along a central axis. The individual pads have a generally wave-like outer peripheral surface having valleys and mounds. When compressed together, the mounds form small knobs that are ideal for buffing or cleaning intricate surfaces.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Buffing balls are formed from compressed pads of a buffing material. The pads are compressed on a drive post of a buffing apparatus or drill. Buffing balls are used to clean and polish various surfaces. 
   Generally, these buffing balls are formed from circular disks. Some of these buffing balls are formed with disks that have radial slits through the peripheral surface to form a plurality of segmented portions along the edge of the buffing pad. This creates a somewhat irregular surface. However, the individual segments tend to break off. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is premised on the realization that a buffing ball that is particularly suited for cleaning or polishing various contoured surfaces and crevices can be formed from compressed buffing pads wherein the peripheral edge of the buffing pad has a wave-like configuration. This forms mounds and valleys along the edges of the buffing surface. When the pads are compressed, these mounds form arcuate knobs that are particularly suited for cleaning intricate surfaces. Further, due to the edge formation, the formed knobs on the buffing ball do not tend to tear or break off. This, in turn, makes the buffing ball last longer. 
   The objects and advantages of the present invention will be further appreciated in light of the following detailed description and drawings in which: 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded view of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is an assembled view of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a single pad used in the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   As shown in  FIG. 2 , the present invention is a buffing ball  10 , which is formed from a plurality of pads  12  compressed together between a bolt  14  and a drive post  16  with the bolt extending through a central hole  20  in each of the pads  12 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , each pad  12  is a generally circular disk with a peripheral edge  22  having raised portions  24 , also referred to as mounds, and recessed portions  26 , also referred to as valley portions, separating adjacent mounds  24 . This provides an undulating or generally sinusoidal peripheral edge. Each pad  12  includes a central opening  20 . 
   The pads  12  are cut from a buffing material. Buffing material is formed from polymeric fibers such as nylon formed into a nonwoven web. The material can incorporate an abrasive materials such as aluminum oxide. This material is similar in consistency to a scouring pad. 
   Generally, the thickness of the individual pads  12  will vary from about ⅛ to ¾ inch, with a ¼-inch thick pad in a noncompressed state functioning well. The diameter of the pad  12  from the tip of one mound  24  to the tip of an opposite mound  24  should range from about 3 to about 6 inches or more, with a pad of about 4 inches in diameter functioning quite well. 
   The number of pads  12  is a matter of choice. As shown in  FIG. 1 , 10 pads are employed. The number of pads can be reduced to as low as 5, and increased to 15 or more, if desired. This is simply a matter of choice. 
   The buffing ball  10  is formed by compressing the assembled stack  15  of pads  12  between the drive post  16  of the drill or buffing apparatus and the head  30  of a bolt  14 . The head  30  further includes three teeth  32  which are designed to dig into the surface of the topmost pad  33 . Externally threaded post  31  of bolt  14  extends through the central holes  20  of the pads  12 , and extends through a washer  36  and into an internally threaded portion  38  of drive post  16 . 
   As shown, drive post  16  has a hexagonally shaped portion  40  and a cylindrical post portion  42 . The hexagonal portion allows one to grab the drive post  16  with a wrench or a pliers to rotate it, and tightening it on the externally threaded post  31  of bolt  14  thereby drawing top most pad  33  toward the bottom pad  35  and compressing the stack  15  of pads  12  together to form ball  10 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . As shown, the top pad  33  and bottom pad  35  flare upwardly and downwardly, respectively, with the central pads  37  extending laterally outwardly without flexing upwardly or downwardly. Thus, the buffing ball  10  assumes a generally cylindrical shape with a plurality of mounds or knobs  24  around the periphery of the ball  10 . 
   The drive post  16  attaches to a drill or a buffing apparatus, which rotates the buffing ball  10  at high speeds. The peripheral surface of the buffing ball  10  is pressed against the surface of an object being cleaned or buffed. The individual knobs  24  engage smaller crevices, and the like, along the surface of the object being polished. Due to the fact that is has the generally sinusoidal peripheral edge, the knobs will not tend to break off. The irregular surface of the ball  10  also assists in cleaning and buffing even smooth surfaces. 
   This has been a description of the present invention along with the preferred method of practicing the present invention. However, the invention itself should only be defined by the appended claims.