Abstract:
A sanding and finishing tool is constructed from a number of interlocking sanding members configured such that the sanding and finishing tool is equipped for sanding and/or finishing jobs of varying sizes and degrees, and is further able to easily sand and/or finish in and around various sized edges, crevices and corners. The tool includes a first sanding member having a handle which can be provided with auxiliary sanding members having auxiliary sanding surfaces. The first sanding member includes a sanding surface covered by a sanding material, wherein the sanding material is removably attached to the sanding surface. The tool further includes any number of additional sanding members, such that each additional sanding member dovetails on to the last sanding member, and also includes a sanding surface and material.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates generally to the field of hand tools. More particularly, the invention relates to the field of handheld sanding and finishing tools. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Sanding and finishing tools commonly include a member with a flat surface for receiving the back side of a sheet of sandpaper and a clamp or other means for securing the sheet of sandpaper to the tool. These tools are well adapted for sanding most flat surfaces. However, problems are encountered when they are employed to sand surfaces that are confined, narrow, curved either convexly or concavely, or otherwise irregular in some respect. 
     One application where this is a particular problem is automotive body sanding and finishing. This problem requires current sanding and finishing tool users to have sanding and finishing tools of various sizes and shapes. This can be inconvenient and costly. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a sanding and finishing tool including a number of interlocking sanding members configured such that the sanding and finishing tool is equipped for sanding and/or finishing jobs of various sizes and shapes, and is further able to easily sand and/or finish in and around various sized edges, crevices and corners. The tool of the present invention includes a first sanding member provided with a handle, wherein the handle can also include auxiliary sanding members having auxiliary sanding surfaces. The sanding member includes a sanding surface covered by a sanding material, wherein the sanding material is removably attached to the sanding surface. The tool further includes any number of additional sanding members, such that each additional sanding member dovetails on to the preceding sanding member, and also includes a sanding surface and material. 
     In one aspect of the invention, a sanding apparatus includes a first sanding member including a first sanding surface configured for sanding variously shaped surfaces. A second sanding member is formed with a channel and in which is received the first sanding member such that the second sanding member is removably attached to the first sanding member. When the first and second sanding members are attached, the second sanding member substantially covers the first sanding surface, and the first sanding member defines a handle. 
     A first sanding material is affixed to the first sanding surface such that the first sanding material substantially covers the first sanding surface. A second sanding material is affixed to the second sanding surface such that the second sanding material substantially covers the second sanding surface. Either of the first sanding material or the second sanding material is removably affixed to the first sanding surface or the second sanding surface, respectively. The first sanding material is removed from the first sanding surface before the second sanding member is coupled to the first sanding member. In a preferred embodiment, the first sanding surface and the second sanding surface are covered with a vinyl backing layer. A surface of the first sanding material is provided with a pressure sensitive adhesive which is removably joined to the vinyl backing layer on the first sanding surface. A surface of the second sanding material is provided with a pressure sensitive adhesive which is removably joined to the vinyl backing layer on the second sanding surface. In an alternative embodiment, the first sanding surface and the second sanding surface are covered with one half of a hook and loop fastener. A surface of the first sanding material is provided with the other half of a hook and loop fastener which is removably joined to the one half of a hook and loop fastener on the first sanding surface. A surface of the second sanding material is provided with one half of a hook and loop fastener which is removably joined to the other half of a hook and loop fastener on the second sanding surface. 
     The handle preferably has a substantially cylindrical shape and includes an auxiliary sanding member wherein the auxiliary sanding member includes an auxiliary sanding surface configured to receive an auxiliary sanding material. The auxiliary sanding member is constructed such that the auxiliary sanding surface is either circular or triangular in shape. Any of the first sanding member and the second sanding member are preferably constructed from a rubber material, and the auxiliary sanding member includes a compressible foam material. The handle includes the first sanding member having a first sanding surface. The first sanding member is configured to be removably coupled to the second sanding member such that a channel in the second sanding member is constructed to receive the first sanding member. When the second sanding member and the first sanding member are coupled, the second sanding member substantially covers the first sanding surface. When the second sanding member and the first sanding member are uncoupled, a first sanding material is affixed to the first sanding surface such that the first sanding material substantially covers the first sanding surface. The first sanding material is removably affixed to the first sanding surface. In the preferred embodiment, the first sanding surface is covered with a vinyl backing layer. A surface of the first sanding material is provided with a pressure sensitive adhesive which is removably joined to the vinyl backing layer on the first sanding surface. In an alternative embodiment, the first sanding surface is covered with one half of a hook and loop fastener. A surface of the first sanding material is provided with the other half of the hook and loop of fastener which is removably joined to the one half of a hook and loop fastener on the third sanding surface. The first sanding surface, a second sanding surface and the third sanding surface are substantially planar. The third sanding member includes a rounded end portion and an angled end portion. 
     In another aspect of the invention, a third sanding member includes a third sanding surface configured for sanding variously shaped surfaces. The third sanding member is formed with a channel, and the third sanding surface is provided with a third sanding material affixed thereto. A second sanding member has a second sanding surface received in the channel of the third sanding member such that the second sanding member is removably attached to the third sanding member. When the third and second sanding members are attached, the third sanding member substantially covers the second sanding surface. A first sanding member defines a handle and has a first sanding surface received in a channel of the second sanding member such that the first sanding member is removably attached to the second sanding member. When the second and first sanding members are attached, the second sanding member substantially covers the first sanding surface. 
     When the third and second sanding members are uncoupled, a second sanding material is affixed to the second sanding surface such that the second sanding material substantially covers a second sanding surface. When the second and first sanding members are uncoupled, a first sanding material is affixed to the first sanding surface such that the first sanding material substantially covers the first sanding surface. The second and first sanding members have substantially planar bottoms and inwardly sloping opposite end portions. The third sanding member has a substantially planar bottom, a rounded end portion and an angled end portion. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The drawings illustrate the best mode presently contemplated in carrying out the invention. 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an exploded side view in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 1A  is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on line  1 A- 1 A of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a partially assembled perspective view of the embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a front view of the embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a fully assembled perspective view of the embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIGS. 1-3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a fully assembled perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 6  is a view similar to  FIG. 1  showing an alternative means for removably attaching sanding material to the sanding surfaces. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     A side view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention showing a sanding tool  10  is depicted in  FIG. 1 . The sanding tool  10  includes a generally cylindrical handle  12  attached to a first sanding member  14 . The first sanding member  14  has a dovetail shape and includes a first sanding surface  16  covered with a first vinyl backing layer  18 . A vinyl backing layer  18  runs along a substantially planar bottom of first sanding surface  16  and also extends upwardly for a distance along inwardly angled ends of the first sanding surface  16 . The sanding tool  10  also includes a second sanding member  20  having a dovetail-shaped channel  22  notched into the second sanding member  20  such that the first sanding member  14  fits into the channel  22  in order to removably couple the second sanding member  20  to the first sanding member  14 . The channel  22  in the second sanding member  20  is configured such that the first vinyl backing layer  18  is substantially covered by the second sanding member  20  when the second sanding member  20  is coupled to the first sanding member  14 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 1 , the second sanding member  20  includes a second sanding surface  24  covered with a second vinyl backing layer  26 . The vinyl backing layer  26  runs along a substantially planar bottom of second sanding surface  24  and also runs upwardly for a distance along inwardly angled ends of the second sanding surface  24 . A third sanding member  28  is configured with a dovetail-shape channel  30  corresponding to the dovetail-shape of the second sanding member  20  such that the channel  30  in the third sanding member  28  is configured to receive the second sanding member  20  and to cover the second vinyl backing layer  26  when the third sanding member  28  is removably coupled to the second sanding member  20 . The third sanding member  28  includes a third sanding surface  32  covered by a vinyl backing layer  34 . As seen best in  FIG. 1A , a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA)  36  is applied to an upper surface of a sanding material  38 . The PSA layer  36  frictionally adheres well to the vinyl backing layer  34 , but may be easily peeled away for replacement of the sanding material  38 . The vinyl backing layer  34  and the PSA layer  36  thus permit the removable attachment of the sanding material  38  to the third sanding surface  32 . The sanding member  28  also includes a curved end portion  40  and an angled end portion  42 . The vinyl backing layer  34  runs along a substantially planar bottom surface of the third sanding surface  32  and also runs upwardly along the entire length of curved and angled end portions  40  and  42 , respectively. 
     The handle  12  of the sanding tool  10  may also include first and second auxiliary members  44  and  46  secured on opposite ends for enabling removable and replaceable attachment of sanding materials  48 ,  50 , respectively. First auxiliary member  44  includes a circular sanding face  52  having a compressible foam member  54  of similar shape and size attached thereto such as by permanent adhesive. A vinyl backing layer  56  corresponding to the size and shape of the foam member  54  is attached such as by adhesive, to the exterior of the foam member  54 . A pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA)  58  may be applied to an inner surface of sanding material  48 . Handle  12  is configured with three tapered surfaces  60  ( FIG. 3 ) so that second auxiliary member  46  includes a triangularly-shaped face  62  having a compressible foam member  64  of similar shape and size attached thereto, such as by permanent adhesive. A vinyl backing layer  66  corresponding to the size and shape of the foam member  64  is attached, such as by adhesive, to the exterior of the foam member  64 . A pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA)  68  may be applied to the inner surface of sanding material  50 . As explained above, the PSA layers  58 ,  68  will adhere to the respective vinyl backing layers  56 ,  66  but may be easily peeled away for selective replacement of the respective sanding materials  48 ,  50 . 
     It should be noted that the handle  12  of the sanding tool  10 , as well as the first, second and third sanding members  14 ,  20 ,  28  respectively, can be constructed from a variety of materials. In the preferred embodiment, sanding tool  10  is formed from a somewhat compressible material such as natural or synthetic rubber. Rubber materials of varying compressibility (durometer) may be used. It should also be understood that the sanding tool  10  may include more than three sanding members  14 ,  20 ,  28  of the preferred embodiment. 
     The sanding tool  10  in  FIG. 1  is shown such that the second sanding member  20  and the third sanding member  28  are not coupled to the first sanding member  14  and the handle  12  in operation. Such a configuration would allow a user of the sanding tool  10  desiring to perform finishing and sanding work to grip the handle  12  and utilize only the first sanding member  14  which can be covered by a sanding material  70  having a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA)  72  that will removably adhere to the vinyl backing layer  18 . The user of the sanding tool  10  would also be able to utilize the auxiliary sanding members  44  and  46  and auxiliary sanding members  48  and  50  if the sanding tool were so equipped. If the user of the sanding tool  10  required a larger sanding surface or additional angles in order to complete the sanding or finishing work, then the user could couple the second sanding member  20  to the first sanding member  14  by sliding the first sanding member  14  into the channel  22  of the second sanding member  20 . The user of the sanding tool  10  would then be able to utilize the second sanding surface  24  after covering the vinyl backing layer  26  with a sanding material  74  having a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA)  76  that will removably adhere to the vinyl backing layer  26 . In the preferred embodiment, the sanding material  70  would need to be peelably removed from the vinyl backing layer  18  of the first sanding member  14  prior to inserting the first sanding member  14  into the channel  22  of the second sanding member  20 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 1 , a user of the sanding tool  10  may also removably couple the third sanding member  28  to the second sanding member  20 , the third sanding member  28  having the third sanding surface  32  covered by the third sanding material  38 . In the preferred embodiment, the third sanding member  28  is the last sanding member available to couple the sanding tool  10 . This is evident as the third sanding member  28  includes the curved end portion  40  and the angled end portion  42 . It should be noted that the angled end portion  42  and the curved end portion  40  are part of the third sanding surface  32  and can be configured in different shapes and angles to accommodate the user. 
       FIG. 2  depicts a perspective view of the sanding tool  10  of the present invention. This view is intended to show how the sanding members  14 ,  20 ,  28  are configured to removably couple to and uncouple from each other. It should be understood that the sanding tool  10  as depicted in  FIG. 2  is not necessarily ideally configured for sanding and/or finishing. Rather this figure is intended to show how the sanding members  14 ,  20 ,  28  are coupled together. Still referring to  FIG. 2 , the first and second auxiliary sanding members  44  and  46  and the respective auxiliary sanding faces  52  and  62  are constructed in respective circular and triangular shapes. While these shapes are advantageous for sanding and/or finishing in corners, it is contemplated that alternative embodiments can include any other shapes the user may find helpful for sanding and/or finishing. 
       FIG. 3  depicts a front view of the sanding tool  10  of the present invention. Here the sanding members  14 ,  20 ,  28  are coupled together such that a user of the tool  10  would grip the handle  12  and utilize the third sanding member  28  and the third sanding material  38 . Of course, the user of the sanding tool  10  could also utilize the curved and angled end portions  40  and  42  covered by sanding material  38  to sand and/or finish. 
       FIG. 4  depicts a perspective view of the fully assembled sanding tool  10 . This figure is intended to illustrate how the first vinyl covered sanding surface  16  of first sanding member  14  fits into channel  22  of the second sanding member  20 , and how the second vinyl cover sanding surface  24  of the second sanding member  20  fits into the channel  30  of the third sanding member  28  which is equipped with sanding material  38 . It should be understood that any of the sanding surfaces described above in the present invention have a sanding material fixed to the sanding surface before sanding and/or finishing can be performed with individual members  14 ,  20 ,  28 . 
       FIG. 5  is a view similar to  FIG. 4  which illustrates a sanding tool  10  having the cylindrical handle  12  deleted. In using the tool  10 , a user will simply grasp the opposite sides of the first sanding member  14  which define a handle. If desired, the first sanding member  14  in  FIG. 5 , can be removed so that the interlocked second and third sanding members  20 ,  28  respectively, can be used for sanding. In this case, the sides of the second sanding member  20  define the handle. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the invention which shows an alternative means of removably attaching the sanding materials  70 ,  74 ,  38  to the respective sanding members  14 ,  20 ,  28 . In this version, any of the respective sanding surfaces  16 ,  24 ,  32  can be adhesively covered with one type of a hook and loop fastener  78  (e.g. Velcro). A cooperating hook and loop fastener  80  is attached such as by adhesive to the back face of sanding materials  70 ,  74 ,  38  respectively. In a similar manner, the foam materials  54 ,  64  on the opposite ends of the handle  12  can be adhesively covered with hook and loop fastener  78  to cooperate with hook and loop fasteners  80  secured on the sanding materials  48  and  50  so that the sanding materials  48  and  50  may be easily removed or replaced if desired. The present invention thus discloses two separate embodiments for temporarily affixing sanding materials to various sanding surfaces. 
     The present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments incorporating details to facilitate the understanding of the principles of the construction and operation of the invention. Such references herein to specific embodiments and details thereof is not intended to limit the scope of the claims appended hereto. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made in the embodiment chosen for illustration without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.