Abstract:
A sanding system suitable for drywall sanding has a foam sanding block that fits into a hollow housing such that a gap is left around most of the perimeter of the sanding block and the housing near the plane of sanding. Some regions of the perimeter are dimensioned relative to the sanding block such as to not leave a gap but instead are such as to provide a friction fit between the housing and the sanding block.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of Provisional Patent Application No. 61/639,826 filed Apr. 27, 2012, and Provisional Patent Application No. 61/650,387, filed on May 22, 2012. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     This disclosure is in the field of sanding systems and accessories. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Sanding accessories might be divided into those that are for hand sanding and those that are for power sanding. Power sanding devices often include a vacuum system to remove the dust and debris that arise from the sanding and abrading process. Some systems for aiding in a hand sanding process also have vacuum systems or vacuum attachment points. An issue with these systems can be how the vacuum suction is applied to the region of sanding without interfering with the sanding process but still removing a significant portion of the dust. 
     SUMMARY 
     A sanding block can fit into a complementary shaped housing. If portions of the perimeter of the housing are slightly oversized in comparison to the perimeter of the sanding block a gap can exist between a sanding block portion and the adjacent sidewall portion of the housing. The generally hollow housing can form an enclosure for the sanding block and also have an attachment point for a vacuum source such as the rigid hose of a vacuum designed for handy-man work. This can produce a negative air pressure in the perimetrical gap between the sanding block and the housing. Dust created by the sanding process can be removed by this negative air pressure that essentially surrounds the planar sanding surface. In some embodiments a long rigid extension of a vacuum not only delivers the negative pressure but also acts as an extended handle to reach higher or farther locations. 
     Some housings have an inner structure that is a plate with gaps that allow airflow while also providing a mechanical backing for a non-rigid sanding block. In other versions the sanding block is backed by an array of individual protrusions rather than a plate. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a side view of a first embodiment of a rectangular sanding block holder along the short side; 
         FIG. 2  shows a bottom view of the first embodiment holder; 
         FIG. 3  shows a side view of the first embodiment holder along the long side; 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom view of a sanding block suitable for use with the first embodiment holder; 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of the sanding block of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6A  is an exploded view of the first embodiment holder with the sanding block of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6B  is a sectional view of the first embodiment along the line X-X that shows airflow patterns; 
         FIG. 7A  is a bottom perspective view of the first holder embodiment; 
         FIG. 7B  is a bottom perspective view of a variation of the first holder embodiment that has multiple individual protrusions rather than a plate; 
         FIG. 8  is the unit and view of  FIG. 7  or  FIG. 7A  with a sanding block installed; 
         FIG. 9  shows the first embodiment holder with a rigid vacuum attachment in use; 
         FIG. 10 . is a side view of a second sanding block holder; 
         FIG. 11 . shows a bottom view of the second embodiment holder; 
         FIG. 12  shows the top view of the second embodiment holder; 
         FIG. 13  is a side view of a third embodiment holder; 
         FIG. 14A  is a bottom view of the sanding block holder of  FIG. 13  with a plate; 
         FIG. 14B  is a bottom view of the sanding block holder of  FIG. 13  with multiple individual protrusions; 
         FIG. 15  is a bottom view of a sanding block compatible with the third embodiment sanding block holder; 
         FIG. 16  is a side view of the block of  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 17  is a side view of a fourth sanding block holder; 
         FIG. 18  is a bottom view of the holder of  FIG. 17 ; 
         FIG. 19  is a bottom view of a sanding block suitable for use with the holder of  FIG. 18 ; 
         FIG. 20  is a side view of the sanding block of  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 21  is a side view of a fifth embodiment sanding block holder; 
         FIG. 22  is a side view of the fifth embodiment sanding block holder 90-degrees from the view of  FIG. 21 ; 
         FIG. 23  is a bottom view of the fifth embodiment sanding block holder of  FIG. 21 ; 
         FIG. 24  is a bottom view of a sanding block suitable for use with the sanding block holder of  FIG. 21 ; 
         FIG. 25  is a side view of sanding block of  FIG. 24 ; 
         FIG. 26  is a top view of the holder of  FIG. 17 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Sanding can be a very dirty endeavor. By its nature a surface is being modified by the removal of material. That removed material can be a very fine dust in the case of drywall sanding. Drywall sanding is typically done by hand and due to the heights that may be involved the sanding surface is frequently attached to a handle. The problem of collecting a majority of the dust created in drywall sanding is solved by a housing and a complementary sanding block that fits into the housing leaving a gap between portions of the perimeter of the sanding block and the inner edge of the housing. A vacuum source is attached to the top of the housing and negative air pressure is directed to a region including the gap. 
     In some embodiments the portion of the vacuum conduit proximate to the housing can be a rigid section. Depending on its length and the area to be sanded, this portion can also function as the primary handle for the sanding. The sanding block is a material such as that of a Hyde Tools brand model 45310 Foam Sanding Block. 
     In order to secure the sanding block in the housing and maintain a gap around an effective majority of the perimeter of the sanding block some embodiments provide for an interference fit between a foam sanding block and the housing opening at select locations. In many shown embodiments these locations include the corners. 
     In some embodiments the housing may be an existing somewhat standard vacuum accessory and the vacuum conduit a standard vacuum rigid extension pipe. In others the housing may be of a shape and configuration not normally found as a vacuum accessory but rather shaped to achieve a sanding goal. One case is a triangular shaped housing and sanding block for reaching into a corner of a wall. 
     Testing has shown this to be a very effective system with a gap of between about ⅛ inch and ⅜ inches. Testing with a prototype showed very effective performance at 3/16 inch for that particular unit. 
     First Embodiment 
     As seen in  FIGS. 1-9  a sanding block holder has a housing  10  with a rectangular bottom opening with an arced top vacuum hose attachment point  1 .  FIG. 2  shows a bottom view that illustrates a support plate  5  with three holes  6  in the housing. That figure also shows the inner perimeter of the housing having rectangular shape to accommodate a sanding block shape as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 4  shows a foam sanding block with a complementary shape to that of the bottom of the housing. When mated, there will be a gap  13  between the perimeter of the housing and the sanding block along the sanding block&#39;s outline except at the corners  2  and at regions in the long sides  9 . The long sides of the sanding block have a tab  9  to create a friction fit or interference fit with the housing as well as complementary corner structures  7 . 
       FIG. 5  shows a side view of the sanding block. Its corners  7  fit into the corners of the housing. Suitable sanding blocks include a foam body with an abrasive surface. The foam in this material is somewhat resilient and when pushed into the housing will slightly deform and then spring back exerting a lateral force on the housing. In this sense it might be thought of as a spring fit. The housing has a planar inner structure  5  with three holes  6 . This planar structure can distribute the negative air pressure and act as a backing for the foam sanding block. In  FIG. 6A  an exploded view is seen that includes the sanding holder and a sanding block. It shows a portion of a connecting pipe  11 , a vacuum connector  1  and the housing  10 . Exploded out from the housing is the flat support plate  5 . 
       FIG. 6B  shows a sectional view of this first embodiment along the line X-X. Is shows the path of airflow  14  bringing dust  15  particles into the housing.  FIGS. 7A and 8  respectively, show a perspective view of the unit from the bottom without and with a sanding block installed.  FIG. 7B  shows the bottom of an alternate version with several individual cylindrical protrusions  40  acting as a supporting structure rather than a plate.  FIG. 9  illustrates the use of the unit with a rigid pipe  25  acting as a handle in creating a sanded region  26 . 
     Embodiments Two, Three, Four and Five 
     Other embodiments shown in the drawings are similar to the first embodiment but have different shapes, sizes and friction fit regions. The second embodiment seen in  FIGS. 10 ,  11 , and  12  can be thought of as the first embodiment housing with the curved vacuum attachment pipe turned 90-degrees. This would provide a vertically oriented sanding surface. If that were the only change between the first and second embodiments the same sanding block  30  could be used. A variation on this is a version with a swiveling curved attachment. It could substitute for both of these embodiments. 
     The third embodiment seen in  FIGS. 13 and 14A  with a version in  14 B is circular. Its corresponding sanding block is seen in  FIGS. 15 and 16 .  FIG. 14A  shows the bottom of a version with a backing plate  41  while an alternate circular version&#39;s bottom is seen in  FIG. 14B  with several independent hollow protrusions  40  to support the sanding block 
     The fourth embodiment is triangular. Seen in FIGS.  17 , 18  and  26 , its sanding block is seen in  FIGS. 19 and 20 . The fifth embodiment seen in  FIGS. 21 ,  22  and  23  is a smaller rectangle with sides of more similar length. Its complementary sanding block is seen in  FIGS. 24 and 25 . The circular, rectangular, and triangular forms can be thought of as sanding accessories and each have optimum uses on different shaped areas to be sanded. 
     Operation 
     To use the system of the first embodiment the sanding block  30  with the required complimentary shape to the housing  10  is placed into the housing. In this case the corners have a resilient interference fit that holds the block into the housing. Then, the sanding block is pressed square against the backing plate  5 . A rigid portion of standard vacuum hose or pipe is fitted to a point  1  on the housing. The vacuum is turned on and the rigid portion of the vacuum pipe is used as a handle to sand drywall or other material. The negative pressure causes debris at the edges of the sanding block to be sucked away. Particularly in versions with individual protrusions, fine dust can also be drawn from the sanded surface through the body of the sanding block. 
     Of course other shapes are possible for other sanding applications. All of the diagramed embodiments have regular geometric shaped housing bottoms and accept a non-regular shaped sanding block. This can be reversed with a regular geometric shaped sanding block, say a rectangle, and in irregular shaped housing bottom that the rectangle fits into leaving the required gaps.