Abstract:
A finishing unit for a vehicle surface treatment apparatus composed of a thin sheet-like pad of material having flexible characteristics, the pad being adapted for contact with a vehicle surface. A buffer member of flexible material is also provided and opposes a surface area on the pad. A stiffening structure is oriented over a majority of the opposing surface areas of the buffer member and the pad to effect a fixed securement of the opposing surface areas together so as to provide an area of substantially less flexibility than the individual flexibility characteristic of each of the buffer member and the pad.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a finishing unit for a vehicle surface treatment apparatus and, more particularly, to an arrangement for stiffening the performance characteristic of a thin sheet-like pad of material secured to a rotating drum, the outer edges of which are adapted to engage the surface of the vehicle for facilitating a treatment thereof. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     It is common place in vehicle surface treatment apparatus to mount pads of cloth or closed-cell foam to a rotating drum to cause the distal ends of the pads to engage the surface of the vehicle to effect the appropriate treatment of the surface. When the apparatus is a vehicle surface washing apparatus, liquid, such as water, is used in conjunction with the pads and various chemicals, such as soap and the like, are mixed so that the pads will effect the appropriate cleaning of the vehicle surface. In order to prevent damage to the vehicle surface during a surface treatment procedure, it is desirable to use lighter weight material for the pads. This has been accomplished by making the pads of thin sheet-like cloth and closed-cell foam. However, as the vehicle approaches a rotating mechanism on which is mounted a plurality of such pads, the rotating drum will continue to move toward the vehicle surface as the vehicle approaches to in effect cause the surface area of the material of the pads to be dragged across the vehicle surface. It has been noted in the past that the cleaning performance characteristic of the pads is enhanced when only the distal end portion of the pads engages the vehicle surface. When cloth material is used for the pad, the liquid will be absorbed into it thereby giving it more body causing the pad to remain somewhat stiff as it is being rotated with the drum to facilitate engagement of the distal ends thereof with the vehicle surface. However, even when the material is cloth, it is generally thin and lacks the desired stiffness characteristic to prevent a major surface area of the pad from being dragged across the vehicle surface thereby lessening the cleaning ability or lessening the chance of damage to the drum as well as to the vehicle surface. Further, maintaining engagement of only the distal end portions of the pad material will enhance the lifetime of the pad. 
     The issue of a major surface area of the pad material being dragged across the vehicle surface becomes even more critical when a lighter weight material, such as a closed-cell foam material, is used. Foam, compared to a cloth material, has very little body or bulk and it does not absorb liquid. Thus, it lacks the requisite ability to maintain only the distal ends thereof in engagement with the vehicle surface. 
     Therefore, it is a desire of this invention to provide finishing units as well as a vehicle surface treatment apparatus using such finishing units wherein a stiffness characteristic is introduced into the pad material to facilitate a maintaining of the distal end portion of the pad in engagement with the vehicle surface. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The objects and purposes of the invention are met by providing a finishing unit for a vehicle surface treatment apparatus composed of a thin sheet-like pad of material having flexible characteristics, the pad being adapted for contact with a vehicle surface. A buffer member of flexible material is a thin sheet-like member having a width comparable to the width of the pad and a length substantially shorter than the length of the pad. The buffer member overlays an opposing surface of the pad. A stiffening structure is oriented over a majority of the opposing surface areas of the buffer member and the pad and effects a fixed securement of the opposing surface areas of the buffer member and the pad together so as to provide an area of substantially less flexibility than the individual flexibility characteristic of each of the buffer member and the pad. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Other objects and purposes of this invention will be apparent to persons acquainted with apparatus of this general type upon reading the following specification and inspecting the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a fragmentary illustration of a top view of an elongate mounting part, such as a drum, for use in a vehicle washing apparatus, to which is attached a plurality of thin sheet-like pads adapted for treatment of a vehicle surface; 
     FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a pad with a buffer member mounted on the upper surface thereof; 
     FIG. 3 is an alternate construction of a pad with the buffer member on the underside thereof; 
     FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line  4 — 4  of FIG. 2 prior to attachment of a buffer member to the pad; 
     FIG. 5 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 4, but after application of the buffer member to the pad; 
     FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line  6 — 6  of FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 7 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 6, but without the pad being secured to the buffer member over a majority of the opposing surface areas thereof; 
     FIG. 8 is a side view of a test stand fixture for measuring the stiffness characteristic of alternate versions of the pad/buffer member combination; and 
     FIG. 9 illustrates an alternate construction for securing the finishing units to the core. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A vehicle surface treatment apparatus  10  is schematically illustrated in FIG.  1  and includes an elongate mounting part  11  consisting of a cylindrical core  12  having on the outer periphery thereof a plurality of parallel tracks or grooves  13  extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of the core. A plurality of finishing units or surface treating implements  14  are provided and are secured via an inner edge part  16  to the tracks or grooves  13  of the elongate mounting part  11 . More specifically, the inner edge part  16  includes a flat planar-like portion  17  having along a radially inner edge thereof a cylindrical enlargement, the diameter of which conforms closely to the width of a base part of the track or groove  13 . The track or grooves  13  are each defined by a pair of spaced side walls  19 , the radially outer edges  21  of which are spaced apart a width G to define a gap through which extends the flat part  17  of the inner edge member  16 . The diameter of the cylindrical enlargement  18  of the inner edge member  16  is greater than the thickness of the flat part  17  as well as the dimension of the gap G so that as the elongate mounting part  11  is rotated, the cylindrical enlargement  18  will be retained in the tracks or grooves  13 . 
     The surface treating implements  14  are each composed of a uniformly thin sheet-like pad of material  22  having a flexible characteristic, the outer distal edge of which is adapted for contact with a vehicle surface. The pad is preferably ⅛ inches to {fraction (3/16)} inches thick. The surface treating implements  14  also include a buffer member  23  also composed of a thin sheet-like material that is either the same as the material of the pad  22  or is of a different material. The buffer member  23  has a thickness and a width comparable to the thickness and width of the pad  22  and a radial length that is substantially shorter than the radial length of the pad as is illustrated in FIGS. 1-3. A substantial surface area portion  24  of the buffer member  23  is positioned to directly oppose a surface area  26  on the pad  22 . The radially inner edges of the pad  22  and the buffer member  23  are secured to the flat part  17  of the inner edge member  16  as by a pair of radially spaced and preferably approximately parallel sewn seams  27  schematically illustrated in FIG.  1 . 
     As is illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the relationship of the buffer member  23  to the pad  22  can vary, that is, the buffer member  23  can be mounted on top of the pad  22  or the buffer member  23  can be mounted on the bottom side of the pad  22 . It will, of course, be recognized that FIGS. 2 and 3 are simply inversely related to one another. 
     During assembly, and referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, and after the sewn seams  27  have effected a securement of the pad  22  and the buffer member  23  to the flat part  17  of the inner edge member  16 , either the buffer member  23  is lifted as in FIG. 2 or the pad  22  is lifted as in FIG. 3 relative to the other member so that an adhesive bead  28  can be applied to the appropriate bottom member of the stacked array, namely, to the appropriate surface area  24  or  26 . In this particular embodiment, the adhesive is a hot melt adhesive applied by a hand-held adhesive applicator tool (not illustrated) adjusted to dispense a ⅛ inch diameter continuous flow of adhesive to the aforesaid appropriate surface area  24 ,  26 . In this particular embodiment, the adhesive bead is first applied to define a rectangle spaced inwardly of the boundary of the opposing surface areas  24 ,  26  by approximately ½ inch to ¾ inch from the edge and thereafter a sinusoidal wave pattern is created in the interior of the so-formed rectangle. It is important that the sinusoidal pattern extend toward and away from the inner edge of the pad  22 , namely, toward and away from the cylindrical enlarge  18  of the inner edge member  16  so that radially oriented ribs of the sinusoidal pattern and the rectangle pattern will be formed by the adhesive. Thereafter, the appropriate one of the pad  22  and the buffer member  23  is laid down onto the uncured adhesive and a pressure is applied so as to squeeze the adhesive into an essentially uniform pattern as is schematically illustrated in FIG. 5 so that the adhesive  28 , when cured, will provide a greater strength characteristic and resistance to flexing of the material of the buffer member  23  and the pad  22 . It is important that the adhesive not squeeze out from between the material of the pad  22  and the material of the buffer member  23 . 
     In this particular embodiment, the hot melt adhesive is a water resistant type SP100 having a recommended application temperature of 300° F. to 350° F. and is available from On-Hand Adhesives, Inc. in Mt. Prospect, Ill. 
     In order to establish the benefits derived by the aforesaid construction, a comparison study was conducted comparing the features of a construction such as is illustrated in FIG. 6 with a construction as is illustrated in FIG. 7, that is, the latter construction having no securement of the opposing surface areas  24  and  26  to each other. More specifically, the constructions illustrated also in FIGS. 2 and 3 were subjected to a comparison testing both with an adhesive  28  oriented between the opposing surface areas  24  and  26  as well as with no adhesive between them. A testing fixture, such as is illustrated in FIG. 8, was utilized in order to make this comparative testing. 
     Referring to FIG. 8, a test stand  30  is there illustrated and includes a base platform  31  having along one edge thereof an upstanding wall  32 . Midway up the wall  32  there is provided a track member  33  secured to the wall  32 . The configuration of the track  33  is generally the same as the track or groove  13  in the elongate mounting part  11  illustrated in FIG.  1 . The cylindrical enlargement  18  of the inner edge member  16  is adapted to be received in the track  33  so that the pad  22  and the associated buffer member  23  extend away therefrom, leftwardly as illustrated in FIG.  8 . The buffer member  23  has a radial dimension X and a width corresponding to the width of the pad  22 . The pad  22  has a radial length greater than the X dimension of the buffer. In this particular embodiment, the radial length of the pad  22  in all tests was 20 inches and the lateral width of the pad was in every instance 14 inches. The radial dimension X of the buffer member  23  included three varieties, namely, a variety where the radial dimension X was 4 inches, 6 inches and 8 inches, respectively. 
     A pivotal weight applying member  34  is utilized to apply a weight at four differing locations A, B, C, D as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 to the pad  22 . The pivotal weight applying member  34  consists of a flat plate  36  having a radial dimension L of 9 inches and a lateral width of 18 inches. A pair of laterally spaced support arms  37  extend outwardly from the wall  32  above the track  33  to form a gap adapted to receive the 18 inch dimension of the pivotal weight applying member  34  therein. The radially inner edge of the weight applying member  34  has a pivot member  38  composed of an elongate rod, opposite ends of which are adapted to rest on the upper surface of each of the support arms. A plurality of spaced upright projections  39 A,  39 B,  39 C and  39 D project upwardly from each of the support arms  37 . In the test stand  30  illustrated in FIG. 8, the two upstanding projections  39 A are each oriented 3 inches out from the wall  32 . The two upstanding projections  39 B are each oriented 3½ inches out from the wall  32 . The two upstanding projections  39 C are each oriented 4 inches out from the wall  32  and the two upstanding projections  39 D are each oriented 4½ inches from the wall  32 . The rod  38  is adapted to be selectively oriented between the wall  32  and a selected one of the upstanding projections for each force application. As is shown in FIG. 8, the rod  38  is oriented adjacent and touching the upstanding projections  39 A 3 inches out from the wall  32  to apply a load to the upper surface of the pad  22  at location A. When the rod is oriented adjacent the upstanding projections  39 B, the pivotal weight applying member  34  will apply a weight at location B to the pad  22 . Similar weight applications will occur at locations C and D when the rod  38  is oriented against the upstanding projections  39 C and  39 D, respectively. When the weight is applied to the pad  22 , the amount of deflection is measured by the distance Y between the wall  32  and the distal end of the pad  22 . The following data was recorded based on these tests. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 CHART 1 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 DRY CLOTH 
               
               
                 2 LB. WEIGHT PIVOTED TO LAY ONTO MATERIAL OF PAD 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 MEASURED DISTANCE “Y” 
               
               
                   
                 AT POSITIONS 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 A 
                 B 
                 C 
                 D 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 X = 4″ BUFFER - NO ADHESIVE 
                  4⅛″ 
                  4¾″ 
                  4½″ 
                  4½″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER ON TOP 
               
               
                 X = 4″ BUFFER - W/ADHESIVE 
                  6¾″ 
                  7¾″ 
                  7½″ 
                  6¾″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER ON TOP 
               
               
                 X = 6″ BUFFER - NO ADHESIVE 
                  4¼″ 
                  4¾″ 
                  4¾″ 
                  5″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER ON TOP 
               
               
                 X = 6″ BUFFER - W/ADHESIVE 
                  9″ 
                  9″ 
                  9¼″ 
                  9½″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER ON TOP 
               
               
                 X = 8″ BUFFER - NO ADHESIVE 
                  4″ 
                  4½″ 
                  5¼″ 
                  5″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER ON TOP 
               
               
                 X = 8″ BUFFER - W/ADHESIVE 
                  9½″ 
                  9¼″ 
                 10″ 
                  9¼″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER ON TOP 
               
               
                 X = 4″ BUFFER - NO ADHESIVE 
                  9½″ 
                  9″ 
                 10″ 
                 10″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER UNDERNEATH 
               
               
                 X = 4″ BUFFER - W/ADHESIVE 
                 12¼″ 
                 11½″ 
                 11½″ 
                 11¼″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER UNDERNEATH 
               
               
                 X = 6″ BUFFER - NO ADHESIVE 
                 10″ 
                  9″ 
                 10″ 
                 10″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER UNDERNEATH 
               
               
                 X = 6″ BUFFER - W/ADHESIVE 
                 12″ 
                 12″ 
                 12½″ 
                 12″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER UNDERNEATH 
               
               
                 X = 8″ BUFFER - NO ADHESIVE 
                 10¼″ 
                 10¼″ 
                 10¾″ 
                 11½″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER UNDERNEATH 
               
               
                 X = 8″ BUFFER - W/ADHESIVE 
                 14¾″ 
                 14½″ 
                 14″ 
                 14¼″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER UNDERNEATH 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 CHART 2 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 DRY CLOTH 
               
               
                 3 LB. WEIGHT PIVOTED TO LAY ONTO MATERIAL OF PAD 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 MEASURED DISTANCE “Y” 
               
               
                   
                 AT POSITIONS 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 A 
                 B 
                 C 
                 D 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 X = 4″ BUFFER - NO ADHESIVE 
                  3¾″ 
                  4″ 
                  5″ 
                  5″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER ON TOP 
               
               
                 X = 4″ BUFFER - W/ADHESIVE 
                  7½″ 
                  7¼″ 
                  6″ 
                  6″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER ON TOP 
               
               
                 X = 6″ BUFFER - NO ADHESIVE 
                  4″ 
                 5″ 
                 4½″ 
                  5″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER ON TOP 
               
               
                 X = 6″ BUFFER - W/ADHESIVE 
                  8″ 
                 8″ 
                 8″ 
                  8″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER ON TOP 
               
               
                 X = 8″ BUFFER - NO ADHESIVE 
                  4½″ 
                  4¼″ 
                  4½″ 
                  5½″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER ON TOP 
               
               
                 X = 8″ BUFFER - W/ADHESIVE 
                 8″ 
                 7½″ 
                  7¾″ 
                  7¼″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER ON TOP 
               
               
                 X = 4″ BUFFER - NO ADHESIVE 
                 8″ 
                 8″ 
                  8¼″ 
                  8″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER UNDERNEATH 
               
               
                 X = 4″ BUFFER - W/ADHESIVE 
                 11½″ 
                 10¼″ 
                 10½″ 
                 10″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER UNDERNEATH 
               
               
                 X = 6″ BUFFER - NO ADHESIVE 
                  8¼″ 
                  8¼″ 
                 8″ 
                  8″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER UNDERNEATH 
               
               
                 X = 6″ BUFFER - W/ADHESIVE 
                 12″  
                 11¼″ 
                 10¾″ 
                 10½″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER UNDERNEATH 
               
               
                 X = 8″ BUFFER - NO ADHESIVE 
                 9″ 
                  8½″ 
                  8¼″ 
                  9¼″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER UNDERNEATH 
               
               
                 X = 8″ BUFFER - W/ADHESIVE 
                 13¼″ 
                 12½″ 
                 12″  
                 12″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER UNDERNEATH 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 CHART 3 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 DRY CLOTH 
               
               
                 4 LB. WEIGHT PIVOTED TO LAY ONTO MATERIAL OF PAD 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 MEASURED DISTANCE “Y” 
               
               
                   
                 AT POSITIONS 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 A 
                 B 
                 C 
                 D 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 X = 4″ BUFFER - NO ADHESIVE 
                  3¾″ 
                  3¾″ 
                 4″ 
                  4½″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER ON TOP 
               
               
                 X = 4″ BUFFER - W/ADHESIVE 
                 7″ 
                 6″ 
                 5¾″ 
                  5½″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER ON TOP 
               
               
                 X = 6″ BUFFER - NO ADHESIVE 
                 3″ 
                 3″ 
                 4″ 
                 4″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER ON TOP 
               
               
                 X = 6″ BUFFER - W/ADHESIVE 
                 7″ 
                  6¼″ 
                 7″ 
                 7″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER ON TOP 
               
               
                 X = 8″ BUFFER - NO ADHESIVE 
                  3½″ 
                 3″ 
                 3½″ 
                  4½″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER ON TOP 
               
               
                 X = 8″ BUFFER - W/ADHESIVE 
                 6″ 
                 6″ 
                 6″ 
                 7″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER ON TOP 
               
               
                 X = 4″ BUFFER - NO ADHESIVE 
                 7″ 
                 6″ 
                 6″ 
                  6¼″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER UNDERNEATH 
               
               
                 X = 4″ BUFFER - W/ADHESIVE 
                 10½″ 
                 10″  
                 9″ 
                 9″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER UNDERNEATH 
                   
               
               
                 X = 6″ BUFFER - NO ADHESIVE 
                 7″ 
                 7″ 
                 5½″ 
                  6½″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER UNDERNEATH 
                   
               
               
                 X = 6″ BUFFER - W/ADHESIVE 
                 11″  
                 10″  
                 10″  
                 10″  
               
               
                 BUFFER UNDERNEATH 
               
               
                 X = 8″ BUFFER - NO ADHESIVE 
                  7½″ 
                  7½″ 
                 7½″ 
                 8″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER UNDERNEATH 
               
               
                 X = 8″ BUFFER - W/ADHESIVE 
                 11¼″ 
                 10½″ 
                 11″ 
                 10½″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER UNDERNEATH 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 CHART 4 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 WET CLOTH 
               
               
                 2 LB. WEIGHT PIVOTED TO LAY ONTO MATERIAL OF PAD 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 MEASURED DISTANCE “Y” 
               
               
                   
                 AT POSITIONS 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 A 
                 B 
                 C 
                 D 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 X = 4″ BUFFER - NO ADHESIVE 
                 1¾″ 
                 2″ 
                 2″ 
                 2″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER ON TOP 
               
               
                 X = 4″ BUFFER - W/ADHESIVE 
                 4″ 
                 5″ 
                 5″ 
                 4½″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER ON TOP 
               
               
                 X = 6″ BUFFER - NO ADHESIVE 
                 1½″ 
                 2″ 
                 2″ 
                 2″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER ON TOP 
               
               
                 X = 6″ BUFFER - W/ADHESIVE 
                 5″ 
                 5¼″ 
                 5¾″ 
                 6″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER ON TOP 
               
               
                 X = 8″ BUFFER - NO ADHESIVE 
                 2″ 
                 2½″ 
                 3″ 
                 2½″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER ON TOP 
               
               
                 X = 8″ BUFFER - W/ADHESIVE 
                 5¼″ 
                 5″ 
                 5½″ 
                 5¾″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER ON TOP 
               
               
                 X = 4″ BUFFER - NO ADHESIVE 
                 4¾″ 
                 5″ 
                 5″ 
                 4¾″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER UNDERNEATH 
               
               
                 X = 4″ BUFFER - W/ADHESIVE 
                 7″ 
                 7½″ 
                 7¾″ 
                 7″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER UNDERNEATH 
               
               
                 X = 6″ BUFFER - NO ADHESIVE 
                 5½″ 
                 5″ 
                 5″ 
                 4¾″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER UNDERNEATH 
               
               
                 X = 6″ BUFFER - W/ADHESIVE 
                 7¾″ 
                 7¾″ 
                 8″ 
                 7¾″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER UNDERNEATH 
               
               
                 X = 8″ BUFFER - NO ADHESIVE 
                 6″ 
                 7″ 
                 7″ 
                 5⅜″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER UNDERNEATH 
               
               
                 X = 8″ BUFFER - W/ADHESIVE 
                 9″ 
                 8¾″ 
                 9¼″ 
                 8½″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER UNDERNEATH 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 CHART 5 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 WET CLOTH 
               
               
                 3 LB. WEIGHT PIVOTED TO LAY ONTO MATERIAL OF PAD 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 MEASURED DISTANCE “Y” 
               
               
                   
                 AT POSITIONS 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 A 
                 B 
                 C 
                 D 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 X = 4″ BUFFER - NO ADHESIVE 
                 2″ 
                 2″ 
                 2¼″ 
                 2″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER ON TOP 
               
               
                 X = 4″ BUFFER - W/ADHESIVE 
                 4½″ 
                 4¾″ 
                 5″ 
                 4¾″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER ON TOP 
               
               
                 X = 6″ BUFFER - NO ADHESIVE 
                 2¼″ 
                 2″ 
                 2″ 
                 2″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER ON TOP 
               
               
                 X = 6″ BUFFER - W/ADHESIVE 
                 5″ 
                 5¼″ 
                 5″ 
                 5½″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER ON TOP 
               
               
                 X = 8″ BUFFER - NO ADHESIVE 
                 3″ 
                 2¼″ 
                 2¾″ 
                 3″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER ON TOP 
               
               
                 X = 8″ BUFFER - W/ADHESIVE 
                 5″ 
                 4½″ 
                 5¼″ 
                 5¼″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER ON TOP 
               
               
                 X = 4″ BUFFER - NO ADHESIVE 
                 4¼″ 
                 5″ 
                 5″ 
                 5¼″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER UNDERNEATH 
               
               
                 X = 4″ BUFFER - W/ADHESIVE 
                 6¼″ 
                 6¾″ 
                 6¾″ 
                 6½″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER UNDERNEATH 
               
               
                 X = 6″ BUFFER - NO ADHESIVE 
                 4¾″ 
                 5″ 
                 5″ 
                 5″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER UNDERNEATH 
               
               
                 X = 6″ BUFFER - W/ADHESIVE 
                 7″ 
                 7½″ 
                 7¼″ 
                 7½″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER UNDERNEATH 
               
               
                 X = 8″ BUFFER - NO ADHESIVE 
                 5¼″ 
                 6″ 
                 6″ 
                 6″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER UNDERNEATH 
               
               
                 X = 8″ BUFFER - W/ADHESIVE 
                 7¾″ 
                 7½″ 
                 7¾″ 
                 8″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER UNDERNEATH 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 CHART 6 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 WET CLOTH 
               
               
                 4 LB. WEIGHT PIVOTED TO LAY ONTO MATERIAL OF PAD 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 MEASURED DISTANCE “Y” 
               
               
                   
                 AT POSITIONS 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 A 
                 B 
                 C 
                 D 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 X = 4″ BUFFER - NO ADHESIVE 
                 2½″ 
                 2¼″ 
                 2¼″ 
                 2¼″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER ON TOP 
               
               
                 X = 4″ BUFFER - W/ADHESIVE 
                 4¼″ 
                 4½″ 
                 4¾″ 
                 4½″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER ON TOP 
               
               
                 X = 6″ BUFFER - NO ADHESIVE 
                 2¼″ 
                 2¼″ 
                 2″ 
                 2″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER ON TOP 
               
               
                 X = 6″ BUFFER - W/ADHESIVE 
                 4½″ 
                 4¾″ 
                 4¾″ 
                 4¾″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER ON TOP 
               
               
                 X = 8″ BUFFER - NO ADHESIVE 
                 2½″ 
                 2¾″ 
                 2½″ 
                 3″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER ON TOP 
               
               
                 X = 8″ BUFFER - W/ADHESIVE 
                 4½″ 
                 4½″ 
                 4½″ 
                 5″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER ON TOP 
               
               
                 X = 4″ BUFFER - NO ADHESIVE 
                 4¼″ 
                 4¾″ 
                 4½″ 
                 5¼″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER UNDERNEATH 
               
               
                 X = 4″ BUFFER - W/ADHESIVE 
                 6¼″ 
                 6½″ 
                 6½″ 
                 6¾″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER UNDERNEATH 
               
               
                 X = 6″ BUFFER - NO ADHESIVE 
                 4¾″ 
                 5″ 
                 5¼″ 
                 5½″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER UNDERNEATH 
               
               
                 X = 6″ BUFFER - W/ADHESIVE 
                 7¼″ 
                 7″ 
                 7½″ 
                 7¾″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER UNDERNEATH 
               
               
                 X = 8″ BUFFER - NO ADHESIVE 
                 5½″ 
                 5¾″ 
                 5¾″ 
                 6½″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER UNDERNEATH 
               
               
                 X= 8″ BUFFER - W/ADHESIVE 
                 7¾″ 
                 7¾″ 
                 8″ 
                 8″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER UNDERNEATH 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 CHART 7 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 FOAM 
               
               
                 2 LB. WEIGHT PIVOTED TO LAY ONTO MATERIAL OF PAD 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 MEASURED DISTANCE “Y” 
               
               
                   
                 AT POSITIONS 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 A 
                 B 
                 C 
                 D 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 X = 4″ BUFFER - NO ADHESIVE 
                 4½″ 
                 4½″ 
                 4½″ 
                 4½″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER ON TOP 
               
               
                 X = 4″ BUFFER - W/ADHESIVE 
                 6½″ 
                 6½″ 
                 6¼″ 
                 5¾″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER ON TOP 
               
               
                 X = 6″ BUFFER - NO ADHESIVE 
                 4¼″ 
                 4¼″ 
                 4½″ 
                 4″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER ON TOP 
               
               
                 X = 6″ BUFFER - W/ADHESIVE 
                 9½″ 
                 9¾″ 
                 9⅝″ 
                 9¾″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER ON TOP 
               
               
                 X = 8″ BUFFER - NO ADHESIVE 
                 4½″ 
                 4½″ 
                 4½″ 
                 4½″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER ON TOP 
               
               
                 X = 8″ BUFFER - W/ADHESIVE 
                 10″ 
                 10″ 
                 9½″ 
                 9½″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER ON TOP 
               
               
                 X = 4″ BUFFER - NO ADHESIVE 
                 5″ 
                 5″ 
                 4½″ 
                 6″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER UNDERNEATH 
               
               
                 X = 4″ BUFFER - W/ADHESIVE 
                 8⅝″ 
                 8½″ 
                 8¼″ 
                 8″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER UNDERNEATH 
               
               
                 X = 6″ BUFFER - NO ADHESIVE 
                 5″ 
                 5⅛″ 
                 5½″ 
                 6½″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER UNDERNEATH 
               
               
                 X = 6″ BUFFER - W/ADHESIVE 
                 9¼″ 
                 9¼″ 
                 9¼″ 
                 9″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER UNDERNEATH 
               
               
                 X = 8″ BUFFER - NO ADHESIVE 
                 4½″ 
                 4¾″ 
                 5½″ 
                 6″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER UNDERNEATH 
               
               
                 X = 8″ BUFFER - W/ADHESIVE 
                 9¼″ 
                 9¼″ 
                 9½″ 
                 9¼″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER UNDERNEATH 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 CHART 8 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 FOAM 
               
               
                 3 LB. WEIGHT PIVOTED TO LAY ONTO MATERIAL OF PAD 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 MEASURED DISTANCE “Y” 
               
               
                   
                 AT POSITIONS 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 A 
                 B 
                 C 
                 D 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 X = 4″ BUFFER - NO ADHESIVE 
                 3¼″ 
                 4″ 
                 4¼″ 
                 4¼″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER ON TOP 
               
               
                 X = 4″ BUFFER - W/ADHESIVE 
                 6″ 
                 6″ 
                 5½″ 
                 5″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER ON TOP 
               
               
                 X = 6″ BUFFER - NO ADHESIVE 
                 3″ 
                 3¼″ 
                 4¼″ 
                 4″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER ON TOP 
               
               
                 X = 6″ BUFFER - W/ADHESIVE 
                 8″ 
                 8¼″ 
                 7¾″ 
                 8″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER ON TOP 
               
               
                 X = 8″ BUFFER - NO ADHESIVE 
                 3¾″ 
                 3½″ 
                 3½″ 
                 4½″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER ON TOP 
               
               
                 X = 8″ BUFFER - W/ADHESIVE 
                 8¾″ 
                 8″ 
                 7½″ 
                 7½″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER ON TOP 
               
               
                 X = 4″ BUFFER - NO ADHESIVE 
                 4¼″ 
                 4½″ 
                 5″ 
                 5″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER UNDERNEATH 
               
               
                 X = 4″ BUFFER - W/ADHESIVE 
                 7″ 
                 7¾″ 
                 7″ 
                 7″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER UNDERNEATH 
               
               
                 X = 6″ BUFFER - NO ADHESIVE 
                 4¼″ 
                 4½″ 
                 5¼″ 
                 5½″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER UNDERNEATH 
               
               
                 X = 6″ BUFFER - W/ADHESIVE 
                 7¾″ 
                 8″ 
                 8″ 
                 8″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER UNDERNEATH 
               
               
                 X = 8″ BUFFER - NO ADHESIVE 
                 3¾″ 
                 4″ 
                 4¾″ 
                 5¼″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER UNDERNEATH 
               
               
                 X = 8″ BUFFER - W/ADHESIVE 
                 7¼″ 
                 7½″ 
                 7½″ 
                 7¾″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER UNDERNEATH 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 CHART 9 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 FOAM 
               
               
                 4 LB. WEIGHT PIVOTED TO LAY ONTO MATERIAL OF PAD 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 MEASURED DISTANCE “Y” 
               
               
                   
                 AT POSITIONS 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 A 
                 B 
                 C 
                 D 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 X = 4″ BUFFER - NO ADHESIVE 
                 3½″ 
                 3½″ 
                 4″ 
                 4″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER ON TOP 
               
               
                 X = 4″ BUFFER - W/ADHESIVE 
                 5⅞″ 
                 5½″ 
                 5½″ 
                 5″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER ON TOP 
               
               
                 X = 6″ BUFFER - NO ADHESIVE 
                 3¼″ 
                 3¼″ 
                 4″ 
                 4½″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER ON TOP 
               
               
                 X = 6″ BUFFER - W/ADHESIVE 
                 7½″ 
                 7″ 
                 7⅜″ 
                 7¾″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER ON TOP 
               
               
                 X = 8″ BUFFER - NO ADHESIVE 
                 3″ 
                 3¾″ 
                 4″ 
                 4¼″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER ON TOP 
               
               
                 X = 8″ BUFFER - W/ADHESIVE 
                 8″ 
                 7¼″ 
                 6¾″ 
                 6½″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER ON TOP 
               
               
                 X = 4″ BUFFER - NO ADHESIVE 
                 3½″ 
                 3¾″ 
                 4¼″ 
                 4¾″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER UNDERNEATH 
               
               
                 X = 4″ BUFFER - W/ADHESIVE 
                 7″ 
                 7″ 
                 6¾″ 
                 6¼″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER UNDERNEATH 
               
               
                 X = 6″ BUFFER - NO ADHESIVE 
                 3¾″ 
                 4″ 
                 4½″ 
                 4¾″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER UNDERNEATH 
               
               
                 X = 6″ BUFFER - W/ADHESIVE 
                 7⅝″ 
                 7½″ 
                 7¼″ 
                 7½″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER UNDERNEATH 
               
               
                 X = 8″ BUFFER - NO ADHESIVE 
                 3¼″ 
                 4″ 
                 4″ 
                 4½″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER UNDERNEATH 
               
               
                 X = 8″ BUFFER - W/ADHESIVE 
                 7″ 
                 6½″ 
                 6¾″ 
                 7″ 
               
               
                 BUFFER UNDERNEATH 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     The above data reveals an improved stiffness characteristic when an adhesive exists at the opposing surface areas  24 ,  26  between the pad and buffer member. of particular interest is that some installations require the drum to rotate periodically in opposite directions. This will cause the buffer member  23  to lead the pad in one direction of rotation and trail the pad in the opposite direction of rotation. If foam is the material of pad, Charts 7, 8 and 9 reveal an approximate uniformity in stiffness characteristic in opposite orientations of the buffer member relative to the pad  22 . 
     In an alternate arrangement shown in FIG. 9, the pad  22 A and the buffer member  23 A are of a unitary construction, that is, formed from the same piece of material  41 . A loop  42  is formed into the unitary construction and at least one, preferably two parallel sewn seams  27 A, identical to the sewn seams  27 , are provided. As with the previous embodiment, an adhesive is applied between the opposed surface areas  24 A,  26 A of the pad  22 A and the buffer member  23 A in the same manner as has been described above. 
     During assembly of a finishing unit or surface treating element  14 A, the loop  42  is oriented into a selected track or groove  13  of the core  12  and an elongate rod  43  placed inside the loop. The rod  43  has a diameter greater than the width of the gap G to effect a holding of the finishing unit  14 A to the core  12  as the core is rotated. 
     Although a particular preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed in detail for illustrative purposes, it will be recognized that variations or modifications of the disclosed apparatus, including the rearrangement of parts, lie within the scope of the present invention.