Abstract:
A sanding cloth is provided. The sanding cloth comprises a sheet of pliable material having a first side and a second side. An amount of first is adhesive applied to the first side of the sheet. A first grit material is applied to the first adhesive wherein the sheet is easily pliable and conformable to tight fine spaces that are sanded when preparing trim moldings, furniture refinishing and similar finish applications.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This patent application claims priority under 35 USC 119 (e) (1) from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/042,206 filed Aug. 26, 2015, of common inventorship herewith entitled, “Sanding Cloths,” which is incorporated herein by reference as though the same were set forth in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention pertains to the field of building materials, and more specifically to the field of sand paper materials. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Preparation is the primary component when it comes to painting, varnishing, staining and refinishing. The old paint, stain or varnish is removed completely and the bare surface of object is sanded before application of a staining or sealing agent. A conscientious craftsman lightly sands the surface between successive coats. And while some surfaces are flat and continuous, allowing the use of a belt or orbital electric sander, most fine work requires hand sanding and lots of it. Like electric sanders, manual sanding blocks are useful only on flat continuous surfaces. When faced with uneven surfaces, complicated moldings or edges and generally intricate constructions, the craftsman must resort to sanding with sandpaper which presents its own problems. Sandpaper is stiff, tending to fold or crack when forced into tight flutings and contours. For tight spaces and fancy detailed woodwork, the sheets generally are cut into smaller, more manageable pieces prior to use. A sanding sponge is somewhat pliable, but usually too thick to reach tight spaces and conform to fine details. 
         [0004]    The prior art has put forth several designs for sand paper materials. Among these are: 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,867,760 to Walter A. Yarbrough describes a stitch bonded fabric or other arrays of substantially coplanar and co-parallel yarns that are non-interlaced with other yarns and employed to reinforce the backing for coated abrasive products. A preferred construction with continuous filament polyester yarns is described, together with the cloth finishing process employed to prepare a backing for coating with abrasive grain. This invention is particularly suitable for making coated abrasive belts. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,732,652 to Henry P. Furgal, Pasquale J. Falivene and Cesare N. Marchesani describes a heavy duty scouring cloth suitable for cleaning, dusting, or waxing. With an inner sponge layer laminated between outer non woven fabric layers, this cloth is especially adapted for use as a bathroom mat, table pad or place mat. The fabric layers are formed of laminates of aligned fibers. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 2,288,649 to Norman P. Robie describes a flexible abrasive article comprising a layer of abrasive particles bonded to a backing of multiple cloth made up of a plurality of layers of parallel longitudinal threads and of transverse threads which draw the multiple layers and the parallel longitudinal threads close together. The strength of the cloth is substantially greater in a direction parallel to the longitudinal threads than in a transverse direction. The invention is a flexible abrasive belt comprising a layer of abrasive particles bonded to a backing of multiple cloths in which the parallel threads constituting the principal threads of the parallel layers of cloth are disposed parallel to the direction of motion of the belt. The strength of the sheet per unit length is at least fifty per cent greater in a direction parallel to the longitudinal threads than in a transverse direction. The flexible abrasive belt comprises a layer of abrasive particles adhesively attached to a backing of multiple cloth in which the stronger threads of the parallel layers of cloth lie parallel to the direction of travel of the belt. 
         [0008]    None of these prior art references describe the present invention. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a line of soft flexible abrasive cloths that are graded like sandpaper in their degree of coarseness, but are easily pliable and conformable to tight fine spaces that are sanded when preparing trim moldings, furniture refinishing and similar finish applications. 
         [0010]    The present invention is a sanding cloth. The sanding cloth comprises a sheet of pliable material having a first side and a second side. An amount of first is adhesive applied to the first side of the sheet. A first grit material is applied to the first adhesive wherein the sheet is easily pliable and conformable to tight fine spaces that are sanded when preparing trim moldings, furniture refinishing and similar finish applications. 
         [0011]    In addition, the present invention includes a method for constructing a sanding cloth. The method comprises providing a sheet of pliable material having a first side and a second side, applying an amount of first adhesive to the first side of the sheet, applying a first grit material to the first adhesive, and conforming the sheet to tight fine spaces that are sanded when preparing trim moldings, furniture refinishing and similar finish applications. 
         [0012]    The present invention further includes a sanding cloth. The sanding cloth comprises a single sheet of pliable, porous material having a first side and a second side. An amount of first adhesive applied to the first side of the sheet and a first grit material applied to the first adhesive. An amount of second adhesive applied to the second side of the sheet and a second grit material applied to the second adhesive wherein the sheet is easily pliable and conformable to tight fine spaces that are sanded when preparing trim moldings, furniture refinishing and similar finish applications. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a top perspective view illustrating a sanding cloth, constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a side perspective view illustrating the sanding cloth of  FIG. 1 , constructed in accordance with the present invention; and 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating the sanding cloth of  FIG. 1 , constructed in accordance with the present invention, with the sanding cloth contoured to a desired shape. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0016]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 , the present invention, hereinafter referred to as sanding cloths, indicated generally as  10 , is a line of soft flexible abrasive cloths  10  that are graded like sandpaper in their degree of coarseness, but are easily pliable and conformable to tight fine spaces that are sanded when preparing trim moldings, furniture refinishing and similar finish applications. The sanding cloths  10  of the present invention are available in varying sizes, coarseness, and flexibility of the present invention. 
         [0017]    The sanding cloths  10  of the present invention are a thin single layer cloth backing, somewhat similar to cheesecloth used for tack cloths. This material is infused, impregnated or overlain with abrasive grit  12  such as silica sand and the like. The sanding cloths  10  are manufactured in grades from Coarse to Extra Fine. In an embodiment, the sanding cloths  10  measure approximately eight inches in width and ten inches in length and vary in thickness from one sixteenth of an inch to one eighth of an inch. The thickness of the sanding cloth  10  and type of grit  12  applied will determine the trade or industry that the end packaging targets, such as raw wood products, wood requiring refinishing, stripped of paint and/or varnish, fiberglass and metal. 
         [0018]    Being soft and pliable, the sanding cloth  10  of the present invention can ball up in one&#39;s hand to allow the abrasive surface  12  of this easily gripped ball to conform neatly to details of fancy woodwork such as trim moldings and scrollwork, balusters and finials, fluted posts and columns, window shutters and louvers, lattice work, furniture trim and detailing and bright work on boats. The sanding cloths  10  are easily pliable and comfortable. They have the ability to conform to the user&#39;s hand and fingers allowing the user&#39;s hand and fingers to become the sanding tool and aid in maneuvering and guiding the sanding cloth through and around tight, fine and fancy detailed woodwork that includes flutings, trim moldings, stair systems, ballasts, rails and furniture. Because the sanding cloth  10  is soft, the edges remain intact and flexible with no folding and cracking. The sanding cloths  10  are preferably fabricated in an environmentally benign, biodegradable, disposable woven natural fabric such as cotton or hemp or from a blend of fabrics such as cotton, nylon, poly, etc. In a preferred embodiment, the sanding cloth  10  is constructed from a porous fabric allowing the sanding cloth to receive the proper adhesive for the abrasive grit  12 . Furthermore, it is preferable that both sides of the sanding cloth  10  has the abrasive grit  12 . 
         [0019]    Due to their softness and pliability, the sanding cloths  10  of the present invention are foldable or bailable into needed sizes without having to use scissors to cut the cloth. An alternative embodiment of the sanding cloths  10  is produced for use in auto painting, refinishing, and detailing. The sanding cloths  10  provide superior performance and results, are easier to use, and save both time and expense when compared to conventional sandpapers. 
         [0020]    Thin cheesecloth-like backing for the sanding cloths  10  of the present invention receive the abrasive coatings  12  on both sides of the cloth  10  which allows the cloth  10  to be held in any way necessary to completely sand any surface in a time efficient and thorough manner. The sanding cloth  10  can be made to conform to the trickiest and finest detail work on trim, or furniture. The cloths  10  vary in thickness from one sixteenth inch to three sixteenths inch, depending on the grit of the abrasive  12 . 
         [0021]    The sanding cloths  10  of the present invention can be packaged individually or five to a package. Alternatively, the sanding cloths  10  can be distributed in rolls for contactors that range between ten inches to twelve inches in width and twenty-five to fifty feet in length, allowing the cloth  10  to be cut to size. 
         [0022]    The sanding cloths  10  of the present invention can be a large diversified product line that will naturally cross over with a high demand into many trades and industries including painting, restoration, construction, auto body, marine, metal fabrication. The professional, craftsman, handyman, homeowner and hobbyist will use the sanding cloths. The sanding cloths  10  will save the user time when sanding any detailed object or project. 
         [0023]    Basically, the sanding cloths  10  of the present invention are a line of soft flexible abrasive cloths that are graded like sandpaper in their degree of coarseness, but are easily pliable and conformable to tight fine spaces that are sanded when preparing trim moldings, furniture refinishing and similar finish applications. 
         [0024]    Although this invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments, it is not intended to be limited thereto and various modifications which will become apparent to the person of ordinary skill in the art are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as described herein taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claim.