Patent ID: 7182681

Claim:
A hand-held, manually-operated, sanding tool for use with a replaceable sheet-like abrasive material, comprising: (a) a base member having first and second opposed ends and a generally planar bottom surface extending between the first and second ends, and at least one inclined upper contact surface opposite the bottom surface adjacent one of the first and second ends arranged to form an acute angle with the bottom surface relative to the associated adjacent end; and (b) a clamping mechanism pivotally connected with the base member, the clamping mechanism being movable between an open position wherein the clamping mechanism is spaced from the base member contact surface, thereby defining a gap between the base member upper contact surface and the clamping mechanism for receiving an end of the sheet of abrasive material, and a closed position wherein the clamping mechanism is moved toward the contact surface and is arranged adjacent the base member contact surface, the clamping mechanism including a tensioning member comprising a flexible metal leaf spring arranged to slidably engage the contact surface, whereby when an end of a sheet of abrasive material is inserted into the gap between the base member and the clamping mechanism, and the clamping mechanism is moved from the open position to the closed position, the tensioning member engages the sheet of abrasive material, and as the clamping mechanism is further urged toward the contact surface, the tensioning member and abrasive sheet move upwardly along the inclined contact surface away from the associated end, thereby tightening the fit of the abrasive sheet against the bottom surface of the base member.