Pad, system and method for polishing, buffing, compounding and glazing

Abstract

An pad for polishing, buffing, compounding, and glazing comprises: a working pad of open-cell foam or absorbent natural padding; an insert affixed to said rear surface of said working pad, said insert having a coupling disposed in the center thereof for engaging a corresponding coupling of a drive shaft of a driving device; a first carrier layer disposed between said rear surface of said working pad and said insert; a first affixing layer disposed between said carrier layer and said rear surface of said working pad; a second affixing layer disposed between said insert and said first carrier layer so as to fix said insert to said first carrier layer; a second carrier layer disposed upon the side of said insert opposite said working pad; a third affixing layer disposed between said second carrier layer and said insert wherein said insert has an aperture passing therethrough to allow for material to pass therethrough to secure said insert to one or more of said first carrier layer and said second carrier layer.

Description

[0001]This application is based on, and claims priority to: U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60 / 767,295, filed Mar. 15, 2006, entitled Buffing and Finishing Pad; and U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60 / 746,357, filed May 3, 2006, entitled Polishing, Buffing, Compounding, Glazing Pad.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention relates to a surface-treatment pad, which a pad used for any combination of polishing, buffing, compounding, and glazing. This invention also relates to systems and methods for polishing, buffing, compounding, and glazing.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Conventionally buffing pads are driven by motors on “polishers” and are used to perform polishing, buffing, compounding, and glazing. The motor has a rotating drive shaft, which conventionally accommodates threaded engagement. In conventional buffing methods, the buffing pad includes a working pad having at least one generally planar working surface. The buffing pad conventionally is attached to a driv...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006]Some embodiments of the applicant's invention provide one or more of the following advantages: easy attachment of the surface-treatment pad to the drive shaft; easy centering of the surface-treatment pad on the drive shaft; elimination of the difficulty of centering pads attached by hook-and-loop fasteners; providing a smoother, more level contact surface between the surface-treatment pad and the workpiece; eliminating the use of a traditional back-up pad for attaching a buffing pad to a drive motor; reducing labor; reducing gouging of the surface being treated; reducing wobbling or vibration of the surface-treatment pad; providing greater flexibility of the surface-treatment pad as compared to surface-treatment pads using backup plates; and saving time.

Problems solved by technology

In mounting conventional buffing pads to these conventional backing plates, many users have difficulty in mounting the working pad so that it is “centered” on the backing plate.

When the workpad is mounted off-center and the drive motor rotates the pad, the result is wobbling or vibration that may make the device difficult to handle and that may cause excessive wear or damage to equipment or to the treated surface.

Some devices provide a central aperture in the surface of the working pad to aid correct positioning, but a central aperture can cause difficulties by trapping dirt particles or treatment fluids such as waxes of glazes.

Further, the use of backing plates often results in a surface-treatment system of relatively high weight and stiffness.

These heavy, stiff systems can lead the user to damage the treated surface by gouging it.

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