Pneumatic adjustable sanding device

Abstract

An attachment for an oscillatory sanding or abrading device has a pair of flexible support members for supporting the sanding or abrading material. The initial radius of curvature of the flexible support member may be adjusted by a pneumatic adjustment mechanism. An opposing pair of generally cylindrical bladders are disposed proximate end portions of the flexible support member, the bladders being releasably attached between the underside of the abrading device and the support member. Adjustment of the initial radius of curvature of the flexible support is accomplished by selectively inflating one or both of the bladders. The radius of curvature of the flexible support member during the sanding process is then a function of the applied pressure or inflation of the bladders. The device allows for virtually infinitely varying adjustments of the curvature of the flexible sheet and the attached abrading sheet.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to sanding and abrading devices. More particularly, it relates to an improved attachment for an automatic pneumatically powered sanding and abrading device which allows for adjustably sanding and abrading contoured surfaces.STATEMENT OF THE PRIOR ART[0002]Various types of sanders and abrading devices have been devised which allow for sanding and abrading contoured surfaces. These types of device are especially useful in the automotive body repair industry, as recent card designs have featured highly contoured, aerodynamic body designs. The majority of these devices are either manual devices or are designed to work with specialized actuators.[0003]U.S. Pat. No. 5,700,187 issued to Balbi discloses a tool for sanding contoured surfaces having means for adjustably controlling the shape of the base to which the sanding material is applied. The adjustment means is relatively rigid and has a fairly complex mechanism, including ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing an attachment for an oscillatory sanding or abrading device which has an elongated flexible support member for supporting the sanding or abrading material. The initial radius of curvature of the flexible support member may be adjusted by a pneumatic adjustment mechanism. An opposing pair of generally cylindrical bladders are disposed proximate end portions of the flexible support member, the bladders being releasably attached between the underside of the abrading device and the support member. Adjustment of the initial radius of curvature of the flexible support is accomplished by selectively inflating one or both of the bladders. The radius of curvature of the flexible support member during the sanding process is then a function of the applied pressure and the inflation of the bladders. The device allows for virtually infinitely varying adjustments of the curvature of the flexible sheet and the attached abrading sheet.

[0012]It is an object of the invention to provide a new and improved attachment for sanding and abrading devices having springs of varying spring constants for adjusting the flexibility of the support mechanism for the sanding and abrading material.

[0014]Finally, it is a general object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.

Problems solved by technology

The adjustment means is relatively rigid and has a fairly complex mechanism, including a pair of screw adjusted journals which may be selectively raised, lowered, or spaced to adjust the curvature of the supporting base.

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