Brushing – scrubbing – and general cleaning – Implements – Fabric
Patent
1997-12-04
1999-09-07
Till, Terrence R.
Brushing, scrubbing, and general cleaning
Implements
Fabric
15 971, B24D 1314, B24D 1320
Patent
active
059467606
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an applicator head for attachment to a rotary drive unit. Such heads are used to finish surfaces and are commonly utilised in the motor trade.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Applicator heads are used in conjunction with various compounds to treat the surfaces of a wide range of materials including paint, metal composites and plastics. The compound is normally in the form of a paste or liquid. The heads typically consist of a cylindrical pad with a hub element fixed to one end face for attaching the pad to the shaft of a drive unit. The pad material is selected according to the material to be treated or the particular stage of a series of treatments to the same surface.
In one known applicator head configuration, the pad is permanently fixed to the hub element and it is necessary to replace the complete head once the pad is worn out. Another form of head incorporates a replaceable pad arrangement, in which a "hook-and-loop" type fastening system is used with components disposed on opposing planar faces of the pad and the hub element. Thus, once the pad had exceeded its useful life, it alone needs to be replaced, without also requiring a new hub element. However, with this arrangement it is difficult to ensure that the hub element is fixed coaxially against the pad, with any eccentricity leading to increased vibration and wear.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an applicator head comprising a pad and a hub element, which element has on one side a boss for coupling to a rotary drive unit and on the opposite side a surface releasably attached to the pad, and the pad has a central axis and a recess centred about said axis and complementary with the attachment surface of the hub element such that the attachment surface engages the base of the recess and the pad and the boss are in substantially coaxial alignment.
The releasable attachment may be provided by a hook-and-loop fastener, with the hooks on the attachment surface of the hub element and the loops on the recess. Preferably, the boss is integrally formed with the portion of the hub element providing the attachment surface. The pad may be substantially in the form of a solid cylinder, with the recess formed in an end face thereof. In one preferred arrangement the attachment surface and the base of the recess are substantially planar. Alternatively, the base of the recess may be substantially conical, with its vertex lying on the central axis of the pad.
An applicator head according to the invention provides for easy replacement of the pad itself, without the simultaneous need for a new hub element, but with minimal risk of it being eccentrically mounted on the hub element. The central and recessed location of the hub element also permits the pad to distort around it in use, with little risk of the hub element engaging the surface being treated and consequent damage thereto.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A known arrangement and an embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a known applicator head;
FIG. 2 is a side view of the applicator head of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a plan view of an applicator head in accordance with the invention; and
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the applicator head of FIG. 3 along line A--A.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the applicator head of FIG. 3 along line A--A, which generally corresponds to the applicator head of FIG. 4, but also shows the substantially conical recess and the central axis on which its vertex lies.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBEDMENT(S)
In the known applicator head configuration of FIGS. 1 and 2, a hub element 2 consists of a boss 4 and a circular plate 6. The boss is provided centrally on the plate and is adapted to fasten to the end of a drive shaft, by means of a screw thread for example. A head of this type is typically for use with a hand-held polishing machine. A substantially cylindrical p
REFERENCES:
patent: 3346904 (1967-10-01), Armstrong
patent: 4692958 (1987-09-01), McMakin
patent: 4907313 (1990-03-01), Roeker et al.
patent: 5003659 (1991-04-01), Paepke
patent: 5123139 (1992-06-01), Leppert et al.
patent: 5150546 (1992-09-01), Tucker
patent: 5461750 (1995-10-01), Kaiser
Farecla Products Limited
Till Terrence R.
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