Brushing – scrubbing – and general cleaning – Implements – Fabric
Reexamination Certificate
1998-04-14
2001-10-09
Graham, Gary K. (Department: 1744)
Brushing, scrubbing, and general cleaning
Implements
Fabric
C015S230000, C015S230190, C451S449000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06298518
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an improved buffing pad assembly particularly adapted for use in polishing, buffing or otherwise finishing painted surfaces, such as the painted sheet metal bodies of automotive vehicles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The use of soft pads for buffing, polishing or otherwise finishing the painted surfaces of automobiles is well known. Depending on the finish desired, the buffing or polishing may require several steps, and the use of multiple finishing compounds. In order to perform these steps, the soft buffing pads are removably attached to a buffing machine, such as a motorized buffer or polisher. The buffing machines typically include a generally disk-shaped backing mount to which the buffing pad is attached. The backing mount is rotationally driven by the motor of the buffing machine, causing the attached buffing pad to rotate. As the buffing pad rotates, the finishing compounds help smooth out irregularities in the painted surfaces being finished, producing a sheer, glossy shine on the automobile.
A number of different types of buffing pads may be used to create the desired finish. For example, wool or other fabric pads are sometimes employed, generally in the early stages of the finishing process. During the later stages of finishing a painted surface, foam pads are typically used. The resiliency of foam provides a very soft surface so as to avoid excessive pressure on the finishing compound against the surface. However, due to the speed at which the buffing pad is being rotated during operation, conventional buffing pads produce a significant amount of heat due to friction between the pad and the surface to be finished. Prolonged use of conventional buffing pads, therefore, may result in the buildup of frictional heat sufficient to damage the surfaces being finished (e.g., burn the paint on the surface).
For example, many conventional buffing pads are fabricated having a convoluted or “egg crate” polishing surface in which projecting portions of the convoluted surface are separated from each other by recesses between the projections. Frictional heat generated at the convoluted surface of these buffing pads remains trapped within the recesses of the buffing pad. Moreover, the convoluted polishing surfaces of these buffing pads tend to wear down with moderate use, such that the danger of harmful thermal buildup at the polishing surface may increase over the life of the buffing pad. Additionally, the projecting portions of these convoluted pads tend to wear down more rapidly than the rest of the pad, and consequently, the convoluted pads become nearly flat after prolonged use.
Another problem often experienced during the use of conventional buffing pads is the tendency of such pads to bounce or skip across the surface to be finished when rotated at high speeds. This produces not only an uneven finish on the surface to be polished, but also significant operator discomfort as a result of trying to control the buffing pad.
Additionally, various attempts have been made at providing a means for properly aligning conventional buffing pads with the backing mount (See U.S. Pat. No. 5,123,139 to Leppert et al.). Centering the relative components of the buffing pad assembly is important as an off-centered buffing pad may create a balancing problem, causing the buffing pad to wobble. The resulting vibration produced by an off-centered buffing pad may result in an inferior buffing or finishing job. Moreover, attempts to overcome the vibration produced by an off-centered buffing pad can easily fatigue the operator of the buffing machine.
Leppert et al. discloses the use a frustro-conical centering post on the buffing pad. In order to help secure the centering post to the buffing pad, the centering post disclosed in Leppert et al. is located underneath a layer of fastening material. As a result, the attachment between the fastening material and buffing pad is relatively weak at the interface of the centering post and the fastening material. Moreover, it is often difficult to secure the fastening material to the centering post. Therefore, in the centering systems such as the one disclosed by Leppert et al., the fastening material is more prone to separate from the buffing pad after moderate use.
Consequently, a need exists for an improved buffing pad assembly for use in polishing, buffing or otherwise finishing painted surfaces.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention, therefore, provides an improved buffing pad assembly for use in polishing, buffing or otherwise finishing painted surfaces.
In a presently preferred embodiment, the buffing pad assembly includes a backing mount adapted to secure the buffing pad assembly to a buffing machine; a back-up pad, having an upper and lower surface, secured at its upper surface to the backing mount; a buffing pad, having a front buffing surface and a rear mounting surface, removably attached at its rear mounting surface to the lower surface of the back-up pad; and means for dissipating heat generated at the front buffing surface of the buffing pad during use of the buffing pad assembly. A layer of fastening material may be provided on the rear mounting surface of the buffing pad and the lower surface of the back-up pad for removably attaching the two components.
By providing means for dissipating the heat generated at the front buffing surface, the present invention reduces the risk of damaging the painted surface associated with prolonged use at high speeds of conventional buffing pads.
In one embodiment, a plurality of apertures are provided in the buffing pad for dissipating the frictional heat generated during use. The apertures extend through the buffing pad from the front buffing surface to the rear mounting surface. In addition to improving the dissipation of heat, the plurality of apertures also reduce the friction between the painted surface and the front buffing surface, reducing the amount of heat generated during use.
To allow heat to dissipate efficiently, the back-up pad and layers of fastening material are preferably configured to accommodate means for dissipating heat in the buffing pad. For example, these components may be non-circular configurations to accommodate the plurality of apertures in the buffing pad. In addition to improving the dissipation of heat, providing non-circular back-up pads and layers of fastening material improves the dissipation of heat and decreases the likelihood of the buffing pad grabbing, skipping or jumping during use by allowing the relief for the buffing pad through the application of varying pressures on different regions of the pad.
Additionally, the buffing pad assembly is provided with a centering system for aligning the buffing pad on the back-up pad. In a presently preferred embodiment, the centering system includes an axially aligned centering post projecting from and mounted on a top surface of the layer of fastening material on the rear mounting surface of the buffing pad, and an axially aligned socket defined in the back-up pad. Positioning the centering post above the layer of fastening material on the rear mounting surface of the buffing pad allows for more secure attachment of the fastening material to the buffing pad. As a result, the fastening material is less likely to separate from the buffing pad during prolonged use. Additionally, this allows for easier manufacturing of the buffing pad assembly.
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Graham Gary K.
O'Melveny & Meyers LLP
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