Abrading – Machine – Sandblast
Reexamination Certificate
1998-08-20
2001-11-13
Banks, Derris H. (Department: 3723)
Abrading
Machine
Sandblast
C451S087000, C451S344000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06315647
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to a portable sanding machine which contains three motors which provide suction to remove debris, elect-magnetic vibrations to cleanse the filter springs and gyration to turn a driver cable and generate the spinning action of the abrasive head. This head is connected to the base unit via a hose which simultaneously transports the debris to a collection unit and houses a separate self-contained hose, containing lubrication, in which a driver cable is enclosed to turn the abrasive head.
2. Description of Prior Art
Heretofore many different arrangements were used to collect debris generated during the sanding process. These arrangements were very inefficient, costly and did not fully address the health concerns of the workers using this type of equipment. It is important to collect as much debris as possible, generated by the sanding process, so that it can not be breathed in by the user.
One arrangement which focuses upon the issue of improved collection capacity is Nishio, U.S. Pat. No. 5,713,785 (1998). It employs a special skirt member, located at its bottom edge, to sand a wider surface. It moves freely up and down the outer periphery of the body of the abrasive member and consequently incurs substantially more wear and tear than the inner portion. Although this configuration prevents less damage to the main sander body, it does not capture any more debris than a normal suction head.
Another arrangement, shown in Schuster, U.S. Pat. No. 3,872,627 (1975), utilizes a movable wall which serves as a damper to prevent the suction of foreign matter into the collector bag. This wall divides the discharge end of the duct supplying the air from the entry point of the suction duct thus diminishing the accumulation of foreign matter. Although this process decreases the likelihood of foreign matter igniting the contents of the collection bag, it does not filter out the smaller debris which escape into the air during the sanding process.
Robert, U.S. Pat. No. 4,164,101 (1979) utilizes a shaft casing to connect the sanding head to a motor which supplies power to turn the head. This allows the sanding head to be separate from the motor and gives the operator more flexibility to operate the head.
However, the major drawback is the intense degradation which the shaft casing encounters during the sanding process. Some other system needs to be employed to reduce this friction such as a self-lubrication process.
Another arrangement, shown in Marton, U.S. Pat. No 4,058,936 (1977) attempts to increase the suction of finer debris by increasing the number of openings on the abrasive head or sanding disc. Although the increased suction surface area allows a wider area for collection, it results in diminishing suction capacity because the finer debris accumulates inside the motor and air lines causing the air volume to be reduced.
Cheng, U.S. Pat. No. 5,131,192 (1992) utilizes a dust arrester affixed to a hollow workbench by way of a tubular filter unit axially rotatable inside the workbench. The filter contains a blowing unit which generates the air stream to blow the collected dust into a dust bin. This system also results in diminishing suction capacity due to the accumulation of finer debris.
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES
It is the object of my invention to provide a low-cost, safe, low-noise, light-weight, low-maintenance sanding machine which more efficiently collects debris and prevents the excess accumulation of debris on its movable parts. Currently, sanding machines are not capable of maintaining the high level of suction capacity required to capture accumulated debris. My invention employs a unique and revolutionary self-cleaning process to prevent this accumulation. A motor generates electromagnetic vibrations which excite metal cylinders, wrapped in springs, causing the debris to be shaken loose from the filters into the collection unit. This allows the surface of the cylinders to remain free of accumulated debris and ready to accept the temporary adhesion of further debris. The advantages of reduced debris and dust, in the atmosphere, are many. Foremost, is the reduced health risk associated with this type of activity. The lungs of the operator are damaged by the fine debris and dust generated by the sanding process. Even if the operator wears a filtration device, it can not trap all of the finer debris. In many cases, the operator does not wear such a device because it inhibits the efficiency of his work by limiting his vision and distorting his perception. It is therefore imperative that as much debris as possible be collected and not become airborne. It not only effects the lungs but can damage the eyes, inner ear and nasal passages and cause severe skin irritation disorders. Another advantage of increased collection is the decreased wear and tear on the machine caused by excessive accumulation of debris on moving parts. Not only does this shorten the life of the machine, and the cost of replacement and maintenance, but it makes the operation of this high-powered suction device more dangerous. My invention reduces the likelihood of workplace injuries due to equipment malfunction and decreases the risk of debris accumulating upon the ground and other areas which causes workers to slip and fall. The combination of increased worker safety, decreased health risks and decreased cost of maintaining the moving parts make my invention a low-cost, efficient and affordable alternative to more expensive, older, more dangerous sanding machines. Additionally, because the motors are housed separately, from the hand-held sanding unit, the noise level is substantially reduced thus causing less damage to the ear drums of the user and making the work place safer because the workers can communicate better with each other. Still another advantage of my invention is the special hose which connects the sanding unit to the unit which houses the motors. Although earlier sanding machines have utilized this concept, powering the sanding unit by a remote motor which powers a driver cable encased in a hose, my invention prevents degradation of the driver cable and hose. It accomplishes this by encasing the driver cable in a self-enclosed sheath which contains a self-lubricating liquid. This sheath is encased inside the hose. This allows the driver cable to be constantly lubricated thus the moving parts have a low coefficient of friction. This prolongs the life of the driver cable, makes it more efficient and prevents degradation of the outer sheath due to the rubbing action of the cable. Still another advantage of this self-contained sheath is to allow the collected debris to pass by, unobstructed, along the sides of the sheath from the sanding unit to the collection unit. This could be accomplished by a separate hose. However, it is much more advantageous to only have one hose connect the sanding unit to the filter collection unit. It gives the operator more range of motion. It is easier to move the sanding head if only one hose is attached, increasing the quality of his work. It also makes the sanding head more light-weight and thus the user is not fatigued as easily thus increasing his alertness and dexterity. It reduces the cost of the unit by utilizing one hose and consequently the maintenance. It increases the safety of the work area because there are less hoses to trip over and cause potential problems.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1800341 (1931-04-01), Davies
patent: 3646712 (1972-03-01), Quintana
patent: 3872627 (1975-03-01), Schuster
patent: 4058936 (1977-11-01), Marton
patent: 4091577 (1978-05-01), Ortiz
patent: 4164101 (1979-08-01), Robert
patent: 4923251 (1990-05-01), Funakwaw et al.
patent: 5131192 (1992-07-01), Cheng
patent: 5297363 (1994-03-01), Schroder et al.
patent: 5428865 (1995-07-01), Yarbrough
patent: 5713785 (1998-02-01), Nishio
patent: 5775979 (1998-07-01), Coke et al.
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