Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
CA 02258328 2002-12-16
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
a This invention relates generally to the field of woodworking equipment, and
more
s particularly relates to a sanding apparatus.
~o BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In known embodiments of
~2 an oscillating sander having a combined motor and mechanical drive for
transmitting
is rotational and reciprocating motion to an output motor shaft, the output
motor shaft
,a extends upward through a worktable, and in one embodiment is adapted to
accept a
~5 drum-sander-type sanding spindle assembly thereon. When the sanding spindle
~s assembly is coupled to said output motor shaft and the motor and mechanical
drive
,~ system is turned on, the sanding spindle assembly rotates and reciprocates
(oscillates)
,a up and down with respect to said worktable. This is referred to asthe
spindle sanding
,s mode of operation of the sander.
zo There is also an additional feature of the sander,
2~ namely that it is constructed to facilitate conversion of the apparatus
between a
22 oscillating spindle sander and an oscilating belt sander.
When the sander is operated in
2a spindle sander mode, a spindle sander assembly is attached to the output
motor shaft,
25 which reciprocates or oscillates up and down at a speed slower than it
rotates. The dual
is rotary and oscillatory movement allows the sanding spindle to very
efficiently remove
2~ material from a workpiece, without creating scratch patterns characteristic
of
2e conventional, i.e., non-oscillating, drum sanders.
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CA 02258328 2002-12-16
When the sander is Qperated in belt sander
2 mode, a belt/pulley system is attached to the output motor shaft. The
belt/pulley system
3 includes a drive drum and a driven drum about which a sanding belt is
entwined. Both
the drive drum and the driven drum reciprocate or oscillate as they rotate
with respect
s to the worktable, carrying the belt with them, such that an oscillating or
reciprocating
s belt sanding action is achieved.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
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yo The present invention relates to a sander which is convertible
» between a belt sander and a spindle sander. In addition, however, a sander
in
~z accordance with the present invention is further convertible to operate as
an edge
13 sander, advantageously facilitating the sanding of angled or bevelled
surfaces of a
,a workpiece.
~s In one embodiment, the worktable is hinged or otherwise articulated such
that it
~s can be adjusted into a desired angular alignment with a substantially
planar sanding
surface.
,a BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
,s Various features and aspects of the present invention will perhaps be best
zo appreciated with reference to detailed descriptions of specific embodiments
of the
z~ invention, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
zz Figure 1 is a frontal perspective view of an oscillating, interchangeable
belt,
zs spindle, and edge sander in accordance with one embodiment of the
invention,
za configured in spindle sander mode;
zs Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the sander from Figure 1, configured
in-
ns spindle sander mode;
z~ Figure 3 is a side view of the sander from Figure 1, configured in spindle
sander
za mode;
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CA 02258328 1999-O1-20
Figure 4 is a front view of the sander from Figure 1, configured in spindle
sander
z mode;
a Figure 5 is a top view of the sander from Figure 1, configured in spindle
sander
mode;
s Figure 6 is a frontal perspective view of the sander from Figure 1,
configured in
a belt sander mode;
i Figure 7 is a rear perspective view of the sander from Figure 1, configured
in belt
s sander mode;
s Figure B is a side view of the sander from Figure 1, configured in belt
sander
,o mode;
Figure 9 is a top view of the sander from Figure 1, configured in belt sander
,~ mode;
,3 Figure 10 is a frontal perspective view of the the sander from Figure 1,
,a configured in edge sander mode;
,5 Figure 11 is a side view of the sander from Figure 1, configured in edge
sander
,B mode;
,~ Figure 12 is a front view of the sander from Figure 1, configured in edge
sander
a mode;
,s Figure 13 is an exploded view of a belt/pulley assembly in the sander of
Figure 1;
?o Figure 14 is a front view of the beltlpulley assembly from Figure 13;
2, Figure 15 is a back view of the beltlpulley assembly from Figure 13;
2z Figure 16 is a side view of the beltlpulley assembly from Figure 13;
23 Figure 17 is a top view of the belt/pulley .assembly from Figure 13:
2. Figure 18 is an exploded partial view of the beltlpulley system from Figure
13;
Zs DETAILED DESCRIPTION OP A SPECIFIC EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
zs Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a frontal perspective view of an
oscillating,
z~ interchangeable belt, spindle and edge sander 100 in accordance with one
embodiment
ae of the invention. Sander 100 comprises a worktable 102 supported by a main
chassis
PATENT APPLICATION OF SCHROEDER ET AL, PACit 3
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1 104. An output end of a motor shaft 106 extends upwardly through an aperture
108 in
2 worktable 102.
3 A combination motor and mechanical drive system, not shown in Figure 1, is
a housed within chassis 104, and operates to impart rotational and
reciprocating or
s oscillatory motion to output motor drive shaft 106 associated therewith. As
disclosed in
s detail in the above-referenced '507 patent and '822 application, the motor
and
mechanical drive system functions to impart both rotational and reciprocating
or
a oscillatory motion to output shaft 106. Thus, when either a sanding spindle
assembly or
s a belt sanding assembly is coupled to drive shaft 106, the sanding spindle
or sanding
1o belt is caused to rotate and oscillate/ reciprocate with respect to
worktable 102.
11 The details of the design and operation of one motor and mechanical drive
1z system suitable for the purposes of practicing the present invention are
known,
13
1a and hence will not be repeated herein. Additionally, it is contemplated
that
1s other motor and mechanical drive systems for imparting rotational and
1s oscillatory/reciprocating motion to a motor drive shaft, either now know or
hereinafter
developed, may be advantageously employed in the practice of the present
invention.
~a For example, it is believed that those of ordinary skill in the art having
the benefit of the
1s present disclosure could use the teachings of U.S. Patent No. 5,476,409 to
Wada et al,
2o entitled "Grinding Machine" to produce a sanding system in accordance with
the
present invention.
22 Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of sander 100. Figure 3 is a side view
of
23 sander 100, Figure 4 is a front view of sander 100, and Figure 5 is a top
view of sander
2a 100. In all of Figures 1-5, sander 100 is configured in spindle sander
mode, wherein a
2s sanding spindle assembly including a sanding spindle sleeve 110 has been
mounted
2s upon output motor shaft 106. (It is to be undersbod that elements of sander
100 which
.are depicted in multiple Figures will retain the same reference numerals
throughout the
28 Figures and the present description.) A plurality of sanding spindle
sleeves 110, 110',
2s 110", etc... of varying sizes are preferably provided, each adapted to be
so interchangeably installed over shaft 106 in a customary manner.
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CA 02258328 2002-12-16
Again, the operation and use of sander 100 in spindle sander mode is known,
2 and will thus not be described again herein in detail.
3
a There are a number of advantageous features of sander 100 as thus far
depicted
Fbgures 1-5. As shown in Figures 1, 3, and 4, a plurality of recesses or
compartments
s 112 are provided in a front-facing portion of chassis 104, these
compartments 112
being sized so as to to provide convenient storage sanding spindle sleeves
110', 110",
s 110"' and so on of various sizes when those sleeves are not being used.
On/Off switch
s 114 is similarly disposed generally on the front of chassis 104, for
convenient access.
,o While chassis 104 could be made of metal (which has the advantage of being
very strong), chassis 104 in the presently disclosed embodiment is preferably
made of a
,2 high-impact plastic material, so as to render sander 100 reasonably durable
yet
3 lightweight. While plastic-chassis bench tools such as sander 100 typically
are open on
a their undersides, this can present a problem. The main power wiring (from
the power
s cord (not shown) to switch 114 and to the motor (not shown)) must be
protected. Those
~s of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that this is typically done
with jacketed power
,~ corrds. With grounded tools, the power ground lead must terminate where it
can ground
~s the motor. With metal-chassis tools, this is very simply accomplished, with
the chassis
~s itself providing the electrical connection between the incoming ground lead
an the
Zo motor. With plastic-chassis tools, the ground lead must extend all the way
to the motor
2, and hence must be protected.
2z Accordingly, chassis 104 in one embodiment preferably has a bottom, made,
for
is example, of impact-resistant molded plastic, propylene or the like (whereas
chassis 104
Za itself may preferably be made of less expensive and lighter styrene or the
like). This
is provides robust protection against rough handling and use of sander 100,
and
is advantageously protects internal wiring and other components, such as the
motor drive, _
27 from damage.
2a The aforementioned bottom of chassis 104 is preferably provided with
notches
is 116 on the bottom thereof, to facilitate the mounting of sander 100 on a
sawhorse
so made, for example, from common two-by-four lumber.
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CA 02258328 2002-08-20
Hand-hold recesses 118 also are preferably formed in chassis 104, for ease of
z carrying sander 100. A rack 120 may be provided on chassis 104 for storage
of a
s wrench or the like (not shown) which may be needed for the process of
converting
a sander 100 between its various modes of operation, as will be hereinafter
described.
As noted above, sander 100 is provided with a plurality of sanding spindles
110,
s 110', 110", etc... of varying sizes, so that sanding jobs that require
different size
spindles can be accommodated. When spindles of different sizes (diameters) are
used,
s the diameter of aperture 108 is also preferably changedaccordingly, so as to
avoid an
s undesirably large gap between worktable 102 and shaft 106. To this end, the
diameter
of aperture 108 is determined by a removable, washer-like throat plate 122,
and
multiple throat plates 122'. 122", 122"', etc... of varying sizes
corresponding to the
~z varying sizes of spindles 110, are provided. A compartment 124 may be
provided in
~s chassis 104 for storage of unused throat plates 122', 122", etc....
~a As shown in Figure 2, a sawdust output port 126 may be provided in chassis
104
adapted to receive the nozzle or hose from a vacuum, thereby establishing a
dust
~s collection system which minimizes the accumulation of sawdust on the floor
or in the air
during use of sander 100.
~a As noted above, in Figures 1-5, sander 100 is depicted in spindle sanding
mode.
~s Turning now to Figures 6~9, sander 100 is depicted therein having been
converted to
zo belt sanding mode. Conversion between spindle sandng mode and belt sanding
mode
z~ involves removal of sanding spindle 110 from output motor shaft 106 end,
and
z2 installation of a belt sanding belt/pulley system 130. In one embodiment,
spindle 110 is
zs secured to motor shaft end 106 by means of a nut 107 adapted to be threaded
onto the
za end of shaft 106 (see Figures 1-5), such that removal of spindle 110
involves simply
zs unthreading nut 107.
zs To facilitate installation of belt/pulley system 130, worktable 102 is
provided with
z~ a removable adapted 132. Referring to Rgures 1-5, when sander 100 is
operated in
zs spindle sanding mode, adapter 132 is disposed in worktable 102 so as to
define
zs aperture 108 into which one of the several throat plates 122, 122', etc...
are placed, a
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CA 02258328 2002-08-20
particular throat plate 122 being selected according to which size spindle 110
is being
2 used.
s When converted to belt sanding mode, however, adapter 132 is removed from
a worktable 102, thereby rendering aperture 108 suitable for receiving
beltJpulley system
s 130. Figures 2, 3, and 5 shows how belt/pulley system 130 is preferably
stowed within a
s correspondingly shaped recess in chassis 104 when sander 100 is being
operated in
spindle sanding mode. On the other hand, when sander 100 is operated in belt
sanding
a mode (or in edge sanding mode, as will be hereinafter described in further
detail),
s recess 134 provides a convenient place for storage of adapter 132, as shown
in Figures
~0 7 and 9.
The design and configuration of beltlpulley system 130 will be best understood
~z with reference to Figures 13-17. Figure 13 is an exploded view of
belt/pulley system
~s 130 in accordance with the presently disclosed embodiment of the invention.
Belt/pulley
~a system 130 essentially comprises a chassis adapted to support a drive drum
138 and a
15 driven drum 140. In the presently disclosed embodiment, the chassis of
belt/pulley
~s system comprises three chassis members 142, 144, and 146 affixed together
with a
plurality of bolts 148 and nuts 150.
~s Driven drum 140 is supported by and rotates about a driven drum shaft 152,
~s which in turn is supported by third chassis member 146. As shown in Figure
13, shaft
zo 152 in the presently disclosed embodiment of the invention has flattened or
keyed ends
z~ 154adapted to be received within correspondingly configured slots 156 in
third chassis
zz member 146 (as is especially apparent in Figure 13).
zs Drive drum 138 is supported by means of two bearings 158 (see Figures 13
and
24 15), which in turn are supported by first chassis member 142. Drive drum
138 has a
zs central lumen 160 defined therein (see Figures 13 and 17) for enabling
belt/pulley
zs system to be installed onto output motor drive shaft end 106, previously
described with
z~ reference to Figures 1-12.
za When belt/pulley assembly 130 is assembled, chassis members 142 and 146 are
zs slidable with respect to one another, by virtue of a slot 162 in member 146
(see Figures
so 13 and 15) which engages a washer-like projection 164 formed on chassis
member
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CA 02258328 1999-O1-20
, 142, a bolt and nut 148 and 150 extending through slot 162 and chassis
member 145 to
z slidably secure chassis members 142 and 146 as shown in Figure 15.
3 Since chassis member 142 carries drive drum 138 and chassis member 146
s carries driven drum 140, the sliding relationship of chassis memt~ers 142
and 146
s facilitates the tensioning of a belt (not shown) entwined around drums 13B
and 14Q_ To
s maintain such tension on the belt, a lever and spring tensioning system is
provided,
consisting of a lever 168 and a spring 168 which extends between a tab 170
defined by
a lever 166 and a tab 172 defined by chassis member 146. lever 166 rotates
about a
s pivot 174 with a handle portion of lever 166 extending through a slot 178 in
chassis
,o member 144.
As can be obsented from Figure 15, for example, when handle 178 of lever 166
,s is brought into a release position (such as it is in Figure 15), spring 168
tends to exert
force on chassis member 146, such that chassis member 146, and hence driven
drum
14 140, are pulled away from drive drum 138. On the other hand, when handle
176 of lever
,s 166 is moved along slot 178 to the opposite or release position, the spring
force on
,s chassis member 146 and driven drum 140 is relieved. This releases pressure
on the
belt, for example, when the belt is removed for replacement.
A spring-biases alignment knob 180 extends through a slot 182 in chassis
,s member 144 and is threadably received within a hole 184 in chassis member
142,
zo securing a spring 186 between chassis members 144 and 146. As would be
s, appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, rotational adjustment of
knob 180 thus
iz facilitates adjustment of the mutual vertical alignment of drive drum 138
and driven
za drum 140. This is important to prevent belt slippage during operation of
sander 100,
Za which can occur if drive drum 138 and driven drum 140 are not vertically
aligned with
?s one another.
is As can be seen in Figure 14, a front portion 194 of chassis member 144
defines
a substantially planar face of belt/pulley assembly 130, against which the
sanding: belt
ze rides during operation of sander 100. Face 194 supports the sanding belt
when a
is workpiece is pressed against beltlpulley assembly 130 to accomplish a
sanding
30 operation.
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Figure 18 is an exploded partial view of beltlpulley assembly 130 which
illustrates the manner in which drive drum 138 is removeably coupled to
chassis
3 member 142 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. As previously
rioted,
drive drum 138 is installed such that motor drive shaft end 106 extends into
its central
s lumen 160. A coupling 204 is provided to prevent drive drum 138 from
rotating with
a respect to drive shaft end 106 as follows: Coupling 204 is provided with
three flats 206
on its outer surface which are adapted to engage corresponding flats 20Q on
the
s internal diameter of lumen 106. Similarly, the inner lumen 210 of coupling
204 is D
shaped, so as to engage the D-shaped outer diameter of drive shaft end 20G.
Finally, a
,o nut 212 is provided to secure coupling 204 to drive shaft end 20fi. The
resutl is that
torque and rotation are transmitted from the motor shaft 206 to coupling 204,
and from
,z coupling 204 to drive drum 138. Since the anti-rotation features of
coupling 204 as just
,a described are slidably connected, drive drum 138 can be easily secured and
removed
,a from shaft 106.
~s When operated in belt sanding mode, because beltlpulley assembly 130 is
,s coupled to output motor shaft end 106, the entire assembly 130, including
both .drive
drum 138 and driven drum 140, reciprocate or oscillate up and down, as
represented by
,a arrow 195 in Figure 8. As beltlpulley assembly 130 reciprocates up and
down, a bottom
,s portion thereof is periodically drawn into aperture 108 and into chassis
104. Beltlpulley
2o assembly 130 is shown in this position in phantom in Figure B.
2, As noted above, in accordance with one aspect of the invention, sander 100
is,
in addition to being operable in a spindle sanding mode and a belt sanding
mode, is
z3 further operable in an edge sanding mode, in which a front portion of
worktable 't02 is
Za angularly adjusted with respect to beltlpulley system 130 (and the face 194
thereof, in
is particular. This advantageously facilitates the sanding of bevelled or
angled edges of a
is workpiece.
2T Figures 10 through 1 Z depict sander 100 configured in edge sanding mode.
In
2e accordance with one aspect of the invention, worktable 102 is preferably
hinged or
Zs articulated at a pivot point designated with reference numeral 19B. (In
Figures 10-12,
3o the beltlpulley assembly is identified with reference numeral 130, while
the reference
PATENT APPLICATION OF SCHROEDER ET AL. PAGE 9
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CA 02258328 1999-O1-20
numerals for the numerous individual components of beltlpulley system 130
discussed
z above are omitted for the sake of clarity.)
a As shown in the side view of Figure 11, with the provision of hinge or pivot
198,
4 worktable 102 effectively comprises a stationary portion 102' and, an
articulating or
s adjustable portion 102". Adjustable portion 102" of worktable 102 has an
arcurate,
a slotted bracket 198 disposed on an underside thereof, for facilitating
securing
t adjustable worfctable portion 102" at a desired angular position with
respeEt 'to the
a stationary portion 102' and with respect to beltlpulley system 130. (In one
embodiment,
s two arcurate, slotted brackets 198 are provided, one on each side of
adjustable
1o worktable portion 102".) A clamping knob 200 extends through the slot in
bracket 198
so that, when tightened, adjustable worktable portion 102" is secured in the
desired
1z angular position.
,3 As indicated by arrow 202 in Figure 11, adjustable worktable portion 102"
is
,~ angularly adjustable from a fully articulated position in which the angle
between its
,s upper surface and face 194 of belt/pulley assembly 130 is substantially
135° (i.e., 45°
,s below perpendicular), to the position, shown in phantom in Figure 11, in
which the
17 angle between adjustable worktable portion 102" and face 194 of beltlpulley
assembly
,e 130 is 90° (i.e., perpendicular to face 194). The position shown in
phantom in Figure 11
,s is the position in which adjustable portion 102" is normally disposed in
belt sanding and
2o spindle sanding modes.
z, In accordance with one aspect of the invention, when adjustable worktable
a,~ portion 102" is in the fully articulated position shown in Figures 10 and
12, for example,
z3 the underside of worktable portion 102" is disposed substantially directly
above chassis
Zd 104. That is, when in the fully articulated position, adjustable worktable
portion 102"
?s effectively serves as a lid for securing the various sanding accessories,
including spare
zs spindles 110, 110', 110", etc..., spare throat plates 122, 122', 122",
etc..., and so on, in
~ their respective compartments formed in chassis 104, as discussed above.
(see, for
2s example, Figure 12). Securing the various sanding accessories in this way
ze advantageously improves the portability of sander 100, as the accessories
are less
30 likely to be dropped, lost or left behind when sander 100 is moved.
PATENT APPUCp.TION nF SCHROEOER ET AL. PAGE 10
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CA 02258328 1999-O1-20
In one embodiment of the invention, the two portions 102' and 102" of
worktable
z 102 are articulated by means of a rod or pin extending b~tween interlocking
edges of
a the respective worktable portions in a hinge-pin type of arrangement. It is
contemplated,
however, that various other hinging or articulating configurations , would be
equally
s suitable for the purposes of practicing the present invention, and that
selecting or
designing a particular articulating configuration for worktable portions 102'
and 102"
would be a matter of routine engineering for persons of ordinary skill in the
art.
From the foregoing detailed description of a speck embodiment of the
s invention, it should be apparent that a sanding apparatus has been disclosed
which
,o includes a motor and mechanical drive for imparting both rotational and
oscillatory
" motion to a sanding devices secured thereto. In one embodiment, the sanding
,z apparatus includes different interchangeable sanding surfaces, e.g., a
spindle sanding
,3 drum and a belt sanding bett/pulley assembly, each of which being adapted
to be
,e coupled to the motor and mechanical drive.
,3 Although a specific embodiment of the invention has been disclosed herein
in
,e some detail, it is to be understood that this has been done only for the
purposes of
illustrating various aspects and features of the invention, and is not
intended tb be
,a limiting with respect to the scope of the invention. It is contemplated
that various
,s alterations, substitutions, andlor modifications, including but not limited
to those design
zo alternatives that may have been mentioned herein, may be made to the
disclosed
z, embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as
defined in
the appended claims.
23 While the present invention has been described in connection with a sanding
ze apparatus which is convertible between multiple modes of operation (e.g.,
spindle
zs sanding mode, belt sanding mode, and edge sanding mode), it is contemplated
that the
zs present invention may be advantageously practiced in connection with a
sanding
zt apparatus having fewer, or perhaps only a single, dedicated mode of
operation. For
ze example, the present invention may be practiced in connection with a
dedicated belt
is sanding appratus; in which case there may not be a need to make the
beltJpulley
3o assembly detachable from the motor and mechanical drive system as has been
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CA 02258328 1999-O1-20
described herein. It is believed that those having the benefit of the
foregoing disclosure
z would be readily capable of adapting the present invention to realized such
alternative
embodiments of the invention.
PATENT APPLICATION OF SCHROEDER ET Al, h'ACaC i c
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