CA2221430A1 - Interface pad - Google Patents

Abstract

An interface pad for between a hook-and-loop attachment surface of an attachment for a power tool and an attachable and detachable work surface. Preferably, the interface pad is for use in conjunction with an attachment, e.g. a sander or buffer attachment, comprising a hook-and-loop mounting pad. A hook-and-loop face of the interface pad is for releaseable mounting of the interface pad onto the hook-and-loop mounting pad of the attachment. A preferably non-hook-and-loop face of the interface pad is for selective, releaseable mounting of non-hook-and-loop accessories such as a low grit number circular sandpaper sheet.

Description

Interface Pad The invention relates to a rotating or vibrating attachment for power tools, such as electric or pneumatic drills, sanders and polishers. More particularly, the invention relates to an interface pad for between such attachment and a work surface, such as a sandpaper sheet.
Many known attachments for electric or pneumatic drills, sanders and polishers provide a hook-and-loop mounting surface for attachment of work surfaces, such as sandpaper or buffing pads, having a hook-and-loop type backing for releaseable attachment to the mounting surface. When the work surface is worn or dirty, it may be simply pulled away from the mounting surface and replaced with a new or clean work surface. These hook-and-loop attachments are generally favoured over attachments providing sticky-backed mounting surfaces, or mounting surfaces for attachment of sticky-backed work surfaces, since the latter types of mounting surfaces often result in overheating of work surfaces and consequent gumming-up and reduced useful life of the work surface.
Furthermore, the latter attachment types require frequent replacement due to damage or wear to the mounting surface resulting from the effects of the harsh working conditions. The popularity of the hook-and-loop type of attachment is due to its general reduction of such problems and the relative ease of replacing one work surface with another. However, there is a relatively limited availability of different types of work surfaces with a hook-and-loop backing. One factor responsible for such limited availabilityis that a relatively coarse grit sandpaper having a hook-and-loop backing is not able to stay sufficiently cool in use to avoid premature gumming or clogging. Also, the holding power of the hook-and-loop backing of such coarse grit sandpaper is questionable in use. Furthermore, coarse grit sandpaper is relatively difficult to produce with a hook-and-loop backing.

In view of the known hook-and-loop systems, it is therfore often necessary to switch back and forth from a hook-and-loop attachment mount to a sticky-backed attachment mount, so that a full range of work surfaces may be employed. This is a time consuming, annoying and costly method, involving the use of tools to make each switch.
There is therefore a specific need for a means to improve the usefulness of a coarse grit sandpaper with conventional hook-and-loop mounting surfaces of sander attachments. That is, a means to improve cooling of the sandpaper during use to reduce the gumming-up of the sandpaper and, thereby, increase the useful life of the sandpaper.
There is also a specific need for a means to improve the grip of the hook-and-loop mounting surface of the conventional sander attachments on work surfaces attached to the mounting surface so that coarse grit sandpaper may be more easily used with such attachments.
There is also a need for an improved system for switching from one type of work surface to another, i.e. without having to use tools for the change, and/or having to use additional equipment.
The invention provides an interface pad for positioning between a hook-and-loop mounting surface of an attachment for a power tool and an attachable and detachable work surface, the pad comprising a hook-and-loop surface adapted for mounting onto the hook-and-loop mounting surface, and a support substrate adapted for mounting of the work surface. The substrate preferably is made of leather or other material which will also allow for reduction of heat build-up, or improve the cooling, of the attachable and detachable work surface. The substrate is preferably adapted for attachment of a sticky-backed work surface, but may also be adapted for attachment of a hook-and-loop backed work surface.
With a preferred embodiment of the present invention, one can change work surfaces, e.g. from sticky-backed sandpaper of one grit size to sticky-backed sandpaper of another grit size , by simply removing the former from the interface pad and attaching the latter. Alternatively, the interface pad may be removed from the hook-and-loop mounting surface of the attachment, with for example sandpaper still attached, and a second interface pad with a different grit of sandpaper attached may be mounted to the hook-and-loop mounting surface.

In drawings attached to illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention, FIGURE 1 is a cross-section side view of a typical (prior art) sander attachment and a sandpaper work surface to which the inventive interface pad relates;
FIGURE 2 is a cross-section side view of the attachment of Figure 1 and of a preferred interface pad of the present invention;
and FIGURE 3 is a top view of a preferred interface pad of the present invention wherein the support surface is made of leather.

With reference to Figure 1, in a known sander attachment for a power tool, e.g. a pneumatic tool, there is a threaded connector 1, foam backing pad 2, and a hook-and-loop surface 3. A
commonly used hook-and-loop product is sold under the trademark Velcro~. The sandpaper 4 is shown with a hook-and-loop backing selected for mating with the hook-and-loop surface 3. In Fig. 2 there is shown an interface pad 5, having a hook-and-loop surface selected for mating with the hook-and-loop surface 3, and having an opposite side 6 for attachment of the sticky side of the sticky-backed sandpaper 7.
In a preferred construction, the interface pad is leather on one side and Velcro~ on the other, the two sides being bonded together with adhesive and further preferably with stitching.

Preferably, the stitching may be of a cross-hatch pattern as shown in Fig. 3, which is particularly durable, but may also be of any other pattern, such as a spiral or concentric circles, which functions to secure or assist in securing the leather to the Velcro~. The leather, when provided with a smooth or polished surface, provides a particularly suitable surface for adhesion of sticky-backed sandpaper as the latter may be readily attached or removed. As well, the leather is easy to clean and additionally facilitates cooling of the sandpaper during its use, thereby reducing gumming-up and increasing the useful life of the sandpaper.
Although leather is preferred for the substrate of the interface pad, other suitable resilient materials may be used within the scope of the present invention. One skilled in the art may relatively easily be able to come up with suitable alternative substrates bearing in mind that an ideal substrate will be relatively: solvent resistant; pliable yet resilient so as to support a work surface under varying degrees of applied pressure;
heat resistant for the typically harsh working environment and high friction associated with operation of such equipment; suitable for allowing adhesion by common adhesives applied to work surfaces; and soft enough to limit or prevent damage to the treatment target, e.g. an autobody, in the event that the work surface tears or is damaged so as to expose the treatment target. Straigtforward experiments with different materials would be expected to reveal which types of materials would be suitable for use as a substrate.
The interface pad is useful in numerous automotive, aircraft, machinery, industrial and home applications, for example where sanding or refinishing or polishing is needed. For example, floor refinishing equipment having hook-and-loop pads may also be equipped with a suitably scaled interface pad.

Claims (4)

1. An interface pad for positioning between a hook-and-loop mounting surface of an attachment for a power tool and an attachable and detachable work surface, said pad comprising a hook-and-loop surface adapted for mounting onto said hook-and-loop mounting surface, and a support substrate adapted for mounting of the work surface.

2. The interface pad of claim 1 wherein the substrate is leather.

3. The interface pad of claim 1 wherein the substrate is adapted for mounting of a sticky-backed work surface.

4. The interface pad of claim 1 wherein the substrate is adapted for mounting of a hook-and-loop backed work surface.