# US 10,245,707 B2 · Conformable sanding block > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,245,707 B2 - Document ID: US10245707B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/437,790 - Filed: 2017-02-21 - Published: 2017-11-09 - Granted: 2019-04-02 - Earliest claimed: 2016-05-09 - Assignees: Malco Products, Inc. - Applicants: Malco Products, Inc. - Inventors: John Thomas Ryan; Anthony Mark Rea; Scott A. Olson; Andrew J. Janetski; Tyler Buchanan - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10245707B2 ## CPC - B24D 15/04: resilient; with resiliently-mounted operative surface - B24D 15/023: {using in exchangeable arrangement a layer of flexible material} - B24D: TOOLS FOR GRINDING, BUFFING OR SHARPENING (abrading-bodies specially designed for tumbling apparatus, e.g. abrading-balls B24B31/14; honing tools B24B33/08; lapping tools B24B37/11) ## Abstract A conformable sanding block with a longitudinal axis has a locking end cap, a sliding end cap and a series of indexable segments therebetween. A flexible position rod is fastened to both end caps and passes through and captures each indexable segments forming the ergonomically conformable sanding block that is settable between concave and convex shapes for sanding contoured shapes. The sanding block has a bottom whereat a sandpaper holder is releasably and slidably attached for releaseably fastening sandpaper thereto. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A conformable sanding block with a longitudinal axis for sanding contoured-shaped objects, comprising: a.) a locking end cap; b.) a sliding end cap; c.) a series of indexable segments each with a central slot being arranged between the end caps, wherein the end caps and indexable segments each have at least one fulcrum point whereby the end caps and indexable segments pivot upon each other, wherein the fulcrum points comprise radiused stirrups and radiused tabs; d.) the sanding block has a bottom whereat a sandpaper holder is releasably and slidably attached that is adapted to releaseably fasten sandpaper thereto; and e.) a flexible position rod fastened to both end caps and passing through the central slots of the segments thereby capturing each of the indexable segments forming the conformable sanding block that is settable between concave and convex shapes thereby being adaptable for sanding the contoured-shaped objects without the sandpaper wrinkling, tearing, creasing or buckling. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The conformable sanding block of claim 1 wherein the sanding block has a hand grip surface with finger and thumb depressions making the sanding block ergonomic. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The conformable sanding block of claim 1 wherein the flexible position rod has a memory to hold into the shape that the rod is set at. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The conformable sanding block of claim 1 wherein the radiused stirrups each have a central slot and the radiused tabs each have a central indexing tongue. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The conformable sanding block of claim 1 wherein the conformable sanding block is longitudinally expandable along an axis A with more or less indexable segments. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The conformable sanding block of claim 1 wherein the bottom of the sanding block and the sandpaper holder have complementary profiled ribs and profiled slots to slidably hold the block and holder together as to prevent the sandpaper from tearing, wrinkling, creasing or buckling when the block changes shape. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The conformable sanding block of claim 6 wherein the profiled ribs have constraining notches at one end and the locking end cap have restraining indexes to releaseably fixedly lock the sandpaper holder and locking end cap together. ### Claim 8 An conformable sanding block with a longitudinal axis for sanding contoured-shaped objects, comprising: a.) a locking end cap; b.) a sliding end cap; c.) a series of indexable segments each with a central slot being arranged between the end caps, wherein the fulcrum points comprise radiused stirrups and radiused tabs, wherein the radiused stirrups each have a central slot and the radiused tabs each have a central indexing tongue; d.) wherein the end caps and indexable segments each have at least one fulcrum point whereby the end caps and indexable segments pivot upon each other; e.) the sanding block has a bottom whereat a sandpaper holder is releasably and slidably attached that is adapted to releaseably fasten sandpaper thereto; and f.) a flexible position rod fastened to both end caps and passing through the central slots of the segments thereby capturing each of the indexable segments forming the ergonomically conformable sanding block that is settable between concave and convex shapes thereby being adaptable for sanding the contoured-shaped objects without the sandpaper wrinkling, tearing, creasing or buckling. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The conformable sanding block of claim 8 wherein the sanding block has a hand grip surface with finger and thumb depressions making the sanding block ergonomic. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The conformable sanding block of claim 8 wherein the flexible position rod has a memory to hold into the shape that the rod is set at. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The conformable sanding block of claim 8 wherein the conformable sanding block is longitudinally expandable along an axis A with more or less indexable segments. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The conformable sanding block of claim 8 wherein the bottom of the sanding block and the sandpaper holder have complementary profiled ribs and profiled slots to slidably hold the block and holder together as to prevent the sandpaper from tearing, wrinkling, creasing or buckling when the block changes shape. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The conformable sanding block of claim 12 wherein the profiled ribs have constraining notches at one end and the locking end cap have restraining indexes to releaseably fixedly lock the sandpaper holder and locking end cap together. ### Claim 14 An conformable sanding block with a longitudinal axis for sanding contoured-shaped objects, comprising: a.) a locking end cap; b.) a sliding end cap; c.) a series of indexable segments each with a central slot being arranged between the end caps; d.) wherein the end caps and indexable segments each have at least one fulcrum point, wherein the fulcrum points comprise radiused stirrups and radiused tabs whereby the end caps and indexable segments pivot upon each other; e.) the sanding block has a bottom whereat a sandpaper holder is releasably and slidably attached by the bottom of the sanding block and the sandpaper holder have complementary profiled ribs and profiled slots to slidably hold the block and holder together as to prevent the sandpaper from tearing, wrinkling, creasing or buckling when the block changes shape, the holder being adapted to releaseably fasten sandpaper thereto; and f) a flexible position rod fastened to both end caps and passing through the central slots of the segments thereby capturing each of the indexable segments forming the ergonomically conformable sanding block that is settable between concave and convex shapes thereby being adaptable for sanding the contoured-shaped objects without the sandpaper wrinkling, tearing, creasing or buckling. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The conformable sanding block of claim 14 wherein the sanding block has a hand grip surface with finger and thumb depressions making the sanding block ergonomic. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The conformable sanding block of claim 14 wherein the flexible position rod has a memory to hold into the shape that the rod is set at. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The conformable sanding block of claim 14 wherein the radiused stirrups each have a central slot and the radiused tabs each have a central indexing tongue. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The conformable sanding block of claim 14 wherein the conformable sanding block is longitudinally expandable along an axis A with more or less indexable segments. ### Claim 19 (depends on 14) The conformable sanding block of claim 14 wherein the profiled ribs have constraining notches at one end and the locking end cap have restraining indexes to releaseably fixedly lock the sandpaper holder and locking end cap together.