Conformable sanding assembly

#The present invention relates to sanding devices.

#The present invention further relates to sanding devices incorporating attachment means.

#The present invention also relates to conformable sanding devices, incorporating flexible attachment means, designed for ready attachment to, and ready removable detachment from, a hand or power sanding means.

#In order that the present invention may be more fully and readily understood, and, further, that all features thereof may be better appreciated, the present invention will now be described by way of preferred examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

#FIG. 1, is a perspective view, of the conformable sanding assembly, according to the present invention.

#FIG. 2, is a cross-sectional view, of the conformable sanding assembly, taken along line 2--2, as seen in FIG. 1, illustrating the flexible attachment means which is incorporated within a compressible sanding block.

#FIG. 1, is a perspective view of a conformable sanding device 10, embodying features of the present invention. The sanding block 18, here depicted as rectangular, comprises a compressible core 11, which is coated with a textured abrasive substance 12, on both major upper and lower flat faces 13 and 13A, respectively. The flexible attachment strap means 14, extends outward from and overhangs both the proximate and distal side edges of the sanding block 18. Enhanced orbital action is achieved by gripping the overhanging edges 16, of the flexible attachment means 14, which also enhance the rigidity of the sanding block 18. Compressibility of the block's core material 11, provides for sanding of non-planar surfaces with a plurality of angular, concave, or convex, contours and edges. The potential dual nature of the textured abrasive coating 12, allows the operator to turn the conformable sanding device easily, and use both faces 13 and 13A. This is done by simply turning the conformable sanding device, when one side is spent, or employing different types of abrasive on the major upper and lower faces, which are both readily accessible.

#The embodiment of the present invention, as herein illustrated in FIG. 1, comprises a flexible strap attachment means 14, being disposed approximately equidistant between the major upper and lower flat faces 13 and 13A, of the sanding block 18. The major upper and lower faces, 13 and 13A, are coated with a textured abrasive substance 12, along the entire surface areas. The flexible strap attachment means 14, of the preferred embodiment, is from about 1/32 to about 1/16 of an inch thick. The flexible strap attachment means 14, extends outward from, and overhangs opposite side edges of the sanding block 18, by about 13/16 of an inch out of each of the ends of the sanding block 18, as depicted in the illustration of said embodiment in FIG. 1. As seen in FIG. 2, the thickness dimension of block 18, is approximately the same as the projection distance of strap 14, i.e., about 13/16 of an inch. The block 18, thickness dimension is thus several times the thickness dimension of strap 14. The configuration and other dimensions of the sanding device may vary to suit the application, and sanding machine 20, to which the device may be attached by strap means 14.

#FIG. 2, is a cross-sectional view of the conformable sanding device 10, taken along line 2--2, as seen in FIG. 1, illustrating the flexible strap attachment means 14, incorporated within said sanding block 18.