Abrasive article
AssigneeMinnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
InventorKris A. Beardsley
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention relates to an abrasive article for abrading material from a workpiece. In one embodiment, the abrasive article includes a back-up pad having first and second major surfaces. The first major surface includes a shaft adapted to connect the abrasive article to an abrading apparatus for movement relative thereto. Adjoining the second major surface are first and second resilient support portions, to which are attached first and second abrading members, respectively. When an operator applies a first force to the abrading apparatus, the first abrasive surface contacts and abrades the workpiece. When the operator applies a second force that is greater than the first force, both the first and the second abrasive surfaces contact and abrade the workpiece.
Claims18
An abrasive article for abrading material from a workpiece, comprising a back-up pad having at least one abrading surface comprising means for abrading the workpiece, wherein a first generally planar portion of the at least one abrading surface contacts the workpiece in response to a first force applied to the abrasive article, and first and second generally planar portions of the at least one abrading surface contact the workpiece in response to a second force applied to the abrasive article, wherein the second force is greater than the first force, the abrasive means disposed on the first abrading surface is for polishing the surface of the workpiece, and the abrasive means disposed on the second abrading surface is for buffing the surface workpiece.
An abrasive article for abrading material from a workpiece, comprising a back-up pad having a central substantially planar abrading surface comprising means for abrading the workpiece, and at least one peripheral substantially planar abrading surface comprising means for abrading the workpiece, wherein one of the planar abrading surfaces contacts the workpiece in response to a first force applied to the abrasive article in the direction of the workpiece, and all of the planar abrading surfaces contact the workpiece in response to a second force applied to the abrasive article in the direction of the workpiece, wherein the second force is greater than the first force, the central abrasive surface includes abrading means for producing a fine surface finish on the workpiece, and the at least one peripheral abrasive surface includes abrading means for producing a coarse surface finish on the workpiece.
An abrasive article for abrading material from a workpiece, comprising a back-up pad having a circular central substantially planar abrading surface comprising means for abrading the workpiece, and a concentric, circular substantially planar abrading surface surrounding said central abrading surface and comprising means for abrading the workpiece, wherein one of the planar abrading surfaces contacts the workpiece in response to a first force applied to the abrasive article in the direction of the workpiece, and both of the planar abrading surfaces contact the workpiece in response to a second force applied to the abrasive article in the direction of the workpiece, wherein the second force is greater than the first force, the central abrasive surface includes abrading means for producing a fine surface finish on the workpiece, and the concentric abrasive surface includes abrading means for producing a coarse surface finish on the workpiece.
A method of abrading material from a workpiece, comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing an abrading apparatus having:
- (i) a body including means for permitting manipulation by an operator, and
- (ii) a resilient back-up pad attached to the body, the back-up pad including first and second planar abrasive surfaces having means for abrading the workpiece, the surfaces being non-coplanar when no force is applied to the back-up pad;
- (b) urging the abrading apparatus against the workpiece using a first force to enable the first abrasive surface to contact and move relative to the workpiece to abrade material therefrom;
- and
- (c) urging the abrading apparatus against the workpiece using a second force that is greater than the first force, to enable the first and second abrasive surfaces to contact and move relative to the workpiece to abrade material therefrom.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.