Methods and apparatus for containing and recovering abrasive powders from an abrasive polisher
OwnerStephen K. Harrelinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A suction attachment for use with an air-driven abrasive polisher to contain an area to be polished and to provide removal of the abrasive powder residue to prevent airborne contamination. A suction attachment body is fixed to the nozzle of the polisher, and is connected to a source of suction to provide a suction influence in the area of polishing. A flexible cover is fastened to the attachment body at one end, and is engaged with the surface to be cleaned at the other end, to enclose and contain the surface area to be cleaned, and provide removal of the abrasive powders via the suction source.
Claims23
Apparatus for use with an abrasive polisher of the type having a rigid nozzle for directing a stream of an abrasive powder toward a surface to be polished, comprising:
- an attachment body portion having a bore therein for slidable insertion over the nozzle so as to be supported by said nozzle, said attachment body having an internal chamber, and including a conduit having a bore in communication with the chamber, said conduit being connectable to a container for holding the powder and residue removed from the surface;
- and
- a flexible skirting portion connected to the attachment body portion and including a peripheral edge for engaging and containing a surface to be polished, said flexible skirting extending the chamber and providing an enclosed area for containing the abrasive powder, and providing a circulation path for the stream of abrasive powder from the surface through said conduit and to the container.
A suction attachment for use with an abrasive polisher of the type having a nozzle for directing a stream of abrasive powders to a surface to be polished, comprising in combination:
- the nozzle being tubular;
- a rigid attachment body having a first axial bore with a diameter for inserting the attachment body over the tubular nozzle, a second axial bore being of a diameter greater than the first bore such that an internal sidewall of the second bore is radially spaced from the tubular nozzle which extends through the first bore, said radial space being annular and defining a suction chamber;
- a suction conduit formed in said attachment body in communication with said suction chamber, said suction conduit being connectable to a source of suction;
- and
- a skirt removably attached to the attachment body so as to be replaceable with a new skirt, said skirt being generally hollow such that said suction chamber is extended into said skirt, said skirt including a flexible peripheral edge engagable with the surface to be polished to provide a confined area influenced by the suction chamber so that abrasive powder residue is removed via said suction chamber to the suction source.
A method of polishing a surface with an abrasive powder, comprising the steps of:
- fastening a replaceable flexible skirt to an attachment member and fastening the attachment member to an abrasive polisher;
- orienting a nozzle toward the surface and directing an air-driven stream of the abrasive powder from the nozzle to the surface;
- sealing the nozzle to a portion of the surface to be cleaned with the flexible skirt so as to contain the abrasive powder and prevent escape of airborne powder residue between the flexible skirt and the surface to be cleaned;
- circulating the air-driven stream of abrasive powder from the surface to a container to remove the contained airborne powder residue from the flexible skirt;
- and
- removing the flexible skirting after use from the attachment member and attaching a new flexible skirting to the attachment member.
A method of polishing a surface with an abrasive powder, comprising the steps of:
- attaching a rigid holder having attached thereto a flexible skirting to an abrasive polisher so that the rigid holder and flexible skirting are carried by the abrasive polisher;
- applying a suction to the rigid holder so that the suction exists within the flexible skirting;
- directing an air stream from a nozzle carrying the abrasive powder toward the surface to remove deposits formed thereon;
- forming an area of suction around an end of the nozzle from which the abrasive powder is directed;
- and
- containing and sealing a surface to be cleaned to the nozzle with the flexible skirting so that the contained surface is influenced by the area of suction and so that the nozzle can be oriented at different angles with respect to the surface while maintaining engagement of the flexible skirting to the surface, whereby an abrasive powder residue is removed by way of the suction.
Apparatus for use with an abrasive polisher of the type having a nozzle for directing a stream of an abrasive powder toward a surface to be polished, comprising:
- an attachment body fastenable to the nozzle and providing an internal chamber, and including a conduit connected to the chamber, said conduit being connectable to a container for holding the powder and residue removed from the surface;
- and
- a flexible skirting removably attached to the attachment body by way of a groove and lip engagement, and wherein said flexible skirting includes a peripheral edge for engaging and containing a surface to be polished, said flexible skirting extending the chamber and providing an enclosed area for containing the abrasive powder, and providing a circulation path for the stream of abrasive powder from the surface through the conduit and to the container.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.