IP Library Granted Patent US 10,245,707
Granted Patent B2
US 10,245,707 · App. 15/437,790 · Granted Apr 2, 2019

Conformable sanding block

Inventors: John Thomas Ryan (Dassel, MN); Anthony Mark Rea (Cedar, MN); Scott A. Olson (Chippewa Falls, WI); Andrew J. Janetski (Birchwood, WI); Tyler Buchanan (Chippewa Falls, WI)
Assignee: Malco Products, Inc.
B24D15/04B24D15/023
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,245,707
App. No.
15/437,790
Granted
Apr 2, 2019
Kind
B2
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 (36)

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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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.

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.

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. 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.

19. 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.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jun 11, 2019
From: MALCO PRODUCTS, INC.
To: MALCO PRODUCTS, SBC
Reel/Frame 049429/0372 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 23, 2017
From: RYAN, JOHN THOMAS; REA, ANTHONY MARK; OLSON, SCOTT A.; JANETSKI, ANDREW J.; BUCHANAN, TYLER
To: MALCO PRODUCTS, INC.
Reel/Frame 041353/0958 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62333453 · May 9, 2016
Related Publication 20170320194A1 · Nov 9, 2017