MOUNTING TO AN EXTENSION POLE

BACKGROUND

Hand manipulated surface-treating tools have been employed since antiquity for the preparation, cleaning, and finishing of surfaces such as walls, ceilings, and floors. A plethora of configurations with tool heads coupleable to extension poles has evolved over time, each providing one or a few advantageous features. Attached or attachable to these tool heads are changeable and/or reconfigurable working materials in the form of pads and or sheets of surface-treating material. Such tools have included pads or sheets for cleaning, polishing, painting, sealcoating, and abrading (e.g., sanding) surfaces

Embodiments of the present invention improve upon previous related apparatus by, in some versions, variously facilitating rapid, tool-less changing and durable selective securement of tool pads to a unitary tool head with infinite angular displaceability within specified ranges about two mutually orthogonal pivot axes. In alternative versions otherwise substantially similar, securement of tool pads to tool heads is permanent.

SUMMARY

Illustratively embodied, a hand manipulated surface-treating tool is configured for coupling to an extension pole having longitudinally opposed proximal and distal pole ends. The surface-treating tool has a tool head including a rigid tool support with mutually opposed tool-support upper and lower surfaces bounded by a common tool-support periphery, and, within the tool-support periphery, a tool-support center. A pole coupling is affixed to the tool-support upper surface and configured for selectively coupling the tool support to the pole distal end. Illustratively, the pole coupling may include a sleeve member defining an internally-threaded socket into which an externally-threaded pole distal end is selectively threaded. Such threadable coupling between a surface-engaging tool and an extension pole is ubiquitous and not in itself a limitation or a point of novelty relative to the present invention. The pole coupling is affixed to the tool-support upper surface such that an extension pole coupled to the tool head by the pole coupling is pivotable relative to the tool support about mutually orthogonal first and second pivot axes. In various embodiments, this dual-pivot-axis functionality is achieved by what amounts to a universal joint, a mechanical coupling itself also well- known across multiple applications wherever large relative angular displacement along a continuum between two coupled components is desired. Thusly joined, in at least several embodiments, the proximal pole end could occupy an infinite number of points along substantially an imaginary hemispherical shell with a radius that includes the length of the pole and has as its origin a point located near or at a crossing between the mutually orthogonal first and second pivot axes, depending on whether the first and second pivot axes are coplanar or nearly coplanar. An equivalent functionality can be alternatively achieved through use of a ball-and- socket joint.

While the particular mechanisms employed to enable pivoting about mutually orthogonal first and second axes is quite secondary to the broader inventive aspects, the manner in which it is achieved relative to the illustrative embodiment(s) depicted and later discussed in the detailed description involves a yoke and axle system. An axle is mounted between two stanchions that depend from -- and extend upwardly from -- the tool-support upper surface, one stanchion on each side of the tool- support center. The axle defines the first pivot axis. The axle includes an axle block. A yoke connected to the pole coupling straddles the axle block and is attached for pivotal movement relative to the axle block, thereby defining the second pivot axis, which is orthogonal to the first pivot axis. This illustrative set of mechanisms, while warranted some mention in the summary, is not called out in all of its specific detail in the detailed description because (i) it is only one illustrative set of pivoting mechanisms that could be implemented and (ii) it is not tied to a claimed point of novelty. Nevertheless, its antecedent is hereby established with sufficient specificity to support a claim if later warranted.

An embodiment of the surface-treating tool further includes a tool pad. The tool pad includes a rigid plate having mutually opposed plate top and bottom surfaces bounded by a peripheral plate edge extending between the plate top and bottom surfaces. A resilient layer has a resilient-layer upper surface and an opposed attachment surface. The resilient-layer upper surface is permanently adhered to the plate bottom surface, while the attachment surface is configured for releasably retaining a working material. In each of various embodiments, the working material is an abrading material in the form of a sheet or pad, such as sandpaper or a sanding pad. However, the working material could more broadly be a non-abrading material, such as a cleaning or painting pad or sponge, for example. In any event, it is desirable that the working material be attachable to the attachment surface without the use of tools.

In each of various configurations, by means of a pad fastener, the tool pad is attached to the tool head with the plate top surface in contacting engagement with the tool-support lower surface. More specifically, the tool pad has a tool-pad center at which there is defined through the rigid plate a plate-center hole and, through the resilient layer, a resilient-layer center hole aligned with the plate-center hole. The pad fastener is introduced from below the tool pad into at least the resilient-layer center hole and secured to a portion of the tool-support lower surface configured for receiving the pad fastener. That is, the tool pad is retained by a pad fastener introduced from the tool pad side for fastening to the tool-support lower surface. Among other advantages, this permits the rigid plate to be relatively thin compared to a plate required to carry threads for receiving top-down fasteners from the tool support side, for example. According to one version, the pad fastener is a permanent fastener such that the tool pad is permanently attached to the tool head with the plate top surface in contacting engagement with the tool-support lower surface. “Contacting engagement” is to be interpreted broadly to include other-than-direct contact; an intermediate medium or element could be present, such as a washer or gasket, by way of non-limiting example. In any event, whether the pad fastener is permanent or not, the tool pad, when mounted and fastened to the tool support, is oriented such that the rigid plate is situated between the resilient layer and the tool-support lower surface.

In a version in which the pad fastener is permanent, it would be installed as part of the fabrication process. In at least one variation, the permanent pad fastener is a threaded fastener that has applied to the threads an adhesive before being threadably joined with the tool support such that, when the adhesive cures, the subsequent unthreading of the fastener and removal of the tool pad from the tool support are prevented. An example of such an adhesive is a fastener-thread adhesive presently sold under the trademark Loctite®. While an illustrative example of a threaded pad fastener is shown as internally threaded in the drawings discussed in the detailed description, it is to be understood that the pad fastener could be internally of externally threaded.

In alternative versions, the tool pad is removably attached to the tool head by a non-permanent, removable pad fastener. The removable pad fastener may be a threaded fastener. In a still-more-specific version, the threaded fastener is a tool less fastener

Representative embodiments are more completely described and depicted in the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a surface-abrading tool configured for mounting to an extension pole;

FIG. 2 shows the tool support, tool pad, and pad fastener of the surface abrading tool of FIG. 1 in a disassembled state;

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the surface-abrading tool of FIGS. 1 and 2 showing how a tool pad is attached to the tool support from the bottom using the pad fastener;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the surface-abrading tool of FIGS. 1 -3 with an abrading material sheet removable attached to the tool pad; and

FIG. 5 shows the tool support and tool pad in a disassembled state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description of variously embodied surface-abrading tools is demonstrative in nature and is not intended to limit the invention or its application of uses. Accordingly, the various implementations, aspects, versions and embodiments described in the summary and detailed description are in the nature of non-limiting examples falling within the scope of the appended claims and do not serve to restrict the maximum scope of the claims. Moreover, among the various depicted embodiments, like reference numbers are used to refer to similar or analogous components.

Referring to FIGS. 1 -5, an embodiment of a surface-abrading tool 10 is configured for coupling with an elongated extension pole 20 having longitudinally opposed proximal and distal pole ends 22 and 24. The surface-abrading tool 10 includes a tool head 100 having a rigid tool support 110. The tool support 110 has mutually opposed tool-support upper and lower surfaces 120 and 130 bounded by a common tool-support periphery 140, and further includes a tool-support center 150.

As shown in FIG. 1 , a pole coupling 200 configured for selectively coupling the tool support 110 to the pole distal end 24 is affixed to the tool-support upper surface 120. The pole coupling 200 is configured and affixed to the tool-support upper surface 120 such that the extension pole 20, when coupled to the tool head 100 by the pole coupling 200, is pivotable relative to the tool support 110 about mutually orthogonal first and second pivot axes API and AP2. While the particular mechanisms employed to enable pivoting about mutually orthogonal first and second pivot axes API and AP2 is quite secondary to the broader inventive aspects, the manner in which it is achieved relative to the illustrative embodiment(s) depicted is self-explanatory.

The tool head 100 is configured for use with a removably mountable tool pad 300. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 5, the tool pad 300 includes a rigid plate 310 which has mutually opposed plate top and bottom surfaces 320 and 330. The plate top and bottom surfaces 320 and 330 are bounded by a common peripheral plate edge 340 that extends between the plate top and bottom surfaces 320 and 330. In an exemplary version, the rigid plate 310 is comprised of sheet metal, such as aluminum or steel, but can be fabricated from any material that is self-supporting and provides rigidity.

The tool pad 300 further includes a resilient layer 360 with a resilient-layer upper surface 362 permanently adhered to the plate bottom surface 330. An attachment surface 364 is situated opposite the resilient-layer upper surface 362 that is adhered to the rigid plate 310. The attachment surface 364 is configured for releasably retaining a working material 370. Most commonly, the working material 370 is an abrading material 380 in the form of a sheet or pad, such as sandpaper or a sanding pad. However, the working material 370 could more broadly be a non abrading material, such as a cleaning or painting pad or sponge, for example. In broader configurations encompassing non-abrading working materials 370, the tool 10 may be alternatively and interchangeably referred to as a surface-treating tool 10. The working material 370 pad or sheet may have a back surface 372 attachable to the attachment surface 364 of the resilient layer 360 by a plurality of hook-and-loop fasteners 366 such as those most commonly known and sold under the tradename “Velcro®.”

The resilient layer 360 may comprise a material providing cushioning, but also exhibiting a“memory” property allowing it, when deformed, to return to a predefined default shape. Nonlimiting examples of suitable materials include foam, foam- rubber, and rubber. The resilient layer 360 is bounded by a resilient-layer periphery 365. In at least one version, the resilient-layer periphery 365 extends to the outside of the peripheral plate edge 340 of the rigid plate 310 in order to prevent damage to surfaces of adjacent workpieces being abraded by the surface-abrading tool 10. This is clearly shown in FIG. 5.

With principal reference now to FIGS. 1 and 2, in one embodiment, the rigid plate 310 and the tool-support lower surface 130 of the tool support 110 are cooperatively configured to enable removable attachment of the tool pad 300 to the tool head 100 with the plate top surface 320 in contacting engagement with the tool- support lower surface 130. In the embodiments depicted, and especially most clearly in FIGS. 2 and 3, a single pad fastener 400 retains the tool pad 300 on the tool head 100. More specifically, the tool pad 300 has a tool-pad center 305. At the tool-pad center 305 there is a plate-center hole 325 through the rigid plate 310 and a resilient-layer-center hole 367 extending through the resilient layer 360 and at least partially aligned with the plate-center hole 325.

The tool pad 300 is removably attached to the tool-support lower surface 130 by introducing the pad fastener 400 into at least the resilient-layer-center hole 367 and securing the pad fastener 400 to the tool-support center 150. More specifically, as seen most clearly in FIG. 2, the tool-support center 150 has defined thereabout an annular pad mount 155 that, in this case, is provided with external threads 156. The illustrative pad fastener 400 depicted includes a ring 410 provided with internal threads 412 configured for threadable engagement with the external threads 156 of the pad mount 155.

As shown in FIG. 3, the pad fastener 400, resilient layer 360, and the resilient- layer-center hole 367 are configured such that, at least when the pad fastener 400 is fully secured to the tool support 110, the pad fastener 400 is recessed relative to the attachment surface 364 of the resilient layer 360. In this way, when an abrading material 380 - or other working material 370 -- pad or sheet is attached to the attachment surface 364 of the resilient layer 360, as shown in FIG. 4, the pad fastener 400 is covered and does not cause bulging of the abrading material 380 sheet/pad.

Referring again to FIG. 2, it can be seen that the plate-center hole 325 is smaller than the resilient-layer center hole 367 such that an annular portion 326 of the rigid plate 310 is visible through the resilient-layer center hole 367. When the tool pad 300 is aligned and mounted to the tool-support lower surface 130, the annular pad mount 155 -- and external threads 156 of same - protrude(s) downwardly through the plate-center hole 325 and partially into the resilient-layer center hole 367 below the plate-center hole 325. The pad fastener 400 is introduced into the resilient-layer center hole 367 and the internal threads 412 of the pad fastener 400 are threaded onto the external threads 156 of the pad mount 155 until the ring 410 of the pad fastener 400 bears down on the annular portion 326 of the rigid plate 310 and forces the rigid plate 310 toward and against the tool-support lower surface 130.

It is advantageous, and therefore preferred, that the pad fastener 400 be tool less. That is, that the pad fastener 400 can be tightened and loosened without the use of tools. Accordingly, in the version depicted, a ring bridge 420 extends diametrically across the center of the ring 410. A user can grasp the ring bridge 420 between two finger fingers - most likely the thumb and index finger - to tighten and loosen the pad fastener 400.

For various reasons, preventing rotation of the tool pad 300 relative to the tool support 110 is advantageous. Accordingly, with reference to FIG. 5, it can be seen that the rigid plate 310 and the tool-support lower surface 130 are complementarily keyed such that, when the tool pad 300 is removably mounted to the tool-support lower surface 130 and the pad fastener 400 is secured, the tool pad 300 is prevented from rotating relative to the tool support 110. In this particular example, the complementary keying comprises at least one off-center key aperture 328 in the rigid plate 310 and at least one key protrusion 138 extending downwardly from the tool- support lower surface 130. When the at least one key protrusion 138 is caused to protrude into the at least one off-center key aperture 328, an interference fit is established between the tool-support 110 and the rigid plate 310, thereby preventing the aforesaid relative rotation. In connection with various versions, it is envisioned that, when the resilient layer 360 is worn or a change is otherwise indicated, a user of the tool 10 can remove and replace the tool pad 300, a fact that is readily appreciated from the description above. However, in other cases, the tool 10 is configured at manufacture such that the tool pad 300 and tool head 100 are permanently attached. In one version, the tool 10 is generally configured as described above and illustratively depicted FIGS. 1 -5. However, in order to prevent inadvertent or intentional separation of the tool pad 300 from the tool support 110, a permanent pad fastener 400 is used to retain the rigid plate 310 of the tool pad 300 against the tool-support lower surface 130. Such a fastener 400 could be variously configured as at least one of a rivet, pin, bolt, screw, spot weld, press-fit interference, or adhesive, by way of non-limiting example. Where a threaded fastener 400 is used, the threads 412 may have applied to them an adhesive 415 before or while being threadably joined with the tool support 110 via the pad mount 155. The adhesive 415, when cured, prevents subsequent unthreading of the fastener 400 and removal of the tool pad 300 from the tool support 110.

The foregoing is considered to be illustrative of the principles of the invention. Furthermore, since modifications and changes to various aspects and implementations will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, it is to be understood that the foregoing does not limit the invention as expressed in the appended claims to the exact constructions, implementations and versions shown and described.