AU778598B2

AU778598B2 - Tool device

Info

Publication number: AU778598B2
Application number: AU19766/01A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Terry Gosschalk
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-12-13
Filing date: 2000-12-07
Publication date: 2004-12-09
Anticipated expiration: 2020-12-07
Also published as: AU1976601A

Description

P.%WPDOCS\ARSNIPEC%762I90Opa4c 1 -1- TOOL DEVICE The present invention relates generally to tool devices suitable for work operations such as grinding polishing, sanding, finishing, linishing and the like. For example, the tool devices may be in the form of a drum sander or linishing sander for woodworking or metalworking and other workshop processes.

Drum sanders of both the fixed and portable type are known. Generally sanders of this type comprise a housing for supporting a drive motor and belt support assembly. Such sanders have several problems associated with them. For example, replacing the abrasive oooo *belt can be a time consuming operation requiring cutting abrasive sheet material and fastening it to the drum. In some cases a purpose-built cylinder of abrasive sheet material is required to be purchased to suit the drum sander. Furthermore, using drums of different diameter requires that each drum be equipped with an abrasive surface.

o o It is an object of the present invention to provide a tool device which alleviates one or more of the aforementioned problems.

20 According to the present invention there is provided a tool device suitable for use S. with a driver, the tool assembly being suitable for work operations such as grinding, polishing sanding, finishing and the like, the tool device including a rotatable drive drum which, when in use is operatively connectable to the driver which can cause rotation thereof, a rotatable idler drum spaced from said drive drum and an endless abrasive belt which in use extends around the drums and arranged so that rotation of the drive drum causes the belt to travel around the drums, the assembly further including an idler drum mounting assembly which in use is operatively mountable to a support structure the mounting assembly including a connecting member operatively connected to the idler drum, said connecting member including a swing arm one end portion operatively connected to the support structure for swinging movement relative thereto the other end portion being operatively connected to the idler drum, said connecting member being PAWPDOMSARS\SPECI E\762969OpLSpccd.-2I1 OW -2movable relative to the support structure and biasing means operable to act on the connecting member so that it can hold the belt in tension around the drums, said biasing means being operable to urge said other end portion of the swing arm away from said primary drum.

In one preferred form, the biasing means is a spring, preferably, a helical coil spring. It will be appreciated however, that other arrangements could be provided to hold the belt in tension around the belt.

10 Preferably, idler drum is adjustable relative to the mounting assembly in the o• o direction of its rotation axis To this end the idler drum may be rotatably mounted to an axle *the axle including an extending portion which projects beyond an end of the idler drum.

The extending portion may be operatively connected to the other end of the swing arm so that it can selectively move relative thereto in the direction of its longitudinal axis.

Clamping means may be provided for holding the extending portion of the axle in a fixed selected position relative to the swing arm.

In one form, the mounting assembly includesa securement bracket for releasably securing the assembly to the support structure, the connecting member being pivotally connected to the securement bracket.

The tool device may further include a tool work table which is mountable to the support structure so that it can be positioned between the drive drum and idler drum adjacent the abrasive belt.

The tool device may further include adjustable tracking means for enabling correct alignment of the idler drum with the drive drum.

In one embodiment, the tool device is suitable for use with a driver which includes WO 01/43916 PCT/AU00/01508 -3a drilling machine including a support frame, a motor and a drill chuck, the drive drum being operatively connectable to the drill chuck and the mounting assembly operatively connectable to the support frame. The drilling machine may include a drill work table operatively connected to the support frame, the tool work table being adapted to be carried on the drill work table.

In another embodiment the device is suitable for use with a driver which includes a lathe having a lathe body and a driving chuck, the drive drum being operatively connectable to the driving chuck and the mounting assembly operatively connected to the lathe body.

In yet another embodiment, the device is suitable for use with a portable drill which includes a drill body and a drilling chuck, the portable drill being mountable to a support frame, the drive drum being operatively connectable to the drilling chuck and the mounting assembly operatively connected to the support frame.

In yet another embodiment, the device is suitable for use with a driver which includes a motor having a motor body and a drive shaft, the motor body being operatively connected to a support structure, the drive drum being operatively connectable to the drive shaft and the mounting assembly operatively connected to the support structure.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will be hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings, and in those drawings: Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a tool device in the form of a belt drum sander according to one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 shows the belt drum sander as it is attached to a standard drilling machine.

Figure 3 shows the belt sander fitted to the drilling machine with an optional flat work table secured behind the flat part of the sanding belt. For clarity some of the parts of WO 01/43916 PCT/AU00/01508 -4the drilling machine are omitted from this drawing.

Figure 4 shows the belt drum attached to a standard drilling machine, but in a storage position where it is swung back allowing for normal drilling use of the drilling machine.

Figure 5 shows two alternative means by which the device can be assembled to suit different installation requirements.

Figure 6 shows another means by which the device can be adjusted to suit different installation requirements.

Figure 7 shows another embodiment of the invention where the swing-arm assembly is on the right hand side of the drilling machine and the device is attached to the column of the drilling machine with a chain instead of a U-bolt.

Figure 8 and Figure 9 show a method of "tracking" the idler drum so the abrasive belts runs correctly aligned.

Figure 10 shows one preferred arrangement of the drive drum which allows for quick change of drums of different diameter.

Figure 11 shows one preferred arrangement of the idler drum.

Figure 12 shows another embodiment where the tool device attached to a wood turning lathe on one side of the headstock.

Figure 13 shows the tool device attached to a wood turning lathe on the other side of the headstock.

Figures 14 to 17 are various views of a modified form of the device attached to a WO 01/43916 PCT/AUOO/01508 turning lathe.

Figure 18 shows another embodiment of the invention where the tool device is attached to a portable drill press.

Figure 19 shows the invention attached to a portable drill press but in a storage position where it is swung back allowing for normal drilling use of the drill press.

Figure 20 shows another embodiment of the invention in a freestanding form where the drive drum is driven by a dedicated motor.

Figure 21 shows another embodiment of the invention where the tool device is attached to a standard bench grinder.

Figures 22 to 25 are views of further embodiments where the tool device is used with motors arranged in various configurations; and Figure 26 illustrates a tracking mechanism for the idler drum.

Referring in particular to Figures 1 to 4 there is shown a tool assembly generally indicated at 10 which includes a rotatable drive drum 12 which is operatively connected to a driver for causing rotation thereof. In the embodiment shown in Figures 2 to 4 the driver comprises a drilling machine 100 having a drill housing 102, a drill chuck 104 driven by a motor (not shown) disposed within the drill housing. The housing 102 is mounted to a support stand 106 which includes a column 107. A drill work table 108 is mounted to the support stand 106.

The tool assembly 10 further includes an idler drum 22 which is mounted in spaced relation to the drive drum 12 via an idler drum mounting assembly 30. An endless abrasive belt 20 is arranged to extend about the drive drum 12 and idler drum 22.

WO 01/43916 PCT/AUOO/01 508 -6- The idler drum mounting assembly 30 includes a support body 31 and securement bracket 32. In the embodiment of Figure 1 the securement bracket comprises a flange 33 and U-bolt 34. In the embodiment of Figure 7 the securement bracket includes a clamp section 35 and chain 36. In the embodiment of Figure 7, the spring (not shown) comprises a helical tension spring wrapped around the pivot pin joining swing arm 37 and support body 31.

The drum mounting assembly 30 further includes a connecting member in the form of a swing arm 37 which has the idler drum mounted at one end thereof and is pivotally mounted at the other end thereof to the support body 31.

The tool assembly further includes a biasing spring 40 which is operable to act on the swing arm 37 so that it is spring biased away from the drive drum so that the abrasive belt 20 is held in tension.

The assembly may further include a tool work table 42 which can be optionally disposed between the drums and adjacent the abrasive belt. The tool work table 42 can be secured by handscrew 43 so that when required for use it can extend between the drums and be disposed adjacent the flat section of the belt 20. This work table 42 allows for sanding on the flat part of the belt Figure 10 illustrates one manner of mounting the drive drum to a drum shaft 14.

The shaft 14 has a collar 16 thereon and a clamping nut 15 secures the drum 12 to the shaft for rotation therewith. The drum can be made from any suitable material including wood and may be covered with a covering material 17, such as rubber or the like.

As best seen in Figures 6 and 11, the idler drum 22 is mounted to an axle 23 which is longer than the length of the idler drum so that it projects from one end thereof. The idler drum 22 is supported by bearings 25 and 26 for rotation relative to the axle.

Longitudinal adjustment of the idler drum 22 along the axle 23 can be effected and the clamping screw 28 correctly locks the drum on the axle. Knob 21 at the end of the axle WO 01/43916 PCT/AU0/01508 -7assists in effecting this longitudinal adjustment.

Figures 8 and 9 illustrate a tracking adjustment mechanism to allow the correct alignment of the belt. In the form shown the idler drum shaft is slightly bent so that it may be rotated using the tools shown to find an optimum running alignment. As shown in Figure 11 the idler drum 22 comprising flanged ends with bearings 25 and 26 is located on the idler shaft 23 by a locking nut 27 which holds the assembly against a circlip. The flanged ends 26 provide a means of keeping the endless abrasive belt running true with the primary drum and is a back-up aid to the "tracking mechanism!' described above. Knob 21 provides a suitable gripping handle for use during belt changing, or height adjustment during initial assembly.

Figure 7 shows another arrangement by which the longitudinal adjustment of the idler drum can be effected. In this embodiment, the axle includes a threaded portion which can be adjusted relative to the support body by means of adjustment nuts 39.

As shown in Figure 4 when the tool is not required for use the drive drum 12 and belt 20 can be removed. The belt 20 is simply removed by pushing on the swing arm 37 so as to take the tension off the belt. Once removed the spring will urge the arm 37 into the position as shown in Figure 4.

Figures 12 and 13 show the tool assembly mounted to a driver which in this embodiment is in the form of a lathe 110 having a lathe bed 115, a headstock 112 and a lathe spindle 114. The drive drum of the tool assembly is operatively connected to the spindle 114 and the idler drum mounting assembly 30 is operatively connected to the headstock. The work table 42 may be positioned by frame member Referring to Figures 14 to 17 the tool assembly is shown mounted to a lathe in an alternative fashion to that shown in Figures 12 and 13. In the particular form, the support body 31 of the mounting assembly 20 is mounted to a tool rest holder 117 disposed on the lathe bed 115. To this end the support body 31 has an attachment post 38 which is WO 01/43916 PCT/AU00/01508 -8adapted to fit in a hole in holder 117 where the lathes tool rest normally fits and is locked in place by locking handle 119. Table 42 can be fitted to the support body 31 as illustrated in Figure 15. Tracking correction of the idler drum 22 can be effected by handle 49 which is an extension of the swing arm 37. As is apparent in this embodiment, the swing arm 37 is formed by an extended part of the idler drum axle 23.

In the embodiment of Figures 18 and 19, the driver is in the form of a portable drill 120 which is mounted to a drill press 122 which includes a support stand 124 having a pedestal 126. The swing arm 37 is mounted to the pedestal and the drive drum is operatively connected to the drive chuck. The abrasive belt is shown in phantom for the sake of clarity. The optionally tool work table is not shown in this embodiment but can be readily mounted to the support base. When not required for use the spring biases the swing arm into a position where the drill can be used in its normal fashion.

Figure 20 shows a tool device according to the invention as an independent unit and includes a support base 132, a motor 134 and a work table 136 (shown in phantom).

The drive drum is adapted to be operatively connected to the motor drive shaft and the idler drum mounting assembly is adapted to be supported by the support base 132.

In the embodiment of Figure 21, the driver is in the form of a bench grinder 140 having a motor 142, a support frame 144 and grinding wheels 146 and 147. In this embodiment the drive drum is adapted to be connected to the grinder spindle adjacent one of the grinder wheels and the idler drum mounting assembly operatively connected to the support frame. A removable linishing table 42 may be provided which is mounted to swing arm 37 and disposed under the belt and this is capable of adjustment to the correct position by locking handle 148.

Figures 22 and 23 show another embodiment of the tool assembly according to the invention, in this embodiment the tool is operatively connected to a motor 150 carried on a support pedestal 152. The idler drum mounting assembly is carried on an arm 156 which forms part of the support pedestal. The whole assembly may be tilted to any position by WO 01143916 PCT/AU00/01508 -9virtue of the quadrant and pivot arrangement. In this arrangement a removable linishing table may be also positioned below the flat part of the belt as has been described earlier.

The motor 150 may be tilted into a selected position by tilt mechanism 158.

Figure 24 and 25 show a further embodiment of the invention wherein the assembly is operatively connected to a motor 160 and base plate assembly 162 which may be tilted by tilt assembly 168.

Figure 26 illustrates another form of tracking adjustment mechanism which is particularly suited for use in the embodiments shown in Figures 22 to 25. In the form shown in Figure 26 the extending portion idler axle 23 defines the swing arm 37 and is mounted at its free end in an eccentric 61 which upon rotation thereof causes an angular shift in that part of the shaft which carriers the idler drum.

Finally, it is to be understood that the inventive concept in any of its aspects can be incorporated in many different constructions so that the generality of the preceding description is not to be superseded by the particularity of the attached drawings.

Various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be incorporated into the various constructions and arrangements of parts without departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention.

Claims

1. A tool device suitable for use with a driver, the tool assembly being suitable for work operations such as grinding, polishing, sanding, finishing and the like, the tool device including a rotatable drive drum which, when in use is operatively connectable to the driver which can cause rotation thereof, a rotatable idler drum spaced from said drive drum and an endless abrasive belt which in use extends around the drums and arranged so that rotation of the drive drum causes the belt to travel around the drums, the assembly further including an idler drum mounting assembly which in use is operatively mountable to a support structure the mounting assembly including a connecting member operatively connected to the idler drum, said connecting member including a swing arm one end *1 ooee portion operatively connected to the support structure for swinging movement relative ge. thereto the other end portion being operatively connected to the idler drum, said connecting member being movable relative to the support structure and biasing means operable to act on the connecting member so that it can hold the belt in tension around the C drums, said biasing means being operable to urge said other end portion of the swing arm away from said primary drum. se.

2. A tool device according to claim 1 wherein said biasing means is a spring.

3. A tool device according to any preceding claim wherein said idler drum is adjustable relative to the mounting assembly in the direction of its rotation axis.

4. A tool device according to any preceding claim wherein said mounting assembly includes a securement bracket for releasably securing the assembly to the support structure.

A tool device according to claim 3 wherein said idler drum is rotatably mounted to an axle said axle including an extending portion which projects beyond an end of the idler drum, said extending portion being operatively connected to said other end of the swing arm so that it can selectively move relative thereto in the direction of tis longitudinal axis, and clamping means for holding the extended portion of the axle in a fixed selected P:\WPDOCV RS'SPECIE'7629690 d.ms- dm-20tIW4 -11- position relative to the swing arm.

6. A tool device according to any preceding claim further including a tool work table which is mountable to the support structure so that it can be positioned between the drive drum and idler drum adjacent the abrasive belt.

7. A tool device according to any preceding claim further including adjustable tracking means for enabling correct alignment of the idler drum with the drive drum. 10

8. A tool device according to any preceding claim wherein the tool device is suitable for use with a drive which includes a drilling machine including a support frame, a motor, oooo o a drive spindle and a drill chuck; the drive drum being operatively connectable to the drill o.o 1. chuck or the spindle and the mounting assembly operatively connectable to the support frame.

9. A tool device according to claim 8 wherein the drilling machine includes a drill work table operatively connected to the support frame, said tool work table being adapted 4** :o r :to be carried on said drill work table. 20

10. A tool device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the device is suitable for use with a driver which includes a lathe having a lathe body and a driving chuck, the drive drum being operatively connectable to the driving chuck and the mounting assembly operatively connected to the lathe body.

11. A tool device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the device is suitable for use with a portable drill which includes a drill body and a drilling chuck, the portable drill being mountable to a support frame, said drive drum being operatively connectable to the drilling chuck and said mounting assembly operatively connected to the support frame.

12. A tool device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the device is suitable for use with a driver which includes a motor having a motor body and a drive shaft, the PAWPDOCSARsEaE76299 did-2WIOU 12 motor body being operatively connected to a support structure, the drive drum being operatively connectable to the drive shaft and the mounting assembly operatively connected to the support structure.

13. A tool device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 00 0 S S. *0 *0