A POLISHING SYSTEM AND A POLISHING TOOL COMPRISING SAID POLISHING SYSTEM

Abstract

The present invention relates to a polishing system (100) for providing a polishing finish to a concrete surface, said system comprises a pad lock (2) which, one a second surface (6) thereof, comprises a number of protrusions (32) which are able to enter into engagement with a voids (16) arranged on a first surface (12) of a pad (10) placed between a fixing ring and said pad lock. The use of such a system provides a higher degree of integrity during use of said polishing system.

Claims

1-30. (canceled)

31. A polishing system for providing a polishing finish to a concrete surface, said system, in the orientation intended for use when polishing a horizontal surface of a concrete material, such as a floor, comprising from top to bottom: a pad lock comprising a first surface and a second surface; said pad lock, at said first surface, being configured for being connected to a moving pan of a powered polishing machine; a pad comprising a first surface and a second surface, said first surface being configured to be contacted to said second surface of said pad lock, said pad being made of a resilient fibrous material comprising a number of voids accessible at the first surface thereof, a fixing ring comprising a first surface and a second surface, said fixing ring, at a first surface thereof, being configured to be contacted with said second surface of said pad; a number of polishing discs each having a first surface and a second surface; wherein each said polishing discs at the first surface thereof is being configured for being connected to said fixing ring, at a second surface thereof; and wherein each polishing discs at the second surface thereof comprises polishing means; wherein said pad lock comprises, at least at a part of said second surface thereof, a number of protrusions which are able to enter into engagement with said voids of said first surface of said pad for securing the integrity of said system during use thereof in a polishing operation, and wherein said first surface of said pad lock and said first surface of said fixing ring each are exhibiting a concave curvature; and wherein said second surface of said pad lock and said second surface of said fixing ring each are exhibiting a convex curvature.

32. A polishing system according to claim 31, wherein said system furthermore comprises a number of connecting elements which is/are configured for connecting said pad lock and said pad and said fixing ring to a moving pan of a powered polishing machine by penetrating through-going, holes of said pad lock and said pad and said fixing ring;

33. A polishing system according to claim 31, wherein said pad lock, said pad and said fixing ring each are having an outer perimeter defining a circle; preferably wherein said pad lock, said pad and said fixing ring each are having a perimeter defining a circle of essentially equal diameter.

34. A polishing system according to claim 31, wherein said pad lock is being manufactured from a material from the group comprising polypropylene and polyethylene.

35. A polishing system according to claim 31, wherein said pad is being manufactured from a material from the group comprising polyester, nylon, synthetic fibers and natural fibers.

36. A polishing system according to claim 31, wherein said fixing ring is being manufactured from a material from the group comprising polypropylene, polyethylene and EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer).

37. A polishing system according to claim 31, wherein said second surface of said polishing discs comprises a polymer having embedded therein a number of diamonds, such as industrial diamonds.

38. A polishing system according to claim 37, wherein said polymer having diamonds embedded therein is selected from the group comprising Bakelite, a copolymer powder, such as artificial metal powder; a metal alloy powder, such as iron alloy powder; such as iron alloy powder, copper alloy powder; or carbon alloy powder.

39. A polishing system according to claim 31, wherein the coarseness of said polishing discs is selected from the grit sizes P50-P6000, such as P100-P3000, for example P200-P1000, for example P300-P600 or P400-P500.

40. A polishing system according to claim 31, wherein the number of protrusions of said pad lock, at said second surface thereof, is 100-20,000 or more, such as 500-15,000, for example 1,000-10,000, such as 2,000-5,000.

41. A polishing system according to claim 31, wherein said pad lock, at said second surface thereof, comprises distinct and separated areas each comprising said protrusions.

42. A polishing system according to claim 31, wherein said pad lock, at said second surface thereof, comprises said protrusions evenly distributed, at least at a part or at parts of said surface.

43. A polishing system according to claim 31, wherein said protrusions on said second surface of said pad lock are distributed in a circular pattern.

44. A polishing system according to claim 31, wherein the length of said protrusions of said pad lock, in a direction perpendicular to said second surface, independently is 1-30 mm, such as 2-29 mm, for example 3-28 mm, e.g. 4-27 mm, such as 5-26 mm, for example 6-25 mm, such as 7-24 mm, e.g. 8-23 mm, such as 9-22 mm, for example 10-21 mm, e.g. 11-20 mm, such as 12-19 mm, for example 13-18 mm, e.g. 14-17 mm or 15-11.6 mm.

45. A polishing system according to claim 31, wherein the first surface of the pad lock is provided with an adhesive.

46. A polishing system according to claim 31, wherein said polishing discs comprise a first set of engagement means, and wherein the remainder of said system comprises a second set of engagement means, wherein said first set of engagement means are configured for entering into releasable engagement with said second set of engagement means, thereby allowing fastening said polishing discs to said fixing ring.

47. A polishing system according to claim 46, wherein said first set of engagement means comprises fastening means in the form of one part of a hook-and-loop fastener, such as of one part of Velcro, said first set of engagement means are provided at said first surface of said polishing discs, and wherein said second set of engagement means comprises fastening means in the form of the corresponding second part of a hook-and-loop fastener, such as of a second part of Velcro, which is provided at said second surface of said fixing ring.

48. A polishing system according to claim 47, wherein said first set of engagement means comprises a threaded protrusion extending from a central part of said first surface of said polishing discs, and wherein said second set of engagement means comprises a threaded nut configured to be arranged at said first surface of said pad, and wherein said pad and said fixing ring are provided with a number of through-going holes for accommodating said threaded protrusion and optionally also part of said threaded nut, thereby enabling securing of said polishing discs to said pad and said fixing ring.

49. A polishing system according to claim 48, wherein said through-going holes at said second surface of said fixing ring is having a circular, or a non-circular shape, such as a triangular shape, a rectangular shape, such as a square shape, a hexagonal shape or an octagonal shape, and wherein said first surface of said polishing discs comprises a locking element protruding from said second surface of said polishing discs and having shape and dimensions so as to fit tightly into said through-going holes at said second surface of said fixing ring.

50. A polishing system according to claim 46, wherein said first set of engagement means comprises a threaded hole extending into central part of said first surface of said polishing discs, and wherein said second set of engagement means comprises a threaded bolt configured to be arranged at said first surface of said pad, and wherein said pad and said fixing ring are provided with a number of through-going holes for accommodating said threaded bolt, thereby enabling securing of said polishing discs to said pad and said fixing ring.

51. A polishing system according to claim 50, wherein said through-going holes at said second surface of said fixing ring is having a circular, or a non-circular shape, such as a triangular shape, a rectangular shape, such as a square shape, a hexagonal shape or an octagonal shape, and wherein said second surface of said polishing discs comprises a locking element protruding from said first surface of said polishing discs and surrounding said threaded hole; said locking element is having shape and dimensions so as to fit tightly into said through-going holes at said second surface of said fixing ring.

52. A polishing system according to claim 32, wherein each connecting element is being configured for penetrating through-going stem holes in said pad lock; said pad and said fixing ring and also said moving pan which the system is to be fixed to, wherein each said connecting element comprises a first end, a second end, a locking means, and a stem extending between said first end and said second end, wherein said first end being configured to abut the second surface of said fixing ring; and wherein at least part of said stem is being configured to penetrate said through-going stem holes in said pad lock, said pad and said fixing ring and also said moving pan; and wherein said locking means are configured to prevent said stem from mowing out of said through-going stem holes.

53. A polishing system according to claim 52, wherein said first end of said connecting element comprises a flat element; and wherein said second end of said connecting element comprises a bar comprising a through-going clip hole; and wherein said stem comprising a flexible wire connecting said first end and said second end; and wherein said locking means comprises a clip configured to penetrate said through-going clip hole in said bar.

54. A polishing system according to claim 53, wherein said first end of said connecting element comprises a flat element; and wherein said second end of said connecting element comprises a threaded cylinder; and wherein said stem comprising a rod connecting said first end and said second end; and wherein said locking means comprises a nut, such as a winged nut configured to be screwed onto said threaded cylinder of said second end of said connecting element.

55. A polishing tool for providing a polishing finish to a concrete surface, said polishing tool comprises a polishing system according to claim 31 in combination with a moving pan of a powered machine.

56. A polishing tool according to claim 55, wherein said moving pan is a floating pan of a concrete finishing machine, such as a floor grinder or a power trowel.

57. A powered polishing machine comprising a polishing system according to claim 31.

58. Use of a polishing system according to claim 31 for providing a polished finish to a concrete surface.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0071] FIG. 1 is a side view of a principle diagram illustrating the various components of the system of the invention and their mutual positions during use thereof in a polishing operation.

[0072] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating one embodiment of engagement means for securing polishing discs to the fixing ring of the polishing system of the invention.

[0073] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating another embodiment of engagement means for securing polishing discs to the fixing ring of the polishing system of the invention.

[0074] FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating one embodiment of a connection element for securing a fixing ring, a pad and a pad lock of the polishing system of the invention to a moving pan of a powered polishing machine.

[0075] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating another embodiment of connection elements for securing a fixing ring, a pad and a pad lock of the polishing system of the invention to a moving pan of a powered polishing machine.

[0076] Referring now to the drawings for further illustration of the invention in its various aspects, FIG. 1 is a principle diagram illustrating in a side view the various components of the system of the invention and their mutual positions during use thereof in a polishing operation.

[0077] FIG. 1 shows a polishing system 100 for providing a polishing finish to a concrete surface. The system, in the orientation intended for use when polishing a horizontal surface of a concrete material, such as a floor, comprises from top to bottom: a pad lock 2, a pad 10, a fixing ring 18 and a number of polishing discs 24.

[0078] The pad lock 2 comprises a first surface 4 and a second surface 6.

[0079] The pad lock, at the first surface thereof is configured for being connected to a moving pan 8. of a powered polishing machine.

[0080] The pad 10 comprises a first surface 12 and a second surface 14. The first surface is configured to be contacted to said second surface 6 of the pad lock 2.

[0081] The pad is being made of a resilient fibrous material comprising a number of voids 16 within its individual fibers. The voids are accessible from a first surface thereof;

[0082] The fixing ring 18 comprises a first surface 20 and a second surface 22.

[0083] The fixing ring is at a first surface thereof configured for being to be contacted with the second surface 14 of the pad 10. The fixing ring carries a number of polishing discs 24. Each polishing disc comprises a first surface 26 and a second surface 28. Each polishing discs at the second surface 28 comprises polishing means 30.

[0084] The system comprises in respect of each polishing disc 24 a first set of engagement means 34 which in FIG. 1 is exemplified as a threaded bolt extending from the first side thereof. A second set of engagement means 36 in the form of a nut is configured to enter into engagement with the first set of engagement means 34, thereby connecting the polishing dish, the fixing ring and the pad to each other.

[0085] The polishing system 100 of the invention illustrated in FIG. 1 furthermore comprises a number of connecting elements 29. These are in FIG. 1 exemplified as a bolt and nut configured to enter into engagement with each other so that the pad lock 2 and the pad 10 and the fixing ring 18 can be fixed to a moving pan 8 of powered polishing machine by penetrating through-going holes of the pad lock and said pad and said fixing ring.

[0086] In the polishing system of the present invention the pad lock 2 comprises, at least at a part of said second surface 6 thereof a number of protrusions 32 which are able to enter into engagement with the voids 16 accessible at the first surface 12 of said fibrous flexible pad 10. Thereby the integrity of the polishing system during use thereof in a polishing operation is secured.

[0087] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating one embodiment of engagement means for securing polishing discs to the fixing ring of the polishing system of the invention.

[0088] FIG. 2 shows the fixing ring 18 and the pad 10 of a polishing system according to the present invention. To the second side of 22 of the fixing ring is fastened a polishing disc 24. This is accomplished by letting the polishing discs 24 comprise a first set of engagement means 34 in the form of a threaded protrusion 38 extending from a central part 40 of the first surface 26 of the polishing disc 24. A second set of engagement means 36 in the form of a threaded nut 42 which is arranged at the first surface 12 of the pad 10 through a through-going hole 44 for accommodating said threaded protrusion 38 and also part of said threaded nut 42.

[0089] In this way the polishing disc 24 can be securely fixed to the pad 10 and said fixing ring 18.

[0090] Furthermore, this embodiment allows for easy and fast exchange of polishing discs in case these have become worn or in case another degree of coarseness is desired.

[0091] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating another embodiment of engagement means for securing polishing discs to the fixing ring of the polishing system of the invention.

[0092] FIG. 3 shows the fixing ring 18 and the pad 10 of a polishing system according to the present invention. To the second side of 22 of the fixing ring is fastened a polishing disc 24. This is accomplished by letting the polishing discs 24 comprise a first set of engagement means 34 in the form of a threaded hole 48 extending into central part 50 of the first surface 26 of the polishing disc 24. A second set of engagement means 36 in the form of a threaded bolt 52 which is configured to be arranged at said first surface 12 of the pad 10 and configured to enter into engagement with the threaded hole 48. The pad 10 and said fixing ring 18 are provided with a number of through-going holes 54 for accommodating the threaded bolt 52 and the threaded hole 48 thereby enabling securing of the polishing disc 24 to the pad 10 and the fixing ring 18.

[0093] FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating one embodiment of a connection element for securing a fixing ring, a pad and a pad lock of the polishing system of the invention to a moving pan of a powered polishing machine.

[0094] FIG. 4 shows a connecting element 29 comprises a first end 60, a second end 62, a locking means 64, and a stem 66 extending between the first end and the second end of the connecting element.

[0095] The first end 60 of the connecting element comprises a flat element 78 and the second end 62 of the connecting element 29 comprises a threaded cylinder 80.

[0096] The stem 66 comprising a rod 82 connecting the first end 60 and the second end 62.

[0097] The locking means 64 comprises a winged nut 84 which can be screwed onto the threaded cylinder 80 of the second end 62 of the connecting element 29.

[0098] At least part of the stem 66 is being configured to penetrate a through-going stem hole 58 in the pad lock 2, in the pad 10 and in the fixing ring 18 and also in the moving pan 8, thereby securing these components to each other.

[0099] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating another embodiment of connection elements for securing a fixing ring, a pad and a pad lock of the polishing system of the invention to a moving pan of a powered polishing machine.

[0100] FIG. 5 shows a connecting element 29 comprises a first end 60, a second end 62, a locking means 64, and a stem 66 extending between the first end and the second end of the connecting element.

[0101] The first end 60 of the connecting element 29 comprises a flat element 68. The second end 62 of the connecting element 29 comprises a bar 70 comprising a through-going clip hole 72. The stem 66 in the form of a flexible wire 74 connecting the first end 60 and the second end 62. The locking means 64 comprises a clip 76 configured to penetrate the through-going clip hole 72 in the bar 70.

[0102] At least part of the stem 66 is being configured to penetrate a through-going stem hole 58 in the pad lock 2, in the pad 10 and in the fixing ring 18 and also in the moving pan 8, thereby securing these components to each other.

[0103] Modifications and combinations of the above principles and designs are foreseen within the scope of the present invention.