Backing pad for a hand guided polishing or sanding tool and hand guided polishing or sanding tool with such a backing pad

Abstract

A backing pad for a power tool having plate-like form and a trapezoid cross-section with a top surface, a larger bottom surface and a slanting circumferential surface connecting the top and bottom surfaces. The backing pad can be connected to a tool shaft of the tool and is adapted for receiving a polishing or sanding material on the bottom surface. The backing pad is provided with a recess and a plurality of holes and channels that creates a predefined air flow between the bottom surface of the backing pad and a working surface. At least one hole ending in an opening is located in an annular outer section of the bottom surface, the annular outer section being located opposite to the slanting circumferential surface of the backing pad. The additional hole is in connection with at least one opening located in the top surface of the backing pad.

Claims

1. A backing pad for a hand guided polishing or sanding tool, the backing pad having an essentially plate-like form and a trapezoid cross-section with a top surface, a bottom surface and a slanting circumferential surface resulting in the bottom surface that is larger than the top surface by an annular outer section forming part of the bottom surface, the annular outer section being located opposite to the slanting circumferential surface of the backing pad, the backing pad adapted to be fixedly connected to a moving mounting part of the tool at the top surface and to receive a polishing or sanding material on the bottom surface, the backing pad including a plurality of channels each extending essentially radially and essentially parallel to the top and bottom surfaces through at least part of the backing pad, a central recess located in the bottom surface and a plurality of through holes each having a longitudinal extension essentially perpendicular to the top and bottom surfaces through the backing pad and connecting an opening in the bottom surface with an opening in the top surface, the backing pad further includes at least one additional hole each located such that it ends in an opening located in the bottom surface of the annular outer section and that the at least one additional hole is in connection with at least one opening located in the top surface of the backing pad.

2. The backing pad as set forth in claim 1, wherein the at least one additional hole ending in the opening in the annular outer section of the bottom surface of the backing pad has a longitudinal extension essentially perpendicular to the top and bottom surfaces of the backing pad.

3. The backing pad as set forth in claim 1, wherein the at least one opening located in the top surface of the backing pad and in connection with the at least one additional hole opens into at least one further additional hole having a longitudinal extension essentially perpendicular to the top and bottom surfaces of the backing pad.

4. The backing pad as set forth in claim 3, wherein the at least one additional hole ending in the opening in the annular outer section of the bottom surface of the backing pad and the at least one further additional hole ending in the at least one opening located in the top surface of the backing pad and in connection with the at least one additional hole are interconnected with one another by at least one additional channel extending essentially parallel to the top and bottom surfaces of the backing pad.

5. The backing pad as set forth in claim 4, wherein the at least one additional channel interconnecting the at least one additional hole and the at least one further additional hole proceeds radially outwards and has an opening into the slanting circumferential surface of the backing pad.

6. The backing pad as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of channels each extending essentially parallel to the top and bottom surfaces interconnects the central recess with at least one of the plurality of holes each having a longitudinal extension essentially perpendicular to the top and bottom surfaces and connecting an opening in the bottom surface with an opening in the top surface of the backing pad.

7. The backing pad as set forth in claim 6, wherein none of the plurality of channels each extending essentially parallel to the top and bottom surfaces opens into the slanting circumferential surface of the backing pad.

8. The backing pad as set forth in claim 1, wherein the backing pad includes a carrier layer made of a rigid material and forming the top surface of the backing pad, an adhesive layer forming the bottom surface of the backing pad and adapted for releasably connecting the polishing or sanding material thereto and an interface layer made of a resilient material and located between the carrier layer and the adhesive layer, wherein the plurality of channels and the at least one additional channel each extending essentially radially and essentially parallel to the top and bottom surfaces of the backing pad are arranged in the interface layer.

9. The backing pad as set forth in claim 8, wherein the backing pad is manufactured by molding all three layers and attaching them to one another by a single molding process.

10. The backing pad as set forth in claim 8, wherein the plurality of channels and the at least one additional channel each extending essentially radially and essentially parallel to the top and bottom surfaces are arranged in the interface layer during a molding process.

11. The backing pad as set forth in claim 8, wherein the carrier layer includes a threaded rod or a receiving opening for fixedly connecting the backing pad to the moving mounting part of the tool.

12. The backing pad as set forth in claim 1, wherein the backing pad includes a deflection disk attached to the top surface of the backing pad, wherein the deflection disk has an essentially annular form and delimits at least one internal chamber between the top surface of the backing pad and a bottom side of the deflection disk, the at least one internal chamber being closed radially outwards and having at least one opening facing radially inwards.

13. The backing pad as set forth in claim 12, wherein the deflection disk is located above and spaced apart from the top surface of the backing pad and delimits said internal chamber.

14. The backing pad as set forth in claim 12, wherein grooves or recesses are provided in the top surface of the backing pad and a full face of the bottom side of the deflection disk is attached to the top surface, thereby hermetically sealing the grooves and recesses except for the at least one opening facing radially inwards, and wherein the sealed grooves or recesses form a plurality of internal chambers.

15. An electrically or pneumatically actuated hand guided polishing or sanding tool comprising a backing pad with a polishing or sanding material attached to a bottom surface of the backing pad, wherein the polishing or sanding material attached to the bottom surface performs a rotary, an orbital, a roto-orbital or a random orbital actuating movement if the tool is actuated, the backing pad has an essentially plate-like form and a trapezoid cross-section with a top surface, a bottom surface and a slanting circumferential surface resulting in the bottom surface that is larger than the top surface by an annular outer section forming part of the bottom surface, the annular outer section being located opposite to the slanting circumferential surface of the backing pad, the backing pad adapted to be fixedly connected to a moving mounting part of the tool at the top surface and to receive a polishing or sanding material on the bottom surface, the backing pad includes a plurality of channels each extending essentially radially and essentially parallel to the top and bottom surfaces through at least part of the backing pad, a central recess located in the bottom surface and a plurality of through holes each having a longitudinal extension essentially perpendicular to the top and bottom surfaces through the backing pad and connecting an opening in the bottom surface with an opening in the top surface, the backing pad further includes at least one additional hole each located such that it ends in an opening located in the bottom surface of the annular outer section and that the at least one additional hole is in connection with at least one opening located in the top surface of the backing pad.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Other advantages of the invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hand-guided polishing or sanding power tool according to the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a backing pad for a hand-guided polishing or sanding power tool according to the present invention without a deflection disk;

(4) FIG. 3 is a perspective view from below of the backing pad illustrated in FIG. 2 in a perspective view from below;

(5) FIG. 4 is a partially sectional side perspective view of the backing pad illustrated in FIG. 2 with a deflection disk;

(6) FIG. 5 is a top view of a backing pad for a hand-guided polishing or sanding power tool according to the present invention without a deflection disk;

(7) FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line VI-VI of the backing pad of FIG. 5;

(8) FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the backing pad illustrated in FIG. 5;

(9) FIG. 8 is a section view along the line VIII-VIII of the backing pad illustrated in FIG. 5;

(10) FIG. 9 is a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of a backing pad according to the present invention together with an aspiration cap of a dust extraction system of a tool, to which the backing pad is connected;

(11) FIG. 10 is a schematic sectional view of another embodiment of a backing pad according to the present invention together with an aspiration cap of a dust extraction system of a tool, to which the backing pad is connected; and

(12) FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a conventional backing pad known from the prior art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(13) The present invention refers to a hand-guided power tool for polishing or sanding a working surface of a workpiece. An example of such a tool is shown in FIG. 1 and designated in its entirety with reference sign 1. The tool 1 can be actuated electrically or pneumatically. The tool 1 shown in FIG. 1 is actuated electrically through an electric cable 2, which is connected to a mains power supply. Alternatively, the electric tool 1 could also be operated by electricity from a rechargeable battery (not shown), preferably forming integral part of the tool 1. If the tool 1 was a pneumatic tool it would be connected to a compressed air supply for actuating a pneumatic motor of the tool.

(14) In the case of the electric tool 1 shown in FIG. 1 an electric motor (not shown) is located inside a tool's housing 3. A rotating movement of a motor shaft of the electric motor of the tool 1 is transmitted into a desired actuating movement of a tool shaft of the tool 1 by a respective transmission gear (not shown). The actuating movement can be a rotary, an orbital, a roto-orbital or a random orbital movement. A backing pad 4 is connected to the tool shaft. The connection between the backing pad 4 and the tool shaft can be such that the backing pad 4 is freely rotatable in respect to the tool shaft. Alternatively, the connection could be provided in a torque proof manner such that a torque can be transmitted from the tool shaft to the backing pad 4. Hence, the backing pad 4 connected to the tool shaft preferably performs a rotary, an orbital, a roto-orbital or a random orbital actuating movement if the tool 1 is turned on.

(15) The tool 1 is also provided with a self-generated dust extraction system. The dust extraction system comprises a fan (not shown) inside the housing 3 which is actuated when the tool 1 is turned on. In particular, the fan is actuated contemporaneously with the tool's electric motor. The fan creates an air flow of dust laden air directed from a bottom surface of the backing pad 4 to a suction tube 5. A dust collecting unit (not shown), like a dust filter or a separate dust suction device (e.g. a vacuum cleaner), can be connected to the suction tube 5 for collecting dust.

(16) The backing pad 4 may have an essentially plate-like form and a trapezoid cross-section. The pad 4 has a top surface 4a, a bottom surface 4b and a slanting circumferential surface 17 resulting in the bottom surface 4b being larger than the top surface 4a.

(17) An example for a conventional backing pad 4 known from the prior art is shown in FIG. 11. This figure also shows a shroud or cap 6 of the dust extraction system of the tool 1. The cap 6 is fixed to the housing 3 and located above or on top of a top surface 4a of the backing pad 4. The cap 6 is pneumatically connected to the fan 8 of the dust extraction system by a pneumatic conduit 9. Dust-laden air is aspired through the cap 6 drawn through pneumatic conduit 9 and finally exhausted through the suction tube 5. The backing pad 4 performs the actuating movement relative to the static cap 6. A gap 7 is provided between the lower part of the cap 6 and the top surface 4a of the backing pad 4. The gap 7 could be surrounded by a shroud (not shown) made of flexible material fixed to the lower part of the cap 6 and in connection with (but not fixed to) the top surface 4a of the backing pad 4. The shroud can reduce vibrations during operation of the tool 1 and can further prevent dust from escaping to the environment through the gap 7.

(18) The known backing pad 4 comprises a carrier layer 10 made of a rigid material like plastic (e.g. nylon), a composite material (e.g. carbon fiber or glass fiber enforced plastic) or metal or a combination of these or other rigid materials. The carrier layer 10 forms at least part of the top surface 4a of the backing pad 4. On the top surface 4a of the backing pad 4, the carrier layer 10 can comprise a threaded rod or a receiving opening (both not shown in FIG. 11) for fixedly connecting the backing pad 4 to the distal end of the tool shaft. A threaded rod 61 is shown in FIGS. 2 and 4.

(19) Furthermore, the backing pad 4 comprises an adhesive layer 11 forming a bottom surface 4b of the backing pad 4 and adapted for releasably connecting a polishing or sanding material thereto. The adhesive layer can comprise a hook-and-loop fastener (e.g. Velcro) or a glue-based adhesive for releasably attaching the polishing or sanding material to the bottom surface 4b. The polishing or sanding material can comprise a support structure made of a fabric or a paper or plastic sheet, into which abrasive elements (e.g. made of metal, in particular aluminum oxide (corundum), minerals, silica or quartz crystals) or polishing elements (e.g. felt, fur, microfiber, foamed plastic material) are embedded. Together with the polishing or sanding material the backing pad 4 forms a rotating working element of the tool 1.

(20) Finally, the backing pad 4 comprises an interface layer 12 made of a resilient and/or flexible material and located between the carrier layer 10 and the adhesive layer 11. The interface layer 12 is preferably made of a resilient and flexible material like polyurethane foam.

(21) The backing pad 4 has an axis 14 of rotation or rotational symmetry. If the backing pad 4 performs a rotational actuating movement the axis 14 is an axis of rotation. The backing pad 4 has a plurality of holes 13 extending essentially axially in respect to the axis 14. The holes 13 can extend through one or more of the layers 10, 11, 12 or through part of one or more of these layers. The holes 13 have a first opening in the top surface 4a of the backing pad and a second opening 13b in the bottom surface 4b of the backing pad 4. The holes 13 provide for a connection of the top openings 13a with the bottom openings 13b either directly or indirectly through conduits (not shown) interconnecting one or more of the holes 13 with one another and extending (essentially horizontally) within the backing pad 4. Axially in the sense of the present invention means that the holes 13 interconnect top openings 13a and bottom openings 13b, which do not necessarily have to be located opposite each other but which can also be displaced in respect to one another. Therefore, also slightly inclined holes 13 are considered to extend essentially axially in the sense of the present invention.

(22) A central recess 15 is provided in the bottom surface 4b of the backing pad 4. The recess 15 extends through the adhesive layer 11 and part of the interface layer 12. The backing pad 4 further comprises horizontal channels 16 extending essentially radially, which interconnect an opening 17a located in a slanting circumferential surface 17 of the backing pad 4 with the central recess 15. These interconnecting channels 16 do not cross or intersect at any point the holes 13 extending essentially axially through at least part of the backing pad 4. Radially in the sense of the present invention means that a first opening of the channels 16 (for example opening 17a) is located towards an external circumferential surface (e.g. surface 17) and that the opposite end of the channel 16 faces towards the center or the rotational axis 14 of the backing pad 4. The channels 16 may have cross sections and diameters varying along their longitudinal extension. The channels 16 may even have the form of a chamber. Further, it is possible that in a longitudinal section extending parallel to the top and bottom surfaces 4a and 4b of the backing pad 4, the channels 16 are arcuated along their longitudinal extensions, providing for sickle-like channels.

(23) The interconnecting channels 16 provide for a direct connection of the air surrounding the circumferential outer surface 17 of the backing pad 4 with the central recess 15. This constellation leads to a certain air flow during operation and use of the tool 1. The air flow is indicated by arrows in FIG. 11. It runs from the environment surrounding the slanting circumferential surface 17 of the backing pad 4, through the openings 17a and the radially extending channels 16 into the center recess 15 (arrows 18). Then the air is blown out of the recess 15 and is drawn radially outwards between the bottom surface 4b of the backing pad 4 and a working surface of a work piece (not shown) to the openings 13b of the various holes 13 distributed along the bottom surface 4b of the backing pad 4, thereby gathering dust from the working surface (arrows 19). The dust-laden air enters the bottom openings 13b, passes through the holes 13 (and conduits if present) and exits the holes 13 through the top openings 13a (arrows 20). The various dust-laden air streams 20 exiting the openings 13a in the top surface 4a are combined by the cap 6 of the dust extraction system and (arrows 21) conveyed to the suction tube 5 and further to the dust collecting unit (arrows 22).

(24) However, the known backing pads 4 suffer from the disadvantage that they do not comprise any holes 13 near the outer circumference of the bottom surface 4b. The respective annular outer section of the bottom surface 4b is indicated by reference sign 39. Therefore, the dust extraction effect on the working surface is rather weak or not present at all near annular outer section 39 of the backing pad 4. This effect is further deteriorated by the air flow 18 . . . 21 between the bottom surface 4b of the backing pad 4 and the working surface. The amount of air entering the central recess 15 through the radial channels 16 and available for conveying dust away from the working surface through the dust extraction system of the tool 1 is limited by the diameter and the overall number of the channels 16. On its way from the central recess 15 to the holes 13 located most externally (closest to the slanting circumferential surface 17) in the backing pad 4 most of the air is aspired through the holes 13 leaving almost no air left for conveying dust away from the working surface in the annular outer section 39 of the bottom surface 4b.

(25) The backing pad according to the present invention solves these problems and, in particular, provides for an increased efficiency of the dust extraction process during use of the power tool 1 in order to reduce the contamination of the environmental air with dust and other small particles generated on a working surface during use of the tool 1.

(26) A first example of a backing pad according to the present invention is schematically shown in FIG. 9. The backing pad according to the present invention is designated with reference sign 30. The suction tube 5, the cap 6, the fan 8 and the pneumatic conduit 9 of the dust extraction system of the tool 1 remain unchanged. The backing pad 30 according to the present invention includes a carrier layer 31, an adhesive layer 32 and an interface layer 33. Furthermore, the backing pad 30 includes a central recess 34 located at a bottom surface 30b of the backing pad 30 and extending through the adhesive layer 32 and at least part of the interface layer 33. The backing pad 30 also includes holes 35 extending essentially axially in respect to the axis 14 of rotation. The holes 35 interconnect a top opening 35a in the top surface 30a of the backing pad 30 with bottom openings 35b in the bottom surface 30b of the backing pad 30. Furthermore, the backing pad 30 is provided with channels 36 extending essentially radially through the backing pad 30 and interconnecting some of the holes 35 with one another. At least part of the channels 36 continue towards the center of the backing pad 30, that is towards the axis 14, and open into the central recess 34. The lateral openings in the central recess 34 are designated with reference signs 36a. The channels 36 have no connection with an outer slanting circumferential surface 37 of the backing pad 30.

(27) Although the embodiment of FIG. 9 is drawn as if the backing pad 30 performed a rotational actuating movement around rotational axis 14 only (rotational axis 14 of backing pad 30 identical to rotational axis of tool shaft), it would also be possible to provide for an appropriate mounting of the backing pad 30 so it can perform an orbital, a roto-orbital or a random orbital actuating movement as suggested in FIG. 10 (rotational axis 14 of backing pad 50 spaced apart from rotational axis 55 of tool shaft).

(28) According to the present invention the backing pad 30 is provided with at least one additional hole 38, each of which located such that it ends in a bottom opening 38b located in an annular outer section 39 of the bottom surface 30b. The annular outer section 39 is located opposite to the slanting peripheral surface 37 of the backing pad 30. The at least one additional hole 38 is in connection with at least one opening 40a located in the top surface 30a of the backing pad 30. In particular, the top opening 40a is located in the top surface 30a such that during an orbital actuating movement of the backing pad 30 in respect to the static cap 6 of the dust extraction system of the tool 1 (see FIG. 10), the opening 40a is always covered by the static cap 6. In the sectional view of FIG. 9 two additional holes 38 are shown. Of course, the backing pad 30 can be provided with a plurality of additional holes 38 located in the annular outer section 39 and circumferentially spaced apart from one another.

(29) The at least one additional hole 38 ending in the bottom opening 38b in the annular outer section 39 has a longitudinal extension essentially perpendicular to the top and bottom surfaces 30a, 30b of the backing pad 30, or axial to the axis 14 of rotation. In the embodiment of FIG. 9 the additional holes 38 extend through the adhesive layer 32 and part of the interface layer 33. The at least one opening 40a located in the top surface 30a of the backing pad 30 and in connection with the at least one additional hole 38 opens into at least one further additional hole 40 having a longitudinal extension essentially perpendicular to the top and bottom surfaces 30a, 30b of the backing pad 30, or axial to the axis 14 of rotation. The further additional holes 40 extend through the carrier layer 31 and part of the interface layer 33. The additional holes 38 ending in the bottom openings 38b in the annular outer section 39 of the bottom surface 30b of the backing pad 30 and the further additional holes 40 ending in the top openings 40a located in the top surface 30a of the backing pad 30 and in connection with the additional holes 38 are interconnected with one another by additional channels 41. The additional channels 41 extend preferably essentially parallel to the top and bottom surfaces 30a, 30b of the backing pad 30 or essentially radially. The additional channels 41 are located in the interface layer 33. At least part of the additional channels 41 interconnecting the additional holes 38 and the further additional holes 40 proceed radially outwards and open into the slanting circumferential surface 37 of the backing pad 30. The additional channels 41 opening into openings 37a have no pneumatic connection to the central recess 34 of the backing pad 30.

(30) At least one of the pluralities of channels 36 interconnecting some of the holes 35 are extended radially inwards and open into the central recess 34 of the backing pad 30. The respective openings are designated with reference sign 36a. In this manner at least some of the holes 35 interconnected by one of the channels 36 are in pneumatic connection with the central recess 34. None of the channels 36 interconnecting some of the holes 35 and opening into the central recess 34 opens into the slanting circumferential surface 37 of the backing pad 30.

(31) This design of the backing pad 30 and in particular of the holes 35, additional holes 38 and further additional holes 40 as well as their interconnection with one another by channels 36 or 41 as well as their connection to the environment (through openings 37a in the slanting circumferential surface 37 by channels 41) and to the central recess 34 (through openings 36a of channel 36 opening into the central recess 34), provide for a specific air flow along the bottom surface 30b of the backing pad 30 and the working surface, which has the advantage of a particularly effective dust extraction. In this manner the contamination of the environmental air with dust and other small particles can be significantly reduced allowing the operator of the tool 1 to better see the working surface (without dust on it) and providing for a significant improvement of the operator's overall working and sanitary situation.

(32) The specific air flow between the bottom surface 30b of the backing pad 30 according to the present invention and the working surface is described in more detail by means of arrows shown in FIG. 9. An important difference to known backing pads 4 is that environmental air is not conveyed to the working surface via the central recess 34 (15 in the known backing pad 4) but is rather freely aspirated from the outer circumference of the backing pad 30 (arrows 42). The air flow runs from the environment surrounding the circumference of the backing pad 30 through an annular circumferential gap between the bottom surface 30b of the backing pad 30 and the working surface radially inwards to the openings 38b of the additional holes 38 and further to the openings 35b of the holes 35 thereby gathering dust from the working surface (arrows 42 and 43). Some of the dust-laden air even reaches the central recess 34 of the backing pad 30 and enters the holes 36a located in a circumferential wall of the central recess 34 (arrows 44). The dust-laden air enters the opening 38b, 35b in the bottom surface 30b and the openings 36a in the central recess 34, passes through the holes 38, 35 and channels 42, 36 and exits the holes 40, 35 through openings 40a, 35a located in the top surface 30a of the backing pad 30 (arrows 45). The various dust-laden air streams 45 exiting the openings 40a, 35a are combined by the cap 6 of the dust extraction system of the tool 1 (arrows 46) and finally conveyed to the suction tube 5 and further to a dust collecting unit (dust filter or vacuum cleaner) connected to the suction tube 5.

(33) The present invention has the advantage that the additional holes 38 located in the annular outer section 39 of the bottom surface 30b of the backing pad 30 actively aspirate dust-laden air and actively remove dust and small particles from the working surface opposite to the annular outer section 39. Furthermore, it is advantageous that the amount of air participating at the air flow 42 . . . 46 is not limited by the diameter, number and/or length of aspiration channels. Rather, the air participating at the air flow 42 . . . 46 can freely enter the region between the bottom surface 30b of the backing pad 30 and the working surface through a circumferential gap between the outer circumference of the backing pad 30 and the working surface. Another reason for the very efficient dust extraction is the fact that an air flow 44 is aspirated by the central recess 44 and the channels 36 opening into the recess 34. This can significantly reduce the amount of dust in the center of the backing pad 30.

(34) FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment the backing pad is designated with reference sign 50. In this embodiment the eccentric mounting of the backing pad 50 in respect to the tool shaft can be clearly seen. The rotational axis 14 of the backing pad 50 is spaced apart by orbit o from an axis 55 of rotation of the tool shaft (not shown). The backing pad 50 performs an orbital, a roto-orbital or a random orbital actuating movement with orbit o. Most parts of the backing pad 50 of FIG. 10, in particular the holes 35, 38, 40 and the channels 36, 41 are similar or identical to the embodiment of FIG. 9. Therefore, they have been given the same reference signs.

(35) The backing pad 50 comprises a deflection disk 51 attached to the top surface 50a of the backing pad 50. The deflection disk 51 is preferably made of a rigid material, the same or similar to the material of the carrier layer 31 of the backing pad 50. The deflection disk 51 can be designed separately from the carrier element 31 or can form a single integral part with the carrier layer 31. In a view from above the deflection disk 51 has an essentially annular form with a central opening 53. The deflection disk 51 is located above and spaced to the top surface 50a of the backing pad. The deflection disk 51 delimits an intermediate chamber 52 between the top surface 50a of the backing pad 50 and a bottom surface of the deflection disk 51. The intermediate chamber 52 is closed radially outwards by circumferential edge 56 and opens radially inwards into the central opening 53. In the embodiment of FIG. 10 the opening 53 is surrounded by collar 54. The deflection disk 51 is fixed to the top surface 50a of the backing pad 50 along the lower rim of the circumferential edge 56, for example by gluing or welding or a snap-on connection. The edge 56 could also be part of the top surface 50a of the backing pad 50, in which case the defection disk would be fixed with its bottom surface to the upper rim of the circumferential edge 56.

(36) The advantage of the deflection disk 51 is that the cap 6 of the tool 1 can have a smaller diameter than if there was no deflection disk 51 (see FIG. 9). The diameter of the cap 6 should be at least that large that during the orbital actuating movement of the backing pad 50 the opening 53 of the deflection disk 51 is always and entirely covered by the bottom opening of the cap 6. The use of a deflection disk 51 is particularly advantageous when the backing pad 50 performs large orbital actuating movements with an orbit o in the range of 15 mm to 21 mm. However, the use of the deflection disk 41 is also advantageous for smaller orbits o, such as 5 mm or 10 mm.

(37) The deflection disk 51 could also be designed without the circumferential edge 56 (see embodiments of FIGS. 2 to 7) such that it is directly fixed to the top surface 50a of the backing pad 50 without leaving an intermediate chamber 52 between the top surface 50a and the bottom surface of the deflection disk 51. In that case the top surface 60a of the backing pad 60 could be provided with groves and recesses 62 leading to one or more central openings 71 of the deflection disk 70. The grooves and recesses 62 are hermetically sealed by the deflection disk 70 fully attached to the top surface 60a of the backing pad 60. In that embodiment there could be a plurality of intermediate chambers designed by the groves and recesses 62 in the top surface 60a instead of the single intermediate chamber 52 between the top surface 50a and the deflection disk 51 of the embodiment of FIG. 10.

(38) FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of a backing pad 60 according to the present invention. The top surface 60a of the backing pad 60 is designed for receiving a deflection disk 70 (see FIG. 4), which is not shown in FIG. 2. A threaded rod for attaching the backing pad 60 to the tool shaft of the tool 1 is designated with reference sign 61. The threaded rod 61 is fixedly attached to the carrier layer 31. Instead of the threaded rod 61, the backing pad 60 could also be provided with a recess adapted for receiving a distal end of the tool shaft having an outer contour corresponding to an internal contour of the recess. Of course, although not explicitly shown the backing pads 30, 50 are provided with similar or the same attachment mechanism for connection to the tool shaft.

(39) The top surface 60a of the backing pad 60 is provided with a number of groves or recesses 62, which interconnect various holes 35. When the deflection disk 70 is attached to the top surface 60a of the backing pad 60 the groves or recesses 62 are hermetically sealed thereby forming internal chambers for conveying dust-laden air from holes 35, 40 located towards the outer circumference of the backing pad 60 essentially radially inwards towards holes 35. With the deflection disk 70 attached to the backing pad 60, openings 71 in the deflection disk 70 are in alignment with the holes 35. The dust-laden air exits the internal chambers through the openings 71. When the backing pad 60 performs its orbiting actuating movement the openings 71 in the deflection disk 70 are preferably always and entirely covered by the bottom opening of the cap 6 (not shown) of the dust extraction system of the tool 1.

(40) As clearly shown in FIG. 2 by the example of holes 35, the holes do not necessarily have to pass through the entire height of the backing pad 60. Rather, holes 35 merely extend through the carrier layer 31 and possibly part of the interface layer 33.

(41) In FIG. 2 the plurality of holes 35 located radially inwards from the annular outer section 39 of the bottom surface 60b of the backing pad 60 are shown. Furthermore, some of the additional holes 38 located in the annular outer section 39 are also shown. Further, additional channels 41 opening into opening 37a in the slanting peripheral surface 37 and interconnecting the additional holes 38 with the environment can be seen, too. A plurality of openings 37a is allocated on the slanting peripheral surface 37 of the backing pad 60 circumferentially spaced apart from one another.

(42) FIG. 3 shows a longitudinal cross section through the backing pad 60 of FIG. 2. The annular outer section 39 of the backing pad 60 is indicated by a dashed line. FIG. 3 clearly shows the central recess 34 of the backing pad 60. Furthermore, the holes 35 and the channels 36 located radially inwards from the annular outer section 39 are clearly visible. Further, the additional holes 38 located in the annular outer section 39 can be seen. The additional channels 41 interconnecting the additional holes 38 with the openings 40a of the further additional holes 40 are also shown. Some of the additional holes 38 are located only partly in the annular outer section 39. Nonetheless they are still considered additional holes 38 in the sense of the present invention as long as they do not open directly into top openings 40a but rather by further channels 41 extending essentially radially.

(43) It can be clearly seen that the channels 36 extend in an essentially radial direction from holes 35 towards the center recess 34. The channels 36 have an arcuated form along their longitudinal extension. The diameter of the channels 36 increases along their longitudinal extension from the holes 35 located at an external end of the channel 36 towards the opening 36a in the circumferential wall of the central recess 34. However, any other form or longitudinal extension of the channels 36 would be possible, too. The extension of the additional channels 41 is considered to be essentially radially in the sense of the present invention, too, because the inlet openings 37a are located further radially outwards than the outlets opening into the further additional holes 40. The channels 41 have an essentially straight extension. The diameter of the channels 41 decreases from the inlet openings 37a towards the outlets opening into the further additional holes 40. Of course, any other form or longitudinal extension of the further channels 41 would be possible, too. The further channels 41 connect the additional holes 38 with the further additional holes 40, which open into the grooves and recesses 62 (sealed by the deflection disk 70) leading to the inner holes 35 in the top surface 60a of the backing pad 60 and finally to the openings 71 opposite to the cap 6. The additional channels 41 can also interconnect conventional holes 35 with the further additional holes 40 as shown in FIG. 3.

(44) FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the backing pad 60 with a partial cross section along line VIII-VIII of FIG. 5. The holes 35, additional holes 38 and further additional holes 40 as well as the channels 36 and the additional channels 41 can be clearly seen in FIG. 4. Furthermore, in FIG. 4 the deflection disk 70 is attached to the top surface 60a of the backing pad 60 thereby hermetically sealing the groves or recesses 62 except for the openings into the holes 35 (see FIG. 2) leading to the openings 71 in the deflection disk 70.

(45) FIG. 5 shows a top view of the backing pad 60 of FIG. 2 without the deflection disk 70. FIG. 6 shows a sectional view of the backing pad 60 of FIG. 5 along line VI-VI with the deflection disk 70 attached to the top surface 60a of the backing pad 60. FIG. 7 shows a bottom view of the backing pad 60 of FIG. 5. Again, the annular outer section 39 is shown by dashed line. It can be clearly seen that the additional holes 38 are located within the annular outer section 39 and that conventional holes 35 are located outside, that is radially inwards from the annular outer section 39. Some additional holes 38 are located only partly in the annular outer section 39. Nonetheless, they still open into the further additional holes 40 only by the additional channels 41. FIG. 8 is another sectional view of the backing pad 60 of FIG. 5 along the line VIII-VIII. An additional hole 38 and a further additional hole 40 as well as the interconnecting channel 41 can be clearly seen. Furthermore, it can be seen that the interconnecting channel 41 opens into opening 37a in the outer circumferential surface 37 of the backing pad 60.

(46) The invention has been described in an illustrative manner. It is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Many modifications and variations of the invention are possible in light of the above teachings. Therefore, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described.