Buffing Pad

Abstract

A buffing pad assembly having a buffing pad, an attachment means, and an insert (e.g., plastic ring) is provided. In one embodiment, the attachment means is affixed (glued) to a back surface of the buffing pad and the insert is centered on an upper surface of the attachment means. The insert is then heated, affixing it to at least the upper surface of the attachment means. The insert is then deformed (while it is still pliable) into a curved-upward or an L-shape, forming a cavity on the backside of the buffing pad assembly. And because the insert is affixed to the attachment means, and the attachment means is affixed to the buffing pad, deforming the insert results in deforming a front surface of the buffing pad, resulting in a curved front surface.

Claims

1-20. (canceled)

21. A buffing pad assembly, comprising: a buffing pad having a front surface, a back surface, and a side surface connecting said front surface to said back surface, said front surface being configured to at least one of buff and polish a vehicle; an attachment means having an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein said inner surface is affixed to said back surface of said buffing pad and said outer surface is configured to connect said buffing pad assembly to a rotary portion of at least one of a rotary and orbital machine; and a plastic material affixed to a portion of said outer surface of said attachment means, wherein said plastic material is curved upward, resulting in a portion of said back surface and said side surface of said buffing pad being curved upward, thereby creating a cavity on a backside of said buffing pad assembly for accepting at least said rotating portion of said at least one of said rotary and orbital machine; wherein said curved plastic material further results in a portion of said front surface being curved upward toward said back surface of said buffing pad; and wherein said buffing pad is substantially circular and said plastic material comprises a plastic ring so that said backside of said buffing pad assembly only has plastic around its edges and not its center where said attachment means comes into contact with said rotating portion of said at least one of said rotary and orbital machine.

22. The buffing pad assembly of claim 21, wherein heat is used to deform said plastic ring from an initially flat orientation to a second orientation wherein said portion of said plastic ring is curved upward.

23. The buffing pad assembly of claim 22, wherein said side surface of said buffing pad is substantially vertical, perpendicular to a back surface of said buffing pad prior to the deformation of said plastic ring from said initially flat orientation to said second orientation wherein said portion of said plastic ring is curved upward.

24. The buffing pad assembly of claim 22, wherein said front surface, including said portion of said front surface, is substantially flat prior to the deformation of said plastic ring from said initially flat orientation to said second orientation where said portion of said plastic ring is curved upward.

25. The buffing pad assembly of claim 22, wherein said back surface, including said portion of said back surface, is substantially flat prior to the deformation of said plastic ring from said initially flat orientation to said second orientation where said portion of said plastic ring is curved upward.

26. The buffing pad assembly of claim 21, wherein said attachment means is affixed to said back surface of said buffing pad via a heat-resistant glue.

27. The buffing pad assembly of claim 21, wherein said plastic material is affixed to said portion of said outer surface of said attachment means via heat, thereby melting said plastic material to said portion of said outer surface of said attachment means.

28. The buffing pad assembly of claim 27, wherein a diameter of said attachment means is less than both (i) a diameter of said back surface of said buffing pad and (ii) a diameter of said plastic material, thereby resulting in said plastic material being affixed to both (a) said portion of said outer surface of said attachment means and (b) a portion of said back surface of said buffing pad.

29. The buffing pad assembly of claim 21, wherein said buffing pad further comprises an aperture through a center of said buffing pad.

30. The buffing pad assembly of claim 21, further comprising one of a wool material and fiber material affixed to a front surface of said buffing pad.

31. A buffing pad assembly, comprising: a substantially cylindrical buffing pad having a front surface, a back surface, and a side surface connecting said front surface to said back surface, said front surface being configured to at least one of buff and polish a vehicle; an attachment means having an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein said inner surface is affixed to said back surface of said buffing pad and said outer surface is configured to connect said buffing pad assembly to a rotary portion of at least one of a rotary and orbital machine, said attachment means comprising at least a portion of a hook-and-pile fastener; and a substantially cylindrical plastic ring affixed to at least a portion of said outer surface of said attachment means so that said backside of said buffing pad assembly only has plastic around its edges and not its center where said attachment means comes into contact with said rotating portion of said at least one of said rotary and orbital machine, wherein a portion of said plastic ring is curved upward, resulting in a curvature upward of a portion of said back surface and said side surface of said buffing pad, thereby creating a cavity on a backside of said buffing pad assembly for receiving said rotary portion of at least one of a rotary and orbital machine; wherein said curved plastic material further results in a portion of said front surface being curved toward said back surface of said buffing pad.

32. The buffing pad assembly of claim 31, wherein a diameter of said attachment means is less than both (i) a diameter of said back surface of said buffing pad and (ii) a diameter of said plastic ring, thereby resulting in said plastic ring being affixed to both (a) said portion of said outer surface of said attachment means and (b) a portion of said back surface of said buffing pad.

33. The buffing pad assembly of claim 31, wherein said portion of said plastic ring is curved upward after said plastic ring is affixed to said at least a portion of said outer surface of said attachment means.

34. The buffing pad assembly of claim 32, wherein heat is used to deform said plastic ring from an initially flat orientation to a second orientation wherein said portion of said plastic ring is curved upward.

35. The buffing pad assembly of claim 34, wherein said side of said buffing pad is substantially perpendicular to a front surface of said buffing pad prior to said deformation of said plastic ring.

36. The buffing pad assembly of claim 34, wherein said heat is further used to affix said plastic ring to said at least a portion of said outer surface of said attachment means.

37. The buffing pad assembly of claim 34, wherein a diameter of said attachment means is substantially equal to an outer diameter of said plastic ring when said plastic ring is in said initially flat orientation.

38. The buffing pad assembly of claim 31, wherein said buffing pad further comprises an aperture through a center of said buffing pad.

39. The buffing pad assembly of claim 31, further comprising a wool material affixed to a front surface of said buffing pad, wherein a portion of said wool material is curved toward said back surface of said buffing pad

40. The buffing pad assembly of claim 31, further comprising a fiber material affixed to a front surface of said buffing pad, wherein a portion of said fiber material is curved toward said back surface of said buffing pad.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a known buffing device back plate separated from a buffing device buffing pad;

[0020] FIG. 1B is a perspective view of both the back plate and buffing pad, shown in FIG. 1A, physically connected together;

[0021] FIG. 1C is a side view of both the back plate and buffing pad, shown in FIG. 1A, physically connected together along the front surface of the back plate and the inner surface of the buffing pad;

[0022] FIG. 2A is a front, planar view of a buffing pad assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 2B is a side view of the buffing pad assembly illustrated in FIG. 2A;

[0024] FIG. 2C is a back, planar view of the buffing pad assembly illustrated in FIG. 2A;

[0025] FIGS. 2D and 2E are planar and cross-sectional views, respectively, of an insert in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] FIG. 3A is a side view of a buffing pad assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] FIG. 3B is a side view of a buffing pad assembly in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional, exploded view of the buffing pad assembly illustrated in FIG. 3B, along with a first tool for heating at least a plastic portion of the buffing pad assembly;

[0029] FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional, constructed view of the buffing pad assembly illustrated in FIG. 4, along with a second tool for deforming the plastic portion (while pliable), including portions of the attachment means (e.g., Velcro) and buffing pad, thereby creating a cavity on the backside of the buffing pad assembly;

[0030] FIG. 5 illustrates both before and after pictures of a buffing pad deformed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] FIGS. 6-9 are perspective, side, top, and bottom views, respectively, of the buffing pad shown in FIG. 5, after deformation;

[0032] FIGS. 10-12 are side and perspective views, respectively, of the buffing pad shown in FIG. 5, before deformation;

[0033] FIGS. 13 and 14 are top and bottom views, respectively, of a buffing pad assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, before deformation;

[0034] FIGS. 15 and 16 are top and perspective views, respectively, of the buffing pad assembly shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, after deformation; and

[0035] FIG. 17 illustrates a method of making a buffing pad assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0036] The present invention provides a buffing pad assembly that includes a buffing pad, an attachment means, and an insert that can be heated and deformed to create a cavity on a backside of the buffing pad assembly. This invention addresses problems found in traditional buffing pad assemblies, including, heat dissipation, robustness, and difficulties and expenses in manufacturing. In the detailed description that follows, like element numerals are used to describe like elements shown in one or more of the figures.

[0037] In general, the assembly comprises a buffing pad having at least one edge, a front surface and a back having a cavity, where the cavity is configured to receive an attachment means and an insert. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the insert functions to protect the inner wall surface of the buffing pad from the backing plate during violent forces generally associated with traditional rotary or orbital buffing devices. In alternate embodiments, the insert can also (or alternatively) function to substantially center the buffing pad on the backing plate (e.g., sized to receive a corresponding back plate).

[0038] In a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the buffing pad assembly 200 includes a buffing pad 202 having a substantially smooth front surface 204 and an aperture 206, which may be used for attaching the plate to a rotary or orbital device (not shown) or for heat dissipation (as known in the art). It should be appreciated that a buffing pad assembly 200 (or buffing pad 202) that does not include an aperture 206, or includes other features not shown in FIG. 2A (e.g., designs, patterns, logos on the front surface 204, etc.), is within the spirit and scope of the present invention. It should also be appreciated that the buffing pad 202, including the front surface 204 thereof, may be constructed of one or more materials generally known to those skilled in the art, including natural wool, synthetic fibers, a blend of wool and synthetic fibers, open or closed cell synthetic foam, etc. The invention will also work with other types of pads, including nylon brush pads and other buffing, polishing, and/or abrasive (e.g., metal, stone, ceramic, fiber (woven and non-woven), sand, nylon, polypropylene, etc.) pads generally known to those skilled in the art.

[0039] As shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C, the back of the buffing pad 202 should include a cavity 210 sized to accept a back plate (not shown). In a preferred embodiment, the cavity 210 includes an attachment means 214, such as fabric loop-and-hook fasteners (e.g., Velcro), and an insert 212 to prevent the back plate from cutting into or damaging the cavity (or inner) wall surface. The insert, however, should be more of an L-shaped ring that protects the cavity (or inner) wall surface, but is not continuous on the cavity bottom.

[0040] An exemplary insert 212 is shown in FIGS. 2D and 2E, with FIG. 2D providing an upper view of the insert 212 and FIG. 2E providing a cross-sectional view of the insert 212 (taken at A in FIG. 2D). These figures show that the insert 212 is L-shaped and includes a substantially vertical side wall 218 and a substantially horizontal bottom 220, where the bottom 220 includes an aperture 222. It is this aperture 222 (or ring shape) that allows the buffing pad 202, including the attachment means 214, to breath, thereby preventing (or minimizing) thermal damage. As discussed above, excess heat can cause premature failure of the buffing pad and/or surfaces/components thereof (e.g., the attachment means 214, etc.).

[0041] It should be appreciated that while FIGS. 2A-E depict one embodiment of the present invention, the invention is not so limited. For example, while a non-continuous insert (ring shaped) is preferred, a cup providing a barrier between the cavity bottom and the attachment means is within the spirit and scope of the present invention, as are other attachment means (e.g., adhesive, etc.) generally known to those skilled in the art (e.g., a cup having a perforated bottom for heat dissipation is within the spirit and scope of the present invention). While the insert is preferably plastic, which is pliable under heated conditions (allowing it to be formed into an L-shape, or the like), but sufficiently resilient enough under normal (operable) conditions to protect the cavity (inner) wall surface from the back plate, other constructions (e.g., an insert constructed using at least one other material) (e.g., carbon fiber, fiberglass, metal, etc.) are within the spirit and scope of the present invention. It should also be appreciated that while the insert is shown as L-shaped, with a 90 bend at 212A, other shapes, including a more curved transition between the vertical side wall 218 and horizontal bottom 220, is within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0042] In one embodiment, the bottom 220 of the insert 212 is (at least partially) under the attachment means 214, or between at least a portion of the attachment means 214 and the bottom of the cavity 210. See, e.g., FIG. 2B. This prevents the backing plate (not shown) from getting under the edge of the insert 212, which can result in the insert 212 being lifted (or detached) from the buffing pad. Also, if heat is used to shape the insert (e.g., using a mold or jig) (see discussion below), and this is done while the insert 212 and the attachment means 214 are positioned within the cavity 210, the melted plastic of the insert 212 can be used to not only secure the insert 212 to the buffing pad 202, but also secure the attachment means 214 to the buffing pad 202 (e.g., the attachments means 214 is secured to the insert 212, which in turn is secured to the buffing pad 202).

[0043] It should be appreciated that other means (e.g., heat-resistant glue, etc.) can also or alternatively be used to affix the insert 212 and/or attachment means 214 to the buffing pad. It should also be appreciated that the attachment means 214 is not limited to fabric hook-and-loop fasteners (e.g., Velcro), and other fastening means are within the spirit and scope of the present invention. It should further be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to the arrangement of the insert 212 and attachment means 214 shown in FIG. 2B, and other arrangements are within the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the insert 212 could be disposed (at least partially) on top of the attachment means 214 (discussed in greater detail below).

[0044] If the buffing pad is constructed as discussed above, several other benefits are achieved, including a buffing pad shape that is conducive to buffing in tight spots. As shown in FIG. 2B, the buffing pad may include a first outer surface 202A and a second outer surface 202B, where the first outer surface 202A has a smaller circumference (and diameter) than the second outer surface 202B. It also results in a notch 202C that is formed between the first and second outer surfaces 202A, 202B. This notch, including the reduced circumference or diameter, can prevent the backing plate and/or insert from contacting (e.g., scratching, etc.) the surface that is being buffed or polished and can allow the buffing pad 202 to be used in tight spots.

[0045] As stated above, the present invention is not limited to the foregoing embodiments, and other embodiments are within the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, as shown in FIG. 3A, the insert 212 could be disposed (at least partially) on top of the attachment means 214. In this embodiment, the attachment means 214 is affixed to at least the cavity bottom (e.g., via heat-resistant glue, etc.) and perhaps the cavity sides. The insert 212, which is preferably a plastic ring, is affixed to an upper surface of the attachment means 214. In a preferred embodiment, this is accomplished by heating the insert 212 (or plastic ring) to a melting point, thereby affixing the insert 212 to an upper surface of the attachment means 214. Heating the insert 212 could also be used to affix the insert 212 to the back surface of the buffing pad (see, e.g., FIGS. 15 and 16) (e.g., if the diameter of the insert 212 is greater than the diameter of the attachment means 214). And if the insert is heated, this is but another reason the insert should be ring-shaped, as heat and pressure can negatively affect the buffing pad (e.g., causing pad distortion, etc.). In other words, by only having to apply heat at the edges (e.g., to melt the ring-shaped plastic), it is less likely that the center of the buffing pad is distorted, etc.

[0046] It should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3A, as this is merely an alternate embodiment. For example, the notch 202C referred to above may be more of an angled, or slopped surface (see FIG. 3B), depending on how the buffing pad 202 is cut, or the shape of the channel cut into the side of the buffing pad 202 (discussed in greater detail below). As those skilled in the art will appreciated, a buffing pad assembly having a side profile as shown in FIG. 3B may be advantageous over other profiles as it allows the user to get the buffing pad into tighter (or smaller) spots.

[0047] In one embodiment of the present invention, the insert 212 is heated not only to affix the insert 212 to the attachment means 214 and/or cavity walls, but to render the insert 212 pliable (allowing it to be molded into a desired shape). It should be appreciated that the temperature necessary to melt and/or render the insert 212 pliable may vary depending on the type and thickness of plastic (the term plastic is used herein to include thermoplastics). It should also be appreciated that the temperature necessary to melt the insert 212 may be different from the pliability temperature (i.e., the temperature at which the plastic ring can be deformed). Thus, it may be necessary to first heat the insert 212 to its melting point (e.g., affixing it to the attachment means 214 and/or buffing pad 202) and then heat it (or let it cool) to just above its glass transition temperature, where the insert 212 can be deformed (or formed) to create the foregoing L-shape, or the like. Once the insert 212 has been deformed (or molded) into a desired shape, it should then be cooled to harden retain its desired shape (e.g., L-shape, etc.). It is this shape/hardness that protects the cavity walls of the buffing pad 202 from the edge 110 of the back plate 100 (see FIG. 1A).

[0048] Using heat and at least one tool (see below) to form the insert 212 can also simplify and reduce the cost of manufacturing. For example, the buffing pad 202 may be cut into the profile as shown in FIG. 4A. This may be accomplished by cutting a channel into the side of the buffing pad, resulting in a first outer surface 202A, a second outer surface 202B (which may be angled for a more desirable profile), and a channel therebetween 202C. As discussed above, the shape of the channel will vary depending on the profile desired. After the channel has been cut into the side of the buffing pad (or prior, depending on the assembly process), the attachment means 214 is affixed to the back surface of the buffing pad 202 (e.g., via heat-resistant glue, etc.). In one embodiment, the insert 212 is then placed on the upper surface of the attachment means 214. A jig (not shown), or the like, may be used to center the insert 212 on the attachment means 214. As discussed above, the insert 212 should preferably be ring-shaped, as the cross-section illustrates in FIG. 4A.

[0049] A first tool 300, having at least one heating element 302A, 302B, is then used to heat the insert 212 to its melting point, thereby affixing the insert 212 to the upper surface of the attachment means 214, which in turn is affixed to the back surface of the buffing pad 202. As shown in FIG. 4B, a second tool 400 may then be used to deform (or shape) the insert 212 into a cavity. And because the insert 212 is affixed to the attachment means 214 (or a portion thereof), and the attachment means 214 is affixed to the buffing pad 202 (or a portion thereof), shaping the insert 212 results in shaping the attachment means 214 and shaping the back surface of the buffing pad (adjacent the first outer surface 202A), thereby creating the layered cavity, as illustrated in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 4B.

[0050] Not only does this provide a protective layer for the cavity sides, but it simplifies (and therefore reduces the cost of) the manufacturing process. For example, it is much easier (and reduces waste) to cut a channel in the side of the buffing pad than to cut a cavity into the back surface of the buffing pad. And by deforming the insert (e.g., into an L-shape) after the insert has been affixed to the attachment means and/or buffing pad, a standard buffing pad (i.e., flat front surface, flat back surface) with a channel cut into the side can be transformed into a flat-faced buffing pad having a cavity on its backside, as shown in FIG. 5.

[0051] A method of manufacturing a buffing pad assembly is accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is provided in FIG. 17. Starting at step 1700, a channel is cut into the side of the buffing pad at step 1702. The attachment means (e.g., Velcro) is then affixed to the back surface of the buffing pad (e.g., via heat-resistant glue) at step 1704. The insert, which is preferably a plastic ring, is then placed over the upper surface of the affixing means at step 1706. As previously discussed, a jig may be used to center the insert on the affixing means. At step 1708, the insert is then heated to its melting point. The insert is then deformed into an L-shape, or the like, to create a cavity on the backside of the buffing pad assembly at step 1710, ending the method at step 1712. This deformation may be performed while the insert is at its melting point, or after it has cooled (e.g., closer to its glass transition temperature). It should, however, be held in the desired shape until the insert has cooled below its glass transition (or pliable) temperature, allowing the desired shape to be maintained.

[0052] Examples of a buffing pad 202 after step 1702 (after the channel has been cut) are provided in FIGS. 10-12, and examples of a buffing pad 202 after step 1710 (after the insert has been deformed) are provided in FIGS. 6-9. It should be appreciated that FIGS. 6-12 merely depict the buffing pad (202, 202'), and do not depict the attachment means or the insert. They are merely being provided to illustrate how the insert, once heated and deformed, can be used to transition the buffing pad from a first configuration (FIGS. 10-12) (i.e., 202) into a second configuration (FIGS. 6-9) (i.e., 202).

[0053] It should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to the manufacturing method described in FIG. 17, and ones involving additional, fewer, and/or different steps are within the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, a different channel may be cut into the side of the buffing pad, depending on the desired profile. Alternatively, the method may not require the cutting of a channel. Such an embodiment can be seen in FIGS. 13-16, where deforming the insert results in a cavity on the backside of the buffing pad assembly (as in the other embodiments). However, because a channel is not cut into the side of the buffing pad (i.e., 1302 before deformation and 1302 after deformation), deforming the insert results in a curved front surface (around the edges, see FIG. 15). By way of another example, a single tool (or more than two tools) may be used to heat and deform the insert, which may be molded into any shape desired (e.g., one having a substantially vertical portion, a substantially horizontal portion, and a slight curvature therebetween, etc.).

[0054] Having thus described a preferred embodiment for a buffing pad assembly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that certain advantages have been achieved. It should also be appreciated that various modifications, adaptations, and alternative embodiments thereof may be made within the scope and spirit of the present invention. The invention is further defined by the following claims.