Storage shield for angle grinding disc

Abstract

A storage shield for a disc of an angle grinder is provided according to the present invention. The storage shield includes a first shield member and a second shield member. Each of the first and second shield members includes a front face, an opposing rear face positioned parallel to and a distance apart from the front face, an end wall that joins an upper edge of the front face to an upper edge of the rear face, and a front face opening between a lower edge of the front face and a lower edge of the rear face, and an opening in a center area of the front face at the lower edge thereof. A pivot hinge assembly pivotally connects a first end of the first shield member to a first end of the second shield member. Fastening means for affixing the storage shield and stored angle grinder to a worksite surface are affixed to the rear face of one of the first shield member or second shield member. A method of protecting a disc of an angle grinder when not in use is also provided. First, the storage shield is opened. Second, the disk of the angle grinder is inserted into the open storage shield such that a spindle of the angle grinder is aligned with the openings in the front faces of the first and second shield members. Next the storage shield is closed. Finally, the storage shield and the angle grinder are affixed to a worksite surface.

Claims

1. A storage shield for a disc of an angle grinder comprising: a first shield member having a front face, an opposing rear face positioned parallel to and a distance apart from said front face, an end wall that joins an upper edge of the front face to an upper edge of the rear face, and an opening in a center area of the front face at the lower edge thereof; a second shield member having a front face, an opposing rear face positioned parallel to and a distance apart from said front face, an end wall that joins an upper edge of the front face to an upper edge of the rear face, and an opening in a center area of the front face at the lower edge thereof; a pivot hinge assembly pivotally connecting a first end of the first shield member to a first end of the second shield member, wherein the rear face of the first shield member and the rear face of the second shield member substantially cover the disc of the angle grinder when the storage shield is in a closed position; and fastening means for affixing the storage shield and stored angle grinder to a worksite surface, said fastening means affixed to the rear face of one of the first shield member or second shield member.

2. The storage shield according to claim 1 wherein the first and shield members are semicircular in shape such that when the storage shield is in a closed position with the lower edge of the first shield member in contact with the lower edge of the second shield member, the storage shield is circular in shape.

3. The storage shield according to claim 2 wherein the opening in the center area of the front face in each of the first and second shield members is semicircular in shape such that when the storage shield surrounds a spindle of the angle grinder is in a closed position the semicircular openings in the center area of the front face of the first and second members form a single circular opening.

4. The storage shield according to claim 1 wherein the opening in the center area of the front face in each of the first and second shield members is semicircular in shape such that when the storage shield surrounds a spindle of the angle grinder in a closed position the semicircular openings in the center area of the front face of the first and second members form a single circular opening.

5. The storage shield according to claim 1 wherein said fastening means comprises a magnet.

6. The storage shield according to claim 5 wherein said fastening means comprises a first magnet affixed to the rear face of the first shield member and a second magnet affixed to the rear face of the second shield member.

7. The storage shield according to claim 1 wherein the first and second shield members are formed from a thermoplastic material.

8. The storage shield according to claim 1, wherein an end wall of the rear face of the first shield member engages an end wall of the rear face of the second shield member when the storage shield is in the closed position such that the rear face of the first shield member and the rear face of the second shield member completely cover the disc of the angle grinder.

9. A method of protecting a disc of an angle grinder when not in use comprising the steps of: opening a storage shield, said storage shield comprising a first shield member having a front face, an opposing rear face positioned parallel to and a distance apart from said front face, an end wall that joins an upper edge of the front face to an upper edge of the rear face, and an opening in a center area of the front face at the lower edge thereof; a second shield member having a front face, an opposing rear face positioned parallel to and a distance apart from said front face, an end wall that joins an upper edge of the front face to an upper edge of the rear face, and an opening in a center area of the front face at the lower edge thereof; and a pivot hinge assembly pivotally connecting a first end of the first shield member to a first end of the second shield member; inserting the disk of the angle grinder into the open storage shield such that a spindle of the angle grinder is aligned with the openings in the front faces of the first and second shield members; closing the storage shield; and affixing the storage shield and the angle grinder to a worksite surface.

10. The method of protecting a disc of an angle grinder according to claim 9, wherein the step of opening the storage shield comprises pivoting the first shield member in a direction away from the second shield member about the pivot hinge.

11. The method of protecting a disc of an angle grinder according to claim 10, wherein the step of closing the storage shield comprises pivoting the first shield member in a direction toward from the second shield member about the pivot hinge.

12. The method of protecting a disc of an angle grinder according to claim 9, wherein the step of closing the storage shield comprises pivoting the first shield member in a direction toward from the second shield member about the pivot hinge.

13. The method of protecting a disc of an angle grinder according to claim 9, wherein the step of affixing the storage shield and the angle grinder to a worksite surface comprises positioning a magnet on a rear surface of the rear surface of the storage shield in contact with a metal work surface.

14. The method of protecting a disc of an angle grinder according to claim 9, wherein an end wall of the rear face of the first shield member engages an end wall of the rear face of the second shield member when the storage shield is in a closed position such that the rear face of the first shield member and the rear face of the second shield member completely cover the disc of the angle grinder.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The present invention can best be understood in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is noted that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiments shown in the drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a storage shield for an angle grinding disc according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

(3) FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view of the storage shield shown in FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the storage shield shown in FIG. 1.

(5) FIG. 4 is front elevational view of the storage shield shown in FIG. 1 in the open position with the disc of an angle grinder disposed therein.

(6) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the storage shield shown in FIG. 1 in the closed position with the disc of an angle grinder disposed therein and with the storage shield mounted on a vertical surface.

(7) FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the storage shield and angle grinder shown in FIG. 5.

(8) FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of the storage shield and angle grinder shown in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(9) For purposes of promoting and understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. The invention includes any alterations and further modifications in the illustrated devices and described methods and further applications of the principles of the invention that would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

(10) One presently preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a storage shield 10 for a disc 100 of an angle grinder 200. As best shown in FIG. 1, the storage shield 10 includes two semi-circular or arc-shaped halves 12a, 12b that are essentially mirror images of one another. Each half 12a, 12b includes a front planar face 14a, 14b having a semi-circular or arc-shaped opening 15a, 15b at the lower edge thereof. The opening in the two halves 12a, 12b are shaped such that they substantially and completely surround the spindle of the angle grinder 200 when the storage shield is in the closed position as shown in FIG. 5-FIG. 7. The upper edge of the front planar face 14a, 14b is joined to an end wall 16a, 16b. According to the preferred embodiment shown in the drawings, the outer edge of each half 12a, 12b is semi-circular or arc-shaped at the point where it joins the end wall 16a, 16b, such that the shape of the storage shield 10, when assembled is circular like the disc 100 of the angle grinder 200. A rear planar face 18a, 18b is joined at its outer edge to the other opposing edge of the end wall 16a, 16b. The first end of the rear planar face 18a, 18b is straight and does not have an opening as in the front face 14a, 14b. In this manner, the disc is virtually completely enclosed within the storage shield 10 when it is in the closed position.

(11) The two halves 12a, 12b of the storage shield 10 are joined together at first respective ends of the end walls 16a, 16b by a pivot hinge assembly 20, which allows the storage shield to be moved between a substantially open position as shown in FIG. 1, and a closed position as shown in FIG. 5-FIG. 7 surrounding the disc 100 of the angle grinder 200.

(12) As shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 6, the rear planar surface 18a, 18b of each half 12a, 12b of the storage shield 10 is provided with a magnet 30a, 30b, or other equivalent device for attaching the storage shield to a flat surface such as a vertical metal surface 300.

(13) In operation, the halves 12a, 12b of the storage shield 10 are pivoted around the hinge 20 to the open position as shown in FIG. 1, and the disc 100 of the angle grinder 200 is nested inside the first half 12a of the storage shield 10 such that the spindle of the grinder 200 rests upon the arc-shaped opening 15a as best shown in FIG. 4. The second half 12b of the storage shield 10 is then rotated about the hinge 20 to the closed position as shown in FIG. 5-FIG. 7 thereby completely surrounding the disc 100 protecting it from damage that could be caused by external hazards. The storage shield 10 with the disc 100 inside and angle grinder 200 attached, can then be affixed to a surface such as a metal wall or cabinet 300 for storage out of harms way.

(14) While the outer shape of the storage shield 10 has been heretofore described as circular due to the circular shape of the disc 100, other shapes are contemplated. The primary issue or function of the storage shield is to completely surround and protect the disc 100 when the two halves of the storage shield 10 are closed, thereby preventing damage to the disc 100 from external sources. The two halves 12a, 12b of the storage shield may be formed of any suitable rigid material, and are preferably formed from a rigid and strong polymeric or thermoplastic that can withstand impacts that may be caused by external hazards. While magnets are described as being the preferred embodiment for attaching the storage shield 10 to a surface, any fastener or attachment system that allows such a device to be permanently or temporarily attached to a surface will suffice.

(15) This detailed description, and particularly the specific details of the exemplary embodiment disclosed, is given primarily for clearness of understanding and no unnecessary limitations are to be understood therefrom, for modifications will become evident to those skilled in the art upon reading this disclosure and may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the claimed invention.