An apparatus for supporting an abrasive material includes a flexible base defined by a first end and a second end, and by a lower surface which supports the abrasive material and an upper surface opposite the lower surface. The flexible base is fabricated from a resilient material so as to assume an essentially flat shape when the ends of the flexible base are not acted on by external forces. A front frame is member attached to the flexible base proximate the first end, and a rear frame member is attached to the flexible base proximate the second end. An adjustable connecting link has a first end connected to the front frame member in fixed relation thereto. A second end of the adjustable connecting link is connected to the rear frame member by a variably positionable connection.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/649,287, filed Aug. 26, 2000, which in turn claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/151,287, filed Aug. 28, 1999.
A tool for supporting an abrasive material is disclosed. The tool may be used to abrade a surface, for example, for sanding. The tool includes a flexible base plate, a base plate curvature-adjusting device, a resilient pad with recesses, and clamps for mounting an abrasive sheet material upon the pad. The curvature-adjusting device includes a rotatable handle that engages the ends of the base plate and deflects the base plate to a desired curvature. The recesses in the pad retain abraded material and minimize build up of the abraded material on the abrasive sheet. Aspects of the invention may be used to abrade, for example, sand, any surface requiring material removal, for example, sheet rock or automobile body panels. A tool for spreading a material, such as an adhesive, on a surface is also disclosed; the curvature of the working surface of this tool may also be adjustable.
A sanding block for hand held use has a main body with a bottom side providing a surface for pressing a portion of a circular sheet of sandpaper against an article to be sanded. A first hook and loop-type fastener is secured to the top side of the main body for coupling with a corresponding material covering a backside of the sandpaper. A flap member is secured to the main body and is swingable between first and second positions. A second hook and loop-type fastener is secured to the flap member for coupling with the material covering the backside of the sandpaper. The flap member and the second fastener are arranged to pull the sheet of sandpaper taut across the bottom side when the flap member is moved from its first position to its second position. A closure system is provided for holding the flap member in its second position.
An abrasive tool comprising of a base portion (2), having a foam layer (3) affixed to the abrasive tool base portion, and a plastic film layer (4) affixed, bonded or glued to the foam layer. This tool is adapted to receive an abrasive material layer (5) or sand paper or other abrasive material having a pressure sensitive adhesive applied to one side of the abrasive material, to allow said abrasive material to be stuck and affixed to the abrasive tool. The abrasive tool may be hand operated, or operated by electric power, air power, or other motive power.
