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Contoured interface pad for an abrasive finishing deviceRelated Patent Categories: Abrading, Flexible-member Tool, Per Se, Work Face Variegated Or On Projecting BackingContoured interface pad for an abrasive finishing device description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070190917, Contoured interface pad for an abrasive finishing device. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/731,141, filed Oct. 28, 2005. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to an interface pad for use with abrasive finishing devices, and more particularly to a contoured interface pad for use between a base of an abrasive finishing device and an abrasive sheet for sanding irregular workpiece surfaces. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] For various reasons, it is often desirable to apply new paint or other coatings to the surfaces of vehicles or other devices. New coatings are applied to automobiles, for example, for rust protection, color restoration or repairing surface damage. Before applying a new coating, however, the surface must be either stripped of prior coatings or abraded sufficiently to allow the new coating to adhere. Therefore, a coated surface must be properly prepared before a new coating can be applied. Work in preparation for a new coating involves considerable time and physical labor. Much of this labor is spent sanding the surface. Sanding removes part or all of the old coating while also smoothing the surface. [0004] Sanding a vehicle usually requires the use of an abrasive sheet, made up of grit adhered to the surface of a paper or fabric backing. As an abrasive sheet is moved over a surface, it removes material from the surface incrementally. A fine grit produces a smooth finish, while a courser grit takes off more material. Sanding by hand is time consuming. Currently, there are a multitude of powered abrasive finishing devices on the market. The abrasive sheet is secured to the abrasive finishing device which typically oscillates a small distance at a high rate to speed the sanding process. [0005] Abrasive finishing devices traditionally have an abrasive sheet attached to a flat base of the abrasive finishing device. The base holds the abrasive sheet flat and allows pressure to be applied to the sanded surface, if desired. A flat base can effectively sand a wide range of flat surfaces, but is not always effective on complicated surfaces having multiple curves. [0006] A surface with a complex shape is significantly more difficult to sand with a flat base. As the flat base of an abrasive finishing device comes into contact with a complex surface, the abrasion is localized in certain small areas. Significant amount of material can be removed from certain portions of the surface while other portions remain unaffected. Uniform finishing with an abrasive finishing device having a flat base is therefore extremely difficult to achieve. [0007] Truck beds, in particular, are complex surfaces that are hard to sand efficiently. Having a properly abraded surface on the bed of a truck is essential for a new coating to properly adhere. The bottom surface of a truck bed often consists of alternating raised and lowered strips along the length of the bed. This adds structural rigidity and strength to what would otherwise be a large, flat surface area. Because truck beds are used to transport heavy equipment, having a solid truck bed is essential. However, sanding the raised and lowered sections is difficult to do efficiently. [0008] It can be seen, then, that there is a need in the art for a device that can easily be adapted to effectively sand the raised and lowered contours of a truck bed. Furthermore, it can be seen that there is a need to effectively sand any surface that is comprised of a complex shape. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009] To minimize the limitations in the prior art, and to minimize other limitations that will become apparent upon reading and understanding the present specification, the present invention discloses a contoured interface pad for use between a base of an abrasive finishing device and an abrasive sheet. The contoured interface pad has a body with a first and second opposed major side. The first side is positionable against the base of the abrasive finishing device while the second side is capable of receiving the abrasive sheet. The second side has a first surface portion that protrudes relative to a second surface portion. This allows the abrasive sheet to conform to an irregular surface of a workpiece. [0010] The first side of the body may be releasably attachable to the base of the abrasive finishing device. The second side of the body may also be releasably attachable to the abrasive sheet. In one embodiment, the body is sufficiently resilient to allow the body to deform and return to an original shape. This compensates for slight angular mismatches between the base of the abrasive finishing device and the irregular surface of the workpiece and causes substantially uniform pressure to be applied to the surface. The first side of the body may be releasably attachable to the base of the abrasive finishing device through a first hook and loop fastener system. The second side of the body may also be releasably attachable to the abrasive sheet through a second hook and loop fastener system. The first and second surface portions may be substantially flat conforming to the shape of a bed of a truck. [0011] The device of the present invention can be easily adapted to sand an irregular surface. Furthermore, the device of the present invention can be used to effectively sand the raised and recessed contours of a truck bed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0012] Referring now to the drawings in which like numbers represent corresponding parts throughout: [0013] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an abrasive finishing device having an interface pad constructed according to one embodiment of the invention. [0014] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of an abrasive finishing device having an interface pad constructed according to another embodiment of the invention. [0015] FIG. 3 is an exploded front elevational of view of the abrasive finishing device of FIG. 1 with an irregular portion of a truck bed shown in section beneath it. [0016] FIG. 4A is a front elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 shown in its assembled condition, along with a portion of a truck bed. [0017] FIG. 4B is a front elevational view of an alternative embodiment of the invention having an additional strip disposed against the underside of the interface pad. [0018] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of an interface pad constructed according to an embodiment of the invention in isolation. [0019] FIG. 6(a) is a front elevational view of an interface pad constructed according to another embodiment of the invention. Continue reading about Contoured interface pad for an abrasive finishing device... Full patent description for Contoured interface pad for an abrasive finishing device Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Contoured interface pad for an abrasive finishing device patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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