Belt sander

• US 20070202782A1
• Filed: 04/12/2007
• Published: 08/30/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Black & Decker Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Black & Decker Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Inventors: Carroll, Craig, Wall, Daniel
• Application Number:
  US11/786,608
• Publication Number:
  US 20070202782A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 451/355
• CPC Class Codes: B24B 21/20 for controlling or adjusting the tracking or the tension of the grinding belt
• CPC Class Codes: B24B 23/06 with abrasive belts, e.g. with endless travelling belts; Accessories therefor

Abstract

A belt sander is disclosed that may include a sanding assembly having a first roller and a second roller, the sanding assembly being configured to receive a sanding belt around the first roller and the second roller to define a sanding surface therebetweeen. The belt sander may include a motor operationally coupled to the sanding assembly and opposite the sanding surface, the motor being configured to rotate at least the first roller and thereby rotate the sanding belt around the first roller and the second roller, as well as a handgrip formed around at least a portion of the motor and substantially encasing the motor.

Claims

1. A dust collection system for a belt sander, comprising:

an opening formed in a rear of a casing of the belt sander; and

at least one detachable vacuum attachment nozzle having a first end thereof that is configured to snap into the opening using tabs proximate to the first end, and having a second end thereof that is configured to receive a vacuum attachment.

2. The dust collection system of claim 1 wherein the at least one detachable vacuum attachment nozzle comprises a plurality of detachable vacuum attachment nozzles, each having the first end, and each having a variation of the second end that is configured to attach to a different vacuum attachment.

3. The dust collection system of claim 2 wherein a first variation of the second end includes an attachment configured to attach to a first type of vacuum attachment, and where a second variation of the second end includes a secondary attachment configured to attach to a second type of vacuum attachment.

4. The dust collection system of claim 3 wherein the first type of vacuum attachment is compatible with European-style vacuum attachments.

5. The dust collection system of claim 4 wherein the second type of vacuum attachment is compatible with American-style vacuum attachments.

6. The dust collection system of claim 1 wherein the tabs include detents, and the opening includes detent ribs against which the detents may be snapped into place by an insertion and rotation of the vacuum attachment nozzle.

7. The dust collection system of claim 1 wherein power for the dust collection system is received from the vacuum attachment.

8. The dust collection system of claim 1 wherein the opening is positioned relative to the belt sander to receive material provided between a rear roller of the belt sander and the casing, due to action of the belt sander during operation thereof.

9. A method comprising:

providing a belt sander having a port in a rear portion thereof;

providing at least one detachable vacuum attachment nozzle having a first end thereof that is configured to snap into the port using tabs proximate to the first end, and having a second end thereof that is configured to receive a vacuum attachment.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein providing the belt sander having the port in a rear portion thereof comprises:

providing the port in a position between a rear roller of the belt sander and a portion of a casing of the belt sander located behind the rear roller, wherein the port is positioned to receive material provided between the rear roller and the casing portion, due to an action of the belt sander during an operation thereof.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein providing at least one detachable vacuum attachment nozzle comprises:

providing a plurality of vacuum attachment nozzles, each having the first end and having a variation of the second end configured to receive a different type of vacuum attachment.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein providing at least one detachable vacuum attachment nozzle comprises providing the tabs as including detents, and providing the port includes providing detent ribs within the port, against which the detents may be snapped into place by an insertion and rotation of the vacuum attachment nozzle.

13. A belt sander comprising:

a sanding assembly having a front roller and a rear roller, the sanding assembly being configured to receive a sanding belt around the front roller and the rear roller to define a sanding surface therebetweeen;

a motor operationally coupled to the sanding assembly, the motor being configured to rotate at least one of the rear roller and the front roller and thereby rotate the sanding belt around the rear roller and the front roller; and

a casing positioned to at least partially encase the sanding assembly and the motor, the casing having a portion with a port formed therein that is configured to receive and secure at least one detachable vacuum attachment nozzle having a first end thereof that is configured to be secured into the port, the at least one detachable vacuum attachment nozzle having a second end thereof that is configured to receive a vacuum attachment.

14. The belt sander of claim 13 wherein the port includes detent ribs, and wherein the at least one detachable vacuum nozzle has tabs proximate to the first end with detents formed thereon, for attachment of the at least one vacuum attachment nozzle within the port by insertion and rotation thereof for positioning the detents behind corresponding ones of the detent ribs.

15. The belt sander of claim 13 wherein the at least the at least one detachable vacuum attachment nozzle comprises a plurality of detachable vacuum attachment nozzles, each having the first end, and each having a variation of the second end that is configured to attach to a different vacuum attachment.

16. The belt sander of claim 13 comprising a handgrip formed around at least a portion of the motor and substantially encasing the motor, the handgrip being attached to and/or integral with the casing.

17. The belt sander of claim 13 wherein the port is formed at a rear of the belt sander.

18. The belt sander of claim 17 wherein the port is formed beneath a power cord attachment point at the rear of the belt sander.

19. The belt sander of claim 13 wherein the port is positioned to receive material ejected by the belt sander during operation thereof, during an opening formed between the rear roller and the casing.