Vacuum sanding pole with actuated hose junction

Abstract

A bifurcated hose junction is provided for a pole mounted abrading device with vacuum assisted particulate removal. The junction is actuated by the movement of the sanding pad assembly. When a short side of the rectangular sanding pad assembly is moved toward the tubular handle, the bifurcated hose junction is displaced laterally in relation to the linear axis of the handle. When a long side of the sanding pad assembly is moved toward the tubular handle, the bifurcated hose junction rotates in place, thereby allowing the sanding pad a comprehensive range of motion, in relation to the handle. The range of motion enables the operator to close the angle between sanding pad and the handle, and maintain planar contact between the sanding screen and the work surface, when working in constricted areas. The sanding pole of the application also provides an unobstructed passageway to maintain the laminar flow of the air stream, thereby reducing turbulence and conserving the energy available to transport the particulate to the vacuum source. Conserving energy maintains the efficiency of the system, allowing the operator maintain a high sanding pace without reducing the effective removal of abraded particulate.

1 . A device for sanding a work surface comprising: 
 a flexible sanding screen,    an elastomeric sanding pad,    a sanding-screen clamp means, a rigid base plate,    a universal-joint connection means,    a rigid tubular handle, a connection means to a source vacuum, and    an actuated hose junction wherein    said actuated hose junction includes, a first and second vacuum hose, a bifurcated hose junction, a common vacuum hose, and a means to connect said common vacuum hose to said tubular handle,    said actuated hose junction, is displaced in relation to the linear axis of said tubular handle to facilitate a predetermined range of motion between said sanding screen and said tubular handle, and establishes a fluid communication between the screen and the handle, to facilitate the removal, by vacuum, of abraded particulate to a waste receptacle at a vacuum source.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of    claim 1    wherein said sanding pad carries a plurality of support pegs, said support pegs being adapted to carry said flexible sanding screen.  
     
     
         3 . The sanding pad of    claim 1   , wherein 
 the plurality of pegs, have equal height and form a plurality of interconnecting channels, and are adapted to support a sanding screen, thereon; and    said plurality of interconnecting channels are in fluid communication with said first and second vacuum ports, respectively, on the pad.    
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of    claim 1   , wherein said base plate further includes, a generally rectangular plate with a first and second planar surface, said base plate having said first and second vacuum ports through the thickness dimension thereof, said first and second tubular flange extending outward from said first planar surface and aligned with said first and second vacuum ports, respectively.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of    claim 1   , wherein said universal joint connection means further includes, a roll pin to connect said universal joint to said base plate, extending through the pivot axis orthogonal to the linear axis of said base plate and friction fit into a first and second aperture, respectively, disposed in a first and second ridge, respectively, in said base plate.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of    claim 1   , wherein said tubular handle further includes, an open end connected to a vacuum source, a closed end removably connected to said universal joint on said base plate, and a vacuum port disposed a predetermined distance proximal the closed end and removably connected to said common vacuum hose.  
     
     
         7 . The device of    claim 1    wherein said sanding screen, sanding pad, base plate, actuated hose junction, and tubular handle, being in concert, establish a fluid communication between said sanding screen and said vacuum source.