Tension/release mechanism for belt sander

Abstract

A belt sander includes a mechanism to apply and release tension to the roll of sandpaper used in the sander. A release arm is rigidly connected to an rotational member that is engageable with a support member that is operatively connected to the front roller of the sander. The rotational member is designed such that the rotation of the tension release arm creates longitudinal motion of the front roller to apply and remove tension from the endless roll of sandpaper to allow the user to selectively replace the roll of sandpaper.

1 . A latch for a belt sander having a pair of rollers that define a plane of travel for sandpaper comprising:
 (a) an arm rotatable about an axis orthogonal to the sandpaper plane of travel;   (b) a rotational member operatively engaged with an end of the arm;   (c) a support member having a first end engaged with the rotational member and a second end connected to a first roller such that rotation of the arm changes a distance between the first roller and a second roller.   
   
   
       2 . The latch of  claim 1  wherein the arm has a first end and a second end, the first end being engaged with the rotational member, and the second end oriented such that an axis through the length of the second end is generally perpendicular to an axis oriented through the length of the first end. 
   
   
       3 . The latch of  claim 1  wherein the support member is biased toward the front roller by a spring. 
   
   
       4 . The latch of  claim 1  wherein the arm and the rotational member are operatively engaged with a pin. 
   
   
       5 . The latch of  claim 3  further comprising a retaining means to retain the first roller in a position to allow the sandpaper roll to be removed from the sander against the force of the spring. 
   
   
       6 . The latch of  claim 1  wherein the arm and rotational member are formed as a single member. 
   
   
       7 . The latch of  claim 1  wherein the rotational member is a pinion gear. 
   
   
       8 . The latch of  claim 7  wherein the support member includes a plurality of teeth that correspond to a plurality of teeth on the pinion gear. 
   
   
       9 . The latch of  claim 1  wherein the rotational member is a cam plate. 
   
   
       10 . The latch of  claim 9  wherein the support member includes a recessed portion with a side wall that can be engaged by the cam plate. 
   
   
       11 . A belt sander with a mechanism to allow removal and replacement of a roll of sandpaper comprising:
 a support member having a first end and a second end where the first end has grooves that cooperate with teeth formed on a pinion gear and where the second end is operatively connected to a first rollers and   an arm that is rotatable about a first axis generally perpendicular to a second axis about which the first roller rotates and that is fixed to the pinion gear to selectively rotate the pinion gear.   
   
   
       12 . The belt sander of  claim 11  wherein the pinion gear and arm are formed in the same member. 
   
   
       13 . The belt sander of  claim 11  further comprising a spring to bias the support member toward the front roller. 
   
   
       14 . The mechanism of  claim 11  further comprising a catch to maintain the first roller in a position to allow the sandpaper roll to be removed from the sander against the force of the spring. 
   
   
       15 - 20 . (canceled)