Burr Removing Apparatus and Method

Abstract

Devices and methods for removing burrs from the outer radial surface of generally cylindrical components during rotation. A manual deburring tool is provided having a gripping handle portion and a “working end” head portion. The head portion preferably includes a curved working plate and gripping means for retaining an abrasive sheet thereupon. The outer radial surface of the rotating workpiece is deburred as a user manually grips the handle portion and applies the curved abrasive surface to the workpiece.

1 . A deburring tool comprising:
 a working head portion presenting a curved working plate that presents a curved distal working surface shaped in the manner of an arcuate section of a right circular cylinder;   a handle portion extending from the working head portion;   an abrasive sheet overlaying the working surface for smoothing burrs on a rotating workpiece; and   a gripping mechanism for releasably securing the abrasive sheet to the working head.   
   
   
       2 . The deburring tool of  claim 1  wherein the handle portion is at least 36 inches in length. 
   
   
       3 . The deburring tool of  claim 1  wherein the gripping mechanism comprises:
 a gripping plate having capturing edges; and   a spring that biases the gripping plate toward a proximal side of the working plate so that the capturing edges capture the abrasive sheet against the proximal side of the working plate.   
   
   
       4 . The deburring tool of  claim 3  wherein the gripping mechanism further comprises a plunger that is operably associated with the working plate for moving the working plate with respect to the gripping plate. 
   
   
       5 . The deburring tool of  claim 4  further comprising:
 a gripping piece affixed to the gripping plate and a flange operably associated with the plunger so that a user may operate the plunger to move the working plate with respect to the gripping plate by gripping the gripping plate by the gripping piece and applying pressure to the flange.   
   
   
       6 . The deburring tool of  claim 1  further comprising a cushioning pad disposed between the working plate and the abrasive sheet. 
   
   
       7 . A deburring tool for removing burrs from a rotating workpiece, the tool comprising:
 a working head portion presenting a curved working plate which presents a curved, distal working surface shaped in the manner of an arcuate section of a right circular cylinder;   a handle portion extending from the working head portion; and   an abrasive sheet overlaying the working surface for smoothing burrs on a rotating workpiece.   
   
   
       8 . The deburring tool of  claim 7  further comprising a gripping mechanism for releasably securing the abrasive sheet to the working head portion. 
   
   
       9 . The deburring tool of  claim 8  wherein the gripping mechanism comprises:
 a gripping plate having capturing edges; and   a spring that biases the gripping plate toward a proximal side of the working plate so that the capturing edges capture the abrasive sheet against the proximal side of the working plate.   
   
   
       10 . The deburring tool of  claim 9  wherein the gripping mechanism further comprises a plunger that is operably associated with the working plate for moving the working plate with respect to the gripping plate. 
   
   
       11 . The deburring tool of  claim 10  further comprising a gripping piece affixed to the gripping plate and a flange operably associated with the plunger so that a user may operate the plunger to move the working plate with respect to the gripping plate by gripping the gripping piece and applying pressure to the flange. 
   
   
       12 . The deburring tool of  claim 7  further comprising a cushioning pad disposed between the working plate and the abrasive sheet. 
   
   
       13 . A method of deburring a rotating workpiece comprising the steps of:
 providing a deburring tool having a handle portion and a working head portion wherein the working head portion provides an abrasive working surface shaped in the manner of an arcuate section of a right circular cylinder;   manually gripping the handle portion of the deburring tool and contacting the rotating workpiece with the abrasive working surface.   
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising the step of releasably securing an abrasive sheet to the working head portion to form the abrasive working surface. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the step of releasably securing the abrasive sheet to the working head portion comprises:
 opening a gripping mechanism associated with the working portion;   overlaying a portion of the working head with an abrasive sheet; and   closing the gripping mechanism to secure the abrasive sheet to the working head.