Locking random orbital dual-action head assembly

Abstract

A head assembly for a rotary tool, comprising a body arranged for connection to a drive means, the drive means rotatable about a first axis of rotation; a rotatable element arranged for connection to a pad assembly, the rotatable element rotatable about a second axis of rotation disposed substantially parallel to the first axis of rotation; and, a locking assembly arranged to lock the rotatable element to the body to prevent rotation of the rotatable element relative to the body about the second axis of rotation.

1 . A removable head assembly for a rotary tool comprising:
 a body arranged for connection to a drive means, said drive means rotatable about a first axis of rotation;   a rotatable element arranged for connection to a pad assembly, said rotatable element rotatable about a second axis of rotation disposed substantially parallel to said first axis of rotation; and,   a locking assembly arranged to releasably lock said rotatable element to said body in axial alignment with said first axis of rotation.   
   
   
       2 . The removable head assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said locking assembly further comprises a first element displaceable to rotationally lock said rotatable element. 
   
   
       3 . The removable head assembly as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said locking assembly further comprises a second element engageable with said first element and displaceable to control said displacement of said first element. 
   
   
       4 . The removable head assembly as recited in  claim 3 , wherein said locking assembly further comprises an elastically deformable element arranged to urge said first element in a first direction and wherein said second element is engageable with said first element to urge said first element in a second direction, opposite said first direction, to lock said rotatable element with said body. 
   
   
       5 . The removable head assembly as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said rotatable element further comprises at least one receiving feature engageable with said first element when said rotatable element is in axial alignment with said first axis of rotation. 
   
   
       6 . The removable head assembly as recited in  claim 1  wherein said rotatable element comprises a latitudinal element extending substantially perpendicular to said first axis of rotation wherein said at least one receiving feature is positioned on said latitudinal element. 
   
   
       7 . The removable head assembly as recited in  claim 1  further comprising at least one counterweight removably attached to said body. 
   
   
       8 . The removable head assembly as recited in  claim 7  wherein said at least one counterweight is a plurality of counterweights, at least one of said plurality of counterweights different in weight and/or shape from the remainder of said plurality of counterweights and one of said plurality of counterweights is removably attached to said body. 
   
   
       9 . The removable head assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said pad assembly further comprises a pad base and an abrasive pad. 
   
   
       10 . The removable head assembly as recited in  claim 9 , wherein said pad base and said abrasive pad are secured to one another by means of a hook and loop fastening system. 
   
   
       11 . The removable head assembly as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a rotary tool. 
   
   
       12 . The removable head assembly as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said rotary tool has an air powered motor. 
   
   
       13 . The removable head assembly as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a coupling for detachably securing said head assembly to a rotary tool. 
   
   
       14 . The removable head assembly as recited in  claim 13 , wherein said coupling comprises a threaded connection. 
   
   
       15 . The removable head assembly as recited in  claim 13 , wherein said coupling comprises a socket connection. 
   
   
       16 . A removable head assembly for a rotary tool comprising:
 a body arranged for connection to a drive means, said drive means rotatable about a first axis of rotation;   a rotatable element arranged for connection to a pad assembly, said rotatable element rotatable about a second axis of rotation disposed substantially parallel to said first axis of rotation;   a locking assembly arranged to lock said rotatable element to said body to prevent rotation of said rotatable element relative to said body about said second axis of rotation; and,   at least one counterweight releasably attached to said body.   
   
   
       17 . The removable head assembly as recited in  claim 16  further comprising at least one counterweight removably attached to said body. 
   
   
       18 . The removable head assembly as recited in  claim 17  wherein said at least one counterweight is a plurality of counterweights, at least one of said plurality of counterweights different in weight and/or shape from the remainder of said plurality of counterweights and one of said plurality of counterweights is removably attached to said body. 
   
   
       19 . The removable head assembly as recited in  claim 16  wherein said locking assembly is arranged to releasably lock said rotatable element to said body in axial alignment with said first axis of rotation. 
   
   
       20 . The removable head assembly as recited in  claim 19 , wherein said locking assembly further comprises a first element displaceable to rotationally lock said rotatable element. 
   
   
       21 . The removable head assembly as recited in  claim 20 , wherein said locking assembly further comprises a second element engageable with said first element and displaceable to control said displacement of said first element. 
   
   
       22 . The removable head assembly as recited in  claim 21 , wherein said locking assembly further comprises an elastically deformable element arranged to urge said first element in a first direction and wherein said second element is engageable with said first element to urge said first element in a second direction, opposite said first direction, to lock said rotatable element with said body. 
   
   
       23 . The removable head assembly as recited in  claim 20 , wherein said rotatable element further comprises at least one receiving feature engageable with said first element when said rotatable element is in axial alignment with said first axis of rotation. 
   
   
       24 . The removable head assembly as recited in  claim 19  wherein said rotatable element comprises a latitudinal element extending substantially perpendicular to said first axis of rotation wherein said at least one receiving feature is positioned on said latitudinal element. 
   
   
       25 . A removable head assembly for a rotary tool comprising:
 a body arranged for connection to a drive means, said drive means rotatable about a first axis of rotation;   a rotatable element arranged for connection to a pad assembly, said rotatable element rotatable about a second axis of rotation disposed substantially parallel to said first axis of rotation;   a locking assembly arranged to releasably lock said rotatable element to said body in axial alignment with said first axis of rotation; and,   at least one counterweight releasably attached to said body.