Systems and Methods for Grinding

Abstract

Systems and methods for grinding are provided. In one embodiment, systems and methods for grinding are provided having a floating or self-adjusting dust collector or means. This allows the dust collector or guard to adjust its position relative its support member to allow for uninterrupted grinding operations as the grinding element(s) wear away. Biasing and guiding assemblies or means are provided that allow the dust collector/guard to be guided closer to its support structure to compensate for the grinding elements become smaller as they wear away during the grinding operation.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A system for grinding comprising:
 a support;   a dust collector; and   at least one biasing element disposed between the support and the dust collector to allow the dust collector to move closer to the support during grinding operations.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the biasing element comprises a spring. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the biasing element comprises a coil spring. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the biasing element comprises a leaf spring. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the biasing element comprises a spring around a flexible hose. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the biasing element comprising a coil spring around a flexible hose. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a guide assembly disposed between the support and the dust collector. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7  wherein the guide assembly comprises a plurality of elongate bodies between the support and the dust collector and wherein the dust collector's movement is guided by the bodies. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the dust collector comprises a projecting wall configured for connecting at least one biasing element to the dust collector. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the biasing element bears against a surface of the duct collector. 
     
     
         11 . A system for grinding comprising:
 a frame;   a header connected to the frame;   a dust collector;   at least one grinding element; and   at least one biasing element disposed between the header and the dust collector to allow the dust collector to move relative the header.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the biasing element comprises a coil spring. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the biasing element comprises a coil spring around a flexible hose. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the biasing element comprises a compressible coil spring. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the dust collector comprises projecting surface configured to contact the biasing element. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 11  further comprising at least one elongate body disposed between the header and the dust collector and wherein the dust collector comprises at least one guide aperture so that movement of the dust collector is guided by the at least one elongate body. 
     
     
         17 . A system for grinding comprising:
 a support means;   a dust collection means;   a biasing means disposed between the dust collection means and the support means; and   a guide means for guiding movement of the dust collection means relative to the support means.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17  wherein the biasing means is connected to the dust collection means via an interference fit. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17  wherein dust collection means allows the dust collection means to move closer to the support means during grinding operations. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 17  wherein the biasing means compresses as the dust collection means moves closer to the support means.