Retainer for a handheld sander and method of use

Abstract

An adjustable mount for a handheld sander. The adjustable mount includes a base that is adapted to engage with a work table. The adjustable mount also includes a pivot table that pivotably engages with the base. The adjustable mount also includes a clamping assembly that operably engages with the pivot table for securing the handheld sander with the adjustable mount. The pivot table, the clamping assembly, and the handheld sander are collectively rotatable relative to the base for providing the handheld sander at at least one ergonomic position.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . An adjustable mount for a handheld sander, comprising:
 a base adapted to engage with a work table;   a pivot table pivotably engaged with the base; and   a clamping assembly operably engaged with the pivot table for securing the handheld sander with the adjustable mount;   wherein the pivot table, the clamping assembly, and the handheld sander are collectively rotatable relative to the base for providing the handheld sander at at least one ergonomic position.   
     
     
         2 . The adjustable mount of  claim 1 , wherein the pivot table is releasably secured with the base to collectively maintain the pivot table, the clamping assembly, and the handheld sander at at least one angle from a range of angles relative to the base. 
     
     
         3 . The adjustable mount of  claim 1 , wherein the base comprises:
 an upright member;   a first foot operably engaged with a first end of the upright member; and   a second foot operably engaged with a second end of the upright member longitudinally opposite to the first end.   
     
     
         4 . The adjustable mount of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 at least one pivot pin pivotably engaging the pivot table with the upright member;   wherein the pivot table, the clamping assembly, and the handheld sander are configured to collectively rotate about the at least one pivot pin.   
     
     
         5 . The adjustable mount of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 at least one locking member releasably securing the pivot table with the upright member to collectively maintain the pivot table, the clamping assembly, and the handheld sander at at least one angle from a range of angles relative to the base.   
     
     
         6 . The adjustable mount of  claim 5 , wherein the base further comprises:
 at least one slot defined in the upright member vertically above one of the first foot and the second foot;   wherein the at least one locking member rides inside of the at least one slot for collectively maintaining the pivot table, the clamping assembly, and the handheld sander at at least one angle from a range of angles relative to the base.   
     
     
         7 . The adjustable mount of  claim 3 , wherein each of the first foot and the second foot are adapted to be mounted to the work table via a clamping tool. 
     
     
         8 . The adjustable mount of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 at least one attachment mechanism operably engaging one of the first foot and the second foot with the work table via at least one hole defined in the work table.   
     
     
         9 . The adjustable mount of  claim 1 , wherein the clamping assembly comprises:
 a clamping plate operably engaged with the pivot table;   at least one adjustment assembly operably engaged with the clamping plate; and   a clamping strap operably engaged with the at least one adjustment assembly;   wherein the clamping plate, the at least one adjustment assembly, and the clamping strap are adapted to secure the handheld sander between the clamping plate and the clamping strap.   
     
     
         10 . The adjustable mount of  claim 9 , wherein the clamping strap is moveably adjustable relative to the clamping strap via the at least one adjustment assembly. 
     
     
         11 . The adjustable mount of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one adjustment assembly comprises:
 a knuckle pivotably engaged with the clamping plate;   a threaded rod operably engaged with the knuckle and the clamping strap; and   a locking knob threadably engaged with the threaded rod opposite to the knuckle and operably engageagble with the clamping strap;   wherein the locking knob is configured to linearly move the clamping strap at a first position along the threaded rod relative to the clamping strap for securing the handheld sander between the clamping plate and the clamping strap.   
     
     
         12 . The adjustable mount of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 at least another adjustment assembly operably engaged with the clamping plate and adjacent to the at least one adjustment assembly;   wherein the at least another adjustment assembly is configured to linearly move the clamping strap relative to the clamping strap for securing the handheld sander between the clamping plate and the clamping strap.   
     
     
         13 . The adjustable mount of  claim 12 , wherein the at least another adjustment assembly comprises:
 a knuckle pivotably engaged with the clamping plate;   a threaded rod pivotally engaged with the knuckle and the clamping strap; and   a locking knob threadably engaged with the threaded rod opposite to the knuckle and operably engageagble with the clamping strap;   wherein the locking knob is configured to linearly move the clamping strap at a second position along the threaded rod relative to the clamping strap to secure the handheld sander between the clamping plate and the clamping strap.   
     
     
         14 . A method of sanding a workpiece at at least one ergonomic position, comprising steps of:
 introducing an adjustable mount to a work table;   adjusting a clamping assembly of the adjustable mount to an unlocked position;   introducing a handheld sander into the clamping assembly;   adjusting the clamping assembly of the adjustable mount to a locked position;   collectively rotating a pivot table of the adjustable mount, the clamping assembly, and the handheld sander to the at least one ergonomic position;   securing a base of the adjustable mount to the work table; and   sanding the workpiece at the at least one ergonomic position.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the step of collectively adjusting the pivot table, the clamping assembly, and the handheld sander to the at least one ergonomic position further comprises:
 loosening a locking knob of at least one locking assembly from the base and the pivot table;   collectively rotating the pivot table, the clamping assembly, and the handheld sander to the at least one ergonomic position; and   tightening the locking knob of the at least one locking assembly with the base and the pivot table at the at least one ergonomic position.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the step of adjusting the clamping assembly of the adjustable mount to the unlocked position further comprises:
 loosening at least one adjustment assembly of the clamping assembly from a clamping strap of the clamping assembly; and   pivoting the at least one adjustment assembly away from the clamping strap until the at least one adjustment assembly is spaced apart from the clamping strap.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the step of adjusting the clamping assembly of the adjustable mount to the locked position further comprises:
 pivoting the at least one adjustment assembly towards the clamping strap until the at least one adjustment assembly operably engages with the clamping strap;   tightening the at least one adjustment assembly towards the clamping strap until the handheld sander is clamped between a clamping plate of the clamping assembly and the clamping strap; and   tightening at least another adjustment assembly towards the clamping strap until the handheld sander is clamped between the clamping plate and the clamping strap.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the step of securing the base of the adjustable mount to the work table further comprises:
 clamping at least one foot of the base, via a first clamping tool, to the work table.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the step of securing the base of the adjustable mount to the work table further comprises:
 introducing at least one attachment mechanism of adjustable mount through a first foot of the base and through at least one hole defined in the work table;   introducing at least another attachment mechanism of adjustable mount through a second foot of the base and through at least another hole defined in the work table;   securing the base, via the at least one attachment mechanism, with the work table; and   securing the base, via the at least another attachment mechanism, with the work table.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 loosening at least one locking knob from the base and the pivot table;   collectively rotating the pivot table, the clamping assembly, and the handheld sander to at least another ergonomic position different than the at least one ergonomic position;   tightening the at least one locking knob with the base and the pivot table at the at least one ergonomic position; and   sanding the workpiece at the at least another ergonomic position.