Improvements to abrasion power tool apparatus

Abstract

The invention relates to a power tool apparatus which is provided to perform an abrasion work operation on a workpiece, said apparatus including at least one spindle which is driven to rotate and a plurality of abrasion components which can be selectively attached to the spindle, said abrasion components provided in different configurations to perform different work operations and selectable by the user with regard to the particular work operation to be performed on a workpiece at that time. The speed of rotation of the spindle is manually or automatically adjustable so as to allow the speed of rotation of the abrasion component to be optimised with regard to the particular work operation to be performed. In one embodiment, the said speed of rotation is one of a range of predetermined speeds which can be manually selected by the user via user actuation means or may be automatically set upon detection of a particular component being fitted to the spindle at an instant of time of use.

1 . An abrasion power tool apparatus, said apparatus including a housing, a motor which, when provided with a power supply, is operable to rotate at least one spindle located externally of the said housing, one or more abrasion components including an abrasion surface, said one or more abrasion components selectively engageable with the spindle such that, when engaged, the abrasion component is rotated by the spindle to perform a work operation on the surface of a workpiece placed against the same and wherein, the apparatus includes adjustment means to allow the adjustment of the speed of rotation of the spindle to a selected speed within a range of speeds, with the selection being made with respect to the abrasion component fitted to the spindle and/or the work operation to be performed on the workpiece at the instant of time of use. 
     
     
         2 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the adjustment of the speed is achieved by adjustment of the operation of the motor. 
     
     
         3 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the operation of the adjustment means is manually performed by the user of the apparatus via a user actuable mechanism provided on said housing. 
     
     
         4 . Apparatus according to  claim 3  wherein the user actuable mechanism is provided in the form of a dial switch located on a face of the housing in conjunction with graduations to allow the user to select a particular position of the dial switch to suit a desired adjustment means setting. 
     
     
         5 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the apparatus includes guide means to provide the user with an indication of the appropriate setting of the adjustment means for the plurality of abrasion components when the particular component is fitted to the spindle and/or for specific uses or stages of use of the abrasion components to perform a work operation. 
     
     
         6 . Apparatus according to  claim 5  wherein the guide means are located on a face of the housing so as to be externally viewable by the user. 
     
     
         7 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the setting of the adjustment means to operate the spindle at a particular speed is performed automatically upon the engagement of the abrasion components with the apparatus for use. 
     
     
         8 . Apparatus according to  claim 7  wherein the particular setting of the adjustment means is achieved as a result of a coded mechanical engagement of the said particular abrasion component with the spindle or another component of the apparatus at the time of fitting and the coded engagement is translated into a particular setting for the adjustment means and hence speed of rotation of the spindle. 
     
     
         9 . Apparatus according to  claim 7  wherein the automatic adjustment of the adjustment means is achieved as a result of a wireless detection made between the adjustment means and the abrasion component such that when a particular abrasion component is fitted to the spindle, wireless detection of a particular speed setting is achieved and transmitted to the adjustment means so at to allow the control of speed of rotation of the spindle. 
     
     
         10 . Apparatus according to  claim 9  wherein the wireless connection is via RFID, Bluetooth or other wireless communication system. 
     
     
         11 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the apparatus housing includes a plurality of storage locations in which abrasion components which are provided to be selectively fitted to the spindle are stored when not in use. 
     
     
         12 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the housing includes a platform which is located adjacent to the spindle and the angular position of the platform with respect to the housing is selectively adjustable to suit the particular abrasion component which is fitted to the spindle and or the size and shape of the workpiece on which the work is to be performed. 
     
     
         13 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein there is provided an on/off switch to allow control of said power supply to the apparatus. 
     
     
         14 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the said abrasion components include one or more drum components to be driven to rotate about a longitudinal centre axis of a channel in which the spindle is received and engaged, and one or more belt components which include first and second spaced apart members, one of which is mounted on said spindle to allow the same to be driven and hence move the belt abrasion component. 
     
     
         15 . A method of using an abrasion power tool apparatus, said method including the steps of mounting the apparatus on a support surface, selecting to locate and engage an abrasion component including an abrasion surface on at least one spindle located on said housing, providing a power supply to a motor to operate the same and rotate the said spindle and abrasion component, bringing a workpiece into contact with the moving abrasion surface to perform a work operation on the surface of the workpiece and wherein operating adjustment means to select the speed of rotation of the said spindle prior to and/or during the performance of the said work operation. 
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 15  wherein the adjustment of the speed of rotation is made by a user interaction with a user actuable mechanism to alter the speed of the motor and with reference to predetermined setting values relating to a range of abrasion components which can be fitted to the apparatus. 
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 15  wherein the speed of rotation of the spindle is automatically altered as a result of mechanical or wireless connection between the abrasion component which is fitted to the apparatus at that time, and the apparatus, such that when a particular coding is received by the apparatus the motor is automatically controlled to rotate the spindle at a particular predetermined speed.