Random orbit sander with a multi-material dust collection assembly

Abstract

An orbital sander includes a housing, a motor within housing, the motor including a motor shaft defining a motor axis, an eccentric drive unit coupled to the motor shaft to convert rotation of the motor shaft to an orbit motion around the motor axis, a battery receptacle for receiving a battery pack, a backing pad coupled to the eccentric drive unit for orbital motion about the motor axis, and a dust collection assembly adjacent the backing pad for directing dust away from the backing pad. The orbital sander, including the housing, the motor, the eccentric drive unit, the battery receptacle, the backing pad, and the dust collection assembly, defines a center of gravity CGROS located on a first side of the motor axis adjacent the battery receptacle. The dust collection assembly defines a center of gravity CGDCA on a second side of the motor axis opposite the first side.

1 . An orbital sander comprising:
 a housing;   a motor within housing, the motor including a motor shaft defining a motor axis;   an eccentric drive unit coupled to the motor shaft and configured to convert rotation of the motor shaft to an orbit motion around the motor axis;   a battery receptacle configured to receive a battery pack for providing electrical current to the motor;   a backing pad coupled to the eccentric drive unit for orbital motion about the motor axis; and   a dust collection assembly adjacent the backing pad configured for directing dust away from the backing pad;   wherein the orbital sander, including the housing, the motor, the eccentric drive unit, the battery receptacle, the backing pad, and the dust collection assembly, defines a center of gravity CG ROS  located on a first side of the motor axis adjacent the battery receptacle, and wherein the dust collection assembly defines a center of gravity CG DCA  on a second side of the motor axis opposite the first side.   
     
     
         2 . The orbital sander of  claim 1 , wherein the dust collection assembly includes a first material having a first density and a second material having a second density, wherein the second density is greater than the first density, and wherein the second material is located forward of the motor axis. 
     
     
         3 . The orbital sander of  claim 1 , wherein the dust collection assembly comprises a lower shroud and an upper shroud coupled thereto. 
     
     
         4 . The orbital sander of  claim 3 , wherein the lower shroud comprises a first lower portion and a second lower portion affixed thereto. 
     
     
         5 . The orbital sander of  claim 4 , wherein the upper shroud includes a first upper shroud half having a first upper rearward portion and a first upper forward portion coupled thereto. 
     
     
         6 . The orbital sander of  claim 5 , wherein the upper shroud includes a second upper shroud half having a second upper rearward portion and a second upper forward portion coupled thereto. 
     
     
         7 . The orbital sander of  claim 6 , wherein the first lower portion of the lower shroud, the first upper rearward portion of the upper shroud, and the second upper rearward portion of the upper shroud comprise a first material. 
     
     
         8 . The orbital sander of  claim 7 , wherein the second lower portion of the lower shroud, the first upper forward portion of the upper shroud, and the second upper forward portion of the upper shroud comprise a second material. 
     
     
         9 . The orbital sander of  claim 8 , wherein the first material has a first density and the second material has a second density, and wherein the second density is greater than the first density. 
     
     
         10 . The orbital sander of  claim 9 , wherein the second density is greater than or equal to five times the first density. 
     
     
         11 . The orbital sander of  claim 8 , wherein the first material is a polymer. 
     
     
         12 . The orbital sander of  claim 11 , wherein the second material is a metal. 
     
     
         13 . The orbital sander of  claim 1 , wherein the dust collection assembly is integrally formed with the housing. 
     
     
         14 . The orbital sander of  claim 1 , wherein the dust collection assembly is formed separately from the housing. 
     
     
         15 . The orbital sander of  claim 1 , further comprising a brake pad bracket and a brake pad adjacent a first side of the backing pad. 
     
     
         16 . The orbital sander of  claim 15 , wherein the dust collection assembly at least partially surrounds the brake pad bracket and brake pad. 
     
     
         17 . The orbital sander of  claim 15 , wherein the brake pad bracket includes a first bracket portion located on the first side of the motor shaft and a second bracket portion located on the second side of the motor shaft and the second bracket portion is heavier than the first bracket portion. 
     
     
         18 . The orbital sander of  claim 1 , wherein the dust collection assembly includes a first shroud and a second shroud, wherein the second shroud includes a first portion located on the first side of the motor shaft and a second portion located on the second side of the motor shaft, and wherein the second portion is heavier than the first portion. 
     
     
         19 . An orbital sander comprising:
 a housing;   a motor within housing, the motor including a motor shaft defining a motor axis;   an eccentric drive unit coupled to the motor shaft and configured to convert rotation of the motor shaft to an orbit motion around the motor axis;   a battery receptacle for receiving a battery pack for providing electrical current to the motor;   a backing pad coupled to the eccentric drive unit for orbital motion about the motor axis; and   a brake pad bracket and a brake pad adjacent a first side of the backing pad;   wherein the orbital sander, including the housing, the motor, the eccentric drive unit, the battery receptacle, and the backing pad defines a center of gravity CG ROS  located on a first side of the motor axis adjacent the battery receptacle, and wherein the brake pad bracket defines a center of gravity CG DCA  on a second side of the motor axis opposite the first side.   
     
     
         20 . The orbital sander of  claim 19 , further comprising a dust collection assembly adjacent the backing pad configured for directing dust away from the backing pad, wherein the dust collection assembly includes a first material having a first density and a second material having a second density, wherein the second density is greater than the first density, and wherein the second material is located on the second side of the motor axis. 
     
     
         21 .- 40 . (canceled)