Polishing media assembly for fiber optic polishing machine

Abstract

A polishing media assembly for use with a fiber optic polishing machine includes a pad, a support plate, a polishing film, and optionally a platen. The pad is configured and arranged to be operatively connected to the support plate. At least one of the pad or the platen includes a textured surface including a plurality of engaging surfaces and a plurality of recessed surfaces. The plurality of recessed surfaces forming gaps between the plurality of engaging surfaces where the pad does not engage the platen during use.

1 . A pad for use with a polishing media assembly of a fiber optic polishing machine including a platen, the polishing media assembly including a support plate and a polishing film, the support plate having a top plate surface and a bottom plate surface, the polishing film being operatively connected to the top plate surface, comprising:
 a base having a top base surface and a bottom base surface;   an adhesive operatively connected to the top base surface configured and arranged to operatively connect the top base surface to the bottom plate surface; and   a textured surface formed in the bottom base surface, wherein the textured surface includes a plurality of engaging surfaces and a plurality of recessed surfaces, the plurality of engaging surfaces configured and arranged to engage the platen of the fiber optic polishing machine during use, the plurality of recessed surfaces forming gaps between the plurality of engaging surfaces where the bottom base surface does not engage the platen during use.   
     
     
         2 . The pad of  claim 1 , wherein the textured surface has a hardness of 20-90 Shore Type A durometer. 
     
     
         3 . The pad of  claim 1 , wherein the engaging surface is configured and arranged to fully engage the platen during use. 
     
     
         4 . The pad of  claim 1 , wherein the engaging surface is parallel to the top plate surface. 
     
     
         5 . The pad of  claim 1 , wherein the gaps comprise 20% to 60% of the textured surface. 
     
     
         6 . A polishing media assembly for use with a fiber optic polishing machine including a platen, comprising:
 a support plate having a top plate surface and a bottom plate surface;   a polishing film being operatively connected to the top plate surface;   a pad being operatively connected to the bottom plate surface, the pad including a textured surface including a plurality of engaging surfaces and a plurality of recessed surfaces, the plurality of engaging surfaces configured and arranged to engage the platen of the fiber optic polishing machine during use, the plurality of recessed surfaces forming gaps between the plurality of engaging surfaces where the pad does not engage the platen during use.   
     
     
         7 . The polishing media assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the support plate is made of a material selected from the group consisting of glass and rubber. 
     
     
         8 . The polishing media assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the polishing film is selected from the group consisting of an abrasive surface and a polishing surface. 
     
     
         9 . The polishing media assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the textured surface has a hardness of 20-90 Shore Type A durometer. 
     
     
         10 . The polishing media assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the engaging surface is configured and arranged to fully engage the platen during use. 
     
     
         11 . The polishing media assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the engaging surface is parallel to the top plate surface. 
     
     
         12 . The polishing media assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the gaps comprise 20% to 60% of the textured surface. 
     
     
         13 . A polishing media assembly for use with a fiber optic polishing machine, comprising:
 a platen configured and arranged to be operatively connected to the fiber optic polishing machine;   a support plate having a top plate surface and a bottom plate surface;   a polishing film being operatively connected to the top plate surface;   a pad operatively connected to the bottom plate surface;   wherein at least one of the platen or the pad has a textured surface including a plurality of engaging surfaces and a plurality of recessed surfaces, the plurality of recessed surfaces forming gaps between the plurality of engaging surfaces where the pad does not engage the platen during use.   
     
     
         14 . The polishing media assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the support plate is made of a material selected from the group consisting of glass and rubber. 
     
     
         15 . The polishing media assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the polishing film is selected from the group consisting of an abrasive surface and a polishing surface. 
     
     
         16 . The polishing media assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the pad has a hardness of 20-70 Shore Type A durometer. 
     
     
         17 . The polishing media assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the engaging surface is flat to fully engage the pad or the platen during use. 
     
     
         18 . The polishing media assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the engaging surface is parallel to the top plate surface. 
     
     
         19 . The polishing media assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the gaps comprise 20% to 60% of the textured surface.