Random orbital finishing apparatus

Abstract

A random orbital finishing apparatus for finishing the surfaces of solid material including wood, plastic, metal and composites, but most particularly plastic solid surface materials. The apparatus includes a conveyor for transporting such unfinished material pass a uniquely mounted random orbital sander where it is subsequently finished thereby. A plurality of random orbitals may be mounted and in a side-by-side position. The apparatus may further include a system of proximity sensors and air cylinders which enable the random orbitals to automatically adjust their position onto the surface to be finished when the material is passed thereby and subsequently return back to a starting position after the material passes.

I claim:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for finishing the surfaces of materials, comprising: 
 a frame having a front end and a back end;    a conveyor system extending generally from said front end to said back end;    a drive motor supported within said frame, said drive motor connected to a main drive shaft to provide a first axis of rotation;    a plurality of small drive shafts coupled to said main drive shaft, each of said small drive shafts providing a second axis of rotation;    a plurality of discs, each of said discs having a center providing a third axis of rotation, said discs having a material engaging surface;    each of said small drive shafts coupled to a disc in an offset position from said center such that the disc is capable of rotating about said third axis while said third axis rotates about said second axis; and    said engaging surface is capable of being detachably covered by a finishing abrasive whereby when said material is conveyed and contacts said discs, said finishing abrasive finishes the surface of said material.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus defined in    claim 1    wherein said main drive shaft is coupled to a main gear, a plurality of small gears are coupled to said main gear wherein each of said small gears is coupled to a small drive shaft, said small gears are thereby rotated around said main gear when said drive motor rotates said main drive shaft.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus defined in    claim 2    wherein three small gears are positioned 60° apart around said main gear.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus defined in    claim 1    wherein said drive motor is slidably mounted within said frame and capable of oscillating movement laterally with respect to said sides of said frame.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus defined in    claim 1    further including a transport drive means for driving said conveyor system.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus defined in    claim 1    wherein said conveyor system comprises an endless belt wrapped around a front-end roller and a rear-end roller, said conveyor system further including immediate support rollers.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus defined in    claim 1    wherein said conveyor system comprises a top portion and a bottom portion.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus defined in    claim 7    wherein said top portion being adjustable both horizontally and vertically with respect to said frame.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus defined in    claim 1    wherein said drive motor is slidably supported by said frame to enable said disc to vertically adjust its height relative to said conveyor.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus defined in    claim 9    further including a sensor for sensing said material, said sensor in communication with a height adjusting means whereby when said material triggers said sensor said adjusting means positions said disc whereby said finishing abrasive finishes the surface of said material.  
     
     
         11 . A surface finishing apparatus, comprising: 
 a frame having a front end, a back end and two sides;    a means for conveying material generally from said front end to said back end;    a main drive means for providing a first axis of rotation;    a plurality of secondary drive means coupled to said main drive, each of said secondary drive means providing a second axis of rotation;    a plurality of discs, each of said discs having a center providing a third axis of rotation, said discs having a material engaging surface;    each of said secondary drive means coupled to a disc in an offset position from said center such that the disc is capable of rotating about said third axis while said third axis rotates about said second axis; and    said engaging surface is capable of being detachably covered by a finishing abrasive whereby when said material is conveyed and contacts said discs, said finishing abrasive finishes the surface of said material.    
     
     
         12 . The apparatus defined in    claim 11    wherein said main drive means is capable of oscillating movement laterally with respect to said sides of said frame.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus defined in    claim 11    wherein said means for conveying includes a top portion and a bottom portion.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus defined in    claim 13    wherein one of said portions being adjustable both horizontally and vertically with respect to said frame.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus defined in    claim 11    wherein said main drive means is slidably supported by said frame to enable said disc to vertically adjust its height relative to said conveyor.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus defined in    claim 15    further including a sensor for sensing said material, said sensor in communication with a height adjusting means whereby when said material triggers said sensor said adjusting means positions said disc whereby said finishing abrasive finishes the surface of said material.  
     
     
         17 . A surface finishing apparatus, comprising: 
 a frame having a front end, a back end and two sides;    a conveying system extending generally from said front end to said back end;    a drive motor supported within said frame, said drive motor connected to a main drive shaft to provide a first axis of rotation, said main drive shaft is coupled to a main gear;    three small gears positioned 60° apart around said main gear are each coupled to a small drive shaft, said small drive shafts are thereby rotated around said main drive shaft when said drive motor provides said first axis of rotation;    three discs, each having a center providing a third axis of rotation, said discs having a material engaging surface;    each of said small drive shafts coupled to a disc in an offset position from said center such that the disc is capable of rotating about said third axis while said third axis rotates about said second axis; and    said engaging surface is capable of being detachably covered by a finishing abrasive whereby when said material is conveyed and contacts said discs, said finishing abrasive finishes the surface of said material.