Orbital sander with suction ring

Abstract

A rotary orbital sander includes a motor having a rotatable shaft with a radially off-set portion. A suction housing is mounted to the motor around the motor shaft and connectable with a vacuum source. A sanding pad assembly including a backing pad having a plurality of apertures therethrough and an annular frame having a circumferential side wall including first and second circumferential edges is mounted to the radially off-set portion of the shaft. A circular back wall extends from one of the circumferential edges and has an opening therein sealable with the suction housing. The other circumferential edge is attached to the backing pad. The sanding pad assembly resists flapping at high rotational speeds. A sanding disk having a size and shape complimentary to that of the sanding pad, and a plurality of holes aligning with the apertures in the sanding pad is mountable on the sanding pad. A vacuum source draws sanding waste through the aligned apertures and out the suction housing.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A rotary orbital sander, comprising: 
 a motor having a rotatable shaft with a radially off-set portion;    a suction housing mounted to the motor, around said motor shaft and connectable with a vacuum source,    a sanding pad assembly mounted to the radially off-set portion of said shaft;    said sanding pad assembly further including a backing pad having a plurality of apertures therethrough and an annular frame having a circumferential side wall including first and second circumferential edges and disposed between said suction housing and said sanding pad assembly;    a circular back wall extending from one of said circumferential edges and having an opening therein sealable with said suction housing; and    the other of said circumferential edges being attached to said backing pad.    
     
     
         2 . The rotary orbital sander of  claim 1 , including a plurality of radially disposed ribs extending generally from said circumferential side wall to a like plurality of leg members disposed about said opening in said circular back wall, stiffening said sanding pad assembly and backing pad.  
     
     
         3 . The rotary orbital sander of  claim 1 , wherein said sanding pad assembly further includes a sanding disk having a size and shape complimentary to said sanding pad, and a plurality of holes for alignment with the said apertures in said backing pad.