Buffing pad with graded flexibility and replaceable working face

Abstract

A rotary buffing and finishing pad assembly includes a polymeric foam cushioning layer that has a graded compression load deflection which is interposed between a backing plate and a relatively thin performance layer that is removably attached to the foam cushioning layer. Alternate constructions for providing a graded cushioning effect are also disclosed.

1 . A rotary surface buffing and finishing apparatus of the type providing flexible cushioned support for a high performance surface contacting face, said apparatus comprising a polymeric foam cushioning layer having a graded compression load deflection that decreases from a rear face to a front face and providing the primary cushioned support, and a relatively thin performance layer providing the entire high performance surface contact, said performance layer removably attached to the foam cushioning layer.  
   
   
       2 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  including a backing plate attached to the rear face of the foam cushioning layer and supporting the foam cushioning layer.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 2  wherein the backing plate has a circular front face and is rotatable on a center axis perpendicular to the front face; 
 the foam cushioning layer being of circular shape and having one-half of a hook and loop fastener attached to its front face; and;    the performance layer having a rear face carrying the other half of the hook and loop fastener and having an operating face selected to provide a surface contact optimized for a given buffing or finishing operation.    
   
   
       4 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 3  wherein the fastener halves are heat laminated to the respective faces of the foam cushioning layer and the performance layer.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 3  wherein the fastener halves are glued to the respective faces of the foam cushioning layer and the performance layer.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 3  wherein at least one of the interface between the fastener halves and the respective faces of the foam cushioning layer and the performance layer is provided with a barrier material to prevent migration of liquid and compound from the performance layer to the foam cushioning layer.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 6  wherein the barrier layer is between the rear face of the performance layer and the other half of the fastener.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the performance layer is selected from the group consisting of open cell polyurethane foam, non-woven fibers, tufted wool, knitted wool, polymeric microfibers, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 3  wherein the front face of the foam cushioning layer is generally planar and terminates in an outer edge that is upwardly rounded, a portion of the one-half of the fastener is positioned on the rounded outer edge, and the other half of the fastener on the performance layer is dimensioned to extend over said outer edge to engage the portion of said one-half of the fastener and impart a cup shape to the performance layer.  
   
   
       10 . A rotary surface buffing and finishing apparatus comprising: 
 a backing plate having a circular front face and a back face having a center attachment hub for driving rotation on an axis perpendicular to the front face;    an intermediate foam cushioning layer having a rear face attached to the front face of the backing plate and a front face carrying one-half of a hook and loop fastening system, said foam cushioning layer having a graded compression load deflection that decrease from the rear face to the front face ; and,    a performance layer of buffing and finishing material having a rear face carrying the other half of the hook and loop fastening system for removable attachment to the front face of the cushioning layer, and a front buffing and finishing face selected to provide a desired surface finish only when attached to said cushioning layer.    
   
   
       11 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 10  wherein the cushioning layer is molded to the backing plate.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 11  wherein the backing plate comprises a molded nylon and the cushioning layer comprises a molded urethane.  
   
   
       13 . A surface buffing and finishing apparatus of the type providing flexible cushioned support for a high performance surface contacting face, said apparatus comprising: 
 a polymeric foam cushioning layer having a rear face and a front face and providing the primary cushioned support;    a relatively thin performance layer providing the entire high performance surface contact, said performance layer removably attached to the foam cushioning layer;    a backing plate attached to the rear face of the foam cushioning layer and supporting the foam cushioning layer, the backing plate having a flexible peripheral edge;    the foam cushioning layer being of circular shape and having one-half of a hook and loop fastener attached to its front face;    the performance layer having a rear face carrying the other half of the hook and loop fastener;    the front face of the foam cushioning layer terminating in an outer edge that is upwardly rounded, a portion of the one-half of the fastener being positioned on the rounded outer edge, and the other half of the fastener on the performance layer is dimensioned to extend over said outer edge to engage the portion of said one-half of the fastener and impart a cup shape to the performance layer.    
   
   
       14 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 13  wherein the interface between said other fastener half and the performance layer is provided with a barrier layer to prevent migration of liquid and compound from the performance layer to said fasteners and the foam cushioning layer.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 13  wherein the hardness of the backing plate and the foam cushioning layer are chosen to provide a graded flexibility for a selected finishing operation.