Dust collection system for a belt sander

Abstract

An electrically powered belt sander comprising a housing, a dust flow path defined by the housing, a motor mounted in the housing at a first location and having an output shaft, a fan connectable to the motor output shaft and rotateably mounted in the housing at a second location a distance from the motor output shaft, a belt connectable between the motor output shaft and the fan whereby the rotation of the motor output shaft drives the rotation of the fan, and a damper located in the dust flow path and operable for blocking the dust flow path.

1 . An electrically powered belt sander comprising:
 a housing;   a motor mounted in the housing at a first location and having an output shaft;   a fan rotatably mounted in the housing at a second location a distance from the motor output shaft; and   means for driveably connecting the motor output shaft to the fan.   
   
   
       2 . An electrically powered belt sander comprising
 a housing;   a motor mounted in the housing;   a dust flow path defined by the housing;   fan rotateably mounted in the dust flow path for creating air flow in the dust flow path; and   means for selectively blocking the dust flow path.   
   
   
       3 . An electrically powered belt sander comprising:
 a housing;   a motor mounted in the housing at a first location and having an output shaft;   a fan rotatably mounted in the housing at a second location a distance from the motor output shaft; and   a transmission connectable between the motor output shaft and the fan whereby the rotation of the motor output shaft drives the rotation of the fan.   
   
   
       4 . The electrically powered belt sander of  claim 3  wherein the transmission includes a pair of intermeshing gears for driving the fan in rotation. 
   
   
       5 . The electrically powered belt sander of  claim 3  wherein the transmission includes a belt for driving the fan in rotation. 
   
   
       6 . The electrically powered belt sander of  claim 3  further comprising:
 a dust flow path defined by the housing; and   a damper located in the dust flow path and operable for blocking the dust flow path.   
   
   
       7 . The electrically powered belt sander of  claim 3  further comprising:
 a first sanding belt roller rotateably mounted in the housing and having a first axis and;   a second sanding belt roller rotateably mounted in the housing and having a second axis substantially parallel to the first axis; and   wherein the first axis and the second axis lie in a plane, and the motor has an axis, which motor axis is substantially parallel to the first axis and lies approximately in the plane of the first and second axis.   
   
   
       8 . The electrically powered belt sander of  claim 3  wherein the transmission includes:
 a drive pulley mounted on the motor output shaft;   a pulley mounted to the fan; and   a belt driveably connecting the drive pulley to the fan pulley.   
   
   
       9 . The electrically powered belt sander of  claim 3  wherein the transmission includes:
 a drive pulley mounted on the motor output shaft;   a pulley mounted to the fan;   a third pulley;   a first belt driveably connecting the drive pulley to the third pulley; and   a fan belt driveably connecting the third pulley to the fan pulley.   
   
   
       10 . The electrically powered belt sander of  claim 3  wherein the fan is a radial fan. 
   
   
       11 . The electrically powered belt sander of  claim 6  wherein the damper is located on the suction side of the fan. 
   
   
       12 . The electrically powered belt sander of  claim 6  further including a flexible seal member attached to the damper. 
   
   
       13 . The electrically powered belt sander of  claim 6  wherein the damper is rotateable from a first position, wherein the dust flow path is blocked, to a second position, wherein the dust flow path is not blocked. 
   
   
       14 . A method for interrupting the dust collection air flow of an electrically powered portable tool comprising the steps of:
 providing a damper in the dust collection air flow path; and   moving the damper to a position in which the damper blocks the air flow path.   
   
   
       15 . A method for interrupting the dust collection air flow of an electrically powered portable tool comprising the steps of:
 providing a transmission between a motor and dust collection fan; and   disconnecting the transmission from one of the motor and the dust collection fan.   
   
   
       16 . A dust receptacle lot an electrically powered portable tool comprising:
 a first part connectable to the tool and including a flexible portion; and   a second part connectable to the first part.   
   
   
       17 . The dust receptacle of  claim 16  wherein the flexible portion includes a flexible clip for mounting the receptacle to the tool. 
   
   
       18 . The dust receptacle of  claim 16  wherein the flexible portion is made of a rubber-like material. 
   
   
       19 . The dust receptacle of  claim 16  wherein the second part includes a fabric covered dust collection volume. 
   
   
       20 . A method for connecting a dust receptacle to a portable power tool comprising the steps of:
 providing a dust receptacle with a flexible portion; and   deforming the flexible portion to align and engage the dust receptacle with the portable power tool   
   
   
       21 . A powered portable tool comprising:
 a housing defining a dust collection flow path, and including an outlet for the dust low path;   a detachable dust receptacle having an inlet connectable with the housing outlet; and   a locking mechanism movable between a first position, wherein the dust receptacle inlet and the housing outlet may be disconnected, and a second position wherein the dust receptacle inlet and the housing outlet are locked together.