Polishing tool

Abstract

An apparatus for polishing a surface comprising: a polishing head comprising a plurality of flap assemblies; and a shaft attached to the plurality of flap assemblies for rotatably driving the polishing head.

1 . An apparatus for polishing a surface comprising:
 a polishing head comprising a plurality of flap assemblies; and   a shaft attached to the plurality of flap assemblies for rotatably driving the polishing head.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the flap assembly comprises an upper material layer and a lower material layer with at least one stiffener element between the upper material layer and the lower material layer. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the at least one stiffener element is smaller than the upper material layer and the lower material layer such that at least an unsupported length L of the upper material layer and the lower material layer extend outward from the at least one stiffener element. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the upper material layer and the lower material layer comprise a microfiber material. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the stiffener element comprises a foam material. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a handle assembly acting cooperatively with the shaft to support the polishing head. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the handle assembly comprises a housing and a folding handle pivotally attached to the housing. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the shaft extends through the handle assembly. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 6  further comprising a handle shaft extending through the housing coupled to the shaft. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the upper material layer and the lower material layer each have a shape comprising a first width at a first section and a tapering width section. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the upper material layer and the lower material layer comprise a main section and a bulbous tip. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein at least one of the upper material layer and the lower material layer has a cutout extending through the at least one of the upper material layer and the lower material layer. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the at least one of the upper material layer and the lower material layer comprises a textured surface. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the upper material layer and the lower material layer each comprise an internally arched lower edge. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the stiffener element comprises an open cell foam material.