Hand sanding block for use with continuous sanding belts

Abstract

A hand sanding block accepts the continuous sanding belts that are normally used on electrically powered belt sanders. Shoulder stops and biasing springs within the device allow for two positions of the block and keep the movable tensioning arm from coming apart from the block. One position, the withdrawn position, allows for easy removal, replacement, or adjustment of the continuous sanding belt. A second, or extended position, tensions the sanding belt to keep it in place on the sanding block.

1 . A hand sanding block device for utilizing continuous sanding belts, the device comprising:
 a sanding block comprising a substantially planar rectangular block held in a hand of a user, the sanding block structured to receive a continuous sanding belt removably encircling the sanding block from a first end to a second end of the sanding block leaving opposing side edges of the sanding block exposed for grasping by the fingers and thumb of a user, the sanding block further comprising a rounded first edge for supporting a first end loop of the continuous sanding belt and the sanding block having a shaped hollow interior portion and an opening at a second end of sanding block communicating with the hollow interior portion, the shaped hollow interior portion having means for engaging an element inserted within the hollow interior portion;   a sanding belt tensioning arm slidably retained within the shaped hollow interior and extending out the opening, the sanding belt tensioning member comprising an outer rounded edge extending outside the sanding block for supporting a second loop of the continuous sanding belt and an interior elongated arm fitting slidably within the shaped hollow interior portion of the sanding block, the sanding belt tensioning arm moving between a first position extending out of the sanding black and biased against the continuous sanding belt by means for biasing the sanding belt tensioning arm normally out of the sanding block to tension the continuous sanding belt for use in sanding an external object and a second position with the sanding belt tensioning arm withdrawn into the sanding block held by the engaging means to release the continuous sanding belt for removal, replacement, and adjustment of the continuous sanding belt, wherein the biasing means comprises at least one spring communicating between the sanding block and the sanding belt tensioning arm.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the interior elongated arm of the sanding belt tensioning arm further comprises an interior T-shaped interior end of the elongated arm and the engaging means comprises a first pair of shoulders within the shaped hollow interior portion, the first pair of shoulders, structured with one on each side of the interior elongated arm spaced apart by a distance greater than the width of the elongated arm so that the elongated arm pivots laterally to engage one side of the T-shaped interior end on one of the first pair of shoulders to retain the sanding belt tensioning arm in the second position withdraw into the sanding block. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2  wherein the shaped hollow interior portion of the sanding block further comprises a second pair of shoulders closer to the opening, the second pair of shoulders spaced together less than the length of the T-bar of the T-shaped interior end so that when the continuous sanding belt is removed and the sanding belt tensioning arm is released from one of the first pair of shoulders, the T-bar contacts both of the second pair of shoulders to prevent the sanding belt tensioning arm from leaving the sanding block. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the biasing means comprises a pair of springs, one on each side of the interior elongated arm of the sanding belt tensioning arm communicating between the sanding box and the sanding belt tensioning arm to bias the outer rounded edge evenly against the second end of the continuous sand paper belt.