Adjustable Grinding Platform and Mounting Assembly

Abstract

A grinding platform with an axis of rotation that is on the plane of the abrasive when used with belt grinders and on the plane that is vertical and tangent to the curvature of the abrasive when used with wheel grinders; such grinder having an angle gauge and possibly a vernier scale that allow for accurate determination of the angle of the tool rest in relation to the grinding surface. The grinding platform can also be continuously adjusted horizontally to compensate for wheel wear.

1 . A work rest, the work rest comprising:
 a platform having a top surface, wherein the platform is capable of having an axis of rotation on a plane of a planar surface when the platform is adjacent to the planar surface or on a plane that is vertical and tangent to a curvature of a surface when the platform is adjacent to the curved surface;   a mounting assembly, wherein the mounting assembly is capable of having a platform pivoting centerline on a plane of the top surface of the platform and is capable of horizontal or vertical movement of a platform;   wherein the platform is fixed or removably attached to the mounting assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The work rest of  claim 1 , wherein the platform or mounting assembly has a fixed angle gauge capable of accurately determining the angle of the top surface of the platform relative to a plane of a planar surface when the platform is adjacent to the planar surface or to a plane that is vertical and tangent to a curvature of a surface when the platform is adjacent to the curved surface. 
     
     
         3 . The work rest of  claim 2 , wherein said angle gauge incorporates a vernier scale. 
     
     
         4 . The work rest of  claim 1 , wherein the platform comprises interchangeable platforms of various dimensions. 
     
     
         5 . The work rest of  claim 1 , wherein the platform is capable of an angular adjustment of one hundred and sixty five degrees or more. 
     
     
         6 . The work rest of  claim 1 , wherein the mounting assembly has removable upright platform supports. 
     
     
         7 . The work rest of  claim 1 , wherein the work rest is aluminum. 
     
     
         8 . The work rest of  claim 1 , wherein the platform has a bottom surface with slots thereon. 
     
     
         9 . The work rest of  claim 1 , wherein the platform has a bottom surface platform wheel indenture. 
     
     
         10 . A method for using a work rest having a tilting platform with a top surface attached to a mounting assembly capable of horizontal extension adjacent to a planar or curved surface comprising:
 providing adequate vertical clearance between the mounting assembly and the surface;   aligning the longitudinal centerline of the mounting assembly perpendicular to the center of the face of the surface; and   allowing for the horizontal extension of the mounting assembly to be toward the abrasive surface.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 establishing the vertical position of the top surface of the platform such that a workpiece's thickness midline is at the same height as a horizontal line created by a vertical plane that is tangent to a curved surface.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 establishing the horizontal position of the platform such that the tilting axis of the platform is in the vertical plane that is tangent to a curved surface.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 adjusting the angle of the platform to the desired angle.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 establishing the horizontal position of the platform such that the tilting axis of the platform is in the vertical plane that is tangent to a curved surface.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 establishing the vertical position of the top surface of the platform such that a workpiece's thickness midline is at the same height as a horizontal line created by a vertical plane that is tangent to a curved surface.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 adjusting the angle of the platform to the desired angle.