Sanding disk alignment tool

Abstract

A sanding disk alignment tool for aligning a sanding disk having a plurality of dust collection holes to a sander platen having a cooperative plurality of holes is disclosed with a method of use. The tool includes a base member having at least two pins sized and positioned for cooperative insertion into the pluralities of dust collection holes extending from a surface thereof. The method includes the steps of inserting the pins through two of the dust collection holes in the sanding disk from the abrasive side, bending the sanding disk around the tool, inserting the pins into through two of the plurality of dust collection holes in the sander platen and advancing the tool and disk to engage the platen. Once initially engaged to the platen, the bend in the disk is released and the sides of the disk are laid down onto the platen, after which the tool is removed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tool for aligning a sanding disk of diameter D with a sander platen having a plurality of dust collection holes, the tool comprising
 a longitudinal member having an upper longitudinal edge and an opposing lower longitudinal edge, and   at least two pins extending from said lower longitudinal edge, said pins positioned along said lower longitudinal edge at a distance d from one another for cooperative insertion into said dust collection holes.   
     
     
         2 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein said longitudinal member has a cross-sectional width up to and inclusive of 40% of said diameter D. 
     
     
         3 . The tool of  claim 2 , wherein said longitudinal member has a cross-sectional width up to and inclusive of 25% of said diameter D. 
     
     
         4 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein said lower longitudinal edge is radiused. 
     
     
         5 . The tool of  claim 4 , wherein said longitudinal member has a cross-sectional width up to and inclusive of 85% of said diameter D. 
     
     
         6 . The tool of  claim 4 , wherein said radiused lower longitudinal edge has a radius of not more than two times said diameter D. 
     
     
         7 . The tool of  claim 6 , wherein said radiused lower longitudinal edge has a radius of from 20% to 100% of said diameter D. 
     
     
         8 . The tool of  claim 1 , further comprising a handle extending from said upper longitudinal edge. 
     
     
         9 . The tool of  claim 8 , wherein said handle extends a distance from said lower edge substantially greater than or equal to half of said diameter D. 
     
     
         10 . The tool of  claim 8 , further comprising at least two pins extending said upper longitudinal edge, and wherein said longitudinal member is rotatably affixed to said handle and adapted for rotation about a longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         11 . The tool of  claim 8 , wherein said longitudinal member is further comprised of a first portion and a second portion, wherein said first portion is selectively slideable along a longitudinal axis of said longitudinal member relative to said second portion, where by said distance d is selectively variable. 
     
     
         12 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein said distance d is selectively variable. 
     
     
         13 . A method of aligning and applying a sanding disk having a plurality of dust collection holes there through to a sander platen having a cooperative plurality of dust collection holes, comprising the steps of
 providing an alignment tool comprising a base member having at least two pins extending from a surface thereof, said pins sized and positioned for cooperative insertion into said pluralities of dust collection holes,   inserting said at least two pins through at least two of said plurality of dust collection holes in said sanding disk from an abrasive side of said disk,   bending said sanding disk around said tool along a line through two of said at least two pins,   inserting said at least two pins into at least two of said plurality of dust collection holes in said sander platen and advancing said tool toward said platen until a portion of said disk engages said platen,   releasing and unbending said sanding disk until said disk fully engages said platen,   withdrawing said tool from said pluralities of plurality of dust collection holes.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein said base member of said alignment tool comprises a longitudinal member having a lower longitudinal edge from which said at least two pins extend, and wherein said bending step further comprises bending said sanding disk about said longitudinal edge. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13  wherein said base member of said alignment tool comprises a flexible planar member, and wherein said bending step further comprises cooperatively bending said flexible planar member. 
     
     
         16 . A tool for aligning a sanding disk having a diameter D with a sander platen having a plurality of dust collection holes, the tool comprising
 a curved surface, and   at least two pins extending from said curved surface for cooperative insertion into said dust collection holes, said pins aligned along an apex of a curve of said surface.   
     
     
         17 . The tool of  claim 16  wherein said curved surface is flexible. 
     
     
         18 . The tool of  claim 16  wherein said curved surface is rigid. 
     
     
         19 . The tool of  claim 18  wherein a radius of curvature of said curve does not exceed 1.5 time said diameter D.