Tornado pad

Abstract

A rotatory sander pad includes a rigid inner portion for attaching to a rotary sander tool and a flexible outer portion for accepting an abrasive medium. The flexible outer portion includes a substantially flat bottom surface for accepting the abrasive medium, a through-hole substantially in its center, and a multi-dimensional upper surface that includes air flow channels disposed between the through-hole and a vertically oriented wall that direct air from below the substantially flat bottom surface through the through-hole and away from the abrasive medium.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A rotatory sander pad comprising:
 a rigid inner portion for attaching to a rotary sander tool;   a flexible outer portion for accepting an abrasive medium, the flexible outer portion comprising:   a substantially flat bottom surface for accepting the abrasive medium;   a through-hole substantially in its center; and   a multi-dimensional upper surface that includes air flow channels disposed between the through-hole and a vertically oriented wall that direct air from below the substantially flat bottom surface through the through-hole and away from the abrasive medium.   
     
     
         2 . A pad for an orbital machine, comprising a substantially circular pad for holding an abrasive medium, the pad comprising air flow channels that promote air flow as a result of rotating the pad so that debris generated by the use of the abrasive medium is transported from an opening in the center of the pad away from a working surface of the abrasive medium. 
     
     
         3 . An apparatus comprising:
 an upper part configured to attach to an orbital sander drive shaft, the upper part generally circular with substantially a plurality of openings along its circumference disposed to align with air flow ramps of a lower part; and   a lower part configured to be disposed generally below the upper part, the lower part comprising:
 a center circular opening; 
 a circular outer edge that has a vertical wall for capturing the circumference of the upper part 
 a plurality of air flow ramps shaped into the lower part to direct air flow from the circular opening toward the vertical wall of the outer edge; and 
 a plurality of ramps, each disposed at a junction of an air flow ramp and the vertical wall of the outer edge.