Surface treating machine with direct connection

Abstract

The present invention is a machine for treating a surface lying in an XY plane. The machine includes a body having a body plate, a working plate, a working pad, a drive assembly and an attachment assembly. The attachment assembly includes a plurality of flexible connectors directly connecting the body plate to the working plate. The working plate is located between the body plate and the XY plane. The drive assembly is connected to the working plate to drive the working plate with a working vibration in an oscillating pattern parallel to the XY plane.

1 . A machine for treating a surface lying in an XY plane comprising,
 a body having a body plate,   a working plate located between the body plate and the XY plane,   a working pad attached to the working plate,   a drive assembly connected to the working plate to drive the working plate and working pad with a working vibration in an oscillating pattern parallel to the XY plane,   an attachment assembly for flexibly attaching the working plate to the body plate to permit the working plate to vibrate relative to the body plate and to isolate the working vibration from the body, the attachment assembly including a plurality of flexible connectors directly connecting the body plate to the working plate.   
     
     
         2 . The machine of  claim 1  wherein the working vibration is in a range from 1 mm to 5 mm. 
     
     
         3 . The machine of  claim 1  wherein the attachment assembly includes four flexible connectors directly connecting the body plate to the working plate. 
     
     
         4 . The machine of  claim 1  wherein one or more of the flexible connectors is a U-shaped connector including a main portion along an axis substantially normal to the XY plane and between the body plate and the working plate, a U-shaped portion connected in the main portion having first and second legs formed substantially parallel to the XY plane whereby the U-shaped connector has increased movability in the XY direction. 
     
     
         5 . The machine of  claim 4  wherein all of the flexible connectors are U-shaped connectors. 
     
     
         6 . The machine of  claim 1  wherein the drive assembly includes a motor having,
 a stator fixed to the working plate, 
 a rotor for rotating on a motor axis about the stator, 
 an offset weight rotated asymmetrically by the rotor around the motor axis whereby the working plate is driven with a vibration in an oscillating pattern parallel to the XY plane. 
 
     
     
         7 . The machine of  claim 6  wherein the motor is a DC motor. 
     
     
         8 . The machine of  claim 7  further including a battery for supplying power to the DC motor. 
     
     
         9 . A machine for treating a surface lying in an XY plane comprising,
 a body having a body plate,   a working plate located between the body plate and the XY plane,   a working pad attached to the working plate,   a drive assembly connected to the working plate to drive the working plate and working pad with a working vibration in an oscillating pattern parallel to the XY plane,   an attachment assembly for flexibly attaching the working plate to the body plate to permit the working plate to vibrate relative to the body plate and to isolate the working vibration from the body, the attachment assembly including four a U-shaped connectors each including a main portion along an axis substantially normal to the XY plane and between the body plate and the working plate, a U-shaped portion connected in the main portion having first and second legs formed substantially parallel to the XY plane whereby the U-shaped connectors have increased movability in the XY direction.   
     
     
         11 . The machine of  claim 9  including a carbon honeycomb core sandwich for the working plate. 
     
     
         12 . The machine of  claim 9  including a carbon honeycomb core sandwich for supporting the drive assembly.