Sanding device

Abstract

attached to the surface. A handle (C) is attached to one edge of the blade (A) in order to stiffen the blade (A) so that the blade is stiff around one axis lying in a plane normal to the plane of the blade and normal to the handle and is flexible around an axis normal to the plane of the blade and parallel to the handle. The sanding device facilitates abrasion of surfaces in corners and rebates without undesirably abrading the adjacent surface.

1 . A sanding device comprising a resiliently deformable blade (A), one element (B) of a hook and loop fastener formed on one planar surface of the blade (A) whereby an abrasive sheet provided with the complementary element of a hook and loop fastener can be secured to the blade (A), characterized by a stiffening structure (C) at one edge of the blade (A) to stiffen the blade (A) so that the blade will flex easily in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the blade and a long axis of the stiffening structure and is relatively stiff perpendicular to the plane of the blade and parallel to the long axis of the stiffening structure. 
     
     
         2 . A sanding device according to  claim 1  comprising:
 the blade is formed of a material to be resiliently flexible. 
 
     
     
         3 . A sanding device according to  claim 1  comprising the blade having a long edge and a short edge adjacent the long edge; the element of a hook and loop fastener secured to a face of the blade and extending from the long edge. 
     
     
         4 . A sanding device according to  claim 1  comprising: an abrasive sheet (D) having an abrasive face and the other element of the hook and loop faster carried on its opposite face. 
     
     
         5 . A sanding device according to  claim 3 , wherein the short edge of the blade forms an angle of no more than 90° with the long edge. 
     
     
         6 . A sanding device according to  claim 1 , wherein the stiffening structure (C) for restricting the flexibility of the blade comprises a bar formed integrally with the blade and having a thickness greater than that of the blade. 
     
     
         7 . A sanding device according to  claim 6 , wherein the bar is in the form of a handle secured to the blade. 
     
     
         8 . A sanding device according to  claim 6 , wherein the bar is elongate and extends in a direction substantially parallel, as herein defined, to the long edge of the blade. 
     
     
         9 . A sanding device according to  claim 1 , wherein the blade is rectangular. 
     
     
         10 . A sanding device according to  claim 1 , wherein the blade is formed of polypropylene or polycarbonate. 
     
     
         11 . A sanding device according to  claim 1 , wherein the ratio of the length of the long edge of the blade to the thickness of the blade is between 50:1 to 100:1 
     
     
         12 . A sanding device according to  claim 11  wherein the ratio of the length of the long edge of the blade to the thickness of the blade is 75:1 
     
     
         13 . A sanding device according to  claim 1 , wherein the ratio of specific stiffness of the blade in each said direction is between 1.25 and 6. 
     
     
         14 . A method of sanding a surface, using a sanding device according to any previous claim, including the steps of applying the device to the surface with the abrasive face against the surface, applying hand pressure to the device in a region away from the long edge thereby to cause the blade to flex while moving the device in a plane parallel to the surface, thereby to abrade the surface.