Sanding apparatus with adjustable flexibility

Abstract

A hand-held sanding apparatus has an adjustable flexibility. The sanding apparatus includes a flexible handle with a plurality of preformed rod channels. One or more rods are configured for insertion into the rod channels, wherein the one or more rods adjust a flexibility of the sanding apparatus. A flexible base member is attached to a lower surface of the flexible handle and includes a precisely smooth bottom surface configured for attachment to an abrasive material. The flexible base member may comprise a polycarbonate material, and the flexible handle may comprise a rubber material.

1 . A sanding apparatus, comprising:
 a flexible handle including a plurality of preformed rod channels, wherein the plurality of rod channels is preformed into the flexible handle; and   a flexible base member including:
 a smooth top surface that is attached to a lower surface of the flexible handle; and 
 a smooth bottom surface configured for attachment to an abrasive material. 
   
     
     
         2 . The sanding apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible base member comprises a polycarbonate material and wherein the flexible handle comprises a rubber material. 
     
     
         3 . The sanding apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 one or more inflexible rods configured for insertion into one or more of the plurality of preformed rod channels, wherein the one or more inflexible rods adjust a flexibility of the sanding apparatus.   
     
     
         4 . The sanding apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein an elasticity of the rubber material of the flexible handle holds the one or more inflexible rods in position within the one or more of the plurality of preformed rod channels. 
     
     
         5 . The sanding apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the flexible handle is inflexible when at least one of the one or more inflexible rods is inserted in each of the plurality of preformed rod channels. 
     
     
         6 . The sanding apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible handle comprises:
 a top surface including at least a flat middle section W FT  extending lengthwise;   a lower support portion including the plurality of rod channels; and   a gripping portion including two indentations on opposing sides of the handle, wherein the gripping portion is positioned between the top surface and the lower support portion.   
     
     
         7 . The sanding apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the flexible base member has a thickness in a range of approximately ⅛ inch to 1/16 inch. 
     
     
         8 . The sanding apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible handle has a height of approximately 1.4 to 1.6 inches. 
     
     
         9 . The sanding apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible base member has a width W BM  equal to or less than a standard width of commercially available standard sanding paper. 
     
     
         10 . The sanding apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible base member has a length L BM  of approximately one of: 8 inches, 16 inches, or 24 inches. 
     
     
         11 . A sanding apparatus, comprising:
 a flexible handle including a preformed plurality of rod channels, wherein the plurality of rod channels is preformed into the flexible handle;   a flexible base member attached to a lower surface of the flexible handle, wherein the flexible base member is a polycarbonate material; and   one or more rods configured for insertion into one or more of the plurality of preformed rod channels, wherein the one or more rods adjust a flexibility of the sanding apparatus.   
     
     
         12 . The sanding apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the flexible base member comprises:
 a smooth top surface that is attached to the lower surface of the flexible handle; and   a smooth bottom surface configured for attachment to an abrasive material.   
     
     
         13 . The sanding apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the flexible handle comprises:
 a top surface including at least a flat middle section W FT  extending lengthwise;   a lower support portion including the plurality of rod channels; and   a gripping portion including two indentations on opposing sides of the handle, wherein the gripping portion is positioned between the top surface and the lower support portion.   
     
     
         14 . The sanding apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the flexible base member comprises a polycarbonate material and wherein the flexible handle comprises a rubber material. 
     
     
         15 . The sanding apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the flexible base member has a thickness of approximately ⅛ inch to 1/16 inch and wherein the flexible handle has a height of approximately 1.4 to 1.6 inches. 
     
     
         16 . The sanding apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the flexible base member has a width W BM  equal to or less than a standard width of commercially available standard sanding paper. 
     
     
         17 . A method of manufacturing a sanding apparatus, comprising:
 manufacturing a flexible handle including a plurality of rod channels, wherein the plurality of rod channels is preformed into the flexible handle, by:
 in a lower mold, positioning one manufacturing rod of a plurality of manufacturing rods on each one of a plurality of rows of pegs; 
 attaching an upper mold to the lower mold; and 
 injecting a heated nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) material in liquid form into the attached upper and lower molds, wherein the plurality of manufacturing rods forms the plurality of rod channels; and 
   manufacturing a flexible base member by forming a thin sheet of polycarbonate material, wherein the thin sheet has a thickness of approximately ⅛ inch to 1/16 inch; and   attaching the flexible base member to a lower surface of the flexible handle.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the plurality of rows of pegs forms a plurality of cavities on the lower surface of the flexible handle. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 manufacturing at least one inflexible rod for each of the plurality of rod channels in the flexible handle.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the flexible base member is attached to the lower surface of the flexible handle using one of: an adhesive, a heat process, or a combination of an adhesive and a heat process.