Sanding of rollers

Abstract

A sand paper holder can be used to control sand paper that is being used to sand machinery at a distance from the equipment. The sand paper holder has a shield plate mounting a handle on one side and a clamping mechanism on the other side. The clamping mechanism securing holds ends of the sand paper. The shield plate provides a barrier between the hand of a technician holding the sand paper holder and the machinery. A method of sending using the sand paper holder is also described.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sand paper holder for holding ends of an elongate piece of sand paper, the sand paper holder comprising:
 a shield plate having a first face and a second face on opposite sides of the shield plate;   a clamping mechanism mounted on the first face of the shield plate and configured to receive opposite end margins of the elongate piece of sand paper and to clamp the end margins so as to secure the end margins in the clamping mechanism;   a handle mounted on the second face of the shield plate;   wherein the shield plate includes a transparent portion positioned so that when the sand paper holder is held by the handle on the second face of the shield plate a user may view the clamp mechanism and piece of sand paper held by the claim through the shield plate.   
     
     
         2 . The sand paper holder as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the shield plate is transparent in its entirety. 
     
     
         3 . The sand paper holder as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the shield plate has a perimeter and the handle is located entirely within the perimeter of the shield plate. 
     
     
         4 . The sand paper holder as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the handle has a width and a length that is greater than the width, and the clamping mechanism has a width and a length that is greater than the width, the handle and clamping mechanism being mounted on the shield plate so that the length of the handle is transverse to the length of the clamping mechanism. 
     
     
         5 . The sand paper holder as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the clamping mechanism comprises a housing having an opening and a clamp jaw received in the housing and movable with respect to the housing. 
     
     
         6 . The sand paper holder as set forth in  claim 5  wherein the clamp jaw constitutes a first clamp jaw, the clamping mechanism further comprising a second clamp jaw received in the housing. 
     
     
         7 . The sand paper holder as set forth in  claim 6  wherein the second clamp jaw is fixed with respect to the housing. 
     
     
         8 . The sand paper holder as set forth in  claim 6  wherein the clamping mechanism comprises a guide attached to the housing and operatively engaging the first clamp jaw to guide movement of the first clamp jaw. 
     
     
         9 . The sand paper holder as set forth in  claim 8  wherein the guide constitutes a first guide, the sand paper holder further comprising a second guide attached to the housing and operatively engaging the first clamp jaw to guide movement of the first clamp jaw. 
     
     
         10 . The sand paper holder as set forth in  claim 8  further comprising a spring having a first end engaging the guide and a second end engaging the first clamp jaw and biasing the first clamp jaw to an open position. 
     
     
         11 . A method of sanding rollers of a plastic film handing apparatus including a surface roller, first and second stretch rollers and a brake roller, mounted for rotation about parallel axes, the method comprising the steps of:
 passing a smooth surface of an elongate piece of sand paper around a segment of the surface roller;   passing a course, sanding surface of the piece of sand paper around a segment of the first stretch roller for use in sanding the first stretch roller;   passing the smooth surface of the piece of sand paper around a segment of the second stretch roller;   securing free end edge margins of the piece of sand paper in a sand paper holder;   causing the surface roller, first and second stretch roller and brake roller to turn thereby sanding a surface of the first stretch roller.   
     
     
         12 . The method of sanding rollers as set forth in  claim 11  further comprising moving the piece of sand paper lengthwise of the surface roller, first and second stretch rollers and brake roller and then causing the surface roller, first and second stretch rollers and brake roller to turn thereby to sand a different longitudinal circumference area of the first stretch roller.