Slotted retention tool for retaining abrasive material

Abstract

A slotted retention tool for retaining an abrasive material for use with a power-driven tool that is compact and adaptable for use in confined or hard-to-reach areas, while also allowing for quick and easy replacement of worn abrasive components is provided. The slotted retention tool can include a slot at a first end where the slot can be configured to retain an abrasive material for use during operation of the slotted retention tool. The slot can include a transitional surface configured to minimize sharp edges that can contribute to premature tearing or degradation of the abrasive material during insertion and use. The slotted retention tool can also include a drive portion at a second end configured to be received by a power-driven tool. A method of using a slotted retention tool for retaining an abrasive material is also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A slotted retention tool for retaining an abrasive material, the slotted retention tool for use with a power-driven tool, the slotted retention tool comprising:
 a body having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion disposed between the first end and the second end;   a slot at the first end of the body, the slot defining a transitional surface, and extending completely through the first end to permit insertion of the abrasive material from the first end into the slot; and   a drive portion at the second end of the body, the drive portion configured to be coupled to the power-driven tool.   
     
     
         2 . The slotted retention tool of  claim 1 , wherein the body includes an exterior surface and an interior surface, where the interior surface defines a cavity. 
     
     
         3 . The slotted retention tool of  claim 2 , wherein the slot provides an opening into the cavity at the first end. 
     
     
         4 . The slotted retention tool of  claim 1 , wherein the slot is formed parallel to a longitudinal axis of the body. 
     
     
         5 . The slotted retention tool of  claim 1 , wherein the slot includes a texturing on the transitional surface. 
     
     
         6 . The slotted retention tool of  claim 5 , wherein the texturing includes a member selected from a group consisting of knurling, dimples, ridges, and grooves. 
     
     
         7 . The slotted retention tool of  claim 1 , wherein the transitional surface includes a chamfered edge, a rounded edge, a beveled edge, a radiused edge, or a filleted edge. 
     
     
         8 . The slotted retention tool of  claim 1 , wherein the body includes a plurality of slots. 
     
     
         9 . The slotted retention tool of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of slots includes a first slot disposed opposite a second slot. 
     
     
         10 . The slotted retention tool of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of slots includes a first slot disposed opposite a second slot, and a third slot disposed opposite a fourth slot. 
     
     
         11 . The slotted retention tool of  claim 10 , wherein each slot of the plurality of slots is equispaced around the first end. 
     
     
         12 . The slotted retention tool of  claim 1 , wherein the abrasive material includes a pad of sparse-unwoven polymeric material. 
     
     
         13 . The slotted retention tool of  claim 12 , wherein the pad is disposed substantially within the slot, and extends radially and along a longitudinal axis of the body from the first end. 
     
     
         14 . The slotted retention tool of  claim 12 , wherein the pad is disposed substantially within the slot, and extends radially and along a longitudinal axis of the body from the first end to the second end. 
     
     
         15 . A cleaning system, comprising:
 the slotted retention tool of  claim 1 ; and   an abrasive material configured to be disposed in the slot of the slotted retention tool.   
     
     
         16 . A cleaning system for use with a power-driven tool, comprising:
 a slotted retention tool for retaining an abrasive material, the slotted retention tool including:
 a body having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion disposed between the first end and the second end, 
 a slot at the first end of the body, the slot defining a transitional surface, and extending completely through the first end to permit insertion of the abrasive material from the first end into the slot, and 
 a drive portion at the second end of the body, the drive portion configured to be coupled to the power-driven tool; and 
   the abrasive material configured to be disposed in the slot of the slotted retention tool, the abrasive material including a pad of sparse-unwoven polymeric material.   
     
     
         17 . The cleaning system of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 the power-driven tool.   
     
     
         18 . A method of using a slotted retention tool for retaining an abrasive material, the method comprising:
 providing an object to be treated;   providing a slotted retention tool for retaining an abrasive material;   providing an abrasive material;   disposing the abrasive material in a slot of the slotted retention tool;   providing a power-driven tool;   coupling the slotted retention tool to the power-driven tool;   positioning the slotted retention tool; and   operating the power-driven tool and contacting the object to be treated with the abrasive material.   
     
     
         19 . The method of using a slotted retention tool for an abrasive material of  claim 18 , wherein positioning the slotted retention tool includes inserting at least a portion of the slotted retention tool into or over the object to be treated such that the abrasive material contacts an exterior surface of the object. 
     
     
         20 . The method of using a slotted retention tool for an abrasive material of  claim 18 , wherein positioning the slotted retention tool includes disposing the slotted retention tool such that the object to be treated can be at least partially received within a cavity of the slotted retention tool.