Flexible sanding apparatus

Abstract

As an example, a hand-held sanding apparatus has flexibility to enable a user to sand relatively straight surfaces as well as curved surfaces. A flexible base is attached to a lower surface of a flexible handle and includes a smooth bottom surface configured for attachment to an abrasive material, such as sandpaper or another similar material. The flexible base may comprise a polycarbonate material. The flexible handle may comprise a rubber-based material. A user applying pressure to opposite ends of the flexible handle is able to curve the hand-held sanding apparatus to enable the abrasive material to conform to a curvature of a surface that is to be sanded.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sanding apparatus comprising:
 a flexible handle; and   a flexible base 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 comprises a polycarbonate material; and   the flexible handle comprises the polycarbonate material.   
     
     
         3 . The sanding apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the flexible base has a thickness that is within a range of between approximately ⅛ inch to approximately 1/16 inch.   
     
     
         4 . The sanding apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 applying pressure to both ends of the handle cause the smooth bottom surface to curve to conform to a curved surface.   
     
     
         5 . The sanding apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible handle comprises:
 a top surface including at least a flat middle section extending lengthwise.   
     
     
         6 . The sanding apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the flexible base has a thickness in a range of approximately ⅛ inch to 1/16 inch.   
     
     
         7 . The sanding apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the flexible handle has a height of between approximately 1.25 to approximately 2.0 inches.   
     
     
         8 . The sanding apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the flexible base has a width equal to or less than a standard width of commercially available standard sandpaper.   
     
     
         9 . The sanding apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the flexible base has a length of between approximately 8 inches to approximately 24 inches.   
     
     
         10 . A sanding apparatus comprising:
 a flexible handle; and   a flexible base attached to a lower surface of the flexible handle, wherein the flexible base is a polycarbonate material.   
     
     
         11 . The sanding apparatus of  claim 8 , the flexible base comprising:
 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.   
     
     
         12 . The sanding apparatus of  claim 8 , the flexible base comprising:
 a top surface including at least a flat middle section extending lengthwise;   a lower support portion; and   a gripping portion including two indentations on opposing sides of the handle, the gripping portion positioned between the top surface and the lower support portion.   
     
     
         13 . The sanding apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the flexible base comprises a polycarbonate material; and   the flexible handle comprises a rubber-based material.   
     
     
         14 . The sanding apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the flexible base has a thickness of between approximately ¼ inch to approximately 1/32 inch; and   the flexible handle has a height of approximately 1.25 to 2.0 inches.   
     
     
         15 . A method of manufacturing a sanding apparatus, the method comprising:
 one or more processors; and   one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media to store instructions executable by the one or more processors to perform operations comprising:
 manufacturing a flexible handle by machining a polycarbonate block; 
 manufacturing a flexible base by forming a thin sheet of polycarbonate material, wherein the thin sheet has a thickness of between approximately ¼ inch to approximately 1/32 inch; and 
 attaching the flexible base to a lower surface of the flexible handle. 
   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the flexible base is attached to the lower surface of the flexible handle using an adhesive, a heat process, or a combination of an adhesive and a heat process.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the flexible base and the flexible handle are machined from the polycarbonate block.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the flexible base is machined from a second polycarbonate block.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the flexible base has a thickness of approximately ⅛ inch to 1/16 inch.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the flexible handle has a height of approximately 1.25 to 2.0 inches.