Surface treating attachment device

Abstract

A surface treating device such as a surface grinder in which power is transmitted to the operative elements of the assembly by a flowing gas, for example, air. The device is attached to a source of at least a partial vacuum, such as a vacuum cleaner. The motor fan unit of the vacuum cleaner together with a rotatable fan housed in the device form the power generating source which in turn operates the grinding member of the surface treating device in order to treat the work surface with an oscillating motion in a plane generally parallel thereto.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A surface treating attachment device adapted to be connected to a source of at least a partial vacuum comprising: an air flow channel extending from a location adjacent to the surface to be treated to said vacuum source, a rotatable fan wheel in said air flow channel, a handle-shaped part, said fan wheel having a weight placed outside the axis of rotation thereof whereby movement of the fan wheel by the air striking the vanes of the fan wheel generates an oscillating motion, a surface engaging working member operatively connected to said fan wheel whereby the oscillating motion generated by the fan wheel is transmitted to the working member which in turn oscillates in a plane that is generally parallel to the work surface, and energy absorbing means for operatively connecting said handle-shaped part to said working member which absorbs the movement of the working member in two directions that are generally perpendicular to each other. 
     
     
       2. A surface treating attachment device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a skirt housing said fan wheel, a base plate for said working member and a dust collector in said vacuum source, said working member being secured to the underside of said base plate, and a plurality of passageways being provided in the base plate for conveying dust-laden air via the fan wheel to said dust collector. 
     
     
       3. A surface treating attachment device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said energy absorbing means are members which absorb in pairs the movement of the working member, said members being arranged substantially in the same horizontal plane. 
     
     
       4. A surface treating attachment device as claimed in claim 3 wherein said members are resilient elements positioned in two supporting locations between said working member and said handle-shaped part, the imaginary lines through the two supporting locations are substantially perpendicular to each other. 
     
     
       5. A surface treating attachment device as claimed in claim 4 wherein said resilient elements are metal springs. 
     
     
       6. A surface treating attachment device as claimed in claim 4 wherein said resilient elements are constituted of an elastic material. 
     
     
       7. A surface treating attachment device as claimed in claim 4 wherein said resilient elements are constituted of a plastic material. 
     
     
       8. A surface treating attachment device as claimed in claim 7 wherein said resilient plastic elements are constituted of polypropylene. 
     
     
       9. A surface treating attachment device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a skirt housing said fan wheel, said skirt supporting said handle-shaped part, and said energy absorbing means including four joints arranged in pairs in different planes but substantially parallel to the work surface and operatively connecting said working member to said handle-shaped part, one joint of a pair being located at right angles to the other joint thereof, said joints co-acting to absorb radial forces caused by the oscillating working member but are of sufficient rigidity to precisely guide said working member. 
     
     
       10. A surface treating attachment device as claimed in claim 9 wherein said joints are formed by wall portions in a cylindrical tube, said wall portions being in pairs located diametrically opposite to each other. 
     
     
       11. A surface treating attachment device as claimed in claim 10 wherein said tube is constituted of an elastic material. 
     
     
       12. A surface treating attachment device as claimed in claim 11 wherein said tube is polypropylene. 
     
     
       13. A surface treating attachment device as claimed in claim 10 further comprising a spacing element positioned between the handle-shaped part and said skirt which maintains a constant distance therebetween. 
     
     
       14. A surface treating attachment device as claimed in claim 13 wherein said spacing element comprises at least three rods arranged about said tube. 
     
     
       15. A surface treating attachment device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said handle-shaped part is provided with a tubular piece having at its outer end a radially split inwardly turned collar, and a hose having one end adapted for insertion laterally through the slot formed by said radial split in the outer end of the tubular piece and engaged by the inwardly turned collar of the tubular piece.