Adapter device for tools of an abrasive blasting system

Claim 1

In an abrasive blasting system including an abrading device having a housing containing a supply of abrasive material and having an outlet at the bottom thereof, a source of vacuum connected to the housing and applying a negative pressure to the upper surface layer of said abrasive material, a gun having a barrel for directing abrasive material in the direction of a surface area to be abraded and having a passageway therethrough, a source of positive pressure air connected to one end of said gun passageway, a first conduit connected to the housing above said abrasive material for returning abrasive material and abraded debris to the housing, a second conduit having a first end portion connected to the housing outlet and a second end portion connected to said gun passageway downstream of the connection of said source of positive pressure to said gun, and means for causing abrasive material to flow toward the gun in said second conduit, an adapter device for mounting tools for use in the blasting system, comprising: an adapter housing having a peripheral sidewall enclosed at its rear end portion by a rear end wall and being open at its forward end portion to form a cup-shaped inner chamber; gun aperture means formed in the rear end wall to receive the barrel of the gun for pivoting movement during a blasting operation; outlet means in the adapter housing for connection with the first conduit; a tool member having a hollow main body positioned in axial alignment with the inner chamber of the adapter housing, the main body having oppositely facing open ends, one end being positioned adjacent the forward end portion of the sidewall of the adapter housing, and the other end being exposed forwardly of the main body and being provided with a peripheral seal member shaped to engage the contour of the surface to be abraded; tubular connecting members on the one end of the body and the forward end portion of the housing sidewall, the connecting members being shaped so that one connecting member is telescopically received within the other connecting member to mount the tool member upon the adapter housing in operative position; and latch means on the tubular connecting members to detachably retain the tool member in operative position.