Sanding apparatus for working a peripheral edge of a workpiece

Claim 1

A sander for finish working the peripheral edge of a workpiece comprising: a power driven workpiece carrying member for carrying the workpiece thereon having rotational and translational movement in the plane of the rotational movement, and a combination of both motions, in the same plane; fixture means mounted for pivotal motion about a first axis perpendicular to the plane of movement of the workpiece carrying member such that the fixture means has a movement in an arc having a plane parallel to the plane of movement of the workpiece carrying member; means for mounting the fixture means for selected pivotal movement at a second axis perpendicular to the first axis such that the fixture means has a movement in an arc having a plane perpendicular to the plane of movement of the workpiece carrying member; means for mounting the fixture means for selected pivotal movement at a second axis perpendicular to the first axis such that the fixture means has a movement in an arc having a plane perpendicular to the plane of movement of the workpiece carrying member; means for mounting the fixture means for selected linear movement at a constant and continuous force toward the workpiece and for moving the fixture means away from the workpiece carrying member independently of the pivotal movement of the fixture means; sanding belt means mounted on the fixture means for movement therewith about the first pivot axis, about the second pivot axis, and linearly toward and away from the workpiece carrying member, the sanding belt means being located on the fixture means adjacent the workpiece carrying member and peripheral edge of the workpiece carried thereon; and, a workpiece edge contouring head mounted on the fixture means for movement therewith about the first pivot axis, about the second pivot axis, and linearly toward and away from the workpiece carrying member, and the workpiece edge contouring head also being mounted on the fixture means for linear movement independently of the movement of the fixture means toward and away from the workpiece carrying member and sanding belt means for forcing the sanding belt means toward the workpiece carrying member and into contact with the peripheral edge of the workpiece carried thereon whereby the workpiece edge contouring head and sanding belt means are held in contact with the peripheral edge of the workpiece at a constant and continuous force as the workpiece is sanded.