# US 11,028,472 B2 · Integrated 3D metallizer > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,028,472 B2 - Document ID: US11028472B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/301,926 - Filed: 2017-05-15 - Published: 2019-09-19 - Granted: 2021-06-08 - Earliest claimed: 2016-05-16 - Applicants: Integrated 3D Metallizing, LLC - Inventors: Donald G. Parent; John F. Feeley - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11028472B2 ## CPC - C23C 14/505: {for rotation of the substrates} - C23C 14/14: Metallic material, boron or silicon - C23C 14/34: Sputtering - C23C 14/50: Substrate holders - C23C: COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; SURFACE TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL BY DIFFUSION INTO THE SURFACE, BY CHEMICAL CONVERSION OR SUBSTITUTION; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL (making metal-coated products by extrusion B21C23/22; covering with metal by connecting pre-existing layers to articles, see the relevant places, e.g. B21D39/00, B23K; metallising of glass C03C; metallising mortars, concrete, artificial stone, ceramics or natural stone C04B41/00; enamelling of, or applying a vitreous layer to, metals C23D; treating metal surfaces or coating of metals by electrolysis or electrophoresis C25D; single-crystal film growth C30B; by metallising textiles D06M11/83; decorating textiles by locally metallising D06Q1/04) ## Abstract An apparatus and method for metallizing parts in an efficient manner. The apparatus includes a plurality of plates stacked vertically and spaced from one another, wherein each plate has an outer perimeter. There is a plurality of part supports arranged about the outer perimeter of each plate. A support frame is secured to the plurality of plates such that it may rotate about the outer perimeter of the plates while maintaining substantially the same distance from the outer perimeter of each plate. There is one or more rotation drive systems attached to the support frame and positioned such that one or more compliant drive fingers are in close proximity to the outer perimeter of each plate. The stacked plates may be moved between a metallizer and parts loading and unloading stations in a convenient manner. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for moving a plurality of parts in a metallizer, the apparatus comprising: a. a plurality of plates secured to a center rod to create an integrated stack, each plate having an outer perimeter and the plurality of plates stacked vertically and spaced from one another such that the outer perimeter of the plurality of plates creates an outer perimeter of the integrated stack; b. a plurality of part supports arranged about the outer perimeter of each plate; c. a support frame secured to the center rod and extending beyond the outer perimeter of the integrated stack such that the support frame may rotate about a central axis of the integrated stack; and d. one or more rotation drive systems attached to the support frame and positioned such that one or more compliant drive fingers are in close proximity to the outer perimeter of the integrated stack. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the one or more rotation drive systems are attached to the support frame via mounting blocks. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a plurality of rotation drive systems are attached to the support frame. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the support frame is attached to one or more frame collars. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4 wherein a low-friction insert is disposed between the center rod and at least one of the one or more frame collars. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the low-friction insert is disposed between the center rod and each of the one or more frame collars. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising a hub secured to the center rod. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the hub extends into the center rod. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the hub includes a connection port sized and shaped to secure the apparatus within a metallizer. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of the one or more rotation drive systems include a shield. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10 further wherein the shield is a mounting bracket and the one or more compliant drive fingers are secured to the mounting bracket. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the one or more compliant drive fingers are arranged in an arc with a radius approximately the same as the perimeter of the plurality of plates. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising a drive ring on each of the plurality of part supports, each of the drive rings positioned to ensure contact between the drive ring and the one or more compliant drive fingers as the drive ring passes the one or more compliant drive fingers. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the one or more rotation drive systems are attached to the support frame via mounting blocks. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the one or more compliant drive fingers are a plurality of compliant drive fingers. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a drive ring on each of the plurality of part supports, each of the drive rings positioned to ensure contact between the drive ring and the one or more compliant drive fingers as the drive ring passes the one or more compliant drive fingers.