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US 12,228,188 B2Granted
Methods and apparatus for a 3D-printed spring
AssigneeMoffitt, LLC
InventorRobert Moffitt, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Various embodiments of the present technology may provide methods and apparatus for a 3D-printed spring. The 3D-printed spring may be formed from a plurality of toroidal elements spaced apart from each other and connected with a plurality of connectors. Each connector connects one toroidal element to a directly adjacent toroidal element.
Claims19
A 3D-printed spring, comprising:
- a plurality of toroidal elements aligned along a center axis that is common to each toroidal element, wherein each toroidal element is separated from a directly-adjacent toroidal element by a distance;
- and
- a plurality of connectors, wherein each connector comprises:
- a first end connected to an inner surface of a first toroidal element at a first position relative to the center axis;
- and
- a second end connected to an inner surface of a second directly-adjacent toroidal element at a second position relative to the center axis, wherein a midportion of each connector between the first and second ends extends across the distance separating the first and second toroidal elements.
3 more elements
A method for making a 3D-printed spring having a plurality of toroidal elements and a plurality of connectors with a 3D printer, comprising:
- executing a file with the 3D printer, wherein the file comprises instructions defining:
- an overall size of the 3D-printed spring;
- a size, a shape, and a length of each connector;
- a spacing between adjacent toroidal elements;
- printing the 3D-printed spring according to the instructions, wherein the 3D-printed spring is printed as a single, continuous element and each connector comprises:
- a first end connected to an inner surface of a first toroidal element at a first position relative to a center axis of the plurality of toroidal elements;
- a second end connected to an inner surface of a second directly-adjacent toroidal element at a second position relative to the center axis, wherein a midportion of each connector between the first and second ends extends across the distance separating the first and second toroidal elements.
4 more elements
A clip, comprising:
- an inner spring comprising:
- a plurality of toroidal elements aligned along a center axis that is common to each toroidal element, wherein each toroidal element is spaced apart from a directly-adjacent toroidal element;
- and
- a plurality of connectors, comprising:
- a first connector connected to:
- an inner surface at a first position relative to the center axis of a first toroidal element, from the plurality of toroidal elements;
- and
- a first location on an inner surface at a second position relative to the center axis of a second toroidal element, from the plurality of toroidal elements;
- and
- a second connector connected to:
- a second location on the inner surface of the second toroidal element at a third position relative to the center axis;
- and
- a first location on an inner surface at a fourth position relative to the center axis of a third toroidal element, from the plurality of toroidal elements;
- a first member connected to an outer surface of at least one toroidal element, the first member comprising a first grip portion and a first comb-shaped portion;
- and
- a second member connected to an outer surface of at least one other toroidal element, the second member comprising a second grip portion and a second comb-shaped portion capable of interleaving with the first comb-shaped portion.
13 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.