Apparatus for weaving a three-dimensional article
OwnerRobert A. Florentineinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for weaving a three-dimensional article from a plurality of weaving elements comprising a plurality of carrier members each including a separate weaving element supply mounted thereon. The separate weaving elements are fed from the weaving element supplies to a plane of fabrication. Supporting means is provided for releasably maintaining the carrier members in a matrix to form a carrier plane. Movement means is provided to move the carrier members in predetermined paths relative to each other within the matrix to intertwine the weaving elements to form the woven article. A takeup means is provided to draw the woven article away from the carrier plane.
Claims12
An apparatus for weaving a three-dimensional article from a plurality of weaving elements comprising:
- a plurality of generally cube-shaped carrier members, each carrier member including a separate weaving element supply mounted thereon to feed a weaving element from the carrier member to a plane of fabrication;
- supporting means for releasably maintaining the carrier members in a matrix of columns and rows to form a carrier plane generally parallel to the fabrication plane including magnetic means disposed within the sides of said cube-shaped carrier member lying within the carrier plane, said magnetic means interacting to releasably maintain said carrier members in said columns and rows within said carrier plane;
- movement means for moving said carrier members in predetermined paths relative to each other in the carrier plane to intertwine said weaving elements to form said woven article;
- and
- take-up means for drawing the woven article away from the carrier plane.
An apparatus for weaving a three-dimensional article from a plurality of weaving elements comprising:
- a plurality of carrier members arranged in a matrix of columns and rows in a carrier plane generally parallel to a plane of fabrication, each carrier member including magnetic means for releasably maintaining said carrier members within said columns and rows relative to each other, each of said carrier members further including a separate weaving element supply mounted thereon to feed a weaving element from the carrier member to the fabrication plane;
- movement means for moving said carrier members in predetermined paths relative to each other within the carrier plane to intertwine said weaving elements to form said woven article;
- and
- take-up means for drawing the woven article away from the carrier plane.
An apparatus for weaving a three-dimensional article from a plurality of weaving elements comprising:
- a plurality of carrier members, each carrier members including a separate weaving element supply mounted thereon to feed a weaving element from the carrier member to a plane of fabrication;
- supporting means for releasably maintaining the carrier members in a circular matrix having a plurality of spoke-like rows extending generally radially outwardly from a common center to form a carrier plane generally parallel to the fabrication plane;
- movement means for moving the carrier members in predetermined radial and circumferential paths relative to each other within said matrix in the carrier plane to intertwine said weaving elements to form said woven article;
- and
- takeup means for drawing the woven article away from the carrier plane.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.