Other

The Ex One Company

Michael John McCoy

Anthony S Dugan

Joseph J Bolt

Travis Maxwell Inks

Adam W Stroud

Rick D Lucas

Karthik Ramani

Daniel T Brunermer

Thomas Lizzi

Lawrence Joseph Voss

You Wu

F Vinayak

Raja Jasti

Paul P Knor

Alec Hydock

Jake Flick

Buck Bradford

The present invention relates to apparatuses for distributing build powder in powder-layer three-dimensional printers () and for the collection of particulates of the build powder that have become suspended in the gaseous atmosphere in the vicinity of the build platform of the three-dimensional printer. These apparatuses include recoaters () that are particularly useful in providing uniform distribution of fine build powder across the width of the build platform or powder bed. The present invention also includes powder-layer three-dimensional printers () which comprise such apparatuses for distributing build powder and/or apparatuses for collecting such suspended particulates. The improved fine powder recoater () uses an ultrasonic transducer () to move powder through a sheet screen (). The sheet screen () may be presented to the powder fed onto it in a narrow dispensing slot to limit the flow rate of powder from the dispenser and to provide control over the amount of powder dispensed. The width of the slot may extend to cover the entire build box fill zone. The ultrasonic transducer () is preferably adapted to periodically sweep through a range of frequencies during operation. The ultrasonic vibration system may be augmented with a low frequency vibration system. The dust collection system () draws air from the perimeter of the build box () down through the deck plate () of the printer () and out of the printer's housing () to an external dust collector ().

Powder distribution system for three-dimensional printer

The present invention relates to powder-layer three-dimensional printers () having a discrete supply hopper () and a recoater (). The discrete supply hopper () is configured to transfer a build powder to the recoater () in a manner that enhances the uniformity of build powder layers that are dispensed from the recoater (). In some embodiments, at least one of the discrete supply hopper and the powder hopper of the recoater is adapted to selectively contact the other, seal against the other, and/or have one partially inserted inside the other so as to diminish or prevent powder pluming during the transfer of build powder from the discrete supply hopper to the recoater.

Powder layer smoothing devices () adapted for use with powder-layer three-dimensional printers () are described. The smoothing devices () include a counter rotating roller () having a complex powder engaging face () that may include a series or plurality of flutes () or may include knurling () extending along at least a portion of the counter rotating roller () along its rotational axis (). The smoothing device () may also include a vertically adjustable finishing roller () to follow the counter rotating roller () across the build box () of the powder-layer three-dimensional printer ().

Powder-layer three-dimensional printer with smoothing device

A powder layer smoothing devices adapted for use with powder-layer three-dimensional printers are described. The smoothing devices include a counter rotating roller having a complex powder engaging face that may include a series or plurality of flutes or may include knurling extending along at least a portion of the roller along the rotational axis. The smoothing device may also include a vertically adjustable finishing roller to follow the counter rotating roller across the build box of the powder-layer three-dimensional printer.

Recoaters for powder-layer three-dimensional printers which are capable of producing enhanced powder layer uniformity and powder-layer three-dimensional printers having such recoaters are described. The recoater comprises a bridge, two supports, one at either end of the bridge, a powder reservoir, and a substantially rectangular plate which extends between the two supports and contains an opening through which the powder reservoir either extends into or through or through which build powder can be fed into the powder reservoir. The plate has a length to minimum width ratio of no more than about 7.0 and a length to maximum width ratio of no more than about 5.0, the plate being adapted to brace the bridge into a perpendicular relationship with the first and second supports when the recoater is being controllably moved and the powder reservoir is dispensing powder to form a powder layer.

Recoaters for powder-layer three-dimensional printers

A virtual interaction system includes a haptic feedback apparatus, a depth camera and a processing circuit. The haptic feedback apparatus includes an solenoid mount supporting a plurality of solenoids, a plurality of hand mounts, and a controller. The solenoid mount is configured to be mounted onto a human arm. The plurality of hand mounts are configured to be mounted onto a plurality of positions on a human hand. Each of the plurality the hand mounts includes at least one contact element. Each contact element is controllably moveable by a corresponding solenoid. The controller is configured to receive an input signal, and generate, based on the input signal, a plurality of solenoid control signals.

Wireless haptic feedback apparatus configured to be mounted on a human arm

A device by which a person who is handicapped by physical limitations in performing ordinary cleaning of the anal region after toilet excretion has elongated members which have grips or handles at one end and finger-like tips at the other end and are pivotally attached to one another intermediate the ends so that the user can grasp the handle end and hold toilet tissue between the finger-like pads and move the device horizontally while partly slightly raised above the toilet seat to place the tissue in the anal region and move the device to produce a wiping action and when completed, turn the device to release the used tissue into the toilet bowl. The device can be used in similar fashion to apply medication to the anal-genital region. An embodiment of the invention provides an adjustability feature.

Toilet aid for handicapped persons

In a quick release safety attachment for a stirrup comprising spring-loaded rods in a sleeve which rests in the stirrup strap with the ends of the rods engaging the ends of a stirrup and a pair of lever arms extending radially outward from the interior of the sleeve engaged with the rods for controlling the operation of the device to release the stirrup, the arms are provided with notches and a Velcro strap for more positively securing the arms in place when the safety release is cocked and bearings are provided in the sleeve to work in conjunction with the rods to provide a more positive release and minimize the possibility of a premature release.

Safety release attachment for stirrup

A stirrup for a horse saddle has a cylindrical stirrup bolt assembly attached across an open end of the stirrup and, in a conventional fashion, the bolt assembly rests in the bottom loop of a stirrup strap which is attached to the saddle fender to hold the stirrup in place during normal use. The stirrup bolt assembly comprises an outer housing with rotatable and axially movable pins or rods which have keyed outer ends extending out the end of the housing for engaging keyed openings at the open end of the stirrup with a spring within the cylindrical housing applying a force to the pins to hold them in engagement with the stirrup keyed openings. A helically shaped slot or groove on the outer surface of the pins is engaged by fingers attached to the cylindrical housing so as the stirrup swings in an arc with respect to the stirrup strap the fingers act in the slot to apply a force in opposition to the spring force to pull the pins axially inward. If the angle of the arc of the stirrup exceeds a predetermined angle, the rods or pins are moved inward far enough so that they disengage from the openings in the stirrup so that the stirrup will fall free and thereby disengage the stirrup and the rider's foot from attachment to the saddle.

A stirrup for a horse riding saddle has a cylindrical bolt attached across its open end which, in a conventional fashion, rests in the bottom loop of a stirrup strap which in turn is attached to the saddle fender to hold the stirrup in place. The bolt comprises a cylindrical sleeve with movable pins or rods having keyed outer ends extending axially out of the sleeve for engaging keyed openings at the open end of the stirrup and a spring within the sleeve applies a force to the pins to disengage them from the keyed openings while a greater and opposite force is applied by radially extending finger means to hold the pins in place. If the stirrup swings in an arc with respect to the stirrup strap which exceeds a predetermined angle the force applied by the finger is disengaged from the pins so that the force of the spring takes over and disengages the pins from the keyed openings in the stirrup to allow the stirrup to fall free.

Growing community of inventors

Murrysville, PA, United States of America

Michael John McCoy