Computerized apparatus and method for applying graphics to surfaces

• US 7,044,665 B2
• Filed: 06/01/2004
• Issued: 05/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dreamscape Interiors, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Dreamscape Interiors, Inc.
• Inventors: Demyanovich, William, Mills, Ross, Cannell, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): COLILLA, DANIEL JAMES
• Application Number:
  US10/858,104
• Publication Number:
  US 20040247358A1
• Time in Patent Office: 714 Days
• Field of Search: 400/29
• US Class Current: 400/323
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/28 for printing downwardly on flat surfaces, e.g. of books, drawings, boxes , envelopes, e.g. flat-bed ink-jet printers
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/407 for marking on special material

Abstract

The invention is directed to an apparatus for applying at least one graphic to at least one surface, comprising a portable scaffolding system that may be telescoped to accommodate a length and a width of the surface; a host device for receiving at least one head attachment; and a computing device for incrementally moving the host device along the width and the length of the surface and for controlling a distance between the host device and the surface. The invention is also directed to a computer-implemented method for applying at least one graphic to at least one surface, comprising receiving at least one selected graphic; receiving data for mapping the surface; communicating instructions to a horizontal drive means for moving a print head across a width of the surface; communicating instructions to a vertical drive means for moving the print head along a length of the surface; communicating instructions to a host drive means for moving the print head toward and away from the surface; and communicating instructions to the print head for applying at least one colorant to the surface.

Claims

1. An apparatus to apply at least one graphic design to at least one surface, comprising:

a portable scaffolding;

wherein the portable scaffolding is telescopically scalable to a length or height of the at least one surface and a width of the at least one surface;

a host device that receives at least one head attachment;

a plurality of motors coupled to the host device and to the portable scaffolding;

wherein the plurality of motors communicate electronically with a computing device; and

wherein the plurality of motors receive instructions from the computing device to move the host device along the width, and along the length or height, of the at least one surface and to move the host device toward and away from the at least one surface.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the portable scaffolding system further comprises:

at least two telescoping vertical members;

wherein the vertical members are connected via at least one telescoping horizontal brace extending between and perpendicular to the vertical members;

at least one travel bar connected between and perpendicular to the vertical members; and

wherein one of the plurality of motors moves the host device along the width of the at least one surface by moving the host device along the travel bar.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising:

a drive assembly having a vertical drive motor and a horizontal drive motor;

wherein the vertical drive motor is connected with the host device via a vertical drive belt;

wherein the horizontal drive motor is coupled to the at least one travel bar via at least one horizontal drive rod;

wherein the horizontal drive motor and vertical drive motor electronically communicate with the computing device;

wherein the horizontal drive motor moves the drive assembly along the travel bar, by rotating the horizontal drive rod, when the horizontal drive motor receives instructions from the computing device to move the host device along the width of the at least one surface; and

wherein the vertical drive motor retracts or extends the vertical drive belt when the vertical drive motor receives instructions from the computing device to move the host device along the length or height of the at least one surface.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein:

the host device includes a host drive motor that moves the host device toward and away from the at least one surface and along the width of the at least one surface;

the host drive motor communicates electronically with the computing device; and

wherein the host drive motor moves the host device along the width of the at least one surface, beyond a maximum horizontal movement of the drive assembly, when the host drive motor receives instructions from the computing device to move the host device along the width of the at least one surface.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the head attachment comprises at least one device selected from the group consisting of a print head, a paint head, and a wall mapping device.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the wall mapping device comprises a device selected from the group consisting of an optical sensor, a laser sensor, and a camera.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the wall mapping device also comprises an illumination device.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the computing device communicates with the plurality of motors via direct electrical connection.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the computing device communicates with the plurality of motors via remote communication means.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the host device includes a host drive motor that moves the host device toward and away from the at least one surface;

the host drive motor communicates electronically with the computing device; and

the host drive motor moves the host device toward and away from the host drive motor, when the host drive motor receives instructions from the computing device to move the host device toward and away from the at least one surface.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the computing device communicates with the host drive motor via direct electrical connection.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the computing device communicates with the host drive motor via remote communication means.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the at least one head attachment comprises a print or paint head;

the print or paint head communicates electronically with the computing device; and

wherein the print or paint head applies at least one pigment to the at least one surface, when the print or paint head receives instructions from the computing device to apply the at least one pigment to the at least one surface.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein:

the computing device receives a graphic design;

the print or paint head receives instructions from the computing device to apply a plurality of fiducials to the at least one surface; and

the print or paint head receives instructions from the computing device to apply at least one pigment to the at least one surface, such that the graphic design is applied to the at least one surface in alignment with the plurality of fiducials.