Method and apparatus for braiding micro strands
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A braiding device suitable for making microbraids, the device comprising:
- a first carrier including at least a first shelter;
a second carrier disposed proximate to the first carrier, such at least one of the carriers is movable with respect to the other carrier, the second carrier including at least a second shelter;
at least one shuttle configured to retain one of a plurality of strands, and a mover configured to move the shuttle between the first and second shelters, wherein the mover includes a first biasing member configured to impart a first biasing force onto the shuttle that biases the shuttle against the mover, and one of the first and second carriers includes a second biasing member configured to impart a second retention force that biases the shuttle into the corresponding shelter.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for fabricating microbraided structures is provided. A microbraiding device includes first and second carrier members that are movable with respect to each other. Each carrier includes a plurality of shelters. Spool-less strands of microfiber are retained in shuttles that are movable between the first and second shelters under magnetic forces. The microbraid structure is fabricated as the shuttles move between the first shelters, and as the first carrier member moves relative to the second carrier member.
53 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A braiding device suitable for making microbraids, the device comprising:
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a first carrier including at least a first shelter; a second carrier disposed proximate to the first carrier, such at least one of the carriers is movable with respect to the other carrier, the second carrier including at least a second shelter; at least one shuttle configured to retain one of a plurality of strands, and a mover configured to move the shuttle between the first and second shelters, wherein the mover includes a first biasing member configured to impart a first biasing force onto the shuttle that biases the shuttle against the mover, and one of the first and second carriers includes a second biasing member configured to impart a second retention force that biases the shuttle into the corresponding shelter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A braiding device suitable for fabricating microbraids, the braiding device comprising:
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a first carrier including a plurality of first shelters; a second carrier surrounded by the first carrier, the second carrier including a plurality of second shelters, such that one of the carriers is movable with respect to the other carrier; a plurality of shuttles associated with each of the first shelters, wherein each shuttle is configured to retain one of a plurality of spool-less strands of micro fiber to be braided; and a plurality of transfer assemblies, each transfer assembly operatively coupled to a corresponding shuttle of the plurality of shuttles, wherein the transfer assembly moves the corresponding shuttle between a first position and a second position and the first carrier moves relative to the carrier so as to form a braided structure from the plurality of spool-less strands of micro fibers. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification