Patent ID: 9511544
Filing Date: 2016-12-06
CPC Classification: B22F,B28B,B29C,B29K,B29L,B33Y,F16B,H02G,Y02P

Claim Text:
1. A method of making a fastener, the method comprising: (a) creating a first layer of material to define a first section of a fastener; (b) emitting light onto the first layer after the prior step to cure, harden or bond the layer; (c) creating a second layer of the material upon the first layer to define a second section of the fastener after the prior step; (d) emitting light onto the second layer after the prior step to cure, harden or bond the second layer; (e) creating at least a third layer of the material upon the second layer to define at least a third section of the fastener after the prior step; (f) emitting light onto the third layer after the prior step to cure, harden or bond the third layer; (g) creating a flexible member from the material which is a printed polymeric material, the member being at least one of: (i) an umbrella or (ii) a work-piece engaging leg; and (h) removing the finished fastener from a machine which performs the creating and emitting steps, with the layers all being integrally connected to their adjacent layers; the finished fastener being functional and made by the machine in less than ninety minutes.