Abstract:
A three-dimensional (3D) drawing device having a housing configured for manipulation by a user&#39;s hand. The drawing device has a nozzle assembly with an exit nozzle and a manual mechanism used to expel a UV gel that hardens when exposed to a UV light source that is secured to the end of the device.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED INVENTIONS 
       [0001]    The present invention is a non-provisional application claiming the benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 62/235,627 filed on Oct. 1, 2015. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to a hand-held implement configured to extrude a gel used to print or create three-dimensional (3D) objects. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Three-dimensional printers are known and are used to produce 3D items. These printers operate by deposited sequential layers of plastic or solidification of layers of a precursor material. These printers tend to be large and expensive and require the design to be provided as a computer file, for example as generated by a Computer-Aided Design (CAD) program. There are also hand-held devices that are able to produce and print 3D items. However, these also tend to be extremely expensive and cumbersome to use. It is therefore desirable to provide a hand-held device to form 3D items without the need of expensive 3D printers or expensive hand-held devices. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    It is desirable to provide a reliable, easily refillable hand-held device to form 3D items without the need for computerized design files. The present disclosure describes a hand-held device that allows a user to “draw” a 3D structure. 
         [0005]    In one embodiment there is a hand-held instrument for creating a 3-dimensional object. The instrument includes a hand-held elongated body having a tip end and a base end. At least one UV LED light source is positioned about the tip end. The UV LED light source selectively forms an electrical circuit with a battery contained within said body and a switch actuated externally from the body. A UV sensitive gel is contained within a cartridge and the UV sensitive gel being configured to harden when exposed to a UV light source. The cartridge is removably contained within the body to allow for replacement cartridges when needed. The cartridge further has an ejection tip configured to allow the UV sensitive gel to expel from the cartridge and it is positioned about the tip end when the cartridge is contained within the body. A manual hand pump is attached to the body and in communication with the cartridge. The manual hand pump when pressed towards the body is configured to force the UV sensitive gel contained within the cartridge out through the ejection tip. In addition, when the UV sensitive gel is forced from the cartridge by pressing the manual hand pump and the UV LED light source is actuated, the UV sensitive gel hardens from exposure to the UV LED light source to form the 3-dimensional object. 
         [0006]    In another aspect of the one or more embodiments, the cartridge can be defined by having a cartridge shell for housing the gel. The cartridge shell has a top end and a lower end that is in communication with the ejection tip. A rod extending from the top end towards the lower end is provided within the shell. The rod has a thread positioned around the rod and is configured to rotate when the manual hand pump is pressed towards the body. A movable head is positioned about the top end inside of the cartridge shell and is configured to ride the thread towards the lower end of the cartridge shell when the rod rotates. As such, gel contained in the cartridge shell between the lower end and the movable head is forced out of the ejection tip when the moveable head is moved towards the lower end of the cartridge shell by pressing the manual hand pump towards the body. 
         [0007]    In another aspect of the one or more embodiment provides for the manual hand pump to include a lever pivotally attached at one end to the body. An abutment member is configured to slide within the body. The abutment member has an upper end extending to towards an underside of the lever and further has a rack on one side. A spring is positioned between the abutment member and the body, such that when the lever is pressed down towards the body, the abutment member is pushed downward compressing the spring and when the lever is released the spring acts to return the abutment member and lever away from the body to a rest position. A pinion gear is meshed to the rack on the abutment member such that the pinion gear rotates when the abutment member is moved. A gear train can be rotatably connecting the pinion gear to the rod defined by the cartridge. The gear train is configured to only rotate the rod when the abutment member is moved by pressing the lever. 
         [0008]    In other aspects, the gear train is defined to have a dual claw member secured to the pinion gear. An open gear is provided and includes an internal ratchet configured to engage the dual claw member and to cause rotation of the open gear in a first direction when the pinion gear rotates. The open gear further has an external ratchet that is engaged by a pawl when the open gear rotates in a direction opposition the first direction. A cap cover is secured to the rod defined by the cartridge and meshed to the open gear such that rotation of the open gear in a first direction cause rotation of the rod and thus moves the moveable head towards the lower end of the cartridge shell. 
         [0009]    In yet other aspects of the present invention the hand-held instrument may include a transparent cover over the UV light source and disposable protective lens covers configured to be removable from the cover with excess UV gel builds up on the lens covers. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide further understanding and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate disclosed embodiments and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the disclosed embodiments. In the drawings: 
           [0011]      FIGS. 1A through 1C  are perspective views of a 3D pen used to draw 3D structures and a base pedestal all in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIGS. 2A-2B  are perspective views of a 3D pen in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIGS. 3A-3D  are perspective views of a 3D pen showing an elongated body and internal components in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIGS. 4A-4B  are perspective views of a 3D pen showing a manual extraction mechanism to extract or expel the gel from the gel cartridge in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIGS. 5A-5C  are perspective views of a 3D pen showing internal components used with the manual extraction mechanism to extract or expel the gel from the gel cartridge in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an end of a 3D pen showing the end cap of the pen in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  are perspective view of a 3D pen showing an end cover in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a 3D pen showing interchangeable end tips in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is an schematic of the electric circuit of a 3D pen in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention; and 
           [0020]      FIGS. 10A through 10D  are perspective view of a 3D pen in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0021]    The present disclosure describes a hand-held device that allows a user to “draw” a 3D structure easily and inexpensively. The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description of various configurations of the subject technology and is not intended to represent the only configurations in which the subject technology may be practiced. The appended drawings are incorporated herein and constitute a part of the detailed description. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the subject technology. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the subject technology may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and components are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of the subject technology. Like components are labeled with identical element numbers for ease of understanding. 
         [0022]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1A-1C , there is shown a 3D Pen  100  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The 3D Pen  100  is positioned and held by a base pedestal  1000  used to hold the pen  100  and additional replacement cartridges  1005 . The replacement cartridges  1005  are used to holds a gel that is UV light sensitive that hardens when exposed to a UV light. As such the gel is kept soft or pliable within the cartridges but will harden when expelled from the cartridge or pen and then exposed to a UV light. The gel is not unique and there are many forms of the gel in the prior art. 
         [0023]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2A and 2B  there is shown a 3D hand held writing instrument (or as referred to herein as a “3D pen”)  200  that has an elongated body  203 . The 3D pen  200  is used to expel a UV sensitive gel that hardens when exposed to a UV light source  205 . The UV light source  205  may be one or more UV LEDs  210  positioned about one end  215  of the 3D pen  200 . The end  215  is adjacent to and includes an ejection tip  220 , which is configured to expel the gel. 
         [0024]    Referring now to  FIGS. 3A through 3C  there is shown a 3D pen  300  along with its internal components. The 3D pen  300  includes an elongated body  303  that is defined by a housing  305 . The housing  305  may be configured in sections or halves that are secured together to form compartments. One compartment  310  may house a battery source (not shown). The battery compartment  310  would be used to store a replaceable or rechargeable battery source and used to power the UV light source. Another compartment may house a gel cartridge  320 . The gel cartridge  320 , as noted above, would be replaceable when the gel is running out or low. As noted, the 3D pen  300  includes a UV light source  325  (which may be one or more UV LEDs  330 ) positioned about one end  335  of the 3D pen  300 . The end  335  is adjacent to and includes an ejection tip  340 , which is configured to expel the gel from the gel cartridge  320 . 
         [0025]    Referring now to  FIGS. 4A-4B , one main notable difference between the present invention and prior art 3D written instruments is that the embodiments disclosed in accordance with the present invention does not include a motor to expel or extract the gel. Instead, the present invention utilizes a manual extraction mechanism  400  to expel or extract the gel from the gel cartridge  320 . A hand pump  405  includes a head  407  with a flange tooth  408  that is engaged to a rack  410  and pinion gear  415 . The pinion gear  415  is secured to a crown gear  420  that is meshed to cartridge gear  425 . As such, when the manual extraction mechanism  400  is pressed towards the body  310  the cartridge gear  425  rotates. 
         [0026]    Referring now to  FIGS. 5A-5C , to expel the gel from the gel cartridge  320  one or more embodiments of the present invention is configured to have the cartridge gear  425  attached to a cartridge cap  430  that includes a hex lock  435  under the cap  430 . The hex lock  435  fits over a hex nut  440  that includes an internal bore  445  and that is configured to rest over an elongated cartridge screw  450  positioned within the gel cartridge  320 . A fastener  455  is inserted through the internal bore  445  of the hex nut  440  and is used to secure the hex nut to the elongated cartridge screw  450  via a fastener thread  460 . The elongated cartridge screw  450  includes a single channel thread  470  extending down and around the elongated cartridge screw  450 . 
         [0027]    A movable head  475  is positioned within the gel cartridge  320  and configured to have a diameter slightly smaller than the internal diameter of the gel cartridge such that the movable head  475  is capable of being moved down the gel cartridge pushes and forces the gel downwardly out through the end tip  340 . The movable head  475  includes a top annual ring  480  that has an annual opening  482  sized to fit around the elongated cartridge screw  450 . The top annual ring  480  includes a bead  484  positioned within the annual opening  482  and sized to fit in the single channel thread  470  of the elongated cartridge screw  450 . The top annual ring  480  also includes an annual groove  486  on the underside thereof configured to receive an annual flange  492  extending upwardly from a bottom annual ring  490  such that the top annual ring and bottom annual ring are secured together. Both of which are thus secured within the gel cartridge and configured to move down as the elongated cartridge screw rotates along with the rotation of the cartridge gear  425 . 
         [0028]    In addition, the gel cartridge  320  includes a gel cover  350  over the top of the gel cartridge  320 . The gel cover  350  includes an opening  355  sized to receive a bottom skirt  465  extending from the hex nut  440 . 
         [0029]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , in one embodiment the gel cartridge  320  is positioned against one end of the 3D pen  300 . The end of the 3D pen  300  may include an end cap  500  that is defined by a positioning springs  505  between a top plate  510  and a bottom plate  515 . The plates and springs help keep the cartridge tightly positioned against the end of the housing. One or more UV LEDs  520  can be secured to the bottom plate  515 . 
         [0030]    Referring now to  FIGS. 7A and 7B , in one embodiment the end of the 3D pen  300  may include a transparent cover  600  over the UV light source  605 . The cover  600  will help protect the UV light source from the UV gel. One problem that has appeared in the art is that exposed UV light sources can get covered with the gel and which when hardens prevents the UV light source from working properly and can eventually stop its use altogether. Moreover, when the UV gel hardens it becomes extremely difficult to remove from a surface such that it becomes virtually impossible to clean the UV light source. One solution is to have the cover  600 . Another solution would be to include disposable protective lens covers  605  over the UV light source. The disposable lens covers  605  could be removable or tear away such that the user can simply tear away when it becomes covered with gel. The disposable covers  605  could have an adhesive  607  on one side such that it can easily apply and stick to the cover  600  or UV light source. 
         [0031]    Referring now to  FIG. 8 , in another embodiment the 3D pen  700  may include interchangeable end tips  705 . The interchangeable end tips  705  may allow the user to use smaller nozzle ejection points or even an end tip with an embedded design such that the gel is capably of coming out in different shapes. 
         [0032]    In one or more embodiments of the present invention it was found that the LED light source specification works with an about 5 mm round LED lamp with a wave length peak of about 402 nm. In addition, the schematic shown in  FIG. 9  illustrates a circuit diagram  900  for the LED light source. 
         [0033]    In another embodiment of the present invention, illustrated in  FIGS. 10A-10D , there is shown a 3D Pen  1000 . In  FIG. 10A  the pen  1000  is shown with a base  1005  that can rest on a surface and allow the pen  1000  to stand upright (similar to  FIG. 1A ). In this embodiment the base  1005  includes an main opening  1007  to hold the pen  1000  and a secondary opening  1009  to hold a second interchangeable or replacement tip  705 . The pen  1000  includes an elongated body  1100  that is illustrated as a two piece housing body  1102  that has a battery source compartment section  1104  that is fit to one end of the housing body  1102 . The battery source compartment section  1104  further includes the necessary battery compartment components  1106  and circuit components  1107  to allow and communicate power from the battery source (not shown) to the UV light source  325  and further includes a cover  1108 . Along the opposite end to the battery source compartment section is a secondary compartment section  1200  configured to house the gel cartridge  320 . As noted above the pen  1000  includes a manual extraction mechanism  1400  to expel or extract the gel from the gel cartridge  1320 . 
         [0034]    The gel cartridge  1320  includes a cartridge shell  1325  used to house the gel and components. The gel cartridge  1320  includes a cartridge cap  430  that includes a hex lock  435  that is positioned through the cartridge cap  430  to secure onto a fastener  455  that is secured to the elongated cartridge screw  450 . A movable head  475  is positioned within the gel cartridge  320  and rides the screw  450  to force gel out of the cartridge. Other components are similarly defined above. 
         [0035]    The manual pump mechanism  1400  can be defined to include a lever  1405  accessible by a user externally to the body  1100 . The lever  1405  includes a pivot end  1410  that is pivotally attached to the body  1100 . Abutting the underside of the lever  1405  adjacent the pivot end  1410  is a slideable abutment member  1415 . The abutment member  1415  is slidably mounted within the body  1100  and includes an upper end  1420  extending out of the body  1100  to make contact with the underside of the lever  1405 . The abutment member  1415  further includes an arm  1425  that holds in place a spring  1430 . When the lever  1405  is pressed down by a user the abutmemt member  1415  is pushed downward against the spring  1430 , and when the lever  1405  is released the spring  1430  forces the abutment member  1415  back to its resting position and thus presses the lever  1405  upwardly. The abutment member  1415  includes a rack  1435  on a side that faces a pinion  1440 . The pinion  1440  is secured to a dual claw member  1445  that further sits within an open gear  1450  that includes an internal ratchet  1455 . When the abutment member  1415  slides down, the pinion  1440  rotates causing the dual claw member  1445  to rotate and turn the open gear  1450 . The open gear  1450  further includes an external ratchet  1460  that engages a pawl  1467  that is mounted to the body  1100 . As such, when the abutment member  1415  slides upwardly, the reverse rotation of the pinion  1440  does not cause a reverse rotation of the open gear  1450  as both the dual claw member only causes rotation in one direction and the pawl engages the external ratchet to help prevent reverse rotation. Mounted to the open gear  1450  is a cap cover  1469  that fits over a cap nut  1470  that is secured to a cap  1472 . The cap  1472  includes on the underside an opening with a profile  1475  to engage with the hex lock  435 . As such when the open gear  1450  rotates, the cap  1465  and thus the screw  450  rotates therewith. These are all mounted on an axle  1477  that is positioned at one end within a bearing  1480  positioned in the body. 
         [0036]    This application includes description that is provided to enable a person of ordinary skill in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. While the foregoing has described what are considered to be the best mode and/or other examples, it is understood that various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects. It is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps or blocks in the processes disclosed is an illustration of exemplary approaches. Based upon design preferences, it is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps or blocks in the processes may be rearranged. The accompanying method claims present elements of the various steps in a sample order, and are not meant to be limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein, but is to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language claims. 
         [0037]    Headings and subheadings, if any, are used for convenience only and do not limit the invention. Reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically so stated, but rather “one or more.” Use of the articles “a” and “an” is to be interpreted as equivalent to the phrase “at least one.” Unless specifically stated otherwise, the terms “a set” and “some” refer to one or more. Terms such as “top,” “bottom,” “upper,” “lower,” “left,” “right,” “front,” “rear” and the like as used in this disclosure should be understood as referring to an arbitrary frame of reference, rather than to the ordinary gravitational frame of reference. Thus, a top surface, a bottom surface, a front surface, and a rear surface may extend upwardly, downwardly, diagonally, or horizontally in a gravitational frame of reference. 
         [0038]    Although the relationships among various components are described herein and/or are illustrated as being orthogonal or perpendicular, those components can be arranged in other configurations in some embodiments. For example, the angles formed between the referenced components can be greater or less than 90 degrees in some embodiments. Although various components are illustrated as being flat and/or straight, those components can have other configurations, such as curved or tapered for example, in some embodiments. 
         [0039]    Pronouns in the masculine (e.g., his) include the feminine and neuter gender (e.g., her and its) and vice versa. All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various aspects described throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for” or, in the case of a method claim, the element is recited using the phrase “operation for.” 
         [0040]    A phrase such as an “aspect” does not imply that such aspect is essential to the subject technology or that such aspect applies to all configurations of the subject technology. A disclosure relating to an aspect may apply to all configurations, or one or more configurations. A phrase such as an aspect may refer to one or more aspects and vice versa. A phrase such as an “embodiment” does not imply that such embodiment is essential to the subject technology or that such embodiment applies to all configurations of the subject technology. A disclosure relating to an embodiment may apply to all embodiments, or one or more embodiments. A phrase such as an embodiment may refer to one or more embodiments and vice versa. 
         [0041]    The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example or illustration.” Any aspect or design described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs. 
         [0042]    All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various aspects described throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “include,” “have,” or the like is used in the description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprise” as “comprise” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. 
         [0043]    Although embodiments of the present disclosure have been described and illustrated in detail, it is to be clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration and example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation, the scope of the present invention being limited only by the terms of the appended claims.