US 12,228,188 B2
Methods and apparatus for a 3D-printed spring
Robert Moffitt, Jr., Phoenix, AZ (US)
Assigned to Moffitt, LLC, Phoenix, AZ (US)
Filed by Moffitt, LLC, Phoenix, AZ (US)
Filed on May 13, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/320,102.
Prior Publication US 2022/0364621 A1, Nov. 17, 2022
Int. Cl. F16F 1/373 (2006.01); B29C 64/153 (2017.01); B29C 64/188 (2017.01); B33Y 10/00 (2015.01); B33Y 40/20 (2020.01); B33Y 80/00 (2015.01); F16F 1/44 (2006.01); B29L 31/00 (2006.01)
CPC F16F 1/373 (2013.01) [B29C 64/153 (2017.08); B29C 64/188 (2017.08); B33Y 10/00 (2014.12); B33Y 40/20 (2020.01); B33Y 80/00 (2014.12); F16F 1/44 (2013.01); B29L 2031/7282 (2013.01); B29L 2031/7742 (2013.01); F16F 2234/02 (2013.01); F16F 2238/026 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A 3D-printed spring, comprising:
a plurality of toroidal elements aligned along a center axis that is common to each toroidal element, wherein each toroidal element is separated from a directly-adjacent toroidal element by a distance; and
a plurality of connectors, wherein each connector comprises:
a first end connected to an inner surface of a first toroidal element at a first position relative to the center axis; and
a second end connected to an inner surface of a second directly-adjacent toroidal element at a second position relative to the center axis, wherein a midportion of each connector between the first and second ends extends across the distance separating the first and second toroidal elements.