Tools, methods, assemblies, and systems for crafting apparatus

Abstract

Tools, accessories, and methods of using a crafting apparatus are provided herein. In various embodiments, a cutoff tool for a crafting apparatus includes an attachment portion and a blade housing portion. The cutoff tool may be configured to facilitate automated cutting of a workpiece material. In various embodiments, a material support tool for a crafting apparatus includes an attachment hub portion and at least one arm. The material support tool may be configured to be detachably mounted to a crafting apparatus, and may be configured to provide support to at least one of a workpiece material and a support mat during operation of the crafting apparatus. In various embodiments, a cleaning tool for a rail of a crafting apparatus includes a "C" shaped bracket having inwardly extending ridges and / or a rail flange, with the cleaning tool being configured to engage and clean grooves a rail of a crafting apparatus.

Description

TOOLS, METHODS, ASSEMBLIES, AND SYSTEMS FOR CRAFTING APPARATUSCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to United States PatentApplication No. 63 / 514,117 filed July 17. 2023, the disclosure of which is considered part of the disclosure of this application and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] This disclosure relates generally to electronic crafting apparatuses, and more particularly to tools, accessories, and methods of use for electronic crafting apparatuses and / or electronic cutting systems.BACKGROUND

[0003] While conventional crafting devices have proven to be acceptable for various applications, such devices are nevertheless susceptible to improvements that may enhance their overall performance and cost. Therefore, a need exists to develop improved crafting devices that advance art.SUMMARY

[0004] The subject matter of the present disclosure has been developed in response to the present state of the art. and in particular, in response to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currently available electronic crafting apparatuses. Accordingly, the present disclosure has been developed to provide tools, accessories, and methods of use that overcome many or all of the above-discussed shortcomings in the art, in accordance with various embodiments.

[0005] One aspect of the disclosure provides a cutoff tool. The cutoff tool includes an attachment portion and blade housing portion, according to various embodiments. The attachment portion may be configured to engage with the carriage of the crafting apparatus to detachably mount the tool to the carriage of the crafting apparatus. The blade housing portion may be configured to retain a blade.

[0006] Implementations of the disclosure may include one or more of the following optional features. In some implementations the attachment portion comprises one of a protrusion and a groove and the carriage comprises the other protrusion and groove. The groovebeing configured to receive the protrusion and facilitate alignment and retention of the cutoff tool. In various embodiments, the attachment portion includes the protrusion and the carriage comprises the groove. In various embodiments, the cutoff tool has a shaft with a first central longitudinal axis, and the blade housing portion may be offset from the first central longitudinal axis such that the first central longitudinal axis does not extend through a cutting edge of a blade retained in the blade housing portion.

[0007] In various embodiments, the blade housing comprises a second central longitudinal axis and this second central longitudinal axis may be angled relative to the first central longitudinal axis. In various embodiments, the blade comprises a cutting edge, and an XZ reference plane encompasses the cutting edge and extends parallel to the first central longitudinal axis of the attachment portion. A YZ reference plane may encompass the first central longitudinal axis and may perpendicularly intersect the XZ plane. In various embodiments, a top direction and an opposing bottom direction are defined along the first central longitudinal axis. In various embodiments, a left direction and an opposing right direction are defined in the XZ reference plane perpendicular to the first central longitudinal axis. In various embodiments, a front direction and an opposing rear direction are defined in the YZ reference plane perpendicular to the first central longitudinal axis.

[0008] In some embodiments, the second central longitudinal axis of the blade housing portion extends down from the attachment portion at an angled orientation comprising a right and / or front direction. In various embodiments, the rearwardly facing surface of the blade housing portion comprises a tapering and / or concave surface. In various embodiments, the XZ plane of the cutoff tool is offset in the front direction from the front central longitudinal axis. According to various embodiments, the cutting edge of the blade of the cutoff tool is configured to drag across material in the cutting direction.

[0009] Also disclosed herein, according to various embodiments, is a material support tool that is configured to be detachably mounted to a crafting apparatus. The material support tool may include at least one support arm configured to provide support to at least one workpiece material. In various embodiments, the material support tool comprises an attachment hub portion from which the at least one arm extends. In various embodiments, the material support tool comprises at least a first arm and second arm extending from the attachment hub portion. In various embodiments, an angle defined between extension directions of the first arm and the second arm is less than 135 degrees. In various embodiments, said angle is an acute angle. In various embodiments, said angle is about 60 degrees.

[0010] In various embodiments, the attachment hub portion of the material support tool defines a channel. The channel may be for receiving an integrated support arm of the crafting apparatus. In various embodiments, the channel is three-sided, having one open side. In various embodiments, the channel is configured such that the integrated support arm bisects an angle defined between the first and second arm. In various embodiments, the first and second arms of the material support tool, when installed / attached to the crafting apparatus, are substantially coplanar with an integrated material support arm (e.g., at least the surfaces of said arms facing the workpiece are coplanar).

[0011] In various embodiments, the attachment hub portion comprises a tab that is configured to be received into a groove to facilitate at least one of alignment and retention of the material support tool. In various embodiments, the tab of the material support tool comprises cross-sectional dimensions that are approximately equal to the dimensions of an integrated material support arm. In various embodiments, the groove of the crafting apparatus is configured to store the integrated material support arm when not deployed.

[0012] Also disclosed herein, according to various embodiments, is a cleaning tool for a crafting apparatus. The cleaning tool may be configured to be moved along a rail to clean the crafting apparatus rail. The cleaning tool may comprise a “C’’ shaped bracket configured to extend at least partially around the rail such that the ends of such bracket are disposed on the opposite sides of the rail. In various embodiments, the cleaning tool comprises inwardly extending ridges disposed adjacent the ends of the “C” shaped bracket, wherein the inwardly extending ridges are to engage with the channels on the rail.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] In order that the advantages of the disclosure will be readily understood, a more particular description of the disclosure briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Thus, although the subject matter of the present disclosure is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification, a more complete understanding of the present disclosure, may best be obtained by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in connection with the drawing figures. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the disclosure and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the subject matter of the present application will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0014] FIG. 1 A is a perspective view of a crafting apparatus, in accordance with various embodiments;

[0015] FIG. IB is a magnified view of a carriage of the crafting apparatus of FIG. 1A, in accordance with various embodiments;

[0016] FIG. 2A is a front, right, top isometric view of a cutoff tool, in accordance with various embodiments;

[0017] FIG. 2B is a rear, right, top isometric view of a cutoff tool, in accordance with various embodiments;

[0018] FIG. 2C, is a front elevation view of the cutoff tool, in accordance with various embodiments;

[0019] FIG. 2D is a rear elevation view of the cutoff tool, in accordance with various embodiments;

[0020] FIG. 2E is a left side elevation view of the cutoff tool, in accordance with various embodiments;

[0021] FIG. 2F is a right side elevation view of the cutoff tool, in accordance with various embodiments;

[0022] FIG. 2G is a top plan view' of the cutoff tool, in accordance with various embodiments;

[0023] FIG. 2H is a bottom plan view of the cutoff tool, in accordance with various embodiments;

[0024] FIG. 3A is a front elevation view of a crafting apparatus showing integrated material support arms in a deployed state, in accordance with various embodiments;

[0025] FIG. 3B is a front elevation view of a material support tool, in accordance with various embodiments;

[0026] FIG. 3C is a front elevation view of a material support tool engaged with a crafting apparatus, in accordance with various embodiments;

[0027] FIG. 3D is a rear elevation view' of a crafting apparatus showing a groove of the crafting apparatus for storing / holding an integrated material support arm when the integrated material support arm is not deployed, in accordance with various embodiments;

[0028] FIG. 4A, is a front elevation view' of the material support tool, in accordance with various embodiments;

[0029] FIG. 4B is a left side elevation view of the material support tool, in accordance with various embodiments;

[0030] FIG. 4C is a right side elevation view of the material support tool, in accordance with various embodiments;

[0031] FIG. 4D is a top plan view of the material support tool, in accordance with various embodiments;

[0032] FIG. 4E is a bottom plan view of the material support tool, in accordance with various embodiments;

[0033] FIG. 5A is a front, right, top isometric view of a cleaning tool, in accordance with various embodiments;

[0034] FIG. 5B is a rear, left, top isometric view of a cleaning tool, in accordance with various embodiments;

[0035] FIG. 5C, is a front elevation view of the cleaning tool, in accordance with various embodiments;

[0036] FIG. 5D is a rear elevation view of the cleaning tool, in accordance with various embodiments;

[0037] FIG. 5E is a left side elevation view of the cleaning tool, in accordance with various embodiments;

[0038] FIG. 5F is a right side elevation view of the cleaning tool, in accordance with various embodiments;

[0039] FIG. 5G is a top plan view of the cleaning tool, in accordance with various embodiments; and

[0040] FIG. 5H is a bottom plan view of the cleaning tool, in accordance with various embodiments.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] The detailed description of exemplary’ embodiments herein refers to the accompanying drawings, which show exemplary embodiments by way of illustration. While these exemplary embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, other embodiments may be realized and logical changes and adaptations in design and construction may be made in accordance with this disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Thus, the detailed description herein is presented for purposes of illustration only and not of limitation.

[0042] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to tools, accessories, methods, systems, and assemblies for crafting apparatuses. That is, various tools and / or accessories are provided herein that are configured to be utilized in conjunction w ith a craftingapparatus, such as an electronic cutting machine. While the tools described herein may be configured for use in a wide variety of applications and with a variety of machines, many specific examples and details are provided herein with reference to a crafting apparatus having an angled working surface, such as the embodiments disclosed in International Publication Number WO 2022 / 164974 Al (filed January 27, 2022 entitled CRAFTING APPARATUS), which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0043] In various embodiments, and with reference to FIGS. 1A and IB, a crafting apparatus 10 is provided. As mentioned above, the crafting apparatus 10 may have an angled working surface 14 and various workpiece management components may be utilized prior to and / or during the act of conducting "work" upon a workpiece. Because the angled working surface 14 is not parallel to an underlying ground surface or floor and / or an upper surface of a support member (e.g., a table) that supports the crafting apparatus 10, the workpiece management components prevent the workpiece from sliding off of the angled working surface 14 as a result of a gravitational pull on the workpiece that would otherwise cause the angled working surface 14 to undesirably function as a workpiece slide. Additionally, the crafting apparatus 10 may have a "door-less" and / or a ‘’large-form” configuration, as described in greater detail below.

[0044] Furthermore, the crafting apparatus 10 may be selectively reconfigured in order to conduct work on a workpiece that can be derived from at least two different types of workpiece sources (a roll of workpiece material and / or from a relatively "large" workpiece having a substantially flat, preconfigured shape that may or may not be supported by a support mat). Yet even further, because the crafting apparatus 10 is designed to be "door-less", a plurality of components of the crafting apparatus that conduct "work" upon the workpiece may be always exposed to the surrounding environment, according to various embodiments. Accordingly, the crafting apparatus may include an aesthetically-pleasing design whereby structure (e.g., one or both of a front door and a rear door) are not included in the design of the crafting apparatus, and, as a result, does not cover or obfuscate the plurality' of components of the crafting apparatus that conduct "work" upon the workpiece even when the crafting apparatus is not conducting "work" upon the workpiece.

[0045] In various embodiments, and with reference to FIG. IB, a magnified view of a carriage 11 of the crafting apparatus 10 is provided. The carriage 11 may be movably-disposed upon a rail 13. The movement of the carriage 11 along the rail 13 may be controlled by a motor that may receive, for example, actuation signals from a central processing unit (CPU); the motor may drive one or more cables, shafts, and / or belts for causing movement of the carriage11 relative the rail 13. The carriage 11 may include one or more tool holders 12, such as clamp assemblies, for detachably coupling tools to the carriage 11 to enable different types of work to be performed on a workpiece. In various embodiments, the crafting apparatus 10 has a dual clamp assembly.

[0046] In various embodiments, and with reference to FIGS. 2 A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F,2G, and 2H, a cutoff tool 100 is provided. The cutoff tool 100, which may be referred to herein as an automatic cutoff tool, may be detachably coupleable with the carriage 11 of a crafting apparatus 10, and may be utilized to perform a machine-operated severance of the workpiece after a desired “work” has been conducted upon the workpiece. For example, a roll of workpiece material may be engaged in material feeding communication with the crafting apparatus 10. In response to the crafting apparatus 10 finishing cutting a design into the workpiece material, and with the cutoff tool 100 engaged / mounted to the crafting apparatus (e.g., retained to the carriage 11 by one of the clamping assemblies), the crafting apparatus 10 may controllably sever the worked-on section of the workpiece material from the unused workpiece material section (that may still be on the roll). The unused workpiece material may then be ready for a subsequent cutting / crafting operation, and the user may not need to manually sever the worked-on section of material before commencing a subsequent project.

[0047] In various embodiments, the cutoff tool 100 may be configured to be detachably mounted to a carriage 11 of a crafting apparatus 10. The cutoff tool 100 may include an attachment portion 1 10 and a blade housing portion 120. The blade housing portion 120 may be configured to retainer a blade or other tool. The attachment portion 110 may be configured to engage with the carriage 11 of the crafting apparatus 10 to detachably mount the cutoff tool 100 to the carriage 11 of the crafting apparatus 10.

[0048] In various embodiments, the attachment portion 110 comprises one of a protrusion and a groove and the carriage 11 of the crafting apparatus comprises the other of the protrusion and the groove. In various embodiments, the groove is configured to receive the protrusion to facilitate at least one of alignment and retention of the cutoff tool 100 relative to the carriage 11. For example, and with reference to FIG. IB and 2B, the attachment portion 110 of the cutoff tool 100 may have a protrusion 112 (e.g.. on a back / rear surface of the tool) which may be received into a corresponding groove defined on the carriage 11 (e.g., see the groove behind the tube structure in the clamp assembly 12 labeled “A”).

[0049] In various embodiments, the attachment portion 110 of the cutoff tool 100 comprises a shaft. The shaft may be substantially cylindrical, and the shaft may have a first central longitudinal axis 11 1. The blade housing portion 120, which may extend from theatachment portion 110, may be offset from the first central longitudinal axis 111 of the attachment portion 110. For example, the first central longitudinal axis 111 may not extend through a cutting edge 131 of a blade 130 retained by the blade housing portion 120. In various embodiments, the blade housing portion 120 comprises a second central longitudinal axis 121, and the second central longitudinal axis 121 may be angled relative to the first central longitudinal axis 111.In various embodiments, as mentioned above, the blade 130 comprises a cutting edge 131. In various embodiments, an XZ reference plane encompasses the cutting edge 131 and extends parallel to the first central longitudinal axis 111 of the attachment portion 110. In various embodiments, a YZ reference plane encompasses the first central longitudinal axis 111 and perpendicularly intersects the XZ plane. In various embodiments, a top direction and an opposing bottom direction are defined along the first central longitudinal axis 1 11 (see the labeled axes in FIGS. 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, and 2H). In various embodiments, a left direction and an opposing right direction are defined in the XZ reference plane perpendicular to the first central longitudinal axis. In various embodiments, a front direction and an opposing rear direction are defined in the YZ reference plane perpendicular to the first central longitudinal axis.

[0050] In various embodiments, the second central longitudinal axis 121 of the blade housing portion 120 extends down from the attachment portion 110 at an angled orientation that comprises a right direction (e.g.. see FIG. 2C). In various embodiments, the second central longitudinal axis 121 of the blade housing portion 120 extends down from the attachment portion 110 at an angled orientation that comprises a front direction (e.g., FIGS. 2E and 2F). In various embodiments, the second central longitudinal axis 121 of the blade housing portion 120 extends down from the attachment portion 110 at an angled orientation that comprises a right direction and a front direction (e.g., a rightward offset and a frontward offset).

[0051] In various embodiments, a rearwardly facing surface 122 of the blade housing portion 120 comprises a tapering surface. For example, a rearw ardly facing surface 122 of the blade housing portion 120 may have a concave surface (FIGS. 2E and 2F). In various embodiments, the XZ plane is offset in the front direction from the first central longitudinal axis (FIGS. 2E and 2F). In various embodiments, the cutting edge 131 of the blade 130 of the cutoff tool 100 is configured to be drug through / across a workpiece material in the left direction (also referred to as the cutting direction). In various embodiments, the geometry and shape of the cutoff tool 100 is specifically configured to prevent the cutoff tool 100 from damaging design work performed on the workpiece material. For example, the frontward extensiondirection of the blade housing portion 120 may ensure the cutoff blade 130 does not cut through the design effectuated into the workpiece by the crafting apparatus 10. In various embodiments, the rightward extension direction of the blade housing portion 120 properly orients the cutoff blade 130 and / or may inhibit bunching of the workpiece being severed by the cutoff tool 100. In various embodiments, the rightward offset of the blade housing portion 120 relative to the attachment portion 110 helps the blade 130 retained by the blade housing portion 120 to be pulled through the workpiece material (as it moves in a left direction) to sever the workpiece material instead of the blade being pushed through the workpiece material. That is, because the blade 130 is trailing behind the attachment portion when the cutoff tool 110 is moving in a cutting direction, the cutting motion of the blade is stabilized.

[0052] Also disclosed herein, according to various embodiments and with reference to FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, and 4E, is a material support tool 200 configured to be detachably mounted to crafting apparatus 10 for supporting at least one of a workpiece material and / or a support mat. In various embodiments, the material support tool 200 may be an accessory or attachment that may be utilized to provide supplemental support to the workpiece and / or the support mat for the workpiece. Said differently, because the width of the workpieces used in the crafting apparatus 10 may be larger than conventional crafting machines, it may be beneficial to have a material support tool 200 that provides additional support than what an integrated support arm may provide. Alternatively, the details herein pertaining to the material support tool 200 may be embodied in a support assembly that is integrated into a crafting apparatus.

[0053] In various embodiments, the material support tool 200 may have at least one support arm 220. For example, the material support tool 200 may have an attachment hub portion 210 configured to engage with the crafting apparatus 10 and at least one arm extending 220 from the hub portion 210 configured to provide support to at least one of a workpiece material and a support mat during operation of the crafting apparatus 10. The ‘’at least one arm” may comprise a first arm 221 and a second arm 222 extending from the attachment hub portion 210. An angle may be defined between extension directions of the first arm 221 and the second arm 222, and this angle may be less than about 135 degrees. In various embodiments, this angle defined between extension directions of the first arm 221 and the second arm 222 is an acute angle. In various embodiments, the angle defined between extension directions of the first arm 221 and the second arm 222 is about 60 degrees. As used in this context pertaining to the angle between the arms, the term ‘"about” means plus or minus 5 degrees.

[0054] In various embodiments, the attachment hub portion 210 defines a channel 212 for receiving an integrated material support arm 15 of the crafting apparatus 10. The channel 212 may be a three-sided channel having one open side. In various embodiments, the channel 212 is configured such that the integrated material support arm 15 bisects an angle defined between the first arm 221 and the second arm 222. In various embodiments, the channel 212 is configured such that the integrated material support arm 15, the first arm 221 , and the second arm 222 are substantially coplanar (e.g., the surfaces of these arms that face and support the workpiece material may be coplanar).

[0055] In various embodiments, the attachment hub portion 210 may have a tab 214 that is configured to be received into a groove 16 of the crafting apparatus to facilitate at least one of alignment and retention of the material support tool 200 to the crafting apparatus 10. In various embodiments, the tab 214 comprises cross-sectional dimensions that are approximately equal to the cross-sectional dimensions of an integrated material support arm 15 of the crafting apparatus, and thus the tab 214 may be received into the same groove 16 where the integrated material support arm 15 can be stowed. Said differently, a groove 16 of the crafting apparatus, which may be located adjacent the working surface 1, may be configured to store / hold the integrated material support arm 15 of the crafting apparatus 10 when the integrated material support arm 15 is not deployed, and this same groove 16 may receive the tab 214 of the attachment hub portion 210 of the material support tool 200 when the integrated material support arm 15 of the machine is deployed. Accordingly, the material support tool 200 may be securely coupled to the integrated material support arm 15 (via the channel 212) and the tab 214 may also prevent inadvertent stowage of the integrated material support arm 15 (i.e., the integrated arm 15 may not be stowed until the detachable material support tool 200 has been removed). The material support tool 200 may further include a flange 216 that extends from the attachment hub portion 210, and the flange 216 may be configured to engage a region of the working surface 14 adjacent the groove 16. For example, the working surface 14 may have a curved taper or a curved chamfer at one or both ends of the working surface 14 across which workpiece material is moved, and the flange 216 of the material support tool 200 may have a curvature that substantially conforms to the curve of the leading / trailing edge of the working surface 14.

[0056] Also disclosed herein, according to various embodiments and with reference to FIGS. 5 A, 5B, 5C, 5D, 5E, 5F, 5G, 5H, is a cleaning tool 300 for a crafting apparatus 10. The cleaning tool 300 may be configured to be moved along a rail 13 of a crafting apparatus 10 to clean the rail 13. Said differently, the cleaning tool 300 may be grasped by a user and manuallymoved along the rail 13 to clean the rail, thereby helping to improve the longevity and useful life of the crafting apparatus 10. In various embodiments, the cleaning tool comprises a C " shaped bracket / body configured to extend at least partially around the rail 13 of the crafting apparatus 10 such that ends of the “C” shaped bracket are disposed on opposing sides of the rail 13. In various embodiments, the cleaning tool 300 comprises inwardly extending ridges 312 disposed adjacent the ends of the “C” shaped bracket, wherein the inwardly extending ridges 312 are configured to engage slots / channels on the rail 13 (see, e.g.. FIGS. 1A and IB. which show grooves extending along the length of the rail). The cleaning tool 300 may thus be ‘clamped’ about the rail, and the ridges 312 may be received into the grooves of the rail 13 and subsequent lateral manual movement of the cleaning tool 300 causes the ridges 312 to clean the corresponding grooves of the rail 13. A cloth or other intermediate material may be placed between the rail 13 and the cleaning tool 300 to facilitate cleaning and / or to prevent scratching or damage to the rail 13. In various embodiments, the “C” shaped structure may also include panels or other features, referred to herein as rail flanges 314, that are configured to sweep along the surface(s) of the rail 13 to clean the rail 13. In various embodiments, the rail flanges 314 may act as ‘spacers’ to ensure the ridges 312 are properly aligned with the corresponding grooves on the rail 13. These rail flanges 314 may extend from the central / intermediate section of the “C” shape of the bracket, and may extend towards the ridges 312 (FIGS. 5B, 5E, 5F).

[0057] Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described herein with regard to specific embodiments. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any elements that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of the disclosure.

[0058] Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all the features and advantages that may be realized with the present disclosure should be or are in any single embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the subject matter disclosed herein. Thus, discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment.

[0059] Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the disclosure may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the subject matter of the present application may bepracticed without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the disclosure. Further, in some instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the subject matter of the present disclosure. No claim element is intended to invoke 35 U.S.C. 112(f) unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase ‘"means for / ’

[0060] As used herein, the terms ‘'including,” “comprising,” '‘having, ” and variations thereof mean “including but not limited to” unless expressly specified otherwise. Accordingly, the terms “including,” “comprising,” “having,” and variations thereof are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive and / or mutually inclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0061] Further, in the detailed description herein, references to “one embodiment,” '‘an embodiment,” '‘some embodiments,” “various embodiments,” “one example,” “an example,” “some examples,” “various examples,” “one implementation,” “an implementation,” “some implementations,” “various implementations,” “one aspect,” “an aspect.” “some aspects,” “various aspects.” etc., indicate that the embodiment, example, implementation, and / or aspect described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment, example, implementation, and / or aspect may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment, example, implementation, or aspect. Thus, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, example, implementation, and / or aspect, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments, examples, implementations, and / or aspects, whether or not explicitly described. Absent an express correlation to indicate otherwise, features, structure, components, characteristics, and / or functionality may be associated with one or more embodiments, examples, implementations, and / or aspects of the present disclosure. After reading the description, it w ill be apparent to one skilled in the relevant art how to implement the disclosure in alternative configurations.

[0062] The scope of the disclosure is to be limited by nothing other than the appended claims, in which reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and onlyone” unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one or more.” It is to be understood that unless specifically stated otherwise, references to “a,” “an,” and / or “the” may include one or more than one and that reference to an item in the singular may also include the item in the plural. Further, the term “plurality” can be defined as “at least two.” As used herein, the phrase “at least one of’, when used with a list of items, means different combinations of one or more of the listed items may be used and only one of the items in the list may be needed. The item may be a particular object, thing, or category. Moreover, where a phrase similar to “at least one of A, B, and C” is used in the claims, it is intended that the phrase be interpreted to mean that A alone may be present in an embodiment, B alone may be present in an embodiment, C alone may be present in an embodiment, or that any combination of the elements A, B and C may be present in a single embodiment; for example, A and B, A and C. B and C. or A. B, and C. In some cases, “at least one of item A, item B, and item C” may mean, for example, without limitation, two of item A, one of item B, and ten of item C; four of item B and seven of item C; or some other suitable combination.

[0063] Unless otherwise indicated, the terms "first," "second." etc. are used herein merely as labels, and are not intended to impose ordinal, positional, or hierarchical requirements on the items to which these terms refer. Moreover, reference to, e.g., a “second” item does not require or preclude the existence of, e.g., a “first” or lower-numbered item, and / or, e.g., a “third” or higher-numbered item.

[0064] All ranges and ratio limits disclosed herein may be combined. Numbers, percentages, ratios, or other values stated herein are intended to include that value, and also other values that are “about” or “approximately” the stated value, as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art encompassed by embodiments of the present disclosure, unless otherwise defined herein. A stated value should therefore be interpreted broadly enough to encompass values that are at least close enough to the stated value to perform a desired function or achieve a desired result. The stated values include at least the variation to be expected in a suitable manufacturing or production process, and may include values that are within 5%, within 1%, within 0.1%, or within 0.01% of a stated value.

[0065] Different cross-hatching may be used throughout the figures to denote different parts but not necessarily to denote the same or different materials. Surface shading lines may be used throughout the figures to denote different parts or areas but not necessarily to denote the same or different materials. In some cases, reference coordinates may be specific to each figure. Furthermore, the connecting lines shown in the various figures contained herein are intended to represent exemplary functional relationships and / or physical couplings between thevarious elements. It should be noted that many alternative or additional functional relationships or physical connections may be present in a practical system.

[0066] Any reference to attached, fixed, connected or the like may include permanent, removable, temporary, partial, full and / or any other possible attachment option. Additionally, any reference to without contact (or similar phrases) may also include reduced contact or minimal contact. In the above description, certain terms may be used such as "up," "down," "upper." "lower," "horizontal." "vertical," "left." "right," and the like. These terms are used, where applicable, to provide some clarity of description when dealing with relative relationships. But, these terms are not intended to imply absolute relationships, positions, and / or orientations. For example, with respect to an object, an "upper" surface can become a "lower" surface simply by turning the object over. Nevertheless, it is still the same object.

[0067] Additionally, instances in this specification where one element is "coupled" to another element can include direct and indirect coupling. Direct coupling can be defined as one element coupled to and in some contact with another element. Indirect coupling can be defined as coupling between two elements not in direct contact with each other, but having one or more additional elements between the coupled elements. Further, one element being '‘coupled” to another may refer to two separate components that are connected or joined together, or may refer to different sections, segments, or portions of an integrated / monolithic structure that extend relative to each other or that have some other contrasting features, shapes, properties, or the like. Also, as used herein, securing one element to another element can include direct securing and indirect securing. Additionally, as used herein, “adjacent” does not necessarily denote contact. For example, one element can be adjacent another element without being in contact with that element.

[0068] The schematic flow chart diagrams included herein are generally set forth as logical flow chart diagrams. As such, the depicted order and labeled steps are indicative of one or more embodiments of the presented method. The steps recited in any of the method or process descriptions may be executed in any order and are not necessarily limited to the order presented. Furthermore, any reference to singular includes plural embodiments, and any reference to more than one component or step may include a singular embodiment or step. Elements and steps in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been rendered according to any particular sequence. Other steps and methods may be conceived that are equivalent in function, logic, or effect to one or more steps, or portions thereof, of the illustrated method.

[0069] Additionally, the format and symbols employed are provided to explain the logical steps of the method and are understood not to limit the scope of the method. Although various arrow types and line types may be employed in the flow chart diagrams, they are understood not to limit the scope of the corresponding method. Indeed, some arrows or other connectors may be used to indicate only the logical flow of the method. For instance, an arrow may indicate a waiting or monitoring period of unspecified duration between enumerated steps of the depicted method. Additionally, the order in which a particular method occurs may or may not strictly adhere to the order of the corresponding steps shown. Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited in the claims.

[0070] Further, the schematic flow chart diagram(s) presented in the figures may show exemplary methods for using, making, repairing, and / or otherwise interacting with the various apparatuses, devices, systems, features, and components (the “structural details”) described herein. The methods depicted in the schematic flow chart diagram(s) are not exhaustive lists of the methods and steps that may be performed in association with the structural details disclosed herein, but instead the depicted methods merely represent exemplary steps. Indeed, the depicted methods may include additional and / or alternative steps than those explicitly shown in the schematic flow chart diagrams, and these additional and / or alternative steps may be gleaned from various sections of the present disclosure, even sections that are primarily focused on the structural details.

[0071] Also, the terms utilized herein to describe the methods may be similar to or the same as terms utilized above in conjunction with the structural details. As appropriate, these structural details may be inferred in the methods to provide clarity to the methods. However, the methods and steps disclosed herein are not necessarily limited to the structural details mentioned above, as the utility and novelty of the method steps may stand independent of the structural details. Said differently, the methods / steps may be implemented in association with structures that are not explicitly disclosed herein, and such methods / steps fall within the scope of this disclosure.

[0072] The subject matter of the present disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the disclosure is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A cutoff tool configured to be detachably mounted to a carriage of a crafting apparatus, the cutoff tool comprising: an attachment portion configured to engage with the carriage of the crafting apparatus to detachably mount the cutoff tool to the carriage of the crafting apparatus; and a blade housing portion configured to retain a blade.

2. The cutoff tool of claim 1, wherein the attachment portion comprises one of a protrusion and a groove and the carriage of the crafting apparatus comprises the other of the protrusion and the groove, wherein the groove is configured to receive the protrusion to facilitate at least one of alignment and retention of the cutoff tool relative to the carriage.

3. The cutoff tool of claim 2, wherein the attachment portion comprises the protrusion and a clamp assembly of the carriage comprises the groove.

4. The cutoff tool of claim 1, wherein the attachment portion comprises a shaft having a first central longitudinal axis, wherein the blade housing portion is offset from the first central longitudinal axis of the attachment portion such that the first central longitudinal axis does not extend through a cutting edge of the blade of the blade housing portion.

5. The cutoff tool of claim 4, wherein the blade housing portion comprises a second central longitudinal axis, wherein the second central longitudinal axis is angled relative to the first central longitudinal axis.

6. The cutoff tool of claim 5, wherein: the blade comprises a cutting edge; an XZ reference plane encompasses the cuting edge and extends parallel to a first central longitudinal axis of the atachment portion; a YZ reference plane encompasses the first central longitudinal axis and perpendicularly intersects the XZ plane;a top direction and an opposing bottom direction are defined along the first central longitudinal axis; a left direction and an opposing right direction are defined in the XZ reference plane perpendicular to the first central longitudinal axis; and a front direction and an opposing rear direction are defined in the YZ reference plane perpendicular to the first central longitudinal axis.

7. The cutoff tool of claim 6, wherein the second central longitudinal axis of the blade housing portion extends down from the attachment portion at an angled orientation that comprises a right direction.

8. The cutoff tool of claim 6, wherein the second central longitudinal axis of the blade housing portion extends down from the attachment portion at an angled orientation that comprises a front direction.

9. The cutoff tool of claim 6, wherein the second central longitudinal axis of the blade housing portion extends down from the attachment portion at an angled orientation that comprises a right direction and a front direction.

10. The cutoff tool of claim 6, wherein a rearwardly facing surface of the blade housing portion comprises a tapering surface.

11. The cutoff tool of claim 6, w herein a rearwardly facing surface of the blade housing portion comprises a concave surface.

12. The cutoff tool of claim 6, wherein the XZ plane is offset in the front direction from the first central longitudinal axis.

13. The cutoff tool of claim 6, wherein the cutting edge of the blade of the cutoff tool is configured to be drug through / across a workpiece material in the left direction (also referred to as the cutting direction).

14. A material support tool configured to be detachably mounted to a crafting apparatus, wherein the material support tool comprises at least one support arm configured to support at least one of a workpiece material and a support mat.

15. The material support tool of claim 14, wherein the material support tool comprises: an attachment hub portion configured to engage with the crafting apparatus; and at least one arm extending from the hub portion configured to provide support to at least one of a workpiece material and a support mat during operation of the crafting apparatus.

16. The material support tool of claim 15, wherein the at least one arm comprises a first arm and a second arm extending from the attachment hub portion.

17. The material support tool of claim 16, wherein an angle is defined between extension directions of the first arm and the second arm. wherein the angle is less than about 135 degrees.

18. The material support tool of claim 16, wherein an angle is defined between extension directions of the first arm and the second arm, wherein the angle is an acute angle.

19. The material support tool of claim 16, wherein an angle is defined between extension directions of the first arm and the second arm, wherein the angle is about 60 degrees.

20. The material support tool of claim 15, wherein the attachment hub portion defines a channel for receiving an integrated material support arm of the crafting apparatus.

21. The material support tool of claim 20, wherein the channel is a three-sided channel having one open side.

22. The material support tool of claim 20, wherein the channel is configured such that the integrated material support arm bisects an angle defined betw een the first arm and the second arm.

23. The material support tool of claim 20, wherein the channel is configured such that the integrated material support arm, the first arm, and the second arm are substantially coplanar.

24. The material support tool of claim 15, wherein the attachment hub portion comprises a tab that is configured to be received into a groove of the crafting apparatus to facilitate at least one of alignment and retention of the material support tool to the crafting apparatus.

25. The material support tool of claim 24, wherein the tab comprises cross-sectional dimensions that are approximately equal to the cross-sectional dimensions of an integrated material support arm of the crafting apparatus.

26. The material support tool of claim 25, wherein the groove of the crafting apparatus is configured to store / hold the integrated material support arm of the crafting apparatus when the integrated material support arm is not deployed.

27. A cleaning tool for a crafting apparatus, the cleaning tool configured to be moved along a rail of the crafting apparatus to clean the rail.

28. The cleaning tool of claim 27, wherein the cleaning tool comprises a “C” shaped bracket configured to extend at least partially around the rail of the crafting apparatus such that ends of the “C” shaped bracket are disposed on opposing sides of the rail.

29. The cleaning tool of claim 28, wherein cleaning tool comprises inwardly extending ridges disposed adjacent the ends of the “C” shaped bracket, wherein the inwardly extending ridges are configured to engage slots / channels on the rail.

Images