WO2021127720A1

WO2021127720A1 - Hand-held tattoo machine

Info

Publication number: WO2021127720A1
Application number: PCT/AU2020/000144
Authority: WO
Inventors: Byron Royce DRECHSLER; Kenneth Josheph TISSEN
Original assignee: Inkjecta Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2019-12-23
Filing date: 2020-12-24
Publication date: 2021-07-01
Also published as: AU2020414650A1

Abstract

A hand-held tattoo machine, comprising: a body; a control system; a user interface to receive input from a user holding the hand-held tattoo machine; and a needle assembly comprising at least one needle which is driven by the control system; wherein the user interface comprises: a means to receive a signal from the user that the speed of the at least one needle is to be adjusted; and a means for detecting a movement performed by the user in order to increase or decrease the speed of the at least one needle; wherein the control system is configured to adjust the speed of the at least one needle based upon receipt of both the signal and movement performed by the user.

Description

HAND-HELD TATTOO MACHINE

PRIORITY DOCUMENT

[0001] The present application claims priority from Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2019904906 titled “HAND-HELD TATTOO MACHINE” and filed on 23 December 2019, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates to a hand-held tattoo machine.

BACKGROUND

[0003] A tattoo machine is a hand-held mechanical device used to create a tattoo, a permanent marking of the skin with indelible ink. Transfer of the ink to the skin is achieved through the use of a reciprocating needle or group of needles that push ink into the skin.

[0004] There are two common types of tattoo machine, known as coil type and rotary type machines, which both perform the task of driving the needle or group of needles in a reciprocating back and forth motion using different actuation mechanisms. Coil type machines use electromagnetic coils as their actuation mechanism to move an armature bar in a back and forth motion required to drive the needle or group of needles, whereas rotary type machines use DC rotary motors driving a crank or eccentric mechanism as their actuation mechanism which converts rotational motion into reciprocating motion required to drive the needle or group of needles.

[0005] There are a great number of tattoo artists throughout the world, with every artist having a different requirement for how they wish for a tattoo machine to work. Each and every style of tattoo requires different needle sizes, needle reciprocation speeds, needle protrusion, and application techniques to achieve the required result.

[0006] It is the responsibility of the tattoo artist as the operator of the machine to manage the variables available to them to ensure that they achieve their required result. Aspects typically under control of the artist are the ability to adjust the speed of reciprocation of the needle, by adjusting the output voltage of the power supply connected to the machine via a power cable, and the extent of protrusion of the needle (beyond the machine grip or cartridge tip) by loosening a vice then moving the grip in and out, or by use of a clicking grip which has a built in ratchet adjustment.

[0007] It is against this background that the present disclosure has been developed. SUMMARY

[0008] A hand-held tattoo machine, comprising a body, a control system, a user interface to receive input from a user holding the hand-held tattoo machine, and a needle assembly comprising at least one needle which is driven by the control system, wherein the user interface comprises a means to receive a signal from the user that the speed of the at least one needle is to be adjusted, and a means for detecting a movement performed by the user in order to increase or decrease the speed of the at least one needle, wherein the control system is configured to adjust the speed of the at least one needle based upon receipt of both the signal and movement performed by the user.

[0009] In one form, the means to receive a signal from the user that the speed of the at least one needle is to be adjusted is in the form of a button.

[0010] In one form, the means for detecting a movement performed by the user in order to increase or decrease the speed of the at least one needle is in the form of a sensor used to detect the orientation of the hand-held tattoo machine.

[0011] In one form, the sensor is an accelerometer.

[0012] In one form, performing the movement of tilting the hand-held tattoo machine in a first direction increases the speed of the at least one needle, and performing the movement of tilting the hand-held tattoo machine in a second direction decreases the speed of the at least one needle.

[0013] In one form, the control system is further configured to adjust the amount of protrusion of the at least one needle.

[0014] In one form, the user interface further comprises a means to receive a signal from the user to adjust the amount of protrusion of the at least one needle, wherein the control system is configured to adjust the amount of protrusion of the at least one needle based upon the signal received from the user.

[0015] In one form, the means to receive a signal from the user to adjust the amount of protrusion of the at least one needle is in the form of a first button to increase the amount of protrusion of the at least one needle, and a second button to decrease the amount of protrusion of the at least one needle.

[0016] In one form, the at least one needle is driven by a needle motor connected with respect to the body and a drive rod connected to the motor by an eccentric and bearing at a first end, and the at least needle at its other end, wherein as the motor rotates, the drive rod connected to the eccentric and bearing reciprocates causing the at least one needle to reciprocate. [0017] In one form, the position of the needle motor with respect to the body is adjustable in order to adjust the amount of protrusion of the at least one needle.

[0018] In one form, the position of the needle motor with respect to the body is adjustable by virtue of a linear actuator connected to the body and the needle motor.

[0019] In one form, the linear actuator is in the form of a leadscrew arrangement, comprising an actuator motor connected to the body, a leadscrew connected to the actuator motor and an internally threaded section connected with respect to the needle motor and in threaded relationship with the leadscrew, wherein rotation of the actuator motor in a first direction causes the needle motor to move along the leadscrew in a first direction, and rotation of the actuator motor in a second direction causes the needle motor to move along the leadscrew in a second direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0020] Embodiments of the present invention will be discussed with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0021] Figure 1 is a top perspective view of a hand-held tattoo machine, according to an embodiment; [0022] Figure 2 is a bottom perspective view of the hand-held tattoo machine of Figure 1;

[0023] Figure 3 is a right side view of the hand-held tattoo machine of Figure 1;

[0024] Figure 4 is a left side view of the hand-held tattoo machine of Figure 1;

[0025] Figure 5 is a top view of the hand-held tattoo machine of Figure 1;

[0026] Figure 6 is a top perspective view of the hand-held tattoo machine of Figure 1 with its motor cover removed;

[0027] Figure 7A is a side view of the hand-held tattoo machine of Figure 1 with its motor cover removed and its needle drive motor in an intermediate position;

[0028] Figure 7B is a side view of the hand-held tattoo machine of Figure 1 with its motor cover removed and its needle drive motor in a retracted position;

[0029] Figure 7C is a side view of the hand-held tattoo machine of Figure 1 with its motor cover removed and its needle drive motor in an extended position; [0030] Figure 8 is a top perspective view of the hand-held tattoo machine of Figure 1 including a drive bar, grip and needle;

[0031] Figure 9 is an exploded top perspective view of the hand-held tattoo machine of Figure 8;

[0032] Figure 10A is a schematic of the hand-held tattoo machine of Figure 8, detailing an example of the movement required to decrease the speed of the needle;

[0033] Figure 10B is a schematic of the hand-held tattoo machine of Figure 8, detailing an example of the movement required to increase the speed of the needle;

[0034] Figure 11 A is a schematic of the hand-held tattoo machine of Figure 8, detailing an example of the action required to decrease the amount of the needle protrusion;

[0035] Figure 11 B is a schematic of the hand-held tattoo machine of Figure 8, detailing an example of the action required to increase the amount of the needle protrusion;

[0036] Figure 12 is a schematic detailing the relationship between the user interface and the control system of the hand-held tattoo machine; and

[0037] Figure 13 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the hand-held tattoo machine of Figure 1

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Referring to Figures 1 to 12, there is shown a hand-held tattoo machine 1, comprising a body 10, a control system 60, a user interface 20 to receive input from a user holding the hand-held tattoo machine 1 , and a needle assembly 30 comprising at least one needle which is driven by the control system 60, wherein the user interface 20 comprises a means to receive a signal from the user that the reciprocation speed of the at least one needle is to be adjusted, and a means for detecting a movement performed by the user in order to increase or decrease the reciprocation speed of the at least one needle, wherein the control system 60 is configured to adjust the reciprocation speed of the at least one needle based upon receipt of both the signal and movement performed by the user.

[0038] The hand-held tattoo machine 1 is battery powered, rather than the traditionally known wired tattoo machines, and features an on-board user interface 20 comprising a display 21, configured to show the operating status of the machine 1, such as battery life remaining, the current operating speed, or the extent of protrusion of the at least one needle. The user interface 20 also comprises at least one sensor in the form of an accelerometer 25, used to detect the orientation of the machine 1 , and a number of user inputs in the form of buttons 22, 23, 24, the purpose and function of which will be described in further detail below.

[0039] Referring now to Figures 8 and 9, where there the hand-held tattoo machine 1 is shown, with a drive rod 35, grip 40 and needle assembly 30 in the form of a needle cartridge 39 installed. The grip 40 features a grip body 42 and a grip tube 41, where the grip tube 41 is received by a grip tube vice 13 depending from the machine body 10, where the vice 13 features a complementary nut 14 and collet 15 arrangement that clamps on the grip tube 41.

[0040] The at least one needle is driven by a needle motor 31 (as best shown in Figure 6, where the motor cover 12 has been removed) connected with respect to the body 10, where a drive rod 35, connected to the needle motor 31 by an eccentric 33 and bearing 34 at a first end 36, and extending through the grip tube 41 to bear against the needle cartridge 39 at its other end 37. It will be appreciated that as the needle motor 31 rotates, the drive rod 35 connected to the eccentric 33 and bearing 34 and constrained by the grip tube 41 reciprocates, causing the at least one needle to be reciprocally driven in and out of its cartridge 39.

[0041] While in the embodiments shown, the needle assembly 30 is in the form of a needle cartridge 39 comprising a cartridge body, tip and at least one needle configured to reciprocate in and out of the cartridge between a position where it extends beyond the tip, and a position where it is retracted within the tip, it will be appreciated that alternate needle assemblies, as are known in the art, are also intended to fall within the scope of this disclosure.

[0042] Referring now to Figures 10A and 10B, where there is shown a schematic detailing an example of the movement required in order to adjust the speed of the at least needle. As is known in the art, the speed or rate at which the at least one needle reciprocates is adjustable by varying the rotation speed of the needle motor 31. As shown in Figure 2, the machine 1 features a thumb operated button 22 on the underside of the machine body 10. When the button is actuated, a signal is provided to the control system 60 that the user intends to adjust the speed of the needle motor 31. In order to perform an adjustment to the speed of the needle motor 31 , the user tilts the machine 1 in one direction to increase the speed, and tilts the machine 1 in an opposite direction to decrease the speed.

[0043] With the thumb operated button 22 actuated and the machine 1 moved to a first position as shown in Figure 10B (corresponding to the position for increasing the speed) the needle motor 31 speed will increase continuously until the highest speed is attained. For fine adjustment of the speed, with the machine 1 moved to the first, the thumb operated button 22 may be pulse-pressed, incrementally increasing the speed. [0044] With the thumb operated button 22 actuated and the machine 1 moved to a second position as shown in Figure 10A (corresponding to the position for decreasing the speed) the needle motor 31 speed will decrease continuously until the lowest speed is attained. For fine adjustment of the speed, with the machine 1 moved to the second position, the thumb operated button 22 may be pulse-pressed, incrementally decreasing the speed.

[0045] It will be appreciated that in further embodiments, alternate movements or positions of the machine 1 may correspond to the movement or position required to increase or decrease the speed of the needle motor 31. For instance, the machine 1 may be tilted in a first direction to increase the speed of the motor 31 and tilted in an opposite direction to decrease the speed of the needle motor 31.

[0046] By virtue of the position of the button 22 on the underside of the machine body 10, the user is able to readily transition their grip of the machine 1 between an operating position where they hold the grip 40 with their fingers and thumb in a pencil grip, and an adjustment position (as shown in Figures 10A and 10B, where they hold the grip 40 with their fingers and palm, freeing their thumb to actuate the button 22.

[0047] The hand-held tattoo machine 1 is also configured to adjust the amount or extent of protrusion of the at least one needle, where the user interface 20 further comprises a means to receive a signal from the user to adjust the amount of protrusion of the at least one needle, and the control system 60 is configured to adjust the amount of protrusion of the at least one needle based upon the signal received from the user.

[0048] The means to receive a signal from the user to adjust the amount of protrusion of the at least one needle is in the form of a first button 24 located on the left side of the machine body 10 (as shown in Figure 4) to increase the amount of protrusion of the at least one needle, and a second button 23 located on the right side of the machine body 10 (as shown in Figure 3) to decrease the amount of protrusion of the at least one needle. It can be seen that the first button and second buttons 24, 23 have indicia in the form of arrows, indicating that actuation of the buttons 24, 23 correspond to an increase and decrease in needle protrusion respectively.

[0049] The amount of protrusion of the at least one needle is adjusted by changing the position of the needle motor 31 relative to the grip 40. It will be appreciated that by reducing the distance between the needle motor 31 and grip 40, the amount of protrusion is increased, and conversely, by increasing the distance between the needle motor 31 and grip, the amount of protrusion is decreased.

[0050] As best shown in Figure 6, the needle motor 31 is supported by a housing 32 which is slidably secured with respect to the machine body 10 by virtue of a pair of support rails 11, the rails 11 being supported at their ends by the machine body 10. As shown in Figures 7A to 7C, the needle motor housing 32, is able to move along the rails 11 between a retracted position (as shown in Figure 7B) and an extended position (as shown in Figure 7C) in order to adjust the amount of needle protrusion during operation of the machine 1. Movement of the needle motor housing 32 along the support rails 11 is achieved by virtue of a linear actuator 50 described below.

[0051] The linear actuator 50 is secured with respect to the machine body 10 and comprises an actuator motor 51 located within a housing 16 which is secured with respect to the machine body 10. The linear actuator 50 further comprises a leadscrew (also known as a worm drive or stub drive) 52 coupled to and driven by the actuator motor 51. As best seen in Figures 6 and 13, the housing 32 for the needle motor 31 also features an internally threaded section 38 configured to threadably engage with the leadscrew 52, where, it will be appreciated that by virtue of the threaded engagement between the leadscrew 52 and the internally threaded section 38, and while being constrained by the support rails 11, rotation of the actuator motor 51 in a first direction results in the needle motor housing 32 unwinding from the leadscrew 52, such that the needle motor 31 moves away from the actuator motor 51 and toward the grip 40 (increasing the amount of needle protrusion from the cartridge 39) and rotation of the actuator motor 51 in a second direction results in the needle motor housing 32 winding on to the leadscrew 52, such that the needle motor 31 moves away from the grip 40 and toward the actuator motor 51 (decreasing the amount of needle protrusion from the cartridge 39).

[0052] It will be appreciated that variation in the pitch of the thread on the leadscrew 52 and internally threaded section 38, will effect the amount of displacement of the needle motor 31 and housing 32 for a given rotation of the actuator motor 51. It will also be appreciated that the speed at which the actuator motor 51 rotates, in combination with the pitch of the thread will have an effect on how quickly the needle motor 31 and housing 32 move along the leadscrew 52.

[0053] In order to prevent inadvertent actuation of the needle protrusion buttons 23, 24, the control system 60 may optionally make use of the accelerometer 25 to only perform adjustments when the machine 1 is oriented vertically (or in any other specified orientation) with the needle 30 pointed upwards (or in any other direction) as described below.

[0054] With the machine 1 oriented vertically with the needle 30 pointed upwards and the left button 24 actuated (as shown in Figure 1 IB) the actuator motor 51 will rotate continuously in a first direction until the furthest position of the needle motor 31 with respect to the actuator motor 51 is attained (as shown in Figure 7C), resulting in the maximum amount of needle protrusion available. For fine adjustment of the position of the needle motor 31, the left button 24 may be pulse-pressed, incrementally rotating the actuator motor 51 and incrementally increasing the amount of needle protrusion. [0055] With the machine 1 oriented vertically with the needle 30 pointed upwards and the right button 23 actuated (as shown in Figure 11 A) the actuator motor 51 will rotate continuously in a second direction until the closest position of the needle motor 31 with respect to the actuator motor 51 is attained (as shown in Figure 7B), resulting in the minimum amount of needle protrusion available. For fine adjustment of the position of the needle motor 31 , the right button 23 may be pulse-pressed, incrementally rotating the actuator motor 51 and incrementally decreasing the amount of needle protrusion.

[0056] While in the embodiment shown, the position of the needle motor 31 is adjustable by virtue of the relationship between the leadscrew 52 and the internally threaded section 38, it will be appreciated that alternate linear actuation arrangements that result in adjustable movement of the needle motor 31 will also be suitable, including, but not being limited to, various screw arrangements (such as ball screws or roller screws) in cooperation with corresponding internally threaded sections (where either the screw or the internally threaded section is driven by the motor), wheel and axle arrangements (where rotating a wheel produces linear motion along a belt, chain cable or rack), cam and follower arrangements (where an eccentrically shaped wheel is rotated to produce linear motion in a follower), or electromagnetic actuation. It will further be appreciated that the position of the needle motor 31 could also be adjusted by manual actuation, such as by the rotation of a knob in connection with a leadscrew.

[0057] While in the embodiment shown, the user interface 20 features a display, buttons, and an accelerometer 25, it will be appreciated that alternate arrangements will also be suitable.

[0058] While the machine shown in the figures is a rotary type tattoo machine, it will be appreciated that a number of the principles discussed will be readily translatable to other machine types such as coil type machines

[0059] It will be appreciated that by virtue of the on-board user interface 20, on the fly adjustment of needle speed and protrusion is achievable. In particular, by virtue of the position of the thumb actuated button 22 and the use of an accelerometer 25, a user of the machine 1 is able to change the speed of the needle 30 without having to reach to an external power supply. It will also be appreciated that the ability to adjust the speed and the amount of needle protrusion by simply pressing buttons and orienting the machine 1 is a user friendly alternative to existing arrangements, without the need to unwrap the machine 1

[0060] Note that the term hand-held means the tattoo machine is small enough to be handled and operated by a person. It does not mean that it must be operated by a person. While it is expected, at the current technological advancement, that a person is required to operate such a hand-held tattoo machine, it is possible that in the future, an AI controlled robot or machines may be able to mount and operate such a hand-held tattoo machine. [0061] Throughout the specification and the claims that follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the words “comprise” and “include” and variations such as “comprising” and “including” will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers, but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

[0062] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement of any form of suggestion that such prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

[0063] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention is not restricted in its use to the particular application described. Neither is the present invention restricted in its preferred embodiment with regard to the particular elements and/or features described or depicted herein. It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth and defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A hand-held tattoo machine, comprising: a body; a control system; a user interface to receive input from a user holding the hand-held tattoo machine; and a needle assembly comprising at least one needle which is driven by the control system; wherein the user interface comprises: a means to receive a signal from the user that the speed of the at least one needle is to be adjusted; and a means for detecting a movement performed by the user in order to increase or decrease the speed of the at least one needle; wherein the control system is configured to adjust the speed of the at least one needle based upon receipt of both the signal and movement performed by the user.

2. The hand-held tattoo machine of claim 1, wherein the means to receive a signal from the user that the speed of the at least one needle is to be adjusted is in the form of a button.

3. The hand-held tattoo machine of claim 1, wherein the means for detecting a movement performed by the user in order to increase or decrease the speed of the at least one needle is in the form of a sensor used to detect the orientation of the hand-held tattoo machine.

4. The hand-held tattoo machine of claim 3, wherein the sensor is an accelerometer.

5. The hand-held tattoo machine of claim 1, wherein performing the movement of tilting the hand-held tattoo machine in a first direction increases the speed of the at least one needle, and performing the movement of tilting the hand-held tattoo machine in a second direction decreases the speed of the at least one needle.

6. The hand-held tattoo machine of claim 1, wherein the control system is further configured to adjust the amount of protrusion of the at least one needle.

7. The hand-held tattoo machine of claim 6, wherein the user interface further comprises a means to receive a signal from the user to adjust the amount of protrusion of the at least one needle; wherein the control system is configured to adjust the amount of protrusion of the at least one needle based upon the signal received from the user.

8. The hand-held tatoo machine of claim 7, wherein the means to receive a signal from the user to adjust the amount of protrusion of the at least one needle is in the form of a first button to increase the amount of protrusion of the at least one needle, and a second buton to decrease the amount of protrusion of the at least one needle.

9. The hand-held tatoo machine of claim 1, wherein the at least one needle is driven by a needle motor connected with respect to the body and a drive rod connected to the motor by an eccentric and bearing at a first end, and the at least needle at its other end, wherein as the motor rotates, the drive rod connected to the eccentric and bearing reciprocates causing the at least one needle to reciprocate.

10. The hand-held tatoo machine of claim 9, wherein the position of the needle motor with respect to the body is adjustable in order to adjust the amount of protrusion of the at least one needle.

11. The hand-held tatoo machine of claim 10, wherein the position of the needle motor with respect to the body is adjustable by virtue of a linear actuator connected to the body and the needle motor.

12. The hand-held tatoo machine of claim 11, wherein the linear actuator is in the form of a leadscrew arrangement, comprising an actuator motor connected to the body, a leadscrew connected to the actuator motor and an internally threaded section connected with respect to the needle motor and in threaded relationship with the leadscrew, wherein rotation of the actuator motor in a first direction causes the needle motor to move along the leadscrew in a first direction, and rotation of the actuator motor in a second direction causes the needle motor to move along the leadscrew in a second direction.