Braiding mechanism and methods of use
Methods of braiding using a braiding mechanism are described. The braiding machine includes first and second annular members, the second annular member being concentric with the first annular member. A mandrel extends perpendicularly to and intersects a horizontal plane defined by a substantially circular region of the second annular member substantially at the center of the circular region. Each of the annular members has a plurality of tubular guide wires slideably mounted thereon and a plurality of wires extend from the mandrel through each of the tubular wire guides. The first annular member rotates circumferentially relative to the second annular member. The first plurality of tubular wire guides slides radially inward to align with the second annular member, and the second plurality of tubular wire guides slides radially outward so as to align with the first annular member.
1. A method of braiding, comprising the steps of:
providing a machine comprising:
a first annular member having an inner diameter;
a second annular member that is concentric with the first annular member, the second annular member having an outer diameter, and a substantially circular region, the outer diameter of the second annular member being less than the inner diameter of the first annular member;
a mandrel extending perpendicular to and intersecting a horizontal plane defined by the substantially circular region of the second annular member substantially at the center of the substantially circular region, the mandrel having a longitudinal axis, and a horizontal axis that lies perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the mandrel;
a first plurality of tubular wire guides slideably mounted on the first annular member with each tubular wire guide spaced a distance 2d from the next adjacent tubular wire guide of the first annular member;
a second plurality of tubular wire guides slideably mounted on the second annular member, the tubular wire guides being mounted around the circumference of the second annular member with each tubular wire guide spaced a distance 2d from the next adjacent tubular wire guide of the second annular member;
a plurality of wires extending from the mandrel, each wire received within one of the tubular wire guides;
rotating the first annular member circumferentially relative to the second annular member in a first direction;
sliding the first plurality of tubular wire guides radially inward such that the first plurality of tubular wire guides aligns with the second annular member; and
sliding the second plurality of tubular wire guides radially outward such that the second plurality of tubular wire guides aligns with the first annular member.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of tubular wire guides are slideably mounted within circumferentially arrayed slots in the first annular member.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the second plurality of tubular wire guides are slideably mounted within circumferentially arrayed slots in the second annular member.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the slots of the first annular member are configured to align with the slots of the second annular member such that the first tubular guides are able to move from slots in the first annular member into empty slots in the second tubular member, and the second tubular guides are able to move from slots in the second annular member into empty slots in the first tubular member.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein each empty slot of the first annular member is spaced a distance d from an adjacent slot having a first tubular wire guide.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the machine further comprises a plurality of weights associated with the plurality of wires.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the plurality of weights is configured to be movably contained within the first plurality of tubular wire guides and the second plurality of tubular wire guides.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the first plurality of tubular wires guides and the second plurality of tubular wire guides are associated with a plurality of guide members.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of guide members comprises a plurality of pulleys.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the substantially circular region of the second annular member comprises an opening.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first annular member is a ring.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second annular member is a ring.
13. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
rotating the first annular member circumferentially relative to the second annular member in a second direction that is opposite the first direction;
sliding the second plurality of tubular wire guides radially inward such that the second plurality of tubular wire guides aligns with the second annular member; and
sliding the first plurality of tubular wire guides radially outward such that the first plurality of tubular wire guides aligns with the first annular member.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first and second annular members each has an inclined surface that is inclined at a non-zero angle formed between an axis of the outer ring and a horizontal axis that lies perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the mandrel.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the non-zero angle is between about 10° and about 70°.
16. The method of claim 14 , wherein the non-zero angle is between about 30° and about 50°.
17. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first direction is counterclockwise.