Printed circuit board support

• US 20030127305A1
• Filed: 02/27/2003
• Published: 07/10/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brian F. Gordon, John S. Godfrey, Tony M. Teitenberg
• Original Assignee: Brian F. Gordon, John S. Godfrey, Tony M. Teitenberg
• Inventors: Gordon, Brian F., Godfrey, John S., Teitenberg, Tony M.
• Granted Patent: US 6,863,169 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 198/604
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 13/0069 Holders for printed circuit boards
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49144 by metal fusion
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53174 Means to fasten electrical component to wiring board, base, or substrate
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53196 Means to apply magnetic force directly to position or hold work part
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53265 with work-holder for assembly

Abstract

A printed circuit board support comprising a support base and a base extension assembly. The support base defines a support surface. The base extension assembly is secured to the support base and is arranged to define a variable extension assembly height dimension and at least a portion of a height dimension of the printed circuit board support, wherein variation of the variable extension assembly height dimension results in variation of the height dimension of the printed circuit board support. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR § 1.72(b).

Claims

1. A printed circuit board support comprising:

a support base defining a support surface; and

a base extension assembly secured to said support base and arranged to define a variable extension assembly height dimension and at least a portion of a height dimension of said printed circuit board support, wherein variation of said variable extension assembly height dimension results in variation of said height dimension of said printed circuit board support.

2. A printed circuit board support as claimed in claim 1 wherein said base extension assembly is further arranged such that said extension assembly height dimension varies in response to a force applied to said support surface.

3. A printed circuit board support as claimed in claim 1 wherein said base extension assembly comprises a spring-loaded extension including a spring arranged to compress in response to a force applied to said support surface.

4. A printed circuit board support as claimed in claim 1 wherein said base extension assembly comprises a viscously damped extension arranged to compress in response to a force applied to said support surface.

5. A printed circuit board support as claimed in claim 1 wherein said base extension assembly comprises a pair of support legs.

6. A printed circuit board support as claimed in claim 5 wherein each of said pair of support legs are arranged such that said extension assembly height dimension varies in response to a force applied to said support surface.

7. A printed circuit board support as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said pair of support legs comprises a spring-loaded extension including a spring arranged to compress in response to a force applied to said support surface.

8. A printed circuit board support as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said pair of support legs comprises a viscously damped extension arranged to compress in response to a force applied to said support surface.

9. A printed circuit board conveying system comprising:

a pair of conveyor rails positioned to engage opposite lateral edge portions of a printed circuit board and configured to convey said printed circuit board along a conveyor path; and

a printed circuit board support positioned to support a major portion of said printed circuit board between said lateral edge portions, said printed circuit board support comprising

a support base defining a support surface; and

a base extension assembly secured to said support base and arranged to define a variable extension assembly height dimension and at least a portion of a height dimension of said printed circuit board support, wherein variation of said variable extension assembly height dimension results in variation of said height dimension of said printed circuit board support, and wherein said base extension assembly is configured such that said height dimension of said printed circuit board support permits engagement of said support surface with said printed circuit board.

10. A printed circuit board processing system including a printed circuit board conveying system coupling a printed circuit board loader to a stencil printer, a pick and place machine, and a reflow oven, wherein said printed circuit board conveying system comprises:

a pair of conveyor rails positioned to engage opposite lateral edge portions of a printed circuit board and configured to convey said printed circuit board along a conveyor path; and

a printed circuit board support positioned to support a major portion of said printed circuit board between said lateral edge portions within an operating envelope of said pick and place machine, said printed circuit board support comprising

a support base defining a support surface; and

a base extension assembly secured to said support base and arranged to define a variable extension assembly height dimension and at least a portion of a height dimension of said printed circuit board support, wherein variation of said variable extension assembly height dimension results in variation of said height dimension of said printed circuit board support, and wherein said base extension assembly is configured such that said height dimension of said printed circuit board support permits engagement of said support surface with said printed circuit board.