Printed circuit board support
First Claim
1. 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;
a spacer engaging said support surface; and
a spacer securement including a projection and a recess, wherein said projection is mounted to or formed integrally with one of said support base and said spacer, said recess is formed in the other of said support base and said spacer, said projection extends into said recess, said projection and said recess are configured such that said extension of said projection into said recess limits movement of said spacer relative to a plane parallel to said support surface, and a thickness dimension of said spacer is selected to enable engagement of said spacer with said printed circuit board.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A printed circuit board conveying and processing system. In accordance with the present invention, a printed circuit board conveying system is provided comprising a pair of conveyor rails and a printed circuit board support. The conveyor rails are positioned to engage opposite lateral edge portions of a printed circuit board along a conveyor path. The printed circuit board support is positioned to support a major portion of the printed circuit board between the lateral edge portions. 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).
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A printed circuit board conveying system comprising:
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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;
a spacer engaging said support surface; and
a spacer securement including a projection and a recess, wherein said projection is mounted to or formed integrally with one of said support base and said spacer, said recess is formed in the other of said support base and said spacer, said projection extends into said recess, said projection and said recess are configured such that said extension of said projection into said recess limits movement of said spacer relative to a plane parallel to said support surface, and a thickness dimension of said spacer is selected to enable engagement of said spacer with said printed circuit board. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A printed circuit board conveying system comprising:
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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;
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 wherein said support base defines a support surface, said support base defines a leading edge, a trailing edge, and a pair of lateral edges, said support base defines a cut-out formed therein, and said cut-out is positioned between said pair of lateral edges and extends from said leading edge in the direction of said trailing edge to a position between said leading edge and said trailing edge, wherein said cut-out transects the thickness of said support base; and
a stop mechanism positioned to engage said printed circuit board support at a point within said cut-out. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. 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:
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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;
a spacer engaging said support surface; and
a spacer securement including a projection and a recess, wherein said projection is mounted to or formed integrally with one of said support base and said spacer, said recess is formed in the other of said support base and said spacer, said projection extends into said recess, said projection and said recess are configured such that said extension of said projection into said recess limits movement of said spacer relative to a plane parallel to said support surface, and a thickness dimension of said spacer is selected to enable engagement of said spacer with said printed circuit board.
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15. 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:
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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;
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 wherein said support base defines a support surface, said support base defines a leading edge, a trailing edge, and a pair of lateral edges, said support base defines a cut-out formed therein, and said cut-out is positioned between said pair of lateral edges and extends from said leading edge in the direction of said trailing edge to a position between said leading edge and said trailing edge, wherein said cut-out transects the thickness of said support base; and
a stop mechanism positioned to engage said printed circuit board support at a point within said cut-out.
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Specification