Method and apparatus for self-conforming support system

• US 6,264,187 B1
• Filed: 02/19/1999
• Issued: 07/24/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Galahad, Co.
• Original Assignee: Galahad, Co.
• Inventors: Hertz, Eric L., Imm, Anthony A., Wiggs, J. Stephen, Hertz, Allen D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Scherbel, David A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SHANLEY, DANIEL G
• Application Number:
  US09/253,238
• Time in Patent Office: 886 Days
• Field of Search: 269/21, 269/289.R, 269/266, 269/254.CS
• US Class Current: 269/266
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 1/035 with an array of longitudinally movable rods defining a reconfigurable support surface
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 1/2421 the parts having a linear movement

Abstract

A method and apparatus are disclosed for a flexible support system using elongated support members to support a face of a module. The flexible support member(s) are arranged through a primary member with apertures, where the elongated support members are automatically returned to a home position by a self restoring mechanism, the position of the elongated support members are adjusted by the contacting forces applied by bringing the module and the flexible support apparatus together, then applying a clamping force to secure the elongated support members where the elongated support members can sustain the loads applied onto a module during an assembly process.

Claims

1. A flexible, self conforming, support apparatus to support a module,

the flexible support apparatus comprising:

at least one perforated member whereby the perforated member has a plurality of apertures,

a plurality of removable elongated support members, whereby the removable elongated support members can be located extending through an aperture within the perforated member,

a respective contact surface on the elongated support members, where the contact surface abuts a module, and the elongated support members adjust along an axis of the removable elongated support members proximate to a profile of a contacting surface,

a profiling mechanism which applies a homing force to locate the elongated support members to at least one of a home position and against the profile of the contacting surface,

the profiling mechanism further maintains the elongated support members proximate the contacting surface of the module during the adjusting process, and

a securing mechanism which substantially precludes movement of the removable elongated support members allowing them to support the module during the application of forces to the generally opposing side of the module.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 where the securing mechanism provides a clamping force to the plurality of removable elongated support members.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 where the securing mechanism utilizes a ledge and notch support system.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 where the securing mechanism includes a means to account for variations in tolerance.

5. The apparatus of claim 2 where the means to account for variations in tolerance consists of an elastomer.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 where the profiling mechanism is a coil spring(s).

7. The apparatus of claim 4 where the removable elongated support members are designed such that the coil spring can be located at least partially inside the removable elongated support member.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 where the profiling mechanism is a flat spring(s).

9. The apparatus of claim 1 where the profiling mechanism is a sheet of flexible material stretched between a first and second perforated member.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 where the contact surface of the elongated support members includes a pliant material to avoid damage to delicate surfaces of the module.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 where a vacuum is applied to the module through a vacuum chamber, the vacuum chamber provides vacuum to the module via at least one of through the flexible support apparatus and through the removable elongated support members, whereby the module is secured by the vacuum during processing.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, the apparatus further comprising:

a self restoring mechanism which automatically returns the elongated support member to a home position upon release of a clamping mechanism.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, whereby the self restoring mechanism is a coil spring.

15. The apparatus of claim 11, whereby the self restoring mechanism is a flat spring.

16. The apparatus of claim 11, the apparatus further comprises a plurality of perforated members, and where at least one of the perforated members is further utilized as a clamping mechanism, for applying a clamping force to more than one of the elongated support members.

17. The apparatus of claim 10, where the apparatus includes a means to provide vacuum to the module to aid in removing any warpage of the module, where the apparatus includes:

a system of vacuum wall members coupled to the perforated member where the system of vacuum wall members creates a vacuum chamber,

and a passage to transfer vacuum from the vacuum source to the vacuum chamber.

18. The apparatus of claim 10, whereby the respective contact surface includes a pliant material to a avoid damage to delicate surfaces of the module.

20. The apparatus of claim 16 where at least one performed member is further utilized as the clamping mechanism.

12. A flexible, self conforming, support apparatus to support a printed circuit assembly during an application of forces to a generally opposing side of the printed circuit assembly,

the flexible support apparatus comprising of:

a perforated member,

a plurality of elongated support members, each extending through an associated aperture within the perforated members, and

a securing mechanism which applies a securing force to the plurality of elongated support members through a compliant member.

19. A flexible, self conforming, support apparatus to support a module during an application of forces to a generally opposing side of the module,

the flexible support apparatus comprising of:

at least one perforated member,

a plurality of elongated support members, each extending through an associated aperture within the at least one perforated member,

a respective contact surface on the elongated support members, where the contact surface abuts a module, and the elongated support members adjust along an axis of the elongated support members proximate to a profile of a contacting surface,

a flexible material stretched in a manner to provide a self restoring force to the plurality of elongated support members, and

a clamping mechanism for applying a clamping force to the elongated support member, whereby the clamping force substantially precludes movement of the elongated support members allowing them to support the module during the application of forces to the generally opposing side of the module.

21. A flexible, self conforming, support apparatus to support a module,

the flexible support apparatus comprising of:

at least one perforated member,

a plurality of elongated support members,

a respective contact surface on the elongated support members, where the contact surface is to abut a module, and the elongated support members adjust along an axis of the elongated support members proximate to a profile of a contacting surface,

a restoring mechanism comprising a sheet of flexible material stretched across at least one of the perforated members, where a homing force is created when the flexible material is depressed into the perforation of the perforated member,

the restoring mechanism further maintains the elongated support members proximate the contacting surface of the module during the adjusting process, and

at least one member for applying a clamping force to two or more of the elongated support members via at least one of directly and through a compliant material to the two or more elongated support members for maintaining a profile, whereby the clamping force substantially precludes movement of the two or more elongated support members, allowing them to support the module during the application of forces to the generally opposing side of the module.

22. A flexible, self conforming, support apparatus to support a module,

the flexible support apparatus comprising of:

an at least one perforated member,

a plurality of elongated support members, each extending through an associated aperture within the at least one perforated member,

a respective contact surface on the elongated support members, where the contact surface is to abut a module, and the elongated support members adjust along an axis of the elongated support members proximate to a profile of a contacting surface,

a restoring mechanism, which applies a homing force to return the elongated support members to a home position,

the restoring mechanism further maintains the elongated support members proximate the contacting surface of the module during the adjusting process, and

at least one perforated member for applying a clamping force to two or more of the elongated support members via at least one of directly and through a compliant material to the two or more elongated support members for maintaining a profile, whereby the clamping force substantially precludes movement of the two or more elongated support members, allowing them to support the module during the application of forces to the generally opposing side of the module.