Flexible, self conforming, workpiece support system and accessories
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A flexible, self conforming workpiece support system, the system comprising:
- a plurality of elongated support members, a plurality of expansion members, a fluid source, a means to flow fluid to said expansion members, and a single perforate plate to control fluid flow in a manner as to isolate the fluid within each expansion member from other expansion members and the fluid source.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and accessories are disclosed for a flexible support apparatus 100, 900 using elongated support members 110 to support a face of a workpiece 10 and respective protrusions 335. The elongated support members 110 are arranged through at least one plane of perforated material 120, where the elongated support members 110 are profiled against the workpiece 10 and respective protrusions 335. The profile of the elongated support members 110 is created by contacting forces 132 generated by bringing the workpiece 330 and the plurality of elongated support members 110 together. A holding force is then applied to the elongated support members 110 to support the workpiece 10 against forces applied by a workstation. Fluid 902 is used to raise expansion members to raise the plurality of elongate support members 110. A perforated plate 920 is used to control the flow of fluid 902 between a fluid cavity 910 and the plurality of expansion members 904. Accessories to improve performance and reliability include a protective collar for protection from foreign materials 870 (solder paste) and a reinforcing member 40, 44 to reinforce thin, flexible workpieces 10.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A flexible, self conforming workpiece support system, the system comprising:
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a plurality of elongated support members, a plurality of expansion members, a fluid source, a means to flow fluid to said expansion members, and a single perforate plate to control fluid flow in a manner as to isolate the fluid within each expansion member from other expansion members and the fluid source. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
an expansion chamber member comprising a plurality of expansion chambers, whereby the expansion chambers provide a means for limiting the expansion of the expansion members.
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4. The apparatus of claim 1, the apparatus comprising a means for removing any of the plurality of elongated support members without impacting the functionality of the apparatus.
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5. The apparatus of claim 1, the apparatus further comprising a protective collar coupled to at least one elongated support member.
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6. The apparatus of claim 1, the apparatus further comprising a means to automate the apparatus.
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7. The apparatus of claim 1, the apparatus further comprising the mechanisms of a solder screen printer.
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8. The apparatus of claim 7, the apparatus further comprising a protective collar coupled to at least one elongated support member.
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9. An apparatus for use during assembly of at least one of an electronic component and an electronic Printed Circuit Assembly, the apparatus comprising:
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a first perforated plate with a first pattern of perforations, a second perforated plate with a second pattern of perforations, wherein at least a portion of the first pattern of perforations is similar to at least a portion of the second pattern of perforations, a means for moving at least one of the first perforated plate and the second perforated plate whereby at least a portion of the first pattern of perforations becomes offset with respect to at least a portion of the second pattern of perforations to provide a holding force, a means for adjusting the relations between the first pattern of perforations and the second pattern of perforations to at least one of approximately aligning and offsetting at least a portion of the first pattern of perforations of the first perforated plate and the respective portion of the second pattern of perforations of the second perforated plate to each other, wherein the resulting position removes and applies (respectively) the holding force, wherein the application is used during the placement of electrically conductive members to a printed circuit board, and a pliable member placed at least partially within one of the patterns of perforations of one of the perforated plates. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An apparatus for use during assembly of at least one of an electronic component and an electronic Printed Circuit Assembly, the apparatus comprising:
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a first perforated plate with a first pattern of perforations, a second perforated plate with a second pattern of perforations, wherein at least a portion of the first pattern of perforations is similar to at least a portion of the second pattern of perforations, a means for moving at least one of the first perforated plate and the second perforated plate to provide a holding force, wherein the application is used during the placement of electrically conductive members to a printed circuit board, a means for approximately aligning at least a portion of first pattern of perforations of the first perforated plate and the respective portion of the second pattern of perforations of the second perforated plate to each other, wherein the resulting position removes the holding force, a plurality of pins placed through the first pattern of perforations of the first perforated member and through the second pattern of perforations of the second member, wherein a first end of the pins applies a force to at least one of an electrically conductive member and a printed circuit board, a compliant member placed at least partially within one of the patterns of perforations of one of the perforated plates, a compliant member contacting a second end of the pins, wherein the second end of the pins opposes the first end of the pins, and a means to automate the apparatus.
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16. A flexible, self conforming workpiece support system, the system comprising:
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a plurality of elongated support members, a plurality of expansion members, whereby more than one of the expansion members are manufactured within a single, molded member;
a fluid source, and a means to flow fluid to said expansion members. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
an expansion chamber member comprising a plurality of expansion chambers, whereby the expansion chambers provide a means for limiting the expansion of the expansion members.
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18. The apparatus of claim 16, the apparatus further comprising:
a protection member located between the expansion member and the elongated support member.
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19. The apparatus of claim 16, the apparatus further comprising a protective collar coupled to at least one elongated support member.
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20. The apparatus of claim 16, the apparatus further comprising a means to automate the apparatus.
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21. A universal tool for holding printed circuit board assemblies populated with components, comprising:
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a base;
a plurality of support members moveably attached to the base to project away from the base along support paths, at least some of the support members being independently positionable along the support paths when the support members engage a side of a printed circuit board assembly to selectively configure the support members at heights corresponding to a topography of the side of the printed circuit board assembly;
a locking mechanism operatively engageable with at least one of the biasing element and the support members to fix the height of each support member when the mechanism is engaged; and
a compliant member which compensates for tolerances between at least one of the support members and the locking mechanism.
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22. A universal fixture for holding printed circuit board assemblies populated with components, comprising:
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a substructure;
a plurality of pins slideably attached to the substructure to move along support paths while engaged with points on a side of a printed circuit board assembly, each pin being selectively positionable at a height relative to the substructure to support a corresponding point on the side of the printed circuit board assembly;
a locking mechanism operatively engageable with the pins to fix the pins relative to the substructure; and
a compliant member which compensates for tolerances between at least one of the pins and the locking mechanism.
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23. A universal holder for supporting printed circuit board assemblies, comprising:
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a substructure having a first surface, a second surface, and a plurality of guide tracks extending with respect to the substructure at least substantially parallel to a support axis;
a plurality of support members, each support member being individually coupled to a corresponding guide track to be moveable along the corresponding guide track and project away from the first surface by an adjustable distance; and
a biasing element operatively engaged with the support members to individually bias the support members when the support members engage a populated side of a printed circuit board assembly so that the support members conform to a contour of the populated side of the printed circuit board;
a locking mechanism operatively engageable with the support members to hold the support members in positions where the support members conform to the topogaphy of the populated side of the printed circuit board; and
a compliant member which compensates for tolerances between at least one of the support members and the locking mechanism.
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24. A universal printed circuit board holder for supporting printed circuit board assemblies, comprising:
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a fixture having a first surface, a second surface, and a plurality of holes, the holes being open at the first surface and extending into the fixture;
a plurality of support members positioned in the holes, the support members being individually moveable within the holes to project away from the first surface by variable distances along support paths;
a biasing element operatively engaged with the support members, the biasing element individually biasing the support members along the support paths while the support members engage points on a side of the printed circuit board assembly to selectively position the support members in a configuration corresponding to a topography of the side of the printed circuit board assembly;
a locking mechanism operatively engageable with at least one of the biasing element and the support members to hold the support members in positions where the support members conform to the topography of the populated side of the printed circuit board; and
a compliant member which compensates for tolerances between at least one of the support members and the locking mechanism.
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25. A universal holder for supporting printed circuit board assemblies, comprising:
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a substructure having a first surface, a second surface, and a plurality of guide tracks extending with respect to the substructure at least substantially parallel to a support axis;
a plurality of support members, each support member being individually coupled to a corresponding guide track to be moveable along the corresponding guide track and project away from the first surface by an adjustable distance;
a biasing element operatively engaged with the support members to individually bias the support members when the support members engage a populated side of a printed circuit board assembly so that the support members conform to a contour of the populated side of the printed circuit board;
a locking mechanism operatively engageable with at least one of the biasing elements and the support members, wherein the engagement of the locking mechanism with at least one of the biasing elements and the support members fixes the support members at selected heights relative to the first surface of the substrate; and
a compliant member which compensates for tolerances between at least one of the support members and the locking mechanism.
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Specification
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Current AssigneeGalahad, Co.
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Original AssigneeGalahad, Co.
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InventorsHertz, Eric L., Hertz, Allen David, Imm, Anthony A.
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Primary Examiner(s)Hail, III, Joseph J.
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Assistant Examiner(s)SHANLEY, DANIEL G
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Application NumberUS09/597,905Time in Patent Office1,345 DaysField of Search269/266US Class Current269/266CPC Class CodesB23Q 1/035 with an array of longitudin...B25B 1/2421 the parts having a linear m...
