Printed circuit board support

• US 6,749,054 B2
• Filed: 02/27/2003
• Issued: 06/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
• Inventors: Godfrey, John S., Teitenberg, Tony M., Gordon, Brian F.
• Primary Examiner(s): RIDLEY, RICHARD W L
• Application Number:
  US10/375,275
• Publication Number:
  US 20030127304A1
• Time in Patent Office: 474 Days
• Field of Search: 269/8, 269/56, 269/71, 269/289.R, 198/345.2, 297/60, 297/39, 297/44
• US Class Current: 198/345.2
• 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, a base extension and a magnetic source. The support base defines a support surface and a lower surface. The base extension is secured to the support base and arranged to define at least a portion of a height dimension of the printed circuit board support. The magnetic source is secured to the base extension and positioned such that the lower surface of the support base is arranged to secure the printed circuit board support to an object under magnetic force. 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 lower surface;

a base extension secured to said support base and arranged to define at least a portion of a height dimension of said printed circuit board support; and

a magnetic source secured to said base extension and positioned such that said lower surface of said support base is arranged to secure said printed circuit board support to an object under magnetic force.

2. A printed circuit board support as claimed in claim 1 wherein said magnetic source comprises a permanent magnet.

3. A printed circuit board support as claimed in claim 1 wherein said magnetic source comprises a permanent magnet secured within a cavity formed in said lower surface of said support base.

4. A printed circuit board support as claimed in claim 3 wherein said base extension comprises a pair of support legs and wherein said magnetic source comprises respective permanent magnets secured in a cavity formed in each of said support legs.

5. 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;

a conveyor platform; 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 lower surface;

a base extension secured to said support base and arranged to define at least a portion of a height dimension of said printed circuit board support; and

a magnetic source secured to said base extension assembly and positioned such that said lower surface of said support base secures said printed circuit board support to said conveyor platform under magnetic force, 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.

6. 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;

a conveyor platform;

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 lower surface;

a base extension secured to said support base and arranged to define at least a portion of a height dimension of said printed circuit board support; and

a magnetic source secured to said base extension assembly and positioned such that said lower surface of said support base secures said printed circuit board support to said conveyor platform under magnetic force, 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.