US3687172A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Lead straightener and method
Assignee: Signetics Corp
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Filing: 1970-10-07
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Granted: 1972-08-29
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Expires: 1990-10-07
Abstract
Abstract A lead alignment apparatus and method for aligning leads of an integrated circuit package. A magazine feed automatically feeds circuit packages into a track. Circuit packages on the track are moved one by one along the track by a walking beam. At an alignment station the leads of the circuit package engage one comb which bends the leads in one direction so they are in alignment with each other. Subsequently the leads are inserted into a second comb which maintains their alignment with respect to each other and bends the leads so that they are generally perpendicular to the length of the circuit package. At a restrike station the circuit package leads are bent so that they all depend from the circuit package at the same predetermined angle with respect to the width of the circuit package. The circuit packages with the aligned leads are then automatically fed into shipping tubes.
Inventors
- 👤 Claus P J Suverkropp
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:14
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05K; H05K13/00; H05K13/02; H05K13/023; H05K13/024; H05K13/026
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
230 words
A method for aligning leads of integrated circuit packages of the type having a plurality of leads spaced along the length of the circuit package and extending from both sides of the circuit package generally in a perpendicular direction with respect to the length of the circuit package and in an angular direction with respect to the width of the circuit package comprising bending any of the leads which are out of alignment with a first lead orientation in a first direction parallel to the length of the circuit package so that the leads are all parallel to each other and all have the first lead orientation, bending all of the leads in a second direction parallel to the length of the circuit package and opposite to the first direction so that all of the leads remain in alignment with each other and all of the leads further have a second orientation whereby they extend generally perpendicularly of the length of the circuit package, bending any of the leads which are out of alignment with a desired angular orientation with respect to the width of the circuit package in a direction parallel to the width of the circuit package whereby all of the leads extend generally perpendicularly of the length of the circuit package and All have the desired angular orientation with respect to the width of the circuit package.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
230 words
A method for aligning leads of integrated circuit packages of the type having a plurality of leads spaced along the length of the circuit package and extending from both sides of the circuit package generally in a perpendicular direction with respect to the length of the circuit package and in an angular direction with respect to the width of the circuit package comprising bending any of the leads which are out of alignment with a first lead orientation in a first direction parallel to the length of the circuit package so that the leads are all parallel to each other and all have the first lead orientation, bending all of the leads in a second direction parallel to the length of the circuit package and opposite to the first direction so that all of the leads remain in alignment with each other and all of the leads further have a second orientation whereby they extend generally perpendicularly of the length of the circuit package, bending any of the leads which are out of alignment with a desired angular orientation with respect to the width of the circuit package in a direction parallel to the width of the circuit package whereby all of the leads extend generally perpendicularly of the length of the circuit package and All have the desired angular orientation with respect to the width of the circuit package.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 including automatically feeding the circuit packages from a magazine prior to any bending operations and automatically feeding the circuit packages into shipping tubes after all bending has been performed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
207 words
Lead alignment apparatus for aligning leads of integrated circuit packages of the type having a plurality of leads spaced along the length of the circuit package and extending from both sides of the circuit package generally in a perpendicular direction with respect to the length of the circuit package comprising means forming a track having an input end and an output end, lead alignment means forming a lead alignment station disposed along said track intermediate said input and output ends, said lead alignment means including at least one comb having a pair of spaced parallel members, said members having a plurality of spaced generally parallel teeth in which the teeth in one member are in alignment with the teeth in the other member, said teeth having open-ended slots between the same, said teeth having inclined upper portions which are inclined downwardly toward the slots, transport means for transporting circuit packages along said track through said lead alignment station, means for engaging a circuit package in said lead straightening station with said comb whereby any of the plurality of leads of the circuit package which are out of alignment engage the inclined portions of said plurality of teeth and are guided into said slots to align the same.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
207 words
Lead alignment apparatus for aligning leads of integrated circuit packages of the type having a plurality of leads spaced along the length of the circuit package and extending from both sides of the circuit package generally in a perpendicular direction with respect to the length of the circuit package comprising means forming a track having an input end and an output end, lead alignment means forming a lead alignment station disposed along said track intermediate said input and output ends, said lead alignment means including at least one comb having a pair of spaced parallel members, said members having a plurality of spaced generally parallel teeth in which the teeth in one member are in alignment with the teeth in the other member, said teeth having open-ended slots between the same, said teeth having inclined upper portions which are inclined downwardly toward the slots, transport means for transporting circuit packages along said track through said lead alignment station, means for engaging a circuit package in said lead straightening station with said comb whereby any of the plurality of leads of the circuit package which are out of alignment engage the inclined portions of said plurality of teeth and are guided into said slots to align the same.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
151 words
Lead alignment apparatus as in claim 3 including an additional comb in said lead alignment station, said additional comb having a pair of spaced parallel members, said members having a plurality of spaced generally parallel teeth in which the teeth in one member are in alignment with the teeth in the other member, said teeth having open-ended slots between the same, said teeth having inclined upper portions which are inclined downwardly toward the slots, means for engaging a circuit package in said lead straightening station with said additional comb whereby after any of the leads out of alignment are bent in a first direction by said first comb all of the leads are bent in a second direction opposite to said first direction by said second comb so that the leads are aligned with respect to each other and extend generally perpendicularly with respect to the length of the circuit package.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
118 words
Lead alignment apparatus in accordance with claim 3 including restrike means forming a restrike station disposed along said track intermediate said track input and output ends, said restrike means including support means having at least two spaced forming surfaces, at least two forming members respectively spaced with respect to said forming surfaces, said support means adapted to support a circuit package with the leads of both sides of the circuit package extending respectively between said forming surfaces and said forming members, means for causing relative movement between said forming surfaces and said forming members whereby the plurality of leads are bent generally to the shape of said forming surfaces with respect to the width of the circuit package.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
Lead alignment apparatus in accordance with claim 5 including clamping means for clamping a circuit package in said restrike station to said support means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
Lead alignment apparatus as in claim 3 wherein said transport means comprises a walking beam having recesses adapted to engage circuit packages for transporting the circuit packages along said track.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
Lead alignment apparatus as in claim 3 including a magazine feed connected to said track input for automatically feeding circuit packages to said track.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
66 words
Lead alignment apparatus as in claim 8 wherein said magazine feed comprises a frame for mounting a magazine, said frame having a portion thereof defining a guide opening in alignment with said track input enD, said magazine including at least one tube for retaining a plurality of circuit packages in end-to-end relationship, said tube having an open end adapted to be aligned with said guide opening.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
75 words
Lead alignment apparatus as in claim 9 wherein said magazine includes a plurality of tubes each adapted to retain a plurality of circuit packages in end-to-end relationship, indexing means for sequentially aligning each of said tubes open ends with said guide opening, and detecting means responsive to the absence of circuit packages in a tube aligned with said guide opening for controlling said indexing means to align another of said tubes with said guide opening.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
Lead alignment apparatus as in claim 9 wherein said track includes escapement means adjacent said track input end for feeding circuit packages one at a time to said transport means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
54 words
Lead alignment apparatus as in claim 3 including tube loading means connected to said track output end for automatically loading circuit packages from said track, said tube loading means including at least one tube for supporting circuit packages in end-to-end relation and loading means for loading circuit packages from said track into said tube.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
62 words
Lead straightening apparatus as in claim 9 wherein said tube loading means comprises a plurality of tubes each having an open end, a frame for supporting said plurality of tubes, indexing means for sequentially aligning each of said tubes open ends with said track output, and detecting means responsive to filling of said tubes with circuit packages for controlling said indexing means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3525372A
Cited
US3515175A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-29 | 1976-02-28 | 1976-08-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-29 | 1980-02-28 | 1980-08-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-29 | 1984-02-28 | 1984-08-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |