Abstract: A cart assembly comprising a housing and a wheel assembly mounted in the housing, releasable locking means for selectively positioning said wheel assembly between operative and stored limit positions, a handle assembly and means for selectively positioning the handle between an outer operative limit position and an inner stored limit position inside the housing.

Abstract: 1.

Abstract: A vacuum pickup device for handling semiconductor wafers and interleaf separators comprising a generally flat paddle member having a pickup surface and a planar top surface, a means for drawing air through an orifice in the paddle which creates a first vacuum of a predetermined magnitude on the pickup surface and directing the air over the top surface thereby creating an additional second vacuum at the periphery of the paddle to provide an additional lifting force gently supporting the wafer on the pickup surface whereby a low vacuum is distributed over a wide area to provide a good uniform gentle more even lifting force.

Abstract: 1.

Abstract: The present invention provides method and apparatus for determining lead integrity of IC devices characterized by an inspection arrangement which comprises optical elements for back lighting the leads disposed on either side of a trackway for the travel of the IC device thereon. The optical elements are arranged in such a fashion as to simultaneously produce a sharp backlit silhouette image of the leads protruding from either or both sides of the IC device. In accordance with the invention, means are provided for continuously and automatically feeding IC devices through an inspection station in the apparatus where an illumination source through the optical elements directs an intense light beam so that a sharp silhouette or backlit outline of the leads on both sides of the IC device is simultaneously obtained. A single camera is disposed to face the opposing direction of the illumination and optics to receive the silhouette or backlit outline of the IC device leads, as well as the top surface of the device.

Abstract: A method for aligning leads of an SOJ device having a body portion and a plurality of leads extending from the body portion having inwardly curled terminal ends consisting of the steps of supporting the component body between an anvil having reforming surfaces overlying the rows of leads and a trackway. Moving slide assemblies having a plurality of spaced confronting fingers interengaging between the rows of leads on either side of body portion of the SOJ device first through a combing cycle to space the adjacent leads a predetermined distance relative to one another and then engaging between the curled terminal ends and displacing the slide assemblies transversely relative to the trackway to engage the terminal ends with the reforming surfaces and then reversing the direction movement of the SOJ device to recurl the terminal ends of the leads in the opposing row.

Abstract: In a system, method and apparatus for reforming leads of a device having a plurality of generally straight sides and rows of leads of J-shaped configuration extending from the sides of the body portion reforming the leads of a pair of first opposing rows of leads at a first reforming station by moving combs of a lead straightening mechanism through the leads to space the leads a predetermined distance relative to one another. The leads of one row engage against reforming surfaces with the combs engaging between the J-shaped terminal ends. The device is then relocated to present a second pair of opposing rows of leads to a lead straightening mechanism. The second opposing parallel rows of leads are reformed by moving combs through the leads to space the leads a predetermined distance relative to one another by engaging the leads of one row against reforming surfaces with the combs engaging between the J-shaped terminal ends.

Abstract: A method for aligning leads of an SOJ device having a body portion and a plurality of leads extending from the body portion having inwardly curled terminal ends consisting of the steps of supporting the component body between an anvil having reforming surfaces overlying the rows of leads and a trackway. Moving slide assemblies having a plurality of spaced confronting fingers interengaging between the rows of leads on either side of body portion of the SOJ device first through a combing cycle to space the adjacent leads a predetermined distance relative to one another and then engaging between the curled terminal ends and displacing the slide assemblies transversely relative to the trackway to engage the terminal ends with the reforming surfaces and then reversing the direction movement of the SOJ device to recurl the terminal ends of the leads in the opposing row.

Abstract: A lead scanning apparatus for scanning the lead to lead integrity of electronic devices having an axial length and leads extending from the sides thereof. The apparatus includes track means for moving individual devices axially along a path to a scanning station on the path. Stop pins stop each of said devices at predetermined locations on the path where a clamp rail assists in positioning the device in a scanning orientation. The scanning unit is movably positioned at the station for movement axially along the length of the device to generate signals upon intersection of leads extending from both sides of the device. Actual signals from the scanner are compared with predetermined signals to determine the existence and spacing of each lead with respect to a predetermined pattern. A signal based on the comparison for each device is generated.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for aligning the leads of electronic devices having a body portion and plurality of leads extending from the body portion having pads at the free terminal ends comprising means for positioning the electronic device at a lead straightening station. A pair of lead straightening heads comprised of a plurality of fingers engages between the leads on opposite sides of the electronic device. The lead straightening heads are actuated relative to the electronic device through a straightening cycle including a first phase where the fingers engage between leads of the electronic device while in a floating condition and a second phase after the electronic device is clamped in place on a support surface to pivot the leads on either side of a plane extending transversely to the body portion and thereby align each of the leads relative to this plane. Coplanarity means is provided for positioning the pads of the leads so that they all lie in a common plane.

Abstract: A device for straightening leads in which a housing having a outer casing is provided with a fixed separator blade mounted on the outer casing. The case also provides a work rest place for positioning the leads. Also includes is a trigger which is operably connected to the housing and has biasing means urging the trigger in a first position. The trigger is movable to a second position by overcoming the bias. A movable wiper blade is attached to the trigger and has a wiper blade on one end thereof. The blade is movable to engage the separator blade by moving the trigger to the second position. The wiper blade and the fixed separator blade are aligned to conform the orientation of leads positioned by the work rest place.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining coplanarity of a plurality of points, comprising linear motion unit for moving an object along an linear axis. The object has a plane generally perpendicular to the axis. A gage defines a known plane which is also perpendicular to the axis and has a plurality of points thereon corresponding to points on the object. The gage also is adapted to move along the axis by said linear motion unit. Digital signal switches having individual sensors aligned on the axis for contact with the object and the gage are provided to send a set of signals to indicate the position of the object along the axis at each of the points and to provide a reference set of signals when contacted by the corresponding points on the gage. Also included is a comparator means for comparing the signals with the reference signals for each point and the corresponding point on the gage plane to identify the deviation of each point from coplanarity.

Abstract: A signal device for operation on a path including a movable reflector aligned to move along an axis and a light source and light detector positioned to provide a signal trip point when light from the source is reflected by the reflector to the detector at a predetermined location on said axis.

Abstract: A switch track mechanism for selectively directing electronic components from a single trackway to one of a plurality of discharge or accumulator stations comprising a first fixed track sections adjacent the trackway, a second fixed track section adjacent to and downstream of the first fixed track section, movable first and second track members operatively associated with the first and second fixed track sections and each operable between first and second limit positions. The second movable track member has a plurality of track sectors disposed in an array, a plurality of accumulator stations downstream of the second track member corresponding in number to the number of track sectors, a cartridge for electronic components is mounted at each accumulator station. The movable track sections have actuable between limit positions whereby electronic components may be directed from the single trackway to a select one of the accumulator stations.

Abstract: In apparatus for disposing DIP leads in a predetermined and preselected condition of straightness and orientation, a trackway for operatively supporting and moving DIPs therealong from a loading station to a discharge station, a forming station positioned along the trackway subsequent to said entrance station. The forming station includes laterally spaced rotatable forming rollers on opposite sides of the trackway, anvils confronting the inner faces of the leads between the forming rollers and anvils. The rollers and anvil having cooperating confronting surfaces adapted to engage the DIP leads adjacent the shoulder to the outer terminal ends, the forming rollers cooperatively associated with the anvils and spaced therefrom to define a nip gap. DIPs are moved through the nip gap whereby DIP leads are contacted to align them in predetermined orientation and at a predetermined angle relative to the body portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for the transfer of DIP devices to or from DIP delivery tubes is shown to include a hopper for the storage of several tubes, an elevator member for removing individual tubes from the hopper and depositing such tubes into a hopper, an orienting member which positions the tube in a predetermined radial orientation and which moves the tube axially in response to a control signal to a head member which receives the radially oriented tube and guides it to a predetermined second orientation for the transfer of DIP devices and which ejects such tubes upon completion and a computer control member for generating the necessary actuation signals to coordinate the transfer of DIP devices and tube ejection. The head member may also be provided with an extracation member to remove any pin or plug which may seal the tube.

Abstract: A switch track mechanism for selectively directing electronic components from a single trackway to one of a plurality of discharge or accumulator stations comprising a first fixed track sections adjacent the trackway, a second fixed track section adjacent to and downstream of the first fixed track section, movable first and second track members operatively associated with the first and second fixed track sections and each operable between first and second limit positions. The second movable track member has a plurality of track sectors disposed in an array, a plurality of accumulator stations downstream of the second track member corresponding in number to the number of track sectors, a cartridge for electronic components is mounted at each accumulator station. The movable track sections have actuatable between limit positions whereby electronic components may be directed from the single trackway to a select one of the accumulator stations.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining lead integrity of DIP devices, wherein the leads of the DIP devices extend from a track for supporting the DIP devices during passage through the apparatus. Included is a transmitter for the transmission of a signal, positioned so that the leads of the DIP devices traveling on the track intersect the transmitted signals and a receiver for receiving and converting a transmitted signal to an electrical signal, positioned so that as the leads of the DIP device intersect the transmitted signal, the receiver generates an electrical signal reflective of the intersection for determining the integrity of the leads based upon the electrical signal. The receiver includes receptors positioned on either side of the track such that each receptor receives the transmitted signal intersected by the leads as the DIP devices travel on the track.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining lead integrity of DIP devices, wherein the leads of the DIP devices extend from a track for supporting the DIP devices during passage through the apparatus. Included is a transmitting means for the transmission of a signal, positioned so that the leads of the DIP devices traveling on the track intersect the transmitted signals and a receiving means for receiving and converting a transmitted signal to an electrical signal, positioned so that as the leads of the DIP device intersect said transmitted signal, the receiving means generates an electrical signal reflective of the intersection for determining the integrity of the leads based upon the electrical signal. The receiving means includes receptors positioned on either side of the track such that each receptor receives the transmitted signal intersected by the leads as the DIP devices travel on the track.

Abstract: In apparatus for disposing DIP leads in a predetermined and preselected condition of straightness and orientation, a trackway for operatively supporting and moving DIPs therealong from a loading station to a discharge station, a forming station positioned along the trackway subsequent to said entrance station. The forming station includes laterally spaced rotatable forming rollers on opposite sides of the trackway, anvils confronting the inner faces of the leads between the forming rollers and anvils. The rollers and anvil having cooperating confronting surfaces adapted to engage the DIP leads adjacent the shoulder to the outer terminal ends, the forming rollers cooperatively associated with the anvils and spaced therefrom to define a nip gap. DIPs are moved through the nip gap whereby DIP leads are contacted to align them in predetermined orientation and at a predetermined angle relative to the body portion.