Abstract: A bilateral media storage unit for storing and carrying CD ROMs, computer diskettes, removable disk storage devices and the like. The storage unit includes a discus shaped portable housing having a generally bowl shaped lower base component and a generally bowl shaped upper cover component which are coupled together at opposite points on their peripheries by selectively releasable hinges which pivotally couple the upper cover component to the lower base component and which release the upper cover component to pivot away from the lower base component when released. An accordion pleated extendable media receptacle is mounted within the portable housing.

Abstract: A modular, portable apparatus for storing and carrying a plurality of disc shaped recording media has a housing including a lower base component and an upper cover component. The lower base component and the upper cover component are pivotally coupled. Slots within the housing retain a plurality of disc shaped recording media in a plurality of parallel adjacent positions. A disc selector selects and automatically retains a particular one of said plurality of disc shaped recording media within the upper cover component while the remainder of said plurality of disc shaped recording media remain within said lower base component during pivotal movement of said upper cover component with respect to said lower base component. A connecting device on each of the two ends of the housing is adapted to selectively couple the modular apparatus to either an end of another identical modular apparatus or a carrying device for carrying the modular apparatus.

Abstract: A disk storage device is shown of the type used to store computer floppy diskettes. A series of springs are utilized to urge a floppy disk outward from a storage slot provided in the body of the device. One corner of the floppy disk is utilized to temporarily restrain the disk within its associated storage slot. A moveable lever is utilized to lift the restraining corner of the floppy disk from behind the restraint and permit the spring loaded slot to eject the computer floppy disk.

Abstract: A set of shelving units which can be interlockingly mated together. Each shelving unit has a set of end panels is provided with substantially identical dimensions. At least one elongated cross member is joined to an edge of the end panels so that the end panels are spaced apart along the length of the cross member. At least two elongated cross members are joined to an opposite edge of the end panels. The two cross members are parallel and spaced apart to form a gap for receiving a cross member of a second shelving unit similarly constructed so that the shelving units can be interlockingly mated. The cross members of each shelf form a shelving surface.

Abstract: A tape wound coil is provided, for use in magnetic repulsion punching, that has a plurality of slits therein which allow circulation of coolant therethrough. This coil is made of thin copper foil, or the like that is treated with an epoxy, for electrical insulation between the windings, and then wound around a center post. The face of the coil is machined smooth, whereas a counter bore is machined into the back of the coil such that a portion of the center post and the inner most windings are removed. Radial slits are then machined into the back of the coil, which will allow for the coolant flow. Thus, a coil for use in magnetic repulsion punching is provided which maximizes the capacity for carrying electrical current and increases the winding density exhibited by conventional M-R coils. Further, the coil of the present invention will withstand high repetition mechanical shear forces created as a result of the large amount of electrical current pulsing through the windings.

Abstract: A fluid actuated connector is provided with opposing circuit members that form the interior of the connector and which are substantially L-shaped with a substantially vertical portion facing a circuit card to be inserted into the connector and a substantially horizontal portion disposed onto a printed circuit board (PCB), such as a motherboard, or the like. The circuit members are disposed adjacent a frame and connector body such that a cavity is formed adjacent the circuit members and on a side opposite the electrical connection points being being contacted with the printed circuit card. The circuit membranes are formed of a single layer of dielectric material, to maintain the required resiliency, and have contacts, which may be in the form of "bumps" etched into an electrically conductive material applied to the surface of the dielectric facing the circuit card.

Abstract: A connector for connecting large numbers of contact points on a flat ribbon cable to corresponding contact points on a second flat ribbon ribbon cable is described. The connector is a rigid clamping device which encompasses the cables where they join and through the use of springs and force spreaders the connections at the cable interface are completed. The connections of the cables are disposed within a chamber within the connector and rigidly clamped to prevent movement or separation of the connections.

Abstract: A queue of randomly oriented chips is advanced down a track. Each chip in the queue is sequentially and individually elevated into a pneumatic circuit and pressed against a mirrored surface of an upper slide member to which it adheres if the chip was oriented with upwardly disposed solder lands. A jet of compressible fluid insufficient in magnitude to dislodge the chip is injected in a direction toward the queue. If the chip, alternatively, was oriented with the solder lands down, this fluid jet propels the chip about the oval-shaped pneumatic circuit so as to reorient the chip with the lands extending in the desired upward orientation, whereupon the chip is injected into a storage magazine.

Abstract: A chip placement system of modular construction is provided for simultaneous population of circuit boards with component chips. A plurality of chip placement modules are provided, each having a conveyor means for receiving a planar from an adjacent one of the modules and transporting it through the module to a next adjacent one of the modules. Each module further includes a further plurality of chip placement subassemblies for simultaneously placing a respective plurality of chips in a preselected geometric pattern on the planar and a load plate which is slidably removable from the module which carries a plurality of stacks of chips disposed in the desired geometric pattern. The load plate of each module is periodically withdrawn in at least one of the stacks are substantially depleted, whereby a next load plate with a replenished supply of chips is slid into place.

Abstract: A queue of randomly oriented chips is advanced down a track. Each chip in the queue is sequentially and individually elevated into a pneumatic circuit and pressed against a mirrored surface of an upper slide member to which it adheres if the chip was oriented with upwardly disposed solder lands. A jet of compressible fluid insufficient in magnitude to dislodge the chip is injected in a direction toward the queue. If the chip, alternatively, was oriented with the solder lands down, this fluid jet propels the chip about the oval-shaped pneumatic circuit so as to reorient the chip with the lands extending in the desired upward orientation, whereupon the chip is injected into a storage magazine.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for simultaneously positioning electronic components, such as surface-mounted chips on a circuit board. A removable load plate carries a plurality of chip placement assemblies, each having a support disposing a plurality of such components in a stack adjacent the board. The assemblies are disposed about the load plate in a geometric pattern corresponding to that of chips to be placed. A stripping component of each assembly in slidable engagement with the support sequentially urges each chip in the stack transversely from the stack to a second position opposing a corresponding desired site on the board where the chip is to be placed. Each support includes a mounting block having a connector for releasable interconnection of each positioning apparatus to the load plate. A chamber maintains the chip at the second position in response to fluid pressure differential.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for randomly selecting and automatically testing surface mount passive electronic components. A detachable hopper is utilized to contain a plurality of randomly oriented electronic components which are agitated pneumatically and urged by vibration and gravity into a uniform orientation within a groove in an inclined track plate. A seal plate acts in conjunction with the groove within the track plate to form an elongate throat passage which is periodically cleared to prevent clogging by pulsating pneumatic pressure. A component detection circuit is utilized to detect the presence of an electronic component at a predetermined testing position and a pair of movable conductive probes are then urged into contact with the component to permit testing. In response to a successful test the component under test is then ejected pneumatically back into the detachable hopper.

Abstract: A queing means transfers surface mount components randomly stored in a detachable hopper into a plurality of parallel lines formed by grooves in a track plate. Vibrator means translate the components along the grooves in the downwardly extending track plate toward a shuttle assembly. With respect to pairs of such track grooves, the shuttle assembly alternately transports a chip from each groove comprising the pair into a plunger assembly. A tube magazine carrying a plurality of carrier tubes to be loaded with components is releasably disposed adjacent the plunger assembly whereby periodic downward movement of plungers simultaneously forces a component from each line of components in the plunger assembly formed by the shuttle mechanism into a respective one of the tubes, and the process is repeated until the tubes are filled with components as desired. Pneumatic means are provided for urging the components backwards from the plunger assembly along the grooves toward and into the hopper.

Abstract: A glue plate module automatically establishes layers of adhesives thereon periodically interposed between an upper pin plate and a lower lift plate. The pin plate carries a plurality of pendantly disposed and releaseable transfer pins arranged on the plate in a pattern corresponding to that of a desired adhesive dot pattern to be placed on a component board. The pins momentarily contact the adhesive layer to receive adhesive dots. The lift plate supports a circuit board to be populated with the adhesive dot pattern. Means are provided to periodically move the pin plate and lift plate together in momentary contact whereby the adhesive dots carried by the pins are transferred to the board surface in the desired pattern. Conveyor means positioned virgin board onto the lift plate prior to adhesive transfer and remove the boards thereafter. Means are provided to compensate for non-uniform distances between pins and correlative board locations receiving adhesive dots caused by board warpage or the like.

Abstract: A stand (10) is disclosed for supporting a computer display (8) workstation for easy adjustment without tools to a desired position by rotating the stand, tilting a platform (60) attached to the stand and lifting the stand. The stand comprises a six bar (20, 22, 16, 30, 32, 54) pivotable linkage having spring (44, 48, 52) means for compensating for the load, the spring force being adjustable to accommodate changes in load without affecting the spring rate.