Bare die tray clip
A clip is provided for holding a stack of at least one tray and tray cover. Stack compressive, forces applied by the clip are substantially limited to tray and cover perimeter rail portions. The clip has a channel base with left and right side retaining walls attached for restricting movement of a stack in left and right directions. Left and right rods protrusions above the base extend inward towards the walls of the channel from the left and right side walls respectively for captivating the stack in an upward direction. Spring protrusions extend upward from the base on input and output ends of the channel, and are configured for applying an upward spring force on opposing bottom edge areas of the stack.
This application is related to U.S. patent application entitled “Open Frame Tray Clip” [Attorney Docket No. 67810-0304489] filed the same day as this application, and which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to apparatus for securing trays that are used in storing or transporting components such as semiconductors, and more particularly to a clip for securing a tray and cover or stack of trays and a cover that places stack compression forces on tray perimeter rails in order to minimize tray distortion caused by clip forces.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Small components such as semiconductors are often stored or shipped in molded plastic trays such as tray 10 shown in
In order for the stack of trays to be secure, the clip provides a compressive force to the stack. Prior art designs apply force to a central area of the bottom of the stack, which eventually causes permanent warp/distortion of the trays. Prongs such as 28 (
It is an advantage of this invention in that it provides an improved clip for securing a stack of trays that minimizes warp due to tray clip forces.
It is a further advantage of this invention in that it provides a clip for securing a stack of trays that confines the retaining forces to the tray edges and therefore minimizes leverage to the stack and reduces tray warpage.
In one embodiment of the present invention, a clip is provided for holding a stack of at least one tray and tray cover. The clip has a channel structure providing a channel, and having first and second restraining segments positioned on opposing sides of the channel. The segments are attached to a channel base. The restraining segments and base restrict lateral and vertical movement of a stack of trays placed in the channel. At least one pressure member is provided that applies a vertically directed pressure component on a perimeter portion of the stack, forcing the stack into contact, with an opposing portion of the channel structure. Stack compressive forces applied by the clip are substantially limited to tray and cover perimeter rail portions. In a particular embodiment, the clip has a channel base with left and right side retaining walls attached for restricting movement of a stack in left and right directions. Left and right side protrusions above the base extend inward towards the center of the channel from the left and right side walls respectively for captivating the stack in an upward direction. The pressure members include resilient protrusions extending upward from the base on input and output ends of the channel that are configured for applying an upward spring force on corresponding bottom edge/perimeter areas of the stack.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
While the present invention will be described herein with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modifications, various changes and substitutions are intended, and it will be appreciated that in some instances some features of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as described with respect to the preferred embodiments set forth herein.
Referring now to
According to the present invention, a pressure member is provided that applies a vertically directed pressure component on a perimeter portion of the stack, forcing the stack into contact with a opposing portion of the channel structure. The pressure member in the particular embodiment of
The above-described embodiment is given by way of example. This embodiment of the present invention substantially restricts the application of force by a clip to perimeter areas near the edges of the trays, applying the force to the side rail portions of 72 and 74. Various alternate embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the present disclosure, and these alternate embodiments are included in the spirit of the present invention. For example, instead of the single leaf type members 60, 62 as shown in
A further alternate embodiment 88 of a clip according to the present invention is illustrated in
Although the designs of
The preferred embodiments as described above, and variations that will be apparent to those skilled in the art, limit the application of pressure to the trays to the perimeter area. As a further alternative embodiment, pressure can additionally be applied to non-perimeter areas.
While the present invention has been described herein with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modifications, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure, and it will be appreciated that in some instances some features of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.
Claims
1. An apparatus for clamping together in a stack at least one tray adapted to hold a plurality of integrated circuits in pockets disposed therein and a cover, the apparatus comprising:
- a base forming a bottom of a channel, the channel allowing for the insertion and removal of the stack;
- first and second restraining segments attached to the base that together with the base form a channel structure, wherein the channel structure restricts substantial movement of the stack both transverse to a length of the channel and perpendicular to a plane of the base; and
- at least two pressure members attached to the channel structure for providing pressure on a perimeter of the stack to clamp the stack together between each of the pressure members and a portion of the channel structure, thereby preventing movement of the tray independent of the cover and ensuring that the integrated circuits maintain disposed within the pockets of the tray.
2. An apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein only the at least two pressure members apply pressure to the stack, and include:
- a first resilient member extending from the base on one end of the channel; and
- a second resilient member extending from the base on a second end of the channel that is opposite the one end of the channel.
3. An apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein the first and second restraining segments each include:
- a wall extending upward from the base, each wall disposed on respective opposing sides of the channel; and
- a protrusion attached to the wall above the base and extending inwards towards the channel so as to extend over the perimeter of the stack when the stack is inserted in the channel.
4. An apparatus as recited in claim 3 wherein the portion of the channel structure is the protrusions: and
- wherein the at least two pressure members include:
- a first resilient member extending from the base on one end of the channel; and
- a second resilient member extending from the base on a second end of the channel that is opposite the one end of the channel.
5. An apparatus as recited in claim 3 wherein the portion of the channel structure is the protrusions: and
- wherein the two pressure members include:
- a first pressure member extending from the base and positioned adjacent the one side of the channel; and
- a second pressure member extending from the base and positioned adjacent the opposing side of the channel.
6. An apparatus as recited in claim 3 wherein the portion of the channel structure is the base; and
- wherein the two pressure members include:
- a first pressure member extending from one of the protrusions and positioned adjacent the one side of the channel; and
- a second pressure member extending from the other of the protrusions and positioned adjacent the opposing side of the channel.
7. An apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein only the at least two pressure members apply pressure to the stack, and include:
- a first pressure member extending from one of the base and one of the protrusions and positioned adjacent the one side of the channel; and
- a second pressure member extending from one of the base and the other of the protrusions and positioned adjacent the opposing side of the channel.
8. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the apparatus is injection molded in one piece using an injection molding material.
9. The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the at least two pressure members each are disposed in a first plane different than a second plane formed by a surface of the channel structure to which each of the at least two pressure members are attached.
10. An apparatus as recited in claim 9 wherein the first and second restraining segments each include:
- a wall extending upward from the base, each wall disposed on respective opposing sides of the channel; and
- a protrusion attached to the wall above the base and extending inwards towards the channel so as to extend over the perimeter of the stack when the stack is inserted in the channel.
11. An apparatus as recited in claim 10 wherein the portion of the channel structure is the protrusions: and
- wherein the at least two pressure members includes:
- a first resilient member extending from the base on one end of the channel; and
- a second resilient member extending from the base on a second end of the channel that is opposite the one end of the channel.
12. An apparatus as recited in claim 10 wherein the portion of the channel structure is the protrusions: and
- wherein the two pressure members include:
- a first pressure member extending from the base and positioned adjacent the one side of the channel; and
- a second pressure member extending from the base and positioned adjacent the opposing side of the channel.
13. An apparatus as recited in claim 10 wherein the portion of the channel structure is the base; and
- wherein the two pressure members include:
- a first pressure member extending from one of the protrusions and positioned adjacent the one side of the channel; and
- a second pressure member extending from the other of the protrusions and positioned adjacent the opposing side of the channel.
14. An apparatus as recited in claim 8 wherein only the at least two pressure members apply pressure to the stack,
15. An apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein only the at least two pressure members apply pressure to the stack.
16. An apparatus for clamping together in a stack at least one tray and a cover, the apparatus comprising:
- horizontal restraining means for restraining the stack laterally in one direction;
- vertical restraining means for restraining the stack in a vertical direction; and
- pressure means for application of a force to urge the stack into contact with a portion of the vertical restraining means, wherein the pressure means is configured for applying the force only to a perimeter of the stack.
17. An apparatus as recited in claim 16 wherein:
- the horizontal restraining means includes first and second side walls spaced apart to form a channel; and
- the vertical restraining means includes a base and first and second protrusions each extending inwards from the first and second walls.
18. An apparatus as recited in claim 17 wherein the pressure means is attached to the base.
19. An apparatus as recited in claim 18 wherein the pressure means includes a first resilient member disposed at a first end of the channel and a second resilient member disposed at a second end of the channel.
20. An apparatus as recited in claim 18 wherein the pressure means includes a first resilient member disposed on the base opposite the first protrusion and a second resilient member disposed on the base opposite the second protrusion.
21. An apparatus as recited in claim 17 wherein the pressure means is attached to the first and second protrusions.
22. An apparatus as recited in claim 21 wherein the pressure means includes a first resilient member attached to the first protrusion and a second resilient member attached to the second protrusion.
23. A method of holding a plurality of integrated circuits within pockets of a tray, and wherein the tray has a cover disposed thereover so that the tray and the cover form a stack, the method comprising the steps of:
- inserting the plurality of integrated circuits within the pockets of the tray;
- covering the tray with the cover to form the stack; and
- clamping the stack by applying a force only at a perimeter of the stack using a one-piece re-usable assembly, the step of clamping applying the force at opposite ends of the stack to maintain stability of the stack and ensuring that the integrated circuits maintain disposed within the pockets of the tray.
24. An apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said pressure is additionally applied to a non-perimeter area.
25. An apparatus as recited in claim 16 wherein a force is additionally applied to a non-perimeter area.
26. A method as recited in claim 23 wherein pressure is additionally applied to a non-perimeter area.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 14, 2003
Publication Date: Jan 20, 2005
Inventors: James Pylant (Temecula, CA), Scott Bradley (Carlsbad, CA), Alan Waber (Wildomar, CA)
Application Number: 10/620,282