EP0109825A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic device for clinching electronic components to printed circuit boards
Assignee: PLESSEY TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND OFFICE SYSTEMS Ltd
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Filing: 1983-11-16
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2003-11-16
Abstract
Abstract A device for clinching electronic components mounted onto a printed circuit board to prevent them from becoming dislodged from the board before they can be soldered. A fixture plate supports a plurality of clinch blocks removably array in the pattern of in which the components are to be mounted on the board. The drilled and etched circuit board is supported above, and spaced apart from, the fixture plate and clinch blocks. An elevator raises the fixture plate until the clinch blocks are in juxtaposition below the circuit board. As each component is mounted onto the board, the leads extending through the board contact.the clinch blocks and are bent thereby in opposite directions. This prevents the leads from slipping out of the holes, clinching the components to the board. After all of the components are mounted onto the board, the elevator lowers the fixture plate and clinch blocks, allowing the board to be moved to the next manufacturing location.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph J. Camuso
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 11:24
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05K; H05K13/00; H05K13/04; H05K13/0473
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
A clinch unit for use in an apparatus for mounting components onto a planar support member in a predetermined pattern, the components having bendable members for extending through apertures formed in said planar support member, the clinch unit comprising: A. planar base means adapted to be located below and spaced apart from the planar support member; B. a plurality of block means removably arrayed over the surface of said planar base means and supported thereby in fixed relation to the pattern in which the components are to be mounted onto the planar support member; and C. elevator means for raising said planar base means toward the planar support member and then lowering said planar base means away from the planar support member when the components are mounted onto the planar support member, so that the block means intercept and bend the bendable members in opposite directions to clinch the components onto the planar support member and preventing them from becoming dislodged therefrom.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
162 words
A clinch unit for use in an apparatus for mounting components onto a planar support member in a predetermined pattern, the components having bendable members for extending through apertures formed in said planar support member, the clinch unit comprising: A. planar base means adapted to be located below and spaced apart from the planar support member; B. a plurality of block means removably arrayed over the surface of said planar base means and supported thereby in fixed relation to the pattern in which the components are to be mounted onto the planar support member; and C. elevator means for raising said planar base means toward the planar support member and then lowering said planar base means away from the planar support member when the components are mounted onto the planar support member, so that the block means intercept and bend the bendable members in opposite directions to clinch the components onto the planar support member and preventing them from becoming dislodged therefrom.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
A clinch unit as defined in claim 1 wherein said elevator means includes means for raising and lowering said planar base means after each component is mounted onto the planar support member, to thereby clinch each component to the planar support member after it is mounted onto the planar support member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
A clinch unit as defined in claim 1 wherein the planar base means has means defining a plurality of apertures arrayed thereover, and each of said block means includes mating means for extending into at least one of said apertures to thereby hold said block means in fixed relation to a component mounted on the planar support member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
A clinch unit as defined in claim 1 wherein at least one block means has a semi-cylindrical face pointing toward the planar support member, so that when the planar base means is raised the semi-cylindrical face of said block means intercepts the bendable members and bends them to clinch the the component onto the planar support member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
114 words
A clinch unit as defined in claim 1 wherein said elevator means includes: A. two opposing guide means situated on opposite sides of said planar base means; B. incline means attached to each of said opposing guide means and including an incline surface extending beneath said planar base means; and C. reciprocating means connected to both of said opposing guide means to move said opposing guide means together or apart simultaneously, moving the opposing guide means together causing the incline means to extend further beneath the planar base means thereby raising it, and moving the opposing guide means apart causing the incline means to retract from underneath the planar base means thereby lowering it.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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