US3662456A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flexible circuit aligning fixture
Assignee: Unisys Corp
•
Filing: 1970-05-27
•
Granted: 1972-05-16
•
Expires: 1990-05-27
Abstract
Abstract A fixture for aligning elongate flexible tapes containing electrical conductors. The tapes are accurately adjusted longitudinally and transversely, and are arranged in a lattice which later is to become part of a thin film magnetic memory apparatus. The tapes are held securely in the lattice so that undesirable shifting of the tapes is eliminated or substantially reduced.
Inventors
- 👤 Allan F Walter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 19:48
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05K; H05K3/00; H05K3/30; H05K3/32; H05K13/00; H05K13/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
Apparatus for aligning an elongate flexible tape containing flat flexible electrical conductors comprising a framework having opposite spaced mounting portions, first and second clamping means each supported on one of said mounting portions for securing an end portion of said tape, at least one of said clamping means being pivotally supported on a pivot, a first aligning surface, and first adjusting means for adjusting the opposite clamping means which is opposite to a pivoted clamping means so as to move said tape and said opposite clamping means in an arc about said pivot so as to bring said conductors into closer alignment with said first aligning surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
107 words
Apparatus for aligning an elongate flexible tape containing flat flexible electrical conductors comprising a framework having opposite spaced mounting portions, first and second clamping means each supported on one of said mounting portions for securing an end portion of said tape, at least one of said clamping means being pivotally supported on a pivot, a first aligning surface, and first adjusting means for adjusting the opposite clamping means which is opposite to a pivoted clamping means so as to move said tape and said opposite clamping means in an arc about said pivot so as to bring said conductors into closer alignment with said first aligning surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said clamping means includes tensioning means maintaining said tape in a taut condition.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 including a second aligning surface, and wherein at least one of said clamping means includes means for moving said tape longitudinally under tension so as to bring said conductors into closer alignment with said second aligning surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
112 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein each of said clamping means is pivotally supported on a separate said pivot, there is further provided a second adjusting means for adjusting said at least one of said clamping means so as to move said tape and said at least one of said clamping means in an arc about the pivot supporting said opposite camping means so as to bring said conductors into closer alignment with said first aligning surface, and said first and second adjusting means are adjustable foR moving said tape in a direction normal to its longitudinal axis so as to bring said conductors into closer alignment with said first aligning surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
108 words
Apparatus for aligning an elongate flexible tape containing flat flexible electrical conductors comprising a frame having opposite spaced side members, first and second shafts each secured to said frame adjacent to one of said side members, first and second supporting yokes each slidably mounted on one of said shafts, first and second clamping means each coupled to one of said supporting yokes for securing an end portion of said tape, a first aligning surface, and means for moving each of said supporting yokes back and forth on the associated shaft so as to move said tape and bring said conductors into closer alignment with said first aligning surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
108 words
Apparatus for aligning an elongate flexible tape containing flat flexible electrical conductors comprising a frame having opposite spaced side members, first and second shafts each secured to said frame adjacent to one of said side members, first and second supporting yokes each slidably mounted on one of said shafts, first and second clamping means each coupled to one of said supporting yokes for securing an end portion of said tape, a first aligning surface, and means for moving each of said supporting yokes back and forth on the associated shaft so as to move said tape and bring said conductors into closer alignment with said first aligning surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein each of said clamping means is pivotally mounted on the associated supporting yoke.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
58 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein each of said side members has a guideway, and each of said clamping means comprises first and second clamp members between which an end portion of said tape is clamped, and spaced guide pins slidably passed through openings in a guiding one of said clamp members and slidably positioned in said guideway.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein each of said clamping means further comprises a pivoting yoke pivotally mounted on the associated one of said supporting yokes and secured to said guide pins.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein each of said clamping means further comprises resilient means for coupling the associated guiding clamp member to the associated pivoting yoke.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
60 words
Apparatus according to claim 9 including a second aligning surface, and wherein each of said clamping means further comprises means for moving the associated clamp members toward and away from the associated supporting yoke in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said tape so as to bring said conductors into closer alignment with said second aligning surface.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3174214A
Cited
US3257712A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-05-16 | 1975-11-15 | 1976-05-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-16 | 1979-11-15 | 1980-05-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-16 | 1983-11-15 | 1984-05-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |