US3791018A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Heating method and apparatus for securing a member to an article
Assignee: AT&T Inc
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Filing: 1971-11-16
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Granted: 1974-02-12
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Expires: 1991-11-16
Abstract
Abstract Resilient leads of an integrated circuit module are reflow soldered to circuit paths on one side of a printed wiring board having component leads protruding from its opposite side. Apparatus for accomplishing the reflow soldering includes a plurality of vertically movable metal pins, one for each lead, and a heater block which is maintained at a constant temperature. When the pins are in upper positions, lower end portions thereof are disposed in apertures in the heater block, whereby discrete quantities of heat flow from the heater block into the lower end portions. The pins then are moved downward through the apertures in the heater block so that their lower ends engage their respective leads, whereby the heat in their lower end portions melts the solder on the leads momentarily. The pins, which are individually biased, then hold the leads in bonding position until the melted solder has cooled and solidified to bond the leads to the circuit paths. Uniform support of the side of the printed wiring board from which the component leads protrude is achieved by placing it on a bed of loosely constrained, spherical members. A modified from of the apparatus may be used to secure a member to an article by staking.
Inventors
- 👤 W Johnston
- 👤 G Seaman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 21:09
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C65/00; B29C65/56; B29C65/60; B29C65/606; B23; B23K; B23K3/00; B23K3/04; B23K3/047; B29C66/00; B29C66/01; B29C66/05; B29C66/10; B29C66/11; B29C66/112; B29C66/1122; B29C66/20; B29C66/21; B29C66/40; B29C66/41; B29C66/80; B29C66/81; B29C66/814; B29C66/8141; B29C66/81411; B29C66/81421; B29C66/81423; B29C66/82; B29C66/824; B29C66/8242; B29C66/83; B29C66/832; B29C66/8322; B29C66/84; B29C66/843; B29C66/8432; H; H05; H05K; H05K3/00; H05K3/30; H05K3/32; H05K3/34; H05K3/341; H05K3/3421; B29L; B29L2031/00; B29L2031/34; B29L2031/3425; H05K2201/00; H05K2201/10; H05K2201/10613; H05K2201/10621; H05K2201/10689; H05K2203/00; H05K2203/01; H05K2203/0195; H05K3/3415; H05K3/3494; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P70/00; Y02P70/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
184 words
The method of simultaneously securing a plurality of spaced members to an article with a heat storing means, which comprises: producing a preselected quantity of heat which is sufficient to melt material adjacent each of the spaced members momentarily, and transferring the heat to the heat storing means at a position removed from the members and the article; interrupting the transfer of heat to the heat storing means at the removed position; then moving the heat storing means away from the removed position of heat transfer and engaging the heat storing means with the spaced members simultaneously so that the preselected quantity of heat in the heat storing means flows into the material adjacent the members to melt the material momentarily; maintaining the heat storing means in pressure engagement with the members to hold the members in proper position relative to the article until the melted material adjacent the members has resolidified to secure the members to the article; and removing the heat storing means from the members after the melted material adjacent the members has resolidified to secure the members to the article.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
184 words
The method of simultaneously securing a plurality of spaced members to an article with a heat storing means, which comprises: producing a preselected quantity of heat which is sufficient to melt material adjacent each of the spaced members momentarily, and transferring the heat to the heat storing means at a position removed from the members and the article; interrupting the transfer of heat to the heat storing means at the removed position; then moving the heat storing means away from the removed position of heat transfer and engaging the heat storing means with the spaced members simultaneously so that the preselected quantity of heat in the heat storing means flows into the material adjacent the members to melt the material momentarily; maintaining the heat storing means in pressure engagement with the members to hold the members in proper position relative to the article until the melted material adjacent the members has resolidified to secure the members to the article; and removing the heat storing means from the members after the melted material adjacent the members has resolidified to secure the members to the article.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
251 words
The method of simultaneously securing a plurality of spaced members to an article with a heat storing means, wherein the article has a plurality of irregular protrusions on one side thereof, which comprises: placing the side of the article having the irregular protrusions on a single-layer bed of loosely constrained, spherical members; exerting pressure on the article to cause the loosely constrained, spherical members to move laterally away from the protrusions on the article and into supporting engagement with only portions of the article between the protrusions; producing a preselected quantity of heat which is sufficient to melt material adjacent each of the spaced members momentarily, and transferring the heat to the heat storing means at a position removed from the members and the article; interrupting the transfer of heat to the heat storing means at the removed position; then moving the heat storing means away from the removed position of heat transfer and engaging the heat storing means with the spaced members simultaneously so that the preselected quantity of heat in the heat storage means flows into the material adjacent the members to melt the material momentarily; maintaining the heat storing means in pressure engagement with the members to hold the members in proper position relative to the article until the melted material adjacent the members has resolidified to secure the members to the article; and removing the heat storing means from the members after the melted material adjacent the members has resolidified to secure the memBers to the article.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
251 words
The method of simultaneously securing a plurality of spaced members to an article with a heat storing means, wherein the article has a plurality of irregular protrusions on one side thereof, which comprises: placing the side of the article having the irregular protrusions on a single-layer bed of loosely constrained, spherical members; exerting pressure on the article to cause the loosely constrained, spherical members to move laterally away from the protrusions on the article and into supporting engagement with only portions of the article between the protrusions; producing a preselected quantity of heat which is sufficient to melt material adjacent each of the spaced members momentarily, and transferring the heat to the heat storing means at a position removed from the members and the article; interrupting the transfer of heat to the heat storing means at the removed position; then moving the heat storing means away from the removed position of heat transfer and engaging the heat storing means with the spaced members simultaneously so that the preselected quantity of heat in the heat storage means flows into the material adjacent the members to melt the material momentarily; maintaining the heat storing means in pressure engagement with the members to hold the members in proper position relative to the article until the melted material adjacent the members has resolidified to secure the members to the article; and removing the heat storing means from the members after the melted material adjacent the members has resolidified to secure the memBers to the article.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
209 words
The method of simultaneously securing a plurality of spaced members to an article with a plurality of heat storing means, which comprises: producing preselected discrete quantities of heat which are sufficient to melt material adjacent respective ones of the members momentarily, and transferring the discrete quantities of heat to respective ones of the plurality of heat storing means at a position removed from the spaced members and the article; interrupting the transfer of heat to the plurality of heat storing means at the removed position; then moving the plurality of heat storing means away from the removed position of heat transfer and engaging the plurality of heat storing means with respective ones of the spaced members simultaneously so that the preselected discrete quantities of heat in the heat storing means flow into the material adjacent the members to melt the material momentarily; maintaining the plurality of heat storing means in pressure engagement with their respective members to hold the members in proper position relative to the article until the melted material adjacent the members has resolidified to secure the members to the article; and removing the plurality of heat storing means from the members after the material adjacent the members has resolidified to secure the members to the article.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
209 words
The method of simultaneously securing a plurality of spaced members to an article with a plurality of heat storing means, which comprises: producing preselected discrete quantities of heat which are sufficient to melt material adjacent respective ones of the members momentarily, and transferring the discrete quantities of heat to respective ones of the plurality of heat storing means at a position removed from the spaced members and the article; interrupting the transfer of heat to the plurality of heat storing means at the removed position; then moving the plurality of heat storing means away from the removed position of heat transfer and engaging the plurality of heat storing means with respective ones of the spaced members simultaneously so that the preselected discrete quantities of heat in the heat storing means flow into the material adjacent the members to melt the material momentarily; maintaining the plurality of heat storing means in pressure engagement with their respective members to hold the members in proper position relative to the article until the melted material adjacent the members has resolidified to secure the members to the article; and removing the plurality of heat storing means from the members after the material adjacent the members has resolidified to secure the members to the article.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
209 words
Apparatus for simultaneously securing a plurality of spaced members to an article, which comprises: heat storing means for storing a preselected quantity of heat sufficient to melt material adjacent each of the spaced members momentarily upon said heat storing means being moved into engagement with the members; means for producing the preselected quantity of heat and transferring the preselected quantity of heat to said heat storing means at a position removed from the members and the article; means for interrupting the transfer of heat to said heat storing means at the heat producing and transfer position; means for moving said heat storing means away from said heat producing and transfer means into engagement with the spaced members so that the preselected quantity of heat in said heat storing means flows into material adjacent the members and causes the material to melt momentarily; means for maintaining said heat storing means in pressure engagement with the members to hold the members in proper position relative to the article until the melted material adjacent the members has resolidified to secure the members to the article; and means for moving said heat storing means from the members after the melted material adjacent the members has resolidified to secure the members to the article.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
209 words
Apparatus for simultaneously securing a plurality of spaced members to an article, which comprises: heat storing means for storing a preselected quantity of heat sufficient to melt material adjacent each of the spaced members momentarily upon said heat storing means being moved into engagement with the members; means for producing the preselected quantity of heat and transferring the preselected quantity of heat to said heat storing means at a position removed from the members and the article; means for interrupting the transfer of heat to said heat storing means at the heat producing and transfer position; means for moving said heat storing means away from said heat producing and transfer means into engagement with the spaced members so that the preselected quantity of heat in said heat storing means flows into material adjacent the members and causes the material to melt momentarily; means for maintaining said heat storing means in pressure engagement with the members to hold the members in proper position relative to the article until the melted material adjacent the members has resolidified to secure the members to the article; and means for moving said heat storing means from the members after the melted material adjacent the members has resolidified to secure the members to the article.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
235 words
Apparatus for simultaneously securing a plurality of spaced members to an article, which comprises: a plurality of individual heat storing means, one for each of the spaced members; means for producing preselected discrete quantities of heat and transferring the preselected quantities of heat to respective ones of said heat storing means at a position removed from the members and the article, each of the preselected quantities of heat being sufficient to melt material adjacent one of the members momentarily upon its respective heat storing means being moved into engagement with the member; means for interrupting the transfer of heat to said plurality of heat storing means at the heat producing and transfer position; means for moving said plurality of heat storing means away from said heat producing and transfer means into engagement with their respective members simultaneously so that the preselected quantities of heat in said heat storing means flow into material adjacent the members and cause the material to melt momentarily; means for maintaining said plurality of heat storing means in pressure engagement with their respective members to hold the members in proper position relative to the article until the melted material adjacent the members has resolidified to secure the members to the article; and means for removing the plurality of heat storing means from their respective members after the melted material adjacent the members has resolidified to secure the members to the article.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
235 words
Apparatus for simultaneously securing a plurality of spaced members to an article, which comprises: a plurality of individual heat storing means, one for each of the spaced members; means for producing preselected discrete quantities of heat and transferring the preselected quantities of heat to respective ones of said heat storing means at a position removed from the members and the article, each of the preselected quantities of heat being sufficient to melt material adjacent one of the members momentarily upon its respective heat storing means being moved into engagement with the member; means for interrupting the transfer of heat to said plurality of heat storing means at the heat producing and transfer position; means for moving said plurality of heat storing means away from said heat producing and transfer means into engagement with their respective members simultaneously so that the preselected quantities of heat in said heat storing means flow into material adjacent the members and cause the material to melt momentarily; means for maintaining said plurality of heat storing means in pressure engagement with their respective members to hold the members in proper position relative to the article until the melted material adjacent the members has resolidified to secure the members to the article; and means for removing the plurality of heat storing means from their respective members after the melted material adjacent the members has resolidified to secure the members to the article.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
98 words
Apparatus for simultaneously securing a plurality of spaced members to an article, as recited in claim 4, in which the plurality of members are located along respective sides of a carrying member, which further comprises: means for feeding the carrying member and the plurality of members thereon relative to said heat storing means and into position adjacent the article in oriented relationship with respect to the article, said feeding means subsequently holding the carrying member and the plurality of members in their oriented relationship with respect to the article during the securing of the members to the article.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
145 words
Apparatus for simultaneously securing a plurality of spaced members to an article, as recited in claim 4, in which: said heat producing and transfer means includes a heater block having a plurality of apertures therethrough; said heat producing and transfer means includes means for controlling the temperature of said heater block at a preselected constant value; and said heat storing means includes a plurality of elgonated pins disposed in the apertures in said heater block and having end portions of heat conducting material, said pins being movable longitudinally in the apertures between positions in which the end portions of said pins are disposed in the apertures for the reception of preselected discrete quantities of heat from said heater block, and positions in which the end portions of said pins are engaged with respective ones of the members for securing of the members to the article.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
56 words
Apparatus for simultaneously securing a plurality of spaced members to an article, as recited in claim 7, which further comprises: individual resilient means for urging each of said pins into engagement with a respective member whereby the members are urged into firm engagement with the article independently of one another and in a substantially uniform manner.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
50 words
Apparatus for simultaneously securing a plurality of spaced members to an article, as recited in claim 7, in which: said pins include means for substantially precluding the flow of heat from said heater block to the end portions of said pins when the end portions are engaged with the members.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
116 words
The method of simultaneously securing a plurality of spaced members to an article with a heat storing means, as recited in claim 1, which further comprises: transferring the preselected quantity of heat to the heat storing means at a position removed from the members and the article by positioning the heat storing means adjacent a constant heat source; interrupting the transfer of heat to the heat storing means by moving the heat storing means away from the constant heat source and toward the members and the article; and returning the heat storing means to a position adjacent the constant heat source after the material adjacent the members has resolidified to secure the members to the article.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
140 words
The method of simultaneously securing a plurality of spaced members to an article with a heat storing means, as recited in claim 10, which further comprises: transferring preselected discrete quantities of heat to respective ones of a plurality of heat storing means at a position removed from the members and the article by surrounding each of the heat storing means with the constant heat source; engaging the plurality of heat storing means with respective ones of the members so that the preselected discrete quantities of heat flow into the material adjacent the members to melt the material momentarily; and maintaining the plurality of heat storing means in pressure engagement with their respective members to hold the members in proper positions relative to the article until the melted material adjacent the members has resolidified to secure the members to the article.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of simultaneously securing a plurality of spaced members to an article, as recited in claim 11, which further comprises: urging the plurality of heat storing means into engagement with the respective members independently of one another.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
315 words
The method of simultaneously reflow soldering a set of relatively resilient leads projecting from a circuit module, to a set of leads on a circuit board, with a heat storing means, wherein at least one of the sets of leads has overlays of solder on the leads, which comprises: feeding the circuit module relative to the heat storing means into a position on the circuit board in which the resilient leads of the circuit module are aligned with and superimposed on respective ones of the leads of the circuit board; forcibly holding the circuit module against movement out of position with respect to the circuit board; transferring a preselected quantity of heat to the heat storing means at a position removed from the aligned and superimposed leads of the circuit module and the circuit board, by positioning the heat storing means adjacent a constant heat source; interrupting the transfer of heat to the heat storing means by moving the heat storing means away from the constant heat source toward the aligned and superimposed leads of the circuit module and the circuit board; immediately engaging the heat storing means with the resilient leads on the circuit module so that the preselected quantity of heat in the heat storing means flows into the overlays of solder on the leads in the one set of leads to melt the solder momentarily; maintaining the heat storing means in pressure engagement with the resilient leads of the circuit module to hold the leads in proper position relative to the leads on the circuit board until the melted solder has resolidified to secure the leads together; removing the heat storing means from the relatively resilient leads of the circuit module after the melted solder has resolidified to secure the leads to the leads on the circuit board; and returning the heat storing means to a position adjacent the constant heat source.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
315 words
The method of simultaneously reflow soldering a set of relatively resilient leads projecting from a circuit module, to a set of leads on a circuit board, with a heat storing means, wherein at least one of the sets of leads has overlays of solder on the leads, which comprises: feeding the circuit module relative to the heat storing means into a position on the circuit board in which the resilient leads of the circuit module are aligned with and superimposed on respective ones of the leads of the circuit board; forcibly holding the circuit module against movement out of position with respect to the circuit board; transferring a preselected quantity of heat to the heat storing means at a position removed from the aligned and superimposed leads of the circuit module and the circuit board, by positioning the heat storing means adjacent a constant heat source; interrupting the transfer of heat to the heat storing means by moving the heat storing means away from the constant heat source toward the aligned and superimposed leads of the circuit module and the circuit board; immediately engaging the heat storing means with the resilient leads on the circuit module so that the preselected quantity of heat in the heat storing means flows into the overlays of solder on the leads in the one set of leads to melt the solder momentarily; maintaining the heat storing means in pressure engagement with the resilient leads of the circuit module to hold the leads in proper position relative to the leads on the circuit board until the melted solder has resolidified to secure the leads together; removing the heat storing means from the relatively resilient leads of the circuit module after the melted solder has resolidified to secure the leads to the leads on the circuit board; and returning the heat storing means to a position adjacent the constant heat source.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
204 words
The method of simultaneously reflow soldering a set of relatively resilient leads projecting from a circuit module, to a set of leads on a circuit board with a heat storing means, as recited in claim 13, wherein the leads are arranged in rows adjacent respective sides of the circuit module, which further comprises: transferring preselected discrete quantities of heat to respective ones of a plurality of spaced heat storing means arranged in rows at a position removed from the aligned and superimposed leads of the circuit module and the circuit board, by surrounding each of the heat storing means with a constant heat source; engaging the plurality of heat storing means with respective ones of the resilient leads of the circuit module so that the preselected discrete quantities of heat in the heat storing means flow into respective ones of the overlays of solder on the leads in the one set of leads to melt the solder momentarily; and maintaining the plurality of heat storing means in pressure engagement with their respective resilient leads on the circuit module to hold the leads in proper position relative to the leads on the circuit board until the melted solder has resolidified to secure the leads together.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method of simultaneously reflow soldering a set of relatively resilient leads projecting from a circuit module, to a set of leads on a circuit board with a heat storing means, as recited in claim 14, which further comprises: urging the plurality of heat storing means into engagement with their respective resilient leads on the circuit module independently of one another.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-02-11 | 1977-08-13 | 1978-02-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-11 | 1981-08-13 | 1982-02-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-11 | 1985-08-13 | 1986-02-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |