Soldering pen for microcircuit production

Claim 1

A soldering pen for microcircuit production, said soldering pen comprising an outer tube of substantially hollow cylindrical configuration having a predetermined diameter and length; an inner tube of substantially hollow cylindrical configuration coaxially positioned in the outer tube in radially spaced relation therewith and having a diameter smaller than that of the outer tube and a length shorter than that of the outer tube, both tubes being open at both ends, said inner tube being supported within said outer tube for axial movement relative thereto; a substantially conical cover over both tubes at one end thereof, said cover being secured to said outer tube and having an aperture formed therethrough at the apex thereof; an electric heating element in the inner tube and a substantially conical bit at the one end of the inner tube and having a pen point extending coaxially through the aperture through the cover; power supply means extending from the other end of the inner tube and outwardly through the other end of the outer tube for energizing the heating element; soldering metal in the space between the inner and outer tubes; a cap on the inner tube covering the other end thereof; a cap on the outer tube covering the other end thereof; and spring means coaxially positioned between and engaging the caps of the inner and outer tubes urging the inner tube in a direction urging the conical bit into engagement with the conical cover to close the aperture with the pen point extending out of the cover whereby when the pen point is pressed against a surface the inner tube is forced back into the outer tube against the action of the spring and enlarges the uncovered area of the aperture through the cover thereby permitting molten solder to pass through the aperture onto the pen point.