US3974056A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electroplating selected portions of a strip
Assignee: Ann Arbor Circuits Inc
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Filing: 1975-05-23
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Granted: 1976-08-10
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Expires: 1995-05-23
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for electroplating selected portions of a strip comprises means for intermittently moving the strip through successive stations. Means are provided at one of the stations for selectively electroplating selected portions of the strip and comprises upper and lower press members which are movable relatively toward and away from one another. An upper mask of resilient material is provided on the upper member and a lower mask of resilient material is provided on the lower member. The lower mask has a plurality of openings therein having the configuration of the selected portion which is to be plated. When the upper and lower members are moved toward one another, the strip is gripped. The lower member has a plurality of openings therein. The openings in the lower member have their lower ends chamfered and extend to a first chamber in the lower member. A plurality of tubes are mounted in said first chamber and have their upper ends extending into the chamfered portions of the openings in the lower member. The lower member has a second chamber and an inlet to the second chamber. The second chamber communicates with the interior of the tubes such that electroplating solution may be passed through the inlet to the second chamber and, in turn, through each of the tubes to direct electroplating solution against the underside of the exposed selected portions of the strip, the solution thereafter passing along the chamfered portions to the first chamber and to an outlet from the first chamber.
Inventors
- 👤 Kurt W. Jogwick
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 22:55
CPC Classifications
C; C25; C25D; C25D7/00; C25D7/06; C25D7/0614; C25D7/0671; C25D7/0678; C25D5/00; C25D5/02; C25D17/00; C25D17/004
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
263 words
An apparatus for electroplating selected portions of a strip comprising means for intermittently moving the strip through successive stations, means at one of said stations for selectively electroplating selected portions of the strip, said last-mentioned means comprising upper and lower press members, means for moving said press members relative to one another toward and away from one another, an upper mask of resilient material on said upper member, a lower mask of resilient material on said lower member, said lower mask having a plurality of openings therein having the configuration of the selected portion which is to be plated, said mask engaging and gripping said strip when said upper and lower members are moved toward one another, said lower member having a plurality of openings therein, said lower member having a first chamber therein, an outlet from said first chamber, said openings in said lower member having their lower ends chamfered and extending to said first chamber, a plurality of tubes mounted in said first chamber and having their upper ends extending into the chamfered portions of the openings in said lower member, said lower member having a second chamber and an inlet to said second chamber, means providing communication between said second chamber and the interior of said tubes such that electroplating solution may be passed through said inlet to said second chamber and, in turn, through each of said tubes to direct electroplating solution against the underside of the exposed selected portions of the strip, said solution thereafter passing along said chamfered portions to said first chamber and to the outlets.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
263 words
An apparatus for electroplating selected portions of a strip comprising means for intermittently moving the strip through successive stations, means at one of said stations for selectively electroplating selected portions of the strip, said last-mentioned means comprising upper and lower press members, means for moving said press members relative to one another toward and away from one another, an upper mask of resilient material on said upper member, a lower mask of resilient material on said lower member, said lower mask having a plurality of openings therein having the configuration of the selected portion which is to be plated, said mask engaging and gripping said strip when said upper and lower members are moved toward one another, said lower member having a plurality of openings therein, said lower member having a first chamber therein, an outlet from said first chamber, said openings in said lower member having their lower ends chamfered and extending to said first chamber, a plurality of tubes mounted in said first chamber and having their upper ends extending into the chamfered portions of the openings in said lower member, said lower member having a second chamber and an inlet to said second chamber, means providing communication between said second chamber and the interior of said tubes such that electroplating solution may be passed through said inlet to said second chamber and, in turn, through each of said tubes to direct electroplating solution against the underside of the exposed selected portions of the strip, said solution thereafter passing along said chamfered portions to said first chamber and to the outlets.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The combination set forth in claim 1 including means for frictionally engaging and holding said strip in registry with the selected openings in said lower mask and providing an electrical contact to said strip.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The combination set forth in claim 2 wherein said means for intermittently moving said strip comprises a reciprocating gripping means alternately engaging and moving said strip for a predetermined distance in one direction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The combination set forth in claim 3 including means responsive to engagement with selected openings in said strip, said means being associated with said gripping means and operable when there is a lack of registry to interrupt the movement of said gripping means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
The combination set forth in claim 2 wherein said means for frictionally engaging said strip comprises friction rolls, said rolls being made of resilient material and having portions thereof cut away to minimize the application of pressure to the longitudinal edges of the strip.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said lower member has a removable plate forming said openings with chamfered portions such that said plate and mask can be removed and replaced with a mask and plate having selective portions with different configurations.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said tubes is axially adjustable with respect to the openings into which the upper end of the tube extends.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
68 words
The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said upper and lower member is made of three parts including a first block and a plate defining said first chamber, a distributor block removably mounted in said first block and supporting said tubes, a lower block defining said second chamber, said means providing communication between said second chamber and said tubes comprising an elongated slot in said first block.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The combination set forth in claim 8 including means surrounding said lower member and defining a collecting tank.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
66 words
The combination set forth in claim 1 including at least one solution treating tank comprising a bottom and sides for retaining treating solution, an inlet, an outlet, said sides having notches therein for guiding said strip through said solution, said tank having internal walls spaced longitudinally of the strip inwardly of said peripheral walls and having notches therein aligned with the notches in the peripheral walls.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The combination set forth in claim 10 including means engaging the peripheral walls and applying a force on said strips to retain said strips in said notches.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The combination set forth in claim 11 wherein said last-mentioned means comprises thermoplastic members.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination set forth in claim 12 wherein said members have a U-shaped cross section for engaging the upper edge of the peripheral wall.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination set forth in claim 10 wherein said internal walls are defined by a tube comprising the inlet.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
91 words
An apparatus for electroplating selected portions of a strip comprising means for intermittently moving the strip through successive stations, means at one of said stations for selectively electroplating selected portions of the strip, at least one solution treating tank comprising a bottom and sides for retaining treating solution, an inlet, an outlet, said sides having notches therein for guiding said strip through said solution, said tank having internal walls spaced longitudinally of the strip inwardly of said peripheral walls and having notches therin aligned with the notches in the peripheral walls.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
91 words
An apparatus for electroplating selected portions of a strip comprising means for intermittently moving the strip through successive stations, means at one of said stations for selectively electroplating selected portions of the strip, at least one solution treating tank comprising a bottom and sides for retaining treating solution, an inlet, an outlet, said sides having notches therein for guiding said strip through said solution, said tank having internal walls spaced longitudinally of the strip inwardly of said peripheral walls and having notches therin aligned with the notches in the peripheral walls.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
The combination set forth in claim 15 including means engaging the peripheral walls and applying a force on said strips to retain said strips in said notches.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The combination set forth in claim 16 wherein said last-mentioned means comprises thermoplastic members.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination set forth in claim 17 wherein said members have a U-shaped cross section for engaging the upper edge of the peripheral wall.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination set forth in claim 15 wherein said internal walls are defined by a tube comprising the inlet.
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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) | 1979-08-10 | 1980-02-09 | 1980-08-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-08-10 | 1984-02-09 | 1984-08-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-08-10 | 1988-02-09 | 1988-08-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |