US4042480A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for selectively applying a metal coating to the metallic parts of elements which pass through an insulator
Assignee: Meco Equipment Engineers BV
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Filing: 1976-04-06
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Granted: 1977-08-16
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Expires: 1996-04-06
Abstract
Abstract A process and a device for selectively applying a metal coating, more particularly of a precious metal such as gold, to the metal parts of electrical components such as transistors, diodes and similar elements passed through an insulator means are provided for immersing the parts to be coated in a chemically active electrolyte and the parts not to be coated in a chemically inactive electrolyte and connecting the two electrolytes to the opposite polarities of the current source.
Inventors
- 👤 Francis X. Noz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 00:00
CPC Classifications
C; C25; C25D; C25D7/00; C25D7/06; C25D7/0614; C25D7/0671; C25D5/00; C25D5/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
252 words
An apparatus for selectively applying a coating of a precious metal such as gold, to the metal parts of electrical components of a type having a housing in which electrical connectors have ends protruding through the sides thereof, comprising: an electrically insulated template having apertures therein for receiving said components in fluid-tight fashion whereby the parts to be coated project outwardly on one side, and the parts not to be coated project outwardly on the other side of the template, said template comprising the wall of a container and the parts not to be coated project inwardly of said container and the parts to be coated project exteriorly thereof, a chemically inactive first electrolyte partially filling said container, means for rendering said container substantially airtight, vacuum means for evacuating sufficient air from said container to produce a vacuum to hold said connectors to said template while said container is in said first position such that the first elctrolyte is not in contact with said connectors, said container being invertible from a first position to a second position, whereby when said container is inverted to said second position the first electrolyte comes into contact with said parts not to be coated, a second electrolyte which partially receives the parts to be coated when said container is in said second position, a first electrode in electrical contact with said second electrolyte, a second electrode in electrical contact with said first electrolyte, and means for connecting said first and second electrodes to a current source.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
252 words
An apparatus for selectively applying a coating of a precious metal such as gold, to the metal parts of electrical components of a type having a housing in which electrical connectors have ends protruding through the sides thereof, comprising: an electrically insulated template having apertures therein for receiving said components in fluid-tight fashion whereby the parts to be coated project outwardly on one side, and the parts not to be coated project outwardly on the other side of the template, said template comprising the wall of a container and the parts not to be coated project inwardly of said container and the parts to be coated project exteriorly thereof, a chemically inactive first electrolyte partially filling said container, means for rendering said container substantially airtight, vacuum means for evacuating sufficient air from said container to produce a vacuum to hold said connectors to said template while said container is in said first position such that the first elctrolyte is not in contact with said connectors, said container being invertible from a first position to a second position, whereby when said container is inverted to said second position the first electrolyte comes into contact with said parts not to be coated, a second electrolyte which partially receives the parts to be coated when said container is in said second position, a first electrode in electrical contact with said second electrolyte, a second electrode in electrical contact with said first electrolyte, and means for connecting said first and second electrodes to a current source.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 and including a vacuum-measuring instrument in communication with said container.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
169 words
Apparatus for continuously applying a coating of a precious metal such as gold, to the metal parts of electrical components of a type having a housing in which electrical connectors have ends protruding through the sides thereof comprising: a roller mounted for rotation and having a groove around its periphery, a tank, a first electrolyte in said tank, said roller being partially immersed in said first electrolyte, a flexible strip having apertures therein for receiving the components to be coated in fluid-tight fashion, means for guiding said strip into contact with the periphery of said roller at least on that portion of the roller immersed in said first electrolyte, said strip in combination with said components and said groove forming a fluid-tight chamber in said roller at least in the area of the roller that is immersed in said first electrolyte, a second electrolyte in said chamber, first and second electrodes in said first and second electrolytes respectively, and a current source connected to said first and second electrolytes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
169 words
Apparatus for continuously applying a coating of a precious metal such as gold, to the metal parts of electrical components of a type having a housing in which electrical connectors have ends protruding through the sides thereof comprising: a roller mounted for rotation and having a groove around its periphery, a tank, a first electrolyte in said tank, said roller being partially immersed in said first electrolyte, a flexible strip having apertures therein for receiving the components to be coated in fluid-tight fashion, means for guiding said strip into contact with the periphery of said roller at least on that portion of the roller immersed in said first electrolyte, said strip in combination with said components and said groove forming a fluid-tight chamber in said roller at least in the area of the roller that is immersed in said first electrolyte, a second electrolyte in said chamber, first and second electrodes in said first and second electrolytes respectively, and a current source connected to said first and second electrolytes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said first electrolyte in said tank contains the coating material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said strip is endless, and said means for guiding are guide rollers suitably placed in relation to said roller.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-08-15 | 1981-02-14 | 1981-08-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-08-15 | 1985-02-14 | 1985-08-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-08-15 | 1989-02-14 | 1989-08-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |