US4232815A — Integrated circuit lead coupling device and method

Claim 1

Independent Claim 133 words

A method for coupling leads to integrated circuit packages comprising the steps of: (i) providing a lead frame rail member comprising a plurality of resilient leads coupled to a first rail and a plurality of resilient leads coupled to a second rail, said first rail coupled to said second rail such that leads of said first rail are separated from and oppose said leads of said second rail; (ii) spreading the leads of each said rail away from the opposing leads of the other rail; (iii) placing an integrated circuit package between said opposing leads at intervals along the length of said lead frame rail member; (iv) releasing said leads whereby a plurality of said leads resiliently engage each said integrated circuit package; and (v) affixed said leads to said integrated circuit packages.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 133 words

A method for coupling leads to integrated circuit packages comprising the steps of: (i) providing a lead frame rail member comprising a plurality of resilient leads coupled to a first rail and a plurality of resilient leads coupled to a second rail, said first rail coupled to said second rail such that leads of said first rail are separated from and oppose said leads of said second rail; (ii) spreading the leads of each said rail away from the opposing leads of the other rail; (iii) placing an integrated circuit package between said opposing leads at intervals along the length of said lead frame rail member; (iv) releasing said leads whereby a plurality of said leads resiliently engage each said integrated circuit package; and (v) affixed said leads to said integrated circuit packages.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 29 words

The method of claim 1 wherein the inner portions of said resillient leads are precoated with a material to provide fixation of said leads to said integrated circuit packages.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 22 words

The method of claim 2 wherein said material is solder and said leads are affixed to said package by means of heat.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 29 words

The method of claim 2 wherein said material provides a brazing of said leads to said integrated circuit package following the application of heat to said leads and package.

Claim 6

Independent Claim 164 words

A method for coupling leads to integrated circuit packages comprising the steps of: (i) providing a lead frame rail member comprising a plurality of resilient leads coupled to a first rail and a plurality of resilient leads coupled to a second rail, said first rail coupled to said second rail such that leads of said first rail are separated from and oppose said leads of said second rail; (ii) spreading the leads of each said rail away from the opposing leads of the other rail; (iii) placing coupling material within the area between said opposing leads and adjacent said leads; (iv) placing an integrated circuit package between said opposing leads at intervals along the length of said lead frame rail member; (v) releasing said leads whereby a plurality of said leads resiliently engage said coupling material and thereby clamp said coupling material between said leads and said package; and (vi) affixing said leads to said integrated circuit package by means of said coupling material.

Claim 7

Independent Claim 164 words

A method for coupling leads to integrated circuit packages comprising the steps of: (i) providing a lead frame rail member comprising a plurality of resilient leads coupled to a first rail and a plurality of resilient leads coupled to a second rail, said first rail coupled to said second rail such that leads of said first rail are separated from and oppose said leads of said second rail; (ii) spreading the leads of each said rail away from the opposing leads of the other rail; (iii) placing coupling material within the area between said opposing leads and adjacent said leads; (iv) placing an integrated circuit package between said opposing leads at intervals along the length of said lead frame rail member; (v) releasing said leads whereby a plurality of said leads resiliently engage said coupling material and thereby clamp said coupling material between said leads and said package; and (vi) affixing said leads to said integrated circuit package by means of said coupling material.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 21 words

The method of claim 5 wherein said coupling material is solder and said leads are affixed to said package by heat.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 30 words

The method of claim 5 wherein said coupling material provides a brazing of said leads to said integrated package following the application of heat to said leads and said package.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 16 words

The method of claim 5 wherein said coupling material is in the form of a wire.

Claim 11

Independent Claim 185 words

A device for coupling leads to integrated circuit packages utilizing lead frame rail members, said rail members having a plurality of resilient leads attached to a first rail and a plurality of resilient leads attached to a second rail, said first rail attached to said second rail such that leads of said first rail are separated from and oppose said leads of said second rail, said device comprising: (i) a main frame; (ii) spreading means coupled to said main frame and selectively engaging said leads for spreading said leads of each said rail away from the opposing leads of the other rail such that an integrated circuit package can be inserted between said opposing leads at intervals along the length of said lead frame rail member; (iii) insertion means coupled to said main frame for inserting coupling material between said integrated circuit packages and said leads; and (iv) releasing means coupled to said main frame for releasing said leads of each said rail member such that said leads resiliently engage said coupling material and thereby clamp said coupling material between said leads and said package.

Claim 12

Independent Claim 185 words

A device for coupling leads to integrated circuit packages utilizing lead frame rail members, said rail members having a plurality of resilient leads attached to a first rail and a plurality of resilient leads attached to a second rail, said first rail attached to said second rail such that leads of said first rail are separated from and oppose said leads of said second rail, said device comprising: (i) a main frame; (ii) spreading means coupled to said main frame and selectively engaging said leads for spreading said leads of each said rail away from the opposing leads of the other rail such that an integrated circuit package can be inserted between said opposing leads at intervals along the length of said lead frame rail member; (iii) insertion means coupled to said main frame for inserting coupling material between said integrated circuit packages and said leads; and (iv) releasing means coupled to said main frame for releasing said leads of each said rail member such that said leads resiliently engage said coupling material and thereby clamp said coupling material between said leads and said package.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 29 words

The device of claim 9 wherein said spreading means and said releasing means comprise an elongated member disposed between said opposing leads and adapted to expand and contract laterally.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 39 words

The device of claim 10 wherein said elongated member comprises two elongated portions adapted to move laterally apart so as to separate further said opposing leads and adapted to move laterally together so as to release said opposing leads.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 15 words

The device of claim 11 wherein said elongated portions are moved laterally by hydraulic means.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 48 words

The device of claim 9 wherein said coupling material is a wirelike material and said insertion means comprises a wire guiding means for guiding at least one said wirelike material into a position such that said material can be inserted between said integrated circuit packages and said leads.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 87 words

The device of claim 13 wherein said wire guiding means comprises: (i) an elongated support member; (ii) a clamp member adapted to selectively secure at least one said wirelike material; and (iii) a guide member slideably disposed on said support member and adapted to selectively grasp and guide at least one said wirelike material to said clamp member whereby said wirelike material is tensioned between said clamp member and said guide member so as to be available for insertion between said integrated circuit packages and said leads.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 36 words

The device of claim 14 wherein said insertion means further comprises positioning means for positioning said lead frame rail member in such a manner that said wirelike material is adjacent the interior surface of said leads.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 41 words

The device of claim 15 wherein said positioning means is adapted to move sequentially said lead frame rail member laterally under said wirelike material and then vertically such that said wirelike material is inserted adjacent the interior surface of said leads.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 29 words

The device of claim 9 further comprising steering means for guiding said integrated circuit packages into said lead frame rail member, said steering means coupled to said main frame.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 55 words

The device of claim 17 wherein said steering means comprises an elongated member having a plurality of apertures, said apertures being slightly larger than said integrated circuit packages and disposed above said lead frame rail member whereby packages placed in said apertures are guided into said lead frame rail member and between opposing leads thereof.

Claim 22

Independent Claim 155 words

A device for coupling leads to integrated circuit packages utilizing lead frame rail members, said rail members having a plurality of resilient leads attached to a first rail and a plurality of resilient leads attached to a second rail, said first rail attached to said second rail such that leads of said first rail are separated from and oppose said leads of said second rail, said device comprising: (i) a main frame; (ii) spreading means coupled to said main frame and selectively engaging said leads for spreading said leads of each said rail away from the opposing leads of the other rail such that an integrated circuit package can be inserted between said opposing leads at intervals along the length of said lead frame rail member; and (iii) releasing means coupled to said main frame for releasing said leads of each said rail member such that said leads resiliently engage each said integrated circuit package.

Claim 23

Independent Claim 155 words

A device for coupling leads to integrated circuit packages utilizing lead frame rail members, said rail members having a plurality of resilient leads attached to a first rail and a plurality of resilient leads attached to a second rail, said first rail attached to said second rail such that leads of said first rail are separated from and oppose said leads of said second rail, said device comprising: (i) a main frame; (ii) spreading means coupled to said main frame and selectively engaging said leads for spreading said leads of each said rail away from the opposing leads of the other rail such that an integrated circuit package can be inserted between said opposing leads at intervals along the length of said lead frame rail member; and (iii) releasing means coupled to said main frame for releasing said leads of each said rail member such that said leads resiliently engage each said integrated circuit package.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 31 words

The device of claim 19 wherein said spreading means and said releasing means comprise an elongated member adapted to be disposed between said opposing leads and to expand and contract laterally.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 39 words

The device of claim 20 wherein said elongated member comprises two elongated portions adapted to move laterally apart so as to separate further said opposing leads and adapted to move laterally together so as to release said opposing leads.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 15 words

The device of claim 21 wherein said elongated portions are moved laterally by hydraulic means.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 33 words

The device of claim 19 wherein the inner portions of said resilient leads of said rail members are precoated with a material to provide fixation of said leads to said integrated circuit packages.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 29 words

The device of claim 19 further comprising steering means for guiding said integrated circuit packages into said lead frame rail member, said steering means coupled to said main frame.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 55 words

The device of claim 24 wherein said steering means comprises an elongated member having a plurality of apertures, said apertures being slightly larger than said integrated circuit packages and disposed above said lead frame rail member whereby packages placed in said apertures are guided into said lead frame rail member and between opposing leads thereof.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 114 words

A lead frame rail member for use in coupling leads to a plurality of integrated circuit packages comprising: (i) a first rail; (ii) a second rail coupled to said first rail, said first and second rails at least as long as two said integrated circuit packages; and (iii) a plurality of resilient leads coupled to said first and second rails such that leads of said first rail are separated from and oppose said leads of said second rail, whereby at least two integrated circuit packages can be placed along the length of said first and second rails between said resilient leads said resilient leads bearing upon said packages by the resiliency of said leads.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 114 words

A lead frame rail member for use in coupling leads to a plurality of integrated circuit packages comprising: (i) a first rail; (ii) a second rail coupled to said first rail, said first and second rails at least as long as two said integrated circuit packages; and (iii) a plurality of resilient leads coupled to said first and second rails such that leads of said first rail are separated from and oppose said leads of said second rail, whereby at least two integrated circuit packages can be placed along the length of said first and second rails between said resilient leads said resilient leads bearing upon said packages by the resiliency of said leads.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 44 words

The lead frame rail member of claim 26 wherein said first rail is coupled to said second rail by a plurality of cross members, said cross members spaced along said rail member at intervals substantially equal to the length of said integrated circuit packages.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 33 words

The lead frame rail member of claim 26 further comprising seat members coupled to and disposed between said rails so as to support and position said integrated circuit packages between said opposing leads.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 38 words

The lead frame rail member of claim 28 wherein said seat members couple said first rail to said second rail such that leads of said first rail are separated from and oppose said leads of said second rail.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1983-11-11	1984-05-12	1984-11-11	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1987-11-11	1988-05-12	1988-11-11	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1991-11-11	1992-05-12	1992-11-11	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Integrated circuit lead coupling device and method

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