US4770591A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for unloading a container having a matrix of storage positions
Assignee: Molex LLC
•
Filing: 1987-08-19
•
Granted: 1988-09-13
•
Expires: 2007-08-19
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is a method and apparatus for discharging serial arrays of solid components contained in a three dimensional matrix of feeding positions, into a delivery track, one serial array at a time. The matrix of feeding positions is comprised of trays each having a row of component containing channels. The trays are stacked one on top of another, and loaded in a box-like container. The container is lowered, presenting one tray at a time to a plurality of funnel-shaped discharge openings. A shuttle, capable of selectively blocking the discharge openings, is aligned with one opening at a time, and is operative to receive a serial array of components contained in a channel aligned with that opening. Upon receiving the components, the shuttle returns to a home position in alignment with the delivery track, whereupon it discharges the components into the track. The shuttle is indexed along a row of channels, one channel at a time, until the tray is emptied. Thereafter, an adjacent tray containing another row of channels is brought into alignment with the funnel-shaped apertures. The indexing of the shuttle and the trays is repeated until the entire matrix of components is unloaded into the delivery track.
Inventors
- 👤 Steven F. Wright
- 👤 Joseph Wolyn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 01:17
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05K; H05K13/00; H05K13/02; H05K13/021; B; B65; B65G; B65G65/00; H01; H01R; H01R43/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
222 words
An apparatus for unloading a plurality of electrical components to a delivery track having a loading station from a container, said apparatus comprising: a container having a front wall with a feed opening formed therein and including a matrix of electrical component-receiving channels disposed therein, each of said channels having an open front end defining channel openings at said feed opening to define a common plane including columns and rows of channel openings at said front wall, each channel extending rearwardly into the container from said feed opening and being adapted to sideably receive a longitudinal array of electrical components; and transfer means for successively transferring each array of electrical components from one channel at a time through each corresponding channel opening to said loading station, said transfer means including a shuttle assembly including a shuttle extending between said feed opening and said loading station, and having an electrical component-receiving slot including a receiving end and a discharge end, said shuttle being mounted for reciprocal movement along said feed opening; and means for alternately moving the shuttle between successive first positions wherein the receiving end of the electrical component-receiving slot is in alignment with a channel opening in one row in the feed opening and a second position wherein the discharge end is alignment with the loading station of the delivery track.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
222 words
An apparatus for unloading a plurality of electrical components to a delivery track having a loading station from a container, said apparatus comprising: a container having a front wall with a feed opening formed therein and including a matrix of electrical component-receiving channels disposed therein, each of said channels having an open front end defining channel openings at said feed opening to define a common plane including columns and rows of channel openings at said front wall, each channel extending rearwardly into the container from said feed opening and being adapted to sideably receive a longitudinal array of electrical components; and transfer means for successively transferring each array of electrical components from one channel at a time through each corresponding channel opening to said loading station, said transfer means including a shuttle assembly including a shuttle extending between said feed opening and said loading station, and having an electrical component-receiving slot including a receiving end and a discharge end, said shuttle being mounted for reciprocal movement along said feed opening; and means for alternately moving the shuttle between successive first positions wherein the receiving end of the electrical component-receiving slot is in alignment with a channel opening in one row in the feed opening and a second position wherein the discharge end is alignment with the loading station of the delivery track.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
132 words
An unloading apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said transfer means further comprises masking means for covering all but one channel opening in the feed opening said masking means including, a masking plate covering said feed opening and disposed intermediate the front end container and the electrical component receiving end of the shuttle, said making plate including a row of apertures, each aperture communicating with each channel opening in said one row in the feed opening; and a masking shutter attached at one end to one side of the electrical component-receiving end of the shuttle and mounted for cooperative movement with the shuttle, said masking shutter being of the length and width sufficient to cover each aperture in the row in the masking plate located to said one side of the shuttle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
72 words
An unloading apparatus as in claim 2 wherein said transfer means further comprises a positioning means for positioning the container so that each row or channel openings in said feed opening in successively aligned with the row of apertures in the masking plate, said positioning means including: a mounting plate adapted to receive the container, mounted for vertical movement along the masking plate; and means for raising and lowering said mounting plate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
An unloading apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said matrix of electrical component-receiving channels is provided by an aligned vertical stack of open ended trays, each tray including a floor and a plurality of upstanding guide walls defining side by said channels of generally U-shaped cross section, open at one end.
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) | 1991-09-13 | 1992-03-14 | 1992-09-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-09-13 | 1996-03-14 | 1996-09-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-09-13 | 2000-03-14 | 2000-09-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |