US4822467A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Disk plating system
Assignee: Hewlett Packard Development Co LP
•
Filing: 1987-10-27
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Granted: 1989-04-18
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Expires: 2007-10-27
Abstract
Abstract The invention is an electroplating apparatus which partially submerges disks in the electrolytic solution, and provides electrical contact to the portions of the disk protruding above the solution. The disks are rotated during plating such that successive portions of the disk emerge from the solution, contact the electrical contact and then re-enter the solution. The disks are inserted into individual disk holders consisting of non-conductive shielding rings attached to a common bracket. The shielding rings are hinged such that the rings may be opened to insert the disks. When the disks are enclosed in the rings, they are supported by small non-conductive support wheels rotatably mounted in the rings. The rings remain stationary as the disks are rotated. To promote even plating, selectively-coated anode sheets are interleaved with the disk holding rings such that each holder has an anode sheet on either side.
Inventors
- 👤 David Young
- 👤 Richard Lamoure
- 👤 William Bratt
- 👤 Vincent Ruscello
- 👤 John E. Wilson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 15:38
CPC Classifications
C; C25; C25D; C25D17/00; C25D17/005; C25D17/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 40
Claim 1
Independent Claim
73 words
An apparatus for use in electroplating storage disks, comprising: means for supporting a disk in a plating solution, whereby the disk is partially submerged in the plating solution; means for electrically contacting the disk at a point out of the plating solution; means for rotating the electrically contacted disk in the plating solution so that successive portions of the disk emerge from the solution, contact the contacting means and then re-enter the solution.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
73 words
An apparatus for use in electroplating storage disks, comprising: means for supporting a disk in a plating solution, whereby the disk is partially submerged in the plating solution; means for electrically contacting the disk at a point out of the plating solution; means for rotating the electrically contacted disk in the plating solution so that successive portions of the disk emerge from the solution, contact the contacting means and then re-enter the solution.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said supporting means contacts the disk on the rim of the disk.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said supporting means supports the disk so that the successive portions of the rim of the disk emerge from the plating solution and then re-enter the solution.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said supporting means comprises a non-conductive shielding ring having a diameter slightly larger than the rim of the disk, said shielding ring having a plurality of rotating wheels for supporting the disk for rotation on the wheels.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said contacting means is an electrically conductive wheel that rotates in contact with the disk.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said contacting means contacts the disk on the rim of the disk.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said shielding ring is hinged to open and close for inserting the disk in said ring and removing the disk from said ring.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said shielding ring has mounted therein said contacting conductive means, comprising an electrically conductive wheel that rotates in contact with the disk.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said shielding ring has mounted therein said rotating means, comprising a motor driven wheel that rotates the disk by frictional contact with the disk.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
67 words
An apparatus for use in electroplating storage disks, comprising: means for supporting a disk in a plating solution, whereby the disk is partially submerged in the plating solution; and means for rotating the disk and electrically contacting the disk at a point out of the plating solution so that successive portions of the disk emerge from the solution, contact the electrical contact and then re-enter the solution.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
67 words
An apparatus for use in electroplating storage disks, comprising: means for supporting a disk in a plating solution, whereby the disk is partially submerged in the plating solution; and means for rotating the disk and electrically contacting the disk at a point out of the plating solution so that successive portions of the disk emerge from the solution, contact the electrical contact and then re-enter the solution.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said supporting means contacts the disk on the rim of the disk.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The appartaus of claim 2 wherein said supporting means supports the disk so that successive portions of the rim of the disk emerge from the solution and then re-enter the solution.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said supporting means comprises a non-conductive shielding ring having a diameter slightly larger than the rim of the disk, said shielding ring having a plurality of rotating wheels supporting the disk for rotation on the wheels.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said rotating and contacting means is an electrically conductive wheel that rotates in contact with the disk.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said rotating and contacting means contacts the disk on the rim of the disk.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said shielding ring is hinged to open and close for inserting the disk in said ring and removing the disk from said ring.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said shielding ring has mounted therein said rotating and electrically conductive means, comprising an electrically conductive wheel that rotates in contact with the disk.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
81 words
An apparatus for use in electroplating storage disks, comprising: means for supporting a plurality of disks in a plating solution, whereby each disk is partially submerged in the plating solution; means for electrically contacting the disks on the portions of the disks which are out of the plating solution; and means for rotating the electrically contacted disks in the plating solution so that successive portions of the disks emerge from the solution contact the contacting means and then re-enter the solution.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
81 words
An apparatus for use in electroplating storage disks, comprising: means for supporting a plurality of disks in a plating solution, whereby each disk is partially submerged in the plating solution; means for electrically contacting the disks on the portions of the disks which are out of the plating solution; and means for rotating the electrically contacted disks in the plating solution so that successive portions of the disks emerge from the solution contact the contacting means and then re-enter the solution.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said supporting means contacts the disks on the rims of the disks.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said supporting means supports the disks so that successive portions of the rims of the disks emerge from the plating solution and then re-enter the solution.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said supporting means comprises a plurality of non-conductive shielding rings, each having: a diameter slightly larger than the rim of a disk, and a plurality of rotating wheels for supporting a disk for rotation on the wheels.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said contacting means is a plurality of electrically conductive wheels that rotate in contact with the disks, wherein one said wheel is mounted in each ring.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said contacting means contacts the disks on the rims of the disks.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said shielding rings are hinged to open and close for inserting the disks in said rings and removing the disks from said rings.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said shielding rings have mounted therein said contacting conductive means, comprising electrically conductive wheels that rotate in contact with the disks.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 25, wherein said shielding rings have mounted therein said rotating means, comprising motor driven wheels that rotate the disks by frictional contact with the disks.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 21, said apparatus further comprising selectively-coated anode sheets interleaved with said shielding rings.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
74 words
An apparatus for use in electroplating storage disks, comprising: means for supporting a plurality of disks in a plating solution, whereby the disks are partially submerged in the plating solution; and means for rotating the disks and electrically contacting the disks on the portions of the disks that are out of the plating solution so that successive portions of the disks emerge from the solution, contact the electrical contacts and then re-enter the solution.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
74 words
An apparatus for use in electroplating storage disks, comprising: means for supporting a plurality of disks in a plating solution, whereby the disks are partially submerged in the plating solution; and means for rotating the disks and electrically contacting the disks on the portions of the disks that are out of the plating solution so that successive portions of the disks emerge from the solution, contact the electrical contacts and then re-enter the solution.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 28 wherein said supporting means contacts the disks on the rims of the disks.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 29 wherein said supporting means supports the disks so that successive portions of the rims of the disks emerge from the solution and then re-enter the solution.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 29 wherein said supporting means comprises a plurality of non-conductive shielding rings, each having: a diameter slightly larger than the rim of the disk, and a plurality of rotating wheels supporting the disk for rotation on the wheels.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 27, wherein said rotating and contacting means is a plurality of electrically conductive wheels that rotate in contact with the disks.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 27, wherein said rotating and contacting means contacts the disks on the rims of the disks.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 30, wherein said shielding rings are hinged to open and close for inserting the disks in said rings and removing the disks from said rings.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
32 words
The appartus of claim 30, wherein said shielding rings have mounted therein said rotating and electrically conductive means, comprising a plurality of electrically conductive wheels that rotate in contact with the disks.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 31, said apparatus further comprising selectively-coated anode sheets interleaved with said shielding rings.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2776256A
Cited
US4415423A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-04-17 | 1992-10-17 | 1993-04-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-04-17 | 1996-10-17 | 1997-04-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-04-17 | 2000-10-17 | 2001-04-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |