US4958053A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Carrier tape and method of manufacturing the same
Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc
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Filing: 1988-05-17
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Granted: 1990-09-18
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Expires: 2008-05-17
Abstract
Abstract An improved carrier tape is provided comprising a cover strip and a base strip formed of a plastic material and designed to mechanically interlock with each other. The cover strip includes a top surface from which opposed sidewalls extend downwardly. The spacing between at least portions of the sidewalls is substantially equal to the width of the base strip so as to engage the sidewalls of the base strip in a mechanical interlock. At least one of the sidewalls includes a segment extending outwardly away from the other sidewall so as to define a camming surface to which a force may conveniently be applied to urge the sidewalls apart and thereby facilitate the application of or removal of the cover strip from the base strip. The cover strip may further be provided with a hump which, in cross section, has a dovetail configuration. A method for forming the cover strip and work piece used in practicing the method are also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Hugo Boeckmann
- 👤 Donald Van Erden
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 22:40
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D73/00; B65D73/02; H; H05; H05K; H05K13/00; H05K13/003
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
A carrier tape comprising: an elongated base strip; an elongated cover strip formed of a resilient plastic material generally coextensive in length with said base strip, said cover strip having a top surface, opposed sidewalls extending downwardly from said top surface and having at least portions spaced apart from each other a distance substantially equal to the width of said base strip; and, means integrally formed with said cover strip for biasing said sidewall portions toward each other in response to a downward force applied to said cover strip top surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
91 words
A carrier tape comprising: an elongated base strip; an elongated cover strip formed of a resilient plastic material generally coextensive in length with said base strip, said cover strip having a top surface, opposed sidewalls extending downwardly from said top surface and having at least portions spaced apart from each other a distance substantially equal to the width of said base strip; and, means integrally formed with said cover strip for biasing said sidewall portions toward each other in response to a downward force applied to said cover strip top surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said biasing means comprises a hump projecting upwardly from said top surface extending longitudinally, parallel to said sidewalls, said hump having a dovetail configuration in cross-section.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
The invention in accordance with claim 2 wherein each of said sidewalls includes a segment which extends downwardly and inwardly toward the other sidewall and at least one of the sidewalls includes an additional segment which further extends downwardly and outwardly away from the other sidewall.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The invention in accordance with claim 3 wherein the inwardly directed segments of said sidewalls include sections spaced apart from each other a distance less than the width of said base strip.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention in accordance with claim 2 wherein each of said sidewalls includes an additional segment which extends downwardly and outwardly from its associated inwardly directed segment.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention in accordance with claim 2 wherein said base strip includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced, downwardly extending component cavities therein.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention in accordance with claim 2 wherein said base strip includes a plurality of spaced sprocket holes therein.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention in accordance with claim 7 wherein said sprocket holes are aligned with said cover strip hump.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
115 words
A carrier tape comprising: an elongated base strip; an elongated cover strip formed of a resilient plastic material generally coextensive in length with said base strip, said cover strip having a top surface, opposed longitudinally extending sidewalls each including first segments extending downwardly from said top surface, said first segments having portions spaced apart from each other a distance substantially equal to the width of said base strip; and, at least one of said sidewalls including an additional longitudinally extending segment which further extends downwardly and outwardly, away from the other sidewall to provide a camming surface to which an outwardly directed force may be applied to further separate said first segments from each other.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
115 words
A carrier tape comprising: an elongated base strip; an elongated cover strip formed of a resilient plastic material generally coextensive in length with said base strip, said cover strip having a top surface, opposed longitudinally extending sidewalls each including first segments extending downwardly from said top surface, said first segments having portions spaced apart from each other a distance substantially equal to the width of said base strip; and, at least one of said sidewalls including an additional longitudinally extending segment which further extends downwardly and outwardly, away from the other sidewall to provide a camming surface to which an outwardly directed force may be applied to further separate said first segments from each other.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention in accordance with claim 9 wherein the other sidewall includes an additional segment that extends downwardly and outwardly away from said one sidewall.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention in accordance with claim 10 wherein said cover strip includes a longitudinally extending hump projecting upwardly from said top surface.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention in accordance with claim 11 wherein said base strip includes a plurality of spaced sprocket holes therein.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention in accordance with claim 12 wherein said sprocket holes are aligned with said cover strip hump.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention in accordance with claim 9 wherein said base strip includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced, downwardly extending component cavities therein.
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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) | 1993-09-17 | 1994-03-19 | 1994-09-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-09-17 | 1998-03-19 | 1998-09-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-09-17 | 2002-03-19 | 2002-09-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |