US5115905A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Magnetically secured conveyor system for printed circuit assemblies
Assignee: Hewlett Packard Development Co LP
•
Filing: 1991-08-02
•
Granted: 1992-05-26
•
Expires: 2011-08-02
Abstract
Abstract An improvement to a conveyor system is disclosed which comprises a system of magnets and removable ferromagnetic strips which may be easily attached to Printed Circuit Assemblies (PCA's). In one preferred embodiment, the magnets are mounted to brackets which are bolted to the conveyor chain. These magnet assemblies act to secure the PCA's which have clip-on stiffeners affixed to their leading edges. The PCA's are thereby prevented from sliding on the conveyor chain as it moves up and down inclines. The likelihood of damage to PCA's on the conveyor system is thus reduced. The PCA's are released from the magnet assemblies by the shearing action produced by the conveyor chain as it rounds the return roller at the end of the coveyor line.
Inventors
- 👤 II Lawrence E. Hollinger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 10:15
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05K; H05K13/00; H05K13/0061; B; B65; B65G; B65G17/00; B65G17/30; B65G17/46; B65G2201/00; B65G2201/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
70 words
A conveyor system comprising: a conveyor belt; at least one magnet attached to the conveyor belt such that the major axis of the lines of magnetic flux is substantially perpendicular to the surface of the conveyor belt; a printed circuit assembly having a magnetically attracted assembly affixed to at least one edge such that when conveyed on the conveyor belt the magnetically attracted assembly is in contact with the magnet.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
70 words
A conveyor system comprising: a conveyor belt; at least one magnet attached to the conveyor belt such that the major axis of the lines of magnetic flux is substantially perpendicular to the surface of the conveyor belt; a printed circuit assembly having a magnetically attracted assembly affixed to at least one edge such that when conveyed on the conveyor belt the magnetically attracted assembly is in contact with the magnet.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A conveyor system as recited in claim 1 wherein the conveyor belt comprises a wire mesh and the magnet is attached thereto by means of clips which engage the wire mesh.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A conveyor system as recited in claim 1 wherein the magnetically attracted assembly comprises a clip-on printed circuit board stiffener.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
A conveyor system as recited in claim 1 wherein the magnetically attracted assembly comprises a clip-on printed circuit board stiffener having a strip of magnetically attracted material affixed to at least one edge thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A conveyor system as recited in claim 4 wherein the magnetically attracted material is 400 series stainless steel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A conveyor system as recited in claim 1 wherein the magnet is attached to a wire bail projecting from the surface of the conveyor belt.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
84 words
A conveyor system comprising: a conveyor belt; at least one magnetically attracted stop attached to the conveyor belt substantially perpendicular to the surface of the conveyor belt; a printed circuit assembly having a magnet releasably affixed to at least one edge such that when the printed circuit assembly is lying on the conveyor belt the magnet is in contact with the magnetically attracted stop and the major axis of the lines of magnetic flux is substantially perpendicular to the surface of the conveyor belt.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
84 words
A conveyor system comprising: a conveyor belt; at least one magnetically attracted stop attached to the conveyor belt substantially perpendicular to the surface of the conveyor belt; a printed circuit assembly having a magnet releasably affixed to at least one edge such that when the printed circuit assembly is lying on the conveyor belt the magnet is in contact with the magnetically attracted stop and the major axis of the lines of magnetic flux is substantially perpendicular to the surface of the conveyor belt.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
A conveyor system as recited in claim 7 wherein the conveyor belt comprises a wire mesh and the magnetically attracted stop is attached thereto by means of clips which engage the wire mesh.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
A conveyor system as recited in claim 7 wherein the magnet is affixed to a clip-on printed circuit board stiffener.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
A conveyor system as recited in claim 7 wherein the magnetically attracted stop is at least partially fabricated from 400 series stainless steel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
A conveyor system as recited in claim 7 wherein the magnetically attracted stop is attached to a wire bail projecting from the surface of the conveyor belt.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1453022A
Cited
US1841339A
Cited
US2136363A
Cited
US2372685A
Cited
US2806396A
Cited
US3107001A
Cited
US3357559A
Cited
US3526207A
Cited
US3621979A
Cited
US3633737A
Cited
US3578144A
Cited
US3631962A
Cited
US3767034A
Cited
US3750862A
Cited
US3734269A
Cited
US3871510A
Cited
JPS54113172A
Cited
EP0120140A1
Cited
US4697693A
Cited
US4635788A
Cited
US4643129A
Cited
US4850542A
Cited
SU1437310A1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-05-26 | 1995-11-25 | 1996-05-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-05-26 | 1999-11-25 | 2000-05-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-05-26 | 2003-11-25 | 2004-05-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |