Zenith Electronics Corporation

Zenith Radio Corporation

Richard G Schmid

Carl Campisi

Michael A Fanizza

Andrew W Kaliszek

James J Reno, Jr

Elmer M Klein

Abraham Lev

Fernando E Davila

Thomas J Bradfish

An electronic component lead or tab crimping apparatus adapted for use with a conveyor system in the assembly of printed circuit (PC) boards includes an upper assembly having an upper interchangeable plate and a lower actuator plate and further includes a pneumatically actuated lower assembly. The interchangeable plate includes a plurality of spaced apertures within each of which is disposed a lead/tab engaging, crimping element. The upper assembly is initially displaced upward by the pneumatically actuated lower assembly to a position in close proximity to and in alignment with the lower surface of a PC board such that each of the crimping elements is disposed in close proximity to a lead, or leads (or tabs), of an electronic component positioned on the PC board. The lower assembly then displaces the actuator plate upward by cam action such that the actuator plate simultaneously engages and pivotally displaces the crimping elements resulting in crimping of the electronic component leads or tabs. The actuator plate of the upper assembly is then lowered by the lower assembly allowing for disengagement of the leads/tabs by the crimping elements, followed by further lowering of the upper assembly by the lower assembly to permit the PC board with crimped leads/tabs to be displaced by the conveyor system and another PC board to be moved in position for lead/tab crimping.

Lead crimping apparatus

A test fixture for determining proper or improper insertion of a pair of contact pins from a circuit component through a pair of mating sockets in a circuit board. The fixture includes a support frame mounted beneath and supporting the circuit board. A detection member is movably mounted on the support frame beneath the pair of sockets for engagement by the contact pins upon proper insertion through the sockets. The detection member is movable from a first position whereat neither contact pin is in engagement therewith, to either a second position in response to both contact pins coming into engagement with the detection member or a third position in response to only one contact pin coming into engagement with the detection member. A signal device directs a light beam across the path of movement of the detection member for rendering a signal only when the detection member is in the second position whereat both contact pins are in engagement with the detection member after proper insertion through the sockets in the circuit board to move the detection member to its second position.

Test fixture for circuit components on circuit boards

A crimping block is positioned immediately adjacent to one side of a circuit board having predrilled apertures therein through which the electrical leads of a circuit component are inserted. The crimping block includes a plurality of linearly displaceable crimping pins, each having an upper, beveled end adapted to receive, deflect and crimp an associated component lead inserted through an immediately adjacent circuit board aperture. Upon contact with an inserted component lead, the crimping pin is displaced downward a predetermined distance. During downward displacement of the crimping pin the electrical lead is deflected laterally followed by the upward deflection of the electrical lead upon the end of crimping pin travel. Upon the end of crimping pin travel, its beveled, upper end crimps the electrical lead in tight fitting relation with a circuit board-mounted conductor. Each crimping pin forms a conductive element in a sensor circuit which is completed upon positioning of an electronic component on the circuit board and insertion of its leads through the apertures therein in providing component insertion verification and operational testing.

Insertion verification and crimping of leads

In an automatic delivery system for the mounting of electronic components on a circuit board, the components are sequentially delivered to a movable carriage assembly for proper positioning for engagement by a component pick-up device for insertion on the circuit board. Positioned adjacent to the outlet of a delivery tube internally contoured in accordance with the component configuration is a pivoting retaining member which engages the component after it exits the delivery tube and is deposited upon the pneumatically actuated, linearly displaced carriage assembly to ensure proper orientation of the component thereon as it is displaced toward the component pick-up device. The carriage is contoured in a complementary manner relative to the component in providing a 'cradle effect' for maintaining proper component orientation and position with respect to the pick-up device. During the linear displacement of a first component into proper position for engagement by the pick-up device, a second component in the delivery tube is engaged and displaced downward along the tube by means of a component release mechanism so as to exit therefrom and be deposited upon the carriage assembly after it is retracted to an initial, unloaded position. The cycle is then sequentially repeated for each electronic component. The carriage assembly is provided with a telescoping plunger pin or shaft which engages the component and maintains it stably positioned on the carriage assembly during the linear displacement thereof.

Component delivery system

To hold three CRTs in proper optical alignment in a projection television system, each of three pods holds one CRT. Each pod includes a cylindrical housing for holding the front piece of a CRT, and a back cover which holds the CRT inside the housing. Preferably, each housing is adapted to hold its CRT at a preselected rotational position and at a preselected tilt angle with respect to a straight ahead optical projection axis.

CRT Holding assembly for projection television

A novel optical assembly is disclosed for use in an ultra-compact, jack-in-the-box projection television receiver. The stationary optical assembly is permanently installed in a lower portion of the cabinet for forming a television image, and projecting an aerial image of the television image upwardly a predetermined image projection distance along an optical path folded by optical path folding means. The receiver includes a unitary optical assembly having a viewing screen selectively storable in the cabinet and elevatable therefrom for receiving and displaying the image. The stationary optical assembly comprises the following, in combination: an image source means for forming the television image, a cathode ray tube holding assembly, and mirror means to reflect the aerial image steeply upward along the folded optical path. Also included are chassis means for receiving and supporting the image source means, CRT holding assembly, and mirror means. The optical assembly according to the invention may also find application in a receiver in which the unitary optical assembly is fixed in permanent elevation from the receiver cabinet.

Optical assembly for projection television receiver

Heat sink means for a projection television cathode ray picture are disclosed. The tube has a face plate on the inner surface of which is deposited a cathodoluminescent screen for forming a television image. The face plate develops an undesirably high temperature during operation resulting in cracking. The heat sink means according to the invention comprises a heat-conductive panel, which may be a metallic plate, larger in area than the face panel. The panel has a window for passing the television image. The panel is in intimate contact with the face plate for conducting heat from the face plate and inhibiting thermal cracking.

Growing community of inventors

Glenview, IL, United States of America

Richard G Schmid