The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 21, 1986
Filed:
May. 24, 1985
Carl Campisi, Chicago, IL (US);
Brian D Kay, Arlington Heights, IL (US);
Zenith Electronics Corporation, Glenview, IL (US);
Abstract
A hold down system for use with a generally planar printed circuit (PC) board includes at least one clamp which engages the circuit board and securely maintains it flat upon a circuit board transport mechanism to facilitate the insertion of electronic components upon the board by automatic positioning and insertion apparatus. The movable hold down clamp includes an elongated, generally vertically oriented housing which is positioned beneath the PC board and transport mechanism and is displaced upward above the PC board for engaging the board and pulling it downward upon the transport mechanism as the PC boards are displaced therealong. With an upper portion of the clamp extending above the circuit board either along an edge thereof or through an aperture therein, a pneumatically actuated hold down arm is extended laterally from the housing above the PC board and is displaced downward so as to engage the board's upper surface and pull the board downward and in tight-fitting engagement with the supporting transport mechanism. The PC board is thus securely maintained in a flat configuration and a fixed orientation and position during component insertion, testing, etc. Following component insertion on the PC board, the hold down arm is retracted, releasing the circuit board and the clamp is displaced downward allowing the transport mechanism to position another PC board above the hold down clamp whereupon the hold down procedure is repeated.