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:
May. 01, 2001
Filed:
Apr. 27, 1998
Robert P. Wartenbergh, Woodside, CA (US);
Asyst Technologies, Inc., Fremont, CA (US);
Abstract
A pod having a novel manual pivoting handle assembly for transporting the pod to and from processing tools in a semiconductor wafer fab. The handle assembly comprises a bracket, a pivoting handle and a spindle. The bracket is a Z-shaped member and includes two D-shaped cut-outs at the top of the bracket and two circular cut-outs at the bottom of the bracket which are placed over T-shaped protrusions and aligned with mounting sleeves located on a recessed area on a pod cover, respectively. Screws fit through the circular cut-outs on the bottom of the bracket and may be threaded into the mounting sleeves on the pod. The bracket includes a mounting boss which is provided for mounting the pivoting handle and includes a notch on the lower portion. The pivoting handle is contoured and held in a manner similar to holding a pistol. The pivoting handle includes grooves on one side for placement of the fingers which facilitates a better grip for the user when transporting the pod. The back of the pivoting handle includes a mounting boss having a projection which engages the bracket mounting boss having the notch. The projection is slightly smaller than the notch on the mounting boss of the bracket and allows for the rotational motion of the handle when the pod is manually carried to and from processing tools in the bay. The optimal amount of rotation is approximately 55 degrees. A spindle is provided in order to secure the handle to the bracket and serve as an axis for the pivoting handle. The pivoting handle allows the pod to be manually carried without injury to a user's hands, wrist and upper extremities.