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:
Aug. 21, 2001
Filed:
Oct. 12, 1999
Joe M. Saldana, New Braunfels, TX (US);
Andrew D. Alexander, II, Seguin, TX (US);
Michael J. Pomeroy, New Braunfels, TX (US);
Richardo Garza, Warren, MI (US);
Richard W. Arnold, Jr., Seguin, TX (US);
James L. McGovern, Seguin, TX (US);
Motorola, Inc., Schaumburg, IL (US);
Abstract
A bulk component feeder is provided for delivering components contained with a bulk cassette. The feeder includes a feeder housing defining a component cassette receiving area. The receiving area includes a cassette mounting means for registration with the cassette, and the housing defines an opening for receiving components from the cassette. A gate slidable within the cassette receiving area interfaces with a mounting means, and the gate is slidable to cover the opening in a closed position and uncover the opening in an open position upon attachment of the cassette to the housing. A spring is used to bias the gate toward the closed position, and a latch is mounted to the housing and is engagable with the gate to prevent sliding of the gale toward the open position and thereby prevent installation of the cassette.