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:
Jul. 30, 2002
Filed:
Mar. 28, 2000
Edward W. Gayowski, Colleyville, TX (US);
Douglas J. Sharp, Arlington, TX (US);
John F. Nelson, Marco Island, FL (US);
Illinois Tool Works Inc., Glenview, IL (US);
Abstract
The apparatus is a carrier tape reel assembly formed of two reel halves. The reel halves include hub portions which further include male detent elements which are rotationally symmetric with each other and likewise include female detent elements which are rotationally symmetric with each other. The male and female detent elements, however, include rotationally asymmetric elements to assure that the two halves are properly aligned so that the open tape slots of the two reel halves are properly aligned. The male and female detent elements are further engaged by a longitudinal motion, without the need for rotational movement during engagement. Stacking apertures are formed rotationally midway between adjacent detent elements to permit the stacking of reel halves, whereby the reel halves are facing in the same direction, but are rotated so that the male detent elements pass through the stacking apertures free of detent engagement.