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:
Mar. 25, 2003
Filed:
Jul. 10, 2001
Mark V. Smith, Colorado Springs, CO (US);
Robert P. Wartenbergh, Woodside, CA (US);
William P. Pennybacker, Tracy, CA (US);
Asyst Technologies, Inc., Fremont, CA (US);
Abstract
The present invention includes a latch assembly, such as maybe useful for SMIF pods. SMIF pods are in general comprised of a pod door which mates with a pod shell to provide a sealed environment in which wafers may be stored and transferred. During wafer storage and transport, the pod door is typically held affixed to the pod shell by a latch assembly. When it is desired to separate the pod door from the pod shell, each latch must be actuated outwardly, to withdraw each engagement portion from the pod door, at which time the pod door may be separated. The present invention includes an improved such latch assembly.