Patent ID: 6543631
Filing Date: 2003-04-08
Classification: C23C

Abstract:
A rack for supporting components to be plated and adapted to be disposed within a plating chamber, comprising:a central threaded shaft; a series of spaced-apart component support assemblies secured to the central threaded shaft for supporting an array of components to be plated; at least one component support assembly including: (i) a surrounding frame that extends around the central threaded shaft and includes opposed terminal ends that terminate in spaced-apart relationship so as to define an opening therebetween that permits the central threaded shaft to pass through the opening when the component support assembly is being secured to the central threaded shaft; (ii) a central support having an open slot formed therein that enables the central slot to slide laterally around the central threaded shaft; (iii) a plurality of connectors extending from the central support outwardly to the surrounding frame such that the surrounding frame is supported by the central support; and (iv) an array of component supports secured to the surrounding frame and supported thereby, each component support being adapted to receive and support a component to be plated; a series of threaded support members mounted on the central threaded shaft and movable up and down thereon; the series of threaded supports disposed in pairs and wherein each pair of threaded supports are spaced apart and adapted to engage and support a respective component support assembly; and when each pair of threaded supports is adapted to assume a spaced apart relationship such that the central support can be extended between the pair of threaded supports and at least one of the pair of threaded supports can be screwed down onto the central support so as to secure the central support between the pair of threaded supports.