Patent ID: 6364194
Filing Date: 2002-04-02
Classification: B23K,Y10S

Abstract:
A soldering apparatus having a carriage for holding and moving a circuit board within the apparatus during an automated soldering operation, the carriage comprising a pair of opposed clamps, which, in use, clamp opposed edges of such circuit board, and wherein each clamp comprises first and second jaw members which are urged together by a spring to provide a clamping action, the first jaw member extending beneath an underside of the circuit board and the second jaw member bearing on an upper surface of the circuit board to hold the board in clamping engagement between the first and second jaw members, and the first and second jaw members being urged apart against the force of the spring to release the board, and the jaw members extending along a respective edge of such board and when urged apart defining an opening at ends of the jaw members for such board to be slid between the jaw members;a board delivery mechanism for transporting such board linearly through the apparatus, the carriage being adapted to receive a board from the mechanism and to deposit the board on the mechanism, wherein the clamp members engage with rails of the delivery mechanism, the clamp members being urged apart against the force of the spring on engagement with the rails to allow a board on the delivery mechanism to be slid through the openings defined by the jaw members.