Part retainer for holding a part

The present invention is a part retainer for housing and retaining various electronic and mechanical parts wherein a retaining unit has an engaging piece that stably stops at both a position at which it protrudes toward the opening of a part housing space and a position at which it withdraws, and which can move between these two positions under a specified or more amount of force, and wherein when protruding toward the opening, the engaging piece prevents the part housed in the housing space from falling out.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to a part retainer for housing and retaining 
various electronic and mechanical parts and a method for manufacturing 
this retainer, as well as a part supply apparatus for supplying parts 
housed in the part retainer to an automatic assembly machine. 
BACKGROUND ART 
Conventional part retainers for retaining and loading a collection of a 
large number of parts in a part supply apparatus include retaining tapes 
with a large number of housing recesses formed at a specified interval. 
After housing parts in the housing recesses, such part retainers cover the 
top surface thereof with cover tapes to prevent the parts from falling 
out. 
Such part retainers, however, require parts to be covered with cover tapes 
during housing and the tapes to be released and wound during part supply, 
thereby requiring a part supply apparatus of a complicated configuration. 
In addition, the release tapes must be used, thereby increasing costs. 
As a device that solves this problem, the applicant proposed in JPA 
6-156562, a part retainer 31 comprising a connected retaining units 32 
each having a housing recess 33 in which a part is housed and an engaging 
piece 34 disposed in the opening for preventing the part from falling out, 
as shown in FIG. 13. The engaging piece 34 has a protrusion 36 protruding 
therefrom, is disposed at the end of a supporting piece 35 integrally 
extending from the sidewall of the retaining unit 32, and protrudes into 
the opening of the housing recess 33. Since the protrusion 36 on the top 
surface of the engaging piece 34 engages a guide groove (not shown) formed 
in a guide rail through which the part retainer 31 travels, the engaging 
piece 34 is guided by the guide groove to move toward a withdrawing 
position as the part retainer 31 moves, thereby enabling the part to be 
housed in and removed from the housing recess 33. Reference numeral 37 
designates a feed hole formed in either side of the retaining unit 32, and 
38 is a connecting piece for connecting retaining units 32 together. 
In the part retainer disclosed in the above publication, however, if the 
engaging piece 34 remains at the withdrawing position for a long time, a 
creep phenomenon may cause the supporting piece 35 to remain deformed and 
to be prevented from elastic return. Thus, the engaging piece 34 cannot 
reliably retain parts. 
In addition, since the engaging piece 34 protrudes into the housing recess 
33, a notch opposite to the engaging piece 34 must be formed during 
molding of the retaining unit 32, and the part cannot be engaged or 
retained in its full circumference. Consequently, some parts cannot be 
stably retained. 
Furthermore, conventional part supply apparatuses for supplying parts to an 
electronic part mounting machine have a structure in which the travelling 
surface for the part retainer is completely covered near a part removal 
position, as shown in FIG. 25. Thus, if in particular, due to the 
switching of product types, the part retainer is removed from the part 
supply apparatus before all the housed parts have been used up, the tape 
must be cut before or after the part removal section and rewound to a feed 
or winding reel. If parts are used again, the tape must be connected 
again, and a large amount of time is required to replace the tape. 
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
In view of the conventional problems, an objective of this invention is to 
provide a part retainer and its manufacturing method which can stably and 
reliably retain parts in their full circumference as well as a part supply 
apparatus for which the part retainer is used. 
According to this invention, a part retainer of the present invention 
comprises connected retaining units for housing and retaining parts, and 
the retaining unit has an engaging piece that stably stops at both a 
position at which it protrudes toward the opening of the part housing 
space and a position at which it withdraws, and which can move between 
these two points under a specified or more amount of force. When 
protruding toward the opening, the engaging piece prevents the part housed 
in the housing space from falling out. 
The above configuration enables the engaging piece protruding into the 
opening to hold the part housed in the part housing space. In addition, by 
moving the engaging piece to the withdrawing position, the part can be 
removed. Even if the engaging piece remains at the withdrawing position 
for a long time, it can be reliably moved to the protruding position to 
reliably retain the part. After supplying the housed part to the automatic 
assembly machine, the retainer can be reused by housing parts therein 
again. 
To enable the engaging piece to stably stop at the position at which it 
protrudes toward the opening and the position at which it withdraws and to 
move between these two positions, each of the opposed sidewalls of the 
retaining unit and each end of the engaging piece are connected together 
by a pair of link pieces via a self hinge. This allows either side of the 
engaging piece to be supported by the quadric link mechanism, so the 
engaging piece is stable at the two positions and can stably move between 
the two positions with its attitude maintained. 
Even if each of the sidewalls of the retaining unit and each of the sides 
of the engaging piece are connected via a single link piece, the engaging 
piece is stable at the two positions and can stably move between these 
positions. Either end of the pair of link pieces hinge-connected together 
may be connected to either of the opposed or adjacent sidewalls of the 
retaining unit, with the engaging piece disposed in one of the link 
pieces. Either end of a curved supporting piece may also be connected to 
either of the opposed or adjacent end walls of the retaining unit via a 
self hinge, with the engaging piece disposed at the approximate center of 
the curved supporting piece. The more simple configurations described 
above can produce effects almost similar to those of the first embodiment. 
In addition, by providing a protrusion located above or below the engaging 
piece for moving the engaging piece between the two positions through a 
guide groove or protrusion disposed along the travelling passage of the 
part retainer and leading to a part housing or removal position, the 
engaging piece can be moved between the two positions as the part retainer 
moves. In particular, when the protrusion is disposed below the engaging 
piece, the guide groove can be located on the same side as a feed 
mechanism of the part retainer to reduce the dimensional error between the 
guide groove and the feed mechanism, thereby improving the reliability of 
moving the engaging piece. 
The engaging piece may be disposed at one or both ends of the retaining 
unit, or in one or more corners thereof. Disposing the engaging piece in 
corners enables dead space to be efficiently used and reduces the movement 
of the engaging piece, if corners of the part have protrusions such as 
leads. 
In addition, by disposing connecting holes in one side of the retaining 
unit in the connection direction while disposing on the other side thereof 
in the connection direction engaging protrusions that fit and engage the 
engaging holes, and providing on the engaging protrusion an engagingly 
locking means that engages the circumference of the connecting hole to 
prevent the protrusion from being removed, simply fitting the engaging 
protrusions in the connecting holes enables retaining units to be 
connected so as not to be separated easily or inadvertently. 
The method for manufacturing part retainers according to this invention 
comprises using a molding machine to mold a retaining unit, moving the 
molded retaining unit to a position at which a previously molded retaining 
unit has been placed, fitting in the connecting holes in one side of one 
retaining unit in the connection direction the engaging protrusions on the 
other side of the other retaining unit to connect the retaining units, and 
sequentially transferring the connected retaining units a distance 
corresponding to a single retaining unit. According to this method, 
retaining units are molded and sequentially connected to improve the 
productivity of part retainers. 
Since the retaining unit is molded in such a way that the engaging piece 
withdraws from the opening of the part housing space, a retaining frame 
that retains the full circumference of the part can be formed in the part 
housing space in order to provide a part retainer capable of stably 
holding parts. While the retainer units are being sequentially 
transferred, after having been connected each other, each engaging piece 
is moved to the protruding position at which it protrudes toward the 
opening of the part housing space, and the resin hinge at the connection 
is moved immediately after the molding, whereby the strength of the 
engaging piece is increased, and the retainer can be reliably used over a 
long period of time. 
A part supply apparatus according to this invention comprises a part supply 
apparatus body that can be installed in and removed from an automatic 
assembly machine, a feed reel section that is disposed at one end of the 
part supply apparatus body and around which a tape-like part retainer is 
wound, a part removal position that is formed at the other end of the part 
supply apparatus body and at which parts are removed from the part 
retainer, a winding reel section that is disposed at one end of the part 
supply apparatus body and around which the part retainer is rewound after 
parts have been removed at the part removal section, a tape feed means for 
moving the part retainer drawn out from the feed reel section to a 
specified part removal position and allowing it to be wound by the winding 
reel section, and a tape guide for pressing the part retainer against the 
other end of the part supply apparatus body, wherein eliminating the 
pressure of the tape guide enables the part retainer to be removed from 
the side of the apparatus with the connections in the part retainer 
maintained. 
The above constitution enables the part retainer to be installed in and 
removed from the side of the part supply apparatus while remaining 
connected from the feed reel to the winding reel. The part supply 
apparatus according to this invention enables the tape-like part retainer 
in use to be replaced without cutting it, thereby significantly reducing 
the time required for replacement. 
Furthermore, by including a one-way clutch in which the winding reel 
section can rotate only in the winding direction, the winding reel is 
prevented from rotating in the opposite direction, thereby enabling the 
tape-like part retainer be stably transferred.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
One embodiment of a part retainer according to this invention is described 
with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9. 
In FIGS. 1 and 2, 1 is a part retainer comprising a large number of 
retaining units 2 (only two are illustrated). Each retaining unit houses 
and retains a part to constitute a tape-like collection of parts, 
The retaining unit 2 is manufactured by injection molding polypropylene or 
polyethylene, has a generally rectangular planar shape that is long in the 
direction perpendicular to the connection direction, and has feed holes 3 
formed at a specified pitch on either side in the connection direction. 
The retaining unit 2 has a shallow recess 4, except in its circumferential 
portion, and the middle of the recess 4 is used as a space 5 for housing a 
part. The housing space 5 is surrounded by a square upright retaining 
frame 6 that retains the four corners of a part. 
An engaging piece 7 that can move between a position at which it protrudes 
into the opening above the housing space 5, and a position at which it 
withdraws from the opening, is disposed on either side of the housing 
space 5. When in the protruding position, the engaging piece 7 holds the 
top surface of a part housed in the housing space 5 to prevent it from 
falling out, whereas in the withdrawing position, it enables a part to be 
housed in or removed from the housing space 5. In FIG. 1, in the retaining 
unit 2 located diagonally upward, the engaging piece 7 is in the 
withdrawing position, whereas in the retaining unit 2 located diagonally 
downward, the engaging piece 7 is in the protruding position. This is also 
applicable to FIGS. 10 to 12. The engaging piece 7 includes a generally 
horizontallly extending section 7a connected to a generally vertically 
extending section 7b. 
The engaging piece 7 is connected via a pair of link pieces 8 to either 
sidewall 2a disposed in the connection direction of the retaining units 2. 
Each link piece 8 has a length somewhat longer than half the length 
obtained by subtracting the width of the engaging piece 7 from the 
distance between the sidewalls 2a, 2a. The connection between the link 
piece 8 and the sidewall 2a and between the link piece 8 and the engaging 
piece 7 are made using thin self hinges 9. This enables the engaging piece 
7 to be stable at the two positions, that is, the protruding and 
withdrawing positions, and to move between the two positions under a 
specified force, as described above. The engaging piece 7 has on its 
bottom surface protrusions 10 with which the engaging piece 7 can be moved 
between the two positions. 
A pair of connecting pieces 11 each having an engaging protrusion 12 
protruding downward therefrom is disposed at an appropriate interval at 
one edge of the retaining unit 2 in the connection direction. A pair of 
protrusions 13 each having a connecting hole 14 engaging the engaging 
protrusion 12 are disposed at the other edge in the connection direction 
at the positions corresponding to the connecting holes 11. The engaging 
protrusion 12 has a sharp protrusion 12a formed at its bottom end and an 
engagingly locking means 15 protruding from its one side, as shown in FIG. 
3 in detail. The engagingly locking means 15 has inside a recess 16 of a 
width larger than that of the claw, and both ends of the engagingly 
locking means 15 and the sidewall of the recess 16 are connected by a thin 
connecting wall 16a. Thus, when fitted in the connecting hole 14 under an 
appropriate amount of external force, the engagingly locking means 15 is 
ensured to return to its original state. An engaged surface 17 is formed 
around the connecting hole 14 and engages the engagingly locking means 15 
when the engaging protrusion 12 is completely fitted in the connecting 
hole 14. 
To connect retaining units 2 together, one retaining unit 2 is supported 
upward while the other is supported downward by a suction means 18 with 
its connecting hole 14 located above the engagingly locking protrusion 12 
of the first retaining unit 2, as shown in FIG. 4, and the second 
retaining unit 2 is lowered as shown by the arrow in the figure. Then, as 
shown in FIGS. 5(a) to (c), the engaging protrusion 12 is contracted and 
fitted in the connecting hole 14, and the engagingly locking means 15 
withdraws toward the recess 16, returns, and engages the engaged surface 
17 formed on one side of the connecting hole 14. The unit is then in the 
state shown in FIG. 6, thereby preventing the engaging protrusion 12 from 
being removed from the connecting hole 14 and ensuring that the retaining 
units 2 are connected together. 
The engaging protrusion 12 can be reliably fitted in the connecting hole 14 
because the needle-like end of a supporting member 19 is inserted into the 
recess 16 of the engaging protrusion 12 to support the protrusion 12 from 
downward and because a pressing member 20 presses the protrusion 13 with 
the connecting hole 14 from upward, as shown in FIG. 4. Thus, if the 
engaging protrusion 12 includes the engagingly locking means 15, simply 
fitting the engaging protrusion 12 in the connecting hole 14 enables the 
retaining units 2 to be connected together so as not be separated easily 
or inadvertently. 
Next, a part retainer manufacturing apparatus and process is described with 
reference to FIG. 7. In FIG. 7, 21 is a molding machine for 
injection-molding a retaining unit 2, and 22 is a transfer and load means 
for obtaining the molded retaining unit 2 from the molding machine 21 and 
transferring it to a connecting section 23 and includes the suction means 
18. The connecting section 23 is configured so as to receive and support 
retaining units 2, and has a feed means 24 for sequentially feeding a 
distance equal to the width of the retaining unit 2, the part retainer 1 
comprising retaining units 2 connected using their feed holes 3; the 
supporting member 19 (see FIG. 4); and the pressing member 20. 
The molding machine 21 molds the retaining unit 2, which is then 
transferred to the connecting section 23 in which a previously molded 
retaining unit has been placed. The connecting holes 14 in the first 
retaining unit 2 is then fitted to the engaging protrusions 12 at the 
corresponding end of the second retaining unit to connect them together as 
described above. The productivity of the part retainer 1 is improved by 
repeating the operation of the feed means 24 for feeding the part retainer 
1 a distance equal to a single retaining unit. 
In this manufacturing process, since during molding of the retaining unit 
2, the engaging piece 7 withdraws from the opening in the housing space 5, 
it does not interfere with the space 5. Consequently, a retaining frame 6 
for holding the full circumference of a part can be formed in the housing 
space 5 to obtain a part retainer 1 that can hold parts stably, as shown 
in FIG. 1. 
In addition, a guide groove (not shown) is disposed in the bottom of the 
connection section 23, so that the protrusions 10 for moving the engaging 
piece 7 back and forth are engaged thereto and guided therealong. When the 
engaging piece 7 is moved to the protruding position toward the opening of 
the housing space 5 while the connected retaining units 2 are being 
sequentially transferred, self hinges 9 which have just been molded can be 
moved in order to improve the strength of the engaging piece, thereby 
realizing long and reliable use of the part retainer. 
Next, housing, retention, and removal of-parts using the part retainer of 
the above configuration are described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. The 
part housing and retention section or removal section has a guide rail 25 
for guiding the part retainer 1 as shown in FIG. 9, and the part retainer 
1 moves along the guide rail 25. The guide groove 26 engages the 
protrusions 10 for moving the engaging piece 7 back and forth is formed in 
the top surface of the guide rail 25. The guide means for the protrusions 
10 need not be configured as the guide groove 26 but may be shaped like a 
protrusion. 
If a part 27 is housed and retained in each retaining unit 2 of the part 
retainer 1, the engaging piece 7 moves to the withdrawing position while 
each retaining unit 2 is moving toward the housing position, as shown in 
FIG. 8(a), and at the housing position, the part 27 is housed in the 
housing space 5 as shown in FIG. 8(b). While the retaining unit is 
subsequently moving further from the housing position, the engaging piece 
7 moves to the protruding position to prevent the part 27 from falling out 
and to retain it in the part retainer 2, as shown in FIG. 8(c). Repetition 
of these operations allows the efficient production of a collection of 
parts with the part 27 held in each retaining unit 2 of the part retainer 
1. 
If this collection of parts is loaded on the part supply apparatus and the 
part 27 is removed, the engaging piece 7 moves from the state in FIG. 8(c) 
in which the part 27 is engagingly held to the withdrawing position shown 
in FIG. 8(b) while the retaining unit 2 is moving toward the part removal 
position, and at the removal position, the part 27 is removed as shown in 
FIG. 8(a). 
FIG. 8 illustrates as the part 27 an electronic part (called "QFP") having 
a large number of leads-around its outer circumference. With the bottom 
surface of the base of the leads of the QFP 27 supported on the supporting 
frame 6, the top surface of the base of the leads and the sides of the 
main body 27a are held by the engaging piece 7. Since the QFP 27 is fixed 
and held with all the leads completely supported by the supporting frame 
6, the leads are prevented from being damaged or bent. 
As described above, according to the part retainer 1 of this embodiment, 
the engaging piece 7 is stable at the protruding and withdrawing positions 
and can move between these two positions, so the part 27 housed in the 
housing space 5 is retained by the engaging piece 7 protruding into the 
opening. In addition, the part 27 can be removed by moving the engaging 
piece 7 to the withdrawing position, and the engaging piece 7 can be 
reliably moved to the protruding position even after it has remained at 
the withdrawing position for a long time, thereby enabling the part to be 
reliably retained. In addition, since the engagement piece 7 and the 
retaining unit 2 are connected together by the pair of link pairs 8 via 
the self hinge, each engagement piece 7 is supported by the quadric link 
mechanism, is stable at the two positions, and can move stably between the 
two positions while maintaining its attitude, thereby providing stable 
operations. Furthermore, the strength of the engaging piece 7 is improved 
to firmly hold the part. 
Although the above embodiment connects the pair of link pieces 8 to either 
side of the engaging piece 7, either of the opposed sidewalls 2a of the 
retaining unit 2 may be connected to either side of the engagement piece 7 
by a single link piece 8 via the self hinge 9. This configuration can 
produce effects similar to those with the pair of link pieces 8 because 
the protrusion 10 is provided for each engaging piece 7 and because 
protrusion 10 can be guided along the guide groove 26 to reliably move the 
engagement piece 7 to the protruding or withdrawing position in order to 
make the piece 7 stable at that position. 
A second embodiment of the part retainer according to this invention is 
described with reference to FIG. 10. According to the second embodiment, 
either end of a pair of link pieces 28a, 28b connected together by the 
self hinge 9 is connected to either of the opposed sidewalls 2a of the 
retaining unit 2 by the self hinge 9, with the engaging piece 7 provided 
on one of the link pieces 28a. 
In this embodiment, despite a change in the configuration between the 
protruding position and the withdrawing position, the engaging piece 7 
produces effects similar to those of the above embodiment by preventing 
the part from falling out in the protruding position while enabling the 
part to be removed from the housing space 5 in the withdrawing position. 
A third embodiment of the part retainer according to this invention is 
described with reference to FIG. 11. According to this embodiment, either 
end of a flexible curved supporting piece 29 is connected to either of the 
opposed sidewalls 2a of the retaining unit 2 by the self hinge 9, with the 
engaging piece 7 disposed at the approximate center of the curved 
supporting piece 29. 
According to this embodiment, since the curved supporting piece 29 changes 
its configuration between a curve toward the housing space 5 and a curve 
toward the opposite direction to the housing space 5, the engaging piece 7 
can move between the protruding position and the withdrawing position and 
is stable at these two positions-. Thus, effects similar to those of the 
above embodiments can be obtained by allowing the engaging piece 7 to 
prevent the part from falling out at the protruding position while 
enabling it to be removed from the housing space 5 at the withdrawing 
position. 
A fourth embodiment of the part retainer according to this invention is 
described with reference to FIG. 12. Although the above embodiments have 
been shown with the engagement piece 7 disposed at either end of the 
retaining unit 2, the fourth embodiment includes the engaging piece 7 of 
the same shape as the second embodiment in each corner at either end. In 
the illustrated embodiment, the ends of link pieces 30a, 30b are connected 
to either sidewall 2a of the retaining unit 2 and the sidewall 2b at 
either end of the retaining unit 2, respectively, with the engaging piece 
7 disposed on one of the link pieces 30a. 
It will be understood that other mechanisms such as the one shown in FIG. 
11 may be used. 
By disposing the engaging piece 7 in the corner of the housing space 5, the 
dead space can be effectively used and no substantial movement of the 
engaging piece 7 is required. As a result, the engaging piece 7 does not 
interfere with parts having protrusions such as leads in their four 
corners. 
Although the above embodiments have been shown with the engaging piece 7 
disposed at either end or each corner of the housing space 5, the engaging 
piece 7 may be disposed only at one end or in one or two corners of the 
housing space 5 and used to hold and fix the part. 
Next, an embodiment of a part supply apparatus according to this invention 
which uses the part retainer is described. 
FIG. 14 is a front view of a part supply apparatus according to this 
invention. FIG. 20 is a rear view, FIG. 21 is a left side view, FIG. 22 is 
a right side view, FIG. 23 is a plan view, and FIG. 24 is a bottom view. 
In FIG. 14, 40 is a reel retention section rotatably retaining a reel 
around which the part retainer 1 with parts housed is wound, 41 is a reel 
presser section for contacting the outer circumference of a reel 43 to 
regulate the unwanted rotation of the reel 43 as shown in FIG. 17, and 42 
is a roller that changes the travelling direction of the tape-like part 
retainer transferred from the reel 43. These components constitute the 
feed reel section. Reference numeral 44 designates a clamp lever for 
operating a clamp 45 to fix the part supply apparatus to the part supply 
section of an electronics mounting machine (not shown). As the clamp lever 
44 is rotated to the position shown by the broken line, the fixing clamp 
44 is accordingly moved to the position also shown by the broken line to 
release the part supply apparatus from the electronics mounting machine. 
Reference numeral 46 denotes a positioning pin that is fitted in a 
positioning hole provided in a part supply section of the electronics 
mounting machine to regulate the mounting position of the part supply 
apparatus when the part supply apparatus is fixed to the electronics 
mounting apparatus. Reference numeral 47 is a feed lever. When a specified 
amount of external force is applied to the feed lever 47 from the 
direction shown by arrow A, a tape feed means 48 connected to the lever is 
rotated a specified amount in the direction shown by arrow B. Since the 
feed holes 3 in the tape-like part retainer 1 engage the gear of the tape 
feed means 48, the rotation of the tape feed means 48 causes the part 
retainer 1 to be moved a specified amount. At this point, a tape guide 50 
that can rotate around a supporting point 49 applies a downward pressure 
to fit the gear of the tape feed means 48 in the feed holes 3 of the part 
retainer 1. The position of the supporting point 49 is not limited to 
those shown in FIGS. 14 and 17, and other positions may be used as long as 
the tape guide 50 is rotatably supported. 
The rotational force of the tape feed means 48 is transmitted to a lever 52 
via a link 51. As the lever 52 rotates around a supporting point 53, the 
force of a spring 54 activates a lever 55 to cause a link 56 abutting the 
lever 55 to rotate a winding means 57 a specified amount in the direction 
shown by arrow C. 
Reference numeral 58 indicates a tape travelling section that acts as a 
surface on which the tape-like part retainer 1 travels, and 59 is a base 
section the bottom surface of which is mounted on the electronics mounting 
machine. As shown in FIG. 15, the tape travelling section 58 and the base 
section 59 are each mounted on the part supply apparatus body 60 from its 
side. These components 58, 59, and 60, however, need not be separate 
members, but may be formed as an integral member. According to this 
embodiment, the above constitution serves to form a groove-like tape 
travelling space that enables the tape to be replaced from the side of the 
apparatus. 
FIG. 16 is a plan view of an integral part near a part removal position 62. 
An engaging piece closing member 64 with a specified pair of guide 
protrusions 63 arranged in parallel with each other as shown in FIG. 19 is 
disposed within a specified range of the tape travelling section 58 
including the part removal position. The engaging piece closing member 64 
is provided in such a manner that the tape travelling surface 65 is as 
high as a tape travelling surface 66 of the tape travelling section 58. 
The tape guide 50 also has slits 67 for avoiding contact with the gear of 
the tape feed means 48 as shown in the figure. 
The operation during loading of the part retainer is described with 
reference to FIGS. 17 and 18. 
The tape-like part retainer 1, drawn out from the feed reel 43, has its 
direction changed by the roller 42 so as to be approximately parallel with 
the tape travelling section 58, and pressed by the tape guide 50 against 
the tape travelling surface 65 near the part removal position 62. The gear 
of the tape feed means 48 is engaged with the feed holes 3 formed in the 
part retainer 1. The electronics mounting machine presses the feed lever 
47 a specified amount in direction A to rotate the interlocked tape feed 
means 48 a specified amount in direction B, thereby feeding the part 
retainer 1 a specified amount in direction D. At this point, at the part 
removal position 62, the protrusions 10 on the rear surface of the part 
retainer 1 move along the inclined sides of the guide protrusions 63 and 
outward relative to the tape feed direction to open the engaging piece 7 
in order to enable the retained part 27 to be removed from upward. After 
the part 27 has been removed at the part removal position 62, the part 
retainer 1 passes through the groove-like tape travelling space 61 formed 
below the tape traveling section 58, and is rewound around the reel 69. 
The winding operation of the winding means 57 is in synchronism with the 
tape feed operation of the tape feed means 48. In addition, since the 
winding means 57 is prevented from rotating in the opposite direction by a 
one-way clutch, the tape-like retainer 1 does not become loose during 
winding, and can be wound stably. As in the feed reel 43, the winding side 
has a reel presser section (not shown). 
To replace the part retainer 1, the tape guide 50 is rotated upward around 
the supporting point 49 to release the engagement between the part 
retainer 1 and the gear of the tape feed means 48. The part retainer 1 is 
further moved in the direction shown by arrow D so as to become loose. The 
tape-like part retainer 1 can then be removed from the side of the 
apparatus (toward the reader in FIG. 17) with its connection between the 
feed reel 43 and the winding reel 69 maintained. Replacement is thus easy. 
Although this embodiment has been shown in conjunction with the-formation 
of the groove-like tape travelling space 61 for enabling the part retainer 
1 to be replaced from the side of the apparatus, this invention is not 
limited to the groove-like space 61 and only requires a space through 
which the part retainer 1 can travel to be provided on the tape travelling 
surface, the tape guide 50 to be rotated upward around the supporting 
point 49, and a gap to be provided between the tape guide 50 and the tape 
travelling surface such that the part retainer 1 can be removed therefrom. 
In addition, this invention maintains a specified distance between the tip 
curved surface 70 of the tape guide 50 and the tape feed means 48, removal 
operation is easy when the part retainer is removed from the winding means 
57 during replacement of the part retainer. 
This part supply apparatus can be applied to a part retainer 1 with a 
different housing pitch by replacing the engaging piece closing member 64.