Abstract:
Disclosed is a device for supporting and transporting at least one object which has a plurality of apertures extending therethrough. The device comprises a handle, and a plurality of legs connected to the handle. At least a portion of the legs are configured to be inserted into at least one of the plurality of apertures. The device further comprises a plurality of support members attached to the portion of the plurality of legs and sized to fit within the apertures in object. Each of the support members have a support edge and are movable to an extended position wherein the support edges collectively define a surface supporting the at least one object. The device facilitates carrying of the objects.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/016,064, filed Jan. 30, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,089,637 entitled DEVICE FOR CARRYING A STACK OF TRAYS. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to a carrying device. More particularly, the invention relates to a device for carrying a plurality of trays that are arranged in a stack. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Thin small outline package trays, or TSOP trays, are devices that are used to carry a plurality of computer chips or other small objects. The trays define a planar surface on which a plurality of these small objects are positioned for transport or storage. The trays should be large enough to carry a high number of the computer chips, which are typically organized in rows and columns on the tray surface. During storage or movement, the trays are typically stacked atop one another to conserve space. Unfortunately, as the number of trays in the stack increases, the stack becomes increasingly difficult to carry or move. 
     TSOP trays are often used to feed computer chips into a chip handler or sorter, which is a device that is used to test the chips and sort them according to the quality of the chips. Typically, a user lowers a stack of the trays into a bin attached to the chip handler. The chips are then removed from the trays, tested for quality, and then sorted by the chip handler and returned to the trays. 
     Unfortunately, the size of the stack makes it difficult and awkward for the user to lower the stack of trays into the bin of the chip handler. This is particularly true since the bottom of the bin is often deep. Additionally, as the size of the stack increases, the likelihood of a person dropping the stack also increases, which often leads to lost and damaged parts as well as jammed handlers. While the size of the stack of trays may be reduced by lowering the number of trays in the stack, this would reduce efficiency. 
     The bulkiness of the trays also increases the likelihood that the trays will be dropped or mishandled during transport A significant amount of time is often wasted picking up trays and parts that have been scattered after an unfortunate fall. 
     There is, therefore, a need for a device for carrying a plurality of TSOP trays that are arranged in a stack. The device should provide a user with an easy means of carrying and transporting the stack of trays and should be easily operated an manufactured. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The aforementioned needs are satisfied by the invention which relates to a device for carrying a stack of TSOP trays. 
     In one aspect of the invention, there is disclosed a device for supporting and transporting at least one object which has a plurality of apertures extending therethrough. The device comprises a handle, and a plurality of legs connected to the handle. At least a portion of the legs are configured to be inserted into at least one of the plurality of apertures. The device further comprises a plurality of support members attached to the portion of the plurality of legs and sized to fit within the apertures in object. Each of the support members have a support edge and are movable to an extended position wherein the support edges collectively define a surface supporting the at least one object. The device facilitates carrying of the objects. 
     In another aspect of the invention, there is disclosed a device for carrying and transporting at least one object which has a plurality of apertures extending therethrough. The device comprises a handle and an outer housing having a handle section and a plurality of legs connected thereto. Each of the plurality of legs includes an aperture extending through a portion thereof. The device further comprises an inner frame coupled to the outer housing, the inner frame having a handle section positioned adjacent the handle section of the outer housing and a plurality of legs slidably positioned within the plurality of legs of the outer housing, and a plurality of support members attached to a portion of the plurality of legs of the inner frame. Each of the plurality of support members includes a support edge. The plurality of support members are movable to an extended position wherein the support members extend outward through the apertures in the legs of the outer frame so that the support edges of the support members cooperate to support the at least one object. The support members move to the extended position when the handle section of the inner frame is moved toward the handle section of the outer housing. 
     In another aspect of the invention, there is disclosed a system for carrying objects. The system comprises at least one object and a carrying device comprising a handle, at least one leg connected to the handle, and a first support member connected to the leg. The first support member has a support edge sized to support at least a portion of the at least one object. 
     In yet another aspect of the invention, there is disclosed a device for carrying at least one object having a plurality of apertures extending therethrough. The device comprises a handle, a plurality of hollow legs connected to the handle, the plurality of legs each having a height greater than the height of the at least one object and a plurality of support members coupled to the plurality of hollow legs and movable into an extended position. The support members collectively define a support surface for supporting the at least one object thereon. The device also includes means for moving the support members to the extended position. 
     In yet another aspect of the invention, there is disclosed a device for supporting and transporting at least one object which has a plurality of apertures extending therethrough The device comprises a handle, a plurality of legs connected to the handle, wherein at least a portion of the legs are configured to be inserted into at least one of the plurality of apertures, and means for supporting the at least one object when the legs are inserted into the apertures. 
     In yet another aspect of the invention, there is disclosed a method of moving a stack of trays. The method comprises stacking a plurality of trays atop one another to form a stack of trays, wherein each of the trays has a plurality of apertures therein and wherein the step of stacking includes aligning apertures in adjacent trays with each other, inserting each of a plurality of legs of a tray carrier into a corresponding one of the plurality of apertures in the stack of trays, locking the tray carrier to the stack of trays, and lifting the tray carrier so that the tray carrier supports the stack of trays. 
     In another aspect of the invention, there is disclosed a method of transporting a stack of trays. The method comprises forming a stack of trays such that a bottommost tray supports the other trays in the stack of trays, coupling a plurality of legs of a tray carrier to the stack of trays so that a plurality of support members on the legs provide a support surface for the bottommost tray in the stack of trays, and lifting the tray carrier so that the support surface supports the stack of trays. 
     In yet another aspect of the invention, there is disclosed a method of carrying at least one tray. The method comprises inserting a leg of a tray carrier through an aperture in the at least one tray so that a bottom end of the leg protrudes through the bottom of the at least one tray, extending a support member outward from the bottom end of the at least one tray so that the support member provides a support surface for the tray, and lifting the tray carrier so that the at least one tray rests on the support surface of the support member. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     These and other features of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings of one embodiment, which are intended to illustrate and not to limit the invention, and in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tray carrier of the invention and a stack of TSOP trays; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an outer member of the tray carrier of the invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an inner member of the tray carrier of the invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a first side view of a pair of support members attached to a portion of a leg of the inner member of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5 is a second side view of a pair of support members attached to a portion of a leg of the inner member of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the tray carrier of the invention in a nonsupport position; 
     FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the tray carrier of the invention in a support position; 
     FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of a handle section of the tray carrier of the invention; 
     FIGS. 8A-8C are side views illustrating the support members of the tray carrier of the invention at several stages during their movement from a locked position to an unlocked position; and 
     FIG. 9 is a side view of a bottom portion of the tray carrier shown supporting a stack of TSOP trays. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tray carrier  30  of the invention and a stack  32  of Thin Small Outline Package (“TSOP”) trays  34 . The tray carrier  30  is configured to mate with the stack  32  of TSOP trays  34  and function as a convenient and easy means of carrying the stack  32 , as described more fully below. Although described herein with respect to a stack of TSOP trays  34 , it will be appreciated that the tray carrier  30  may also be used to carry any of a wide variety of tray-type devices. 
     With reference to FIG. 1, each TSOP tray  34  is substantially flat and defines a flat support surface  36  thereon for supporting a plurality of computer chips or other small devices. In the illustrated embodiment, each tray  34  is rectangular-shaped and includes a plurality of holes  38  that extend therethrough. The holes are referred to collectively using the numeral  38  and individually using the suffix “a”, “b”, “c”, or “d”. The holes  38  are located adjacent each of the four corners of each TSOP tray  34 . Each tray  34  is identical in shape and has dimensions such that the holes  38  of the trays  34  are aligned with one another when the trays  34  are stacked atop one another. The TSOP trays may take on any of a wide variety of shapes that are configured to be stacked atop one another. 
     With reference to FIG. 1, the tray carrier  30  includes a handle section  40  that is adapted to be gripped by a user. The tray carrier  30  further includes a leg section  42  comprising four parallel legs  44   a,    44   b,    44   c,  and  44   d  which extend downwardly from the handle section  40 . The legs  44  are referred to collectively using the reference numeral  44 , and are referred to individually using the suffix a, b, c or d. The legs  44  are sized and spaced from one another to fit within the holes  38  in the TSOP trays  34 . That is, the legs  44   a,    44   b,    44   c,  and  44   d  of the tray carrier  30  are sized and dimensioned to be simultaneously slid into the holes  38   a,    38   b,    38   c,  and  38   d,  respectively, of the trays  34 , as described more fully below. 
     As shown in FIG. 1, the tray carrier  30  comprises an outer housing or member  50  and an inner frame or member  52  that is slidably mounted within the outer member  50 . The inner member  52  is configured to slidably move relative to the outer member  50  to operate the tray carrier  30 , as described in more detail below. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the outer member  50  of the tray carrier  30 . The outer member  50  comprises a handle section  58  and a plurality of tubular legs  60   a,    60   b,    60   c,  and  60   d  extending downwardly therefrom. The legs  60  of the outer member  50  are referred to collectively using the reference numeral  60 . The handle section  58  includes an elongated handle  62  having a first end  64  and a second end  66 . A pair of extenders  68   a  and  68   b  extend outwardly in substantially opposite directions and their outer ends extend downwardly at an angle from the first end  64  of the handle  62 . Similarly, a pair of extenders  70   a  and  70   b  extend outwardly in substantially opposite directions and their outer ends extend downwardly at an angle from the second end  66  of the handle  62 . 
     With reference to FIG. 2, the legs  60   a  and  60   b  of the outer member  50  extend downwardly from the ends of the extenders  68   a  and  68   b,  respectively. Likewise, the legs  60   c  and  60   d  extend downwardly from the ends of the extenders  70   a  and  70   b,  respectively. The tubular legs  60  of the outer member  50  are hollow so as to define an elongated cavity within each of the legs  60 . The legs  60   a - 60   d  each have a lower portion  74   a - 74   d,  respectively. A pair of apertures  76   a  and  76   b  are positioned in diametrically opposed locations on the lower portion  74   a - 74   d  of each of the legs  60   a - 60   d,  respectively. 
     As shown in FIG. 3, the inner member  52  includes a handle section  80  and a plurality of rods or legs  82   a,    82   b,    82   c,  and  82   d,  (collectively referred to as legs  82 ) extending downwardly from the handle section  80 . The handle section  80  comprises an elongated handle  84  that includes a pair of downward bends  79  and  83  positioned at selected locations along its length. A first end  81  and a second end  85  of the handle  84  connect to a pair of straight, elongated handle extenders  94  and  96 . The elongated handle extenders  94  and  96  are oriented to extend substantially normal with respect to the handle  84 , and they connect the handle section  80  of the inner member  52  to the legs  82  of the inner member  52 . The handle extender  94  has a length substantially equal to the distance between the legs  60   a  and  60   b  of the outer member  50 . Likewise, the handle extender  96  has a length substantially equal to the distance between the legs  60   c  and  60   d  of the outer member  50 . It will be appreciated that the handle section  80  could have a variety of shapes such that each of the legs  82  of the inner member  52  are positioned to be inserted simultaneously into each of the legs  60  of the outer member  50 . 
     With reference to FIG. 3, the legs  82  are straight and parallel to one another. Additionally, the legs  82   a,    82   b,    82   c,  and  82   d  each have a lower portion  102   a,    102   b,    102   c,  and  102   d,  respectively, which are referred to collectively using the reference numeral  102 . A pair of flat latches or support members  110  are movably mounted at the end of the lower portions  102  of each of the legs  82 , as described in more detail below. The legs  82  of the inner member  52  are sized to be slidably inserted into the elongated cavities within the hollow legs  60  of the outer member  50 . 
     The configuration of the support members  110  on the lower portions can best be understood by reference to FIG.  4 . Referring to that figure, it is noted that each of the legs  82  are identical to one another. Thus, the following description of the lower portion  102   a  is equally applicable to the portions  102   b - 102   d.  An extender arm  104  is attached to the bottom end of the portion  102   a  and is oriented substantially normal to the leg  82   a.  The extender arm  104  has a length that is smaller than an internal diameter of the legs  60  of the outer member  50  to allow the lower portion  102   a  of the inner member  52  to be inserted into the leg  60   a  of the outer member  50 . 
     As shown in FIG. 4, the support members  110  are rotatably mounted to the ends of the extender arm  104  via a pair rotational connectors, such as a pair of pins  108 . In the illustrated embodiment, the support members  110  are triangular-shaped so as to define a substantially straight support edge  112  and a first side edge  114  that extends substantially normal to the support edge  112 . The support member  110  also defines a second side edge  116  that extends at an angle relative to the support edge  112 . It will be appreciated that the shape of the support members  110  may vary while still being able to accomplish the purpose of the invention. 
     With reference to FIG. 4, a biasing member or elastic band  120  (shown schematically) is coupled to each of the support members  110  at locations where the support members  110  attach to the extender arm  104 . The elastic band  120  is mounted under tension to exert a bias between the support members  110  such that the support members  110  are urged to rotate about the pins  108  to an extended or unlocked position, as shown in FIG.  4 . The pins  108  desirably includes an internal latch or stop that prevents the support members  110  from rotating past the extended position. Alternatively, the extender arm  104  could be shaped to prevent the support members  110  from rotating part the extended position. In the extended position, the support edges  112  of the two support members  110  are aligned within a common plane. 
     A force may be applied to the support members  110  in the direction of the arrows  111  to move the support members  110  to a retracted or locked position wherein the support edges  112  of the support members  110  are pushed toward the legs  82 , as shown in FIG.  5 . In the retracted position, the support edges  112  of the support members  110  are oriented at an angle relative to one another. The elastic band  120  causes the support members  110  to automatically spring to the extended position (FIG. 4) when the support members  110  are unrestrained. 
     As shown in FIG. 6A, when the tray carrier  30  is assembled, the inner member  52  is mounted within the outer member  50 . Specifically, the legs  82   a,    82   b,    82   c,  and  82   d  of the inner member  52  are slidably positioned within the legs  60   a,    60   b,    60   c,  and  60   d  of the outer member  50 , respectively. When assembled, the handle section  80  of the inner member  52  is also positioned below the handle section  58  of the outer member  50  such that the handle  84  of the inner member  52  is aligned parallel to and immediately below the handle  62  of the outer member  50 . As shown in FIG. 6A, the tray carrier  30  is normally in a default or “non-support” position, wherein the handle  84  of the inner member  52  is positioned a short distance d below the handle  62  of the outer member  50 . As shown in phantom, the legs  82  of the inner member  52  are fully inserted into the legs  60  of the outer member  50  so that the support members  110  are constrained in the retracted position, as was described above with respect to FIG.  5 . Desirably, the distance d is less than approximately three inches. 
     The tray carrier  30  may be moved from the non-support position to a “support” position by moving the handle  84  of the inner member  52  toward the handle  62  of the outer member  50 . Desirably, the handle  84  of the inner member  52  is moved toward the handle  62  of the outer member  50  until the handle  84  abuts the handle  62 . The legs  82  of the inner member  52  slide upwardly with respect to the legs  60  of the outer member  50  during this movement. 
     FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the tray carrier  30  in the support position wherein the handle  84  of the inner member  52  has been slid upward to abut the handle  62  of the outer member  50 . When the tray carrier  30  is moved to the support position, the support members  110  move into alignment with the apertures  76 . The support members  110  thus move to the extended position so that the support members  110  protrude outward through the apertures  76  in the legs  60  of the outer member  50 . When the tray carrier  30  is in the support position, the support edges  112  of the support members  110  are aligned within a common plane so as to collectively define a support plane for supporting the stack  32  of TSOP trays  34 , as described in more detail below. 
     FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the handle sections  58  and  80  of the outer member  50  and the inner member  52 , respectively. A plurality of biasing members  126  are positioned between the handle  84  of the inner member  52  and the handle  62  of the outer member  50 . The biasing members  126  desirably bias the handle  84  of the inner member  52  away from the handle  58  of the outer member  50  so that the tray carrier  30  is normally urged into the default or non-support position shown in FIG. 6A when the biasing members  126  are unopposed. The biasing members  126  may comprise springs or any other of a wide variety of devices that are configured to provide a biasing force. The tray carrier  30  is moved to the support position by exerting a force on the handle  84  of the inner member  52  to oppose or overcome the force exerted by the biasing members  126 . 
     FIGS. 8A-8C are cross-sectional views of the leg  82   a  of the inner member  52  positioned within the leg  60   a  of the outer member  50 . FIGS. 8A-8C successively illustrate the change in relationship between the leg  82   a  and the leg  60   a  as the support member  110  is moved from the locked position to the unlocked position. This occurs as the leg  82   a  of the inner member  52  slides within the leg  60   a  of the outer member  50 , or as the tray carrier  30  moves from the non-support position to the support position. FIG. 8A shows the relative positions of the legs  82   a  and  60   a  when the tray carrier is in the non-support position (FIG.  6 A). In that configuration, the support members  110  are restrained in the locked position by the walls  111  of the leg  60   a  of the outer member  50 . That is, the support members  110  abut against the walls  111  of the leg  60   a  of the outer member  50  so that the walls  111  prevent the support members  110  from moving to the extended position. 
     FIG. 8B illustrates the support members  110  of the leg  82   a  in an intermediate position between the retracted position and the extended position. As the leg  82   a  of the inner member  52  slides upward within the leg  60   a  of the outer member  50 , the support members  110  gradually move into alignment or communication with the apertures  76   a  and  76   b  in the leg  60   a  of the outer member  50 . As the support members  110  align with the respective apertures  76 , the elastic band  120  causes the support members  110  to gradually move outward to the extended position through the apertures  76   a  and  76   b  in the leg  60   a  of the outer member  50 . 
     FIG. 8C shows the relative orientation of the legs  60   a  and  82   a  when the tray carrier  30  is in the support position. The support members  110  are fully aligned with the apertures  76   a  and  76   b  so that the walls  111  of the leg  60   a  of the outer member  50  no longer restrain the support members  110  in the retracted position. With the walls of the leg  60   a  no longer restraining the support members  110 , they are free to move to the extended position through the apertures  76   a  and  76   b.  The elastic band  120  thus causes the support members  110  to automatically spring to the unlocked position when the tray carrier  30  is moved to the support position. Thus, a user may move the support members  110  to the unlocked position by squeezing the handle  84  of the inner member  52  towards the handle  62  of the outer member  50  so that the support members  110  align with the apertures  76   a  and  76   b  in the respective leg  60  of the outer member  50 . 
     In operation, the tray carrier  30  is used to support a plurality of trays  34  arranged in a stack  32 . In one embodiment, a user first positions the tray carrier  30  above the stack  32  of trays  34 , as shown in FIG.  1 . The tray carrier  30  is normally in the non-support position (FIG. 6A) prior to the legs  44  being inserted into the trays  34 . The biasing members  126  (FIG. 7) between the handle  84  of the inner member  52  and the handle  62  of the outer member  50  urge the tray carrier  30  to normally remain in the non-support position. 
     The user then inserts the legs  44  of the tray carrier  30  into the corresponding holes  38  in the trays  34  until the bottom  44  of the legs protrude through the lowermost tray  34  in the stack  32 . The user may then move the tray carrier  30  into the support position wherein the support members  110  are moved into the unlocked position. As mentioned, the user moves the tray carrier  30  into the support position by squeezing the handle  84  of the inner member  52  towards the handle  62  of the outer member  50 . This causes the support members  110  to move to the unlocked position wherein the support members  110  protrude through the apertures  76  in the legs  60  of the outer member  50 . When protruding as such, the support members  110  define a support plane upon which the stack  32  of trays  34  may be rested. 
     FIG. 9 is a side view of the stack  32  of trays  34  with the legs  44  of the tray carrier  30  protruding through the lowermost tray  34   a.  The tray carrier  30  is shown in the support position wherein the support members  110  protrude outward through the legs  60  of the outer member  50 . In this position, the support edges  112  of the support members  110  collectively provide a support surface for the bottom most tray  34   a.  Thus, the bottom most tray  34   a  in the stack  32  rests on the support edges  112  of the support members  110 . The user may then lift the tray carrier  30  with the stack  32  of trays  34  supported by the support edges  112  of the support members  110 . Typically, the user continues to squeeze the handle  84  of the inner member against the handle  62  of the outer member to keep the tray carrier  30  in the support position so that the support members  110  continue to collectively provide support to the stack  32  of trays  34 . The pressure of the trays  34  on the support edges  112  also holds the support members  110  in the support position. Alteratively, the handles  62  or  84  could be provided with retaining devices, such as hooks, that may be used to retain the handles  62  and  84  against one another. 
     With the tray carrier  30  in the support position, the user may carry the stack  32  of trays  34  to any desired location. When the user reaches the desired location, he or she releases the grip on the handles  84  and  62  of the inner member  52  and outer member  50 , respectively. Consequently, the biasing member  126  causes the tray carrier  30  to return to the non-support position so that the support members  110  are locked within the legs  60  of the outer member  50 , as described above with respect to FIG.  8 A. The user may then slide the legs  44  of the tray carrier  30  out of the holes  38  of the stack  32  of trays  34 . 
     The tray carrier  30  thus provides a convenient and easy way for a user to carry a stack  32  of TSOP trays  34 . The user may easily insert the legs  44  of the tray carrier  30  into the holes  38  in the trays  34  and then carry the trays  34  to any desired location. The tray carrier  30  removes the difficulty usually associated with moving a tall stack  32  of trays  34 . 
     Hence, although the foregoing description of the invention has shown, described, and pointed out fundamental novel features of the invention, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form of the detail of the apparatus and method as illustrated as well as the uses thereof, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. Consequently, the scope of the invention should not be limited to the foregoing discussion, but should be defined by the appended claims.