Abstract:
A single piece carrier which is for an integrated circuit device having oppositely extending leads and which utilizes opposed marginal tabs connected to torsional bar parts to hold the integrated circuit device within the carrier.

Description:
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a single piece carrier for an integrated circuit device having oppositely extending leads and commonly known as the flatpack type. 
     In this invention, the carrier is designed with opposed arms or tabs which extend upwardly from either side of an opening formed within the carrier. Each tab is connected at its lower end to a rotatable bar part which allows the connected tab to be moved between open and closed positions. When the tabs are in their open positions, the integrated circuit device can be fitted into the carrier. When in their closed positions, the tabs engage and overlie the integrated circuit device, serving to hold it snugly in place. 
     The carrier of this invention accepts formed lead integrated circuit devices right side up, as well as those integrated circuit devices having narrowly spaced leads. Also, due to the large center opening in the carrier, the circuit device may be marked on either its top or bottom. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a carrier with opposed marginal tabs to hold an integrated circuit device. 
     Another object is to provide a novel single piece carrier which is for a flatpack integrated circuit device and which is of simple and reliable construction and operation. 
     Another object is to provide a carrier for an integrated circuit device which is easily adapted for automated loading and unloading. 
     Still another object is to provide a single piece carrier which is easily adapted to house several types of flatpack integrated circuit devices. 
     Other objects will become apparent upon a reading of the following description. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the one embodiment of the carrier. 
     FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the carrier of FIG. 1 with an integrated circuit device secured therein. 
     FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the carrier of FIG. 1. 
     FIG. 4 is an end elevational view of the carrier of FIG. 1. 
     FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the carrier of FIG. 1. 
     FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6--6 of FIG. 2. 
     FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7--7 of FIG. 3. 
     FIG. 8 is a sectional view like FIG. 7 but showing the tabs flexed into open positions. 
     FIG. 9 is a top plan view of a second embodiment of the carrier. 
     FIG. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 10--10 of FIG. 9. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The preferred embodiments illustrated are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. They are chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its application and practical use to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention. 
     The carrier 5 shown in FIGS. 1-8 includes a frame 8 having an upper face 10 and a lower face 20. A center opening 25 is formed by frame 8 extending from upper face 10 to lower face 20. Opening 25 is defined by ends 24 and sides 26 and is sized to receive body 30 of an integrated circuit device 28. Spaced longitudinal grooves 12 are formed in frame face 10 and extend in opposite directions from sides 26 of opening 25 to accept extending leads 32 of integrated circuit device 28. An offset groove section 13 may be formed next to each side 26 to accommodate the leads of a formed lead device (not shown). 
     A bar part 18 is located at each end 24 of opening 25 and extends between opening sides 26. An arm or tab 16 is connected at one end to each bar part 18 at its longitudinal center. Each tab 16 extends upwardly and generally inwardly, terminating in a lip 22. Each bar part 18 is rotatable about its longitudinal dimension in the manner of a torsion bar to accommodate movement of its connected tab 16 between a closed position, as seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, and an open outwardly flexed position, as shown in FIG. 8, to receive body 30 of device 28. A web 19 is shown extending between each bar part 18 and the frame to provide optional positioning support for the bar part. 
     Device 28 is secured within carrier frame 8 with the lips 22 engaging the body 30 of the device as the tabs 16 are returned to their closed positions from their flexed open positions due to the torsional biasing of bars part 18. The device may be released from carrier 5 by merely flexing the tabs 16 outwardly with the resulting rotation of bars part 18. 
     A second embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, showing a carrier 5&#39; accommodating a quadpack type of integrated circuit device 40. Tabs 16&#39; are located at each corner of frame opening 25&#39;. Grooves 12&#39; accept leads 42 which extend from each side of body 44 of the integrated circuit device 40. Each tab 16&#39; is connected at its one end to a torsional bar part 18&#39; and has a lip 22&#39; formed at its opposite end. A web 19&#39; extends between each bar part 18&#39; and carrier 8&#39;. The manner of operation of tabs 16&#39; and their supporting bar parts 18&#39; is similar to the operation of tabs 16 and bar parts 18 shown in FIGS. 1-8. 
     It is to be understood the invention is not to be limited to the description above given but that it may be modified within the scope of the appended claims.