Patent GB-1071188-A (GB)
Title: Carrier
IPC: H05K7/12
Filed: 1964-08-07
Abstract: 1,071,188. Handling semi-conductor devices and capacitors. TEXAS INSTRUMENTS Inc. Aug. 7, 1964 [Aug. 14, 1963], No. 32210/64. Headings H1K and H1M. [Also in Division B8] The invention relates to a temporary carrying fixture for electronic devices having conductive leads extending from a main body. Such devices include integrated semi-conductor networks, transistors, capacitors, and resistors. The use of the fixture facilitates handling of the device and protects its leads from damage. Electrical tests conveniently may be carried out with the device on its carrying fixture, and temporary (" bread board ") circuits may be set up. In circumstances in which space is not restricted the device and its fixture may be incorporated together in the apparatus using the device, to facilitate replacement. The fixture may also display information relating to the device it carries. The carrying fixture consists of a frame which has a pair of spaced side members held apart sufficiently for the body of the electronic device to be placed between them; each side member has a portion for receiving one or more leads from the device and attached or integral means for locating them thereon so that the device is held between the side members in a pre-selected spaced relationship to the frame. If the carrier is to be used only to simplify handling of the device it may be made entirely of conductive material, but for general use at least the lead-receiving portion of the frame should be made from an insulating material such as plastics and ceramics. In the single embodiment described the carrying frame is a single-piece plastic moulding. The electronic device carried is a semi-conductor network 11 such as a toggle circuit or other logic component. The side members 19, 21 of the frame are provided at intervals with flanges 27, 29 which define between them leadreceiving recesses into each of which a lead 15 is extended and wrapped or formed around the side member to hold the semi-conductor network to the frame. The generally square crosssection of the side members makes it convenient to use measuring apparatus having forked probes when testing the network on the frame. To obtain a low contact resistance two probes may be used to contact a single lead 15. Crossportions 24 on the end members 23, 25 prevent the leads from coming into contact with any surface on which the frame may be rested. The flat portions 31, 33 of the end members 23, 25 each have a hole 35, 37 so that the frame may be secured to a chassis if desired. These flat surfaces may be used to carry information relating to the semi-conductor network. As shown, one surface of portion 33 bears a binary type code having five significent places at ten positions along its length. The coding marks may consist of magnetic point, electrically conductive paint or conductive inlays, or of areas of reflective material. This coding may be read by handling apparatus in automatic handling machinery. To make the frame suitable for automatic handling an indexing notch is cut in one end member to determine the orientation of the frame, and ridges 28, 30 are provided along one side of each end member so that the frames may be stacked upon one another. Machine stacking and de-stacking may be carried out by sliding one frame from another parallel to the locating ridges. To prevent jamming each comer of the frame is bevelled in three directions.