Patent ID: 8486540

Claim:
A lead frame sheet, comprising: an electrically conductive sheet having an upper side surface and an under side surface, the electrically conductive sheet including a plurality of lead frames integrally formed therein and side rails along longitudinal edges of the conductive sheet and surrounding the plurality of lead frames; and spacing members integrally formed in the side rails of the electrically conductive sheet, a first one of the spacing members being proximal to a first longitudinal edge of the electrically conductive sheet and a second one of the spacing members being proximal to a second longitudinal edge of the electrically conductive sheet, wherein the first one of the spacing members is a wall formed from a punched out area of the electrically conductive sheet, and the spacing members are isolated from the lead frames and extend along the under side surface of the electrically conductive sheet, and in use the spacing members space the under side surface of the electrically conductive sheet from a planar support.