Patent ID: 8220141

Claim:
A component supply apparatus for supplying components from each of a plurality of component-supplying tape feeders adapted to be installed to a feeder installation section while being arranged side-by-side in a conveyance direction of a conveyer provided in a surface mounter, wherein each of the tape feeders is formed in a shape elongated in one direction to allow the installation thereof to be performed in such a manner that it is inserted and pulled out relative to the feeder installation section, along a longitudinal direction thereof, and wherein a trailing one of longitudinally opposite ends of each of the tape feeders in an insertion direction is provided with a guide portion for guiding installation of one of the tape feeders to be installed to the feeder installation section in adjacent relation to ones of the remaining tape feeders, and wherein the guide portions of two tape feeders to be located on both sides of one tape feeder form an insertion port having a width dimension between the trailing ends of the two tape feeders, increasing toward the rearmost edges of the two tape feeders.