Patent ID: 7618074

Claim:
Handling apparatus for passing electronic components such as ICs to a testing apparatus, said components having side edges, said components being provided in a component carrier, said handling apparatus passing said components to the testing apparatus comprising a component holder which has a positioning device for laterally positioning the component in the component holder, the positioning device comprising movable clamping elements which can be moved from an open position, in which said movable clamping elements are at a distance from the side edges of the component, into a clamping position, in which said movable clamping elements apply a pressure force, which prevents lateral movement of the component, to the side edges of the component, each clamping element being urged towards its clamping position by means of a spring; wherein the clamping elements each comprise an operating protrusion which is held by spring in a position protruding towards the component carrier when the component holder is positioned distantly to the component carrier and which can be moved by the component carrier when the component holder is placed onto the component carrier, as a result of which the clamping elements are moved to their open position, the clamping elements being moved into the opening position by placing the component holder onto the component carrier thereby pushing the operating protrusions against the biasing force of springs, wherein the operating protrusions extend outwardly.