Vacuum pickup tool for placing balls in a customized pattern
US5749614A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 4, 1995 |
| Grant date | May 12, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 4, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH05K2203/082
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A vacuum pickup tool (10) is effective to carry balls (18) arranged in a desired pattern. The vacuum pickup tool (10) includes a manifold (12) that includes a carrier plate (22) that has a plurality of manifold bores (28) arranged in a pattern. The manifold (12) defines a vacuum chamber (20) that reduces gas pressure in the manifold (12) to allow the manifold bores (28) to retain a ball (18). The manifold (12) further includes a retaining plate (14) that overlies the carrier plate (22) and includes a plurality of retaining plate bores (30) arranged in a pattern such that each retaining plate bore (30) registers with a corresponding manifold bore (28). The retaining plate (14) is effective to secure a stencil (16) formed of a gas-impermeable sheet against the carrier plate (22) to prevent gas flow between a manifold bore (28) and a corresponding retaining plate bore (30).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.