US 12,114,430 B2
Component feeder mechanism with floating frame
Kelvin Wiley, San Diego, CA (US)
Assigned to Automation Technical Service Inc., San Diego, CA (US)
Filed by Automation Technical Service Inc, San Diego, CA (US)
Filed on Apr. 30, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/245,565.
Application 17/245,565 is a continuation of application No. 17/162,657, filed on Jan. 29, 2021, granted, now 11,032,956.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/968,137, filed on Jan. 30, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2021/0392801 A1, Dec. 16, 2021
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. H05K 13/02 (2006.01); H05K 13/04 (2006.01)
CPC H05K 13/02 (2013.01) [H05K 13/0417 (2013.01); H05K 13/0419 (2018.08); Y10T 29/53174 (2015.01)] 11 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A mechanism for detaching a portion of a covertape from a tape, the mechanism comprising:
a base having a top surface and including a groove extending along the top surface, the base further defining first and second cavities each extending through the base from a first surface of the base to a second surface of the base;
a frame having a first L-shaped portion coupled to a second L-shaped portion forming a U-shaped geometry, the frame including:
a knife portion arranged to detach one side of the covertape from the tape; and
a creasing portion arranged to crease a portion of the covertape such that the covertape folds back on itself;
wherein the first L-shaped portion includes a first boss arranged to be received within the first cavity and wherein the first L-shaped portion includes a second boss arranged to be received within the second cavity;
a first spring positioned between the base and the first boss and a second spring positioned between the base and the second boss, wherein the first and the second springs are arranged to force the frame towards the base and to apply a compressive force between the frame and the base;
a pin extending through the first spring and through the first boss, wherein a portion of the pin is received within a hole defined by the base; and
at least one fastener flexibly coupling the frame to the base and allowing the frame to move relative to the base to accommodate variations in a thickness of the tape and/or the covertape.