# US 12,114,430 B2 · Component feeder mechanism with floating frame

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- Number: US 12,114,430 B2
- Document ID: US12114430B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/245,565
- Filed: 2021-04-30
- Published: 2021-12-16
- Granted: 2024-10-08
- Earliest claimed: 2020-01-30
- Assignees: Automation Technical Service Inc
- Applicants: Automation Technical Service Inc
- Inventors: Kelvin Wiley
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12114430B2

## CPC

- H05K 13/02: Feeding of components
- H05K 13/0417: {Feeding with belts or tapes}
- H05K 13/0419: {tape feeders}
- Y10T 29/53174: Means to fasten electrical component to wiring board, base, or substrate
- H05K: PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

A mechanism comprising a base having a top surface and including a groove extending along the top surface and a frame flexibly coupled to the base. The frame includes a right side attached to a left side. The right side has a substantially “L-shaped” cross-section and includes a knife portion and a creasing portion. The left side includes a substantially “L-shaped” cross-section and is rigidly coupled to the right side such that the frame has a substantially “U-shaped” cross-section that is sized to receive at least a portion of the base. A first spring is positioned proximate the knife portion and is arranged to control a compressive force between the knife portion and the base and a second spring is positioned proximate the creasing portion and is arranged to control a compressive force between the creasing portion and the base.

## Claims

### Claim 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.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The mechanism of claim 1 wherein the first and second springs and the at least one fastener are arranged to enable the frame to move vertically relative to the base.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The mechanism of claim 1 wherein the first L-shaped portion is attached to the second L-shaped portion via the first and the second bosses.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The mechanism of claim 1 wherein the second spring is positioned proximate the knife portion.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The mechanism of claim 4 wherein the first spring is positioned proximate the creasing portion.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The mechanism of claim 1 wherein the knife portion includes a knife tip followed by a deflecting surface.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The mechanism of claim 1 wherein the creasing portion includes a creasing edge extending from a first portion to a second portion.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The mechanism of claim 7 wherein the creasing edge includes a wedge portion that is positioned at an angle relative to a direction of the groove.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The mechanism of claim 1 wherein the first spring has a first spring rate and the second spring has a second spring rate, wherein the first spring rate is different than the second spring rate.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The mechanism of claim 1 wherein the first and second springs are compression springs.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The mechanism of claim 1 wherein the at least one fastener includes a fastener arranged to move in a corresponding slot.