Hand tool for aiding closure of integrated circuit storage cartridges

A hand tool for assisting closure of elongated storage cartridges of a type used for integrated circuit (IC) packages stored end on end and maintained tightly against one another in a space between inserted closure pin means residing in orifices defined in an elongated storage cartridge, the hand tool comprising:

• a base having first and second ends;
• a shank extending substantially normal to the base from one of said ends and terminating at a grip formation extending substantially normal to the shank and away from the base;
• a pair of tines extending from the second end of the base substantially normal to the base spaced from and along the shank, the tines defining a channel therebetween;
• and
• a hinged flap mounted next to the second end and being rotatable to assume a position spaced parallel with and extending along the tines;
• whereby in use to assist closure of an elongated storage cartridge having been filled with IC packages, the tines are inserted in an open end of the cartridge with the shank lying along an outside surface of the cartridge and thereafter pressure is manually applied to urge the tines against an IC package to sufficiently displace said packages to clear the holes and permit insertion of the pin means into said holes, said flap being so positionable as to assist in driving the pin into an interference fit relationship with said holes, whereafter said pressure is released and said IC packages are firmly retained within the storage cartridge.