Locking spring for tubular IC carriers

Abstract

A spring for each end of a tubular carrier to secure them against sliding and slipping within the tube. The spring having a tongue carrying on its tip an upwardly jutting pin which is upwardly resilient. The pin latches into through apertures in the top wall of the carrier and may have a camming means forward of the pin comprising a pair of ramps extending forward and down from the pin and symmetrical about a longitudinal axis. The tongue has a base and in one embodiment extends rearward of the base. In a preferred embodiment the tongue has a base and extends forward of the base. The tongue may have a surround, and in the preferred embodiment the tongue may extend forward of a lower ledge at the rear of the surround. In use, as the spring enters the carrier against a chip, the pin is cammed down. When the spring is compressed against the chip sufficiently, the pin enters an aperture in the top wall of the carrier, and latches the spring. Thus the spring holds the chip firmly in place relative to the carrier and prevents accidental chipping or damage to the chip.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.