Continuous strip of electrical component assemblies and method of making same

An intermediate article for use with a plurality of components, in making a continuous strip of assemblies including said components, comprising:

• a carrier strip having a plurality of first and second members integrally extending therefrom and joined thereto at spaced locations along at least one side thereof, each of said first members having at least one second member associated therewith and therebeside;
• said carrier strip further having a plurality of second members extending outwardly along a second side thereof wherein at least some of said second members on said second side are bent so that they overlie said first and second members on said other side;
• and
• locating means provided by each of said second members for enabling at least said components to be assembled to said locating means providing at least three points of location adapted to be engaged by a specific portion of components, whereby after said components are secured to said first members a plurality of assemblies is defined on said carrier strip, with said components and said first members located precisely with respect to each other by said second members during securing thereof without requiring separate fixturing devices.

A combination including a plurality of discrete components and a carrier strip to which said components are to be affixed to form a continuous strip of assemblies;

• said carrier strip having a plurality of first and second members integrally extending therefrom and joined thereto at spaced locations therealong,
• each of said first members having at lest one second member associated therewith and therebeside;
• and
• locating means provided by each of said second members for enabling at least said components to be assembled to said first members in a precisely located relationship, said locating means being adapted to be engaged by a specific portion of said components;
• whereby
• after said components are secured to said first members a plurality of assemblies is defined on said carrier strip, with said components and said first members located precisely with respect to each other by said second members during securing thereof without requiring separate fixturing devices.

A continuous strip of assemblies comprising:

• an article including a carrier strip having a plurality of first and second members integrally extending therefrom and joined thereto at spaced locations therealong, each of said first members having at least one second member associated therewith and therebeside;
• and locating means provided by each of said second members for enabling at least third members to be assembled to said first members in a precisely located relationship, said locating means being adapted to be engaged by cooperating locating means on said third members;
• and
• a plurality of third members, each third member being assembled to respective ones of said first members, said third members including locating means that cooperate with said locating means of said second members to precisely locate said third members with respect to said first members to form said assemblies.