US 5,203,454 A · Method and apparatus for transporting sensitive electronic components

Abstract

A method and apparatus for packaging sensitive electronic components includes a tray having an outer wall with an inside surface which at least partially defines a protected space; releasable retention bars releasably retaining the components in the protected space. The tray and retention bar are preferably fabricated from an electrically conductive material, so that the assembly may be grounded during transport and handling. The method of packaging and transporting includes providing the container, placing at least one component in the protected space, placing the retention bar over the component to retain it in the protected space, engaging the ends of the bars with the container to capture the component between the bar and the inside surface of the tray, and transporting the tray with captured components to a desired location, during which time the assembly is protected against damage during handling.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A combination of at leastone suspension assembly and a container for packaging a plurality of suspension assemblies during transport and handling, said combination comprising:

at least one suspension assembly having a base plate and suspension arm;
a tray having an outer wall and an inside surface which at least partially defines a protected space therien, said inside surface including a bottom surface;
a removable retention bar separate from said tray, said retention bar having two ends;
and
retention means located on each of said two ends of said removable retention bar and integral with said retention bar, said retention means for retaining said removable retention bar within said tray to capture said base plate of said at least one suspension assembly between said removable retention bar and said bottom surface, whereby said suspension arm of said at least one suspension assembly is suspended in said protected space.

2 more elements

A container for packaging a pluraltiy of suspension assemblies during transport and handling,e ach suspension assembly having a base plate and suspension arm, and each suspension assembly being packaged by capture of its base plate, said container comprising:

a tray having an outer wall with an inside surface which at least partially defines a protected space therein, said inside surface further comprising a bottom surface, said tray further comprising a plurality of serrated portions formed in said inside surface;
a removable elongated retention bar having two ends;
and
retention means located on each of said two ends of said removable retention bar, said retention means for retaining said removable retention bar within said tray to capture base plates between said removable retention bar and said bottom surface, said retention means further comprising a serrated portion on each end of said retention bar, said serrated portion adapted to cooperate with one of said plurality of serrated portions in said tray, whereby suspension arms of suspension assemblies are suspended in said protected space.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for transporting sensitive electronic components

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for transporting sensitive electronic components

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20