Handling: hand and hoist-line implements – Article carrier gripped and carried by hand – Carrier component positioned in aperture in article
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-03
2001-07-03
Kramer, Dean J. (Department: 3652)
Handling: hand and hoist-line implements
Article carrier gripped and carried by hand
Carrier component positioned in aperture in article
C294S097000, C211S059100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06254158
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a carrying device. More particularly, the invention relates to a device for carrying a plurality of trays that are arranged in a stack.
2. Description of the Related Art
Thin small outline package trays, or TSOP trays, are devices that are used to carry a plurality of computer chips or other small objects. The trays define a planar surface on which a plurality of these small objects are positioned for transport or storage. The trays should be large enough to carry a high number of the computer chips, which are typically organized in rows and columns on the tray surface. During storage or movement, the trays are typically stacked atop one another to conserve space. Unfortunately, as the number of trays in the stack increases, the stack becomes increasingly difficult to carry or move.
TSOP trays are often used to feed computer chips into a chip handler or sorter, which is a device that is used to test the chips and sort them according to the quality of the chips. Typically, a user lowers a stack of the trays into a bin attached to the chip handler. The chips are then removed from the trays, tested for quality, and then sorted by the chip handler and returned to the trays.
Unfortunately, the size of the stack makes it difficult and awkward for the user to lower the stack of trays into the bin of the chip handler. This is particularly true since the bottom of the bin is often deep. Additionally, as the size of the stack increases, the likelihood of a person dropping the stack also increases, which often leads to lost and damaged parts as well as jammed handlers. While the size of the stack of trays may be reduced by lowering the number of trays in the stack, this would reduce efficiency.
The bulkiness of the trays also increases the likelihood that the trays will be dropped or mishandled during transport A significant amount of time is often wasted picking up trays and parts that have been scattered after an unfortunate fall.
There is, therefore, a need for a device for carrying a plurality of TSOP trays that are arranged in a stack. The device should provide a user with an easy means of carrying and transporting the stack of trays and should be easily operated an manufactured.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The aforementioned needs are satisfied by the invention which relates to a device for carrying a stack of TSOP trays.
In one aspect of the invention, there is disclosed a device for supporting and transporting at least one object which has a plurality of apertures extending therethrough. The device comprises a handle, and a plurality of legs connected to the handle. At least a portion of the legs are configured to be inserted into at least one of the plurality of apertures. The device further comprises a plurality of support members attached to the portion of the plurality of legs and sized to fit within the apertures in object. Each of the support members have a support edge and are movable to an extended position wherein the support edges collectively define a surface supporting the at least one object. The device facilitates carrying of the objects.
In another aspect of the invention, there is disclosed a device for carrying and transporting at least one object which has a plurality of apertures extending therethrough. The device comprises a handle and an outer housing having a handle section and a plurality of legs connected thereto. Each of the plurality of legs includes an aperture extending through a portion thereof. The device further comprises an inner frame coupled to the outer housing, the inner frame having a handle section positioned adjacent the handle section of the outer housing and a plurality of legs slidably positioned within the plurality of legs of the outer housing, and a plurality of support members attached to a portion of the plurality of legs of the inner frame. Each of the plurality of support members includes a support edge. The plurality of support members are movable to an extended position wherein the support members extend outward through the apertures in the legs of the outer frame so that the support edges of the support members cooperate to support the at least one object. The support members move to the extended position when the handle section of the inner frame is moved toward the handle section of the outer housing.
In another aspect of the invention, there is disclosed a system for carrying objects. The system comprises at least one object and a carrying device comprising a handle, at least one leg connected to the handle, and a first support member connected to the leg. The first support member has a support edge sized to support at least a portion of the at least one object.
In yet another aspect of the invention, there is disclosed a device for carrying at least one object having a plurality of apertures extending therethrough. The device comprises a handle, a plurality of hollow legs connected to the handle, the plurality of legs each having a height greater than the height of the at least one object and a plurality of support members coupled to the plurality of hollow legs and movable into an extended position. The support members collectively define a support surface for supporting the at least one object thereon. The device also includes means for moving the support members to the extended position.
In yet another aspect of the invention, there is disclosed a device for supporting and transporting at least one object which has a plurality of apertures extending therethrough The device comprises a handle, a plurality of legs connected to the handle, wherein at least a portion of the legs are configured to be inserted into at least one of the plurality of apertures, and means for supporting the at least one object when the legs are inserted into the apertures.
In yet another aspect of the invention, there is disclosed a method of moving a stack of trays. The method comprises stacking a plurality of trays atop one another to form a stack of trays, wherein each of the trays has a plurality of apertures therein and wherein the step of stacking includes aligning apertures in adjacent trays with each other, inserting each of a plurality of legs of a tray carrier into a corresponding one of the plurality of apertures in the stack of trays, locking the tray carrier to the stack of trays, and lifting the tray carrier so that the tray carrier supports the stack of trays.
In another aspect of the invention, there is disclosed a method of transporting a stack of trays. The method comprises forming a stack of trays such that a bottommost tray supports the other trays in the stack of trays, coupling a plurality of legs of a tray carrier to the stack of trays so that a plurality of support members on the legs provide a support surface for the bottommost tray in the stack of trays, and lifting the tray carrier so that the support surface supports the stack of trays.
In yet another aspect of the invention, there is disclosed a method of carrying at least one tray. The method comprises inserting a leg of a tray carrier through an aperture in the at least one tray so that a bottom end of the leg protrudes through the bottom of the at least one tray, extending a support member outward from the bottom end of the at least one tray so that the support member provides a support surface for the tray, and lifting the tray carrier so that the at least one tray rests on the support surface of the support member.
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Chin Paul T.
Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP
Kramer Dean J.
Micro)n Technology, Inc.
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