Material or article handling – Article reorienting device – Article inverting means
Patent
1992-07-07
1994-12-20
Bucci, David A.
Material or article handling
Article reorienting device
Article inverting means
414737, 414738, 414742, 414763, 414771, 414774, B65G 47248
Patent
active
053741587
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND
The present invention relates generally to devices for handling articles such as computer chips and particularly to inverting apparatus and to pick up probes.
During the manufacture of articles such as computer chips, such articles must be tested for operability, efficiency, and other conditions. It is especially desirable to automate such testing to reduce the amount of labor required in performing such tests. Thus, a need exists for devices which mechanically handle such articles to allow automated testing. This need includes devices or probes which are able to pick up and/or place such articles at desired locations and which do not have a tendency to damage such articles including delicate parts thereof such as the connecting leads on a computer chip. This need also includes devices for inverting such articles to allow automated testing on both sides of the article, which devices also not having a tendency to damage such articles including delicate parts thereof such as the connecting leads on a computer chip.
SUMMARY
The present invention solves these needs and other problems in the field of chip handling by providing, in the most preferred form, a method for inverting an article where the first surface of an article is attached and then moved in a first direction. The article is then tipped 90.degree. and the second opposing surface is then attached. After release of the first surface, the article is then again tipped 90.degree.. After moving the article in a direction opposite to the first direction, the second surface of the article is released, with the article being inverted from its initial position.
In a preferred form, the article is inverted by an apparatus which selectively positions first and second probes between a first, parallel relation and a second, in line relation, with the probes including reciprocal pins for removable attachment to the article. In a most preferred form, the probes are pivotably mounted to a housing and to a block which is reciprocally mounted relative to the housing, with the probes being simultaneously pivoted as the block is reciprocated between first and second positions.
In a further aspect of the present invention, a probe is provided including a pin reciprocally mounted in a housing for reciprocation in upper and lower chambers. The pin includes a piston which defines a pressure chamber in the lower chamber and includes an internal passage in fluid communication with the upper chamber. Fluid communication is provided to the upper chamber and the pressure chamber for removably attaching an article to the pin and/or for reciprocating the pin within the housing.
It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a novel inverting method.
It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a novel inverting apparatus.
It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a novel probe.
It is further an object of the present invention to provide such a novel probe including a reciprocating pin which only retracts when an article is attached thereto.
It is further an object of the present invention to provide such a novel probe which utilizes fluid pressure and vacuum acting on a piston to reciprocate the pin.
It is further an object of the present invention to provide such a novel probe having a volume reducing chamber from the pin retracting into the chamber.
It is further an object of the present invention to provide such a novel probe providing very soft handling of the article.
It is further an object of the present invention to provide such novel inverting method and apparatus providing very soft handling of the article.
It is further an object of the present invention to provide such novel inverting method and apparatus of a relatively simple design.
It is further an object of the present invention to provide such novel inverting method and apparatus which passes the article between first and second probes movable between parallel and in line positions.
These and further objects and advantages of the present invention will become
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Hertz Jeffrey J.
Jensen Dennis H.
Tessier Robert R.
Aetrium, Inc.
Bucci David A.
Krizek Janice L.
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