Apparatus for placing surface mounting devices on a printer circuit board

Claim 1

Apparatus for placing a surface mounting device in precise location upon a printed circuit board adapted to receive the device, such apparatus comprising a dispensing unit and a pickup unit freely engageable with each other and wherein: A. said dispensing unit includes (a) means for holding a plurality of devices of the type to be placed; (b) a release mechanism for releasing from said holding means one device at a time; (c) means for directing the released device into a predetermined orientation; (d) a receptacle for receiving the released device and retaining it in said predetermined orientation; (e) a first reference means operative in engagement of the dispensing unit and the pickup unit; and (f) means for positioning the receptacle for positioning the device in two dimensions with respect to the first reference means; and B. said pickup unit includes (a) a handle for manual manipulation of the pickup unit into engagement with the dispensing unit and into position on the printed circuit board; (b) second reference means operative in combination with said first reference means to effect engagement of the pickup and dispensing units; and (c) latching means attached to the handle, for latching onto the released device as it is retained in the receptacle and for holding said device for removal from the receptacle and placement upon the printed circuit board; and whereby the device to be placed is positionable within the receptacle with precise reference to the first reference means and upon engagement of the pickup unit and the dispensing unit substantially indentical position is established between the device and the second reference for placement of the device upon the printed circuit board.