U.S. patent application number 17/160331 was filed with the patent office on 2022-03-24 for central support device for supporting plate-shaped object and storage apparatus for storing plate-shaped object.
The applicant listed for this patent is GUDENG PRECISION INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to MING-CHIEN CHIU, CHENG-EN CHUNG, PO-TING LEE, CHIH-MING LIN, YUNG-CHIN PAN, EN-NIEN SHEN.
Application Number | 20220089327 17/160331 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005384790 |
Filed Date | 2022-03-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220089327 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
CHIU; MING-CHIEN ; et
al. |
March 24, 2022 |
CENTRAL SUPPORT DEVICE FOR SUPPORTING PLATE-SHAPED OBJECT AND
STORAGE APPARATUS FOR STORING PLATE-SHAPED OBJECT
Abstract
A central support device for supporting plate-shaped objects and
a storage apparatus for storing the plate-shaped objects are
provided and adapted to regulate the heights of support elements
and confine front ends thereof to a specified range. The central
support device includes a casing, the support elements and height
adjustment elements. Partition portions each having a dent portions
are disposed at the casing and arranged in the heightwise
direction, with a support element receiving slot defined between
every two adjacent partition portions. Bottom sides of the dent
portions slope in the heightwise direction. One end of each support
element is connected to a bottom portion of a corresponding support
element receiving slot. The height adjustment elements are disposed
in the dent portions, respectively, and extend in the heightwise
direction to form top ends for supporting the support elements. The
storage apparatus also includes the central support device.
Inventors: |
CHIU; MING-CHIEN; (New
Taipei City, TW) ; SHEN; EN-NIEN; (New Taipei City,
TW) ; PAN; YUNG-CHIN; (New Taipei City, TW) ;
LIN; CHIH-MING; (New Taipei City, TW) ; CHUNG;
CHENG-EN; (New Taipei City, TW) ; LEE; PO-TING;
(New Taipei City, TW) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
GUDENG PRECISION INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD. |
New Taipei City |
|
TW |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005384790 |
Appl. No.: |
17/160331 |
Filed: |
January 27, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
63081902 |
Sep 22, 2020 |
|
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 25/107
20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 25/10 20060101
B65D025/10 |
Claims
1. A central support device for supporting plate-shaped objects,
comprising: a casing extending in a heightwise direction, wherein a
plurality of partition portions each having a dent portions are
disposed at the casing and arranged in the heightwise direction,
with a support element receiving slot defined between every two
adjacent partition portions, wherein bottom sides of the dent
portions slope in the heightwise direction, and the dent portions
are in communication with the support element receiving slots,
respectively; a plurality of support elements each having an end
connected to a bottom portion of a corresponding said support
element receiving slot; and a plurality of height adjustment
elements disposed in the dent portions, respectively, wherein the
height adjustment elements extend in the heightwise direction to
form top ends for supporting the support elements positioned in the
support element receiving slots, respectively.
2. The central support device for supporting plate-shaped objects
according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of first
regulation units each having an end connected to a corresponding
said height adjustment element.
3. The central support device for supporting plate-shaped objects
according to claim 2, wherein the partition portions each have a
first through hole, and the first regulation units each have
another end disposed in a corresponding said first through
hole.
4. The central support device for supporting plate-shaped objects
according to claim 3, further comprising a plurality of first
moisture-repellent caps disposed at the first through holes,
respectively.
5. The central support device for supporting plate-shaped objects
according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of tightness
adjustment elements disposed in the support element receiving
slots, respectively, and above the support elements in the
heightwise direction, respectively, wherein top sides of the
support elements slope in the heightwise direction.
6. The central support device for supporting plate-shaped objects
according to claim 5, wherein the tightness adjustment elements
each have a round cross section.
7. The central support device for supporting plate-shaped objects
according to claim 5, further comprising a plurality of second
regulation units, wherein an end of each said second regulation
unit is connected to a corresponding said tightness adjustment
element.
8. The central support device for supporting plate-shaped objects
according to claim 7, wherein the partition portions each have a
second through hole which another end of a corresponding said
second regulation unit is disposed in.
9. The central support device for supporting plate-shaped objects
according to claim 8, further comprising a plurality of second
moisture-repellent caps disposed at the second through holes,
respectively.
10. A storage apparatus for storing plate-shaped objects,
comprising: a box, wherein a plurality of lateral support members
are mounted on each of two opposing sides of the box; and the
central support device for supporting plate-shaped objects, as
recited in claim 1, wherein the casing is connected to a rear side
of the box.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This non-provisional application claims priority under 35
U.S.C. .sctn. 119(e) on US provisional Patent Application No.
63/081,902 filed on Sep. 22, 2020, the entire contents of which are
hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present disclosure relates to support devices for
plate-shaped objects and storage apparatuses for plate-shaped
objects, and in particular to a central support device for
supporting a plate-shaped objects and a storage apparatus having
the central support device and adapted to store the plate-shaped
object.
2. Description of the Related Art
[0003] A conventional storage apparatus, for example, wafer pod, is
adapted to store a plate-shaped objects and has two opposing sides
which support members are mounted on, respectively, to support a
plurality of wafers. However, warpage occurs to the central
portions of extremely-thin plate-shaped objects, such as wafers and
circuit boards, and thus a central support device is required to
support the plate-shaped objects. The central support device has
one end connected to the rear side of the storage apparatus and the
other end extending forward. The other end extends so far that the
front end of the central support device is likely to droop. When
the extent of the droop exceeds a predetermined range, an operating
mechanical arm (for picking and placing the plate-shaped objects)
collides with the front end of the central support device, thereby
damaging the storage apparatus and the plate-shaped objects.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] An objective of the present disclosure is to provide a
central support device for supporting plate-shaped objects.
[0005] To achieve at least the above objective, the present
disclosure provides a central support device for supporting
plate-shaped objects, comprising: a casing extending in a
heightwise direction, wherein a plurality of partition portions
each having a dent portions are disposed at the casing and arranged
in the heightwise direction, with a support element receiving slot
defined between every two adjacent partition portions, wherein
bottom sides of the dent portions slope in the heightwise
direction, and the dent portions are in communication with the
support element receiving slots, respectively; a plurality of
support elements each having an end connected to a bottom portion
of a corresponding said support element receiving slot; and a
plurality of height adjustment elements disposed in the dent
portions, respectively, wherein the height adjustment elements
extend in the heightwise direction to form top ends for supporting
the support elements positioned in the support element receiving
slots, respectively.
[0006] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the central
support device for supporting plate-shaped objects comprises a
plurality of first regulation units each having an end connected to
a corresponding said height adjustment element.
[0007] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the partition
portions each have a first through hole, and the first regulation
units each have another end disposed in a corresponding said first
through hole.
[0008] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the central
support device for supporting plate-shaped objects comprises a
plurality of first moisture-repellent caps disposed at the first
through holes, respectively.
[0009] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the central
support device for supporting plate-shaped objects comprises a
plurality of tightness adjustment elements disposed in the support
element receiving slots, respectively, and above the support
elements in the heightwise direction, respectively, wherein top
sides of the support elements slope in the heightwise
direction.
[0010] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the tightness
adjustment elements each have a round cross section.
[0011] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the central
support device for supporting plate-shaped objects comprises a
plurality of second regulation units, wherein an end of each said
second regulation unit is connected to a corresponding said
tightness adjustment element.
[0012] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the partition
portions each have a second through hole which another end of a
corresponding said second regulation unit is disposed in.
[0013] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the central
support device for supporting plate-shaped objects comprises a
plurality of second moisture-repellent caps disposed at the second
through holes, respectively.
[0014] The present disclosure further provides a storage apparatus
for storing plate-shaped objects, comprising: a box, wherein a
plurality of lateral support members are mounted on each of two
opposing sides of the box; and the central support device for
supporting plate-shaped objects, wherein the casing is connected to
a rear side of the box.
[0015] Therefore, a central support device for supporting
plate-shaped objects and a storage apparatus for storing the
plate-shaped objects are provided and adapted to regulate the
heights of support elements in the heightwise direction and confine
front ends of the support elements to a specified range.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective schematic view of a storage
apparatus for storing plate-shaped objects according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a perspective schematic view of a central support
device for supporting plate-shaped objects according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a lateral schematic view of the central support
device for supporting plate-shaped objects according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0019] FIG. 4 is a perspective schematic view, from another angle,
of the central support device for supporting plate-shaped objects
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0020] FIG. 5 is a perspective schematic view of tightness
adjustment elements of FIG. 4 in another aspect.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] To facilitate understanding of the object, characteristics
and effects of this present disclosure, embodiments together with
the attached drawings for the detailed description of the present
disclosure are provided.
[0022] Referring to FIG. 1, a storage apparatus 200 for storing
plate-shaped objects according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure comprises a box 1 and a central support device 100 for
supporting plate-shaped objects.
[0023] The box 1 has a receiving space S for storing a plurality of
plate-shaped objects, for example, wafers, circuit boards and sheet
glass. A plurality of lateral support members 11 are mounted on
each of the two opposing sides of the box 1.
[0024] Referring to FIG. 2, the central support device 100 for
supporting plate-shaped objects comprises a casing 2, a plurality
of support elements 3 and a plurality of height adjustment elements
4.
[0025] The casing 2 is connected to a rear side 12 of the box 1 and
extends in a heightwise direction d. A plurality of partition
portions 21 are disposed at the casing 2 and arranged in the
heightwise direction d. A support element receiving slot 22 is
defined between every two adjacent partition portions 21.
[0026] One end of each support element 3 is connected to the bottom
portion of a corresponding said support element receiving slot 22.
The support elements 3 and the lateral support members 11 jointly
support the plate-shaped objects. The support elements 3 support
the central portions of the plate-shaped objects, respectively. In
this embodiment, the support elements 3 are slender, but the
present disclosure is not limited thereto. In a variant embodiment,
the support elements 3 are of any other structures or shapes. The
support elements 3 are made of a high-strength material of a lower
weight than the other high-strength materials, such as aluminum
alloy and carbon fiber composite, and thus are of high rigidity and
low weight.
[0027] Referring to FIG. 3, the partition portions 21 each have a
dent portions 211. Bottom sides 211a of the dent portions 211 slope
in the heightwise direction d, and the dent portions 211 are in
communication with the support element receiving slots 22,
respectively.
[0028] The height adjustment elements 4 are disposed in the dent
portions 211, respectively. The height adjustment elements 4 extend
in the heightwise direction d to form top ends 41 for supporting
the support elements 3 positioned in the support element receiving
slots 22, respectively.
[0029] Since the bottom sides 211a of the dent portions 211 slope
in the heightwise direction d, the heights of the top ends 41 of
the height adjustment elements 4 vary with the positions (indicated
by the double arrow shown in FIG. 3) of the height adjustment
elements 4 in the dent portions 211 so as to regulate the height of
the support elements 3 in the heightwise direction d, thereby
confining front ends 32 of the support elements 3 to a specified
range.
[0030] In this embodiment, the bottom sides 211a of the dent
portions 211 slope in the heightwise direction d, i.e., in
direction X (which is the direction in which the support elements 3
extend), but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In a
variant embodiment, the bottom sides 211a of the dent portions 211
slope in the heightwise direction d, i.e., in direction Y or any
other direction.
[0031] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the central support
device 100 for supporting plate-shaped objects further comprises a
plurality of first regulation units 5. One end of each said first
regulation unit 5 is connected to a corresponding said height
adjustment element 4. The first regulation units 5 may be regarded
as extensions of the height adjustment elements 4 and adapted to
enable workers to manually adjust the positions of the height
adjustment elements 4. In this embodiment, the first regulation
units 5 are lock screws capable of locking to regulate and adjust
the positions of the height adjustment elements 4. However, the
present disclosure is not limited thereto.
[0032] In this embodiment, the partition portions 21 each have a
first through hole 212 which the other end of a corresponding said
first regulation unit 5 is disposed in. Therefore, the first
regulation units 5 are embedded in the partition portions 21 to
minimize the volume of the central support device 100. In this
embodiment, the first through holes 212 extend in direction X to
penetrate the partition portions 21, and the first regulation units
5 extend in direction X to connect to the height adjustment
elements 4, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In a
variant embodiment, the first regulation units 5 extend in any
other direction to connect to the height adjustment elements 4, for
example, extend in direction Y to penetrate the partition portions
21 and thus connect to the height adjustment elements 4 or are
exposed from the partition portions 21 and thus connected to the
height adjustment elements 4.
[0033] In this embodiment, a plurality of first moisture-repellent
caps 81 are disposed at the first through holes 212, respectively,
to block moisture. To regulate the heights of the support elements
3, workers remove the first moisture-repellent caps 81 and insert a
screwdriver into the first through holes 212 to rotate the first
regulation units 5, so as to regulate the positions of the height
adjustment elements 4.
[0034] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the central support
device 100 for supporting the plate-shaped objects further
comprises a plurality of tightness adjustment elements 6 disposed
in the support element receiving slots 22, respectively, and above
the support elements 3 in the heightwise direction d, respectively.
Top sides 31 of the support elements 3 slope in the heightwise
direction d. The tightness adjustment elements 6 fit between the
underlying top sides 31 of the support elements 3 and the
overhanging partition portions 21; thus, workers change the
positions (indicated by arrows shown in the diagram) of the
tightness adjustment elements 6 in the support element receiving
slots 22 to enable the tightness adjustment elements 6 to press
against the support elements 3, so as to regulate how tightly the
support elements 3 are engaged with the casing 2.
[0035] In this embodiment, the top sides 31 of the support elements
3 slope in the heightwise direction d, that is, in the direction
perpendicular to the extension direction (direction Y) of the
support elements 3. Therefore, the top sides 31 of the support
elements 3 slope in direction Y. However, the present disclosure is
not limited thereto. In a variant embodiment, the top sides 31 of
the support elements 3 slope in the heightwise direction d, that
is, slope in direction X or any other direction.
[0036] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the central support
device 100 for supporting plate-shaped objects further comprises a
plurality of second regulation units 7. One end of each said second
regulation unit 7 is connected to a corresponding said tightness
adjustment element 6. The second regulation units 7 may be regarded
as extensions of the tightness adjustment elements 6 and adapted to
enable workers to manually adjust the positions of the tightness
adjustment elements 6. In this embodiment, the second regulation
units 7 are lock screws capable of locking to regulate and adjust
the positions of the tightness adjustment elements 6. However, the
present disclosure is not limited thereto.
[0037] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the partition
portions 21 each have a second through hole 213 which the other end
of a corresponding said second regulation unit 7 is disposed in.
Therefore, the second regulation units 7 are embedded in the
partition portions 21 to minimize the volume of the central support
device 100. In this embodiment, second through holes 213 extend in
direction Y to penetrate the partition portions 21, and the second
regulation units 7 extend in direction Y to connect to the
tightness adjustment elements 6, but the present disclosure is not
limited thereto. In a variant embodiment, the second regulation
units 7 extend in any other direction to connect to the tightness
adjustment elements 6, for example, extend in direction X to
penetrate the partition portions 21 and thus connect to the
tightness adjustment elements 6 or are exposed from the partition
portions 21 and thus connected to the tightness adjustment elements
6.
[0038] In this embodiment, a plurality of second moisture-repellent
caps 82 are disposed at the second through holes 213, respectively,
to block moisture. To regulate the tightness of the support
elements 3, workers remove the second moisture-repellent caps 82
and insert a screwdriver into the second through holes 213 to
rotate the second regulation units 7, so as to regulate the
positions of the tightness adjustment elements 6.
[0039] In this embodiment, the tightness adjustment elements 6 have
round cross sections and are rod-shaped, but the present disclosure
is not limited thereto. As shown in FIG. 5, the tightness
adjustment elements 6a have wedge-shaped or trapezoidal cross
sections and have bottom sides 61 abutting against the top sides 31
of the support elements 3.
[0040] While the present disclosure has been described by means of
specific embodiments, numerous modifications and variations could
be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from
the scope and spirit of the present disclosure set forth in the
claims.
* * * * *