Central support device for supporting plate-shaped object and storage apparatus for storing plate-shaped object

{
  "publication_number": "US11292637B1",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B1",
  "title": "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.",
  "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 are disposed at the casing and arranged in the heightwise direction, with a support element receiving slot defined between every two adjacent partition portions, each of the partition portions having a dent portions, wherein height of bottom surfaces of the dent portions changes gradually 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 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 one of the plurality of height adjustment elements.",
    "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 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 of the plurality of second regulation units is connected to a corresponding one of the plurality of tightness adjustment elements.",
    "8. The central support device for supporting plate-shaped objects according to claim 7, wherein the partition portions each have a second through hole in which another end of each of the plurality of second regulation units is disposed.",
    "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_excerpt": "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.\n\nA 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.\n\nAn objective of the present disclosure is to provide a central support device for supporting plate-shaped objects.",
  "cpc": [
    "H10P 72/127",
    "B65D 21/0204",
    "B65D 21/0213",
    "B65D 21/0228",
    "B65D 21/083",
    "B65D 2205/02",
    "B65D 25/107",
    "B65D 47/32",
    "B65G 2201/0235",
    "B65G 2201/0297",
    "H10P 72/0402",
    "H10P 72/14",
    "H10P 72/18",
    "H10P 72/1911",
    "H10P 72/1914",
    "H10P 72/1916",
    "H10P 72/1921",
    "H10P 72/1922",
    "H10P 72/1926",
    "H10P 72/3302"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B65D 25/10",
    "B65D 85/48"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Gudeng Precision Industrial Co Ltd"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Ming-Chien Chiu",
    "En-Nien Shen",
    "Yung-Chin PAN",
    "Chih-Ming Lin",
    "Cheng-En Chung",
    "Po-Ting Lee"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2021-01-27",
  "publication_date": "2022-04-05",
  "grant_date": "2022-04-05",
  "priority_date": "2020-09-22",
  "application_number": "US-202117160331-A",
  "family_id": "80739936",
  "cited_by_count": 0,
  "citations": [
    "US5890598A",
    "US6216883B1",
    "US20050205502A1",
    "US20060011507A1",
    "US20060283774A1",
    "US20070006803A1"
  ]
}