DE2847617A1 - MACHINE FOR TESTING ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS - Google Patents

Description

DIPL. ING. HEINZ BARDEHLE DIPL. CHEM. DR. PETER FÜRNISS

PATENT LAWYERS

M'inclien, November 2, 1978

File number:

Applicant: _USM Corporation

Farmington, Connecticut 06032 delivery address: 1.81 Elliott Street

Beverly, Mass. Ol9T5 USA

Our reference: P 2784

Machine for testing electrical components

909819/0784

Office: Herrnstrasse 15, Munich 2 &

The invention relates to a machine for testing
of electrical components. In particular, it relates to an improved test station for a reliable and automatic determination of the correct electrical function of each electronic component from a series that have to be processed or processed one after the other at high speed.

A test station for the sequence of electronic components is included in the not pre-published registrations P 28 20 831.3 and G 78 14 419.1 of the applicant described.

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The present invention can be applied to an apparatus for checking the electrical conformity of components are applied with predetermined standards or a predetermined order; it will however found that the present application is not limited to an order checking arrangement is. Rather, the present invention can be used both for a test with an intermittently operated system as well as with a continuously operated device. As in the above German patent application, the prior art includes, for example, U.S. Patents 3,236,374, 2,896,314, 3,073,446, 3,240,336 and 3,366,235. The above-mentioned unpublished patent application describes a Test station for electronic components that are adjacent is arranged to a feed device for components, and which can be used, for example, in a continuously operated machine for sorting components. These described experimental station has in addition to a device for accelerating the successive Delivery of each component to the station pairs of cam-controlled electrical contacts, each one can be closed on each line if it has been positioned between them. The test station according to the present invention is simpler and more reliable and also has new ones described below Features based on them from the test station in the older Registration differs; furthermore, it does not require an auxiliary test station.

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The invention is therefore based on the object of a test station for electrical components with lines for To make available, which has effective contacts resting on the lines, which only have a low force needed to make contact.

A device for feeding is used to achieve this object of the lines of successive components along a track is provided and a station for testing the respective components has at least one pair of electrical contacts adjacent to the track, the are yieldingly separable when a line that has arrived between them arrives at them. Preferably are both contacts of both contact pairs located at a distance from one another with at least one abrasive or a sharp edge that may be present oxidized outer layer of the seized line can penetrate. Any blade attached to a lead to Plant arrives is transverse to the successive, laterally arranged adjacent lines of the components, the blades are oriented so that they good electrical contact at spaced apart locations while holding the conductor wire and during the test period while the component is held. By providing each contact with a pair of such parallel blades, a vision position is created of the components on their path as well as a possibly existing tendency to bend the ladder during the test, avoided.

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So an improved test station for electrical components is made available that automatically can process successive components with lines; it has a new line contact arrangement with which a higher test cycle time is obtained and the holding and testing position of each component is determined.

Another advantage of the invention is that an automatic device or station for accurate determination the electrical quality of electrical components is made available with their grips respective connecting lines at a distance, with the device or station so shaped conductor contacts owns that they / while they hold onto the lines, any oxidized outer layer of the cables before the test and during the Penetrate the test, whereby only low contact forces that do not bend the cables are necessary.

The invention is explained below with reference to preferred exemplary embodiments in connection with the figures explained in more detail.

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a machine for stringing and tapping components having a Test or control device for the sequence according to the invention, which is carried out on a continuously operating conveyor for the components is arranged with parts omitted;

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ΛΛ

Fig. 2 is an enlarged side view
Scale of parts of the test shown in Fig. 1
and component transfer device;
Fig. 3 is a plan view of the transfer and
Testing device;

FIG. 4 is an end view of that shown in FIG. 3
Parts with parts omitted to show details of the drive mechanism;
Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 2 but showing the parts in different positions in a cycle;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 showing a component leaving the test station;
while another component is being fed to it;
Figure 7 is a perspective view of the component inspection station and associated conveyor mechanism; Fig. 8 is an enlarged cross section showing a line in the test position or in the position in which the contact is closed;

9 is an enlarged view in vertical cross section with the contacts in the test position for the Component are shown and there are other components behind and in front of this position.

The embodiment chosen here for the purpose of clarification relates to the use of the invention of a machine which is used for producing electrically tested rolls of
lined up components with wire-wrapped spacing, as required for component insertion machines, is programmed; however, the application of the invention is to this

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not restricted. The figures largely correspond to those of the earlier application mentioned above, in order to provide a to enable easier comparison.

For the sake of convenience, but not of limitation, the invention will hereinafter be embodied in machines in general Of the type disclosed in referenced U.S. Patents 3,669,309 and 3,971,193. Use this a continuously operating endless chain-type conveyor, indicated generally at 10 is (Figures 1, 2, 6 and 7) to a sequence of equally spaced, laterally adjacent Components C (which do not necessarily need to be physically or electrically identical) with at least To convey partially coaxial lines L, which are reapplied to a belt in a processing station 12 (Figure 1) or wrapped and then rolled up again. It should be emphasized that the components C, which are initially from the belts T from their respective distribution devices 14 arranged along the conveyor, are supplied, according to a data control, which is not shown, sequentially and released individually to the conveyor.

It is also assumed that the endless conveyor 10, the distribution device 14 and the processing station 12 in the substantially correspond to the construction in the above-mentioned US-PS; for the sake of convenience it will also be assumed that also a component accelerator or transfer device 16 (which is essentially the one at 30

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designated device in the above-mentioned earlier patent application) is used to consecutively Components in the direction of the conveyor feed after a new test station for the components, which is indicated generally at 18 to move. The conveyor 10 and / or the component transfer mechanism 16 clearly belong to the cyclical feeding of components C to station 18; however, they are not essential for the implementation of the invention; other devices for demonstrating components of various types can and have various structures, of course, can also be used depending on how the different circumstances or test conditions require or make it desirable.

The conveyor 10 has equally spaced carriers 20 which come to rest on the lines each a pair of leading side plates 22 and a pair of tracking (trailing) side plates 24 on. The rotary position of the pick-up fingers or projections 26 of the plates 24 to the leading side plates 22 is controlled by a cam device which runs along the upper conveyor section forms a solid, horizontal pair of parallel cam tracks 28 attached to the frame of the conveyor are attached. Hence, each pair of upright fingers brings 26 from below the feed end the series of distribution devices 14 quickly a component C (to the left in FIG. 1) after the station 12; However, it is It is important that the component is tested as acceptable for its intended purpose before it gets there, what

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is determined by the test station 18.

The component transfer device 16 (FIGS. 2 to 5, 7) lies in the direction of movement of the conveyor above the Trial station 18, which in turn lies above the subsequent processing station, e.g. processing station 12. Although this is not complete here is shown, the conveyor can be driven by means of a power drive, which is a drive chain 30 (Fig. 1) with an operative connection according to a control chain 32 (Fig. 1 to 4), which for the synchronous drive of the Component transfer device 16 and the inspection station 18 is provided, as will be described below. For this purpose, the chain 32 drives a toothed wheel 34 which is on a shaft 36 in a housing 38 (FIG. 3) is attached to the frame of the conveyor, is stored. The shaft 36 carries a rotatable cam 40 to the cyclic Control test by means of the station 18, and the gear 34 meshes with a gear 42. The latter Gear drives a Stumraelwelle 44, which is mounted in the housing 38, around a four-bar linkage that the mechanism 16 forms to control. As shown in Figures 2 to 7, this quadrangle has a crank arm 46, the is pivotally mounted at its lower end on a pin 48 attached to the housing, a connecting rod 50 to accelerate the movement of the successive components C in the direction of movement and a short crank arm 52, the angular input speed of which is derived from the stub shaft 54, which is mounted in the housing 38.

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is

The connecting rod 50 has a slot 58 (FIGS. 2, 7) for a cross rail 60 therein to attach with a pair of width-spaced, wire gripping grippers 62, 62 is formed. With the aforementioned cam tracks 28, 28 are a pair of stationary cam plates 64, 64 aligned, which extend parallel through the test station «Each disc 64 has an inclined, on the lines to the plant reaching ramp area 66, which is for cooperation with successive Fingers 26 is arranged and so advancing lines L on a line-supporting horizontal Rail part 68 lifts. The rail part extends into the test station and works with the grippers 62 together when these pick up the raised lines L, L in order to accelerate them and then in the direction of flow towards the fingers 26 and into the test station 28 speed up and then slow down.

The arrangement described is designed so that when the connecting lines L of each component at the station 18 arrive, these from the grippers between pairs of lower, fixed electrical contacts 70 (Figures 7 to 9) and pairs of upper electrical contacts 72 are clamped. These upper contacts 72 are relatively closed, however, when they are effective, they are upwardly mobile and compliant. Contacts 70 are removable in the conveyor track mounted on shoulders or cut-out areas 74 and each as horizontal extensions of the rail parts 68 formed; they are means

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of the wires 76 to a suitable one (not shown) Test circuit connected. The top contacts 72 of each vertically oriented set of contacts 70, 72 are pivotably mounted on a pin 78 which is each fastened in bearings 80. A leading lower Surface 82 (Figure 9) of each contact 72 slopes downwardly towards the adjacent fixed contact 70, in order to inhibit the connecting lines coming against it; and a trailing lower surface 84 of each movable contact 72 becomes counterclockwise urged resiliently about pin 78, as shown in Figure 9, to converge with adjacent contact 70; the surface 84 can be brought into position against the fixed contact 70. To this end, assigns an electrically conductive terminal pin 86 (FIGS. 8, 9) which is introduced into the support 80, a plunger 88 which is due to a spring 90 located in the lower end of the terminal pin, downwards the respective contacts 72 are supported.

It is especially important to note that the cooperative Contacts 70, 72 when they are separated from one another in height by resting on the connecting lines support the slowing down and holding of the respective connection lines when they are used for component testing arrived. If necessary, a curved lower surface 92 (Fig. 9) of the support 80 serves as a stop to to effectively prevent the connection lines from passing through the test zone without measuring in the idle state to be stopped. Is of considerable importance

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furthermore the fact that preferably both surfaces which come to rest on the connecting lines of contacts 70, 72 are formed with at least one abrasive edge or cutting edge. As in figure

8, each contact preferably has a pair of parallel, adjacent blades 94, 94 that extend transversely to the connection line; and these blades are on opposite sides of the pipe aligned to allow penetration of any oxide formation on the surface of the lines; ask with it they ensure a good, reliable electrical contact when the lines come to rest. Furthermore, the pair of cutting edges of each contact is used to prevent the lines from being visually arranged the feed direction and avoids that a greater contact force must be applied, the excessively bend or deflect a lead. In order to set the smallest possible vertical distance between the interacting cutting edges of the contacts, is a pair of stud bolts 96 (one of which is shown in FIG

9) screwed vertically through support 80 to come into abutment with an end region; each screw bolt 96 carries a lock nut 98.

Each contact support 80 is on a sliding machining assembly with a bracket 100, which protrudes from a lever 102 transversely to the conveyor track. This lever carries at one end a follower roller 104 which is in circumferential contact with the cam 40; at the other At the end, the lever is rotatably mounted on the housing 38. A spring 106 (Fig. 2,7) normally holds cyclically the abutment of the roller 104 on the cam 40 upright to

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the raising and lowering of the upper contacts 72 to grip and traverse the successive ones Control connecting lines. However, as indicated in Figures 1 and 2, an operator simply turn the lever 102 clockwise into its position shown in dashed lines in FIG. 1, if this is necessary on a case-by-case basis, e.g. if there is a faulty component that requires the electrical test in the station <18 has failed, must be replaced. The spring 106 then, in cooperation with a stop pin 108 in the housing, holds the lever 102 and the raised supports 80 in an off-site position, while a new component C by hand instead of the defective component via the lower contacts 70, 70 is placed around when the contacts 72 are back in their position in abutment on the connecting lines are lowered to be checked. Of course it will when a component in station 18 has been found to be unacceptable, the drive system for the conveyor automatically switched off immediately and, if the predetermined electrical requirements are met, automatically turned on again. The appropriate test current and voltage for the respective components that are seized successively by the contacts 70, 72 on their connecting lines, is not by one circuit shown supplied; the control and timing of the tests are preferably carried out through a computer-controlled impulse. Because of Convenience is usually a compartmented one (not shown) adjacent to the test station Container provided from which the various replacement components C can be removed.

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"3

Certain components, such as disc caps, which have unaligned bodies and lead parts, i.e. partially their leads do not run coaxially to their bodies, a device for controlling the orientation of these can Require body to their coaxial line parts. Such is an elongated stationary thin strip 110 (Fig. 3.7), which is anchored at one end to the frame of the conveyor and is parallel to the drive chain, of which it is supported extends from a point above the distribution device 14 to the station 12, so arranged to cause excessive rotation (due to gravity) of the bodies about their coaxial conduit parts as well as their entanglement or jamming in the chain. At the entry point of the component transfer device 16, an extension 118 (FIGS. 7, 9) of the strip 110 comes into contact with non-aligned bodies, such as the body of the disc caps, and supports them. Upon reaching station 18, the coaxial Conductor portions L that are forced to roll down onto the lower contacts 70 that are not aligned Push bodies, such as disc caps, forward in a counter-clockwise direction, as shown in Figures 5 to 7 and 9 can be seen. Accordingly, a leaf spring deflector 112 (Fig. 9) is attached to the support 80, the one free has depending area, which can come into contact with the body of the component in order to rotate it counterclockwise to less than 90 °, as shown in Fig. 9 with reference to the disk cap C.

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is provided.

If, after the test cycle, a component has been qualified as acceptable, the acceptance fingers 26, the had previously taken his connecting lines L, these again downwards in the direction of flow, as in the figures 7 and 9 is shown. So that the coaxial line parts are parallel and essentially not twisted stay are guides 114, 114 that go through the Have a distance towards the width, attached to the support 80 and each point to the connecting lines to come to rest on lower surfaces, which are inclined downwards in the direction of feed, around the lines down into their respective carrier pockets between the leading and tracking side panels 22, distract. Elastic deflection surfaces 116, 116 (Fig. 7, 9), e.g. the connecting lines L of the components to come into contact with, to stabilize and deflect them, so that the cables are rotated into their respective carrier pockets. The top surface of a body, such as a Disc cap that has been checked is prevented from further movement in an anti-clockwise direction, that it comes into contact with a central elastic deflector 12O which at its upper end on the bracket is attached. Accordingly, the inhibitions mentioned ensure that all components are checked, while they are currently at a standstill, and then back into their respective conveyor pockets with the appropriate orientation before further treatment, such as the

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J.4

Re-taping or rewinding at station 12.

It is emphasized that according to the present invention in contrast to the disclosure according to the above German patent application P 28 20 831.3 or the corresponding utility model application G 78 14 419.1 Auxiliary test station for the electrical preliminary test of replacement components C before they are added to the series of components be classified is unnecessary.

With a short summary of the operation of the machine and especially the operation of the test station 18 it is assumed that the carriers 20 are each loaded with components C, which are from the distribution devices 14 are removed from the successive pairs of fingers 26 to them by means of the conveyor 10 to bring to the test station. Preferably will an electronic device (not shown) for determining the order in which the components are fed should be provided, assuming that a predetermined order is desired; as well the electronic device should provide a suitable program for testing at station 16 for the desired Set up the sequence of components. It should be noted that according to the invention not only fast, reliable electrical Tests of the appropriate type for each component supplied are ensured by station 18, but rather it is also guaranteed that only acceptable components are available for further processing, e.g. for assembly

284761?

- 2-r-

and rewinding at station 12. When the successive coaxial Line parts of each component C at the ramp areas 66 lifts the pair of fingers 26 that are attached to these Line parts each reaches the system, the component on the ramp onto the horizontal rail part 68. The timing of the four-bar linkage 46, 50 and 52 is such that the forked grippers 62, 62, as shown in FIG before they reach the point of incision of the ramps 66 with the rail parts 68, 68. Well be the grippers 62 accelerated in the direction of movement in front of the fingers 26, which had pushed the component forward, to bring his leads between the contact sets 70, 72. It can be seen that in contrast for disclosure according to applications P 28 20 831.3 and G 78 14 419.1, where the connecting lines in front of a Contact system had to come to a complete standstill, the relatively closed line contact sets 70, 72 compliant in height for the electrical test through the arrival and the contact-shifting movement of the lines are opened before they are released by the grippers 62. That is, the lines are brought into the rest position on the lower contacts 70, their cutting edges 94 as well as the cutting edges 94 of the upwardly resilient contact 72 penetrate transversely through a possibly oxidized outer layer of the lines, while they are brought to a standstill. This arrangement advantageously allows a A larger percentage of the cycle is available for checking the sequence during which a component is checked and also provides good electrical contact for accurate and reliable testing, while only a minor one, the connecting lines do not

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and rewinding at station 12. When the successive coaxial Line parts of each component C at the rainpen areas 66 lifts the pair of fingers 26 that are attached to them Line parts come to rest, the component on the ramp on the horizontal rail part 68. The timing of the quadrangle 46, 50 and 52 is such that the forked grippers 62, 62, as in FIG As shown in FIG. 5, the lines L are lowered before they reach the point of incision of the ramps 66 with the rail parts 68, 68 reach. The grippers 62 are now in front of the fingers 26 in the direction of movement that had pushed the component forward to close its leads between the contact sets 70, 72 bring. It can be stated that in contrast to the disclosure according to applications P 28 20 831.3 or G 78 14 419.1, where the connecting lines in front of a Contact system had to come to a complete standstill, the relatively closed line contact sets 70, 72 compliant in height for the electrical test through the arrival and the contact-shifting movement of the lines are opened before they are released by the grippers 62. That is, the lines are brought into the rest position on the lower contacts 70, their cutting edges 94 as well as the cutting edges 94 of the upwardly resilient contact 72 penetrate transversely through a possibly oxidized outer layer of the lines, while they are brought to a standstill. This arrangement advantageously allows a larger percentage of the cycle for checking the series

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sequence is available during which a component can be tested, and also gives a good one electrical contact for an accurate and reliable test, while only a small one, the connection lines non-bending worker attacks. When the resistance (due to the pressure of springs 90, 90) should be insufficient to hold the connecting lines on the station, the stop surface 92 acts Support 80 in a positive sense to position the lines for a static examination. The grapple 62, 62 are raised and withdrawn from the test station (to the right according to FIGS. 1, 2, 5 and 7) to repeat a transport cycle for a subsequent component during the electrical test of the component fed to the station 18 is completed.

After a tested component C by lifting the contacts 72 due to the lifting of the support 80 by actuation

is released

of the rise on the cam 4o ", the component becomes like explained above, returned to its conveyor support 20, provided that the electrical test is on station 18 was passed satisfactorily. if die3 is not the case, the conveyor 10 was automatically stopped and the defective component C is after a relative lifting of the upper part of the tester, i.e. supports 80, contacts 72, bracket 100 and lever 102 with its roll 104 thrown away; then a new component is placed directly in the station in its place

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are used and the intended test parts are used lowered again for the test.

From the above it can be seen that according to the invention an effective, uncomplicated test station for Electrical components are made available that can be tested repeatedly at high speed can be used with little or no difficulty arising from lack of contact.

In summary, a test station for electrical components is provided, these parts being opened resiliently can be to hold a connection line that arrives between them for the test. At least one contact of each pair has an abrasive edge which can be shaped to it across any wire oxidation that may be present the connection line can penetrate to an accurate electrical Measurements can be obtained using only a small contact force.

Claims (1)

Claims 1. Device for testing electrical components by engaging their connection lines, characterized by a pair of spaced apart the connecting lines to the system, which are electrically connected to the test circuit at least one of the contact sets having a pair of contacts (70, 72), one of which is resilient and relatively separable from the other by gripping a connecting line (L) of a component (C) whereby the component to be tested is held in place. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that that each contact set has a fixed contact (70) and a movable contact (72), the on the surface coming into contact with the connecting line essentially corresponds to that of the fixed contact (70) is aligned, the movable surfaces (82,84) coming into contact with the connecting line of the movable contact (72) essentially with the fixed ones that come to rest on the connecting line Surfaces converge, and a device (78,88,90) for the elastic attachment of the movable contacts (72) is provided, 909819/0784 Office: Herrnstrasse 15, Munich 22 about their displacement from a relatively closed rest position to a relatively open working position after taking up the connecting cable between the contacts to enable. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that that at least one of the contacts (70, 72) of each set has an abrasive edge (94) is designed, which is arranged so that it is an optionally oxidized outer layer of the connection line (L) can penetrate if this is held. 4. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each contact (70, 72) with adjacent parallel cutting edges (94, 94) are provided on opposite sides of the respective connecting lines (L) to take during the exam. 5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the movable contact (72) for Pivoting movement is mounted about an axis which is essentially parallel to the connecting lines (L), which are to be taken by the contact for the examination extends. 909819/0784 6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a power drive (46-62} _f to successively present the coaxial line parts of the connecting lines (L) of a number of electrical components (C) successively between the fixed and movable contacts, a device for cyclically separating the movable contacts (72) from the fixed contacts (70) to break their electrical connection with the test circuit, and a device (32-40) are provided to the force device (46-62) and the to operate the contact separating device (100-108) synchronously. 7. Machining of electrical components with wire leads extending from their body at least extending partially coaxially, the machine having a number of work stations, of one of which is suitable for testing the respective components in quick succession and the test station is electrical to a group to determine the acceptability of the individual components according to suitable requirements, which were set up for this purpose, is connected, characterized by a device (16) adjacent to the test station (18) for conveying successive coaxial connection lines (L) of components along a path in parallel relationship, a pair of spaced apart contact sets, which are arranged adjacent to the track, each set having a fixed abutment against the connection line Contact (70) and a movable contact (72) 909819/0784 has, by a spring-loaded electrically conductive pin (86), which is on the movable Contact (72) is supported, is arranged against the fixed contact (70), the arrangement being such that the the connecting line conveying mechanism (46-62) causes the connecting lines (L) of each Component (C) come to rest on the movable contacts (72) and this relative to the fixed Contacts (70) and against the action of the spring-loaded pins (86) open so as to each component body to hold for review between sentences. 8. Machine according to claim 7, characterized in that the contacts (70, 72) of each set with adjacent Cutting edges (94, 94) are formed which cross the oxidized outer layer of each connection line (L), which is seized by them, can penetrate. 9. Machine according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that a power drive (100-108) for cyclical displacement of the movable contacts (72) and the pins (86) as a whole toward and away from the track to the Removal of components that have been determined to be defective and their replacement with a new one to be checked To facilitate component is provided. 909819/0784 10. Machine according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the test point is an elastic one Marriage device (110) to limit the angular alignment of component bodies with respect to the axis of their coaxial line parts. 11. Machine according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the movable contacts (72) pivotally supported by a bracket (80) for movement about an axis which is generally parallel to the coaxial parts of the line to be tested Components (C) extends, and a surface (92) of the support (80) that comes into contact with the line a stop which comes to rest on the line and extends parallel to the axis is formed, to effectively stop any component that is not fully captured by the upper and lower contacts (72, 70) and in position with respect to the fixed contacts (70). 909819/0734