Adjustable cassette for substrates

Abstract

A cassette ( 100 ) for accommodating substrates includes a frame ( 110 ) and supporting members ( 120 ). The frame includes a top shelf ( 111 ) and a bottom shelf ( 112 ), which cooperatively defines a space therebetween. The top and bottom shelves each include at least two adjusting members ( 114 ) with positioning slots ( 115 ). Each of the adjusting members includes a positioning slot and a plurality of keyways ( 116 ) in communication with the positioning slot. The supporting members oppositely disposed in the space, and at least one of them includes a pair of adjusting shafts ( 124 ) movable along the positioning slots and removeably engaging in the selected of the keyways of the adjusting members. With this configuration, it enables easy adjustment of the distance between opposite supporting members. In the adjusting process, no part need be detached from the cassette.

1 . A cassette for accommodating substrates, comprising: 
 a frame comprising a top shelf and a bottom shelf, the top and bottom shelves cooperatively defining a space therebetween, the top and bottom shelves each comprising at least two adjusting members, each of the adjusting members comprising a positioning slot and a plurality of keyways in communication with the positioning slot; and    a pair of supporting members oppositely disposed in the space, at least one of the supporting members comprising a pair of adjusting shafts movable along the positioning slots and removeably engaging in selected of the keyways of the adjusting members.    
   
   
       2 . The cassette as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein both supporting members comprise a pair of adjusting shafts.  
   
   
       3 . The cassette as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the supporting members are disposed in the space symmetrically opposite to each other, each of the supporting members further comprises a plurality of supporting ribs, and the supporting ribs of each supporting member extend inwardly toward the supporting ribs of the other supporting member.  
   
   
       4 . The cassette as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein in each of the adjusting members, the keyways are disposed at opposite sides of the positioning slot, respectively.  
   
   
       5 . The cassette as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein in each of the adjusting members of the top shelf, each of the keyways has a step defined between an upper wall and a lower wall.  
   
   
       6 . The cassette as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein, a blind end of each of the keyways is generally circular, and a diameter defined the upper wall at the blind end is larger than a diameter defined by the lower wall at the blind end.  
   
   
       7 . The cassette as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the at least one supporting member further comprises a top connecting bar and a bottom connecting bar, and each of the top and bottom connecting bars comprises a pair of guiding slots respectively receiving corresponding ends of the adjusting shafts.  
   
   
       8 . The cassette as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein each of the adjusting shafts comprises a top end with an outer screw thread at a topmost portion thereof, and the top end extends through the corresponding guiding slot of the top connecting bar and is at least partially located in the positioning slot or the selected keyway of the corresponding adjusting member.  
   
   
       9 . The cassette as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein each of the adjusting shafts further comprises a screw cap with an inner screw thread mating with the outer screw thread of the top end, whereby the screw cap is engaged with the top end.  
   
   
       10 . The cassette as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the screw cap is engaged in the corresponding selected keyway.  
   
   
       11 . The cassette as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein each of the adjusting shafts further comprises a coil spring located between a shoulder at the top end of the adjusting shaft and a bottom of the corresponding adjusting member.  
   
   
       12 . The cassette as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein each of the adjusting shafts further comprises a bottom end, and the bottom end extends through the corresponding guiding slot of the bottom connecting bar and is at least partially located in the positioning slot or the selected keyway of the corresponding adjusting member.  
   
   
       13 . The cassette as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the at least one supporting member further comprises at least one supporting body, and the at least one supporting body comprises a plurality of supporting ribs vertically arranged one above the other.  
   
   
       14 . The cassette as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the frame further comprises a plurality of supporting rods interconnecting the top and bottom shelves.  
   
   
       15 . A cassette for accommodating substrates, comprising: 
 a frame comprising a top shelf and a bottom shelf, the top and bottom shelves cooperatively defining a space therebetween, at least one of the top and bottom shelves comprising at least one adjusting member, the adjusting member comprising a positioning slot and a plurality of keyways in communication with the positioning slot; and    a pair of supporting members oppositely disposed in the space, at least one of the supporting members comprising at least one adjusting shaft movable along the positioning slot and removeably engaging in selected one of the keyways of the adjusting member.