Electroplating Assembly And Related Components

Abstract

An electroplating system including an electroplating rack including at least one electrically conductive frame member and at least one electrically conductive rack connecting member for connecting a pieces assembly to the rack; the pieces assembly having an electrically conductive elongate rod having a central axis and at least one receiving terminal; the elongate rod connected to the rack connecting member at first and second ends thereof and a plurality of pieces, each piece having a final-shape portion and a means for attaching connected to the final-shape portion. The means for attaching is sized and otherwise dimensioned to be fixedly received in the at least one receiving terminal.

1 . An electroplating system comprising:
 an electroplating rack including at least one electrically conductive frame member and at least one electrically conductive rack connecting member for connecting a pieces assembly to said rack; said pieces assembly comprising   an electrically conductive elongate rod having a central axis and at least one receiving terminal; said elongate rod connected to said rack connecting member at first and second ends thereof;   a plurality of pieces, each piece having a final-shape portion and a means for attaching connected to said final-shape portion;   wherein said means for attaching is sized and otherwise dimensioned to be fixedly received in said at least one receiving terminal.   
     
     
         2 . An electroplating system according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one receiving terminal comprises a recess depressed from an outer surface of said elongate rod. 
     
     
         3 . An electroplating system according to 1, wherein each piece further includes a joining portion connecting said final-shape portion and said means for attaching; said final-shape portion adapted to be disconnected from said joining portion following an electroplating process. 
     
     
         4 . An electroplating system according to  claim 2 , wherein said means for attaching comprises a tubular portion adapted to slidingly engage said outer surface of said rod, at least one projecting clip attached to said tubular portion, and an engaging element at an end of said at least one projecting clip. 
     
     
         5 . An electroplating system according to  claim 4 , wherein said engaging element is sized and otherwise dimensioned to be friction fit into said at least one receiving terminal. 
     
     
         6 . An electroplating system according to  claim 4 , wherein said at least one projecting clip is tapered towards a central axis of said tubular portion. 
     
     
         7 . An electroplating system according to  claim 6 , wherein said at least one projecting clip is spring loaded with a bias towards said central axis. 
     
     
         8 . An electroplating system according to  claim 4 , wherein said at least one receiving terminal comprises at least one pair of receiving terminals arranged on opposite sides of said rod, and said at least one projecting clip comprises two projecting clips. 
     
     
         9 . An electroplating system according to  claim 2 , wherein said recess comprises a generally rectangular slot. 
     
     
         10 . A rod for use in an electroplating system in which a plurality of pieces to be electroplated are mounted on the rod; the rod comprising
 an electrically conductive elongate portion having a central axis and at least one receiving terminal for receiving at least one of the plurality of pieces; and,   means for connecting first and second ends of the rod to an electroplating rack.   
     
     
         11 . A rod according to  claim 10 , wherein said at least one receiving terminal comprises a recess depressed from an outer surface of said elongate rod. 
     
     
         12 . A rod according to  claim 10 , wherein said at least one receiving terminal comprises at least one pair of receiving terminals arranged on opposite sides of the rod. 
     
     
         13 . An rod according to  claim 11 , wherein said recess comprises a generally rectangular slot. 
     
     
         14 . A method for electroplating comprising:
 providing an electroplating rack including at least one electrically conductive frame member and at least one electrically conductive rack connecting member for connecting a pieces assembly to said rack;   mounting a plurality of pieces on an electrically conductive elongate rod; said elongate rod having a central axis and at least one receiving terminal; said plurality of pieces having a final-shape portion and a means for attaching connected to said final-shape portion; wherein said means for attaching is sized and otherwise dimensioned to be fixedly received in said at least one receiving terminal;   attaching said rod with said mounted plurality of pieces onto said electroplating rack; and,   carrying out an electroplating reaction.   
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 14 , wherein said at least one receiving terminal comprises a recess depressed from an outer surface of said elongate rod. 
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 14 , wherein each piece further includes a joining portion connecting said final-shape portion and said means for attaching; said final-shape portion adapted to be disconnected from said joining portion following an electroplating process. 
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 15 , wherein said means for attaching comprises a tubular portion adapted to slidingly engage said outer surface of said rod, at least one projecting clip attached to said tubular portion, and an engaging element at an end of said at least one projecting clip. 
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 17 , wherein said engaging element is sized and otherwise dimensioned to be friction fit into said at least one receiving terminal. 
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 17 , wherein said at least one projecting clip is tapered towards a central axis of said tubular portion. 
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 19 , wherein said at least one projecting clip is spring loaded with a bias towards said central axis. 
     
     
         21 . A method according to  claim 17 , wherein said at least one receiving terminal comprises at least one pair of receiving terminals arranged on opposite sides of said rod, and said at least one projecting clip comprises two projecting clips. 
     
     
         22 . A method according to  claim 15 , wherein said recess comprises a generally rectangular slot.