In a tape feeder to feed electronic parts with a carrier tape, a lower support member 23 with magnet supporting the carrier tape from its lower side and stabilizing positions of the electronic parts contained in part pockets on the carrier tape by a magnetic force is constituted by a horizontal base 24 mounted on the frame member, an elongated leaf spring member 25 having an upward convex shape in a middle part thereof so as to be supported by the base 24 at opposite ends thereof, and a magnet member 26 attached on an upper face of the middle part of the leaf spring member 25 . A fitting hole 24 b to which the magnet member 26 can be fitted is formed in the base 24.
1. A tape feeder which pitch-feeds a carrier tape holding electronic parts thereby to feed the electronic parts to a predetermined pick-up position, comprising:
a frame member having a tape traveling path on which the carrier tape travels;
a tape feed mechanism pitch-feeding the carrier tape along the tape traveling path;
an upper guide part covering and guiding the carrier tape in a vicinity of the pick-up position; and
a lower support member disposed below the upper guide part to support a lower side of the carrier tape and to stabilize positions of the electronic parts contained in recesses of the tape carrier;
wherein the lower support member includes a magnet member displaceable in a vertical direction according to a thickness of the tape carrier, a horizontal base mounted on the frame member, and an elongated leaf spring member vertically opposed to the horizontal base,
wherein the magnet member is attached on a lower face of the middle part of the leaf spring member.
2. A tape feeder according to claim 1 , wherein the elongated leaf spring member has an upward convex shape in a middle part thereof so as to be supported by the base at opposite ends thereof.
3. A tape feeder according to claim 1 , wherein the leaf spring member is provided with a nonmagnetic spring material.
4. A tape feeder according to claim 1 , wherein the leaf spring member is electrically connected with the frame member.
5. A tape feeder according to claim 1 , wherein the base is fixed on a groove formed on an upper face of the frame member.
6. A tape feeder according to claim 1 , wherein a fitting hole to which the magnet member is insertable is formed in the base.
7. A tape feeder according to claim 6 , wherein the magnet member is inserted into the fitting hole or taken out of the fitting hole in accordance with the thickness of the tape carrier.