US3848221A — Contact assembly utilizing flexible contacts for …

Claim 1

Independent Claim 351 words

An integrated circuit test contractor, comprising: an elongated track held fixed with respect to a frame to provide a top surface for support of integrated circuit packages to be moved therealong, first and second elongated cams being eccentric in cross-section with narrow and wide dimensions and rotatable about first and second axes that are fixed with respect to the frame and parallel to said track, said first axis being positioned on one side of the track and said second axis being positioned along an opposite side of said track, first, second, third and fourth rows of flexible electrically conductive contacts held parallel to said track by rigid attachment of one end of each contact to said frame, the other end of each contact being freely permitted to flex in a path below said support top surface, said first and second rows of contacts being on opposite sides of said first cam with their free ends extending above said first cam and normally extending inward over said first axis when said first cam is positioned with its narrow dimension between said rows, said first and second rows of contacts being flexed outward when the first cam is positioned with its wide dimension between said rows, said third and fourth rows of contacts being on opposite sides of said second cam with their free ends extending above said second cam and normally extending inward over said second axis when said second cam is positioned with its narrow dimension between said rows, said third and fourth rows of contacts being flexed outward when the second cam is positioned with its wide dimension between said rows, resilient means normally holding said cams in a position with each of the first and second cams having their wide dimension positioned between their respective rows of contacts, whereby the free ends of the contacts are normally spread apart, and means acting against said resilient means for simultaneously rotating each of said first and second cams to position their narrow dimension between their respective rows of contacts, whereby the free ends of said contacts are closed toward each other.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 351 words

An integrated circuit test contractor, comprising: an elongated track held fixed with respect to a frame to provide a top surface for support of integrated circuit packages to be moved therealong, first and second elongated cams being eccentric in cross-section with narrow and wide dimensions and rotatable about first and second axes that are fixed with respect to the frame and parallel to said track, said first axis being positioned on one side of the track and said second axis being positioned along an opposite side of said track, first, second, third and fourth rows of flexible electrically conductive contacts held parallel to said track by rigid attachment of one end of each contact to said frame, the other end of each contact being freely permitted to flex in a path below said support top surface, said first and second rows of contacts being on opposite sides of said first cam with their free ends extending above said first cam and normally extending inward over said first axis when said first cam is positioned with its narrow dimension between said rows, said first and second rows of contacts being flexed outward when the first cam is positioned with its wide dimension between said rows, said third and fourth rows of contacts being on opposite sides of said second cam with their free ends extending above said second cam and normally extending inward over said second axis when said second cam is positioned with its narrow dimension between said rows, said third and fourth rows of contacts being flexed outward when the second cam is positioned with its wide dimension between said rows, resilient means normally holding said cams in a position with each of the first and second cams having their wide dimension positioned between their respective rows of contacts, whereby the free ends of the contacts are normally spread apart, and means acting against said resilient means for simultaneously rotating each of said first and second cams to position their narrow dimension between their respective rows of contacts, whereby the free ends of said contacts are closed toward each other.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 50 words

Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each row of contacts contains spaces between contacts with each of said first and second and said third and fourth pairs of contacts are arranged with eAch contact free end being opposite a space of the row on the opposite side of the cam.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 102 words

Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first and second rows of contacts are positioned with each contact of one row directly opposite a contact of the other row, wherein said third and fourth rows of contacts are positioned with each contact of one row directly opposite a contact of the other row, and wherein the free end of each contact is permanently bent back over said cam in contact with an opposing contact free end when their associated cam is positioned with its narrow dimension between said contacts, whereby opposing pairs of contacts are able to grip a circuit pin therebetween.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 42 words

Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said rotating means includes means to rotate said cams in opposite directions about their respective axes, whereby an integrated circuit package being tested will be centered on said track as it is engaged by said contacts.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 171 words

A contact assembly for an integrated circuit package tester, comprising: a printed circuit board, four parallel rows of flexible but normally straight electrically conductive contacts attached at one end thereof to said printed circuit board and extending from one side thereof, opposite ends of said contacts being free to move as they are deflected, said contact rows being arranged in two pairs of cooperating adjacent rows each, the free end of each of the contacts being bent toward its paired row of contacts at an acute angle with the normally straight segment of the contact from said bent portion to said printed circuit board, said segment from the bent portion to the printed circuit board of all contacts being normally parallel to one another in an undeflected position, and a plurality of plugs extending from a side of the printed circuit board opposite to that from which the flexible contacts extend, said plugs being electrically connected to said contacts by conductors formed on said opposite side of the printed circuit board.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 171 words

A contact assembly for an integrated circuit package tester, comprising: a printed circuit board, four parallel rows of flexible but normally straight electrically conductive contacts attached at one end thereof to said printed circuit board and extending from one side thereof, opposite ends of said contacts being free to move as they are deflected, said contact rows being arranged in two pairs of cooperating adjacent rows each, the free end of each of the contacts being bent toward its paired row of contacts at an acute angle with the normally straight segment of the contact from said bent portion to said printed circuit board, said segment from the bent portion to the printed circuit board of all contacts being normally parallel to one another in an undeflected position, and a plurality of plugs extending from a side of the printed circuit board opposite to that from which the flexible contacts extend, said plugs being electrically connected to said contacts by conductors formed on said opposite side of the printed circuit board.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 45 words

The contact assembly of claim 5 wherein each pair of rows of said flexible contacts contain contacts directly opposite each other, said opposite pairs of contacts being electrically connected on said another side of the printed circuit board to a single one of said plugs.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 51 words

The contact assembly of claim 5 wherein each pair of rows of said flexible contacts contains contacts positioned directly opposite each other, each contact of said opposing pair of each pair of rows of contacts being connected on said another side of the printed circuit board to their own distinct plugs.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 201 words

A contact assembly for an integrated circuit package tester, comprising: a printed circuit board, four parallel rows of flexible electrically conductive contacts attached at one end thereof to said printed circuit board and extending from one side thereof, opposite ends of said contacts being free to move as they are deflected, the free end of each of the contacts being bent at an acute angle with the segment of the contact from said bent portion to said printed circuit board, said segment from the bent portion to the printed circuit board of all contacts being normally parallel to one another in an undeflected position, each row of contacts containing spaces between contacts, and further wherein opposing pairs of rows are positioned with a contact of one row being opposite a space of the other row, each of said contacts being connected by conductors on said opposite side of the printed circuit board to its own individual distinct plug, and a plurality of plugs extending from a side of the printed circuit board opposite to that from which the flexible contacts extend, said plugs being electrically connected to said contacts by conductors formed on said opposite side of the printed circuit board.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 201 words

A contact assembly for an integrated circuit package tester, comprising: a printed circuit board, four parallel rows of flexible electrically conductive contacts attached at one end thereof to said printed circuit board and extending from one side thereof, opposite ends of said contacts being free to move as they are deflected, the free end of each of the contacts being bent at an acute angle with the segment of the contact from said bent portion to said printed circuit board, said segment from the bent portion to the printed circuit board of all contacts being normally parallel to one another in an undeflected position, each row of contacts containing spaces between contacts, and further wherein opposing pairs of rows are positioned with a contact of one row being opposite a space of the other row, each of said contacts being connected by conductors on said opposite side of the printed circuit board to its own individual distinct plug, and a plurality of plugs extending from a side of the printed circuit board opposite to that from which the flexible contacts extend, said plugs being electrically connected to said contacts by conductors formed on said opposite side of the printed circuit board.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 190 words

Apparatus for making temporary electrical connections with an electronic component through at least one row of contact pins that extend outward from the component in a given direCtion, comprising: means for holding said component with its rows of contacts along a given line, a plurality of flexible contacts that are each anchored by one end thereof into two rows a distance apart on opposite sides of said given line, each of said contacts extending with their opposite ends free to be flexed and being positioned with spaces between contacts along each row, the contacts of one row being held opposite a space of another row, said contacts additionally having their free ends normally passing through said given line in the absence of the electronic component row of contact pins being therebetween, and means positioned between the rows of contacts and intermediate of their free and anchored ends for simultaneously bending all of said contacts outward a distance away from said given line, whereby the row of contact pins of said electronic component may be inserted into or removed from the space between the free ends of the rows of contacts.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 190 words

Apparatus for making temporary electrical connections with an electronic component through at least one row of contact pins that extend outward from the component in a given direCtion, comprising: means for holding said component with its rows of contacts along a given line, a plurality of flexible contacts that are each anchored by one end thereof into two rows a distance apart on opposite sides of said given line, each of said contacts extending with their opposite ends free to be flexed and being positioned with spaces between contacts along each row, the contacts of one row being held opposite a space of another row, said contacts additionally having their free ends normally passing through said given line in the absence of the electronic component row of contact pins being therebetween, and means positioned between the rows of contacts and intermediate of their free and anchored ends for simultaneously bending all of said contacts outward a distance away from said given line, whereby the row of contact pins of said electronic component may be inserted into or removed from the space between the free ends of the rows of contacts.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1977-11-11	1978-05-13	1978-11-12	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1981-11-11	1982-05-13	1982-11-12	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1985-11-11	1986-05-13	1986-11-12	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Contact assembly utilizing flexible contacts for pins of integrated circuits

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