US3885215A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrode assembly for measuring the effective thickness of thru-hole plating in circuit board workpieces or the like
Assignee: Unit Process Assemblies Inc
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Filing: 1974-01-07
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Granted: 1975-05-20
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Expires: 1994-01-07
Abstract
Abstract An improved electrode construction for apparatus for testing the integrity of thru-hole plating in printed circuit boards and the like by measuring the effective thickness thereof. A first conically shaped electrode assembly is adapted to be displaced along a predetermined path into engagement with one of the defining marginal perimetric edges of a plated thru-hole in a circuit board. A second and complementally shaped electrode assembly is adapted to be displaced into engagement with the other defining marginal perimetric edge of the thru-hole. Each of such electrode assemblies include a pair of discrete selectively contoured electrode elements adapted to make line contact with the marginal defining edges of the thru-hole, whereby a predetermined magnitude of constant current can be passed through the plating intermediate one pair of electrode elements, and the voltage drop developed thereby across the thru-hole plating measured by the other pair of electrode elements.
Inventors
- 👤 Jacques J Weinstock
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 18:05
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B7/00; G01B7/02; G01B7/06; G01R; G01R27/00; G01R27/02; G01R27/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
272 words
An electrode construction for use in apparatus for measuring the conductivity of a plated coating in a thru-hole in a circuit board workpiece, a first electrode assembly compositely constituted of a fIrst generally conically shaped electrode contact element of circumferential extent intermediate its apex and base sufficient to engage the principal portion of one of the defining marginal perimetric edges of a plated thru-hole in essentially line contact therewith and a second electrode contact element electrically isolated from said first electrode element and longitudinally extending intermediate the apex and base of said first conically shaped electrode element, said second electrode contact element having an exposed circumferential extent sufficient to engage substantially all of the remaining portion of said defining marginal perimetric edge of said plated thru-hole, a second electrode assembly selectively disposed in longitudinal coalignment with the first electrode assembly and compositely constituted of a third generally conically shaped electrode contact element of circumferential extent intermediate its apex and base sufficient to engage the principal portion of the other defining marginal perimetric edge of said plated thruhole in essentially line contact therewith and a fourth electrode contact element electrically isolated from said third electrode element and longitudinally extending intermediate the apex and base of said third conically shaped electrode element, said fourth electrode contact element having an exposed circumferential extent sufficient to engage substantially all of the remaining portion of said other defining marginal perimetric edge of said plated thru-hole, and means for selectively positioning said first and second electrode assemblies in electrically conductive relation with said defining marginal perimetric edges of a plated thruhole in a circuit board workpiece interposed therebetween.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
272 words
An electrode construction for use in apparatus for measuring the conductivity of a plated coating in a thru-hole in a circuit board workpiece, a first electrode assembly compositely constituted of a fIrst generally conically shaped electrode contact element of circumferential extent intermediate its apex and base sufficient to engage the principal portion of one of the defining marginal perimetric edges of a plated thru-hole in essentially line contact therewith and a second electrode contact element electrically isolated from said first electrode element and longitudinally extending intermediate the apex and base of said first conically shaped electrode element, said second electrode contact element having an exposed circumferential extent sufficient to engage substantially all of the remaining portion of said defining marginal perimetric edge of said plated thru-hole, a second electrode assembly selectively disposed in longitudinal coalignment with the first electrode assembly and compositely constituted of a third generally conically shaped electrode contact element of circumferential extent intermediate its apex and base sufficient to engage the principal portion of the other defining marginal perimetric edge of said plated thruhole in essentially line contact therewith and a fourth electrode contact element electrically isolated from said third electrode element and longitudinally extending intermediate the apex and base of said third conically shaped electrode element, said fourth electrode contact element having an exposed circumferential extent sufficient to engage substantially all of the remaining portion of said other defining marginal perimetric edge of said plated thru-hole, and means for selectively positioning said first and second electrode assemblies in electrically conductive relation with said defining marginal perimetric edges of a plated thruhole in a circuit board workpiece interposed therebetween.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
Electrode construction as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first and second electrode assemblies are selectively displaceable for movement along the longitudinal axis thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
Electrode construction as set forth in claim 1 wherein said second and fourth electrode elements are disposed in 180* opposed relation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
Electrode construction as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first and third generally conically shaped electrode contact elements have an included apex angle of between 60* and 120*.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
Electrode construction as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first and third generally conically shaped electrode contact elements have an included apex of about 90*.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3207981A
Cited
US3766470A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-05-19 | 1978-11-18 | 1979-05-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-19 | 1982-11-18 | 1983-05-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-19 | 1986-11-18 | 1987-05-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |