US4045737A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Integrated circuit probe
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-12-22
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Granted: 1977-08-30
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Expires: 1995-12-22
Abstract
Abstract In an apparatus for making pressure electrical connections at a plurality of precisely located points on an exposed circuit lying in substantially a single plane, the improvement comprising: An insulative organic plastic substrate carrying one or more thin conductive elements which project upwardly, generally at right angles, to the major surface of said substrate, the elements including a contact point which extends beyond the edge of said substrate and is adapted to contact said exposed circuit.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles Wheeler Coberly
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 04:45
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R1/00; G01R1/02; G01R1/06; G01R1/067; G01R1/06705
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
In an apparatus for making pressure electrical connections at a plurality of precisely located points on an exposed circuit lying in substantially a single plane, the improvement comprising: an insulative substrate having a linear groove extending from one surface a limited extent into the substrate, said groove being parallel to the edge of the substrate, a plurality of generally-parallel sheet-like contacts of conductive spring material each having a key portion which is received edgewise within the groove and having edge portions extending beyond the edge of the substrate and outwardly thereof beyond an outer substrate surface; and between and abutting each of said sheet-like contacts, a spacer of predetermined thickness and comprising a thin generally coextensive layer of dielectric insulating material; said exposed circuit plane being located at the substrate edge such that the contact edge portions are resiliently urged substantially normally against respective portions of the circuit completing connection with collateral circuit apparatus.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
154 words
In an apparatus for making pressure electrical connections at a plurality of precisely located points on an exposed circuit lying in substantially a single plane, the improvement comprising: an insulative substrate having a linear groove extending from one surface a limited extent into the substrate, said groove being parallel to the edge of the substrate, a plurality of generally-parallel sheet-like contacts of conductive spring material each having a key portion which is received edgewise within the groove and having edge portions extending beyond the edge of the substrate and outwardly thereof beyond an outer substrate surface; and between and abutting each of said sheet-like contacts, a spacer of predetermined thickness and comprising a thin generally coextensive layer of dielectric insulating material; said exposed circuit plane being located at the substrate edge such that the contact edge portions are resiliently urged substantially normally against respective portions of the circuit completing connection with collateral circuit apparatus.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said substrate comprises organic plastic.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the dielectric insulating material is a coating formed on said thin conductive element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the dielectric insulating material is Mylar or similar dielectric material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said contact edge portions are resiliently urged against the substrate when the circuit is removed from the substrate edge, such that all contact edge portions terminate essentially at a common plane beyond the outer substrate surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said edge of said substrate is linear.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the thin conductive elements are of a double cantilever construction.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein there is provided a top insulating means which abuts the end of said thin conductive elements at a region remote from said edge, and prestresses said elements.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said substrate comprises organic plastic and said conductive elements comprise beryllium-copper.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said conductive elements and said thin layers of dielectric insulating material are coded.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3611128A
Cited
US3849728A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-08-29 | 1981-02-28 | 1981-08-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-08-29 | 1985-02-28 | 1985-08-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-08-29 | 1989-02-28 | 1989-08-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |