US4112364A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Circuit board testing apparatus
Assignee: Teradyne Inc
•
Filing: 1977-04-04
•
Granted: 1978-09-05
•
Expires: 1997-04-04
Abstract
Abstract Circuit board testing apparatus featuring an improved weighting assembly for holding a circuit board in contact with test pins.
Inventors
- 👤 Jonathon H. Katz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 22:19
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R1/00; G01R1/02; G01R1/06; G01R1/067; G01R1/073; G01R1/07307; G01R1/07314; G01R1/07328; G01R1/07392
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
79 words
A circuit board test apparatus comprising; a weighting assembly having a frame and an array of weights mounted in said frame, each of said weights having a body portion mounted for independent free vertical sliding in said frame and a tip for contacting electrical elements loaded on said board and beneath said weights; and a multiplicity of test pins extending upwardly beneath said board; said weights being heavy enough to hold said board in electrical contact with said pins.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
79 words
A circuit board test apparatus comprising; a weighting assembly having a frame and an array of weights mounted in said frame, each of said weights having a body portion mounted for independent free vertical sliding in said frame and a tip for contacting electrical elements loaded on said board and beneath said weights; and a multiplicity of test pins extending upwardly beneath said board; said weights being heavy enough to hold said board in electrical contact with said pins.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
74 words
The apparatus of claim 1 which includes a carrier assembly having a support for positioning said circuit board above said test pins and a drive for causing relative vertical movement between said weighting assembly and said support while said weights are positioned directly above said board, said vertical movement being over a sufficient distance to bring said tips into contact with said elements on said board and to raise said weights in said frame.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein each said tip is of rubbery material, and has a thin lip overlapping and adjacent said lip, said array including a multiplicity of spaced rows of said weights.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said carrier assembly comprises a fixture plate carrying said support, said fixture plate being mounted for horizontal movement between a retracted position and a forward position in which said board is directly beneath said weights, and means to lift said fixture plate from said forward position through said vertical movement.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
72 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said carrier assembly further comprises a stationary track and a follower member positioned in said track and mounted for movement with said fixture plate, said track having a horizontal portion extending along the path covered by said follower during said horizontal movement of said fixture plate, and a vertical portion extending along the path covered by said follower during said vertical movement of said fixture plate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
76 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said carrier assembly comprises a pair of slide plates mounted for horizontal movement, a carrier support on which said fixture plate is mounted, links pivoted at their opposite ends to a said slide plate and said carrier support, respectively, and a spring having its opposite ends connected between a said slide plate and said carrier support to provide a force tending to pivot said links to lift said fixture plate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising a cable assembly including a plug assemby mounted for movement with said fixture plate, a fixed terminal, and electrical cables extending between said plug assembly and said terminal, said cables following a curved path which, beginning at said plug assembly, leads away from said terminal before looping around to said terminal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2918648A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-09-04 | 1982-03-06 | 1982-09-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-09-04 | 1986-03-06 | 1986-09-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-09-04 | 1990-03-06 | 1990-09-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |