Patent US4178545A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4178545A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical resistor testing fixture
Assignee: Dale Electronics Inc
•
Filing: 1977-05-09
•
Granted: 1979-12-11
•
Expires: 1997-05-09
Abstract
Abstract A modular test tray is comprised of individual modules solidly detachably secured together and shorting straps for rapid and easy electrical connection between modules. Each module is comprised of two tuning fork shaped connector pins embedded in the module and capable of detachable mechanical and electrical engagement with the shorting straps. Two posts capable of receiving electrical components to be tested are also embedded in the module and electrically connected to the connector pins. The posts protrude from the top of the module while the connector pins are recessed in grooves on the bottom of the module. Shorting straps consisting of intermittent strips of electrical conducting material, the strips being of sufficient length to electrically connect only two connector pins of adjoining modules and spaced apart so as to electrically connect consecutive pairs of connector pins, allows a series electrical connection of the components to be tested. Shorting straps consisting of continuous electrical conducting material allow a parallel electrical connection of the components to be tested. The individual modules are selectively detachably mounted together to provide easy replacement of worn out modules and to allow variance of the test tray size to accommodate multiple lots, sizes and value splits of components.
Inventors
- 👤 Jerome J. Kneifel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 10:30
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R31/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
A modular electrical component test tray comprising, a plurality of individual modules, each said individual module having an electrically insulative body structure with top and bottom surfaces, means for supporting an electrical component at a position above said top surface, said means for supporting being attached to said body structure, air flow channel means for guiding air flow to an area adjacent said position of an electrical component in non-direct impinging relation to said position, said air flow channel means comprising at least one air passageway through said body structure, said air passageway having inlet and outlet ends with said outlet end disposed in said top surface transversely remote from said position of an electrical component, said air passageway being in non-alignment with said position, means for selectively detachably securing said individual modules together, and means for electrically connecting the electrical components supported by each said individual modules to test equipment.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
151 words
A modular electrical component test tray comprising, a plurality of individual modules, each said individual module having an electrically insulative body structure with top and bottom surfaces, means for supporting an electrical component at a position above said top surface, said means for supporting being attached to said body structure, air flow channel means for guiding air flow to an area adjacent said position of an electrical component in non-direct impinging relation to said position, said air flow channel means comprising at least one air passageway through said body structure, said air passageway having inlet and outlet ends with said outlet end disposed in said top surface transversely remote from said position of an electrical component, said air passageway being in non-alignment with said position, means for selectively detachably securing said individual modules together, and means for electrically connecting the electrical components supported by each said individual modules to test equipment.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
123 words
The device of claim 1 wherein each said body structure has oppositely disposed forward and rearward surfaces generally perpendicular to said top and bottom surfaces, said forward surface adapted to abut the rearward surface of the next adjoining module in complimentary engagement, said forward and rearward surfaces each having a channel therein extending from said bottom surface to said top surface, said channel in said forward surface adapted to align with the channel of the rearward surface of the next adjoining module to form an air passageway between adjoining modules being said air flow channel means, and said means for supporting an electrical component being centrally located on said top surface to support an electrical component above the centerline of said top surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
The device of claim 2 wherein said channel in said rear surface comprises oppositely disposed, parallel side walls extending forwardly and a forward wall perpendicular to said side walls, and said channel in said forward surface comprises oppositely disposed parallel side walls extending rearwardly and a rearward wall perpendicular to said side walls.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
202 words
An electrical component test tray comprising, a plurality of individual modules each said individual module having an electrically insulating body structure supporting first and second partially embedded component posts for supportably receiving electrical components, first and second embedded connector pins with said first connector pin electrically connected to said first component post and said second connector pin electrically connected to said second component post, each said connector pin having means to detachably secure a shorting strap element in electrical connection thereto, first and second elongated shorting strap elements, each said strap element having opposite side surfaces with at least a portion of said side surfaces being electrically conducting material, said first strap element adapted for simultaneous detachable securement to each of said securement means of said first connector pins of said plurality of individual modules for selective predetermined electrical interconnection of said first connector pins, said second strap element adapted for simultaneous detachable securement to each of said securement means of said second connector pins of said plurality of individual modules for selective predetermined electrical interconnection of said second connector pins, means for detachably securing said individual modules together, and means for selectively electrically connecting said shorting strap elements to test equipment.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
202 words
An electrical component test tray comprising, a plurality of individual modules each said individual module having an electrically insulating body structure supporting first and second partially embedded component posts for supportably receiving electrical components, first and second embedded connector pins with said first connector pin electrically connected to said first component post and said second connector pin electrically connected to said second component post, each said connector pin having means to detachably secure a shorting strap element in electrical connection thereto, first and second elongated shorting strap elements, each said strap element having opposite side surfaces with at least a portion of said side surfaces being electrically conducting material, said first strap element adapted for simultaneous detachable securement to each of said securement means of said first connector pins of said plurality of individual modules for selective predetermined electrical interconnection of said first connector pins, said second strap element adapted for simultaneous detachable securement to each of said securement means of said second connector pins of said plurality of individual modules for selective predetermined electrical interconnection of said second connector pins, means for detachably securing said individual modules together, and means for selectively electrically connecting said shorting strap elements to test equipment.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
113 words
The device of claim 4 wherein each said first and second strap elements have a plurality of unconnected strips of electrically conducting material on said side surfaces, said strips being of sufficient length so as to electrically connect consecutive pairs of said connector pins of adjoining modules so that said first shorting strap element electrically connects consecutive pairs of said first connector pins of adjoining modules and said second shorting strap element electrically connects consecutive pairs of said second connector pins of adjoining modules, said connected pairs of said first connector pins being offset to said connected pairs of said second connector pins such that said electrical components are electrically connected in series.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
69 words
The device of claim 4 wherein said electrically conducting portions of said side surfaces of said first and second shorting strap elements are of sufficient length such that said first shorting strap electrically interconnects said first connector pins of said plurality of modules and said second shorting strap electrically interconnects said second connector pins of said plurality of modules such that said electrical components are electrically connected in parallel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
The device of claim 4 wherein said means to detachably secure a shorting strap element comprises a tuning fork shaped channel member to retentively, detachably receive said shorting strap element, said channel member being electrically connected to said respective connector pin and said respective component post.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 7 wherein said channel member comprises the lower portion of said connector pin.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The device of claim 7 wherein said channel member is embedded within said body structure, said body structure having a slot therein in alignment with said channel member to slidably receive a shorting strap element.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-12-10 | 1983-06-11 | 1983-12-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-12-10 | 1987-06-11 | 1987-12-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-12-10 | 1991-06-11 | 1991-12-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |