US4307928A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bellows-type electrical test contact
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1979-08-17
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Granted: 1981-12-29
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Expires: 1999-08-17
Abstract
Abstract The invention is a unique test contact and connector useful in automatic testing equipment (ATE). The contact connector has a bellows-type configuration which has no internal moving or sliding parts. Compliance is effected through compression of the bellows. With a helical bellows design, the contact permits the contact to provide a "wiping action" which is desirable in electrical testing apparatus. Both the contact and the method of making same are described.
Inventors
- 👤 William Petlock, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 12:09
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R11/00; H01R11/11; H01R11/18; G; G01; G01R; G01R1/00; G01R1/02; G01R1/06; G01R1/067; G01R1/06711; G01R1/06716; G01R1/06722; G01R1/06733; G01R1/06738
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
A test contact including, a hollow, substantially cylindrical sleeve having first and second ends and which is open at at least said first end thereof, a hollow, substantially cylindrical body disposed within said sleeve, said body and said sleeve each formed of an electrically conductive material, a plurality of convolutions formed in said body to permit said body to be resiliently compressed along the length thereof so that said body can move independently of said sleeve in the axial direction thereof, and first and second end portions of said body adapted to operate as electrical connector means, said first end portion of said body electrically connected at said second end of said sleeve.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
113 words
A test contact including, a hollow, substantially cylindrical sleeve having first and second ends and which is open at at least said first end thereof, a hollow, substantially cylindrical body disposed within said sleeve, said body and said sleeve each formed of an electrically conductive material, a plurality of convolutions formed in said body to permit said body to be resiliently compressed along the length thereof so that said body can move independently of said sleeve in the axial direction thereof, and first and second end portions of said body adapted to operate as electrical connector means, said first end portion of said body electrically connected at said second end of said sleeve.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The test contact recited in claim 1 including, test tip means for contacting the device to be tested, said test tip electrically connected to said second end portion of said body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The test contact recited in claim 3 wherein, said test tip means and said body are formed as an integral unit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The test contact recited in claim 1 wherein said convolutions are formed in a helix configuration to cause said body to rotate when compressed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The test contact recited in claim 1 wherein, said convolutions have a rectilinear configuration.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The test contact recited in claim 1 wherein, said body is formed of a plurality of layers of electrically conductive materials.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The contact recited in claim 1 wherein, said body and said sleeve are connected by a friction fit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The contact recited in claim 1 wherein, said first end portion is substantially triangular in configuration.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The contact recited in claim 1 wherein, said convolutions are disposed substantially intermediate said first and second end portions which are substantially cylindrical in configuration.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The contact recited in claim 1 wherein, said sleeve and said body are arranged concentrically relative to each other.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The contact recited in claim 7 wherein, at least one of said body and sleeve includes bumps or dimples which create the friction fit.
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) | 1984-12-28 | 1985-06-29 | 1985-12-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-12-28 | 1989-06-29 | 1989-12-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-12-28 | 1993-06-29 | 1993-12-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |