Test fixture including deflectable probes

Claim 1

A fixture for use in a printed wiring board test system, comprising: a printed wiring board including a first side surface; a plurality of test points formed on said printed wiring board first surface; a frame for holding said printed wiring board, said board positioned within said frame; a test probe mounting plate movably attached to said frame, said mounting plate parallel to said printed wiring board, proximate to said printed wiring board side surface, and movable in a direction toward said printed wiring board; a plurality of test probes attached to said mounting plate and extending perpendicularly therefrom in a direction toward said printed wiring board, said probes each attached in a predetermined location along a test probe axis perpendicular to said printed wiring board, each probe including a rigid probe mount attached to said mounting plate said mount including a central bore including an axis parallel to said test probe axis, a probe shaft, said shaft slidably positioned within said mount central bore, including a first end near said printed wiring board, a probe test head attached to said shaft first end, a flexible member positioned intermediate each said probe shaft and said test head, said member resiliently positioning said head in alignment with said test probe axis, a probe locating template of planar construction positioned intermediate said printed wiring board and said probe mount, a plurality of apertures formed in said template, each aperture associated with a corresponding test probe and having a central axis displaced from said test probe axis, whereby said mounting plate is moved in a direction toward said printed wiring board and said probe test heads are deflected and engage a corresponding one of said test points.