Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
A method of contacting circuit boards, and analogous components having a plurality of electric contacts with elongated flexible resilient test probes each of which has a contact-engaging front end, comprising the steps of reciprocably guiding the probes in first regions adjacent the front ends; supporting the probes in second regions remote from the front ends against movement toward the first regions; flexing the probes intermediate the first and second regions in a predetermined direction with a predetermined force to thereby retract the front ends toward the second regions and to cause the thus flexed probes to store energy; positioning the retracted front ends and the contacts of the component to be tested close to or in actual engagement with each other; and at least reducing said force to thus enable the front ends to bear against the contacts of the component to be tested due to the tendency of probes to dissipate stored energy.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
154 words
A method of contacting circuit boards, and analogous components having a plurality of electric contacts with elongated flexible resilient test probes each of which has a contact-engaging front end, comprising the steps of reciprocably guiding the probes in first regions adjacent the front ends; supporting the probes in second regions remote from the front ends against movement toward the first regions; flexing the probes intermediate the first and second regions in a predetermined direction with a predetermined force to thereby retract the front ends toward the second regions and to cause the thus flexed probes to store energy; positioning the retracted front ends and the contacts of the component to be tested close to or in actual engagement with each other; and at least reducing said force to thus enable the front ends to bear against the contacts of the component to be tested due to the tendency of probes to dissipate stored energy.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said force reducing step includes effecting a movement of the probes intermediate the first and second regions in a second direction counter to said predetermined direction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said force reducing step includes reducing the force to zero so that the dissipation of energy which is stored in the course of said flexing step is terminated exclusively as a result of engagement of front ends of the probes with the contacts of the component to be tested.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
94 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said force reducing step includes reducing the force to zero so that the probes are free to dissipate energy which is stored in the course of said flexing step and to thereby urge the front ends against the contacts of the component to be tested, and further comprising the step of thereupon applying to the probes a second force in a second direction substantially counter to said predetermined direction to flex the probes between the first and second regions and to cause the probes to store additional energy.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said force reducing step includes reducing the force by less than 100 percent so that the front ends bear against the contacts of the component to be tested as a result of partial dissipation of energy by the probes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of maintaining the component to be tested at a fixed distance from the second regions in the course of said force reducing step.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of yieldably biasing the contacts of the component to be tested against the front ends during and upon completion of said force reducing step.