Differential contact probe including ground mechanism and associated methods

A handheld contact probe comprising:

• first and second opposing probe tip assemblies each comprising a probe tip circuit coupled to a probe tip at a distal end thereof;
• a probe tip span adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a span between the probe tips;
• and
• a ground path mechanism coupled between the probe tip circuits of the respective probe tip assemblies, and comprising a pair of curved conductive ribbon springs configured to elastically deform and slidably maintain electrical coupling between the probe tip circuits of the first and second opposing probe tip assemblies while the span between the probe tips is adjusted by the probe tip span adjustment mechanism, wherein:
• an inner end of each of the curved conductive ribbon springs is not fixed;
• and
• the inner end of each of the curved conductive ribbon springs slides against the inner end of the other of the pair of curved conductive ribbon springs.

A method of manufacturing a handheld differential contact probe, the method comprising:

• providing a pair of probe arms carried by a housing configured to be held in a hand of a user;
• providing a pair of opposing probe tip assemblies each carried by one of the respective probe arms and each comprising a probe tip circuit coupled to a probe tip at a distal end thereof;
• coupling a probe tip span adjustment mechanism, carried by the housing, to the pair of probe arms, to adjust a span between the probe tips;
• and
• coupling a ground path mechanism between the probe tip circuits of the respective probe tip assemblies, and comprising a pair of curved conductive ribbon springs each coupled at a n outer end thereof to a respective probe tip circuit, and each curved conductive ribbon spring slidably engaging each other at a respective inner end thereof, wherein:
• the inner end of each of the curved conductive ribbon springs is not fixed;
• and
• the inner end of each of the curved conductive ribbon springs slides against the inner end of the other of the pair of curved conductive ribbon springs.