Grounding inserts
AssigneeJohnstech International Corporation
InventorsMathew L. Gilk, John W. O'Sullivan, David A. Johnson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A grounding assembly for testing which can be readily changed is provided by an insert which is retained within an opening in a test socket. Flexible projections from the socket fit within grooves in the insert to provide the retention means. The insert is positioned within an opening in the socket adjacent to an opening containing a device under test (DUT). The insert is also between the DUT and a test board, and has contacts arranged such they connect ground contacts on the DUT to opposing contacts on the test board. The insert can provide different numbers, arrangements, and types of contacts as well as different materials for both the contact and contact body by merely changing the insert.
Claims6
Replaceable grounding apparatus for test socket apparatus, comprising:
- a) an insert having opposed and essentially parallel first and second surfaces;
- b) a generally planar circuit board having opposed and essentially parallel first and second surfaces and a surface area larger than that of the insert;
- c) a handler having a planar handler element with an outer essentially first planar surface essentially parallel to an opposite outer essentially planar third surface, and a second planar surface located therebetween essentially parallel to the first and second surfaces and wherein:
- i) the handler element has a first opening extending from the first to the second surfaces with the element being sized and arranged to accept the circuit board in a predetermined orientation and with the first plane of the circuit board essentially aligned with the first plane of the handler element and the second plane of the circuit board essentially aligned with the second plane of the handler element;
- ii) the handler element having a second opening opposite the first opening extending between the second and the third surface with the insert and second opening being sized and arranged to accept the insert in a predetermined orientation and with the first surface of the insert aligned with the second plane of the fixed element, and the second surface of the insert aligned with the third plane of the handler element;
- and
- d) securing and releasing means for securing and releasing the insert with respect to the second opening.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.