Apparatus for use in testing printed circuit process boards having means for positioning such boards in proper juxtaposition with electrical contacting assemblies

In apparatus for use in effecting temporary electrical connections with multiple test point zones of each of a succession of printed circuit board devices:

• a pair of relatively shiftable support means,
• one of said support means being provided with a substantially flat surface;
• means for relatively shifting said support means between a relatively more widely spaced relationship and a relatively more closely spaced relationship along a path of relative shifting that is substantially perpendicular to said surface as said closely spaced relationship is approached;
• shiftable locator assembly means engaging and slidably supported by said surface for free movement in any direction across the latter when said support means are in said widely spaced relationship;
• means adapted for mounting a printed circuit board device in a fixed position upon said locator assembly means with said test point zones of said device in facing relationship to a portion of the other of said support means when said support means are in said closely spaced relationship;
• a plurality of contact means mounted on said portion of said other support means and positioned for respectively engaging corresponding test point zones of a printed circuit board device so mounted on said locator assembly means when the latter is in said predetermined operative position along said surface and said support means are in said closely spaced relationship;
• and
• aligning means having a pair of cooperating assemblies respectively mounted on said other support means and on said locator assembly means, said cooperating assemblies being disengaged from each other when said support means are in said widely spaced relationship but being interengaged with each other as said support means are relatively shifted into said closely spaced relationship to shift and hold said locator assembly means in said predetermined operative position,
• whereby proper alignment between said contact means and the test point zones of said printed circuit board device mounted on said locator assembly means is assured.