Terminal for flat test probe
AssigneeLTX-Credence Corporation
InventorsMark A. Swart, Kenneth R. Snyder
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A terminal end for a flat test probe having tapered cam surfaces providing a lead-in angle on the tail of the terminal end which extend to a sharp rear angle to engage detents or projections within a receptacle. The tapered cam surfaces and shape rear angles allow the probe to be inserted into the receptacle with minimal force to retain the flat test probe within the receptacle.
Claims20
A compliant contact assembly comprising:
- a first flat contact member having a terminal end;
- said terminal end having at least one tapered cam surface adjacent a rear angle;
- a second contact member partially overlapping the first flat contact member;
- a compression spring positioned around the overlapping portions of the first contact member and the second contact member;
- and
- a receptacle having at least one detent,
- wherein the tapered cam surface engages the detent as the terminal end is inserted into the receptacle until the rear angle passes over the detent which retains the terminal end within the receptacle.
A combination of a flat contact member and a receptacle wherein the flat contact member has a terminal end having at least one tapered cam surface adjacent a rear angle and the receptacle has at least one detent wherein the tapered cam surface engages the detent as the terminal end is inserted into the receptacle temporarily flexing the terminal end until the rear angle passes over the detent which retains the terminal end within the receptacle.
A flat test probe for insertion into a receptacle that has a protrusion, the flat test probe comprising a body portion and a tail portion, the tail portion having an angled guiding surface and a stop surface wherein the tail portion flexes when the angled guiding surface engages the protrusion and returns to a non-flexed position when the angled guiding surface has passed over the protrusion and the stop surface is adjacent the protrusion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.