US4544886A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Circuit board test fixture
Assignee: M-REL Inc A CORP OF CA
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Filing: 1982-09-30
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Granted: 1985-10-01
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Expires: 2002-09-30
Abstract
Abstract A circuit board test fixture has a mount with slots for loosely receiving the marginal edges of a diaphragm. Sealing surfaces curve downwardly from the slots for the diaphragm to form a direct seal against when drawn tightly thereabout. Innermost faces of the mount are spaced outwardly from the marginal edges of a backing plate that supports the diaphragm and moves perpendicular thereto. The mount projects upwards from a vacuum chamber base that is hingedly connected to a connector housing. The mount will maintain a seal with the diaphragm for an operative vacuum chamber when the base is pivoted upwardly to almost an upright position.
Inventors
- 👤 John D. Murray
- 👤 Sydney J. Weiss
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 10:22
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R1/00; G01R1/02; G01R1/06; G01R1/067; G01R1/073; G01R1/07307; G01R1/07314; G01R1/07328
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
225 words
In a circuit board test fixture having a base, a plate resiliently mounted in spaced relationship above the base for movement perpendicular to the base, a diaphragm supported upon the plate for carrying a circuit board to be tested, said plate and said diaphragm having at least one internal cut-out portion, electrical probes supported by the base extending into the cut-out portions of the plate and diaphragm, means for creating differential pressure acting upon the diaphragm to move the diaphragm and plate towards the base bringing the circuit board to be tested into engagement with the electrical probes, said plate and said diaphragm having marginal edges with the diaphragm marginal edges being spaced outward laterally beyond the plate marginal edges, and the improvement comprising a mount having slots therein for loosely receiving the marginal edges of the diaphragm that can be withdrawn from the slots by pinching the diaphragm to move the marginal edges towards the center of the diaphragm, sealing surfaces curving downwardly from the slots for the diaphragm to form a direct seal against when drawn tightly thereabout, and inner most faces that are spaced outwardly from the marginal edges of the plate, whereby said diaphragm and said plate can be readily removed upwardly from the base to provide access for cleaning the electrical probes while the mount remains fixed to the base.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
225 words
In a circuit board test fixture having a base, a plate resiliently mounted in spaced relationship above the base for movement perpendicular to the base, a diaphragm supported upon the plate for carrying a circuit board to be tested, said plate and said diaphragm having at least one internal cut-out portion, electrical probes supported by the base extending into the cut-out portions of the plate and diaphragm, means for creating differential pressure acting upon the diaphragm to move the diaphragm and plate towards the base bringing the circuit board to be tested into engagement with the electrical probes, said plate and said diaphragm having marginal edges with the diaphragm marginal edges being spaced outward laterally beyond the plate marginal edges, and the improvement comprising a mount having slots therein for loosely receiving the marginal edges of the diaphragm that can be withdrawn from the slots by pinching the diaphragm to move the marginal edges towards the center of the diaphragm, sealing surfaces curving downwardly from the slots for the diaphragm to form a direct seal against when drawn tightly thereabout, and inner most faces that are spaced outwardly from the marginal edges of the plate, whereby said diaphragm and said plate can be readily removed upwardly from the base to provide access for cleaning the electrical probes while the mount remains fixed to the base.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The circuit board test fixture described in claim 1 wherein said mount sealing surfaces have a radius of curvature that is greater than the thickness of the diaphragm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
The circuit board test fixture described in claim 2 wherein said diaphragm thickness is but slightly less than the radius of curvature of the mount sealing surfaces so that when the diaphragm is bent tightly about the sealing surfaces, the diaphragm area adjacent the sealing surfaces is substantially smaller than the area of the diaphragm side opposite therefrom.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
The circuit board test fixture described in claim 1 wherein said mount slots and said plate are located at about the same level when there is no pressure differential acting upon the diaphragm so that the diaphragm extends from the plate to the slot without bending.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
The circuit board test fixture described in claim 1 wherein said mount slots have a depth measured perpendicular to the base that is slightly greater than the thickness of the diaphragm, and said slots extend parallel to the base and laterally into the mount by a dimension more than twice the diaphragm thickness.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The circuit board test fixture described in claim 1 wherein said mount has serrated edged grooves extending upwardly from the base for receiving screws to fasten the mount to the base.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The circuit board test fixture described in claim 6 wherein said mount has additional grooves extending upwardly from the base to reduce the weight of material within the mount.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The circuit board test fixture described in claim 1 wherein the base, the plate and the picture-frame shaped mount have rectangular configurations.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The circuit board test fixture described in claim 1 wherein said plate carries a plurality of guide pins that project downwardly from the plate, and said base carries a plurality of teflon bushings for receiving the guide pins.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The circuit board test fixture described in claim 1 wherein said base is hingedly connected to a connector housing thereby providing access to the underside of the base and the interior of the connector housing.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-09-30 | 1989-04-01 | 1989-10-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-09-30 | 1993-04-01 | 1993-10-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-09-30 | 1997-04-01 | 1997-10-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |