Northern Telecom Limited

Richard J Middlehurst

Jaroslav M Hvezda

Benne Velsher

Sharanjit S Aujla

John P Simpson

A mounting bracket for test probes for use in testing electronic circuitry. By placing a printed circuit board (PCB) from a shelf of interconnected PCBs in an extender card connected to the shelf, a mounting bracket may be attached to the extender card. The mounting bracket allows test probe assemblies to be placed anywhere over the PCB being tested. A system is thereby created wherein any point to be tested on the PCB may be readily accessed. The system may be used to test PCBs employing flat-pack, dual in-line, or surface mount integrated circuit (IC) technology. The mounting bracket is useful for testing PCBs in situations where the PCB must be operating as part of a larger, combined circuitry such as used in the telecommunications industry.

Mounting bracket for test probes

An adjustable quick-mount test probe assembly for use in circuit testing. The test probe assembly provides a convenient means for testing printed circuit boards containing Very Large Scale Integrated (VLSI) components and high density interconnect substrates. This is due to its versatility in terms of positioning and its use of replaceable, 'off-the-shelf' test probe tips. The test probe assembly provides a means of quickly connecting test clips from a test equipment unit to a circuit board, as well as providing a means of neatly arranging test leads to avoid the possibility of entanglement and reducing strain on the test probe. Test set-up time is greatly reduced, and confidence of test set-up integrity is increased.

Adjustable quick-mount test probe assembly

A plug-in form of connector having two connecting members, one inserted into the other, has pairs of opposed contacts. Each pair of contacts is connected electrically by a pivoted contact lever, which pivots about an axis normal to its length as one connecting member is inserted into the other. This increases contact normal forces from a minimum at initial insertion. A reduction in insertion force is obtained without a reduction in contact normal forces on full insertion.

Multiple contact connector having a low insertion force

A planar electronic filter has at least two dielectric plates with a ground plate between them and a plurality of parallel spaced electrodes on the outer surface of each plate. A contact area on at least one end surface connects with the ground plate. Usually contact pins are mounted, as by soldering, on the electrodes, a pin on each electrode, with the ends of the pins extending beyond the sides of the plates. The pin ends may be of male or female form, or can be formed for solder or wire wrapping attachment of conductors. The filter is generally mounted in a housing and it can be arranged that contact pins are not mounted on the electrodes but contact members in the housing make direct contact with the electrodes. A connector embodying the filter can comprise one or two housings. One housing can insert into the other and make contact with the filter.

Planar electronic filter element and a connector embodying such a filter

A multiple contact connector having a low profile has a bottom member for attachment to a large circuit board, the bottom member having a plurality of spaced parallel spring cantilever contact members. A top member is attached to an edge of another circuit board, for example a smaller board, the top member having a plurality of spaced parallel contact members having top and bottom legs, the top legs of the contact members making contact with the smaller board circuit pattern and the bottom legs contacting the cantilever contact members of the bottom member. A spring member extends up from the bottom member and snaps over the top member.

High density low profile multiple contact connector

A multiple contact connector having a low profile has a bottom member for attachment to a large circuit board, the bottom member having a plurality of spaced parallel spring cantilever contact members. A top member is attached to an edge of another circuit board, for example a smaller board, the top member having a plurality of spaced parallel contact members of U shape, the top legs of the contact member making contact with the smaller board circuit pattern and the bottom legs contacting the cantilever contact members of the bottom member. A spring member extends up from the bottom member and snaps over the top member.

Growing community of inventors

Kanata, Canada

Richard J Middlehurst