The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 18, 1996
Filed:
Apr. 11, 1994
Roger Sinsheimer, Petaluma, CA (US);
Tom Richards, Petaluma, CA (US);
Xandex, Inc., Petaluma, CA (US);
Abstract
A prober tester interface system and a method for loading a probe card into a prober. The interface system includes a stiffener for holding a probe card, the stiffener having an upper surface, a perimeter, an underside, a plurality of recesses in the underside around the perimeter, and first and second alignment holes. A theta ring for holds the stiffener in the prober, the theta ring having first alignment pins for engaging the first alignment holes, a plurality of lock cylinders for engaging the recesses, and a machined lip against which the upper surface of the stiffener is forced by the lock cylinders. A loader is coupled to the prober for loading the stiffener in and unloading the stiffener from the theta ring, the loader having second alignment pins for engaging the second alignment holes. A theta drive assembly is coupled to the theta ring for rotating the theta ring to align the probe card with the test head. In a specific embodiment, the test head includes a contactor, and the theta ring includes a plurality of clamp cylinders for locking the contactor in theta and Z while a probe card is being loaded or unloaded.