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:
Feb. 20, 2001
Filed:
May. 29, 1998
Dwight Fowler, Loveland, CO (US);
Chris R. Jacobsen, Loveland, CO (US);
Agilent Technologies Inc., Palo Alto, CA (US);
Abstract
A mechanical press for testing printed circuit boards in conjunction with a conventional probe card testing assembly is presented. A press assembly attached to a press mount mounted over the probe card testing assembly includes a movable frame including a plate that is height-adjustable relative the movable frame and a plurality of synchronized force-applying members that are actuatable to extend the plate downward a predetermined distance with equal downward pressure across the plate. The plate is height-adjustable within the movable frame via four elongated rotatable screws that protrude through the upper surface of the press mount in order to moveably support the press assembly. Each screw has a timing belt pulley for synchronous power transmission disposed above the stationary frame upper surface. A timing belt or similar continuous belt or chain engages each belt pulley, thereby synchronizing the rotation of the screws. A shuttle system including a drawer and a pair of rails may optionally be provided to allow automatic and convenient circuit board insertion into and removal from the testing assembly.