Abstract: An electrical test probe assembly for use with a leadless surface mounted device is provided which includes an array of resilient spring contacts in a pattern corresponding to the contacts of a leadless device. The array of spring contacts are configured to grip the peripheral edges of a surface mounted device, with each spring contact in biased engagement with a respective contact of the device.

Abstract: A terminal plug body for interference-fit with a thin-walled annular end of an interconnection component makes possible a center-to-center spacing of adjacent interconnection components that is not limited except by the outside dimension of the adjacent components themselves. The terminal plug body includes a head portion and a tail portion. The head portion includes a first region over which the material of the thin-wall of the annular end elastically expands and a second region into which the material of the thin-wall of the annular end elastically collapses during interference-fit. The annular end of the interconnection component in this manner is repeatedly pluggable onto and off the terminal plug body each time reassuming its nominal shape without plastic deformation. A connector including the terminal plug body and any suitable interconnection component may with advantage be utilized.

Abstract: Improved spring-stops for a bi-level test fixture of the type that includes an electronic circuit device receiving face moveable between in-circuit and functional testing levels of a probe support plate are disclosed. A spring-loaded plate is provided below the probe support plate, and a plurality of elongated rods that extend between the electronic circuit device receiving face and the spring-loaded plate are provided for transferring the resilient force of the spring-loaded plate to the electronic circuit device receiving face. The transferred resilient force opposes the force exerted on the electronic circuit device receiving face from either operator or automatic testing equipment selectable vacuum levels such that the electronic circuit device receiving face moves to a selected one of the incircuit and functional testing levels. The rods are individually friction-fit for reciprocating motion in a low coefficient of friction and low compressive strength bushing.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing a small-diameter metal tube having a coating of a different metal on selected portions of its inner surface, the tube being used for the body of a plunger-type electrical contact. A flat piece of metal from which the tube is to be made is coated with a predetermined pattern of a second metal on at least one preselected portion of its surface, then the flat piece is subjected to deep drawing operations to produce a tube coated with a predetermined pattern of the second metal on preselected portions of its interior surface.

Abstract: An automated tester for a wired PC board is adapted to receive a wired PC board and secure it in a predetermined position by vacuum pressure. After the board is fully secured in position, the vacuum pressure applied to a fixture having an array of electrical contacts forces the contacts into position on the contact fingers of the PC board to provide electrical connection through the tester to connectors whereby the board can be tested. The contact array is controlled in position to make contact with the board fingers only after all board motion induced by the vacuum pressure pulldown has ceased, thereby minimizing scraping action between array contacts and PC board fingers. The fixture further includes a linkage arm arrangement which increases the contacting force of the array at the point of making connection to the PC board fingers to augment the reliability of contact.

Abstract: A three-cusp self-cleaning signal contact is disclosed that is structurally strong and breakage resistant, that is capable of cutting through any surface contamination present on intended contact points for insuring a good electrical interconnection, and that is self-cleaning and capable of repetitive use notwithstanding a comparatively large quantity of surface contamination.

Abstract: An electrical contact construction is disclosed of the type that is provided with a spring-loaded contact plunger and includes an elongated tubular body portion in which the plunger is received, retaining means as defined by spaced elongated projections being formed in the wall of the tubular body portion for restricting outward movement of the plunger.