Patents by Inventor Donald J. Wexler

Donald J. Wexler has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Double-sided automatic test equipment probe clamshell with vacuum-actuated bottom probe contacts and mechanical-actuated top probe contacts
    Patent number: 5436567
    Abstract: A two-sided probe and clamshell fixture embodiment of the present invention comprises a vacuum-actuated bed-of-nails for probing the bottom side of a printed circuit board (PCB) device-under-test (DUT) and a pushrod-actuated bed-of-nails for probing the top side of the printed circuit board device-under-test. The fixture comprises a base, a bottom frame, and a bottom plate that are sealed for vacuum actuation by a gasket. When in place, the DUT completes the vacuum seal and the bottom bed-of-nails which includes a patterned array of spring loaded probe pins reaches through the bottom plate to contact probe points on the DUT. A set of push rods attached to the base push out through the bottom frame and operate a set of gear boxes attached to the outer edges of a top plate within a top frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Assignee: Automated Test Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald J. Wexler, Jeffrey L. Smith