Patents by Inventor Gary F. St. Onge

Gary F. St. Onge 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).

  • Patent number: 8648616
    Abstract: A test fixture for testing loaded printed circuit boards having a plurality of test points having a probe plate including an array of widely spaced high force spring test probes in compliant contact with solid translator pins located in a translator fixture removably positioned over the probe plate. The test fixture includes optimization software wherein translation of the test signals are optimized by providing the shortest interconnect distance in the x-y plane between the test points on the printed circuit board and the test probes in the probe plate. The fixture further includes an unpowered opens device for testing components on the loaded printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: LTX-Credence Corporation
    Inventors: Gary F. St. Onge, Scott F. Gold, Matthew T. Miczek
  • Publication number: 20110148448
    Abstract: A test fixture for testing loaded printed circuit boards having a plurality of test points having a probe plate including an array of widely spaced high force spring test probes in compliant contact with solid translator pins located in a translator fixture removably positioned over the probe plate. The test fixture includes optimization software wherein translation of the test signals are optimized by providing the shortest interconnect distance in the x-y plane between the test points on the printed circuit board and the test probes in the probe plate. The fixture further includes an unpowered opens device for testing components on the loaded printed circuit board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: Gary F. St. Onge, Scott F. Gold, Matthew T. Miczek
  • Patent number: 6066957
    Abstract: A test fixture for a printed circuit board having a pattern of test probes and a fixed probe plate and a top plate adapted for movement toward and away from the probe plate. The probe plate and the top plate have selected patterns of holes for passage of the test probes through the probe plate and the top plate for contacting test points on the printed circuit board which is supported at one end of the test fixture. A probe retention plate is positioned below the top plate in an area of the test probes to prevent the test probes from walking out of the probe plate. The fixture further includes a spacer plate including interface probes to convert the fixture between a wired and a wireless text fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Van Loan, Gary F. St. Onge, Mark A. Swart
  • Patent number: 6025729
    Abstract: A test fixture for a printed circuit board having a pattern of test probes and a fixed probe plate and a top plate adapted for movement toward and away from the probe plate. The probe plate and the top plate have selected patterns of holes for passage of the test probes through the probe plate and the top plate for contacting test points on the printed circuit board which is supported at one end of the test fixture. A probe retention sheet is positioned below the probe plate in an area of the test pins so that the test probes that extend through the probe plate also extends through the probe retention sheet, the probe retention sheet includes a preformed pattern of openings which are undersized with respect to an outside diameter of the test probes which extend through the pin retention sheet so that the retention sheet naturally applies a compression force around a circumference of the test probes extending through the sheet at a level sufficient to retain the test probes within the test fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.
    Inventors: David Van Loan, Gary F. St. Onge, Mark A. Swart
  • Patent number: 5818248
    Abstract: A test fixture for testing a loaded printed circuit board having a plurality of test points includes a housing and a probe plate located in the base of the housing. The probe plate includes an array of widely spaced high spring force test probes in compliant contact with solid translator pins located in a translator fixture removably positioned over the probe plate. The translator fixture is positioned within a cavity in the housing adjacent the test points on the printed circuit board. The translator fixture includes a top plate having recessed portions for receipt of loaded circuit board components so that the top plate is adjacent the test points on the circuit board. The translator fixture aligns the translator pins to translate electrical test signals between the test points and an external electronic test analyzer electrically connected to the test probes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation, Inc
    Inventor: Gary F. St. Onge
  • Patent number: 5557211
    Abstract: A test fixture for testing circuit boards has a vacuum chamber between a stationary probe plate and a movable top plate. Separate adjustable linear bearings located in quadrants of the fixture provide parallel alignment between the top plate and the probe plate. A continuous vacuum seal between the probe plate and top plate bypasses the bearings so the bearings are outside the vacuum area. Spring loaded test probes in the probe plate extend through holes in the top plate for access to a circuit board under test. The probes contact the board when the top plate moves down toward the probes under a vacuum. The top plate is secured to the probe plate by separate quick-release latch pins extending through the linear bearings. The moving top plate carries fixed tooling pins for mounting the board to the top plate. Movable bearing blocks support the bearings. The top plate is movable for aligning the board with the test probes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: Everett Charles Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mary E. Ferrer, Gary F. St. Onge, Charles J. Johnston, Mark A. Swart
  • Patent number: 5422575
    Abstract: A test fixture for testing circuit boards has a vacuum chamber between a stationary probe plate and a movable top plate. Separate adjustable linear bearings located in quadrants of the fixture provide parallel alignment between the top plate and the probe plate. A continuous vacuum seal between the probe plate and top plate bypasses the bearings so the bearings are outside the vacuum area. Spring loaded test probes in the probe plate extend through holes in the top plate for access to a circuit board under test. The probes contact the board when the top plate moves down toward the probes under a vacuum. The top plate is secured to the probe plate by separate quick-release latch pins extending through the linear bearings. The moving top plate carries fixed tooling pins for mounting the board to the top plate. Movable bearing blocks support the bearings. The top plate is movable for aligning the board with the test probes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1995
    Assignee: Everett Charles Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mary E. Ferrer, Gary F. St. Onge, Charles J. Johnston, Mark A. Swart
  • Patent number: 5300881
    Abstract: A test fixture for testing circuit boards has a vacuum chamber between a stationary probe plate and a movable top plate. Separate adjustable linear bearings located in quadrants of the fixture provide parallel alignment between the top plate and the probe plate. A continuous vacuum seal between the probe plate and top plate bypasses the bearings so the bearings are outside the vacuum area. Spring loaded test probes in the probe plate extend through holes in the top plate for access to a circuit board under test. The probes contact the board when the top plate moves down toward the probes under a vacuum. The top plate is secured, to the probe plate by separate quick-release latch pins extending through the linear bearings. The moving top plate carries fixed tooling pins for mounting the board to the top plate. Movable bearing blocks support the bearings. The top plate is movable for aligning the board with the test probes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Assignee: Everett Charles Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mary E. Ferrer, Gary F. St. Onge, Charles J. Johnston, Mark A. Swart
  • Patent number: 5214374
    Abstract: A test fixture with a single vacuum well and two vacuum chambers for use in the automatic testing of printed circuit boards is connected to an electronic circuit tester for performing high speed testing of circuits on the board. The fixture includes a vacuum well, two vacuum chambers formed by gaskets, a movable top plate for moving the circuit board and a stripper plate between two positions, and ar array of test probes disposed in the vacuum well for access to the circuit board. The board under test is placed on the test fixture and a first vacuum is drawn from the first vacuum chamber to move the plate, thereby engaging a first plurality of test probes with the board for performing functional tests. A second vacuum is drawn from the second vacuum chamber to move the printed circuit board to engage a second set of test probes. A second set of electrical test signals is communicated to both sets of test probes for a second in-circuit test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1993
    Assignee: Everett/Charles Contact Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary F. St. Onge
  • Patent number: 4814698
    Abstract: A test fixture for use in computerized automatic test equipment for checking printed circuit boards. Substances are used to constitute some of the test fixture parts and to coat others which are effective in preventing damage from electrostatic charges. The substance must be permanent, substantially independent of humidity for its antistatic characteristics, and have a resistivity in the range of 10.sup.5 -10.sup.10 ohms/sq.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1989
    Assignee: Everett/Charles Contact Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary F. St. Onge, Robert D. McRay