Abstract: An external spring probe is provided having a first section and a second section which extend and compress relative to each other. The first section consists of a tip at one end and a first contact component opposite the tip. A flange extends radially outward between the tip and the first contact component. The second section consists of a tip at one end and a second contact component opposite the tip. The second contact tip is in contact with the first contact tip. A flange extends radially outward between the second section tip and the second contact component. A spring is sandwiched between the two flanges surrounding the two contact components. The first and second contact components remain in contact with each other during compression and extension of the two sections.

Abstract: A barrel for a spring probe has a tubular body and a crown shaped terminal end for discrete point contact of the barrel. The terminal end has a drawn opening with a substantially circular cross-sectional dimension and a crown shaped contact integrally formed in the circular opening. There are several possible shapes for the crown shaped contact including pointed projections where multiple triangular shapes are placed end to end around the circumference of the terminal end, a corrugated shape with squares spaced apart around the circular edge, a wavy shape along the circular edge, or a rounded shape around the edge.

Abstract: A barrel for a spring probe having a tubular body and a crown shaped terminal end for discrete point contact of the barrel.

Abstract: A translator pin having a body portion and a removable head portion positioned at one end of the body portion. The head includes a channel extending into the head for receipt of the body portion to provide a friction fit between the head the body portion. The channel may include detents to provide frictional engagement with the body portion of the translator pin.

Abstract: A spring probe for performing tests on an electrical device having a plunger positioned within a barrel and including a spring in the barrel adjacent the plunger to apply a spring force against the plunger. The plunger includes a contact end having an angled surface for contacting the electrical device for applying a side load to the barrel, and a slot in the contact end for dividing the spring force upon contact with the electrical device.

Abstract: A test socket for an integrated circuit package having an upper housing and a lower housing secured to the top and bottom surfaces, respectively, of a load board. The upper housing having a cavity for receipt of the integrated circuit package and including a hole in the base of the upper housing to allow a plurality of solid socket plungers to contact test sites on the integrated circuit package. The socket plungers are positioned within a plurality of channels formed in the lower housing and extend through a plurality of holes in the load board to contact the test sites. A plurality of springs are positioned in the channels of the lower housing below the socket plungers to provide a spring force to bias the socket plungers upwardly toward the integrated circuit package. A nonconductive pushrod is positioned between the spring and a beveled edge of the plunger and a nonconductive cap is positioned above the load board for high frequency test signals.

Abstract: A test socket for an integrated circuit package having an upper housing and a lower housing secured to the top and bottom surfaces, respectively, of a load board. The upper housing having a cavity for receipt of the integrated circuit package and including a hole in the base of the upper housing to allow a plurality of solid socket plungers to contact test sites on the integrated circuit package. The socket plungers are positioned within a plurality of channels formed in the lower housing and extend through a plurality of holes in the load board to contact the test sites. A plurality of springs are positioned in the channels of the lower housing below the socket plungers to provide a spring force to bias the socket plungers upwardly toward the integrated circuit package. A nonconductive pushrod is positioned between the spring and a beveled edge of the plunger and a nonconductive cap is positioned above the load board for high frequency test signals.

Abstract: A test socket for an integrated circuit package having an upper housing and a lower housing secured to the top and bottom surfaces, respectively, of a load board. The upper housing having a cavity for receipt of the integrated circuit package and including a hole in the base of the upper housing to allow a plurality of solid socket plungers to contact test sites on the integrated circuit package. The socket plungers are positioned within a plurality of channels formed in the lower housing and extend through a plurality of holes in the load board to contact the test sites. A plurality of springs are positioned in the channels of the lower housing below the socket plungers to provide a spring force to bias the socket plungers upwardly toward the integrated circuit package. A ball is positioned between the spring and a beveled edge of the plunger to aid in biasing the plunger.

Abstract: A spring-loaded contact probe for performing tests on an electrical device. The probe includes an elongated plunger having an end with a convex surface retained within a barrel. A spring for applying an axial load is positioned within the barrel and a ball sized to translate a portion of the axial force into a side loading force is positioned between the spring and the convex surface of the plunger. The spring has a tightly wound coil adjacent the ball for maintaining the ball against the barrel.

Abstract: A hollow plunger spring probe assembly for performing tests on an electrical device including a probe receptacle for receipt of the hollow plunger. The plunger includes a tip at one end of the plunger for contacting the electrical device and a spring positioned within the opening in the plunger between the tip and a receptacle post having a head portion extending into the plunger through a second end. The post is rigidly attached to the receptacle. The plunger includes an attachment mechanism for releasably attaching the plunger to the head portion of the post.

Abstract: For mounting in a notebook having outer covers and a spine, a sheet of clips comprises: a frame having inner and outer side rims and top and bottom cross rims; a set of paper clips integrally connected to the frame via the rims; each of the clips including an outer retainer, an inner retainer and a yoke connecting the outer retainer and the inner retainer; a rupturable junction extending between the frame and the yoke.

Abstract: For mounting in a notebook having outer covers and a spine, a sheet of clips comprises: a frame having inner and outer side rims, top and bottom cross rims, and optionally at least a rib connected between a pair of the rims; a set of paper clips integrally connected to the frame via the rims and the rib; each of the clips including an outer retainer, an inner retainer and a yoke connecting the outer retainer and the inner retainer; a rupturable junction extending between the frame and the yoke.

Abstract: Telescoping spring probes include a barrel having a hollow cylindrical body with a passageway extending from a closed barrel end to an open barrel end. The open barrel end is crimped radially inward into the passageway. A plunger axially disposed within the barrel passageway comprises a hollow body having an internal cavity extending from an open plunger end to a closed plunger end. The open plunger end disposed within the barrel passageway faces the closed barrel end. The plunger body has an outside surface portion with a diameter greater than the crimped barrel open end to prevent the plunger from exiting the barrel. A spring is disposed axially within the barrel passageway and the plunger cavity. In a first embodiment, the plunger body includes an inwardly deflected detent contacting one end of the spring to imposes a spring force which biases the plunger body against the barrel passageway.

Abstract: For mounting in a notebook having outer covers and a spine, a sheet of clips comprises: a frame having inner and outer side rims, top and bottom cross rims, and optionally at least a rib connected between a pair of the rims; a set of paper clips integrally connected to the frame via the rims and the rib; each of the clips including an outer retainer, an inner retainer and a yoke connecting the outer retainer and the inner retainer; a rupturable junction extending between the frame and the yoke.