Patents by Inventor Jeffrey C. Sherry

Jeffrey C. Sherry 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: 8937484
    Abstract: The terminals of a device under test are temporarily electrically connected to corresponding contact pads on a load board by a series of electrically conductive pin pairs. The pin pairs are held in place by an interposer membrane that includes a top contact plate facing the device under test, a bottom contact plate facing the load board, and a vertically resilient, non-conductive member between the top and bottom contact plates. Each pin pair includes a top and bottom pin, which extend beyond the top and bottom contact plates, respectively, toward the device under test and the load board, respectively. The top and bottom pins contact each other at an interface that is inclined with respect to the membrane surface normal. When compressed longitudinally, the pins translate toward each other by sliding along the interface. The sliding is largely longitudinal, with a small and desirable lateral component determined by the inclination of the interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Johnstech International Corporation
    Inventors: John E. Nelson, Jeffrey C. Sherry, Patrick J. Alladio, Russell F. Oberg, Brian Warwick, Gary W. Michalko
  • Patent number: 8912811
    Abstract: A test fixture (120) is disclosed for electrically testing a device under test (130) by forming a plurality of temporary mechanical and electrical connections between terminals (131) on the device under test (130) and contact pads (161) on the load board (160). The test fixture (120) has a replaceable membrane (150) that includes vias (151), with each via (151) being associated with a terminal (131) on the device under test (130) and a contact pad (161) on the load board (160). In some cases, each via (151) has an electrically conducting wall for conducting current between the terminal (131) and the contact pad (161). In some cases, each via (151) includes a spring (152) that provides a mechanical resisting force to the terminal (131) when the device under test (130) is engaged with the test fixture (120).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Johnstech International Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Sherry, Patrick J. Alladio, Russell F. Oberg, Brian K. Warwick
  • Publication number: 20140266279
    Abstract: The terminals of a device under test (DUT) are temporarily electrically connected to corresponding contact pads on a load board by a series of electrically conductive pin pairs. The pin pairs are held in place by an interposer membrane with a top facing the device under test, a bottom facing the load board, and a vertically resilient, non-conductive member between the top and bottom contact plates. Each pin pair includes a top and bottom pin, which extend beyond the top and bottom contact plates, respectively, toward the device under test and the load board, respectively. The bottom pins has a lower contact surface which includes an arcuate portion or ridge which increases contact pressure and ablates oxides by the rocking action of ridge when the DUT in inserted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Johnstech International Corporation
    Inventors: John E. Nelson, Jeffrey C. Sherry, Brian Warwick, Gary W. Michalko
  • Publication number: 20140103949
    Abstract: Terminals of a device under test are connected to corresponding contact pads or leads by a series of electrically conductive contacts. Each terminal testing connects with both a “force” contact and a “sense” contact. In one embodiment, the sense contact partially or completely laterally surrounds the force contact, so that it need not have its own resiliency. The sense contact has a forked end with prongs that extend to opposite sides of the force contact. Alternatively, the sense contact surrounds the force contact and slides laterally to match a lateral translation component of a lateral cross-section of the force contact during longitudinal compression of the force contact. Alternatively, the sense contact includes rods that have ends on opposite sides of the force contact, and extend parallel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Inventors: Joel N. Erdman, Jeffrey C. Sherry, Gary W. Michalko
  • Publication number: 20130271176
    Abstract: The terminals of a device under test are temporarily electrically connected to corresponding contact pads on a load board by a series of electrically conductive pin pairs. The pin pairs are held in place by an interposer membrane that includes a top contact plate facing the device under test, a bottom contact plate facing the load board, and a vertically resilient, non-conductive member between the top and bottom contact plates. Each pin pair includes a top and bottom pin, which extend beyond the top and bottom contact plates, respectively, toward the device under test and the load board, respectively. The top and bottom pins contact each other at an interface that is inclined with respect to the membrane surface normal. When compressed longitudinally, the pins translate toward each other by sliding along the interface. The sliding is largely longitudinal, with a small and desirable lateral component determined by the inclination of the interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventors: John E. Nelson, Jeffrey C. Sherry, Patrick J. Alladio, Russell F. Oberg, Brian Warwick, Gary W. Michalko
  • Patent number: 8558554
    Abstract: Terminals of a device under test are connected to corresponding contact pads or leads by a series of electrically conductive contacts. Each terminal testing connects with both a “force” contact and a “sense” contact. In one embodiment, the sense contact partially or completely laterally surrounds the force contact, so that it need not have its own resiliency. The sense contact has a forked end with prongs that extend to opposite sides of the force contact. Alternatively, the sense contact surrounds the force contact and slides laterally to match a lateral translation component of a lateral cross-section of the force contact during longitudinal compression of the force contact. Alternatively, the sense contact includes rods that have ends on opposite sides of the force contact, and extend parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Johnstech International Corporation
    Inventors: Joel N. Erdman, Jeffrey C. Sherry, Gary W. Michalko
  • Patent number: 8536889
    Abstract: The terminals of a device under test are temporarily electrically connected to corresponding contact pads on a load board by a series of electrically conductive pin pairs. The pin pairs are held in place by an interposer membrane that includes a top contact plate facing the device under test, a bottom contact plate facing the load board, and a vertically resilient, non-conductive member between the top and bottom contact plates. Each pin pair includes a top and bottom pin, which extend beyond the top and bottom contact plates, respectively, toward the device under test and the load board, respectively. The top and bottom pins contact each other at an interface that is inclined with respect to the membrane surface normal. When compressed longitudinally, the pins translate toward each other by sliding along the interface. The sliding is largely longitudinal, with a small and desirable lateral component determined by the inclination of the interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Johnstech International Corporation
    Inventors: John E. Nelson, Jeffrey C. Sherry, Patrick J. Alladio, Russell F. Oberg, Brian Warwick, Gary W. Michalko
  • Publication number: 20130154678
    Abstract: The terminals of a device under test are temporarily electrically connected to corresponding contact pads on a load board by a series of electrically conductive pin pairs. The pin pairs are held in place by an interposer membrane that includes a top contact plate facing the device under test, a bottom contact plate facing the load board including a rocker base protrusion, and a vertically resilient, non-conductive member between the top and bottom contact plates. Each pin pair includes a top and bottom pin, which extend beyond the top and bottom contact plates, respectively, toward the device under test and the load board, respectively. The top and bottom pins contact each other at an interface that is inclined with respect to the membrane surface normal. When compressed longitudinally, the pins translate toward each other by sliding along the interface. The sliding is largely longitudinal, with a small and desirable lateral component determined by the inclination of the interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: Johnstech International Corporation
    Inventors: John E. Nelson, Jeffrey C. Sherry, Patrick J. Alladio, Russell F. Oberg, Brian Warwick, Gary W. Michalko
  • Patent number: 8354854
    Abstract: In a first slot of a plurality of adjacent slots in alignment with traces on a load board of a tester, first and second conductor layers, each to make electrical contact with both a load board trace and a DUT lead. Each of the first and second contacts receives force from a resilient element extending across the slots and that urges a contact point on the contact against at least one trace and a DUT lead. Insulation between said first and second contacts in the first slot electrically insulates the first and second contacts from each other within the first slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Johnstech International Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. Sherry
  • Publication number: 20130002285
    Abstract: The terminals of a device under test (DUT) are temporarily electrically connected to corresponding contact pads on a load board by a series of electrically conductive pin pairs. The pin pairs are held in place by an interposer membrane with a top facing the device under test, a bottom facing the load board, and a vertically resilient, non-conductive member between the top and bottom contact plates. Each pin pair includes a top and bottom pin, which extend beyond the top and bottom contact plates, respectively, toward the device under test and the load board, respectively. The bottom pins has a lower contact surface which includes an arcuate portion or ridge which increases contact pressure and ablates oxides by the rocking action of ridge when the DUT in inserted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: Johnstech International Corporation
    Inventors: John E. Nelson, Jeffrey C. Sherry, Brian Warwick, Gary W. Michalko
  • Publication number: 20120176151
    Abstract: A test fixture (120) is disclosed for electrically testing a device under test (130) by forming a plurality of temporary mechanical and electrical connections between terminals (131) on the device under test (130) and contact pads (161) on the load board (160). The test fixture (120) has a replaceable membrane (150) that includes vias (151), with each via (151) being associated with a terminal (131) on the device under test (130) and a contact pad (161) on the load board (160). In some cases, each via (151) has an electrically conducting wall for conducting current between the terminal (131) and the contact pad (161). In some cases, each via (151) includes a spring (152) that provides a mechanical resisting force to the terminal (131) when the device under test (130) is engaged with the test fixture (120).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: JohnsTech International Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Sherry, Patrick J. Alladio, Russell F. Oberg, Brian K. Warwick
  • Publication number: 20120092034
    Abstract: Terminals (2, 502) of a device under test (DUT) are connected to corresponding contact pads or leads by a series of electrically conductive contacts. Each terminal testing connects with both a “force” contact and a “sense” contact. In one embodiment, the sense contact (770) partially or completely laterally surrounds the force contact (700). In order to increase the contact surface, the force contact, in a spring pin (700) configuration contacts the device under test terminal at that portion of the lead which is curved or angled, rather than orthogonal to the pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: Johnstech International Corporation
    Inventors: Joel N. Erdman, Jeffrey C. Sherry, Gary W. Michalko
  • Publication number: 20120062261
    Abstract: The terminals of a device under test are temporarily electrically connected to corresponding contact pads on a load board by a series of electrically conductive pin pairs. The pin pairs are held in place by an interposer membrane that includes a top contact plate facing the device under test, a bottom contact plate facing the load board, and a vertically resilient, non-conductive member between the top and bottom contact plates. Each pin pair includes a top and bottom pin, which extend beyond the top and bottom contact plates, respectively, toward the device under test and the load board, respectively. The top and bottom pins contact each other at an interface that is inclined with respect to the membrane surface normal. When compressed longitudinally, the pins translate toward each other by sliding along the interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: Johnstech International Corporation
    Inventors: John E. Nelson, Jeffrey C. Sherry, Patrick J. Alladio, Russell F. Oberg, Brian Warwick, Gary W. Michalko
  • Patent number: 8102184
    Abstract: A test fixture (120) is disclosed for electrically testing a device under test (130) by forming a plurality of temporary mechanical and electrical connections between terminals (131) on the device under test (130) and contact pads (161) on the load board (160). The test fixture (120) has a replaceable membrane (150) that includes vias (151), with each via (151) being associated with a terminal (131) on the device under test (130) and a contact pad (161) on the load board (160). In some cases, each via (151) has an electrically conducting wall for conducting current between the terminal (131) and the contact pad (161). In some cases, each via (151) includes a spring (152) that provides a mechanical resisting force to the terminal (131) when the device under test (130) is engaged with the test fixture (120).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Johnstech International
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Sherry, Patrick J. Alladio, Russell F. Oberg, Brian K. Warwick
  • Publication number: 20100264935
    Abstract: Terminals of a device under test are connected to corresponding contact pads or leads by a series of electrically conductive contacts. Each terminal testing connects with both a “force” contact and a “sense” contact. In one embodiment, the sense contact partially or completely laterally surrounds the force contact, so that it need not have its own resiliency. The sense contact has a forked end with prongs that extend to opposite sides of the force contact. Alternatively, the sense contact surrounds the force contact and slides laterally to match a lateral translation component of a lateral cross-section of the force contact during longitudinal compression of the force contact. Alternatively, the sense contact includes rods that have ends on opposite sides of the force contact, and extend parallel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventors: Joel N. Erdman, Jeffrey C. Sherry, Gary W. Michalko
  • Publication number: 20100231251
    Abstract: The terminals of a device under test are temporarily electrically connected to corresponding contact pads on a load board by a series of electrically conductive pin pairs. The pin pairs are held in place by an interposer membrane that includes a top contact plate facing the device under test, a bottom contact plate facing the load board, and a vertically resilient, non-conductive member between the top and bottom contact plates. Each pin pair includes a top and bottom pin, which extend beyond the top and bottom contact plates, respectively, toward the device under test and the load board, respectively. The top and bottom pins contact each other at an interface that is inclined with respect to the membrane surface normal. When compressed longitudinally, the pins translate toward each other by sliding along the interface. The sliding is largely longitudinal, with a small and desirable lateral component determined by the inclination of the interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Inventors: John E. Nelson, Jeffrey C. Sherry, Patrick J. Alladio, Russell F. Oberg, Brian Warwick
  • Patent number: 7737708
    Abstract: A contact for use in a contact set assembly. The contact spans a space which separates a lead of an integrated circuit to be tested and a pad of a load board interfacing with the tester. The contact construction provides electrical communication between integrated circuit lead and the load board pad. Included is an insulating lamina which comprises, in part, a contact. A conductive lamina overlies at least a portion of the insulating lamina. The laminar construction and size and shape of conductive traces applied to a ceramic lamina enable parameters of the contact to be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Johnstech International Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. Sherry
  • Publication number: 20100134119
    Abstract: In a first slot of a plurality of adjacent slots in alignment with traces on a load board of a tester, first and second conductor layers, each to make electrical contact with both a load board trace and a DUT lead. Each of the first and second contacts receives force from a resilient element extending across the slots and that urges a contact point on the contact against at least one trace and a DUT lead. Insulation between said first and second contacts in the first slot electrically insulates the first and second contacts from each other within the first slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2008
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. Sherry
  • Publication number: 20090302878
    Abstract: A test fixture (120) is disclosed for electrically testing a device under test (130) by forming a plurality of temporary mechanical and electrical connections between terminals (131) on the device under test (130) and contact pads (161) on the load board (160). The test fixture (120) has a replaceable membrane (150) that includes vias (151), with each via (151) being associated with a terminal (131) on the device under test (130) and a contact pad (161) on the load board (160). In some cases, each via (151) has an electrically conducting wall for conducting current between the terminal (131) and the contact pad (161). In some cases, each via (151) includes a spring (152) that provides a mechanical resisting force to the terminal (131) when the device under test (130) is engaged with the test fixture (120). In some cases, the spring (201) is housed within a pair of nested, open-ended tubes (202, 203) that can slide longitudinally with respect to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Sherry, Patrick J. Alladio, Russell F. Oberg, Brian K. Warwick