Abstract: A device for testing integrated circuits utilizing a compression spring that has one longitudinal centerline that is concentric to the housing of the test probe and terminates in a number of reduced diameter coil windings that are non-concentric to the housing so as to provide a side load to the probe.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are electrical test probes and methods for making the same. In one embodiment, an electrical test probe comprises: a barrel, a plunger, a contact element, and a spring. The barrel comprises a contact area defined by a stop engagement and an opening at a first end of the barrel. The plunger is slidably disposed through the opening, the contact element, and the contact area. The plunger comprises a tip and a stop protrusion with a plunger extension extending therebetween. The contact element is disposed in the contact area, between the barrel and the plunger. The spring is in operational engagement with the plunger.

Abstract: A test apparatus for testing electrical devices such as ICs is provided. The test apparatus includes a test socket mounted on a DUT board in which a contact plunger assembly is at least partially positioned.

Abstract: A circuit breaker lock-off device is side-mounted to a circuit breaker case in a tenacious engagement. The lock-off device has a generally planar body carrying a lock-off arm pivotable in a plane parallel to the body to place an engagement tab extending therefrom into a position for preventing movement of the breaker handle without being physically attached to the breaker handle. The lock-off arm and the body further have complementary rings for accepting a padlock shackle in the locked off position. The invention allows a rugged lock-off accessory which is field installable and which can accommodate various breaker handle geometries.

Abstract: A circuit breaker lock-off device is side-mounted to a circuit breaker case in a tenacious engagement. The lock-off device has a generally planar body carrying a lock-off arm pivotable in a plane parallel to the body to place an engagement tab extending therefrom into a position for preventing movement of the breaker handle without being physically attached to the breaker handle. The lock-off arm and the body further have complementary rings for accepting a padlock shackle in the locked off position. The invention allows a rugged lock-off accessory which is field installable and which can accommodate various breaker handle geometries.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electronic test probe including a compression spring disposed in the housing in engagement with a plunger, the compression spring including a first section of coils including a first centerline and a second section of coils including a second centerline spaced apart from and parallel to the first centerline.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are electrical test probes and methods for making the same. In one embodiment, an electrical test probe comprises: a barrel, a plunger, a contact element, and a spring. The barrel comprises a contact area defined by a stop engagement and an opening at a first end of the barrel. The plunger is slidably disposed through the opening, the contact element, and the contact area. The plunger comprises a tip and a stop protrusion with a plunger extension extending therebetween. The contact element is disposed in the contact area, between the barrel and the plunger. The spring is in operational engagement with the plunger.

Abstract: A test apparatus for testing electrical devices such as ICs is provided. The test apparatus includes a test socket mounted on a DUT board in which a contact plunger assembly is at least partially positioned.

Abstract: An electrical socket (10) mounts a plurality of electrical contact probes (20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32) for providing an electrical connection between terminals of an electronic package (1,1′) received in a seat (10d) formed in the socket and respective conductive pads of a DUT board. The contact probes each have a slidable contact tip (20m, 26m, 28m, 30m, 32m) which is adapted for engagement with a respective terminal of an electronic package received in the socket and which is removable from the contact probe for ease of replacement. The removable contact tips or plungers are provided with a retainer surface (20t, 28t, 30t, 32t) for interengagement with a removable retainer member of the socket.

Abstract: A test apparatus for testing electrical devices such as ICs is provided. The test apparatus includes a test socket mounted on a DUT board in which a contact plunger assembly is at least partially positioned.

Abstract: An electrical socket (10) mounts a plurality of electrical contact probes (20,22,24,26,28,30,32) for providing an electrical connection between terminals of an electronic package (1,1′) received in a seat (10d) formed in the socket and respective conductive pads of a DUT board. The contact probes each have a slidable contact tip (20m,26m,28m,30m,32m) which is adapted for engagement with a respective terminal of an electronic package received in the socket and which is removable from the contact probe for ease of replacement. The removable contact tips or plungers are provided with a retainer surface (20t,28t,30t, 32t) for interengagement with a removable retainer member of the socket.

Abstract: A counterforce spring assembly for printed circuit board test fixtures is provided. A number of counterforce spring assemblies are provided in an array between the top plate and probe plate of the test fixture. Each counterforce spring assembly includes a support cup residing in an aperture through the probe plate. A compression spring resides in the support cup and provides spring-biasing of the top plate to the probe plate during the UUT testing cycle. Each counterforce spring assembly includes a circumferential flange to limit downward travel of the top plate toward the probe plate. Each assembly is small enough to fit between probe apertures corresponding to component leads of the UUT. The counterforce spring assemblies can be freely placed underneath the top plate to provide even spring-biasing thereof to prevent bowing and bending of the top plate which often causes errors in the testing of printed circuit boards.

Abstract: A toggle spring for a circuit breaker operating mechanism which provides better performance and reliability is provided. The toggle spring includes a unique spring eye having a back hook portion extending around a spring shank so as to dramatically increase the force supportable by the spring eye. The toggle spring is provided having a body portion having a first end and a second end. A first spring eye extends from the first end of the body portion and a shank extends from the second end of the body portion. A second spring eye extends from the shank and includes the back hook portion which extends around the shank.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a first section and a second section with independently operating pairs of contact assemblies in each respective section. In the first section, at least one of the contact assemblies is constructed and arranged to interrupt the current by moving from a normally closed position to a blown-open position and latching with the contact assemblies separated. The second section has a biasing extension spring for biasing the contact assemblies of the second section so as to permit interruption of the current in response to a blow-open force, which causes the contacts to separate only momentarily and then return to a normally closed position. The first and second pairs of contact assemblies separate substantially simultaneously in response to the blow-open force, and only the first section reacts to lower-level over-current conditions. In addition to the contact assemblies, the second section of the circuit breaker is designed to operate using only a spring which is "Z-axis" mountable.

Abstract: A blade suspension assembly for a circuit breaker comprises a pivot pin, a torsion spring, an elongated blade, and a blade carrier. The torsion spring includes a lateral middle section, a pair of end legs disposed on opposite sides of the middle section, and a lateral hole extending therethrough. The blade includes an electrical contact mounted thereto, a lower bearing surface, and a lateral circular aperture. The blade carrier includes first and second pairs of bearing surfaces. To assemble the blade suspension assembly, the torsion spring is placed over the blade with the lateral middle section abutting the lower bearing surface of the blade, with the end legs disposed on opposite sides of the blade, and with the lateral hole in the torsion spring disposed in line with the circular aperture in the blade. Next, the pivot pin is inserted through the lateral hole in the torsion spring and through the circular aperture in the blade.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a first section and a second section with substantially independently operating pairs of contact assemblies in each respective section. In the first section, at least one of the contact assemblies is constructed and arranged to interrupt the current by moving from a normally closed position to a blown-open position and latching with the contact assemblies separated. The second section has a biasing extension spring for biasing the contact assemblies of the second section so as to permit interruption of the current in response to a blow-open force, which causes the contacts to separate only momentarily and then return to a normally closed position. The first and second pairs of contact assemblies separate substantially simultaneously in response to the blow-open force, and only the first section reacts to lower-level over-current conditions.

Abstract: A high current capacity blade for a circuit breaker, comprises a conductive blade body having front and rear sections connected to one another, where the rear section includes a surface attachment area for fastening a flexible connector of the circuit breaker thereto. A strain relief tang extending from the rear section of the blade body is used to engage the flexible connector so as to stabilize the fastening of the flexible connector to the surface attachment area. A broad conductive lateral section is connected to and extends laterally from the front section, and includes a blade tab for engaging a toggle spring of the circuit breaker. A broad moveable contact is mounted on the broad lateral section and is adapted to interface with a stationary contact of the circuit breaker. A pair of substantially parallel L-shaped blade legs are spaced from one another to permit the toggle spring to pass therebetween.

Abstract: A blade suspension assembly for a circuit breaker includes a first electrical contact, an elongated contact arm having a second electrical contact adjacent a first end of the contact arm, a compression spring, and an elongated lever. The second electrical contact is movable about a first pivot axis between a contacts-closed position and at least one contacts-open position with respect to the first electrical contact. The lever has a first end adjacent a second pivot axis, a second end supported by the compression spring, and a contoured support surface between the first and second ends which supports a second end of the contact arm. The compression spring exerts a force against the second end of the lever so that the contoured support surface biases the second end of the contact arm about the first pivot axis in the contacts-closed position during normal operation and in the contacts-open position in response to the contact arm moving to the contacts-open position.

Abstract: An improved miniature circuit breaker is provided which is adapted to improved automatic assembly of all components thereof. Key components of the breaker are individually and collectively designed to be susceptible to total Z-axis assembly. In particular, the circuit breaker operating mechanism which operates the contacts thereof to make or break the electric circuit is formed of elements designed to interact in a Z-axis assemblable fashion. The movable contact is defined on a contact carrier or blade assembly which is adapted for Z-axis assembly and also provides increased arc erosion resistance and improved opening of the breaker contacts.

Abstract: An improved miniature circuit breaker is provided which is adapted to improved automatic assembly of all components thereof. Key components of the breaker are individually and collectively designed to be susceptible to total Z-axis assembly. In particular, the magnetic-yoke and armature which comprise the current response mechanism for the circuit breaker are designed to interact with each other so that the magnetic armature can easily be Z-axis assembled onto the magnetic yoke.