Patents by Inventor Niels Markert

Niels Markert 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: 6771062
    Abstract: An apparatus for supporting and manipulating a testhead for testing semiconductor devices includes a supporting frame, plates adapted to be mounted on opposite sides of the testhead and controllable shafts that connect the supporting frame to the plates. Each plate has an opening in which a flanged bearing is fitted. The testhead is mounted by moving the respective shafts through the flanged bearings within the openings of plates. In this manner, the shafts support the testhead on two fixed pivots. The shafts also provide a fixed axis of rotation about which the testhead can be rotated. The testhead can be locked in a particular position about the fixed rotation axis by a locking pin inserted into one of a plurality of locking holes surrounding the plate opening. A lever arm connected to the locking pin is utilized to change the radial position of the testhead. The testhead is dismounted by unlocking the locking pin and moving the shafts from the flanged bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Advantest Corporation
    Inventors: Niels Markert, Anthony Le, Robert Sauer
  • Patent number: 6747447
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a locking apparatus and loadboard assembly of a semiconductor testing device apparatus. The loadboard assembly includes a printed circuit board containing a device under test and an interface board secured to the bottom of the printed circuit board. The interface board has two members with a space between them. Spacers connect the members to form apertures for contact pins on a test head. The loadboard assembly is placed on top of a locking apparatus which is mounted on the top surface of the test head. The placement of the loadboard on the locking apparatus is done according to two pins of different cross-sections that extend through two holes in the interface board and printed circuit board of the loadboard assembly. When the loadboard assembly is placed on the locking mechanism, rollers mounted on the interface board are received in cam slots of a cam member of the locking apparatus. These rollers follow the cam slots as the cam member is moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Advantest Corporation
    Inventors: Niels Markert, Anthony Le, Robert Sauer, Rochit Rajsuman, Hiroki Yamoto
  • Publication number: 20040056675
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a locking apparatus and loadboard assembly of a semiconductor testing device apparatus. The loadboard assembly includes a printed circuit board containing a device under test and an interface board secured to the bottom of the printed circuit board. The interface board has two members with a space between them. Spacers connect the members to form apertures for contact pins on a test head. The loadboard assembly is placed on top of a locking apparatus which is mounted on the top surface of the test head. The placement of the loadboard on the locking apparatus is done according to two pins of different cross-sections that extend through two holes in the interface board and printed circuit board of the loadboard assembly. When the loadboard assembly is placed on the locking mechanism, rollers mounted on the interface board are received in cam slots of a cam member of the locking apparatus. These rollers follow the cam slots as the cam member is moved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Applicant: ADVANTEST CORPORATION
    Inventors: Niels Markert, Anthony Le, Robert Sauer, Rochit Rajsuman, Hiroki Yamoto
  • Patent number: 6710590
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a test head Hifix of a semiconductor device testing apparatus that does not require disassembly for maintenance or repair of the semiconductor device testing apparatus. In one embodiment, the test head Hifix of a semiconductor device testing apparatus includes a plate that resides as the top surface of a test head and on which the assembly, loadboard, socket and DUT are mounted. The plate is attached to the test head in an arrangement that allows the plate along with the assembly, loadboard, socket and DUT to be easily moved without completely disassembling the plate, assembly and loadboard from the test head. In one embodiment, the plate is attached or coupled to the test head by hinges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Advantest Corporation
    Inventors: Niels Markert, Anthony Le, Hiroki Yamoto, Robert Sauer