Electrical connectors – Preformed panel circuit arrangement – e.g. – pcb – icm – dip,... – Distinct contact secured to panel circuit
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-26
2001-05-08
Bradley, Paula (Department: 2833)
Electrical connectors
Preformed panel circuit arrangement, e.g., pcb, icm, dip,...
Distinct contact secured to panel circuit
C439S070000, C439S525000, C439S586000, C439S924200
Reexamination Certificate
active
06227878
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to improvements in RF socket designs and in particular to a method and apparatus that improves RF contact positioning in an RF test socket.
2. Description of Related Art
An RF (Radio Frequency) test socket, for measuring RF electronic components may be designed using a plastic housing and gold-plated contacts. The plastic housing is clamped down onto a test board, sandwiching the contacts between the test board and the plastic housing. Due to deflection in the plastic housing the contacts next to the holding screws are held tightly while the contacts near the center of the span are loose. Currently a piece of elastomer is placed in a machined groove between the housing and the contacts for applying pressure to pins for alignment purposes. However, the use of the elastomer does not in some cases allow for good electrical contact when clamping the test board to the plastic housing due to deflections in the housing and use of an elastomer.
Therefore a need exists for clamping the housing of a RF test socket to a RF test board such that deflections in the plastic still allow for good electrical contact. Additionally, a need exists for removing the use of an elastomer thereby providing a design solution requiring fewer components. The present invention solves this problem in a new and unique manner not previously known in the arts.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The RF test socket comprises a housing having a plurality of notches along one side for clamping to an RF test board and postioning a plurality of contacts in the notches between the housing and the RF test board. The plurality of notches are formed in a step fashion wherein when the housing is clamped to the RF test board, the housing deflects such that the plurality of contacts contact the RF test board with equal force. The plurality of notches are lower in a center of the housing and higher along the edges thereby defining a catenary shape of notches along the housing and are further machined to a specific height for applying equal force on the plurality of contacts.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4528500 (1985-07-01), Lighbody et al.
patent: 4571542 (1986-02-01), Arai
patent: 4850883 (1989-07-01), Kabadi
patent: 4936783 (1990-06-01), Petersen
patent: 5228189 (1993-07-01), Driller
patent: 5580262 (1996-12-01), Kubota et al.
patent: 5734176 (1998-03-01), Oldfield
Bradley Paula
Conexant Systems Inc.
Meredith Martin Addy Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione
Nguyen Truc
LandOfFree
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