interconnect devices v. johnstech international

8/12/2019 Interconnect Devices v. Johnstech International

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SNELL & WILMER L.L.P.Brian G. Arnold, Bar No. [email protected]

Marjorie A. Witter, Bar No. [email protected] South Grand AvenueSuite 2600Two California PlazaLos Angeles, California 90071Telephone: 213.929.2500Facsimile: 213.929.2525

Attorneys for PlaintiffINTERCONNECT DEVICES, INC.

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

SAN JOSE DIVISION

INTERCONNECT DEVICES, INC.,

Plaintiff,

v.

JOHNSTECH INTERNATIONAL CORP.,

Defendant.

Case No.

COMPLAINT FOR DECLARATORY

JUDGMENT

DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL


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Plaintiff Interconnect Devices, Inc. (IDI) brings this Complaint against Defendant

Johnstech International Corp. (Johnstech) for a Declaratory Judgment that (1) IDI has not

infringed U.S. Patent Nos. 7,059,866, 7,722,361, and 7,445,465; (2) that U.S. Patent Nos.

7,059,866, 7,722,361, and 7,445,465 are invalid pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 101, 102, 103 and 112;

and (3) that this is an exceptional case under 35 U.S.C. 285 and for an award of all of IDIs

attorneys fees and costs.

THE PARTIES

1. Plaintiff Interconnect Devices, Inc. is a Delaware corporation with a principal

place of business at 5101 Richland Avenue, Kansas City, KS 66106.

2. Defendant Johnstech International Corporation is a Minnesota corporation with a

principal place of business at 1210 New Brighton Blvd., Minneapolis, MN 55413.

JURISDICTION

3. Plaintiff brings this action under the Federal Declaratory Judgment Act, 28 U.S.C.

2201.

4. This Court has subject matter jurisdiction over this matter pursuant to 28 U.S.C.

1331 (Federal Question) and 1338(a) (Patent).

5. Upon information and belief, this Court has personal jurisdiction over Johnstech

because it has established minimum contacts with the forum. Johnstech maintains its Sales,

Service, & Innovation Center in Santa Clara, California, and, on information and belief, has


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6. Venue is proper in this Court pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 1391(b) and (c), and

1400(b) because a substantial part of the events giving rise to this action occurred within this

Judicial District, and because a corporation defendant shall be deemed to reside in any judicial

district in which it is subject to personal jurisdiction. In addition, Johnstech maintains its Sales,

Service, & Innovation Center in Santa Clara, California, and, on information and belief, the lead

inventor of two of the patents-in-suit resides in this district and developed the purported

inventions described in the patents-in-suit in this district. Further, IDI maintains a sales and

applications engineering office in this district in Milpitas, California.

THE PATENTS-IN-SUIT

7. On June 13, 2006, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)

issued U.S. Patent No. 7,059,866 (the 866 Patent), entitled Integrated Circuit Contact to Test

Apparatus. Mathew L. Gilk is the named inventor on the face of the 866 Patent. On

information and belief, the 866 Patent is assigned to Johnstech. A true and correct copy of the

866 Patent is attached hereto as Exhibit A.

8. On May 25, 2010, the USPTO issued U.S. Patent No. 7,722,361 (the 361

Patent), entitled Test Socket. Jose E. Lopez, Dennis B. Shell, and Mathew L. Gilk are the

named inventors on the face of the 361 Patent. On information and belief, the 361 Patent is

assigned to Johnstech. A true and correct copy of the 361 Patent is attached hereto as Exhibit B.

9. On November 4, 2008, the USPTO issued U.S. Patent No. 7,445,465 (the 465


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11. On February 25, 2014, Johnstechs counsel set a cease and desist letter (the

Letter) to IDI, alleging that IDIs Archimedes test pin and socket directly infringes Johnstechs

866 Patent, 361 Patent, and 465 Patent (collectively, the patents-in-suit). A true and correct

copy of the Letter is attached hereto as Exhibit D.

12. The Letter stated that its purpose was to advise IDI of the consequences of

infringement of one or more of these patents. It stated that Johnstech is aware that [IDI] will be

exhibiting products at the upcoming BITS conference in Phoenix, AZ in March 2014 and

warned that if IDI exhibits the Archimedes product, Johnstech will consider that an intentional

infringement.

13. The Letter demanded a response in less than five business days, and stated that if

Johnstech do[es] not hear from [IDI] by March 1, 2014, we shall assume that settlement is of no

interest, and continued infringement will certainly be willful.

14. By virtue of the foregoing, there is a continuing justiciable controversy between

the parties as to IDIs right to make, use, offer to sell and sell its Archimedes product, and as to

the validity, enforceability and scope of the patents in suit.

FEDERAL DECLARATORY JUDGMENT ACT

15. Pursuant to the Federal Declaratory Judgment Act, 28 U.S.C. 2201, this Court

may declare the rights and other legal relations of any interested party.

16. As set forth in the Letter, Johnstech has asserted that IDI infringes Johnstechs


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21. The relief sought by IDI will resolve the controversy relative to the respective

interests of IDI and Johnstech.

COUNT I

DECLARATORY JUDGMENT OF NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THE 866 PATENT

22. Each of paragraphs 1 through 21 is incorporated herein by reference.

23. On information and belief, 866 Patent is assigned to Johnstech.

24. IDI has not infringed and does not infringe any valid claim of the 866 Patent.

25. There is an actual, substantial and immediate controversy between the adverse

interests of IDI and Johnstech as to whether IDIs use, making, sale or offering for sale of its

Archimedes test pin and socket infringes the claims of the 866 Patent.

26. IDI is entitled to a Judicial Declaration and Order that IDI has not infringed and

does not infringe, either directly or indirectly, literally or under the doctrine of equivalents, any

valid claim of the 866 Patent.

COUNT II

DECLARATORY JUDGMENT OF INVALIDITY OF THE 866 PATENT


28. On information and belief, 866 Patent is assigned to Johnstech.

29. The 866 Patent is invalid for failure to satisfy one or more of the conditions of

patentability set forth in Title 35 of the United States Code, including, but not limited to, 35


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35. There is an actual, substantial and immediate controversy between the adverse

interests of IDI and Johnstech as to whether IDIs use, making, sale or offering for sale of its

Archimedes test pin and socket infringes the claims of the 361 Patent.

36. IDI is entitled to a Judicial Declaration and Order that IDI has not infringed and

does not infringe, either directly or indirectly, literally or under the doctrine of equivalents, any

valid claim of the 361 Patent.

COUNT IV



38. On information and belief, the 361 Patent is assigned to Johnstech.



U.S.C. 101, 102, 103, and 112.

40. An actual, substantial and immediate controversy exists between IDI and

Johnstech as to whether the claims of the 361 Patent are valid.

41. IDI is entitled to a Judicial Declaration and Order that the 361 Patent is invalid.

COUNT V

DECLARATORY JUDGMENT OF NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THE 465 PATENT



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COUNT VI



48. On information and belief, the 465 Patent is assigned to Johnstech.



U.S.C. 101, 102, 103, and 112.

50. An actual, substantial and immediate controversy exists between IDI and

Johnstech as to whether the claims of the 465 Patent are valid.

51. IDI is entitled to a Judicial Declaration and Order that the 465 Patent is invalid.

PRAYER FOR RELIEF

WHEREFORE, IDI respectfully requests that the Court enter judgment in its favor and

against Johnstech as follows:

A. The Court enter judgment that the 866 Patent is not infringed by IDI.

B. The Court enter judgment that the 866 Patent is invalid.

C. The Court enter judgment that the 361 Patent is not infringed by IDI.

D. The Court enter judgment that the 361 Patent is invalid.

E. The Court enter judgment that the 465 Patent is not infringed by IDI.

F. The Court enter judgment that the 465 Patent is invalid.


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Dated: March 10, 2014 SNELL & WILMER L.L.P.

By: /s/Brian G. ArnoldBrian G. ArnoldMarjorie A. Witter



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DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL

IDI hereby demands a jury trial on any issue triable of right by a jury pursuant to Rule 38

of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.

Dated: March 10, 2014 SNELL & WILMER L.L.P.

By: /s/Brian G. Arnold

Brian G. ArnoldMarjorie A. Witter



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US007059866B2

United S t a t e s P a t e n t1 2 ) 1 0 ) P a t e n t N 0 . : US 7,059,866 B 2G i l k ( 4 5 ) Date o f P a t e n t : J u n . 1 3 , 2006

54) INTEGRATEDCIRCUIT CONTACT TO TEST 5 , 6 3 4 , 8 0 1 A * 6/1997 Johnson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 439/71APPARATUS 5 , 7 4 9 , 7 3 8 A 5 / 1 9 9 8 J o h n s o n e t a 1 . 4 3 9 / 6 6

6 , 0 1 9 , 6 1 2 A 2 / 2 0 0 0 Hasegawa e t a 1 . 4 3 9 / 7 3( 7 5 ) I n v e n t o r : Ma t h e w L _ G i l k , L a k e v i l l e , MN U s ) 6 , 2 3 1 , 3 5 3 B 1 5 / 2 0 0 1 R a t h b u r n 4 3 9 / 6 6

6 ,2 4 4 , 87 4 B1 6 / 200 1 Tan . . . . . . . . 4 3 9 / 6 6( 7 3 ) AssigneeZ JohnsTech International Corporation 6 , 5 7 2 , 3 8 8 B1 6 / 2 0 0 3 Lee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 3 9 / 7 1

M i n n e a p o l i s , MN U S ) FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS* ) N o t i c e : S u b j e c t t o any d i s c l a i m e r , t h e t e r m o f t h i s J P 2 0 0 2 ' 0 4 3 0 0 4 A 2 / 2 0 0 2

. . . y ays B r o c h u r e e n t i t l e d SM y p e L o w - i n d u c t a n c e S o c k e t , [C299( 2 1 ) A p p l , N 0 . : 1 0 / 8 2 9 , 5 7 7 S e r i e s p u b l i s h e d b y Y a m a i c h i E l e c t r o n i c s C o . L t d .( 2 2 ) F i l e d : A p r . 2 2 , 2 0 0 4 * C i t e d b y e x a m i n e r

_ _ _ Primary Examiner4Chandrika Prasad( 6 5 ) Pnor P u b h c a t l o n D a t a ( 7 4 ) A t t o r n e y , A g e n t , o r F i r m i N a w r o c k i , R o o n e y

US 2004/0248448 A 1 D e c . 9 , 2004 S i V e I T S O n , P - AR e l a t e d US. A p p l i c a t i o n Data ( 5 7 ) ABSTRACT

( 6 0 ) P r o v i s i o n a l a p p l i c a t i o n N O 6 0 / 4 6 5 0 2 2 ? l e d on p r A o n t a c t t e s t s e t f o r u s e i n t e s t i n g i n t e g r a t e d c i r c u i t s . The2 3 2 0 0 3 ' s e t i n c l u d e s a h o u s i n g h a v i n g o p p o s i t e l y - f a c i ng s u r f a c e s a n d

5 1 I t Cl one o r more l o t s e x t e n d i n g t h r o u g h t h e h o u s i n g between h e) 1 3 0 ? 1 2 / 0 0 2 0 0 6 0 1 s u r f a c e s . A r s t s u r f a c e , d u r i n g u s e o f t h e t e s t s e t , i sH05K1/00 ( 2 0 0 6 ' 0 1 ) a p p r o a c h e d b y a n i n t e g r a t e d c i r c u i t t o b e t e s t e d , a n d a( ) second s u r f a c e i s proximate t h e l o a d board a t a t e s t s i t e . A

( 5 2 ) US. l . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . : . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 439/66 C o n t a c t i s received i n a S l o t , each C o n t a c t h a v i n g a ? r s t e n d( 5 8 ) F i e l d o f C l a s s i ? c a t i o n Search . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 3 9 / 6 5 , e n g a g a b l e by a l e a d of t h e i n t e g r a t e d C i r c u i t d e v i c e _ A

4 3 9 / 6 6 6 8 6 9 7 0 7 1 7 2 7 3 5 9 1 second end of e a c h c o n t a c t i s i n eng agement w i t h a c o r r eS e e aPPhCaUOn ? l e f o r C o m p l e t e S e a r c h h l s t o r y - s p o n d i n g t e r m i n a l . Each c o n t a c t i s movable b e t w e e n a ? r s t( 5 6 ) R Ct d o r i e n t a t i o n , unengaged by a c o r r e s p o n d i n g l e a d o f a n IC a n de erences 1 e

U . S . PATENTDOCUMENTS5 ,069 ,629 A 1 2 / 1 99 1 J o h n s o n . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 3 9 / 7 15 , 2 0 7 , 5 8 4 A * 5/1993 Johnson 439/665 , 3 8 8 , 9 9 6 A * 2/1995 Johns on 439/655,437,556 A 8/1995 Bargain e t a 1 . . 439/665,594,355 A 1/19 9 7 Ludwig . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 24 /755

a s e c o n d o r i e n t a t i o n i n which t h e 1C i s engaged by t h ec o r r e s p o n d i n g l e a d o f a n IC and u r g e d i n t o i t s s l o t . Ane l a s t o m e r b i a s e s t h e c o n t a c t t o i t s ? r s t o r i e n t a t i o n . Thec o n t a c t , w h e n mov e d between i t s ? r s t and s e c o n d o r i e n t at i o n s , does n o t s l i d e a c r o s s a t e r m i n a l of t h e l o a d b o a r d .

4 C l a i m s , 1 Drawing S h e e t


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US 7 , 0 5 9 , 8 6 6 B21

INTEGR TED CIRCUIT CONT CT TO TESTPP R TUS

T h i s i s a r e g u l a r a p p l i c a t io n ? l e d u n d e r 3 5 U . S . C . l l l a )c l a i m i n g p r i o r i t y , u n d e r 3 5 U . S . C . l l 9 e ) l ) , o f p r o v is i o n a l a p p l i c a t i o n S e r . N o . 6 0 / 4 6 5 , 0 2 2 , p r e v i o u s l y ? l e d A p r .2 3 , 2 0 0 3 u n d e r 3 5 U . S . C . 1 1 1 b ) .

B CKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1 . T e c h n i c a l F i e l dThe p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n r e l a t e s t o a c o n n e c t o r a p p a r a t u sW h i c h a c c o m p l i s h e s i n t e r f a c i n g o f a n i n t e g r a t e d c i r c u i t W i t h

an IC e s t a p p a r a t u s . More a r t i c u l a r l y , t h e p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o np r o v i d e s an e l e c t r i c a l c o n n e c t i o n system Which a c i l i t a t e s ap o s i t i v e c o n n e c t i o n betWeen an IC d e v i c e u n d e r t e s t DUT)and a l o a d b o a r d o f t h e t e s t a p p a r a t u s , and o s i t i v e r e s t r a i n tof e r y s m a l l c o n n e c t o r s u t i l i Z e d i n c u r r e n t t e s t a p p a r a t u s .

2 . D e s c r i p t i o n o f t h e R e l a t e d A r tM a n y i f f e r e n t t e s t s i t e c o n ? g u r a t i o n s h a v e b e e n d e v i s e df o r q u i c k l y a n d t e m p o r a r i l y c o n n e c t i n g i n t e g r a t e d c i r c u i t

l e a d s of a device t o b e t e s t e d t o a load board of a t e s t e r .Automated e s t a p p a r a t u s i n p a r t i c u l a r u s e a number of suchc o n ? g u r a t i o n s . One a r r a n g e m e n t u s e s f o r c e b r o u g h t t o b e a rupon a c o n t a c t p o s i t i o n e d betWeen a l e a d of h e I C and t h el o a d b o a r d t o deform a p r o b e t i p o f t h e c o n t a c t and engagea pad on t h e l o a d b o a r d . Another arrangement i s t o useeng agement f o r c e a p p l i e d b y t h e IC t o r o t a t e a c o n t a c tmounted W i t h i n a s l o t t o overcome p o s i t i o n a l b i a s imposedby a n e l a s t o m e r i c e l e m e n t t o t h e c o n t a c t . n end o f t h ec o n t a c t o p p o s i t e a n e n d e n g a g e d by h e I C c o n t a c t s a pad ft h e l o a d b o a r d When h e IC and e s t s i t e a r e b r o u g h t t o g e t h e r .

S u c h c o n ? g u r a t i o ns p r o v i d e f o r p o s i t i v e c o n n e c t i o nbetWeen l e a d s of DUT n d c o r r e s p o n d i n g l e a d s of t e s ta p p a r a t u s a n d r e l y upon h e i n i t i a l e n g a g e m e n t b e t W e e n t h eDUT n d t e s t s i t e t o ensure a p o s i t i v e c o n n e c t i o n .

I t Would b e d e s i r a b l e t o p r o v i d e a s y s t e m a f f o r d i n ga d d i t i o n a l p r e d e t e r m i n e d f o r c e , i n a d d i t i o n t o t h a t p r o v i d e dby n i t i a l engagement o f t h e DUT nd h e t e s t a p p a r a t u s , t ob e t t e r e n s u r e a p o s i t i v e e l e c t r i c a l c o n n e c t i o n . F u r t h e r , i tWould b e d e s i r a b l e t h a t e x c e s s i v e f o r c e n o t b e r e q u i r e dbetWeen t h e DUT n d e s t s i t e .

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2I n u s e , a l e a d of a n i n t e g r a t e d c i r c u i t W i l l be m a d e t o

e n g a ge t h e nose of a c o n t a c t a t t h e curved s u r f a c e . Sucha c t i o n w i l l e f f e c t c o m p r e s s i o n o f t h e f r o n t e l a s t o m e r . Thec o n t a c t W i l l r o t a t e a b o u t a curved s u r f a c e de?ned by a n x i st h r o u g h t h e t a i l . i n e a r c o n t a c t s u r f a ce o f t h e t a i l , a d j a c e n tt h e c u r v e d s u r f a c e , i s p a r a l l e l t o a n d i n e n g a g e m e n t W i t h t h et e r m i n a l pad o f t h e l o a d b o a r d . T h i s c o n t a c t c o n ? g u r a t i o nt e n d s t o s u b s t a n t i a l l y e l i m i n a t e s l i d i n g m o t i o n o f t h e c o n t a c ta g a i n s t t h e t e r m i n a l p a d o f t h e l o a d b o a r d . The e n g a g e m e n tp o r t i o n o f t h e c o n t a c t W i t h t h e t e r m i n a l pad moves f o r W a r da s a r e s u l t o f t h e r o l l i n g o f t h e c o n t a c t , s i m u l t a n e o u s l yp r e v e n t i n g s l i d i n g b e t W e e n t h e t a i l a n d t e r m i n a l p a d .

The t e r m i n u s of t h e c o n t a c t t a i l a l s o h a s a s u r f a c e t h a tengages a W a l l of t h e h o u s i n g . T h i s s u r f a c e s e r v e s t op o s i t i v e l y p r e v e n t t h e c o n t a c t f r o m s l i d i n g a l o n g t h e t e r m in a l o f t h e l o a d b o a r d b y m a i n t a i n i n g t h e p o s i t i o n o f t h ec o n t a c t r e l a t i v e t o t h e h o u s i n g . The f r o n t e l a s t o m e r a l s op l a y s a r o l e i n a c h i e v i n g t h i s b y u r g i n g t h e t a i l o f t h e c o n t a c tt o W a r d t h e h o u s i n g W a l l a n d m a i n t a i n i n g t h e c o n t a c t s e a t e da g a i n s t t h a t W a l l .

The r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n i s t h u s a c o n t a c t s e t assembly Whichs o l v e s m a n y o f t h e p r o b l e m s o f t h e p r i o r a r t . I t e n a b l e sp o s i t i v e c o n t a c t t o b e e s t a b l i s h e d a l o n g e l e c t r i c a l p a t h s , y e ti t minimiZes e r o s i o n of l e a d of l o a d board 1 2 .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DR WINGThe o b j e c t s a n d f e a t u r e s o f t h e p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n W i l l

become more a p p a r e n t t o t h o s e s k i l l e d i n t h e a r t uponr e f e r e n c e t o t h e f o l l o W i n g d e s c r i p t i o n , t a k e n i n c o n j u n c t i o nW i t h t h e a c c o m p a n y i n g d r a W i n g W h e r e i n l i k e r e f e r e n c enumerals r e f e r t o t h e s a m e p a r t o r f e a t u r e , a n d W h e r e i n :

The FIGURE i s a c r o s s - s e c t i o n vieW of t h e p r e s e n ti n v e n t i o n .

DET ILED DESCRIPTION OF THEINVENTION

o n t a c t o r a s s e m b l y 5 , a s shoWn i n t h e FIGURE, i sm o u n t e d i n a h o u s i n g 1 0 . H o u s i n g 1 0 h a s g e n e r a l l y p l a n a r ,p a r a l l e l o p p o s e d s i d e s 2 2 e s s e n t i a l l y a t r i g h t a n g l e s t o p a i r so f o p p o s e d e d g e s . H o u s i n g 1 0 i s c o n ? g u r e d t o e f f e c t e l e c


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US 7 , 0 5 9 , 8 6 6 B23

Nose end 26 h a s a concave i n n e r edge 25 Which engagesa n d b e a r s a g a i n s t f r o n t e l a s t o m e r 3 0 . S i m i l a r l y , t a i l e n d 2 8h a s a concave i n n e r edge 42 Which engages and b e a r sa g a i n s t r e a r e l a s t o m e r 3 2 . F r o n t c h a n n e l 31 and e a r c h a n n e l3 3 h a v e c o r r e s p o n d i n g c o m m u n i c a t i n g a p e r t u r e s 3 3 , 3 5e x t e n d i n g t h r o u g h t o l o a d b o a r d 1 2 P r o x i m a t e s i d e s o fc h a n n e l s 3 3 , 35 a r e spaced c l o s e r t h a n d i s t a n c e s t h e same a st h e d i a m e t e r s o f t h e i r r e s p e c t i v e c h a n n e l s 3 1 , 3 3 . T h i sp e r m i t s i n s e r t i n g e l a s t o m e r s 3 0 a n d 3 2 i n t o c h a n n e l s 3 1 , 3 3b y u r g i n g t h e m t h r o u g h t h e i r r e s p e c t i v e a p e r t u r e s 3 3 , 3 5 .E l a s t o m e r s 3 0 , 3 2 a r e t h e r e b y r e t a i n e d i n p l a c e .

n l i g n o r 36 e x t e n d s a c r o s s a n o u t e r p o r t i o n o f h o u s i n g1 0 p r o x i m a t e t h e n o s e end 2 6 o f t h e c o n t a c t 1 8 . The o r t i o no f t h e a l i g n o r 2 6 o p p o s i t e c o n t a c t s 1 8 d e ? n e s a s t o p 3 8 . Thea l i g n o r 3 6 l o c a t e s a n e d g e o f DUT 4 s u c h t h a t i t s l e a d s 17a r e o p p o s i t e t he outWard e x t e n s i o n s o f c o r r e s p o n d i n g n o s ee n d s 2 6 o f c o n t a c t s 1 8 , a n d a l s o o r i e n t s t h e l e a d s 1 7 p a r a l l e lt o t h e c o n t a c t s 1 8 . S t o p 38 a l s o l i m i t s t h e outWard e x t e n s i o nof c o n t a c t s 1 8 .DUT 4 i s p o s i t i o n e d p r o x i m a t e h o u si n g 1 0 i n t h e p o s i

t i o n and o r i e n t a t i o n shoWn i n t h e FIGURE. A p p a r a t u s , n o ts h o W n , d e t e r m i n e s t h e p r e c i s e l o c a t i o n o f d e v i c e 1 4 r e l a t i v et o s u r f a c e 1 9 o f h o u s i n g 1 0 s u c h t h a t e a c h l e a d 1 7 i s d i r e c t l yo p p o s i t e a c o n t a ct 1 8 . DUT 14 i s t h e n moved c l o s e r t oh o u s i n g 1 0 a s shoWn i n t h e FIGURE. T h i s e f f e c t s engagement of h e d e v i c e 14 and h e nose end 26 of c o r r e s p o n d i n gc o n t a c t 1 8 . C o n t a c t s 18 a r e t h u s r o t a t e d , t h e i r nose ends 26e n g a g e d b y o p p o s i n g l e a d s 1 7 a n d t h e i r t a i l e n d s 2 8 e n g a gi n g t e r m i n a l s 1 6 . T h i s r o t a t i o n o f c o n t a c t s 1 8 W i l l a l s o r e s u l ti n ? a t p o r t i o n 29 o f e a c h r i s i n g up s l i g h t l y a t one end a s i t sc o n t a c t r o l l s c o u n t e r c l o c k w i s e , a s shoWn by arroW 44 i n t h eFIGURE.

Such a c t i o n r e s u l t s i n f r o n t e l a s t o m e r 30 and r e a r e l a st o m e r 3 2 b o t h b e i n g c o m p r e s s e d. S i n c e t h e d i a m e t e r s a n dc h a r a c t e r i s t i c s o f t h e e l a s t o m e r s a r e s e l e c t a b l e , t h e amountof f o r c e r e q u i r e d t o compress t h e e l a s t o m e r s can be p r es e l e c t e d . T h i s f o r c e i s chosen s o a s t o be s u f ? c i e n t t o p r o v i d ea good e l e c t r i c a l c o n n e c t i o n betWeen t h e l e a d s and t e r m in a l s .

I n t h e d u a l e l a s t o m e r c o n ? g u r a t i o n a s p i c t u r e d i n t h eFIGURE t h e f r o n t e l a s t o m e r 3 0 p r o v i d e s ? e x i b i l i t y i nc o n t r o l l i n g c o n t a c t f o r c e by t h e d e v i c e 1 4 i n a d d i t i o n t oa i d i n g i n k e e p i n g t h e c o n t a c t t a i l 2 8 e n g a g e d a g a i n s t a W a l ls u r f a c e 6 . I n h i s c o n ? g u r a t i o n t h e f r o n t e l a s t o m e r 3 0 i s f u l l yi n c o m p r e s s i o n . As h e f r o n t e l a s t o m e r 3 0 i s c o m p r e s s e d , t h e

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4t o m e r s , t h e p o i n t o f c o n t a c t betWeen t h e l e a d 1 7 and t h ec o n t a c t t a i l 28 Walks o r W a r d on h e l o a d board 12 t r a n s l a t e sh o r i z o n t a l l y ) and t r a v e l s a l o n g t h e l o W e r c o n t a c t a r c 1 3 .The ? a t p o r t i o n 2 9 o f t h e c o n t a c t t a i l d e s i g n 2 8 c o n t r o l sl o c a t i o n of o n t a c t nose 26 While alloWing t h e c o n t a c t nose2 6 t o b e p r e - l o a d e d i n t h e uncompressed t a t e , a s i l l u s t r a t e di n t h e FIGURE. The ? a t p o r t i o n 2 9 o f t h e c o n t a c t t a i l 2 8c o n s t r a i n s t h e c o n t a c t 1 8 from a c h i e v i n g a n u l t i m a t e r o l l i n ge q u i l i b r i u m p o s i t i o n , a n d a l l o W s t h e p a r t i a l c o m p r e s s i o n o ft h e f r o n t e l a s t o m e r 3 0 W i t h o u t s l i d i n g o f t h e t a i l 2 8 W i t hr e s p e c t t o t h e l o a d board 1 2 . T h i s c r e a t e s immediate c o n t a c tf o r c e a t t h e l o a d b o a r d 1 2 , Which i m p r o v e s t h e e f f e c t i v ec o m p l i a n c e r a n g e o p e r a t i n g r a n g e ) o f t h e c o n t a c t o r s y s t e m .

I n l i e u of a ? a t p o r t i o n 29 on t h e c o n t a c t t a i l 2 8 , t h ea l i g n o r 38 can be used o c o n t r o l t h e c o n t a c t nose 26 o s i t i o na n d p r o v i d e t h e n e c e s s a r y c o n s t r a i n t t o f a c i l i t a t e p r e - l o a d i n gt h e nose 26 of h e c o n t a c t 1 8 .

T h i s d e s i g n c a n b e a l t e r n a t i v e l y c o n ? g u r e d a s a s i n g l ee l a s t o m e r s y s t e m . I n t h i s c o n ? g u r a t i o n t h e r e a r e l a s t o m e r 32Would de?ne t h e a p p l i c a b l e f o r c e n e c e s s a r y a t b o t h t h ec o n t a c t n o s e 26 and c o n t a c t t a i l 2 8 . The d e s i g n o f h o u s i n g10 and c o n t a c t 18 Would be modi?ed from t h e FIGURE of a c i l i t a t e t h i s c o n ? g u r a t i o n o p t i o n . The r e a r e l a s t o m e r 3 2 ,a g a i n , c a n be p l a c e d i n e i t h e r t e n s i l e e x t e n s i o n o r compression.

I t W i l l b e u n d e r s t o o d t h a t t h i s d i s c l o s u r e , i n manyr e s p e c t s , i s o n l y i l l u s t r a t i v e . C h a n g e s may b e made i nd e t a i l s , p a r t i c u l a r l y i n m a t t e r s o f s h a p e , s i Z e , m a t e r i a l , a n da r r a n g e m e n t o f p a r t s W i t h o u t e x c e e d i n g t h e s c o p e o f t h ei n v e n t i o n . A c c o r d i n g l y , t h e s c o p e o f t h e i n v e n t i o n i s a sd e ? n e d i n t h e l a n g u a g e o f t h e a p p e n d e d c l a i m s .

What s c l a i m e d i s :1 . A p p a r a t u s f o r e l e c t r i c a l l y c o n n e c t i n g a l e a d o f t h e

i n t e g r a t e d c i r c u i t t o be e s t e d t o a c o r r e s p o n d i n g t e r m i n a l o fa l o a d board a t a t e s t s i t e , c o m p r i s i n g :

a h o u s i n g h a v i n g o p p o s i t e l y f a c i n g s u r f a c e s , a ? r s ta p p r o a c h a b l e by an i n t e g r a t e d c i r c u i t t o be e s t e d and as e c o n d p r o x i m a t e t h e l o a d b o a r d , a s l o t e x t e n d t h r o u g hs a i d h o u s i n g f r o m a ? r s t o f s a i d o p p o s i t e l y f a c i n gs u r f a c e s t o a s e c o n d o f s a i d o p p o s i t e l y f a c in g s u r f a c e s ;

a c o n t a c t r e c e i v a b l e i n s a i d s l o t having a ? r s t end enga g a b l e by h e l e a d a n d a s e c o n d e n d i n engagement i t ht h e t e r m i n a l , s a i d c o n t a c t b e i n g r o l l a b l e a c r o s s t h et e r m i n a l b e t W e e n a ? r s t o r i e n t a t i o n unengaged by t h e


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( 1 2 ) Unlted States Patent ( 1 0 ) P a t e n t N 0 . 2 U S 7 , 7 2 2 , 3 6 1 B2Lopez t a ] . ( 4 5 ) D a t e o f P a t e n t : *May 2 5 , 2 0 1 0

( 5 4 ) TEST SOCKET 5 , 0 6 9 , 6 2 9 A 1 2 / 1 9 9 1 J o h n s o n5 , 1 8 9 , 3 6 3 A 2 / 1 9 9 3 Bregman t a 1 .

( 7 6 ) I n v e n t o r s : Jose E. Lopez, 665 Santa Paula A v e . , 5 , 5 9 4 , 3 5 5 A * 1 / 1 9 9 7 Ludwig . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2 4 / 7 5 5S u n n y v a l e , CA U S ) 9 4 0 4 4 ; Dennis B , 5 , 6 0 9 , 4 8 9 A 3 / 1 9 9 7 B i c k f o r d e t a 1 .S h e l l , 7 2 4 3 4 0 t h S t . W e s t , W e b s t e r , MN 5 , 6 3 4 , 8 0 1 A 6 / 1 9 9 7 J o h n s o n( U S ) 5 5 0 8 8 ; Mathew L . G i l k , 70537 6 , 2 3 1 , 3 5 3 B 1 5 / 2 0 0 1 R a t h b u r nT o l e d o D r . N o r t h , M i n n e a p o l i s , MN U S ) 6 , 2 4 4 , 8 7 4 B 1 6 / 2 0 0 1 T a n554435424 6,572,388 B2 6/2003 Lee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 439/71

6 , 7 9 4 , 8 9 0 B1 9 / 2 0 0 4 Tokum o( * ) N o t i c e : S u b j e c t t o a n y d i s c l a i m e r , t h e t e r m o f h i s 6 , 8 5 4 , 9 8 1 B 2 2 / 2 0 0 5 N e l s o n _

p a t e n t i s e x t e n d e d o r a d j u s t e d u n d e r 3 5 * g a g a g t n i e l 4 3 9 / 7 1r n e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .U'S'C' 1 5 4 ( 1 ) ) by 0 days 2004/0067665 A1 * 4/2004 Nakano . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 439/70- - - - - _ 2004/0217771 A 11/2004 Leong

g l g l i l l g i t e m 1 S S u b l e c t t o a tenmnal d l s 2004/0248448 A1 * 1 2 / 2 0 0 4 G i l k . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 3 9 / 2 6 4

( 2 1 ) A P P l - N01 1 2 / 2 6 4 0 0 8 FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS( 2 2 ) F i l e d : NOV. 3 , 2008 E P 1 4 8 2 5 9 5 A 1 2 / 2 0 0 4( 6 5 ) P r i o r P u b l i c a t i o n Data

* t d bUs 2009/0053912 A1 F e b . 2 6 , 2009 C 1 e y exammerP r i m a r y ExamineriT C a t e l

R e l a t e d US- A p p l i c a t i o n Data A s s i s t a n t ExamineriVladimir l m a s( 6 3 ) C o n t i n u a t i o n o f a p p l i c a t i o n N o . 1 1 / 4 8 2 , 6 4 4 , ? l e d o n A l l o y ; A g e n t o r F l r m i N a w r o c k l R o o n e y

J u l . 7 , 2006, noW a t . NO. 7,445,465. I v e / S o n , - ~( 6 0 ) P r o v i s i o n a l a p p l i c a t i o n N o . 6 0 / 6 9 7 , 6 9 3 , ? l e d o n J u l . 8 , ( 5 7 ) ABSTRACT

2 0 0 5 , p r o v i s i o n a l a p p l i c a t i o n N o . 6 0 / 7 7 6 , 6 5 4 , ? l e d o n2 2 3 2 0 1 6 8 1 3 5 8 8 2 5 1 0 1 1 2 1 1 a p p h C a n O n N O 6 0 / 6 9 7 7 2 A n i m p r o v e d t e s t s o c k e t f o r u s e i n t e s t i n g i n t e g r a t e d c i r c u i t s .

The e s t socket includes a housing having one o r more l o t s( 5 1 ) I n t Cl formed t h e r e i n . C o n t a c t s c a n b e r e c e i v e d W i t h i n r e s p e c t i v eH 0 ' 1 R 2 / 0 0 ( 2 0 0 6 0 1 ) s l o t s a n d m a i n t a i n e d t h e r e i n W i t h r e a r e n d s o f t h e c o n t a c t s i n( 5 2 ) U Cl 439/72 engagement With r a c e s o n load o a r d . Mounting s acc o m58 F: I d _ 439/72 p l i s h e d by means of a p a i r of l a s t o m e r s , and h e e l a s t o m e r s

( ) 1 e 0 a s s l canon e a r c 73 7 5 4 m a i n t a i n each c o n t a c t s u c h t h a t , When t h e f r o n t end of aS 1 , _ ? l f 1 h c o n t a c t i s engaged by h e l e a d o r pad of h e d e v i c e t o be e s t e de e app lcanon e o r C o m p e t e Seam l s t o r y ' and urged i n t o i t s corresponding s l o t , an a r c u a t e s u r f a c e a t a

( 5 6 ) References Cited r e a r end of each c o n t a c t r o l l s a c r o s s i t s c o r r e s p o n d i n g t r a c e


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TEST SOCKET

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATEDAPPLICATIONS

T h i s i s a c o n t i n u a t i o n o f a p p l i c a t i o n S e r . No. 1 1 / 4 8 2 , 6 4 4? l e d o n J u l . 7 , 2006 now US. P a t . N o . 7 , 4 4 5 , 4 6 5 , Whichc l a i m s p r i o r i t y o f h e f o l l o w i n g p r o v i s i o n a l a p p l i c a t i o n s ? l e du n d e r 3 5 U . S . C . 1 1 1 a ) c l a i m i n g p r i o r i t y , u n d e r 3 5 U . S . C . 1 1 9 e ) 1 ) : p r o v i s i o n a l a p p l i c a t i o n S e r . N o . 6 0 / 6 9 7 , 6 9 3 , p r ev i o u s l y ? l e d J u l . 8 , 2 0 0 5 , u n d e r 3 5 U . S . C . 1 1 1 b ) ; p r o v is i o n a l a p p l i c a t i o n S e r . N o . 6 0 / 7 7 6 , 6 5 4 , p r e v i o u s l y ? l e d onF e b . 2 4 , 2 0 0 6 , u n d e r 3 5 U . S . C . 1 1 1 b ) ; a n d p r o v i s i o n a la p p l i c a t i o n S e r . N o . 6 0 / 6 9 7 , 7 2 1 , p r e v i o u s l y ? l e d o n J u l . 8 ,2 0 0 5 , u n d e r 3 5 U . S . C . 1 1 1 b ) .

TECHNICAL FIELDThe p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n d e a l s W i t h e l e c t r o n i c componentt e s t i n g t e c h n o l o g i e s . M o r e s p e c i ? c a l l y , h o W e v e r , t h e i n v e n

t i o n d e a l s W i t h t e s t s o c k e t s Which emplo y o n t a c t s f o r t e s t i n gan e l e c t r o n i c com p onent . e s t s o c k e t i n c l u d e s c o n t a c t sWhich n t e r c o n n e c t and r o v i d e an e l e c t r o n i c p a t h betWeenl e a d o r pad of h e e l e c t r o n i c com p onent t o be t e s t e d and acorresponding t r a c e o n a l o a d b o a r d . T he i n v e n t i o n f o c u s e supon o n t r o l and e g u l a t i o n o f f o r c e s a p p l i e d t o a d e v i c e l e a do r pad and a l o a d board t r a c e b y a c o r r e s p o n d i n g c o n t a c t oft h e t e s t s o c k e t .

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

I n t e g r a t e d c i r c u i t d e v i c e t e s t i n g i s a p r o c e d u r e W h i c h h a sb een observed f o r m a n y y e a r s i n o r d e r t o o b t a i n a s high ad e g r e e o f q u a l i t y c o n t r o l a s p o s s i b l e f o r e l ec t r o n i c d e v i c e s . At e s t e r t y p i c a l l y i n c l u d e s a p l u r a l i t y o f c o n d u c t i v e t r a c e sf o r m e d o n l o a d board s s o c i a t e d With h e t e s t e r a p p a r a t u s . I ti s necessary t o i n t e r c o n n e c t a l e a d , of leaded d e v i c e , o r ap a d , of non-leaded d e v i c e , t o a c o r r e s p o n d i n g t r a c e on h el o a d b o a r d i n o r d e r t o e f f e c t u a t e t e s t i n g . A e s t s o c k e t h a v i n ga p l u r a l i t y o f c o n t a c t s i s i n t e r p o s e d betWeen h e d e v i c e u n d e rt e s t and h e l o a d board n o r d e r t o e f f e c t u a t e i n t e r c o n n e c t i o n .One o n t a c t e n g a g e s , a t a f r o n t e n d , t h e l e a d orpad f d e v i c e

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2SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Th e p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n i s an improved t e s t s o c k e t . I ti n c l u d e s a h o u s i n g Which a s a ? r s t s u r f a c e t h a t i s p l a c e d i n t oenga gement With s u r f a c e o f a t e s t e r l o a d b o a r d . Th e o u s i n gh a s a s e c o n d s u r f a c e Which s g e n e r a l l y a r a l l e l t o , a n d s p a c e df r o m , t h e h o u s i n g ? r s t s u r f a c e . The s e c o n d s u r f a c e o f t h eh o u s i n g f a c e s i n a d i r e c t i o n o p p o s i t e t h a t i n Which t h e ? r s ts u r f a c e f a c e s . A t l e a s t o n e s l o t , e x t e n d i n g t h r o u g h t h e h o u s i n gbetWeen h e ? r s t and e c o n d s u r f a c e s t h e r e o f , i s formed n t h eh o u s i n g . A o n t a c t i s r e c e i v e d i n a c o r r e s p o n d i n g s l o t . Suchc o n t a c t h a s a f r o n t end Which n o r m a l l y e x t e n d s beyond t h es e c o n d s u r f a c e o f t h e h o u s i n g t o b e e n g a g e d by c o r r e s p o n di n g l e a d o r pad of d e v i c e t o be e s t e d . T he o n t a c t f u r t h e r h a sa r e a r e n d Which d e ?n e s an arcuate s u r f a c e , t h e arcuate s u rf a c e e n g a g i n g a c o r r e s p o n d i n g t r a c e f orm ed on h e s u r f a c e oft h e t e s t e r l o a d b o a r d . The o n t a c t i s e l a s t o m e r i c a l l y mountedi n i t s s l o t s u c h t h a t , When t h e f r o n t end o f t h e c o n t a c t i se n g a g e d by h e l e a d o r t h e pad f t h e d e v i c e t o b e t e s t e d a n du r g e d i n t o i t s s l o t , t h e a r c u a t e s u r f a c e o f t h e c o n t a c t r o l l sa c r o s s i t s corresponding r a c e o n h e s u r f a c e of h e t e s t e r l o a db o a r d W i t h v i r t u a l l y no t r a n s l a t i o n a l o r r o t a t i o n a l s l i d i n g .A b r a s i o n b e t W e e n t h e c o n t a c t a n d t h e l o a d b o a r d i s t h e r e b y ,s u b s t a n t i a l l y e l i m i n a t e d .

I t i s e n v i s i o n e d t h a t t h e r e a r end o f t h e c o n t a c t , i n a d d i t i o nt o d e ? n i n g t h e a r c u a t e s u r f a c e i n engagement W i t h t h e l o a db o a r d , a l s o d e ? n e s a g r a d u a l l y a r c i n g s u r f a c e Which s a n g ul a r l y s p a c e d f r o m t h e a r c u a t e s u r f a c e t h e r e o f . The o u s i n g , i nt h i s embodiment de?nes a W a l l W i t h i n t h e s l o t . Th e W a l l i se n g a g e d b y t h e g r a d u a l l y a r c i n g s u r f a c e o f h e r e a r e n d o f t h ec o n t a c t , a n d t h e s p a t i a l r e l a t i o n s h i p b e t W e e n t h e g r a d u a l l ya r c i n g s u r f a c e a n d t h e W a l l i s s u c h t h a t , a s t h e f r o n t e n d o f h ec o n t a c t i s engaged by h e l e a d o r pad f h e d e v i c e t o b e t e s t e da n d u r g e d i n t o t h e c o r r e s p o n d i n g s l o t , t h e g r a d u a l l y a r c i n gs u r f a c e m o v e s l o n g t h e W a l l and a u s e s t h e a r c u a t e s u r f a c e oft h e c o n t a c t t o r o l l a c r o s s i t s c o r r e s p o n d i n g t r a c e . I t i s e n v is i o n e d t h a t t h e W a l l de?ned by t h e h o u s i n g Would e a n g ul a r l y s p a c e d a t a n a c u t e a n g l e r e l a t i v e t o t h e ? r s t s u r f a c e o f h eh o u s i n g . T h i s Would n a b l e t h e a r c u a t e s u r f a c e o f t h e c o n t a c tt o r o l l a c r o s s t h e t r a c e of h e t e s t e r l o a d board With i r t u a l l yno t r a n s l a t i o n a l o r r o t a t i o n a l s l i d i n g .A r e f e r r e d embodiment f h e i n v e n t i o n e m p l o y s a p a i r o f

e l a s t o m e r s , c r o s s i n g p e r p e n d i c u l a r l y a c r o s s t h e s l o t s , t o


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The r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n s t h u s an improved e s t s o c k e t Whicha d d r e s s e s t h e d i c t a t e s o f t h e p r i o r a r t a n d s o l v e s p r o b l e m st h e r e o f . More s p e c i ? c f e a t u r e s a n d a d v a n t a g e s o b t a i n e d i nvieW f t h o s e f e a t u r e s W i l l become p p a r e n t W i t h r e f e r e n c e t ot h e D e t a i l e d D e s c r i p t i o n o f t h e I n v e n t i o n , a p p e n d e d c l a i m sa n d a c c o m p a n y i n g d r a w i n g ? g u r e s .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSFIG. 1 i s a s e c t i o n a l v ieW of t e s t s o c k e t i n accordance

W i t h t h e p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n s h o W i n g c o n t a c t a n d e l a s t o m e rresponse t o engagement of a c o n t a c t by a l e a d of a d e v i c eu n d e r t e s t ; and

FIG. 2 i s a p e r s p e c t i v e v ieW of a c o n t a c t f o r use i n t h ep r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n .DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

R e f e r r i n g n o W t h e d r a W i n g ? g u r e s , W h e r e i n l i k e r e f e re n c e n u m e r a l s d e n o t e l i k e e l e m e n t s t h r o u g h o u t t h e s e v e r a lv i e W s , F I G . 1 i l l u s t r a t e s a t e s t s o c k e t 10 i n a c c o r d a n c e Witht h e p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n . The e s t s o c k e t 10 s i n t e n d e d f o r u s eW i t h a t e s t e r t y p i c a l l y e m p l o y e d f o r a s c e r t a i n i n g q u a l i t y o fi n t e g r a t e d c i r c u i t d e v i c e s u s e d i n e l e c t r o n i c a p p l i a n c e s . Thet e s t e r i n t e r f a c e s With a t e s t e r l o a d board 12 Which h a s e l e ct r i c a l l y c o n d u c t i v e t r a c e s 14 f or med o n s u r f a c e 16 h e r e o f t oe n a b l e e l e c t r o n i c communication betWeen t h e t e s t e r a n d a ni n t e g r a t e d c i r c u i t d e v i c e 1 8 t o b e t e s t e d . T h a t i s e l e c t r i c a ls i g n a l s a r e t r a n s m i t t e d betWeen h e d e v i c e under e s t 1 8 a n dt h e t e s t a p p a r a t u s t h r o u g h t h e t e s t s o c k e t 1 0 .

F I G . 1 i l l u s t r a t e s a DUT ackage Which s p r o v i d e d W i t h ap l u r a l i t y o f l e a d s 2 0 , o n l y o n e o f W h i c h i s s h o W n . F I G . 1i l l u s t r a t e s o n l y a p o r t i o n o f t h e d e v i c e u n d e r e s t 1 8 , b u t t W i l lb e u n d e r s t o o d t h a t s u b s t a n t i a l l y i d e n t i c a l l e a d s e x t e n d a l o n gb o t h o f o p p o s i t e s i d e s o f t h e d e v i c e p a c k a g e 1 8 .

F I G . 1 f u r t h e r i l l u s t r a t e s a l e a d b a c k e r W h i c h , W h e n t h ed e v i c e u n d e r t e s t 1 8 i s b r o u g h t i n t o engagement i t h t s l e a d s20 n c o n t a c t W i t h c o r r e s p o n d i n g c o n t a c t s 24 f t h e t e s t s o c k e t1 0 , d e t e r s b e n d i n g o f t h e l e a d s 2 0 . D oW n W a r d p r e s s u r e i sb r o u g h t t o b e a r upon t h e d e v i c e 1 8 u n d e r t e s t by a p l u n g e rm e c h a n i s m n o t s h o W n . T h e p l u n g e r d e p r e s s e s , W h e n e s t i n gi s t o be c o n d u c t e d , t h e c o n t a c t s 24 t o overcome a n u p W a r db i a s i m p a r t e d b y t h e e l a s t o m e r i c a l l y - m o u n t e d c o n t a c t s 2 4 .

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4t e s t e r load board 12 o n Which t h e t r a c e s 14 a r e formed. Theh o u s i n g 3 2 h a s a s e c o n d s u r f a c e 3 6 Which s g e n e r a l l y p a r a l l e lt o , a n d s p a c e d f r o m , t h e ? r s t s u r f a c e t h e r e o f . The s e c o n ds u r f a c e 3 6 o f t h e h o u s i n g 3 2 f a c e s o p p o s i t e l y f r o m t h e ? r s ts u r f a c e 3 4 . As r e v i o u s l y d i s c u s s e d , t h e h o u s i n g 3 2 c a r r i e s ap l u r a l i t y o f c o n t a c t s 2 4 . A l u r a l i t y o f s l o t s 3 8 a r e p r o v i d e d ,each s l o t t o r e c e i v e a s i n g l e o n e of h e c o n t a c t s 2 4 .

F I G . 2 i l l u s t r a t e s , i n p e r s p e c t i v e , an i n d i v i d u a l c o n t a c t i na c c o r d a n c e W i t h t h e p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n . The c o n t a c t 2 4i n c l u d e s ? r s t , s e c o n d a n d t h i r d p r o t r u s i o n s 4 0 , 4 2 , 4 4 . The? r s t p r o t r u s i o n 40 s de?ned by h e r e a r end 30 o f t h e c o n t a c t24 Which n g a g e s t h e t r a c e 1 4 o f t h e l o a d board 2 . The h i r dp r o t r u s i o n 4 4 i s de?ned by h e f r o n t e n d 2 6 o f t h e c o n t a c t 2 4Which s engaged by l e a d 20 o r pa d f t h e d e v i c e u n d e r t e s t1 8 . The second p r o t r u s i o n 42 s e r v e s t o e n g a g e , W h e nmounted by a p l u r a l i t y o f e l a s t o m e r s 4 6 , 4 8 , a s W i l l b e d i sc u s s e d h e r e i n a f t e r , a s h o u l d e r 4 9 de?ned b y t h e h o u s i n g 3 2 .E n g a g e m e n t o f t h e s h o u l d e r 4 9 b y t h e s e c o n d p r o t r u s i o n 4 2s e r v e s t o l i m i t t h e d e g r e e o f u pW a r d m o v em en t f t h e c o n t a c t24 and t h e d i s t a n c e t h e f r o n t end 26 of h e c o n t a c t 24 W i l le x t e n d beyond h e s e c o n d s u r f a c e 3 6 o f t h e h o u s i n g 3 2 Whent h e c o n t a c t 24 s n o t engaged by a d e v i c e t o be e s t e d .

R e f e r r i n g a g a i n t o F I G . 1 , t h e t e s t s o c k e t 1 0 h a s a p a i r o fc h a n n e l s 5 0 , 5 2 Which x t e n d a l o n g a x e s g e n e r a l l y t r a n s v e rs et o p l a n e s d e ? n e d by t h e s l o t s 3 8 f o r m e d i n t h e h o u s i n g 3 2 .These c h a n n e l s 5 0 , 5 2 a r e i n t e n d e d t o r e c e i v e e l a s t o m e r s 4 6 ,48 Which e r v e t o m o u n t h e c o n t a c t s 24 n t h e i r s l o t s 3 8 . FIG.1 shoWs a g e n e r a l l y c i r c u l a r c h a n n e l 5 0 r e c e i v i n g a l a r g e r ,f r o n t e l a s t o m e r 4 6 , and r e c t a n g u l a r c h a n n e l 52 r e c e i v i n g as m a l l e r , r e a r e l a s t o m e r 4 8 . The r e a r e l a s t o m e r 48 i s p r el o a d e d a n d , b e c a u s e of h e a r c u a t e s u r f a c e 28 of h e r e a r end3 0 o f t h e c o n t a c t 2 4 b e i n g i n e n g a g e m e n t W i t h t h e l o a d b o a r d1 2 , W i l l engage an upper edge of h e r e a r end 30 of h e c o n t a c t24 a t a l o c a t i o n t o urge t h e f r o n t end 26 of t h e c o n t a c t 24u p W a r d l y . S i m i l a r l y , t h e f r o n t e l a s t o m e r 4 6 i s u n d e r c o m p r e ss i o n a n d l s o s e r v e s t o u r g e t h e c o n t a c t 24 u p W a r d and i a s i tt o a p o i n t of n i t i a l c o n t a c t by l e a d 24 r pa d of n n t e g r a t e dc i r c u i t d e v i c e 18 t o be e s t e d .

As r e v i o u s l y a l l u d e d t o , t h e a r c u a t e s u r f a c e 2 8 i n e n g a g em e n t With t h e t r a c e 14 o n t h e l o a d board 12 has n o , i f a n y ,a p p r e c i a b l e t r a n s l a t i o n a l o r r o t a t i o n a l s l i d i n g a l o n g t h e t r a c e14 ofthe l o a d board 1 2 . T h i s i s s o because of an n g l e d W a l l5 4 de?ned i t h i n t h e h o u s i n g 3 2 p r o x i m a t e i t s ? r s t s u r f a c e 3 4


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c a n t d i s t a n c e from h e p o i n t o f engagement f h e r e a r end 3of h e c o n t a c t 24 With h e t r a c e 14 on h e l o a d board 1 2 . T h i sW i l l a u g m e n t t h e b e n e ? c i a l a d v a n t a g e a c h i e v e d b y t h e r o l l i n ga c t i o n t h a t i s m i n i m i z a t i o n o f l i k e l i h o o d o f damage o t h el o a d b o a r d ) .

F u r t h e r c o n t a c t s m a d e f p r e c i o u s m e t a l s c a n b e employedi n t h e p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n . Such c o n t a c t s t e n d t o e x t e n d l o a db o a r d l i f e a l s o . A eyoro G o n t a c t Which s a s o l i d g o l da l l o y c o n t a c t n o t h a v i n g a n y p l a t i n g , i s e n v i s i o n e d a s b e i n gu s e d . Such m a t e r i a l i t h a s been o u n d n o t o n l y e x t e n d s t h el i f e o f h e c o n t a c t . I t a l s o , h o W e v e r e x t e n d s l o a d b o a r d l i f e bym i n i m i z i n g damage t o t h e t r a c e s t h e r e o n . I t h a s b e e n f o u n dt h a t load b oa rd i f e can be t l e a s t doubled over mec ha n ismsc o n s t r u c t e d a s kno W n n t h e p r i o r a r t .I t W i l l b e u n d e r s t o o d t h a t t h i s d i s c l o s u r e i n m a n y e s p e c t si s o n l y i l l u s t r a t i v e . C h a n g e s m a y e made n d e t a i l s , p a r t i c ul a r l y i n m a t t e r s o f s h a p e s i Z e , m a t e r i a l , a n d a r r a n g e m e n t o fp a r t s W i t h o u t e x c e e d i n g t h e s c o p e o f t h e i n v e n t i o n . Accordi n g l y , t h e s c o p e o f t h e i n v e n t i o n i s a s de?ned n t h e l a n g u a g eo f t h e a p p e n d e d c l a i m s .

W h a t s c l a i m e d i s :1 . A e s t s o c k e t c o m p r i s i n g :a h o u s i n g h a v i n g a ? r s t s u r f a c e g e n e r a l l y i n e n g a g e m e n t

W i t h a s u r f a c e of t e s t e r l o a d b o a r d s a i d h o u s i n g f u r t h e rh a v i n g a s e c o n d s u r f a c e , g e n e r a l l y p a r a l l e l t o , s p a c e df r o m a n d f a c i n g o p p o s i t e l y f r o m s a i d ? r s t s u r f a c e , a n da t l e a s t o n e s l o t formed i n s a i d h o u s i n g e x t e n d i n gt h r o u g h s a i d h o u s i n g b e t W e e n s a i d ? r s t s u r f a c e a n d s a i ds e c o n d s u r f a c e ;

a c o n t a c t r e c e i v e d i n a c o r r e s p o n d i n g s l o t and having af r o n t e n d e x t e n d i n g b e y o n d s a i d s e c o n d s u r f a c e f o re n g a g e m e n t b y a c o r r e s p o n d i n g l e a d o r pad f a d e v i c et o be t e s t e d and having a r e a r e n d de?ning an a r c u a t es u r f a c e i n e n g a g e me n t With a c o r r e s p o n d i n g t r a c e o ns a i d s u r f a c e o f t h e t e s t e r l o a d b o a r d and d e ? n i n g ag r a d u a l l y a r c i n g s u r f a c e , a n g u l a r l y s p a c e d f r o m s a i d

1 5

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6a r c u a t e s u r f a c e , a n d s a i d h o u s i n g d e ? n i n g W i t h i n t h es l o t , a W a l l , e n g a g e d b y s a i d g r a d u a l l y a r c i n g s u r f a c e o fs a i d r e a r e n d f s a i d c o n t a c t s u c h t h a t , a s s a i d f r o n t e n do f s a i d c o n t a c t i s e n g a g e d by h e l e a d o r p a d o f t h e d e v i c et o b e t e s t e d a n d u r g e d i n t o t h e c o r r e s p o n d i n g s l o t , s a i dg r a d u a l l y a r c i n g s u r f a c e o f s a i d c o n t a c t moves a l o n gs a i d W a l l a n d causes s a i d a r c u a t e s u r f a c e t o r o l l a c r o s st h e c o r r e s p o n d i n g t r a c e ; a n d

means f o r e l a s t o m e r i c a l l y mounting s a i d c o n t a c t i n s a i dc o r r e s p o n d i n g s l o t , W h e r e i n W h e n a i d f r o n t e n d o f a i dc o n t a c t i s engaged by h e l e a d o r pad f t h e d e v i c e t o b et e s t e d a n d u r g e d i n t o t h e c o r r e s p o n d i n g s l o t , s a i d a r c u a t es u r f a c e r o l l s a c r o s s s a i d c o r r e s p o n d i n g t r a c e W i t h v i r t ua l l y no t r a n s l a t i o n a l o r r o t a t i o n a l s l i d i n g .2 . A e s t s o c k e t i n a c c o r d a n c e W i t h c l a i m 1 , Wherein s a i d

W a l l i s a n g u l a r l y s p a c e d a t a n a r c u a t e a n g l e r e l a t i v e t o s a i d? r s t s u r f a c e o f s a i d h o u s i n g .

3 . A e s t s o c k e t i n a c c o r d a n c e W i t h c l a i m 1 Wherein s a i dmeans f o r e l a s t o m e r i c a l l y mounting a i d c o n t a c t c o m p r i s e s af r o n t e l a s t o m e r p r e c o m p r e s s e d by t h e c o n t a c t and c o mp r e s s e d f u r t h e r by h e c o n t a c t a s s a i d f r o n t end f s a i d c o n t a c ti s e n g a g e d by t h e l e a d o r pad o f t h e d e v i c e t o b e t e s t e d a n du r g e d i n t o t h e s l o t .

4 . A e s t s o c k e t i n a c c o r d a n c e W i t h c l a i m 3 Wherein s a i dmeans o r e l a s t o m e r i c a l l y mount in g a i d c o n t a c t f u r t h e r c o mp r i s e s a r e a r e l a s t o m e r t h a t p r e l o a d s t h e r e a r e n d of h e c o n t a c ta g a i n s t a c o r r e s p o n d i n g t r a c e on h e s u r f a c e of h e t e s t e r l o a db o a r d .

5 . A e s t s o c k e t i n accordance With claim 4 f u r t h e r comp r i s i n g a s h o u l d e r d e ? n e d b y s a i d h o u s i n g f o r e n g a g i n g t h ec o n t a c t a n d l i m i t i n g t h e d i s t a n c e t h e c o n t a c t e x t e n d s beyonds a i d s e c o n d s u r f a c e o f s a i d h o u s i n g .

6 . A e s t s o c k e t i n a c c o r d a n c e W i t h c l a i m 1 Wherein s a i dc o n t a c t s a r e m a d e of Neyoro G .


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1 2 ) United States Patent 1 0 ) P a t e n t N o . : U S 7 , 4 4 5 , 4 6 5 B2Lopez t a ] . ( 4 5 ) Date o f P a t e n t : N o v . 4 , 2008

54) TESTSOCKET 5,189,363 A * 2/1993 Bregman e t a 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 324/7545 , 60 9 , 4 89 A * 3/1997 Bickford e t a 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 3 9 / 7 2

7 5 ) I n v e n t o r s : g) ] I ; I s l e l Z l l S 1 \ 1 V n n g ; a 1 e h g N A $ S S ) ) ; 5 , 6 3 4 , 8 0 1 A * 6 / 1 9 9 7 J o h n s o n . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 3 9 / 7 1ennls . e e ser, ; *

MathewL ilkMinneaPOhsMN Us) 6 , 2 3 1 , 3 5 3 B1 5 / 2 0 0 1 Rathburn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 439/666 , 244 , 874 B1* 6 /200 1 Tan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 3 9 / 6 6

7 3 ) Assignee; Johnstech International Corporation, 6 , 5 7 2 , 3 8 8 B2* 6 / 2 0 0 3 Lee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 3 9 / 7 1Minneapolis, MN US) 6 , 8 5 4 , 9 8 1 B2* 2/2005 Nelson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 439/66

* _ _ _ _ _ 2003/0068908 A1 4/2003 Brandtetal. .................439/71( ) Nome S u b l e c t _ t any d l s c l a l m e r i t h e t e r m O f t h l s 2 0 0 4 / 0 0 6 7 6 6 5 Al* 4 / 2 0 0 4 N a k a n o . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 3 9 / 7 0

patent 1 s extended or adju sted under 35 2004/0248448 A1* 1 2 / 2004 G 1 1 1 < ......................... . . 439/264U . S . C . 1 5 4 b ) b y 0 d a y s .( 2 1 ) A p p l . N o . : 1 1 / 4 8 2 , 6 4 42 2 ) F i l e d : J u l . 7 , 2 0 0 66 5 ) P r i o r P u b l i c a t i o n Data

US 007/0032128 A1 F e b . 8 , 2007R e l a t e d US. p p l i c a t i o n Data

6 0 ) P r o v i s i o n a l a p p l i c a t i o n N o . 6 0 / 7 7 6 , 6 5 4 , ? l e d o n F e b .2 4 , 2 0 0 6 , p r o v i s i o n a l a p p l i c a t i o n N o . 6 0 / 6 9 7 , 7 2 1 ,? l e d o n J u l . 8 , 2 0 0 5 , p r o v i s i o n a l a p p l i c a t i o n N o .6 0 / 6 9 7 , 6 9 3 , ? l e d on u l . 8 , 2 0 0 5 .

5 1 ) I n t . C l .H01R 1 2 / 0 0 2 0 0 6 . 0 1 )52) US. l. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 439/7258) Field o f Class i?cation Search . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 439/72,

4 3 9 / 7 0 , 7 1 , 7 3 ; 3 2 4 / 7 5 4S e e a p p l i c a t i o n ? l e f o r c o m p l e t e s e a r c h h i s t o r y .

5 6 ) R e f e r e n c e s C i t e dU . S . PATENT DOCUMENTS

4 , 9 8 0 , 2 4 5 A * 1 2 / 1 9 9 0 Marino ..................... . . 428/6715 , 0 6 9 , 6 2 9 A * 1 2 / 1 9 9 1 Johnson ..................... .. 4 3 9 / 7 1

* c i t e d b y examinerP r i m a r y E x a m i n e r i T u l s i d a s C . P a t e lA s s i s t a n t ExamineriVladimir Imas( 7 4 ) A t t o r n e y , A g e n t , o r F i r m i N a W r o c k i , R o o n e yS i v e r t s o n , P . A .( 5 7 ) ABSTRACT

An i m p r o v e d t e s t s o c k e t f o r u s e i n t e s t i n g i n t e g r a t e d c i r c u i t s .The t e s t s o c k e t i n c l u d e s a ho us ing hav ing one o r more s l o t sformed t h e r e i n . C o n t a c t s c a n be r e c e i v e d W it h i n r e s p e c t i v es l o t s and m a i n t a i n e d t h e r e i n W i t h r e a r e n d s o f t h e c o n t a c t s i nengagement With r a c e s on l o a d b o a r d . Mounting s accomp l i s h e d by means o f a p a i r o f e l a s t o m e r s , a n d t h e e l a s t o m e r sm a i n t a i n each c o n t a c t s u c h t h a t , When t h e f r o n t end of ac o n t a c t i s engaged b y h e l e a d o r pad f h e d e v i c e t o b e t e s t e dand u r g e d i n t o i t s c o r r e s p o n d i n g s l o t , an a r c u a t e s u r f a c e a t ar e a r end of each c o n t a c t r o l l s a c r o s s i t s corresponding t r a c eW i t h v i r t u a l l y no t r a n s l a t i o n a l o r r o t a t i o n a l s l i d i n g .

4 C l a i m s , 2 Drawing S h e e t s


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l l: 3 :


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TEST SOCKET

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATEDAPPLICATIONS

T h i s i s a r e g u l a r a p p l i c a t i o n ? l e d u n d e r 3 5 U . S . C . 1 l 1 a )c l a i m i n g r i o r i t y , u n d e r 3 5 U . S . C . 1 1 9 e ) l , o f r o v i s i o n a la p p l i c a t i o n S e r . N o . 6 0 / 9 7 6 9 3 p r e v i o u s l y ? l e d u l . 8 , 2 0 0 5u n d e r 3 5 U . S . C . l l l b ) .

T h i s i s f u r t h e r a r e g u l a r a p p l i c a t i o n ? l e d u n d e r 3 5 U . S . C . 1 1 1 a ) c l a i m i n g p r i o r i t y , u n d e r 3 5 U . S . C . 1 1 9 e ) l ) o fp r o v i s i o n a l a p p l i c a t i o n S e r . N o . 6 0 / 7 7 6 6 5 4 p r e v i o u s l y ? l e don F e b . 2 4 2 0 0 6 .

T h i s i s f u r t h e r a r e g u l a r a p p l i c a t i o n ? l e d u n d e r 3 5 U . S . C . 1 1 1 a ) c l a i m i n g p r i o r i t y , u n d e r 3 5 U . S . C . 1 1 9 e ) l ) o fp r o v i s i o n a l a p p l i c a t i o n S e r . N o . 6 0 / 9 7 7 2 1 p r e v i o u s l y ? l e don u l . 8 , 2 0 0 5 .

TECHNICAL FIELDThe p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n d e a l s W i t h e l e c t r o n i c componentt e s t i n g t e c h n o l o g i e s . M o r e s p e c i ? c a l l y , h o W e v e r t h e i n v e n

t i o n d e a l s W i t h e s t s o c k e t s Which employ o n t a c t s f o r t e s t i n gan e l e c t r o n i c component. e s t s o c k e t i n c l u d e s c o n t a c t sWhich n t e r c o n n e c t and r o v i d e an l e c t r o n i c p a t h betWeenl e a d o r pad of h e e l e c t r o n i c component t o be t e s t e d and acorresponding t r a c e on a l o a d b o a r d . T h e i n v e n t i o n f o c u s e supon o n t r o l and e g u l a t i o n o f f o r c e s a p p l i e d t o a d e v i c e l e a do r pad and a l o a d board r a c e b y a c o r r e s p o n d i n g c o n t a c t oft h e t e s t s o c k e t .

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

I n t e g r a t e d c i r c u i t d e v i c e t e s t i n g i s a p r o c e d u r e W h i c h h a sbeen observed f o r m a n y y e a r s i n o r d e r t o o b t a i n a s high ad e g r e e o f q u a l i t y c o n t r o l a s p o s s i b l e f o r e l e c t r o n i c d e v i c e s . At e s t e r t y p i c a l l y i n c l u d e s a p l u r a l i t y o f c o n d u c t i v e t r a c e sf o r m e d on l o a d board s s o c i a t e d Wit h h e t e s t e r a p p a r a t u s . I ti s necessary t o i n t e r c o n n e c t a l e a d of leaded d e v i c e o r ap a d of non leaded d e v i c e t o a c o r r e s p o n d i n g t r a c e on h el o a d b o a r d i n o r d e r t o e f f e c t u a t e t e s t i n g . A e s t s o c k e t h a v i n ga p l u r a l i t y o f c o n t a c t s i s i n t e r p o s e d betWeen h e d e v i c e u n d e r

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2t i o n , D e t a i l e d D e s c r i p t i o n o f h e I n v e n t i o n , a p p e n d e d c l a i m sa n d a c c o m p a n y i n g d r a W i n g ? g u r e s .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

T h e p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n i s an improved t e s t s o c k e t . I ti n c l u d e s a h o u s i n g Which a s a ? r s t s u r f a c e t h a t i s p l a c e d i n t oen ga gemen t With s u r f a c e o f a t e s t e r l o a d b o a r d . The o u s i n gh a s a s e c o n d s u r f a c e Which s g e n e r a l l y a r a l l e l t o , a n d s p a c e df r o m t h e h o u s i n g ? r s t s u r f a c e . The s e c o n d s u r f a c e o f t h eh o u s i n g f a c e s i n a d i r e c t i o n o p p o s i t e t h a t i n Which t h e ? r s ts u r f a c e f a c e s . A t e a s t o n e l o t , e x t e n d i n g t h r o u g h t h e h o u s i n gbetWeen h e ? r s t and e c o n d s u r f a c e s t h e r e o f i s formed n t h eh o u s i n g . A o n t a c t i s r e c e i v e d i n a c o r r e s p o n d i n g s l o t . Suchc o n t a c t h a s a f r o n t end Which n o r m a l l y e x t e n d s beyond t h es e c o n d s u r f a c e o f t h e h o u s i n g t o b e e n g a g e d by c o r r e s p o n di n g l e a d o r pad of d e v i c e t o be e s t e d . T h e o n t a c t f u r t h e r h a sa r e a r en d W h i c h d e ?n e s an arcuate s u r f a c e t h e arcuate s u rf a c e e n g a g i n g a c o r r e s p o n d i n g t r a c e formed on h e s u r f a c e oft h e t e s t e r l o a d b o a r d . The o n t a c t i s e l a s t o m e r i c a l l y mountedi n i t s s l o t s u c h t h a t , W h e n t h e f r o n t end o f t h e c o n t a c t i se n g a g e d by h e l e a d o r t h e pad f t h e d e v i c e t o b e t e s t e d a n du r g e d i n t o i t s s l o t , t h e a r c u a t e s u r f a c e o f t h e c o n t a c t r o l l sa c r o s s i t s corresponding r a c e on h e s u r f a c e of h e t e s t e r l o a db o a r d W i t h v i r t u a l l y no t r a n s l a t i o n a l o r r o t a t i o n a l s l i d i n g .A b r a s i o n b e t W e e n t h e c o n t a c t a n d t h e l o a d b o a r d i s , t h e r e b ys u b s t a n t i a l l y e l i m i n a t e d .

I t i s e n v i s i o n e d t h a t t h e r e a r end f t h e c o n t a c t i n a d d i t i o nt o d e ? n i n g t h e a r c u a t e s u r f a c e i n engagement W i t h t h e l o a db o a r d a l s o d e ? n e s a g r a d u a l l y a r c i n g s u r f a c e Which s a n g ul a r l y s p a c e d f r o m t h e a r c u a t e s u r f a c e t h e r e o f . The o u s i n g i nt h i s e m b o d i m e n t d e ? n e s a W a l l W i t h i n t h e s l o t . The W a l l i se n g a g e d b y t h e g r a d u a l l y a r c i n g s u r f a c e o f h e r e a r e n d o f t h ec o n t a c t , a n d t h e s p a t i a l r e l a t i o n s h i p b e t W e e n t h e g r a d u a l l ya r c i n g s u r f a c e and h e W a l l i s s u c h h a t , a s t h e f r o n t end f h ec o n t a c t i s engaged by h e l e a d o r pad f h e d e v i c e t o b e t e s t e da n d u r g e d i n t o t h e c o r r e s p o n d i n g s l o t , t h e g r a d u a l l y a r c i n gs u r f a c e m o v e s l o n g t h e W a l l and a u s e s t h e a r c u a t e s u r f a c e oft h e c o n t a c t t o r o l l a c r o s s i t s c o r r e s p o n d i n g t r a c e . I t i s e n v is i o n e d t h a t t h e W a l l de?ned by t h e h o u s i n g Would b e a n g ul a r l y s p a c e d a t a n a c u t e a n g l e r e l a t i v e t o t h e ? r s t s u r f a c e o f h eh o u s i n g . T h i s Would n a b l e t h e a r c u a t e s u r f a c e o f t h e c o n t a c tt o r o l l a c r o s s t h e t r a c e of h e t e s t e r l o a d board With i r t u a l l y


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m a t e r i a l f o r t h e c o n t a c t s , l o a d b o a r d l i f e c a n , i t h a s beenf o u n d , be t l e a s t doubled v e r l o a d board i f e i n mechanismsknoWn n t h e p r i o r a r t .

The r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n s t h u s an improved e s t s o c k e t Whicha d d r e s s e s t h e d i c t a t e s o f t h e p r i o r a r t a n d s o l v e s p r o b l e m st h e r e o f . M o re s p e c i ? c f e a t u r e s a n d a d v a n t a g e s o b t a i n e d i nvieW f t h o s e f e a t u r e s W i l l b e co me p p a r e n t W i t h r e f e r e n c e t ot h e D e t a i le d D e s c r i p t i o n o f t h e I n v e n t i o n , a p p e n d e d c l a i m sa n d a c c o m p a n y i n g d r a w i n g ? g u r e s .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSFIG. 1 i s a s e c t i o n a l vieW of t e s t s o c k e t i n accordance

W i t h t h e p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n s h o W i n g c o n t a c t a n d e l a s t o m e rresponse t o e ngagement of a c o n t a c t b y a l e a d of a d e v i c eu n d e r t e s t ; and

FIG. 2 i s a p e r s p e c t i v e vieW of a c o n t a c t f o r use i n t h ep r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

R e f e r r i n g noW t h e d r a W i n g ? g u r e s , W h e r e i n l i k e r e f e re n c e n u m e r a l s d e n o t e l i k e e l e m e n t s t h r o u g h o u t t h e s e v e r a lv i e W s , F I G . 1 i l l u s t r a t e s a t e s t s o c k e t 10 i n a c c o r d a n c e Witht h e p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n . The e s t s o c k e t 10 s i n t e n d e d f o r u s eW i t h a t e s t e r t y p i c a l l y e m p l o y e d f o r a s c e r t a i n i n g q u a l i t y o fi n t e g r a t e d c i r c u i t d e v i c e s u s e d i n e l e c t r o n i c a p p l i a n c e s . Thet e s t e r i n t e r f a c e s With a t e s t e r l o a d board 12 Which a s e l e ct r i c a l l y c o n d u c t i v e t r a c e s 14 f o r m e d o n s u r f a c e 16 h e r e o f oe n a b l e e l e c t r o n i c communication betWeen t h e t e s t e r a n d a ni n t e g r a t e d c i r c u i t d e v i c e 1 8 t o b e t e s t e d . T h a t i s e l e c t r i c a ls i g n a l s a r e t r a n s m i t t e d betWeen h e d e v i c e under e s t 1 8 andt h e t e s t a p p a r a t u s t h r o u g h t h e t e s t s o c k e t 1 0 .

F I G . 1 i l l u s t r a t e s a DUT ackage Which s p r o v i d e d W i t h ap l u r a l i t y o f l e a d s 2 0 , o n l y o n e o f Which i s s h o W n . F I G . 1i l l u s t r a t e s o n l y a p o r t i o n o f h e d e v i c e u n d e r e s t 1 8 , b u t t W i l lb e u n d e r s t o o d t h a t s u b s t a n t i a l l y i d e n t i c a l l e a d s e x t e n d a l o n gb o t h o f o p p o s i t e s i d e s o f t h e d e v i c e p a c k a g e 1 8 .

F I G . 1 f u r t h e r i l l u s t r a t e s a l e a d b a c k e r W h i c h , W h e n t h ed e v i c e u n d e r t e s t 1 8 i s b r o u g h t i n t o engagement i t h t s l e a d s20 n c o n t a c t W i t h c o r r e s p o n d i n g c o n t a c t s 24 f h e t e s t s o c k e t1 0 , d e t e r s b e n d i n g o f t h e l e a d s 2 0 . DoWnWar d p r e s s u r e i s

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4F o r e x a m p l e , i n one embodiment o f t h e i n v e n t i o n , t h e t r a n sl a t i o n a l s l i d i n g i s o n a n order of .041 n h e device 1 8 .

Th e e s t s o c k e t 10 i n c l u d e s a housing 32 Which a s a ? r s ts u r f a c e 3 4 g e n e r a l l y i n engagement i t h t h e s u r f a c e 1 6 o f h et e s t e r load bo a r d 12 o n Which h e t r a c e s 14 a r e formed. T h eh o u s i n g 3 2 h a s a s e c o n d s u r f a c e 3 6 Which s g e n e r a l l y p a r a l l e lt o , a n d s p a c e d f r o m , t h e ? r s t s u r f a c e t h e r e o f . The s e c o n ds u r f a c e 3 6 o f t h e h o u s i n g 3 2 f a c e s o p p o s i t e l y f r o m t h e ? r s ts u r f a c e 3 4 . As r e v i o u s l y d i s c u s s e d , t h e h o u s i n g 3 2 c a r r i e s ap l u r a l i t y o f c o n t a c t s 2 4 . A l u r a l i t y o f s l o t s 3 8 a r e p r o v i d e d ,each s l o t t o r e c e i v e a s i n g l e o n e of h e c o n t a c t s 2 4 .

F I G . 2 i l l u s t r a t e s , i n p e r s p e c t i v e , an i n d i v i d u a l c o n t a c t i na c c o r d a n c e W i t h t h e p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n . The c o n t a c t 2 4i n c l u d e s ? r s t , s e c o n d a n d t h i r d p r o t r u s i o n s 4 0 , 4 2 , 4 4 . The? r s t p r o t r u s i o n 40 s de?ned by h e r e a r end 30 f t h e c o n t a c t24 Which n g a g e s t h e t r a c e 1 4 o f t h e l o a d board 2 . The h i r dp r o t r u s i o n 4 4 i s de?ned by h e f r o n t e n d 2 6 o f t h e c o n t a c t 2 4Which s engaged by l e a d 20 o r pad f t h e d e v i c e u n d e r t e s t1 8 . The second p r o t r u s i o n 42 s e r v e s t o e n g a g e , W h e nmounted by a p l u r a l i t y o f e l a s t o m e r s 4 6 , 4 8 , a s W i l l b e d i sc u s s e d h e r e i n a f t e r , a s h o u l d e r 4 9 de?ned b y t h e h o u s i n g 3 2 .E n g a g e m e n t o f t h e s h o u l d e r 4 9 b y t h e s e c o n d p r o t r u s i o n 4 2s e r v e s t o l i m i t t h e d e g r e e o f upWard mo v e me nt f t h e c o n t a c t24 and t h e d i s t a n c e t h e f r o n t end 26 of h e c o n t a c t 24 W i l le x t e n d beyond h e s e c o n d s u r f a c e 3 6 o f t h e h o u s i n g 3 2 Whent h e c o n t a c t 24 s n o t engaged by a d e v i c e t o be e s t e d .

R e f e r r i n g a g a i n t o F I G . 1 , t h e t e s t s o c k e t 1 0 h a s a p a i r o fc h a n n e l s 5 0 , 5 2 Which x t e n d a l o n g a x e s g e n e r a l l y t r a n s v e r s et o p l a n e s d e ? n e d by t h e s l o t s 3 8 f o r m e d i n t h e h o u s i n g 3 2 .T h e s e c h a n n e l s 5 0 , 5 2 a r e i n t e n d e d t o r e c e i v e e l a s t o m e r s 4 6 ,48 Which e r v e t o m o u n t h e c o n t a c t s 24 n t h e i r s l o t s 3 8 . FIG.1 shoWs a g e n e r a l l y c i r c u l a r c h a n n e l 5 0 r e c e i v i n g a l a r g e r ,f r o n t e l a s t o m e r 4 6 , and r e c t a n g u l a r c h a n n e l 52 r e c e i v i n g as m a l l e r , r e a r e l a s t o m e r 4 8 . The r e a r e l a s t o m e r 48 i s p r el o a d e d a n d , b e c a u s e of h e a r c u a t e s u r f a c e 28 of h e r e a r end3 0 o f t h e c o n t a c t 2 4 b e i n g i n engagement i t h t h e l o a d b o a r d1 2 , W i l l engage an upper edge o f h e r e a r end 30 o f h e c o n t a c t24 a t a l o c a t i o n t o urge t h e f r o n t e n d 26 of t h e c o n t a c t 24u p W a r d l y . S i m i l a r l y , t h e f r o n t e l a s t o m e r 4 6 i s u n d e r c o m p r e ss i o n and l s o s e r v e s t o u r g e t h e c o n t a c t 24 u p W a r d a nd i a s i tt o a p o i n t o f n i t i a l c o n t a c t by l e a d 24 r p a d o f n n t e g r a t e d


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US 7 4 4 5 4 6 5 B25

As p r e v i o u s l y d i s c u s s e d a s W i t h d r a W a l o f t h e d e v i c eo c c u r s t h e s e c o n d p r o j e c t i o n 42 W i l l e n g a g e t h e s h o u l d e r 49de?ned by h e h o u s i n g 3 2 i n o r d e r t o l i m i t upward movementof h e c o n t a c t s 2 4 .

I t W i l l a l s o b e n o t e d h a t t h e p o i n t o f p p l i c a t i o n o f f o r c e b ya d e v i c e u n d e r t e s t 1 8 i s s p a c e d l a t e r a l l y a r e l a t i v e l y s i g n i ?c a n t d i s t a n c e from h e p o i n t o f engagement f t h e r e a r end 3of h e c o n t a c t 24 With t h e t r a c e 14 on h e l o a d board 1 2 . T h i sW i l l a u g m e n t t h e b e n e ? c i a l a d v a n t a g e a c h i e v e d b y t h e r o l l i n ga c t i o n t h a t i s m i n i m i Z a t i o n o f l i k e l i h o o d o f damage o t h el o a d b o a r d ) .

F u r t h e r c o n t a c t s m a d e f p r e c i o u s m e t a l s c a n b e employedi n t h e p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n . Such c o n t a c t s t e n d t o e x t e n d l o a db o a r d l i f e a l s o . A eyoro G o n t a c t Which s a s o l i d g o l da l l o y c o n t a c t n o t h a v i n g a n y p l a t i n g , i s e n v i s i o n e d a s b e i n gu s e d . Such m a t e r i a l i t h a s been o u n d n o t o n l y e x t e n d s t h el i f e o f t h e c o n t a c t . I t a l s o , h o W e v e r e x t e n d s l o a d b o a r d l i f e bym i n i m i z i n g damage t o t h e t r a c e s t h e r e o n . I t h a s b e e n f o u n dt h a t load board i f e can b e t l e a s t d oub le d over mechan ismsc o n s t r u c t e d a s kno W n n t h e p r i o r a r t .

I t W i l l b e u n d e r s t o o d t h a t t h i s d i s c l o s u r e i n m a n y e s p e c t si s o n l y i l l u s t r a t i v e . C h a n g e s m a y e made n d e t a i l s , p a r t i c ul a r l y i n m a t t e r s o f s h a p e s i Z e , m a t e r i a l , a n d a r r a n g e m e n t o fp a r t s W i t h o u t e x c e e d i n g t h e s c o p e o f t h e i n v e n t i o n . Accordi n g l y , t h e s c o p e o f t h e i n v e n t i o n i s a s de?ned n t h e l a n g u a g eo f t h e a p p e n d e d c l a i m s .

W h a t s c l a i m e d i s :1 . A e s t s o c k e t c o m p r i s i n g :a h o u s i n g h a v i n g a ? r s t s u r f a c e g e n e r a l l y i n e n g a g e m e n t

W i t h a s u r f a c e of t e s t e r l o a d b o a r d s a i d h o u s i n g f u r t h e rh a v i n g a s e c o n d s u r f a c e , g e n e r a l l y p a r a l l e l t o , s p a c e df r o m a n d f a c i n g o p p o s i t e l y f r o m s a i d ? r s t s u r f a c e , a n da t l e a s t o n e s l o t formed i n s a i d h o u s i n g e x te n d i n gt h r o u g h s a i d h o u s i n g b e t W e e n s a i d ? r s t s u r f a c e a n d s a i ds e c o n d s u r f a c e ;

a c o n t a c t r e c e i v e d i n a c o r r e s p o n d i n g s l o t a n d having af r o n t e n d e x t e n d i n g b e y o n d s a i d s e c o n d s u r f a c e f o rengagement by c o r r e s p o n d i n g l e a d o r pad f a d e v i c e

2

25

3

35

6t o be t e s t e d an d having a r e a r e n d de?ning a n a r c u a t es u r f a c e i n e ng ag eme nt With a c o r r e s p o n d i n g t r a c e ons a i d s u r f a c e o f t h e t e s t e r l o a d b o a r d ;

means f o r e l a s t o m e r i c a l l y mounting s a i d c o n t a c t i n s a i dc o r r e s p o n d i n g s l o t , W h e r e i n W h e n a i d f r o n t e n d o f s a i dc o n t a c t i s engaged by h e l e a d o r pad f t h e d e v i c e t o b et e s t e d a n d u r g e d i n t o t h e c o r r e s p o n d i n g s l o t , s a i d a r c u a t es u r f a c e r o l l s a c r o s s s a i d c o r r e s p o n d i n g t r a c e W i t h v i r t ua l l y n o t r a n s l a t i o n a l o r r o t a t i o n a l s l i d i n g and

W h e re i n s a i d r e a r e n d of s a i d c o n t a c t f u r t h e r d e ? n es ag r a d u a l l y a r c i n g s u r f a c e , a n g u l a r l y s p a c e d f r o m s a i da r c u a t e s u r f a c e , a n d s a i d h o u s i n g d e ? n e s W i t h i n t h e s l o t ,a W a l l a n g u l a r l y s p a c e d r e l a t i v e t o s a i d ? r s t s u r f a c e o fs a i d h o u s i n g a n d e n g a g e d b y s a i d g r a d u a l l y a r c i n g s u rf a c e of a i d r e a r e n d of s a i d c o n t a c t s u c h t h a t , a s s a i df r o n t e n d o f s a i d c o n t a c t i s e n g a g e d by h e l e a d o r pad ft h e d e v i c e t o b e t e s t e d a n d u r g e d i n t o t h e c o r r e s p o n d i n gs l o t , s a i d g r a d u a l l y a r c i n g s u r fa c e o f s a i d c o n t a c t movesa l o n g s a i d W a l l i n c o n s t a n t e n g a g e m e n t t h e r e W i t h a n dc a u s e s s a i d a r c u a t e s u r f a c e t o r o l l a c r o s s t h e correspondi n g t r a c e .

2 . A e s t s o c k e t i n a c c o r d a n c e W i t h c l a i m 1 Wherein s a i dmeans f o r e l a s t o m e r i c a l l y mounting a i d c o n t a c t c o m p r i s e s af r o n t e l a s t o m e r p r e - c o m p r e s s e d by t h e c o n t a c t and comp r e s s e d f u r t h e r b y h e c o n t a c t a s s a i d f r o n t end f s a i d c o n t a c ti s e n g a g e d by t h e l e a d o r pad o f t h e d e v i c e t o b e t e s t e d a n du r g e d i n t o t h e s l o t .

3 . A e s t s o c k e t i n a c c o r d a n c e W i t h c l a i m 2 Wherein s a i dmeans o r e l a s t o m e r i c a l l y mounting a i d c o n t a c t f u r t h e r c o mp r i s e s a r e a r e l a s t o m e r t h a t p r e - l o a d s t h e r e a r e n d of t h ec o n t a c t a g a i n s t a c o r r e s p o n d i n g t r a c e on t h e s u r f a c e o f t h et e s t e r l o a d b o a r d .

4 . A e s t s o c k e t i n accordance With claim 3 f u r t h e r comp r i s i n g a s h o u l d e r d e ? n e d b y s a i d h o u s i n g f o r e n g a g i n g t h ec o n t a c t a n d l i m i t i n g t h e d i s t a n c e t h e c o n t a c t e x t e n d s beyonds a i d s e c o n d s u r f a c e o f s a i d h o u s i n g .


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120 South Sixth Street, Suite 1700, Minneapolis, MN 55402 USA

Direct Dial: (952) 253-4106E-Mail: [email protected]

25 February 2014

Gabriel Guglielmi, PresidentInterconnect Devices, Inc. and Smiths Connectors5101 Richland AveKansas City, KS 66106

By email: [email protected] certified mail

Re: Our Reference: 04210.0018-US-ABInfringement of US Patents 7 059 866, 7 722 361, 7 445 465

Dear Sirs:

We are Intellectual Property counsel for Johnstech International of Minneapolis, MN, amaker of patented test sockets and pins. We are sure you are familiar with Johnstechand its products.

It has come to our attention that your company is advertising a test pin and socketunder the Archemedes name (see attached).

Our review of this product indicates that it is a direct infringement of the following USPatents, namely7 059 866, 7 722 361 and 7 445 465.
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


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If your company exhibits this product at the BITS conference, we will consider that anintentional infringement

Under 35 United States Code Sections 284-285, intentional/willful infringement issubject to tripling of damages and Johnstechs attorneys fees in pursing theinfringement.

Without waiving any rights to obtaining an injunction against your company or its clients,we invite you to contact us to see if an amicable solution can be quickly achieved. If wedo not hear from you by March 1, 2014, we shall assume that settlement is of nointerest, and continued infringement will certainly be willful. .

Very truly yours,s/Michael B. Lasky/Michael B. Lasky

Attorney

MBL/jsa


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interconnect devices v. johnstech international

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