Patent ID: 6450469
Filing Date: 2002-09-17
Classification: G01R,G02F,G09G

Abstract:
A rectangular support framework for a flat panel display as an object to be tested or a testing probe block, comprising:a first frame plate extending in a first direction and having an inner surface and an end portion; a second frame plate extending in a second direction that is transverse to the first direction and having an inner surface and an end portion; a third frame plate extending in a third direction that is opposite to the first direction and having an inner surface and an end portion; and a fourth frame plate extending in a fourth direction that is opposite to the second direction and having an inner surface and an end portion, wherein (i) the end portion of said first frame plate is engageable with the inner surface of said second frame plate such that when the end portion of said first frame plate is engaged with the inner surface of said second frame plate said first frame plate can move relative to said second frame plate in the second direction and can move in unison with said second frame plate in the third direction; (ii) the end portion of said second frame plate is engageable with the inner surface of said third frame plate such that when the end portion of said second frame plate is engaged with the inner surface of said third frame plate said second frame plate can move relative to said third frame plate in the third direction and can move in unison with said third frame plate in the fourth direction; (iii) the end portion of said third frame plate is engageable with the inner surface of said fourth frame plate such that when the end portion of said third frame plate is engaged with the inner surface of said fourth frame plate said third frame plate can move relative to said fourth frame plate in the fourth direction and can move in unison with said fourth frame plate in the first direction; and (iv) the end portion of said fourth frame plate is engageable with the inner surface of said first frame plate such that when the end portion of said fourth frame plate is engaged with the inner surface of said first frame plate said fourth frame plate can move relative to said first frame plate in the first direction and can move in unison with said first frame plate in the second direction, such that when the end portion of said first frame plate is engaged with the inner surface of said second frame plate, the end portion of said second frame plate is engaged with the inner surface of said third frame plate, the end portion of said third frame plate is engaged with the inner surface of said fourth frame plate, and the end portion of said fourth frame plate is engaged with the inner surface of said first frame plate an opening is defined by a combination of the inner surfaces of said first, second, third and fourth frame plates, which opening can be made one of larger and smaller as a result of (a) movement of said first frame plate relative to said second frame plate in the second direction and movement of said first frame plate in unison with said second frame plate in the third direction, (b) movement of said second frame plate relative to said third frame plate in the third direction and movement of said second frame plate in unison with said third frame plate in the fourth direction, (c) movement of said third frame plate relative to said fourth frame plate in the fourth direction and movement of said third frame plate in unison with said fourth frame plate in the first direction, and (d) movement of said fourth frame plate relative to said first frame plate in the first direction and movement of said fourth frame plate in unison with said first frame plate in the second direction, whereby a first flat panel display or a first probe block that is to be subjected to pressure contact with electrode pads arranged on a peripheral edge portion of the first flat panel display can be supported on said first, second, third and fourth frame plates.