Patent ID: 6667630
Filing Date: 2003-12-23
Classification: G01R

Abstract:
A universal printed circuit board fixture for a flying probe test machine that has opposed clamps that are adapted to hold a printed circuit board, the universal printed circuit board fixture comprising:a pair of elongated, essentially parallel members defining elongated facing edges, each member comprising a base portion and a thin, flat upper surface portion that extends beyond the base portion, wherein the upper surface portions of a member both lie in the same plane; a pair of spaced rails with which the base portions of the members are engaged; wherein at least one of the members is movable along the rails, so that the members are movable relative to one another to alter the distance between the facing edges of the members, to accommodate different size printed circuit boards for testing; and wherein the base portions of the members each extend beyond the rails, and the upper surface portions of the members define thin protruding overhangs that extend slightly beyond the base portions of the members outside of the rails and that are in the same plane, so that the overhangs present the outermost portions of the members that can be held in the opposed clamps of a flying probe test machine, to thereby hold each member at its ends in the clamps of a flying probe test machine; and two printed circuit board holding mechanical structures carried by each member, each such printed circuit board holding mechanical structure comprising means for engaging a portion of a circuit board; wherein one or more of such printed circuit board holding mechanical structures are movable along the length of a member, to allow the accommodation of boards of different size and shape.