Patent ID: 7834283
Filing Date: 2010-11-16
Classification: H01H,H05K

Abstract:
1. A testing device for use with a printed circuit board, comprising: (a) a base; (b) an upwardly biased, spring-loaded contact integrally formed with the base, wherein the spring loaded contact further includes a terminus, wherein the terminus is adapted to make electrical contact with a first via upon insertion into the printed circuit board, and wherein the first via is a component of a printed circuit board to be tested; (c) an anti-overstress feature integrally formed in the base, wherein the anti-overstress feature is adapted to operate as an integrated contact stop for the terminus and is adapted to prevent over-bending of the spring-loaded contact in a direction opposite its normal bias upon insertion into the printed circuit board; and (d) a plurality of retention legs integrally formed with the base for retaining the testing device in the printed circuit board, wherein each of the retention legs is adapted make electrical contact with additional vias, and wherein each of the additional vias contacted by one of the retention legs is a component of the printed circuit board to be tested; and (e) wherein contacting the first via with the terminus of the spring-loaded contact while at least one of the additional vias is in electrical contact with at least one of the retention legs completes an electrical circuit, and wherein removing the first via from contact with the terminus of the spring-loaded contact while at least one of the additional vias is in electrical contact with at least one of the retention legs breaks an electrical circuit.