Patent ID: 6570399
Filing Date: 2003-05-27
Classification: G01R

Abstract:
A socketless probe and connector assembly for providing electrical contact with electrical circuits during testing thereof, said connector for mounting in a probe plate having at least one hole extending therethrough, said assembly comprising:a probe comprising: an electrically conductive tubular housing; an electrically conductive plunger captively disposed in the electrically conductive tubular housing in electrically conductive contact therewith and having a circuit contacting tip urged outward from the housing under the force of a longitudinally compressed coil spring; said tubular housing having a first end portion through which the plunger extends to the tip and by which the plunger is retained in the housing and a second end defining an opening; an electrically conductive connector separable from said probe comprising: a pin forming part of the connector and sized to achieve an interference fit with said housing second end when disposed within said opening to fixably maintain said pin within said opening in a predetermined mounting position, said pin providing electrically conductive connection between the connector and the probe when disposed within said opening; and a plate connector portion extending from said pin and mountable within one of said at least one hole in said probe plate, said plate connector portion sized and configured to fixably and removably anchor said connector in said probe plate in self retaining and aligning relationship with said probe plate when mounted within said probe plate.