Patent ID: 8272141

Claim:
A probe apparatus, comprising: a fixture comprising a top board, a first pedestal and a second pedestal, the first and second pedestals parallel to each other and extending downwardly from opposite sides of the top board, the top board, the first pedestal and the second pedestal cooperatively defining a receiving space; a first probe assembly fixedly attached to the first pedestal of the fixture, the first probe assembly comprising a first probe; a motor entirely accommodated in the receiving space and fixedly attached to the first pedestal of the fixture, the motor having a drive shaft attached to the fixture; a lead screw coupled to the fixture; at least one guide member attached to the fixture parallel to the lead screw; a second probe assembly moveably attached to the lead screw and the at least one guide member, the second probe assembly comprising a second probe; and a reduction gear unit fixedly attached to the second pedestal of the fixture, and coupled to the drive shaft and the lead screw to transmit power from the motor to the second probe assembly through the lead screw, with the second probe assembly configured for moving the second probe towards or away from the first probe along the at least one guide member; wherein the lead screw comprises a first end rotatably attached to the first pedestal of the fixture and a second end rotatably attached to the second pedestal of the fixture; the at least one guide member comprises a first end fixedly attached to the first pedestal of the fixture and a second end fixedly attached to the second pedestal of the fixture; both the lead screw and the at least one guide member are entirely accommodated in the receiving space and arranged parallel to each other in a same imaginary horizontal plane parallel to the top board; and the motor is located above the lead screw.