Patent ID: 7733081

Claim:
An automated test equipment interface system for attaching a handler to a test head, the interface system comprising: a device interface board assembly comprising: a stiffener frame comprising: a frame body including first cam surfaces arranged to engage corresponding cam features on a test head, alignment brackets connected to the frame body, and cam followers connected to the alignment brackets; and a docking device comprising: a docking plate configured for attachment to a handler, pull-down ramps connected to the docking plate and movable between a retracted position and an extended position, an actuator operable to initiate movement of the pull-down ramps, a coupling that translates movement of the actuator to corresponding movements of the pull-down ramps, and a safety interlock bracket rotatably mounted to the docking plate, wherein the safety interlock bracket is rotatable between a locked position in which the safety interlock bracket substantially inhibits movement of the pull-down ramps in at least one direction, and an unlocked position in which the interlock bracket does not substantially inhibit movement of the pull-down ramps, wherein the pull-down ramps comprise second cam surfaces configured to engage the cam followers of the device interface board assembly during movement between the retracted and extended positions to pull the device interface board assembly towards the docking plate, and wherein a first one of the alignment brackets comprises: a through-hole extending from a first surface of the alignment bracket to a second surface of the alignment bracket, and a spring loaded pin disposed within the through-hole and displaceable from a first position in which a first end of the pin extends outwardly from the first surface of the alignment bracket to a second position in which a second end of the pin extends outwardly from the second surface of the alignment bracket, wherein the pin is biased towards the first position, and wherein the pin is operable to rotate the safety interlock bracket to the unlocked position when the stiffener frame is connected to both a test head and the docking device.