Patent ID: 7042239

Claim:
A semiconductor integrated circuit tester for use in conjunction with a device interface unit that includes a first electrical connector segment, the tester comprising: a housing having an interior, a main housing wall, partially bounding the interior and formed with at least one opening, and an opposing housing wall, partially bounding the interior and substantially parallel to the main housing wall, a tester interface unit that is located partially in the housing and incorporates a second electrical connector segment for engaging in electrically conductive contact with the first electrical connector segment of the device interface unit, a pusher member that is located at least partially within the housing and is movable relative to the main housing wall between an extended position and a retracted position, and wherein the pusher member is closer to the opposing housing wall in the retracted position than in the extended position and in the extended position the pusher member projects from the interior through the opening in the main housing wall for engaging the device interface unit, and an actuator that is accessible exteriorly of the housing and is operatively coupled to the pusher member for moving the pusher member between its retracted position and its extended position, whereby in the event that the second electrical connector segment is engaged with the first electrical connector segment, the actuator can be operated to move the pusher member from its retracted position to its extended position for forcing the device interface unit away from the main housing wall and disengaging the first electrical connector segment from the second electrical connector segment.