Patent ID: 7372284

Claim:
Apparatus for probing electronic signals appearing on leads within an array of leads for an electronic component, the apparatus comprising: a flexible printed circuit; one or more electrical connections disposed upon a first portion of the flexible printed circuit, for coupling to an item of electronic test equipment probed electronic signals; the flexible printed circuit comprising a first arm extending from the first portion and sufficiently narrow to be inserted between adjacent columns of leads in the array thereof and by which array the electronic component is electrically connected to a circuit assembly, the first arm sufficiently thin to pass into a gap between the electronic component and the circuit assembly; a first electrical contact disposed at a first location along an edge of the first arm and extending outward from that edge for probing a lead in the array when the first arm is inserted a selected distance; a first conductive trace carried by the first arm and electrically coupling the first electrical contact to an associated one of the electrical connections disposed upon the first portion; and the first electrical contact extending outward from the first arm by an amount sufficient to cause the electrical contact and the first location along the first arm to undergo compressive warping and urge the first electrical contact against a probed lead.