Patent ID: 7301326

Claim:
An Interface unit for electrically interfacing a test system with a peripheral system, comprising: a first unit having a first connection member for providing electrical communication with said peripheral system; a second unit having a second connection member for providing electrical communication with said test system; pivot members coupling said first unit and said second unit, said pivot members enabling motion in the following sequence as at least one of the second unit and the first unit moves towards the other: a) clam shell like pivotal motion between respective contact surfaces of said first connection member and said second connection member; and b) linear motion which decreases linear distance between said first connection member and said second connection member while maintaining respective contact surfaces of said first and second connection members in parallel; said pivot members enable motion in the following sequence as at least one of the second unit and the first unit moves away from the other: a) linear motion which increases linear distance between said first connection member and said second connection member while maintaining respective contact surfaces of said first and second connection members in parallel; and b) pivotal motion between said first connection member and said second connection member.