Patent ID: 8575953

Claim:
A test contact comprising: an open-ended rounded portion defining an aperture; and a curved portion; wherein the aperture is configured to accommodate at least a portion of an elastomer element therethrough such that the open-ended rounded portion substantially surrounds a closed outer perimeter of the portion of the elastomer element; wherein the test contact and the elastomer element are configured to be accommodated in a socket structure, wherein the socket structure further defines a first edge proximal to a portion of a first contact surface of the accommodated test contact and defines a second edge proximal to a portion of a second contact surface of the accommodated test contact; wherein, in a first state, the portion of the first contact surface extends beyond the first edge by at least a first displacement amount and the portion of the first contact surface is separated from the portion of the second contact surface by at least a distance, wherein, in a second state, the portion of the second contact surface extends beyond the second edge by a second displacement amount and the portion of the first contact surface is separated from the portion of the second contact surface by at least the distance, wherein, in a third state, the portion of the second contact surface is approximately at the second edge and the portion of the first contact surface is approximately at the first edge, and the portion of the first contact surface is separated from the portion of the second contact surface by at least the distance decreased by at least the second displacement amount; wherein the portion of the elastomer element is configured to flexibly provide a first restoring force in response to a displacement of the portion of the first contact surface from its position in the first state towards an axis of the elastomer element by at least the first displacement amount, wherein the test contact is configured to flexibly provide a second restoring force in response to a compressive force between the portion of the first contact surface and the portion of the second contact surface from their positions in the second state, wherein the compressive force is capable of decreasing the distance by at least the second displacement amount; and wherein the second displacement amount is greater than the first displacement amount.