IP Library Granted Patent US 6,914,423
Granted Patent B2
US 6,914,423 · App. 09/881,312 · Granted Jul 5, 2005

Probe station

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 6,914,423
App. No.
09/881,312
Granted
Jul 5, 2005
Kind
B2
Abstract

A chuck assembly includes a rotational member and an auxiliary chuck. The rotational member is suitable for supporting a chuck thereon wherein the rotational member is rotatable with respect to the chuck assembly. The auxiliary chuck is free from rotating with respect to the chuck assembly.

Claims (32)

1. A chuck assembly including a rotational member and an auxiliary chuck comprising:

(a) said rotational member defining an upper surface suitable for supporting a chuck thereon wherein said rotational member is rotatable with respect to said chuck assembly; and

(b) said auxiliary chuck being free from rotating with respect to said chuck assembly, said auxiliary chuck having an upper surface thereon having an elevation that is above said upper surface of said rotational member.

2. The chuck assembly of claim 1 wherein said rotational member has a planar upper surface.

3. The chuck assembly of claim 2 wherein said chuck assembly has a planar upper surface.

4. The chuck assembly of claim 3 wherein said rotational member planar upper surface and said chuck assembly planar upper surface are substantially coplanar.

5. The chuck assembly of claim 2 wherein said auxiliary chuck supports said test substrate at a location above said rotational member.

6. The chuck assembly of claim 1 wherein chuck assembly includes a movement assembly for moving said rotational member in a lateral direction.

7. The chuck assembly of claim 6 wherein said auxiliary chuck moves together with said rotational member in a lateral direction.

8. The chuck assembly of claim 1 wherein said auxiliary chuck is suitable to support at least one test substrate thereon.

9. A chuck assembly including a rotational member and a movement member comprising:

(a) said rotational member suitable for supporting a chuck thereon wherein said rotational member is rotatable with respect to said chuck assembly;

(b) said movement member mechanically interconnected with said rotational member so as to selectively rotate said rotational member; and

(c) said rotational member being substantially free from exerting a downwardly directed force on said movement member while said movement member rotates said rotational member.

10. The chuck assembly of claim 9 wherein rotational member includes a tab, said movement member includes a slot that engages said tab.

11. The chuck assembly of claim 10 wherein rotational movement of said slot causes rotational movement of said rotational member.

12. The chuck assembly of claim 9 wherein said rotational member is supported by a positioning stage.

13. The chuck assembly of claim 12 wherein said positioning stage includes a pair of spaced apart linear bearings.

14. The chuck assembly of claim 13 wherein said positioning stage is the primarily support for said rotational member.

15. The chuck assembly of claim 9 wherein a substantially constant vertical spacing is maintained between said movement member and said rotational member while said rotational member is being rotated.

16. The chuck assembly of claim 15 wherein said chuck assembly provides z-axis movement of said rotational member while maintaining said substantially constant vertical spacing.

17. A chuck assembly including a rotational member and a base assembly comprising:

(a) said rotational member suitable for supporting a chuck thereon wherein said rotational member is rotatable with respect to said chuck assembly; and

(b) said rotational member laterally movable with respect to said base assembly when said rotational member is in at least one predefined rotational orientation and said rotational member free from being laterally movable with respect to said base assembly when said rotational member is not in said at least one predefined rotational orientation.

18. The chuck assembly of claim 17 wherein said predefined rotational orientation is zero degrees.

19. The chuck assembly of claim 17 wherein said predefined rotational orientation is a predefined range of values.

20. The chuck assembly of claim 17 wherein said rotational member is maintained free from substantially all rotational movement while said rotational member is in an extended position with respect to said base.

21. A chuck assembly including a rotational member comprising:

(a) said rotational member supporting a chuck thereon; and

(b) a plurality of adjustment members suitable to adjust the horizontal orientation of said chuck with respect to said rotational member while maintaining said rotational member and said chuck in a tensioned state while adjusting said orientation.

22. The chuck assembly of claim 21 wherein said tensioned state is provided by said adjustment members maintaining the spacing between said rotational member and said chuck.

23. The chuck assembly of claim 22 wherein said adjustment members are threaded screws.

Assignments (8)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 7, 2025
From: HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: FORMFACTOR, INC.
Reel/Frame 072853/0001 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 29, 2025
From: FORMFACTOR, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 072263/0272 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 1, 2021
From: FORMFACTOR BEAVERTON, INC.
To: FORMFACTOR, INC.
Reel/Frame 057393/0609 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jul 18, 2018
From: CASCADE MICROTECH, INC.
To: FORMFACTOR BEAVERTON, INC.
Reel/Frame 046573/0664 →
SECURITY INTEREST IN UNITED STATES PATENTS AND TRADEMARKS Recorded Jul 12, 2016
From: FORMFACTOR, INC.; ASTRIA SEMICONDUCTOR HOLDINGS, INC.; CASCADE MICROTECH, INC.; MICRO-PROBE INCORPORATED
To: HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 039184/0280 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 3, 2002
From: NORDGREN, GREG
To: CASCADE MICROTECH, INC.
Reel/Frame 012424/0341 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 12, 2001
From: NORDGREN, GREG
To: CASCADE MICROTECH, INC.
Reel/Frame 011912/0345 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 12, 2001
From: DUNKLEE, JOHN
To: CASCADE MICROTECH, INC.
Reel/Frame 011912/0414 →