IP Library Granted Patent US 8,410,806
Granted Patent B2
US 8,410,806 · App. 12/592,186 · Granted Apr 2, 2013

Replaceable coupon for a probing apparatus

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,410,806
App. No.
12/592,186
Granted
Apr 2, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

The contacts of a probing apparatus are elastically supported on a replaceable coupon and electrically interconnected with conductors on a membrane or a space transformer.

Claims (25)

1. A coupon for a probing apparatus including a dielectric support having a support surface including surface portions exposing a support conductor, said coupon comprising:

(a) a first coupon surface detachably adhered to said support surface;

(b) a second coupon surface elastically separated from said first coupon surface;

(c) a contact including a contact tip arranged to engage a device surface, said device surface located nearer said second coupon surface than said first coupon surface; and

(d) a post having a first end substantially flush with said second coupon surface and a second end substantially flush with said first coupon surface.

2. The coupon of claim 1 wherein said contact further comprises a rigid, elongate contact beam affixed to said second coupon surface, said contact tip affixed to said contact beam nearer a first end of said contact beam than a second end of said contact beam.

3. The coupon of claim 2 wherein said contact further comprises said post, wherein said post is affixed to said contact beam nearer said second end of said contact beam than said first end of said contact beam, said post having an end portion arranged to contact said support conductor at a location nearer said first coupon surface than said second coupon surface.

4. The coupon of claim 1 wherein said coupon is detachably adhered to said support surface by an adhesive.

5. A probing apparatus comprising:

(a) a support conductor;

(b) a dielectric support including a support surface having surface portions exposing said support conductor;

(c) a coupon having a first coupon surface detachably adhered to said support surface and a second coupon surface elastically separated from said first coupon surface;

(d) a contact including a contact tip arranged to engage a device surface, said device surface located nearer said second coupon surface than said first coupon surface; and

(e) a post having a first end substantially flush with said second coupon surface and a second end substantially flush with said first coupon surface.

6. The probing apparatus of claim 5 wherein said contact further comprises a rigid, elongate contact beam affixed to said second coupon surface, said contact tip affixed to said contact beam nearer a first end of said contact beam than a second end of said contact beam.

7. The probing apparatus of claim 6 wherein said contact further comprises said post, wherein said post is affixed to said contact beam nearer said second end of said contact beam than said first end of said contact beam, said post having an end portion arranged to contact said support conductor at a location nearer said first coupon surface than said second coupon surface.

8. The probing apparatus of claim 5 wherein said coupon is detachably adhered to said support surface by an adhesive.

9. The probing apparatus of claim 5 wherein said dielectric support comprises a flexible membrane including a membrane surface supported by a substantially rigid membrane support.

10. The probing apparatus of claim 9 wherein said contact further comprises a rigid, elongate contact beam affixed to said second coupon surface, said contact tip affixed to said contact beam nearer a first end of said contact beam than a second end of said contact beam.

11. The probing apparatus of claim 10 wherein said contact further comprises said post, wherein said post is affixed to said contact beam nearer said second end of said contact beam than said first end of said contact beam, said post having an end portion arranged to contact said support conductor at a location nearer said first coupon surface than said second coupon surface.

12. The probing apparatus of claim 9 wherein said coupon is detachably adhered to said support surface by an adhesive.

13. The probing apparatus of claim 5 wherein said dielectric support comprises a space transformer.

14. The probing apparatus of claim 13 wherein said contact further comprises a rigid, elongate contact beam affixed to said second coupon surface, said contact tip affixed to said contact beam nearer a first end of said contact beam than a second end of said contact beam.

15. The probing apparatus of claim 14 wherein said contact further comprises said post, wherein said post is affixed to said contact beam nearer said second end of said contact beam than said first end of said contact beam, said post having an end portion arranged to contact said support conductor at a location nearer said first coupon surface than said second coupon surface.

16. The probing apparatus of claim 14 wherein said coupon is detachably adhered to said support surface by an adhesive.

Assignments (6)
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 Dec 23, 2009
From: SMITH, KENNETH R.
To: CASCADE MICROTECH, INC.
Reel/Frame 023727/0370 →