Cradle and cable handler for a test head manipulator

US9557371B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• inTEST Corporation · US

Inventors

• Hermann Josef Weissacher · Rimsting, DE
• Benoit Jean Michel Goeuriot · Aschau im Chiemgau, DE
• Wei Guan · Pleasanton, US
• Christopher L. West · Medford, US
• Charles Paul Nappen · Marlton, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 12, 2014
• Grant date: Jan 31, 2017
• Expiry date: Dec 4, 2034

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T74/18576
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

In one aspect, a cradle system for supporting a load, the cradle system comprising a first arm with a first carriage assembly axially adjustable therealong and a second arm, opposite the first arm, with a second carriage assembly axially adjustable therealong. An actuator is associated with the first and second carriage assemblies and configured such that actuation of the actuator causes the first and second carriage assemblies to move axially in opposite directions. In another aspect, a cable support system comprising a support column and one or more tethers supported by the support column and configurable so that at least one tether is configured to move its supported cable in the same or opposite direction as the test head moves at a rate that is a constant multiplied by the test heads rate of motion where the constant may be greater than, equal to, or less than one.