Slider test socket

Abstract

An apparatus includes a slider test socket. The slider test socket includes a clamp, which includes a body, a handle having an opening, and a plurality of arms that extend between the body at a first end of the clamp and the handle at a second end of the clamp.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a slider test socket including a clamp that includes:
 a body, 
 a handle having an opening, and 
 a plurality of arms extending between the body at a first end of the clamp and the handle at a second end of the clamp. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of arms extend around the body. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the clamp further includes a shelf, and wherein the plurality of arms extends around the shelf. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of arms includes a first pair of arms and a second pair of arms that extends around opposite sides of the body. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of arms includes a first trio of arms and a second trio of arms that extends around opposite sides of the body. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of arms includes a curved section between the first end and the second end of the clamp. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the handle is coupled to a contact feature that extends towards the body. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of arms are configured to deform when the handle is pulled. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the clamp forms a unitary structure. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the slider test socket further includes an electrical connector. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a test deck including the slider test socket.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the test deck includes an access window. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the access window includes a door configured to be opened to permit a slider to be inserted into or removed from the test deck. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a test rack, a loader assembly, a testing assembly, and an exchange assembly.   
     
     
         15 . An apparatus comprising:
 a slider test socket including:
 a body coupled to an electrical connector, the body extending along a first plane, and 
 a deflectable arm extending from the body along the first plane, wherein the arm is configured to deflect to receive a slider and to retract to clamp the slider. 
   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the deflectable arm includes a contact feature that extends towards the body. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the deflectable arm is shaped such that the contact feature moves along a straight line when the deflectable arm is deflected. 
     
     
         18 . A method for use with a slider test socket having a clamp with a body, handle with an opening and coupled to a contact feature, and a plurality of arms extending between the body at a first end of the clamp and the handle at a second end of the clamp, the method comprising:
 exerting a first force in a first direction on the handle to deflect the plurality of arms in the first direction;   placing a slider between the contact feature and the body; and   releasing the first force on the handle such that the slider is clamped between the contact feature and the body.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the contact feature moves along a straight line as the handle is pulled. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 after releasing the first force, releasing a second force applied against an electrical connector coupled to the clamp such that the electrical connector is electrically coupled to the slider after the slider is clamped between the body and the contact feature.