1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a support framework for a flat panel display as represented by a liquid crystal panel which is an object to be tested, or it relates to a support framework for a testing probe block which is subjected to pressure contact with electrode pads which are arranged on a peripheral edge portion of the flat panel display.
2. Related Art
The flat panel display support framework and testing probe block support framework are fabricated of a rectangular framework. As shown in FIGS. 6(A) and 6(B), a front rectangular framework 1, on which testing probe blocks 8 are supported, is disposed on a front side of a rear rectangular framework 1, on which a flat panel display 7 as represented by a liquid crystal is supported. The rear rectangular framework 1 is reciprocally movably disposed on the front rectangular framework 1. The arrangement is such that when the rear rectangular framework 1 is advanced, testing probes 9 of the testing probe blocks 8 are pressure contacted with corresponding electrode pads 10 which are arranged on a peripheral edge portion of the flat panel display 7. When the rear rectangular framework 1 is retracted, replacement of the flat panel display 7 is performed.
It is ordinary practice in the prior art that a rear and a front framework are prepared for each of the flat panel displays which have difference sizes, and a testing probe block is supported thereon.
This is inconvenient, indeed, because it is necessary to prepare a test device having proper front and rear frameworks for each of the flat panel displays which have different sizes. Otherwise, it is necessary to design only the front and rear frameworks replaceable in accordance with the sizes of the flat panel displays. This naturally results in not only increased expenses in installation of the device but also inefficiency of testing operation carried out by a worker(s) who is required to replace heavy frameworks.
It is, therefore, a general object of the present invention to provide a flat panel display support framework or a probe block support framework which can amicably solve the above-mentioned inconveniences which the conventional devices had.
A specific object of the present invention is to provide a flat panel display support framework or a probe block support framework which can appropriately cope with flat panel displays having different sizes in a single test device.
In order to achieve the above objects, there is essentially provided in a first embodiment of the present invention a rectangular support framework for a flat panel display as an object to be tested or a testing probe block. The rectangular support framework comprises an upper cross frame plate which is capable of moving vertically alone with respect to a right vertical frame plate and which is capable of moving vertically in association with vertical movement of a left vertical frame plate, a lower cross frame plate which is capable of moving vertically alone with respect to the left vertical frame plate and which is capable of moving vertically in association with vertical movement of the right vertical frame plate, the left vertical frame plate which is capable of moving laterally alone with respect to the upper cross frame plate and which is capable of moving laterally in association with lateral movement of the lower cross frame plate, and the right vertical frame plate which is capable of moving laterally alone with respect to the lower cross frame plate and which is capable of moving laterally in association with the lateral movement of the upper cross frame plate. The vertical movement and lateral movement of the upper cross frame plates and left and right vertical frame plates enlarge or reduce a window which is defined by the upper and lower cross frame plates and left and right vertical frame plates. The flat panel display or the probe block which is subjected to pressure contact with electrode pads arranged on a peripheral edge portion of the flat panel display is supported on the upper and lower cross frame plates and left and right vertical frame plates which define the enlarged or reduced window.
In the first embodiment, the upper cross frame plate and the right vertical frame plate are connected such that the upper cross frame plate is capable of moving vertically alone and the upper cross frame plate and right vertical frame plate are capable of moving laterally in association with each other, the left vertical frame plate and the upper cross frame plate are connected such that the left vertical frame plate is capable of moving laterally alone and the left vertical frame plate and upper cross frame plate are capable of moving vertically in association with each other, the lower cross frame plate and the left vertical frame plate are connected such that the lower cross frame plate is capable of moving vertically alone and the lower cross frame plate and left vertical frame plate are capable of moving laterally in association with each other, and the right vertical frame plate and the lower cross are connected such that the right vertical frame plate is capable of moving laterally alone and the right vertical frame plate and lower cross frame plate are capable of moving vertically in association with each other.
In a second embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a rectangular support framework for a flat panel display as an object to be tested or a testing probe block. The rectangular support framework comprises an upper cross frame plate which is capable of moving vertically alone with respect to a left vertical frame plate and which is capable of moving vertically in association with vertical movement of a right vertical frame plate, a lower cross frame plate which is capable of moving vertically alone with respect to the right vertical frame plate and which is capable of moving vertically in association with vertical movement of the left vertical frame plate, the left vertical frame plate which is capable of moving laterally alone with respect to the lower cross frame plate and which is capable of moving laterally in association with lateral movement of the upper cross frame plate, and the right vertical frame plate which is capable of moving laterally alone with respect to the upper cross frame plate and which is capable of moving laterally in association with lateral movement of the lower cross frame. The vertical movement and lateral movement of the upper and lower cross frame plates and left and right vertical frame plates enlarge or reduce a window which is defined by the upper and lower cross frame plates and left and right vertical frame plates. The flat panel display or the probe block which is subjected to pressure contact with electrode pads arranged on a peripheral edge portion of the flat panel display is supported on the upper and lower cross frame plates and left and right vertical frame plates which define the enlarged or reduced window.
In the second embodiment the upper cross frame plate and the left vertical frame plate are connected such that the upper cross frame plate is capable of moving vertically alone and the upper cross frame plate and left vertical frame plate are capable of moving laterally in association with each other, the right vertical frame plate and the upper cross frame plate are connected such that the right vertical frame plate is capable of moving laterally alone and the right vertical frame plate and upper cross frame plate are capable of moving vertically in association with each other, the lower cross frame plate and the right vertical frame plate are connected such that the lower cross frame plate is capable of moving vertically alone and the lower cross frame plate and right vertical frame plate are capable of moving laterally in association with each other, and the left vertical frame plate and the lower cross frame plate are connected such that the left vertical frame plate is capable of moving laterally alone and the left vertical frame plate and lower cross frame plate are capable of moving vertically in association with each other.
The several features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art by reference to the detailed description which follows taken in conjunction with the several figures of the drawing.