Electrical connectors – Preformed panel circuit arrangement – e.g. – pcb – icm – dip,... – With provision to conduct electricity from panel circuit to...
Reexamination Certificate
2003-04-03
2004-12-07
Ta, Tho D. (Department: 2833)
Electrical connectors
Preformed panel circuit arrangement, e.g., pcb, icm, dip,...
With provision to conduct electricity from panel circuit to...
C439S331000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06827587
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electrical connector assembly used for electrically connecting a land grid array (LGA) integrated circuit (IC) module to a printed circuit board (PCB).
2. Description of the Prior Art
An electrical connector assembly used for electrically connecting an LGA IC module to a PCB is widely applied in the field of electronics, and a correlative article is found in
Nonlinear Analysis Helps Design LGA Connectors
(Connector Specifier, February 2001). A conventional electrical connector assembly of this kind comprises a base, a frame assembled with the base, and a fixing member. Said fixing member defines an actuator and an operation handle vertically extending from the actuator. The actuator defines two pivot portions and an action portion connecting between the two pivot portions. Two pivot holes are defined in one side of the base, the pivot holes being adapted to cooperate with the two pivot portions of the actuator. Examples of this kind of electrical connector assembly are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,504,105, 4,621,884, 4,692,790 and 5,344,334.
FIGS. 5 and 6
show a conventional electrical connector assembly
6
comprising a base
63
, a fixing member
62
assembled with the base
63
, and a frame
64
engaged with the base
63
. The frame
64
has a groove
644
, and is pivotably attached to one side of the base
63
. The fixing member
62
is pivotably attached an opposite side of the base
63
. The fixing member
62
comprises an actuator
620
, and an operation handle
622
perpendicularly extending from the actuator
620
. The actuator
620
defines two pivot portions
623
, and an action portion
621
positioned therebetween. Two pivot holes
66
are defined in said opposite side of the base
63
, the pivot holes
66
being adapted to cooperate with the two pivot portions
623
of the actuator
620
. When the electrical connector assembly is used, the frame
64
is actuated to a vertical position, an LGA IC module (not shown) is positioned within the base
63
under the frame
64
, and then the frame
64
is actuated to press on the LGA IC module. Driven by the operation handle
622
, the action portion
621
moves into the groove
644
of the frame
64
and presses the frame
64
onto the IC module. Thus the frame
64
is firmly fastened on the IC module, and the IC module is fixed on the electrical connector assembly reliably. During the course of rotation of the operation handle
622
about an axis defined by the pivot holes
66
, the fixing member
62
may move laterally because of the lack of constraint in the pivot holes
66
. Thus can result in mis-alignment between the action portion
621
and the groove
644
of the frame
64
. When this happens, the LGA IC module is not properly retained in the electrical connector.
Hence, a new electrical connector assembly having a restraining structure is desired to overcome the above-described disadvantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector assembly having an effective orientation structure.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector assembly with reliable and effective performance.
In order to achieve the aforementioned objects, an electrical connector assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a base, a frame assembled on the base, and a fixing member engaged with the base. The base defines two installation portions, each installation portion defining a pivot hole. An orientation portion is formed adjacent one of the installation portions, thereby defining a fastening slot therebetween. The fixing member comprises an actuator lever and a fastening ring having an opening. The actuator lever includes an actuator, and an operation handle perpendicularly extending from the actuator. When the fixing member and the base are assembled together, the actuator is installed into the base via the pivot holes defined in the installation portions of the base, the fastening ring clasps the actuator, and the fastening ring is positioned in the fastening slot. Thus, during the course of rotation of the actuator lever, the fastening ring ensures reliable positioning of the actuator lever relative to the frame.
In an alternative embodiment, the first pivot hole of the first installation portion perforates the first installation portion incompletely, and the fastening ring clasping the actuator is positioned between the first installation portion and the second installation portion, close to a side of the second installation portion.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4504105 (1985-03-01), Barkus et al.
patent: 4621884 (1986-11-01), Berkebile et al.
patent: 4692790 (1987-09-01), Oyamada
patent: 5344334 (1994-09-01), Laub et al.
patent: 6086387 (2000-07-01), Gallagher et al.
patent: 6752636 (2004-06-01), Ma
patent: 6758684 (2004-07-01), Oikawa et al.
patent: 6758691 (2004-07-01), McHugh et al.
patent: 6776625 (2004-08-01), Ma
patent: 2004/0115965 (2004-06-01), Ma
patent: 2004/0142584 (2004-07-01), Ma
patent: 2004/0142585 (2004-07-01), Ma et al.
Chung Wei Te
Hon Hai - Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
Ta Tho D.
Tsukerman Larisa
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