Contact for a ZIF PGA socket

Electrical connectors – With coupling movement-actuating means or retaining means in... – Including compound movement of coupling part

Reexamination Certificate

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Details

C439S259000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06299470

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention generally relates to a contact for use in a zero insertion force (ZIF) pin grid array (PGA) socket, and particularly to a contact which provides maximized ZIF space and enhanced normal force for a complementary pin of a PGA device.
2. Related Art
Sockets are generally mounted on circuit boards for reception of electronic devices therein. The electronic devices electrically communicate with circuit traces on the circuit board via the sockets. During initial insertion of a pin grid array (PGA) device into a PGA socket, zero insertion force (ZIF) is desired to minimize the risk of damage to the device or the socket.
Contacts of a ZIF PGA socket are generally of two kinds. One kind has a double-beam structure, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,213,530 and 5,123,855. That is, a pin of a PGA device is sandwiched between double beams of a corresponding contact of a socket, for establishing electrical and mechanical engagement therebetween. The other kind has a single-beam structure, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,052,101 and 5,489,218. That is, a pin of a PGA device is sandwiched between a single beam of a corresponding contact of a socket and a sidewall of the socket, for establishing electrical and mechanical engagement therebetween.
A single-beam contact generally occupies less space within a socket than a comparable double-beam contact. Thus a single-beam contact can provide increased density of contacts within a socket. When more contacts can be provided within a given space, improved high speed and high frequency signal transmission can be attained.
However, conventional single-beam contacts do not have enough elasticity to reliably maintain connection with pins of PGA devices after prolonged periods of use.
An improved contact for a ZIF PGA socket is desired to overcome the above-mentioned problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A main object of the present invention is to provide a ZIF PGA socket contact which applies sufficient normal force to a complementary pin of a PGA device for maintaining reliable connection therebetween.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a contact occupying minimal space within a ZIF PGA socket, thus allowing free insertion of the complementary pin therein.
A contact in accordance with the present invention for a ZIF PGA socket includes a horizontal single-beam contact portion and an elongated mounting portion depending from a middle of the contact portion. The mounting portion includes a fixing portion for fixing the contact to the socket, a leg depending from an end of the fixing portion for extending through the socket and electrically communicating with a circuit board, and a neck integrally connecting the contact portion and the fixing portion. The neck is substantially narrower than the fixing portion and the contact portion, thus allowing the contact portion to twist about a central vertical axis of the contact and to be displaced relative to the fixing portion. The contact portion can thereby rotatably contact and resiliently press against a corresponding pin of a mating PGA device.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will be drawn from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention with reference to the attached drawings, in which:


REFERENCES:
patent: 6086401 (2000-07-01), Hsiung et al.

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