Electrical socket

Details Electrical socket Electrical socket

2000-02-18

2001-10-02

Paumen, Gary F. (Department: 2833)

Electrical connectors

With coupling movement-actuating means or retaining means in...

Including compound movement of coupling part

Reexamination Certificate

active

06296507

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electrical socket, and particularly to a ZIF (Zero Insertion Force) mobile socket for use with a PGA (Pin Grid Array) chip.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A ZIF socket is often used to mount a PGA chip onto a printed circuit board (PCB). One example of such connectors comprises a base, a cover mounted onto the base, a plurality of electrical contacts received in the base, and an actuation mechanism including a plastic ring and a metallic cam actuator. The cover is actuated to slide on the base by rotation of the metallic cam actuator in the plastic ring, thereby causing the pins of the PGA chip mounted on the cover to engage with/disengage from the contacts in the base. The ring is assembled in the cover of the socket by loosely fitting, interferentially fitting, or by being adhesively bound into a hole in the cover. The connection between the ring and the cover is easily broken during operation of the socket, thereby causing malfunction of the socket. Further, the plastic ring is apt to be worn out by the rotation of the metallic cam actuator therein, resulting in a shortened life thereof, and in turn a shortened life of the socket.
Therefore, an improved ring is desired to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The major object of the present invention is to provide a ZIF PGA socket having a ring which has a reliable connection with the cover of the socket and has a lengthened life.
An electrical socket in accordance with the present invention comprises a base, a cover slidably mounted onto the base, a metallic ring insert molded in the cover, a cam actuator partially received in the ring, a plurality of electrical contacts received in the base, and a washer. The base comprises a first flange located at a corner thereof, the first flange defining an elongated square hole extending through the base. A plurality of passageways is defined in the base, each passageway accommodating one of the electrical contacts. The cover defines a plurality of passages corresponding to the passageways of the base into which pins of a PGA package mounted on the cover fit. The cover also forms a corresponding second flange which cooperates with the first flange, and the second flange defines an aperture therethrough in alignment with the elongated square hole of the base. The metallic ring includes a smooth, annular inner surface for engaging with the cam actuator, and an angular outer contour allowing it to provide a more reliable retention within the aperture after being insert molded in the aperture of the second flange. The metallic ring comprises an upper circular stop wall, a support portion, and a bottom portion. The cam actuator comprises an upper disk, a lower disk and a lower cam block. The coincident rotation axes of the upper disk and lower disk are offset from the rotation axis of the lower cam block. The lower disk is received in the ring while the upper disk is supported by the support portion of the ring. The cam block of the cam actuator extends through the elongated square hole of the first flange and comprises a riveting end which is riveted to the base by the washer. The cam actuator rotates in the ring when an external torsional force is exerted thereon, such as that provided by a tool fitted into an elongated groove defined in the top of the upper disk. Rotation of the cam actuator causes the cover to slide on the base, mating or unmating pins of a PGA package on the cover with the contacts of the base.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present embodiment when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4420205 (1983-12-01), McHugh et al.
patent: 4538870 (1985-09-01), Thewlis
patent: 5707247 (1998-01-01), Konstad
patent: 5855489 (1999-01-01), Walker
patent: 6071140 (2000-06-01), McHugh et al.

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