Terminal for an LGA socket

Details Terminal for an LGA socket Terminal for an LGA socket

1999-06-17

2001-05-08

Abrams, Neil (Department: 2839)

Electrical connectors

Preformed panel circuit arrangement, e.g., pcb, icm, dip,...

With provision to conduct electricity from panel circuit to...

C439S515000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06227869

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an LGA socket, and particularly to a low profile LGA socket for reliably connecting a first printed circuit board and a second printed circuit board.
Personal computers, especially notebook computers, become increasingly compact and multifunctional. The components assembled therein, such as terminals for connecting a first circuit board and a second circuit board must be reliable and have a reduced dimension. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,308,252 and 5,653,598 disclose pertinent terminal configurations. Each conventional terminal is received in a socket and has two spring arms projecting beyond an insulative housing of the socket for contacting corresponding portions of a first circuit board and a second circuit board, respectively. However, the terminals are retained at only one point of the socket and lack an adjustable height. Thus, the terminal is unreliable and susceptible to mechanical forces which may adversely affect signal transmission through the socket.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, a first object of the present invention is to provide an LGA socket having terminals which each have a short electrical path thereby reducing self-inductance effects.
A second object of the present invention is to provide an LGA socket having a limited height.
A third object of the present invention is to provide an LGA socket which has a plurality of terminals reliably retained therein.
A fourth object of the present invention is to provide an LGA socket including a plurality of terminals having an adjustable height.
To fully accomplish the above-mentioned objects, an LGA socket of the present invention comprises an insulative housing defining a plurality of passageways therethrough and a corresponding number of terminals retained therein. Each terminal forms upper and lower spring arms partially extending beyond the corresponding passageway, a curved linking portion for connecting the upper and lower arms, and a securing arm extending upward from the lower arm towards the upper arm. Retaining means is formed on the securing arm for securing the terminal in the corresponding passageway. The retaining means comprises locking barbs formed on at least one side of the securing arm. In assembly, the upper and lower arms engage electrical pads formed on a first circuit board and a second circuit board, respectively. The upper arm is then deformed to contact the securing arm thereby providing a short electrical path therethrough for reducing self-inductance effects. Alternatively, the retaining means is a combination of a first projection extending from a recess of the securing arm and a second projection stamped from the securing arm. The first and second projections are adapted to abut against a protrusion projecting from an inner side of the passageway.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4655519 (1987-04-01), Evans et al.
patent: 4906194 (1990-03-01), Grabbe
patent: 5308252 (1994-05-01), Mroczkowski
patent: 5653598 (1997-08-01), Grabbe
patent: 5655913 (1997-08-01), Castaneda et al.
patent: 5746607 (1998-05-01), Bricaud et al.
patent: 5957703 (1999-09-01), Arai et al.
patent: 5984693 (1999-11-01), McHugh et al.

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