Zero Insertion Force socket having mechanical fastening device

Details Zero Insertion Force socket having mechanical fastening device Zero Insertion Force socket having mechanical fastening device

2001-12-19

2002-10-29

Vu, Hien (Department: 2833)

Electrical connectors

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

Including compound movement of coupling part

C439S259000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06471536

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a Zero Insertion Force (ZIF) socket, and particularly to a ZIF socket having a fastening device for fastening a cover and a base of the ZIF socket.
2. Description of Prior Art
Referring to
FIGS. 11 and 12
, U.S. Pat. No. 5,722,848 discloses a conventional ZIF socket
3
, a cover
32
of which provides a retention device
321
integrally formed thereon and a base
30
of which provides a restriction device
301
to cooperate with the retention device
321
. Both the retention device
321
and the restriction device
301
are disposed adjacent to a cam shaft
341
of a lever
34
for efficiently fastening the cover
32
and the base
30
. The retention device
321
is configured in an L-shape, and includes a vertical section
322
and a horizontal hook section
323
engaging with a restriction plane
302
of the restriction device
301
to fasten the cover
32
and the base
30
together. However, when the socket
3
is in an open position, the engagement area between the horizontal hook section
323
and the restriction plane
302
is too small to assure a reliable engagement therebetween, thereby resulting in a loose engagement between the cover
32
and the base
30
. Furthermore, even if the engagement between the retention device
321
and the restriction device
301
prevents the cover
321
from disengaging from the base
30
in a vertical direction, the resistance force acting on a neck portion
324
of the retention device
321
may make the hook portion
323
break, thereby resulting in a disengagement between the cover
32
and the base
30
at a rear portion proximate to the lever
34
.
Hence, a ZIF socket having an improved fastening device is required to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One object of the present invention is to provide a ZIF socket with a fastening device which can firmly fasten a cover and a base of the ZIF socket.
The other object of the present invention is to provide a ZIF socket with a fastening device which simplifies manufacturing process and assembling of the ZIF socket.
A ZIF socket in accordance with the present invention includes a base defining a plurality of passageways extending vertically therethrough, a cover slidably attached to the base, a plurality of terminals received in corresponding passageways of the base, a lever assembled between the base and the cover for driving the cover to move along the base, and a fastening device. The fastening device has a securing portion secured to the base, a neck portion and a head portion movably engaging with the cover, thereby fastening the cover and the base together in a vertical direction. The cover defines an elongated hole in a supporting surface thereof for receiving the neck portion therein. The head portion is larger than the width of the elongated hole to abut against the supporting surface. The fastening device can be a nail, a screw, and a round pin. The difference between the three kinds of fastening device is the manner the fastening device being secured to the base. Alternatively, the securing portion of the fastening device could also be secured to the cover, and the neck portion and the head portion movably engage with the base correspondingly, the function of which is unchanged.
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: 5147213 (1992-09-01), Funk et al.
patent: 5254012 (1993-10-01), Wang
patent: 6287137 (2001-09-01), Nada et al.
patent: 6368137 (2002-04-01), Orwell

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