Patent ID: 6572388
Filing Date: 2003-06-03
Classification: G01R,H01R,H05K

Abstract:
A socket for testing an integrated circuit, the integrated circuit including a plurality of contact pins for electrically connecting leads of the integrated circuit to terminals of a PCB spaced from the leads of the integrated circuit, the socket comprising:a contact pin housing installed on said PCB for mounting said integrated circuit, said contact pin housing having a flat top surface and a flat bottom surface and a plurality of slots formed in the top and bottom surfaces, wherein said slots are a uniform size and are formed in locations corresponding to the contact pins of the integrated circuit, such that each contact pin is accommodated by a corresponding slot, said top and bottom surfaces of the contact pin housing being intersected by the slots from the top surface to the bottom surface; a first channel and a second channel spaced at a predetermined interval in a side wall of each of said slots, such that an axis of said first and second channels is perpendicular to the side wall of said slots, said first and second channels defining identical recesses on the bottom surface of the contact pin housing, said second channel being formed slightly deeper than said first channel; a first elastic member and a second elastic member respectively installed within said first channel and said second channel; wherein said contact pins are made of a thin, flat metal piece, a side of said contact pins being generally â€œWâ€  shaped, such that each of said contact pins engages with said first and second elastic members, and each of said contact pins includes a first contact portion protruding over the top surface of said contact pin housing for making contact with a lead of said integrated circuit and a second contact portion for making contact with one of said terminals of said PCB.