Patent ID: 7210951
Filing Date: 2007-05-01
Classification: G01R,H01R

Abstract:
1. A socket assembly for forming a plurality of electrical connections between a ball grid array package having a plurality of conductive ball leads and an electrical component without the use of a hold down mechanism, the socket assembly comprising: a plurality of resilient electrical contacts, each contact configured as a single member including an upper portion movable from a first position to a second position; a cam having a plurality of openings corresponding to the plurality of electrical contacts and disposed over the electrical contacts, the cam being configured to position the plurality of electrical contacts from the first position to the second position; and a device guide plate disposed over the cam and having a base including a plurality of openings for receiving the plurality of ball leads of the package, each opening of the device guide plate includes a circular inclined surface that tapers outward from an upper surface of the base of the device guide plate to a lower surface of the base of the device guide plate, and wherein the cam positions the plurality of electrical contacts to the second position to allow entry of the ball leads into these openings of the device guide plate and the plurality of electrical contacts bias the cam toward the first position wherein the upper portion of each of the plurality of electrical contacts engages a ball lead along with an inner surface of the opening of the device guild plate.