Patent ID: 6937045
Filing Date: 2005-08-30
Classification: G01R

Abstract:
1. A connector assembly for forming a plurality of shielded electrical connections between an integrated circuit package and a printed circuit board, said connector assembly comprising: a conductive substrate having opposed top and bottom surfaces and a plurality of annular through holes extending between said top and bottom surfaces; a non-conductive, cylindrical housing disposed in each said through hole, each said housing being of a length corresponding to the length of the annular through hole and having a restricted opening of smaller diameter than the diameter of the cylindrical housing at the top end thereof; a plurality of resilient electrical probes corresponding to said plurality of through holes, each said electrical probe being formed from an elongated contact and a helical spring, each electrical probe being disposed within each said cylindrical housing; each said elongated contact having an intermediate enlarged diameter collar disposed within said cylindrical housing, with a first end of said elongated contact extending through said restricted opening and beyond the top surface of said housing and the substrate, while the second end of said electrical contact is disposed within the housing, said elongated helical spring being disposed about said elongated contact and having an upper portion, an intermediate portion, and a lower portion, said upper spring portion bearing against one side of said enlarged diameter collar, said intermediate spring portion being wholly disposed within said housing and being of a diameter greater than the diameter of said second end of the elongated contact, and said lower spring portion being tightly wound such that the coils are contiguous, said lower spring portion being of a diameter smaller than the diameter at the bottom end of said housing so as to extend beyond said bottom end and the bottom surface of said substrate for connection to a printed circuit board; and a restraining ring disposed in said housing at the bottom end thereof for retaining and centering the electrical probe within the housing whereby, in the operative position of the electrical probe, the collar of said elongated contact bears against the upper portion of said spring resulting in tilting of said elongated contact such that the second end thereof makes electrical contact with said lower spring portion.