Abstract:
In some embodiments, a retractable ledge socket is presented. In this regard, a socket ledge is introduced to receive a processor, and to reposition to allow the processor to contact socket connections. Other embodiments are also disclosed and claimed.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to the field of sockets, and, more particularly to a retractable ledge socket. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   In computing devices, processors are generally placed by hand in sockets which are soldered onto a substrate. In some cases, a person who places a processor in a socket incorrectly or with too much force can cause damage to the processor package or the socket connections that may require the processor or motherboard to be replaced. Damage to processors and sockets can be costly and time consuming to a computer manufacturing operation. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements, and in which: 
       FIGS. 1A–1C  are cross-sectional views of an example retractable ledge socket, in accordance with one example embodiment of the invention; 
       FIGS. 2A–2C  are cross-sectional views of an example retractable ledge socket, in accordance with one example embodiment of the invention; 
       FIGS. 3A–3C  are cross-sectional views of an example retractable ledge socket, in accordance with one example embodiment of the invention; and 
       FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of an example electronic appliance incorporating a retractable ledge socket, in accordance with one example embodiment of the invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that embodiments of the invention can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the invention. 
   Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. 
     FIGS. 1A–1C  are cross-sectional views of an example retractable ledge socket, in accordance with one example embodiment of the invention. In accordance with the illustrated example embodiment, processor socket  100  may include socket body  102 , substrate  104 , socket connections  106 , processor package  108 , processor  110 , processor contacts  112 , vertical space  114 , socket ledge  116 , and socket lever  118  coupled as shown in  FIG. 1A . 
   Socket body  102  is usually made of plastic and provides the structural support and protection for internal mechanisms of the socket, for example socket connections  106 . 
   Substrate  104  is typically a fiberglass board that includes embedded interconnections to connect components, for example to connect the processor socket with a chipset. In one embodiment, substrate  104  is a system motherboard. 
   Socket connections  106 , when in contact with processor contacts  112 , electrically couple processor  110  to signals embedded in substrate  104 . While shown as being vertically aligned, socket connections  106  may diverge within socket body  102  and couple with substrate  104  at point not directly below processor contacts  112 . 
   Processor package  108 , which is coupled with processor  110 , provides stability and protection for processor contacts  112 . 
   Processor  110  may represent any of a wide variety of control logic including, but not limited to one or more of a microprocessor, a programmable logic device (PLD), programmable logic array (PLA), application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a microcontroller, and the like, although the present invention is not limited in this respect. 
   Processor contacts  112  are the electrical and logical inputs and outputs of processor  110  that enable its functionality. In one embodiment, processor contacts  112  are land grid array (LGA) metal connections. 
   Vertical space  114  is the distance processor contacts  112  are suspended above socket connections  106 . Vertical space  114  provides a buffer to protect processor contacts  112  and socket connections  106  from damage by manual insertion of the processor. 
   Socket ledge  116  is the mechanical means for suspending processor package  108  above socket connections  106 . In one embodiment, socket ledge  116  is designed so that it guides insertion of the processor and only contacts the outside edges on the bottom of processor package  108 . Socket ledge  116  is also capable of being repositioned as described hereinafter. 
   Socket lever  118  is mechanically coupled to socket ledge  116  and provides a means for repositioning socket ledge  116 . Socket lever  118  may include an arm, a spring-loaded switch, or any other known mechanism for affecting the position of socket ledge  116 . 
     FIG. 1B  depicts the repositioning of socket ledge  116 . In one embodiment, socket lever  118  is actuated and mechanically repositions socket ledge  116 . As depicted, socket ledge  116  moves outward causing processor package  108  to drop down and allowing processor contacts  112  to couple with socket connections  106 . 
     FIG. 1C  depicts an example of further repositioning of socket ledge  116 . Socket lever  118  may be moved into a third position, although it may also be returned to the previous position, causing socket ledge  116  to reposition and contact the top surface of processor package  108 , thereby holding processor package  108  in place. 
     FIGS. 2A–2C  are cross-sectional views of an example retractable ledge socket, in accordance with one example embodiment of the invention. In accordance with the illustrated example embodiment, processor socket  200  may include socket body  202 , substrate  204 , socket connections  206 , processor package  208 , processor  210 , processor contacts  212 , vertical space  214 , socket ledge  216 , socket lid  218 , and socket lever  220  coupled as shown in  FIG. 2A   
     FIG. 2B  depicts the repositioning of socket ledge  216  and socket lid  218 . A mechanical input to socket lever  220  causes socket ledge  216  to move downward and socket lid  218  to move inward. In this way, processor contacts  212  are lowered through the vertical space  214  until they contact socket connections  206 . 
     FIG. 2C  depicts an example of further repositioning of socket ledge  216  and socket lid  218 . Further manipulation of socket lever  220  causes socket lid  218  to move inward over the top surface of processor package  208 , helping to hold processor package  208  in place. It should be noted that moving socket lever  220  in the opposite direction would have the effect of moving socket lid  218  outward and moving socket ledge  216  upward, thereby removing processor contacts  212  from contact with socket connections  206 . 
     FIGS. 3A–3C  are cross-sectional views of an example retractable ledge socket, in accordance with one example embodiment of the invention. In accordance with the illustrated example embodiment, processor socket  300  may include socket body  302 , substrate  304 , socket connections  306 , processor package  308 , processor  310 , processor contacts  312 , vertical space  314 , socket ledge  316 , and socket lever  318  coupled as shown in  FIG. 3A . 
     FIG. 3B  depicts the repositioning of socket ledge  316 . In this example embodiment, a user input to socket lever  318  causes, through mechanical coupling not shown, socket ledge  316  to rotate downward and outward, which causes processor package  308  to drop down onto socket connections  306 . 
     FIG. 3C  depicts an example of further repositioning of socket ledge  316 . Further manipulation of socket lever  318  causes socket ledge  316  to complete the rotation and contact the top surface of processor package  308 , thereby helping to hold it in place. It should be noted that moving socket lever  318  in the opposite direction would cause socket ledge  316  to rotate in the opposite direction and thereby lift processor package  308  up away from socket connections  306 . 
     FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of an example electronic appliance incorporating a retractable ledge socket, in accordance with one example embodiment of the invention. Electronic appliance  400  is intended to represent any of a wide variety of traditional and non-traditional electronic appliances, laptops, desktops, cell phones, wireless communication subscriber units, wireless communication telephony infrastructure elements, personal digital assistants, set-top boxes, or any electric appliance that would benefit from the teachings of the present invention. In accordance with the illustrated example embodiment, electronic appliance  400  may include substrate  402 , processor socket  404 , socket connections  406 , processor  408 , memory socket  410 , memory module  412 , and network controller  414  coupled as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
   Substrate  402  may be a fiberglass motherboard with components soldered to it. For example, socket connections  406 , memory socket  410  and network controller  414  may be soldered to a surface of substrate  402 . Conductive elements, either on a surface of or embedded within substrate  402 , provide the means for electrically coupling the various components with one another. 
   Processor socket  404  may include a retractable socket ledge as depicting in  FIG. 1 ,  2 , or  3 . 
   Processor  408  may have been manufactured by Intel Corporation, and may have been seated in processor socket  404  by a method depicted in  FIG. 1 ,  2 , or  3 . 
   Memory module  412  may represent any type of memory device(s) used to store data and instructions that may have been or will be used by processor  408 . Typically, though the invention is not limited in this respect, memory module  412  will consist of dynamic random access memory (DRAM). In one embodiment, memory module  412  may consist of Rambus DRAM (RDRAM). In another embodiment, memory module  412  may consist of double data rate synchronous DRAM (DDRSDRAM). The present invention, however, is not limited to the examples of memory mentioned here. 
   Network controller  414  may represent any type of device that allows electronic appliance  400  to communicate with other electronic appliances or devices. In one embodiment, network controller  414  may comply with a The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE) 802.11b standard (approved Sep. 16, 1999, supplement to ANSI/IEEE Std 802.11, 1999 Edition). In another embodiment, network controller  414  may be an Ethernet network interface card. 
   Many of the methods are described in their most basic form but operations can be added to or deleted from any of the methods and information can be added or subtracted from any of the described messages without departing from the basic scope of the present invention. Any number of variations of the inventive concept is anticipated within the scope and spirit of the present invention. In this regard, the particular illustrated example embodiments are not provided to limit the invention but merely to illustrate it. Thus, the scope of the present invention is not to be determined by the specific examples provided above but only by the plain language of the following claims.