Patent Abstract:
The socket releasably couples a packaged integrated circuit to a circuit board. The socket includes a clamp, a latch, and an array interconnect. The clamp is configured to be pivotally coupled to a circuit board. The latch is configured to be coupled to the circuit board and configured to releasably hold the clamp in a predetermined position. The array interconnect configured to be coupled to the printed circuit board. In use the latch releasably holds the hinged clamp in the predetermined position to clamp both a packaged integrated circuit between the clamp and the array interconnect, and the array interconnect between the packaged integrated circuit and the circuit board.

Full Description:
[0001]     This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/961,114, filed Sep. 20, 2001, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/468,247, filed Dec. 20, 1999, which is now U.S. Pat. No. 6,352,435, and that U.S. Pat. No. 6,352,435 is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/887,567, filed on Jul. 3, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,007,357, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/452,120, filed on May 26, 1995 now abandoned, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates generally to the field of chip connectors. More particularly, the present invention relates to the field of chip connectors for mounting chips on circuit boards.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     A semiconductor device is typically packaged as a chip and mounted on a circuit board to mechanically and electrically connect the semiconductor device to the circuit board. This allows semiconductor device to be electrically connected to various other electrical devices within a digital data processing system.  
         [0004]     One known package type is a surface vertical package (“SVP”), which provides for the edge-mounting of chips to circuit boards. The semiconductor device is packaged in a relatively flat package such that the leads that provide for electrical connections to the semiconductor device are positioned on one edge of the chip. Each lead of the SVP chip may be soldered to a respective solder pad on a circuit board to mechanically and electrically connect the semiconductor device to the circuit board. The leads of the SVP chip are bent substantially perpendicular relative to the SVP package so that the SVP chip may be placed upright over the circuit board in soldering each lead to its respective solder pad. The SVP chip may have at its bottom edge supporting pins, for example, to help the SVP chip stand upright in soldering the SVP chip to the circuit board.  
         [0005]     In soldering the SVP chip to the circuit board the SVP chip may nevertheless fall over, for example by the mechanical movement of the circuit board through a solder oven, and thus have to be resoldered to the circuit board. Even after soldering the SVP chip to the circuit board, the electrical connection between the SVP chip and the circuit board must be tested to ensure that each lead of the SVP chip has been properly aligned with and soldered to its respective solder pad on the circuit board. If the SVP chip has not been suitably soldered to the circuit board, the SVP chip must be resoldered.  
         [0006]     Furthermore, the solder connection between the SVP chip and the circuit board may deteriorate during the life of the circuit board, for example by being subjected to various mechanical stresses. Typical users may not have the equipment or know-how to resolder a SVP chip to the circuit board and subsequently test the resulting electrical connection. Thus, a user could be inconvenienced and subjected to the cost of having to replace the circuit board or having someone else resolder a SVP chip to the circuit board.  
         [0007]     Another known package type is a surface horizontal package (“SHP”), which provides for the horizontal mounting of an integrated circuit chip to the circuit board. The integrated circuit is mounted inside a thin plastic package of the SHP and connected to metal leads residing on one of the four of the thin sides of the plastic package of the SHP. The SHP chip has pins on an opposite side of the plastic package for aligning and mounting the chip. The metal leads of the SHP are soldered to metallic lines on a circuit board.  
         [0008]     The connection of an SHP chip to a circuit board shares some of the same problems as the connection of an SVP chip to a circuit board. Leads of the SHP can be difficult to properly solder. The electrical connection with respect to the soldered leads must be tested, and an SHP must be resoldered if the solder connection is defective. Moreover, even good soldered leads of the SHP can deteriorate over time.  
         [0009]     Users of computers or other electrical systems are typically unable to expand the functionality of the system with the granularity of a single soldered SVP chip or soldered SHP chip in a relatively easy manner. Typical digital data processing systems with soldered SVP or SHP chips on circuit boards provide for user-expansion capabilities with the granularity of a circuit board, rather than of a chip. Only by adding, removing, or replacing an entire circuit board can the user easily add or remove the functionality of a single chip.  
       SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]     One object of the present invention is to provide for the mechanical and electrical connection of a chip to a circuit board without requiring that the chip be soldered to the circuit board.  
         [0011]     Another object of the present invention is to provide for the capability for users to mechanically and electrically couple chips to a circuit board with relative ease.  
         [0012]     Another object of the present invention is to provide for the capability for users to remove chips from a circuit board with relative ease.  
         [0013]     Another object of the present invention is to provide for the capability for users to replace chips mechanically and electrically coupled to a circuit board in a relatively easy manner.  
         [0014]     Another object of the present invention is to provide for the capability for users to expand the functionality of a system with the granularity of a single chip in a relatively easy manner.  
         [0015]     Another object of the present invention is to provide for a relatively low inductance connection in mechanically and electrically coupling chips to a circuit board.  
         [0016]     A chip socket assembly is described. The chip socket assembly comprises a base having a top, a bottom, and a connector. The base defines a slot for receiving at the top of the base an edge of a chip and for guiding the edge of the chip to the bottom of the base. The chip socket assembly also comprises a clip configured to mate with the connector of the base for retaining the chip in the base when mating with the connector of the base.  
         [0017]     A system is described that comprises a circuit board having a surface and having a bus on the surface and a base coupled to the surface of the circuit board over the bus. The base has a top and a bottom, and the base defines a slot over the bus for receiving at the top of the base an edge of a chip and for guiding the edge of the chip to the bottom of the base and over the bus.  
         [0018]     A chip file assembly is described that comprises a base having a top, a bottom, and a plurality of connectors. The base defines a plurality of slots for receiving at the top of the base edges of a plurality of chips and for guiding the edges of the chips to the bottom of the base. The chip file assembly also comprises a plurality of clips configured to mate with the connectors of the base for retaining the chips in the base when mating with the connectors of the base.  
         [0019]     Another system is described that comprises a circuit board having a surface and having at least one bus on the surface and a base coupled to the surface of the circuit board over the at least one bus. The base has a top and a bottom, and the base defines a plurality of slots over the at least one bus for receiving at the top of the base edges of a plurality of chips and for guiding the edges of the chips to the bottom of the base and over the at least one bus.  
         [0020]     Another chip socket assembly is described that comprises a base having a top and a bottom. The base defines a slot for receiving at the top of the base an edge of a chip and for guiding the edge of the chip to the bottom of the base. The base has a clip portion configured to mate with the chip for retaining the chip in the base when the chip is placed in the slot of the base.  
         [0021]     A chip package is described. The chip package includes packaging material that contains an integrated circuit. The packaging material has a bottom-facing housing that extends laterally from the packaging material. A lead extends from a bottom of the packaging material. The lead has a substantially C-shaped form. An end of the lead resides within the housing when the lead is compressed.  
         [0022]     An assembly is also described. The assembly includes a horizontal chip package, a socket, and a frame. The horizontal chip package includes a member on a side of the horizontal chip package. The socket receives the horizontal chip package. The socket is coupled to a circuit board having a first conductive region. The socket includes a guiding surface for guiding the member of the horizontal chip package in an angled downward direction. The frame is configured to mate with the socket to secure the horizontal chip package in the socket. A lead of the horizontal chip package is electrically coupled to the first conductive region of the circuit board when the frame secures the horizontal chip package in the socket.  
         [0023]     Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and from the detailed description that follows below. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0024]     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:  
         [0025]      FIG. 1  is a front view of a chip having a surface vertical package (SVP);  
         [0026]      FIG. 2  is a bottom view of the chip of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0027]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a system having the chip of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0028]      FIG. 4  is an exploded, perspective view of one chip socket assembly;  
         [0029]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the chip socket assembly of  FIG. 4  mechanically and electrically coupling a chip to a circuit board;  
         [0030]      FIG. 6  is a top view of the chip socket assembly of  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0031]      FIG. 7  is a bottom view of the chip socket assembly of  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0032]      FIG. 8  is an exploded, perspective view of another chip socket assembly;  
         [0033]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the chip socket assembly of  FIG. 8  mechanically and electrically coupling a chip to a circuit board;  
         [0034]      FIG. 10  is a top view of the chip socket assembly of  FIG. 9 ;  
         [0035]      FIG. 11  is a bottom view of the chip socket assembly of  FIG. 9 ;  
         [0036]      FIG. 12  is an exploded, perspective view of a chip file assembly;  
         [0037]      FIG. 13  is another perspective view of the chip file assembly of  FIG. 12 ;  
         [0038]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a chip file assembly mechanically and electrically coupling two chips to a circuit board;  
         [0039]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a chip file assembly mechanically and electrically coupling six chips to a circuit board;  
         [0040]      FIG. 16  is an inner side view of the chip file assembly of  FIG. 12 ;  
         [0041]      FIG. 17  is an outer side view of the chip file assembly of  FIG. 12 ;  
         [0042]      FIG. 18  is a view of a chip socket assembly with a chip with side tabs;  
         [0043]      FIG. 19  shows a vertical chip with side clips;  
         [0044]      FIG. 20  is a side view of an edge-mountable chip with C-shaped compressible leads before compression;  
         [0045]      FIG. 21  is a side view of an edge-mountable chip with C-shaped compressible leads after compression;  
         [0046]      FIG. 22  is a side view of an edge-mountable chip with C-shaped compressible leads with an elastomer center before compression;  
         [0047]      FIG. 23  is a side view of an edge-mountable chip with C-shaped compressible leads with an elastomer center after compression;  
         [0048]      FIG. 24  is a side view of a circuit board with a wrap-around connector coupled to a motherboard;  
         [0049]      FIG. 25  is an exploded view of wrap-around connector and a lower portion of the circuit board;  
         [0050]      FIG. 26  shows a metal lead frame and connection pads of a circuit board;  
         [0051]      FIG. 27  shows the metal lead frame after being cut, with the leads being soldered to the connection pads of the circuit board of  FIG. 26 ;  
         [0052]      FIG. 28  shows a vertically-mounted chip package with a ribbon connector connected to the upper portion of the chip package;  
         [0053]      FIG. 29  shows a cam follower and leads of a vertical chip package;  
         [0054]      FIG. 30  shows a slot molded into a chip file base;  
         [0055]      FIG. 31  shows a sliding card guide over a chip file base;  
         [0056]      FIG. 32  shows a horizontal chip package with side wedges, together with a socket and frame for receiving the horizontal chip package;  
         [0057]      FIG. 33  is a side view of the horizontal chip package and a side cut-away view of the socket and frame shown in  FIG. 32 ;  
         [0058]      FIG. 34  is a side view of the horizontal chip package inserted in the socket and frame shown in  FIG. 33 ;  
         [0059]      FIG. 35  is a perspective view of a socket with a lever and clamp;  
         [0060]      FIG. 36  is a side cut-away view of the socket of  FIG. 35  with a horizontal chip package secured in the socket;  
         [0061]      FIG. 37  is a side view of a clip with a perpendicular member that secures a horizontal chip package; and  
         [0062]      FIG. 38  is a side view of a planar clip secured by a tab in a base, together with a horizontal chip package that is secured by the clip. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0063]     The following detailed description sets forth embodiments of chip socket assemblies and chip file assemblies for semiconductor chips.  
         [0064]      FIG. 1  illustrates a front view of prior art chip  100 . Chip  100  has a top  101 , a bottom  102  opposite top  101 , a left side  103 , a right side  104  opposite left side  103 , a front  105 , and a rear  106  opposite front  105 .  FIG. 2  illustrates a bottom view of prior art chip  100 .  
         [0065]     Chip  100  is an edge-mountable chip and has an electrical device packaged in a surface vertical package (“SVP”)  110  that is approximately 433 mils in height from top  101  to bottom  102 , approximately 984 mils in width from left side  103  to right side  104 , and approximately 47 mils in thickness from front  105  to rear  106 .  
         [0066]     Chip  100  includes thirty-two leads  112  that provide for an electrical connection to an electrical device packaged in chip  100 . Leads  112  are each approximately 13 mils in width from left to right, and the centers of leads  112  are spaced approximately 26 mils away from each other. The centers of the first and last of leads  112  are each at a maximum distance of approximately 102 mils from left side  103  and right side  104 , respectively. The centers of the first and last of leads  112  are approximately 793 mils apart from one another. Leads  112  each extend approximately 20 mils downward from bottom  102  and are bent substantially perpendicular to extend approximately 30 mils toward front  105 .  
         [0067]     Chip  100  further includes four support pins  114 ,  115 ,  116 , and  117  to help support chip  100  in standing upright on bottom  102 . Each support pin  114 - 117  is approximately 20 mils in width and extends approximately 20 mils downward from bottom  102 . The center of support pin  114  is located approximately 35 mils to the left of the right edge of support pin  115 . Support pin  115  is located to the left of leads  112 . Support pin  114  is bent substantially perpendicular to extend toward front  105 . Support pin  115  is bent substantially perpendicular to extend toward rear  106 . Support pins  114  and  115  together span a maximum distance of approximately 150 mils from front  105  to rear  106 . The center of support pin  117  is located approximately 35 mils to the right of the left edge of support pin  116 . Support pin  116  is located to the right of leads  112 . Support pin  117  is bent substantially perpendicular to extend toward front  105 . Support pin  116  is bent substantially perpendicular to extend toward rear  106 . Support pins  116  and  117  together span a maximum distance of approximately 150 mils from front  105  to rear  106 . The center point between support pins  114 - 115  is approximately 913 mils apart from the center point between support pins  116 - 117 .  
         [0068]      FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of a prior art digital data processing system  300 . System  300  includes a circuit board  302 . System  300  also includes a set of eight dynamic random access memory (“DRAM”) chips  310 , four expansion sockets  320 ,  330 ,  340 , and  350 , an application specific integrated circuit (“ASIC”) chip  360 , and a central processing unit (“CPU”) chip  370 . Prior art DRAM chips  310 , expansion sockets  320 ,  330 ,  340 , and  350 , ASIC chip  360 , and CPU chip  370  are mounted on prior art circuit board  302  and are electrically coupled to one another along a primary channel of system  300 .  
         [0069]     System  300  also includes prior art modules  321 ,  331 ,  341 , and  351 . Modules  321 ,  331 ,  341 , and  351  comprise respective a circuit boards  322 ,  332 ,  342 , and  352  plugged into respective expansion sockets  320 ,  330 ,  340 , and  350 . Modules  321 ,  331 , and  341  are memory modules and each includes a set of nine DRAM chips  323 ,  333 , and  343 , respectively. Each set of DRAM chips  323 ,  333 , and  343  is mounted on circuit board  322 ,  332 , and  342 , respectively, and is electrically coupled to the primary channel of system  300 . DRAM chips  323  are electrically coupled to one another along a secondary channel of system  300 . DRAM chips  333  are electrically coupled to one another along a secondary channel of system  300 . DRAM chips  343  are electrically coupled to one another along a secondary channel of system  300 . Module  351  includes a set of two DRAM chips  353  and an ASIC chip  354 . DRAM chips  353  and ASIC chip  354  are mounted on circuit board  352  and are electrically coupled to the primary channel of system  300 . DRAM chips  353  and ASIC chip  354  are electrically coupled to one another along a secondary channel of system  300 .  
         [0070]     Each DRAM chip of sets  310 ,  323 ,  333 ,  343 , and  353  is packaged in a SVP package, such as the chip package  100  of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . To mechanically and electrically connect such DRAM chip packages to their respective circuit boards, the leads of each DRAM chip package are each typically soldered. The supporting pins of the DRAM chip help to support the DRAM chip in standing upright while soldering the DRAM chip to the circuit board.  
         [0071]     In soldering the DRAM chip to the circuit board, the DRAM chip may nevertheless fall over and thus have to be resoldered to the circuit board. Even after soldering the DRAM chip to the circuit board, the electrical connection between the DRAM chip and the circuit board should be tested to ensure each lead of the DRAM chip has been properly aligned with and soldered to its respective solder pad on the circuit board.  
         [0072]     The solder connection between the DRAM chip and the circuit board may deteriorate sometime during the life of the circuit board being subjected to various mechanical stresses.  
         [0073]     Users are also unable to expand the functionality of system  300  with the granularity of a single chip in a relatively easy manner. System  300  provides for user-expansion capabilities with the granularity of a circuit board, for example by inserting circuit boards into and removing circuit boards from expansion slots  320 ,  330 ,  340 , and  350 . But DRAM chips  310 ,  323 ,  333 ,  343 , and  353  are soldered to circuit boards  302 ,  321 ,  331 ,  341 , and  351 .  
         [0074]      FIG. 4  illustrates an exploded, perspective view of a chip socket assembly  400 , which is one embodiment of the present invention. Chip socket assembly  400  is also referred to as a device, an apparatus, or a chip socket, for example. Chip socket assembly  400  may be used to mechanically and electrically couple a chip  440  to a bus of a circuit board  502  as illustrated in  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 6  illustrates a top view of chip socket assembly  400 .  FIG. 7  illustrates a bottom view of chip socket assembly  400 . Chip socket assembly  400  includes a base  410  for receiving and guiding chip  440  and also includes a retaining clip  430  for helping to retain chip  440  in base  410 .  
         [0075]     Base  410  has a top  411 , a bottom  412  opposite top  411 , a left side  413 , a right side  414  opposite left side  413 , a front  415 , and a rear  416  opposite front  415 . Base  410  may have any suitable dimensions that may depend, for example, on the dimensions of chip  440 . For one embodiment, base  410  may have a thickness from front  415  to rear  416  in the range of approximately 200 mils to approximately 250 mils, for example, a width from left side  413  to right side  414  in the range of approximately 1450 mils to approximately 1500 mils, for example, and a height from top  411  to bottom  412  of approximately 200 mils, for example. Base  410  may be formed from any suitable material, such as a plastic or metal, for example. Base  410  may be formed with a suitable material so as to serve as a heat sink in coupling chip  440  to circuit board  502 . Base  410  may be formed so as to conduct heat into circuit board  502 , for example.  
         [0076]     Base  410  defines a slot  420  configured to receive and guide chip  440 . Chip  440  includes an electrical device packaged in an edge-mountable package. Although illustrated in  FIGS. 4-7  as being packaged in a surface vertical package (SVP) similar to chip  100  of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , chip  440  may be packaged in any suitable edge-mountable package, for example. Chip  440  may include any suitable electrical device configured in any suitable form. Chip  440  may include DRAM memory configured as an integrated circuit, for example. Chip  440  may include digital data processing circuitry configured as an integrated circuit, for example.  
         [0077]     Chip  440  has thirty-two leads  442  and two support pins  445 - 446 . For alternative embodiments, Chip  440  has other suitable numbers of leads  442  and support pins  445 - 446 . Leads  442  correspond to leads  112  of chip  100  of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Support pins  445  and  446  correspond to support pins  115  and  116  of chip  100  of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . For other embodiments (not shown), Chip  440  does not have outermost support pins  445  and  446 —they are either removed or not put into Chip  440  to begin with.  
         [0078]     Slot  420  has an opening at top  411  and an opening at bottom  412 . Slot  420  also has a left end  423  and a right end  424  opposite left end  423 . Slot  420  is configured to receive at top  411  the bottom of chip  440  and to guide chip  440  to bottom  412 , exposing at bottom  412  leads  442  of chip  440  as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . Slot  420  may have any suitable dimensions that may depend, for example, on the dimensions of chip  440 . For one embodiment, slot  420  may have a length from left end  423  to right end  424  in the range of approximately 1000 mils to approximately 1100 mils, for example, and a width from front to rear of approximately 50 mils, for example.  
         [0079]     Slot  420  also includes left support pin guide  425  and right support pin guide  426 . Left support pin guide  425  is configured to receive and guide support pin  445  of chip  440  as chip  440  is placed in slot  420 . Right support pin guide  426  is configured to receive and guide support pin  446  of chip  440  as chip  440  is placed in slot  420 . Support pin guides  425  and  426  in conjunction with support pins  445  and  446  may help to align exposed leads  442  at bottom  412  with respect to slot  420 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 .  
         [0080]     As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , base  410  exposes at front  415  at least a portion of slot  420 , exposing at least a portion of the front of chip  440  at front  415  when chip  440  has been placed in slot  420 . Base  410  may also be configured to define slot  420  such that base  410  has a continuously solid side at front  415 .  
         [0081]     Clip  430  helps to retain chip  440  in slot  420 . Clip  430  and base  410  may be configured to mate with one another in any suitable manner to help retain chip  440  in slot  420 . For one embodiment, base  410  includes knobs or protuberances  417  and  418  configured to mate with clip  430 .  
         [0082]     Protuberance  417  is located at the end of base  410  at left side  413 . Protuberance  417  may have any suitable shape and dimensions. As one example, protuberance  417  may have a width from front  415  to rear  416  of approximately 125 mils, for example, a height from top  411  to bottom  412  of approximately 150 mils, for example, and a thickness from left to right of approximately 50 mils, for example. Protuberance  418  is located at the end of base  410  at right side  414 . Protuberance  418  may have any suitable shape and dimensions. As one example, protuberance  418  may have a width from front  415  to rear  416  of approximately 125 mils, for example, a height from top  411  to bottom  412  of approximately 150 mils, for example, and a thickness from left to right of approximately 50 mils, for example.  
         [0083]     Clip  430  may have any suitable shape and dimensions that may depend, for example, on the shape and dimensions of protuberances  417  and  418 , base  410 , and chip  440 . Clip  430  may be formed from any suitable material, such as a plastic or metal, for example. Clip  430  may be formed with a suitable material so as to serve as an integral heat sink in coupling chip  440  to circuit board  502 . Clip  430  may also be configured so as to serve as a shipping and handling device for chip socket assembly  400 . For an alternative embodiment, clip  430  is molded as an integral part of the package for chip  440 .  
         [0084]     For one embodiment, clip  430  includes a left connector  433  having an opening to mate with protuberance  417  and also includes a right connector  434  having an opening to mate with protuberance  418 . Clip  430  includes a bridge structure  435  connecting left connector  433  and right connector  434 . When clip  430  is connected to mate with base  410 , bridge structure  435  overlies chip  440  and helps to retain chip  440  in base  410 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 .  
         [0085]     In mechanically and electrically coupling chip  440  to circuit board  502 , as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , base  410  is coupled or fastened to circuit board  502  over suitable pads or other suitable electrical connectors of a bus to which chip  440  is to be electrically coupled. Base  410  may be coupled or fastened to circuit board  502  in any suitable manner using any suitable structures and techniques.  
         [0086]     For one embodiment, base  410  may include a left opening  453  and a right opening  454 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , for coupling base  410  to circuit board  502 . Left opening  453  is located near left side  413  between protuberance  417  and left end  423  of slot  420 . Left opening  453  may receive and guide a bolt or screw  455  to pass from top  411  through base  410  to bottom  412 . Right opening  454  is located near right side  414  between protuberance  418  and right end  424  of slot  420 . Right opening  454  may receive and guide a bolt or screw  456  to pass from top  411  through base  410  to bottom  412 . Left and right openings  453  and  454  may be positioned in other suitable locations of base  410 . Circuit board  502  may be configured with suitable openings to mate with bolts or screws  455  and  456  in fastening base  410  to circuit board  502 , as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . For other embodiments, other suitable fasteners such as glue or rivets, for example, may be used to couple base  410  to circuit board  502 .  
         [0087]     To help align leads  442  of chip  440  with the bonding pads or other suitable electrical connectors for a bus to which chip  440  is to be electrically coupled, base  410  may include one or more suitable alignments pins for aligning base  410  with respect to the bus to help provide for a suitable electrical connection between chip  440  and the bus of circuit board  502 . Although the use of bolts, screws, or rivets, for example, help to align base  410  with respect to the bus of circuit board  502  in fastening base  410  to circuit board  502 , alignment pins help to ensure leads  442  are suitably aligned within the relatively tighter tolerances required in aligning leads  442  with the bus of circuit board  502 .  
         [0088]     For one embodiment, base  410  may include alignment pins  457  and  458  as illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 7 . Alignment pin  457  protrudes from bottom  412  near left side  413  between protuberance  417  and left end  423  of slot  420 . Alignment pin  458  protrudes from bottom  412  near right side  414  between protuberance  418  and right end  424  of slot  420 . Alignment pins  457  and  458  may be positioned in other suitable locations of base  410 . Circuit board  502  may be configured with suitable openings to mate with alignment pins  457  and  458  so as to help ensure leads  442  of chip  440  are suitably aligned with the bus of circuit board  502 . For other embodiments, circuit board  502  may be configured with suitable alignment pins to mate with suitable openings in base  410  to help align leads  442  of chip  440  with the bus of circuit board  502 .  
         [0089]     The package of chip  440  may be used to help align leads  442  with the bus of circuit board  502  by controlling the length of slot  420  and the positioning of leads  442  with respect to the package of chip  440 . For other embodiments, the positioning of support pins  445  and  446  with respect to leads  442  may be controlled. Support pin guides  425  and  426  in conjunction with support pins  445  and  446  may then help to align leads  442  of chip  440  with the bus of circuit board  502 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 .  
         [0090]     Once chip  440  is placed in slot  420  and aligned with the bus of circuit board  502 , clip  430  may be coupled to base  410  to help retain chip  440  in base  410 . Clip  430  may also be configured to mate with base  410  such that bridge structure  435  applies pressure over the top of chip  440  to maintain the electrical connection between leads  442  and the bus of circuit board  502 .  
         [0091]     For one embodiment, leads  442  of chip  440  may be placed directly over the bus of circuit board  502 . For other embodiments, a suitable conductive interconnect may be used between leads  442  and the bus of circuit board  502 . As one example, an elastomeric connector sheet  460 , also called an anisotropic conductor sheet, may be configured between chip  440  and the bus of circuit board  502  so as to provide for a suitable electrical connection between leads  442  and the bus of circuit board  502 . Elastomeric connector sheet  460  has a top  461  and a bottom  462 . Elastomeric connector sheets are available under the name of MAF Inter-connector from Shin-Etsu Polymer America, Inc. of Union City, Calif., for example.  
         [0092]     Elastomeric connector sheet  460  conducts electrical signals only in a substantially vertical direction between top  461  and bottom  462 . Elastomeric connector sheet  460  provides for a relatively low inductance connection between leads  442  and the bus of circuit board  502 . Elastomeric connector sheet  460  provides for relatively minimized signal degradation and may be used for relatively high frequencies in conducting electrical signals between leads  442  and the bus of circuit board  502 . Elastomeric connector sheet  460  may therefore provide for relatively accurate testing of chip  440 .  
         [0093]     Elastomeric connector sheet  460  may have any suitable shape and any suitable dimensions. As one example, elastomeric connector sheet  460  may be rectangular in shape. Elastomeric connector sheet  460  may have a length from left to right in the range of approximately 1000 mils to approximately 1100 mils, for example, a width from front to rear of approximately 200 mils, for example, and a thickness from top  461  to bottom  462  in the range of approximately 5 mils to approximately 50 mils, for example.  
         [0094]     Elastomeric connector sheet  460  may be mounted between chip  440  and the bus of circuit board  502  in any suitable manner using any suitable technique. As elastomeric connector sheet  460  conducts electrical signals only in substantially vertical directions between top  461  and bottom  462 , elastomeric connector sheet  460  may be mounted between chip  440  and the bus of circuit board  502  with minimized concern for electrical shorts, for example, despite accidental electrical contacts made between elastomeric connector sheet  460  and other conductive structures of chip socket assembly  400 , for example, bolts or screws  455  and  456 , or other conductive structures of circuit board  502 .  
         [0095]     For one embodiment, elastomeric connector sheet  460  is placed over the bus of circuit board  502  and retained between base  410  and the bus of circuit board  502  by fastening base  410  to circuit board  502 . For other embodiments, as illustrated in  FIGS. 4-7 , base  410  may be configured at bottom  412  with a recess  465  for aligning and mounting elastomeric connector sheet  460  between leads  442  and the bus of circuit board  502 . Recess  465  may have any suitable dimensions. As one example, recess  465  may have an indentation in bottom  412  of base  410  of approximately 15 mils, for example, a length from left to right of approximately that of slot  420 , for example, and a width from front to rear of approximately that of base  410 , for example. Elastomeric connector sheet  460  may be fitted in recess  465  and held beneath base  410  when base  410  is fastened to circuit board  502 . Clip  430  may also help to retain elastomeric connector sheet  460  in recess  465  as clip  430  may apply pressure over the top of chip  440  in securing chip  440  in base  410 . Elastomeric connector sheet  460  may also be glued in recess  465 .  
         [0096]     With chip socket assembly  400 , users may mechanically and electrically couple single chips  440  to a circuit board with relative ease by placing chip  440  in base  410  and attaching clip  430  to base  410  to retain chip  440  in base  410 . As chip socket assembly  400  may be used to couple chip  440  to a circuit board without requiring that chip  440  be soldered to the circuit board, users may also remove single chips  440  with relative ease by detaching clip  430  from base  410  and removing chip  440  from base  410 . Users may therefore expand the functionality of a system with the granularity of a single chip in a relatively easy manner by adding or replacing single chips in the system. For system  300  of  FIG. 3 , for example, users may use a separate chip socket assembly  400  to mechanically and electrically couple each DRAM chip of sets  310 ,  323 ,  333 ,  343 , and  353  to its respective circuit board  302 ,  321 ,  331 ,  341 , and  351 . Users may then expand the functionality of system  300  with the granularity of a single chip in a relatively easy manner without having to add or replace an entire circuit board  302 ,  321 ,  331 ,  341 , and/or  351 , for example.  
         [0097]      FIG. 8  is an exploded, perspective view of chip socket assembly  800  which is another embodiment of the present invention. Chip socket assembly  800  is also referred to as a device, an apparatus, or a chip socket, for example. Chip socket assembly  800  may be used to mechanically and electrically couple a chip  840  to a bus of a circuit board  902  as illustrated in  FIG. 9 .  FIG. 10  illustrates a top view of chip socket assembly  800 .  FIG. 11  illustrates a bottom view of chip socket assembly  800 . Chip socket assembly  800  includes a base  810  for receiving and guiding chip  840  and also includes a retaining clip  830  for helping to retain chip  840  in base  810 . Elements designated by reference numerals  800 - 865  and  902  in  FIGS. 8-11  are functionally similar to elements  400 - 465  and  502  of  FIGS. 4-7 , respectively. Chip socket assembly  800  may be used similarly as chip socket assembly  400 .  
         [0098]     Base  810  and clip  830  are configured to mate in a different manner as compared to base  410  and clip  430  of  FIGS. 4-7 . Clip  830  includes a left male connector  833  and a right male connector  834 . Base  810  includes a left socket  817  and a right socket  818 . Left male connector  833  and left socket  817  may be configured in any suitable manner to mate with one another. Right male connector  834  and right socket  818  may also be configured in any suitable manner to mate with one another.  
         [0099]     For one embodiment, left male connector  833  has a protruding ledge  873  and is tapered from left to right from protruding ledge  873  down toward the tip end of left male connector  833 . Left socket  817  has an upper lip  877 . In connecting clip  830  to base  810 , left male connector  833  may be inserted into left socket  817  until protruding ledge  873  snaps in place beneath upper lip  877 . Left male connector  833  may be removed from left socket  817  by pushing left male connector  833  inward toward the right until protruding ledge  873  is no longer beneath upper lip  877  while lifting left male connector  833  out of left socket  817 .  
         [0100]     Right male connector  834  has a protruding ledge  874  and is tapered from left to right from protruding ledge  874  down toward the tip end of right male connector  834 . Right socket  818  has an upper lip  878 . In connecting clip  830  to base  810 , right male connector  834  may be inserted into right socket  818  until protruding ledge  874  snaps in place beneath upper lip  878 . Right male connector  834  may be removed from right socket  818  by pushing right male connector  834  inward toward the left until protruding ledge  874  is no longer beneath upper lip  878  while lifting right male connector  834  out of right socket  818 .  
         [0101]     Although illustrated as having specific configurations for attaching clips  430  and  830  to bases  410  and  810 , respectively, other suitable mating configurations may be used for attaching a clip to a base in securing a chip with a chip socket assembly. As one example, the clip and base may be configured such that the clip may be screwed or bolted onto the base.  
         [0102]      FIG. 12  illustrates an exploded, perspective view of a chip file assembly  1200 .  FIG. 13  illustrates a perspective view of chip file assembly  1200  connected together. Chip file assembly  1200  is also referred to as a device, an apparatus, a chip file, or a chip cage, for example. Chip file assembly  1200  may be used to mechanically and electrically couple one or more chips  1240  to one or more buses of a circuit board  1402  as illustrated in  FIGS. 14 and 15 .  FIG. 14  illustrates a perspective view of chip file assembly  1200  mechanically and electrically coupling two chips to circuit board  1402 .  FIG. 15  illustrates a perspective view of chip file assembly  1200  mechanically and electrically coupling six chips to circuit board  1402 .  
         [0103]     Chip file assembly  1200  includes a left base portion  1210  and a right base portion  1220  for receiving and guiding one or more chips  1240 . Base portions  1210  and  1220  together define a base. Chip file assembly  1200  also includes retaining clips  1230  for helping to retain chips  1240  in base portions  1210  and  1220 .  
         [0104]     Left base portion  1210  has a top  1211 , a bottom  1212  opposite top  1211 , an outer side  1213 , an inner side  1214  opposite outer side  1213 , a front  1215 , and a rear  1216  opposite front  1215 . Left base portion  1210  may have any suitable dimensions. For one embodiment, left base portion  1210  may have a width from outer side  1213  to inner side  1214  of approximately 400 mils, for example, and a height from top  1211  to bottom  1212  of approximately 200 mils, for example. The length of left base portion  1210  from front  1215  to rear  1216  may vary and may depend, for example, on the desired number of chips  1240  that are capable of being held in chip file assembly  1200 . Base portion  1210  may be formed from any suitable material, such as a plastic or metal, for example. Base portion  1210  may be formed with a suitable material so as to serve as a heat sink in coupling chips  1240  to circuit board  1402 . Base portion  1210  may be formed so as to conduct heat into circuit board  1402 , for example.  
         [0105]     Right base portion  1220  has a top  1221 , a bottom  1222  opposite top  1221 , an outer side  1223 , an inner side  1224  opposite outer side  1223 , a front  1225 , and a rear  1226  opposite front  1225 . Right base portion  1220  may have any suitable dimensions. Right base portion  1220  may have a width from outer side  1223  to inner side  1224  of approximately 400 mils, for example, and a height from top  1221  to bottom  1222  of approximately 200 mils, for example. The length of right base portion  1220  from front  1225  to rear  1226  may vary and may depend, for example, on the desired number of chips  1240  that are capable of being held in chip file assembly  1200 . Base portion  1220  may be formed from any suitable material, such as a plastic or metal, for example. Base portion  1220  may be formed with a suitable material so as to serve as a heat sink in coupling chips  1240  to circuit board  1402 . Base portion  1220  may be formed so as to conduct heat into circuit board  1402 , for example.  
         [0106]     Inner side  1214  and  1224  are each corrugated with a set of slots or grooves  1217  and  1227 , respectively, that traverse inner side  1214  and  1224 , respectively, from top  1211  and  1221 , respectively, to bottom  1212  and  1222 , respectively. The number of slots  1217  and  1227  may vary and may depend, for example, on the desired number of chips  1240  that are capable of being held in chip file assembly  1200 . Base portions  1210  and  1220  may each have thirty-two slots for holding thirty-two chips  1240 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 14-15 .  
         [0107]      FIG. 16  illustrates inner side  1214  of left base portion  1210 . Slots  1217  may each have any suitable size and may be positioned in any suitable location along inner side  1214 . For one embodiment, slots  1217  of inner side  1214  may be indented within left base portion  1210  approximately 50 mils, for example, may have a width from front to back of approximately 50 mils, for example, and may be separated from the center of one another by approximately 300 mils, for example. The centers of first and last slots  1217  of inner side  1214  may be separated from front  1215  and rear  1216 , respectively, by approximately 375 mils, for example. For a left base portion  1210  having ten slots, for example, the length of left base portion from front  1215  to rear  1216  may be approximately 3450 mils, for example. Inner side  1224  of right base portion  1220  is similarly configured as inner side  1214 .  
         [0108]     Left base portion  1210  and right base portion  1220  may be positioned such that slots  1217  and  1227  are suitably aligned so as to receive and guide one or more chips  1240 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 12-15 . The above discussion pertaining to chip  440  of  FIGS. 4-7  likewise applies to each chip  1240  of  FIGS. 12-15 . Leads  1242  and support pins  1245  and  1246  correspond to leads  442  and support pins  445  and  446  of  FIGS. 4-7 . Each slot  1217  is configured to receive at top  1211  a left end of a chip  1240 , from the bottom of chip  1240 , and to guide the left end of chip  1240  to bottom  1212 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 12-15 . Each slot  1227  is configured to receive at top  1221  a right end of a chip  1240 , from the bottom of chip  1240 , and to guide the right end of chip  1240  to bottom  1222 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 12-15 .  
         [0109]     Base portions  1210  and  1220  may be positioned away from one another by any suitable distance that may depend, for example, on the width of chip  1240 . For one embodiment, base portions  1210  and  1220  are positioned away from each other in the range of approximately 900 mils to approximately 1000 mils, for example. Left base portion  1210  and right base portion  1220  may also be positioned with respect to one another such that support pins  1245  and  1246  help to align chip  1240  with respect to base portions  1210  and  1220 . Base portions  1210  and  1220  may be positioned such that support pins  1245  and  1246  abut inner sides  1214  and  1224 , respectively, when chip  1240  is placed in slots  1217  and  1227 .  
         [0110]     Clips  1230  help to retain chips  1240  in chip file assembly  1200 . Clips  1230  and base portions  1210  and  1220  may be configured to mate with one another in any suitable manner to help retain chips  1240  in chip file assembly  1200 .  
         [0111]     For one embodiment, outer side  1213  and  1223  are each configured with protuberances  1218  and  1228 , respectively, that are configured to mate with clips  1230 .  FIG. 17  illustrates outer side  1213  of left base portion  1210 . Protuberances  1218  may each have any suitable size and may be positioned in any suitable location along outer side  1213 . Protuberances  1218  are each suitably aligned along outer side  1213  opposite a corresponding slot  1217 .  
         [0112]     For one embodiment, protuberances  1218  of outer side  1213  each has a width from front  1215  to rear  1216  of approximately 125 mils, for example, a height from top  1211  to bottom  1212  of approximately 150 mils, for example, and a thickness from left to right of approximately 50 mils, for example. Protuberances  1218  may be separated from the center each other by approximately 300 mils, for example. The centers of first and last protuberances  1218  of outer side  1213  may be separated from front  1215  and rear  1216 , respectively, by approximately 375 mils, for example. Outer side  1223  of right base portion  1220  is similarly configured as outer side  1213 .  
         [0113]     Clips  1230  may each have any suitable shape and dimensions that may depend, for example, on the shape and dimensions of protuberances  1218  and  1228 , base portions  1210  and  1220 , and chip  1240 . Clips  1230  may be formed from any suitable material, such as a plastic or metal, for example. Clips  1230  may be formed with a suitable material so as to serve as an integral heat sink in coupling chips  1240  to circuit board  1402 . Clips  1230  may further be molded as an integral part of the package for chips  1240 .  
         [0114]     For one embodiment, each clip  1230  includes a left connector  1233  having an opening to mate with protuberance  1218 . Each clip  1230  also includes a right connector  1234  having an opening to mate with protuberance  1228 . Each clip  1230  includes a bridge structure  1235  connecting left connector  1233  and right connector  1234 . When clip  1230  is connected to mate with base portions  1210  and  1220 , bridge structure  1235  overlies chip  1240  and helps to retain chip  1240  in chip file assembly  1200 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 13-15 .  
         [0115]     Although illustrated as having specific configurations for attaching clips  1230  to base portions  1210  and  1220 , other suitable mating configurations may be used for attaching clips  1230  to base portions  1210  and  1220  in securing chips  1240  with chip file assembly  1200 . As one example, clips  1230  and base portions  1210  and  1220  may be configured to mate with one another similarly as clip  830  and base  810  of  FIGS. 8-11 . As another example, each clip  1230  and base portions  1210  and  1220  may be configured such that clips  1230  may be screwed or bolted onto base portions  1210  and  1220 .  
         [0116]     In mechanically and electrically coupling one or more chips  1240  to one or more buses of circuit board  1402 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , base portions  1210  and  1220  are coupled or fastened to circuit board  1402  over suitable pads or other suitable electrical connectors to which each chip  1240  is to be electrically coupled. Base portions  1210  and  1220  may be coupled or fastened to circuit board  1402  in any suitable manner using any suitable structures and techniques.  
         [0117]     For one embodiment as illustrated in  FIG. 12 , base portions  1210  and  1220  may include openings  1253  and  1254 , respectively, for coupling base portions  1210  and  1220 , respectively, to circuit board  1402 . Opening  1253  may receive and guide a bolt or screw  1255  to pass from top  1211  through base portion  1210  to bottom  1212 . Opening  1254  may receive and guide a bolt or screw  1256  to pass from top  1221  through base portion  1220  to bottom  1222 . Openings  1253  and  1254  may be positioned in any suitable location of base portions  1210  and  1220 . Circuit board  1402  may be configured with suitable openings to mate with bolts or screws  1255  and  1256  in fastening base portions  1210  and  1220  to circuit board  1402 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 14-15 . Base portions  1210  and  1220  may be configured with any suitable number of openings for coupling base portions  1210  and  1220  to circuit board  1402 . As one example, base portions  1210  and  1220  may each be configured with two openings as illustrated in  FIGS. 14-15 . For other embodiments, other suitable fasteners such as glue or rivets, for example, may be used to couple base portions  1210  and  1220  to circuit board  1402 .  
         [0118]     To help align leads  1242  of each chip  1240  with the bonding pads or other suitable electrical connectors to which each chip  1240  is to be electrically coupled, base portions  1210  and  1220  may include one or more suitable alignments pins for aligning base portions  1210  and  1220  with respect to circuit board  1402  to help provide for a suitable electrical connection between each chip  1240  and a bus of circuit board  1402 . Although the use of bolts, screws, or rivets, for example, help to align base portions  1210  and  1220  with respect to one or more buses of circuit board  1402  in fastening base portions  1210  and  1220  to circuit board  1402 , alignment pins help to ensure leads  1242  of each chip  1240  are suitably aligned within the relatively tighter tolerances required in aligning leads  1242  of each chip  1240  with a bus of circuit board  1402 .  
         [0119]     For one embodiment, base portions  1210  and  1220  each includes alignment pins that protrude from bottom  1212  and  1222 , similar to alignment pins  457  and  458  of  FIGS. 5 and 7 . Such alignment pins may be positioned in any suitable location of base portions  1210  and  1220 . Circuit board  1402  is configured with suitable openings to mate with such alignment pins so as to help ensure leads  1242  of each chip  1240  are suitably aligned with a bus of circuit board  1402 . For other embodiments, circuit board  1402  may be configured with suitable alignment pins to mate with suitable openings in base portions  1210  and  1220  to help align leads  1242  of each chip  1240  with a bus of circuit board  1402 .  
         [0120]     The package of each chip  1240  may be used to help align leads  1242  with a bus of circuit board  1402  by controlling the distance between slots  1217  and  1227  and the positioning of leads  1242  with respect to the package of each chip  1240 . For other embodiments, the positioning of support pins  1245  and  1246  with respect to leads  1242  may be controlled for each chip  1240 . Base portions  1210  and  1220  in conjunction with support pins  1245  and  1246  may then help to align leads  1242  of each chip  1240  with a bus of circuit board  1402 .  
         [0121]     Once a chip  1240  is placed in slots  1217  and  1227  and aligned with a bus of circuit board  1402 , clip  1230  may be coupled to base portions  1210  and  1220  to help retain chip  1240  between base portions  1210  and  1220 . Clip  1230  may also be configured to mate with base portions  1210  and  1220  such that bridge structure  1235  applies pressure over the top of chip  1240  to maintain the electrical connection between leads  1242  of chip  1240  and a bus of circuit board  1402 .  
         [0122]     For one embodiment, leads  1242  of chip  1240  are placed directly over a bus of circuit board  1402 . For other embodiments, a suitable conductive interconnect is used between leads  1242  and a bus of circuit board  1402 . As one example, an elastomeric connector sheet  1260  is configured between each chip  1240  and a bus of circuit board  1402  so as to provide for a suitable electrical connection between leads  1242  of chip  1240  and a bus of circuit board  1402 . Elastomeric connector sheet  1260  has a top  1261  and a bottom  1262 .  
         [0123]     Elastomeric connector sheet  1260  is similar to elastomeric connector sheet  460  of  FIGS. 4-7 . Elastomeric connector sheet  1260  may have any suitable shape and any suitable dimensions. As one example, elastomeric connector sheet  1260  may be rectangular in shape. Elastomeric connector sheet  1260  may have a width from left to right in the range of approximately 1000 mils to approximately 1700 mils, for example, and a thickness from top  1261  to bottom  1262  in the range of approximately 8 mils to approximately 20 mils, for example. Elastomeric connector sheet  1260  may have any suitable length from front to rear that may depend, for example, on the length of base portions  1210  and  1220 . Although elastomeric connector sheet  1260  is illustrated as a single sheet, elastomeric connector sheet  1260  may include more than one suitably sized elastomeric connector sheet. As one example, a separate elastomeric connector sheet may be used as an interconnect for each separate chip  1240 .  
         [0124]     Elastomeric connector sheet  1260  may be mounted between chips  1240  and one or more buses of circuit board  1402  in any suitable manner using any suitable technique. As elastomeric connector sheet  1260  conducts electrical signals only in substantially vertical directions between top  1261  and bottom  1262 , elastomeric connector sheet  1260  may be mounted between chips  1240  and one or more buses of circuit board  1402  with minimized concern for electrical shorts, for example, despite accidental electrical contacts made between elastomeric connector sheet  1260  and other conductive structures of chip file assembly  1200 , for example bolts or screws  1255  and  1256 , or other conductive structures of circuit board  1402 , for example.  
         [0125]     Elastomeric connector sheet  1260  may be placed over one or more buses of circuit board  1402  and retained beneath base portions  1210  and  1220  by fastening base portions  1210  and  1220  to circuit board  1402 . For other embodiments, elastomeric connector sheet  1260  may be sized so as to fit between base portions  1210  and  1220 , covering one or more buses of circuit board  1402  without being fastened beneath base portions  1210  and  1220 . Elastomeric connector sheet  1260  may then be retained in securing one or more chips  1240  in chip file assembly  1200 .  
         [0126]     With chip file assembly  1200 , users may mechanically and electrically couple one or more chips  1240  to a circuit board with relative ease by placing each chip  1240  between base portions  1210  and  1220  and attaching clip  1230  to base portions  1210  and  1220  to retain each chip  1240  in base portions  1210  and  1220 . As chip file assembly  1200  may be used to couple each chip  1240  to a circuit board without requiring that each chip  1240  be soldered to the circuit board, users may also remove single chips  1240  with relative ease by detaching clip  1230  from base portions  1210  and  1220  and removing chips  1240  from base portions  1210  and  1220 . Users may therefore expand the functionality of a system with the granularity of a single chip in a relatively easy manner by adding or replacing single chips in the system.  
         [0127]      FIG. 18  illustrates a chip socket assembly  1800 . Chip socket assembly  1800  is also referred to as a device, an apparatus, or a chip socket, for example. Chip socket assembly  1800  may be used to mechanically and electrically couple a chip  1840  to a bus of a circuit board. Chip socket assembly  1800  includes a base  1810  for receiving and guiding chip  1840 . Base  1810  also serves as a retaining clip for helping to retain chip  1840  in base  1810 . Chip socket assembly  1800  may be configured and used similarly as chip socket assemblies  400  and  800  of  FIGS. 4-11 .  
         [0128]     Chip socket assembly  1800  is configured to clip or retain chip  1840  in base  1810  in a different manner as compared to base  410  and clip  430  of  FIGS. 4-7  and as compared to base  810  and clip  830  of  FIGS. 8-11 . Base  1810  includes a left clip portion  1817  and a right clip portion  1818 . Clip portions  1817  and  1818  may be configured to mate with the package of chip  1840  in any suitable manner.  
         [0129]     For one embodiment, left clip portion  1817  includes a socket  1877  having an upper lip. The package of chip  1840  includes a protruding ledge  1833  tapered downward and inward toward a left side of chip  1840 . In securing chip  1840  in base  1810 , chip  1840  may be pushed down into base  1810  until protruding ledge  1833  snaps in place beneath the upper lip of socket  1877 . Chip  1840  may be removed from base  1810  by pushing left clip portion  1817  outward toward the left until protruding ledge  1833  is no longer beneath the upper lip of socket  1877  while lifting chip  1840  from base  1810 .  
         [0130]     Right clip portion  1818  includes a socket  1878  having an upper lip. The package of chip  1840  includes a protruding ledge  1834  tapered downward and inward toward a right side of chip  1840 . In securing chip  1840  in base  1810 , chip  1840  may be pushed down into base  1810  until protruding ledge  1834  snaps in place beneath the upper lip of socket  1878 . Chip  1840  may be removed from base  1810  by pushing right clip portion  1818  outward toward the right until protruding ledge  1834  is no longer beneath the upper lip of socket  1878  while lifting chip  1840  from base  1810 . In short, for the embodiment shown in  FIG. 18 , clips  1817  and  1818  are relatively flexible. In contrast, chip  1840  and ledges  1833  and  1844  are relatively rigid.  
         [0131]     Chip  1840  may configured with a package molded to form protruding ledges  1833  and  1834  as illustrated in  FIG. 18 . For other embodiments, protruding ledges  1833  or  1834  or other suitable clipping structures may be attached to the package of chip  1840 . Base  1810  may be formed from any suitable material, such as a plastic or metal, for example. Base  1810  may be formed with a suitable material so as to serve as a heat sink in coupling chip  1840  to a circuit board. Base  1810  may be formed so as to conduct heat into the circuit board, for example.  
         [0132]     Chip file assembly  1200  of  FIGS. 12-17  may also be configured with suitable clip portions similar to clip portions  1817  and  1818  of  FIG. 18  so as to retain a plurality of chips similar to chip  1840  between base portions  1210  and  1220 .  
         [0133]      FIG. 19  shows chip socket assembly  1900 . Chip socket assembly  1900  is also referred to as a device, an apparatus, or a chip socket, for example. Chip socket assembly includes chip  1914  and base  1910 .  
         [0134]     Chip  1900  is an edge-mountable vertical chip package with a left arm  1901  and a right arm  1903 . Arms  1901  and  1903  are also referred to as clips  1901  and  1903 . Clips  1901  and  1903  are relatively flexible, and can be flexed inward when a clip  1900  is being inserted or removed from a base. For one embodiment, chip  1900  can be inserted into a base  1910  that has sockets  1977  and  1978 . The ledges  1902  and  1904  of respective arms  1901  and  1903  fit into and are secured by respective sockets  1977  and  1978 .  
         [0135]     For the embodiment shown in  FIG. 19 , posts  1917  and  1918  of base  1910  are relatively rigid. Posts  1917  and  1918  are also referred to as clips  1917  and  1918 . The insertion and removal of chip  1900  is done by flexing arms  1901  and  1903 , which are relatively flexible.  
         [0136]     For alternative embodiments, clips  1917  and  1918  of base  1910  are relatively flexible, and arms  1901  and  1903  are also flexible.  
         [0137]     Chip file assembly  1200  of  FIGS. 12-17  may alternatively be configured with suitable posts similar to posts  1917  and  1918  of  FIG. 19  so as to retain a plurality of chips similar to chip  1914 .  
         [0138]     A chip socket assembly and chip file assembly may be used to mechanically and electrically couple any suitable edge-mountable chip to a bus of a circuit board. As discussed above, suitable SVP packaged chips having L-shaped leads similar to chip  100  of  FIGS. 1 and 2  may be mounted over a bus of a circuit board with a chip socket assembly or a chip file assembly. A chip socket assembly and chip file assembly may be used to mount other suitable edge-mountable chips having other suitable lead structures over a bus of a circuit board. As one example, suitable edge-mountable chips having C-shaped leads may also be mounted over a bus of a circuit board with a chip socket assembly or a chip file assembly.  FIG. 20  illustrates a side view of an edge-mountable chip  1940  having such C-shaped leads  1942 .  
         [0139]     As illustrated in  FIG. 20 , leads  1942  extend from the bottom of chip  1940  and are bent to form a C-shape toward the front side of chip  1940 . Leads  1942  extend into a pocket or indentation formed by an extended portion  1941  of chip  1940 . The pocket formed by extended portion  1941  helps to protect leads  1942  from being snagged, broken, or bent as a result of any mishaps in handling chip  1940 .  
         [0140]     Leads  1942  may be formed from any suitable material. As one example, leads  1942  may be formed from a springy metal such that leads  1942  may become relatively compliant when subjected to stress in retaining chip  1940  in a chip socket assembly or in a chip file assembly. For one embodiment, springy leads  1942  are comprised of beryllium-copper. For an alternative embodiment, chip package  1940  can be comprised of molded silicon rubber. For that embodiment, leads  1942  are connected to the molded silicon rubber of chip package  1940 . The silicon rubber of chip package  1940  supplies spring force for leads  1942  for that embodiment. The leads  1942  can also have their own additional spring force.  
         [0141]      FIG. 21  shows leads  1942  in a compressed state, as exists when chip  1940  is mounted over surface  1943 . In the compressed state, leads  1942  electrically and mechanically contact surface  1943 . For one embodiment, surface  1943  is an elastomeric connector sheet. For another embodiment, surface  1943  is a metallic surface on a printed circuit board. The metallic surface can, for example, be a bus. A chip socket assembly or chip file assembly may be used to mount a chip  1940  directly over a bus of a circuit board without a separate interconnect, such as an elastomeric connector sheet, and provide for a relatively low inductance connection between leads  1942  and the bus.  
         [0142]     For another embodiment, an edge-mountable chip  2040  may have C-shaped leads  2042  that wrap around a cylinder  2080  extending along the bottom of chip  2040  from left to right, as illustrated in  FIG. 20 . Leads  2042  extend into a pocket or indentation formed by an extended portion  2041  of chip  2040 . The pocket formed by extended portion  2041  helps to protect leads  2042  from being snagged, broken, or bent as a result of any mishaps in handling chip  2040 .  
         [0143]     Leads  2042  may be formed from any suitable springy material. For example, leads  2042  may be comprised of beryllium-copper. Cylinder  2080  may be formed from any relatively compliant material, such as an elastomer, such that leads  2042  may become compliant when subjected to stress in retaining chip  2040  in a chip socket assembly or in a chip file assembly. In this manner, a chip socket assembly or chip file assembly may be used to mount a chip  2040  directly over a bus of a circuit board without a separate conductive interconnect, such as an elastomeric connector sheet, and provide for a relatively low inductance connection between leads  2042  and the bus.  
         [0144]      FIG. 23  shows leads  2042  in a compressed state, as exists when chip  2040  is mounted over surface  2043 . In the compressed state, leads  2042  electrically and mechanically contact surface  2043 . For one embodiment, surface  2043  is a metallic surface on a printed circuit board. For another embodiment, surface  2043  is an elastomeric connector.  
         [0145]     Printed circuit boards can be installed in a chip file, according to one embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 24  shows a side view of printed circuit card  2204  installed so as to be electrically coupled to elastomeric connector sheet  2206  and to metallic surface  2207  of a printed circuit mother board  2210 . Printed circuit board  2202  is secured by clip  2214 . The entire assembly that includes clip  2214 , printed circuit board  2202 , metallic connector  2204 , elastomeric surface  2206 , and printed circuit board  2210  is referred to as assembly  2200 . Pads  2212  and  2213  reside on printed circuit board  2202 . Pads  2212  and  2213  are connected to other circuitry on printed circuit board  2202 . As shown in both  FIG. 24  and  FIG. 25 , wrap-around connection  2204  is coupled to pad  2212  and pad  2213 . Wrap-around connection  2204  allows electrically connection between pads  2213  and  2212  with conductive surface  2207  on mother board  2210 . Assembly  2200  allows printed circuit boards to be connected together and secured with a relatively good connection.  
         [0146]     For an alternative embodiment, no elastomeric sheet  2206  is used. Instead, wrap-around connection  2204  directly contacts conductive surface  2207 .  
         [0147]      FIGS. 26 and 27  show a method for assembling a wrap around connector with the pads of printed circuit board.  FIG. 26  shows metallic lead frame  2248  having arms  2250  through  2255 . Arms  2250  through  2255  are soldered to respective pads  2260  through  2265  of printed circuit board  2202 .  
         [0148]     As shown in  FIG. 27 , portion  2280  is cut away from the rest of metal lead frame  2248 . This results in metal strips  2290  through  2295  being attached to pads  2260  through  2265 , but not being attached to metal piece  2280 .  
         [0149]     Metal leads  2290  through  2295  are each then wrapped around the bottom printed circuit board  2202  to be attached to the other side. For one embodiment of the present invention, respective pads reside on the other side of printed circuit board  22 . Metal leads  2290  through  2295  are then soldered to those metallic pads residing on the other side of printed circuit board  2202 . For an alternative embodiment of the present invention, a plastic housing resides on the other side of printed circuit board  2202  and the ends of leads  2290  through  2295  are wrapped around so that end of those leads reside within the plastic housing (not shown).  
         [0150]     The result of the process shown in  FIGS. 26 through 27  is, for one embodiment of the invention, structure  2200  shown in  FIG. 24 .  
         [0151]      FIG. 28  shows an embodiment of the invention wherein a chip file is used for general purpose function expansion in addition to memory expansion.  FIG. 28  shows integrated circuit  2310  secured in a left socket (or base)  2318  and a right socket (or base)  2316 .  
         [0152]     Leads  2332  of integrated circuit package  2310  are connected to the top of elastomeric connector sheet  2334 . Elastomeric connector sheet  2334  allows current to flow in a vertical direction and prevents the shorting together of leads  2332 . Elastomeric connector  2334  allows current to flow into strips  2324  of printed circuit board  2330 . For one embodiment of the present invention, strips  2324  carry bus signals for a computer system. Printed circuit board  2330  carries other signals on various other metallic strips to other circuitry.  
         [0153]     For one embodiment of the invention, ribbon cable  2312  is connected to an integrated circuit residing inside of integrated circuit package  2310 . For one embodiment of invention, ribbon cable  2312  is comprised of a number of metallic signal lines and carries non-bus signals. For various embodiments, the non-bus signals carried by ribbon connector  2312  include video signals, keyboard signals, disk drive signals, or other types of signals that differ from the bus signals carried by connective strips  2324 .  
         [0154]     The integrated circuit package  2310  of  FIG. 28  can be secured to left socket  2318  and right socket  2316  by clips or other techniques. For an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the connection between leads  2332  and signal lines  2324  can be done directly without the use of elastomeric connector sheet  2334 . For that alternative embodiment, care must be exercised that there are no shorts between the various leads, so each of the strips  2324  needs to be relatively narrow.  
         [0155]     For still other embodiments, a suitable edge-mountable chip having leads or other suitable electrical connectors on the top edge of the chip, for example, may be mounted over a bus of a circuit board using a chip socket assembly or a chip file assembly. A separate bus formed, for example, with conductive elastomer may then be coupled to the electrical connectors on the top edge of the chip. For various embodiments, a clip such as clip  430  (see  FIG. 4 ),  830  (see  FIG. 8 ), and  1230  (see  FIG. 12 ), for example, may be configured to mount the separate bus over the top edge of the chip. The underside of the bridge structure of the clip may have suitable pads, for example, for electrical connection to the top edge of the chip. A suitable conductive interconnect, such as an elastomeric connector sheet, for example, may be configured between the top edge of the chip and the underside of the bridge structure to help provide for the electrical connection between the separate bus and the chip. For other embodiments, other suitable techniques may be used to couple the separate bus to the chip.  
         [0156]     The separate bus may be used, for example, to carry video signals, keyboard signals, disk drive signals, or other suitable signals between the chip and any suitable component, such as a CRT, keyboard, or disk drive, for example, operatively coupled to the separate bus. In this manner, the chip socket assembly and the chip file assembly may be used to provide for the addition, removal, or replacement of enhanced system functionality in a relatively easy manner.  
         [0157]     There can be better reliability if a metallic lead of an integrated circuit wipes against another conductive surface during the insertion of that integrated circuit into a socket.  FIGS. 29, 30 , and  31  illustrate embodiments of the invention that permit a wiping action between a lead and a metallic surface the lead is to be connected to. The metallic surface can be the top of a elastomeric connection sheet or the top of a metal bus of a motherboard, for example. In  FIG. 29 , a cam follower  2352  is shown as being connected to an integrated circuit chip package  2350 . The integrated circuit chip package has leads  2354  at its bottom. The integrated circuit  2350  has cam follower  2352  on each side of the integrated circuit chip package for one embodiment of the present invention. For other embodiments, there is only one cam follower  2352  at one side of the integrated circuit chip package  2350 .  
         [0158]     For one embodiment of the invention, integrated circuit chip package  2350  is positioned so that cam follower  2352  is inserted into slot  2362 , which is also referred to as notch  2362  or passageway  2362 . For the way things are illustrated in  FIGS. 29 and 30 , integrated circuit  2350  would be turned 180 degrees. For one embodiment of the invention, however, integrated circuit chip package would have another cam follower at the other sides, meaning that the integrated circuit  2350  would not need to be turned.  
         [0159]     Slot  2362  has a wider opening  2364  at the top, for one embodiment. Slot  2362  has a wider opening  2366  at the end of slot  2362 . Slot  2362  is part of chip file  2360  or socket  2360 . In other words, structure  2360  can be a chip file or an individual socket. Slot  2362  is molded into socket  2360 . As shown in  FIG. 30 , slot  2362  has a relatively flat surface towards the end  2366 . As cam follower  2362  travels through slot  2362 , leads  2354  accordingly move downward and then in a horizontal direction as cam follower  2352  moves from opening  2364  to the end of  2366  of slot  2362 . The horizontal travel of cam follower  2352  causes leads  2354  to move in a horizontal direction over the top of conductive elastomeric connector (not shown) that resides on top of a metallic strip or bus on a printed circuit board. A wiping action of leads  2354  as they move horizontally along the top of the elastomeric connector results in a cleaning action and a buffing action with respect to the leads and the elastomeric connection. This can result in a better electrical connection between leads  2354  and the top of the elastomeric connection. This in turn can result in maximizing the reliability of the connection between loads  2354  and the elastomeric connector (if one is present), and the metallic surface of printed circuit board.  
         [0160]     Slot  2362  shown in  FIG. 30  also holds integrated circuit  2352  in the chip file or socket. In other words, integrated circuit  2350  is secured by the placement of cam follower  2352  in the end portion  2366  of slot  2362 .  
         [0161]      FIG. 31  shows another embodiment of the present invention that allows a wiping motion of leads against either an elastomeric connection or the metallic surface itself of a printed circuit board. The embodiment shown in  FIG. 31  includes a sliding beam  2380  that includes a vertical slot  2362 . For one embodiment, slider  2380  is made of plastic. For other embodiments, other materials are used, including metal.  
         [0162]     Slider  2380  resides on top of base  2382 . Base  2382  is constructed of plastic and includes slot  2388  that includes an end portion  2390 . End portion  2390  of  FIG. 31  has a wider opening in relation to slot  2388  in order to limit and secure the travel of a cam follower.  
         [0163]     For the embodiment of  FIG. 31 , an integrated circuit chip (not shown) would have two cam followers—one residing near the bottom side of the integrated circuit, as shown in  FIG. 29 , and an additional cam follower residing farther up the side of the integrated circuit so that cam follower residing farther up the side of the integrated circuit would fit into socket  2386  of slider  2380 . The lower cam follower of the integrated circuit would fit into slot  2388  of the base unit  2382 . When slider  2380  is moved to left or to the right, the integrated circuit is pushed to the left or the right because the cam follower residing in slot  2386  is moved to the left or to the right. This in turn makes the lower cam follower move to the left or the right in the bottom of slot  2388 , until the lower cam follower hits the end portion  2390 .  
         [0164]     As the cam follower moves through the final stages along slot  2388 , the cam follower moves in a substantially horizontal direction. This causes the lower leads of a vertical integrated circuit package to move in a horizontal direction, which in turn causes the leads to wipe against either the elastomeric connection, if one is present, or the metallic surface of the printed circuit board, if no elastomeric connector is present. In any event, there is a wiping action with respect to the leads during the horizontal travel period, which as discussed above, improves the reliability of the electrical connection between the leads and either the elastomeric connector (if one is present), or the metallic surface of the printed circuit board.  
         [0165]     According to one embodiment of the invention, base unit  2360  shown in  FIG. 30  resides on both sides of the integrated circuit. For another embodiment, base unit  2360  with its slot  2362  resides only on the left side or the right side of the base unit that secures the integrated circuit package. The same applies to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 31 . For one embodiment, there is a slider  2380  and a base unit  2382  on one side of the integrated circuit. For another embodiment, both sides of the base unit have slots similar to slots  2386  and  2388 . Slots  2362  and  2386  would be positioned such that the horizontal direction would be the same if both sides of a chip file or base includes slots.  
         [0166]     For one embodiment, slider  2380  and base  2382  are part of a chip file that includes several vertical DRAMS. When slider  2380  is moved to the left or to the right, all the DRAMS in the chip files that are inserted into the slots move to the left or to the right. This means that all the leads of all the DRAMS experience a horizontal wiping action at once. This allows for better reliability and better connection for the DRAMS in all the chip files. This also facilitates manufacturing and assembly of a DRAM chip file, given that slider  2380  allows all the DRAMS to experience wiping at once.  
         [0167]      FIGS. 32, 33 , and  34  show an embodiment of the invention for connection of a surface horizontal package (“SHP”).  FIG. 32  shows assembly  2501  that includes surface horizontal package  2500 , frame  2540  (also referred to as socket  2540 ), and plastic securing member  2530 .  
         [0168]     Surface horizontal package  2500  includes substantially C-shaped leads  2502  that reside on one side of the horizontal chip package  2500 . Horizontal chip package  2500  also includes mechanical support pins  2510  and  2511  at the left side of the horizontal package, and mechanical support pins  2512  and  2513  at the right side of the end of horizontal package  2500 . Horizontal package  2500  includes an integrated circuit mounted inside of a plastic package, wherein the leads of the integrated circuit are connected to leads  2502  of package  2500 .  
         [0169]     Horizontal package  2500  also includes wedge  2520  that has a ramped surface  2522  and a flat top surface  2524 . Wedge  2520  is also referred to as ramp  2520 . For one embodiment of the invention, wedge  2520  is on one side of the chip package and another wedge is shown on the other side of the chip package (not shown). For an alternative embodiment of the invention, there is only one wedge  2520  at one side of the horizontal chip package  2500 . But for the embodiment shown in  FIG. 32  there are two wedges, one of which is not shown.  
         [0170]     Mechanical pins  2510 ,  2511 ,  2512 , and  2513  are used to provide vertical and horizontal alignment when horizontal chip package is inserted into frame  2540 . Frame  2540  has square projections  2541  and  2543  that jut into the interior of frame  2540 . Mechanical pins  2510  through  2513  are inserted between portions  2541  and  2543  of frame  2540 .  
         [0171]     For one embodiment of the invention, frame  2540  is secured to the top of a printed circuit board by using bolts  2542  and  2544 .  
         [0172]     For one embodiment, surface horizontal package  2500  contains a DRAM. For an alternative embodiments, surface horizontal package  2500  contains a Rambus.™. DRAM or any other type of integrated circuit.  
         [0173]     Base  2330  is also referred to as sliding member  2530 . Sliding member  2530  is constructed of plastic for one embodiment of the invention. For other embodiments, other materials can be used. Sliding member  2530  can slide horizontally forward and backward above the printed circuit board. For one embodiment, sliding member  2530  moves along guide rail  2545 . For one embodiment there is a corresponding guiderail on the other side of frame  2540 .  
         [0174]      FIG. 33  shows a cross-sectional side view of sliding member  2530  and frame  2540 . Sliding member  2530  and frame  2540 . Sliding member  2530  includes a wedge extension  2552  that includes a slope surface  2554  and a flat surface  2556 . When horizontal package  2500  is inserted into frame  2540 , the wedge  2520  of package  2500  contacts wedge  2552 . Given that surfaces  2522  and  2554  are ramps, wedges  2520  and  2552  move past each other such that surfaces  2524  an  2556  soon contact each other and face each other. The sloped faces of wedges  2522  and  2554  causes chip package  2500  to move downward within frame  2540 . This action is caused by sliding member  2530  being moved in a direction towards the back of frame  2540 . As shown in  FIG. 33 , the movement of member  2530  is in a right hand direction.  
         [0175]     As sliding surface  2522  moves along  2554  horizontal package  2500  moves in a downward direction. The result of this downward direction is shown in  FIG. 34 .  FIG. 34  shows that faces  2556  and  2524  face each other. The result of this is that leads  2502  are compressed and make a good electrical contact with the top of elastomeric connector sheets  2532 . Elastomeric connector sheet  2532  is connected to metallic surface  2534  of a printed circuit board.  
         [0176]     Thus, assembly  2501  allows a horizontal chip package  2500  to be securely stationed within a frame on a printed circuit board and have the leads  2502  make good electrical contact with elastomeric connector  2532 , which in turn is connected to the metallic surface of the printed circuit board. For an alternative embodiment of the invention, elastomeric connector  2532  is omitted and leads  2502  make direct contact with surface  2534  of the printed circuit board. Metallic surface  2534  is connected to other circuitry and other lines of the printed circuit board, and also connected to other circuitry of a computer system, for example.  
         [0177]     It is to be appreciated that the assembly  2531  permits a wiping action as the wedges  2520  and  2552  contact each other and as sliding member  2530  moves in a direction towards frame  2540 . Assembly  2501  also permits a secure arrangement that aligns and holds horizontal chip package  2500  within frame  2540 . Mechanical pins  2510  and  2513  contact areas  2541  and  2543  to provide alignment. Mechanical pins  2511  and  2512  contact frame  2540 . Alignment is thereby secured.  
         [0178]     For other embodiments of the invention, other types of projections or surfaces could be used in place of wedges  2520  and  2552 .  
         [0179]     For other embodiments of the invention, horizontal chip file  2500  has different types of leads  2502 . For one embodiment, leads  2502  are not C-shaped, but are instead merely substantially horizontal leads that are slightly bent or merely horizontal.  
         [0180]     For the embodiment shown in  FIG. 32 , however, C-shaped leads  2502  are flexible and compressible. For one embodiment, leads  2502  are made of beryllium-copper.  
         [0181]      FIGS. 35 and 36  show a clam shell type socket for securing a surface horizontal package (“SHP”) integrated circuit. For one embodiment of the invention, the integrated circuit could be a Rambus.™. DRAM or other type of DRAM. For other embodiments, any other horizontal packaged integrated circuit can be secured by socket  2600 .  
         [0182]     Socket or assembly  2600  includes a hinged clamp  2602  that rotates about axis  2618 . Elastomeric connector  2614  resides underneath hinged clamp  2602 . Hinged clamp  2602  is coupled via axis  2618  to frame  2606 . Frame  2606  includes a latch  2612  and filled-in corner portions  2608  and  2610 . Filled-in corner portions  2608  and  2610  are used to help secure a horizontal chip package that is placed within frame  2606 .  
         [0183]     Lever arm  2604  is connected to hinged clamp  2602 . When lever arm  2604  is moved downward, the hinged clamp  2602  also moves downward. Lever arm  2604  is secured by latch  2612 . For one embodiment of the invention, lever arm  2604 , hinged clamp  2602 , frame  2606 , and latch  2612  are made of plastic. For one embodiment, lever arm  2604  is made of flexible plastic such that lever arm  2604  can be bent to be secured by latch  2612 . For another embodiment, latch  2612  is likewise made of flexible plastic so that both lever arm  2604  and latch  2612  can flex in order to secure lever arm  2604  within latch  2612 .  
         [0184]      FIG. 36  shows a side cut-away view of clam shell socket  2600 . A horizontal chip package  2630  is secured by assembly  2600 . For one embodiment, chip  2630  is a surface horizontal package. Surface horizontal package  2630  includes electrical leads  2634 . Horizontal chip package  2630  also includes securing pins  2632  on the other side of the horizontal chip package. Mechanical securing pins  2632  reside between filled in corners  2608  and  2610  shown in  FIG. 35 .  
         [0185]     Electrical leads  2634  are secured by hinged clamp  2602 . Leads  2634 , so secured, are pushed down against the top of elastomeric connector sheet  2614 . Elastomeric  2614  is in turn presses against a metallic surface of a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board is the printed circuit board that frame  2606  is secured to.  
         [0186]     Thus, the clam shell socket  2600  is a way for holding and securing a horizontal chip package. The chip package stays secured as long as lever arm  2604  resides within latch  2612 . The chip package can be removed from assembly  2600  by releasing the lever arm from latch  2612 . Filled-in corners  2608  and  2610  contact mechanical pins  2632 , allowing horizontal chip package  2630  to be properly aligned within frame  2606 . The ends of mechanical alignment pins  2632  contact against the end of plastic frame  2602  providing another alignment mechanism to keep horizontal chip package aligned within frame  2606 .  
         [0187]     For an alternative embodiment of the invention, horizontal chip package  2630  can have leads at both ends, which means that an elastomeric sheet would be used at both ends of frame  2606 .  
         [0188]      FIG. 37  illustrates another way to secure a surface horizontal package (“SHP”)  2702  to a printed circuit board. Horizontal chip package  2702  includes mechanical alignment pins  2704  and electrical leads  2706 . Horizontal package  2702  is secured by means of a clip  2700  that is secured by a locking tab  2712  that is connected to a base, which in turn is connected to a printed circuit board. Clip  2700  includes a beam portion  2714  that is horizontal and that juts out over the top of horizontal chip package  2702 . Clip  2700  also includes a downward member  2710  that presses against the top of leads  2706 . Leads  2706  are thereby pressed securely on top of elastomeric connector  2708 . Elastomeric connector  2708  is in turn connected to a metallic surface of a printed circuit board.  
         [0189]     For one embodiment of the invention, clip  2700  is a one piece plastic clip that is removable. A horizontal chip package  2702  can be removed from its secure installation by pushing beam  2714  upward. Likewise, horizontal chip package is secured by placing the horizontal chip package  2702  under clip  2700  and pushing beam  2714  downward to the point where the position shown in  FIG. 37  is achieved.  
         [0190]     For an alternative embodiment, clip  2714  can be attached to chip  2702  or integrally molded to chip package  2702 . For one embodiment, clip  2700  is made of thermally enhanced plastic to allow heat dissipation. For another embodiment, clip  2700  is an integrated heat sink for chip  2702 . For that embodiment, clip  2700  is constructed of metal in order to dissipate heat.  
         [0191]      FIG. 38  shows another way of securing a horizontal chip package  2734 . For the embodiment shown in  FIG. 38 , a tab  2720  secures a clip  2722 , that in turn resides on top of horizontal chip package  2734 . Tab  2720  includes a notch  2738  under which clip  2722  resides.  
         [0192]     For one embodiment of the invention, clip  2722  is substantially planar and constructed of plastic. For another embodiment, clip  2722  is integrally molded to chip  2734  and made of plastic.  
         [0193]     For another embodiment, clip  2722  is made of metal to allow heat dissipation. For yet another embodiment, clip  2722  is constructed of thermally enhanced plastic.  
         [0194]     When clip  2722  resides under notch  2738  of tab  2724 , horizontal chip package  2734  has its leads  2740  pressed against and compressed with respect to elastomeric connector  2736 . This allows a relatively good electrical connection between leads  2740  and elastomeric connector  2736 . Elastomeric connector  2736  is in turn connected to the metallic surface of a printed circuit board.  
         [0195]     Horizontal chip package is removed by moving clip  2722  to the right so that no portion of clip  2722  resides underneath the notch of tab  2720 . When clip  2722  is released, this in turn releases horizontal chip package  2734 .  
         [0196]     In order to secure chip  2734 , clip  2722  is placed on top of  2734  and clip  2722  is secured underneath tab  2720  by having clip  2722  reside within notch  2738 . Again, this secures horizontal chip package  2734  and allows for a relatively good electrical connection.  
         [0197]     In the foregoing description, the invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit or scope of the present invention. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

Technology Classification (CPC): 7