Patent ID: 7857631

Claim:
A socket assembly for electrically interconnecting a ball grid array on a first circuit member with terminals on a second circuit member, the socket assembly comprising: a housing comprising a plurality of through openings that extend between opposite surfaces of the housing; a first plurality of contact members positioned in a plurality of the through openings, the first plurality of contact members each comprising major beams and minor beams with proximal ends attached to a center portion, and distal ends extending away from the center portion, the major beams comprising a length greater than the minor beams, wherein when the first circuit member is engaged with the socket assembly the ball grid array displaces the distal ends of the major beams of the first plurality of contact members to create a plurality of first forces; a second plurality of contact members positioned in a plurality of the through openings, the second plurality of contact members each comprising major beams and minor beams with proximal ends attached to a center portion, and distal ends extending away from the center portion, the major beams comprising a length greater than the minor beams, wherein when the first circuit member is engaged with the socket assembly the ball grid array displaces the distal ends of the major beams of the second plurality of contact members to create a plurality of second forces, wherein the first plurality of forces generally oppose the second plurality of forces; and wherein the first and second plurality of forces generate an engagement force that biases the first circuit member toward the housing, wherein the minor beams on the first and second plurality of contact members do not contribute to the engagement force.