Patent ID: 7429182

Claim:
A socket assembly for electrically engaging an integrated circuit (IC) package with a printed circuit board (PCB), the socket assembly comprising: a socket body surface-mounted on the PCB, the socket body capable of engaging the IC package with the PCB; a loading mechanism comprising a loading plate having a central opening, the loading plate capable of being mounted on the socket body when the loading plate is in a closed position; and a pick-and-place (PnP) cap comprising an upper surface and a lower surface, the PnP cap capable of being detachably mounted on the socket body in a first position, the PnP cap comprising: a first plurality of latches configured on a plurality of peripheral edges of the PnP cap, wherein the first plurality of latches is capable of engaging the PnP cap with the socket body when the PnP cap is in the first position, and a raised portion configured on the upper surface of the PnP cap, the raised portion comprising a second plurality of latches capable of detachably engaging the PnP cap with the central opening of the loading plate when the PnP cap is in a second position.