Patent ID: 7567075

Claim:
An actuator device for applying force to a plurality of contacts carried by an integrated circuit package and having a predetermined alignment respecting each other and the integrated circuit package to enable temporary contact between said plurality of contacts on the integrated circuit package and a set of test contacts carried by a contactor support and having a predetermined alignment compatible with the predetermined alignment of the integrated circuit package contacts, said actuator device including an alignment plate mounted on the contactor support with an opening surrounding the test contacts for aligning an integrated circuit package with respect to the test contacts, comprising: a) a frame for attaching to the contactor support and enclosing the test contacts carried by the contactor support, and including opposing first and second walls, and having a latch engagement feature on the first wall thereof; b) a cover hinged to the frame on the second wall, and rotatable from a closed position covering the frame to an open position; c) a manually operable mechanical actuator element mounted on the cover and having a lead backer, said manually operable mechanical actuator element including i) a manually operable knob having a peripheral surface, and mounted for rotation on the cover, said knob movable between advanced and retracted positions relative to the cover for placing the lead backer respectively into and out of engagement with an integrated circuit package positioned within the alignment plate opening, ii) a pin on the knob, and iii) a sloped groove cooperating with the pin to cause the knob to move between the advanced and retracted positions during rotation of the knob; and d) a latch mounted on a second side of the cover opposed to the first side of the cover, and cooperating with the latch engagement feature to fasten the cover in the closed position, said latch movable between latched and unlatched positions, said latch including a projection extending toward and in interfering relation with the knob's peripheral surface when the knob is in the advanced position, whereby the knob's peripheral surface and the projection cooperate to lock the latch in a predetermined position when the knob is in the advanced position.