Patent ID: 6862190

Claim:
An adapter for a surface mount device, the adapter comprising: an insulating body having offset first and second surfaces; a plurality of surface mount solder pads formed on the first surface in a pattern structured for connection thereto of a replacement surface mount device; a pattern of signal carriers communicating between the first and second surfaces, each of the signal carriers being at least partially exposed in a peripheral area extending between the first and second surfaces and in an area adjacent to the second surface; a plurality of electrical contacts formed on the second surface and being electrically coupled to different ones of the signal carriers, the plurality of electrical contacts formed on the second surface being structured for connection to a corresponding contact area of a parent printed circuit board; and a plurality of signal lines electrically coupling one or more of the surface mount solder pads on the first surface with predetermined ones of the signal carriers, fewer of the surface mount solder pads on the first surface of the insulating body being provided for connection thereto of a replacement surface mount device than the plurality of electrical contacts formed on the second surface of the insulating body for connection to a corresponding contact area of a parent printed circuit board for a replaced device.