Patent ID: 7280362

Claim:
A processor loading apparatus comprising: a board member; a processor socket mounted on the board member; a processor seated in the processor socket; a frame member defining a processor aperture, comprising a heat sink engagement surface adjacent to the perimeter of the processor aperture, and mounted on the board member such that the processor extends into the processor aperture, wherein the heat sink engagement surface is operable to support a heat sink that is thermally coupled to the processor; a plurality of connector portions on the frame member, one of the connector portions located in the processor aperture and below the heat sink engagement surface; a curved resilient load member comprising a load member surface wherein the curved resilient load member comprises a first end connected to the connector portion located in the processor aperture and below the heat sink engagement surface and a second end connected to another one of the connector portions, whereby the connection of the second end deforms the curved load member into a substantially parallel engagement with the processor such that the load member surface is located below the heat sink engagement surface in order for the curved resilient load member to apply a constant compressive force to the processor sufficient to mate the processor with the processor socket; and the resilient load member having an opening formed therein permitting the processor to extend through the opening into contact with a heat sink, whereby the deformation of the curved resilient load member into a substantially parallel engagement with the processor results in a non-compressive force that is not transferred to the processor socket due to the coupling of the curved load member to the frame member.