The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 07, 1999
Filed:
Apr. 03, 1998
Thomas J Massingill, Scotts Valley, CA (US);
VlSI Technology, Inc., San Jose, CA (US);
Abstract
A test socket for ball grid array packages (BGA) for integrated circuits is described. The socket includes a basket or cradle shaped to receive the balls of the BGA in individual electrically conductive receptacles. The receptacles have flexible walls and an elastomer disposed outside the walls. The BGA, carrying the balls is urged in a direction parallel to the plane of the BGA thereby carrying the basket in the same direction. A stop is provided to limit the movement of the basket so that further movement of the BGA causes compression of the elastomer so as to provide an electrical connection between each ball and its associated receptacle despite any minor differences in the sizes or locations of the individual balls. Means are provided for connecting each of the receptacles to an external circuit.