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:
Dec. 26, 2000
Filed:
May. 21, 1998
Jonathan Wayne Goodwin, Braintree, MA (US);
Thomas & Betts International, Inc., Sparks, NV (US);
Abstract
A three point alignment feature facilitates alignment of an integrated circuit chip relative to a socket that is mounted on a printed circuit board 14. The socket includes four walls that define a rectangle in which the integrated circuit chip is mounted. A first contact point 28 extends inward from a first one 22 of the walls. Second and third contact points 30, 32 extend inward from a second one 20 of the walls, which adjoins the first wall. A first force is applied against the integrated circuit chip from a third one 18 of the walls, which is parallel with the first wall. Second and third forces are applied against the integrated circuit chip from a fourth one 16 of the walls, which is parallel with the second wall. Hence, the integrated circuit chip is aligned in a corner defined by the first and second walls, and is oriented by the three contact points. Spring members 34, 36, 38, 40 may be employed to provide the first, second and third forces. Another alignment feature is employed to facilitate alignment of the socket with respect to the printed circuit board. Further, captive hardware fasteners may be employed to attache the socket to the printed circuit board.