Abstract: This invention relates to a card edge or backplane type electrical connector, where typically two or more planar electronic devices, such as a mother board and one or more daughter boards, are electrically interconnected usually by arranging the daughter board(s) perpendicular to the mother board. The electrical connector of this invention comprises a pair of opposed housing members having a slot defined by opposing facing surfaces extending therebetween to receive a first of the planar electronic devices or daughter board, where housing member consists of first and second members floatably mounted to one another by spring means urging the first and second members away from one another. Force applying means, preferably in the form of a series of elongated canted coil spring is provided in the housing members along the facing surfaces.

Abstract: A removable sensor assembly (10) comprises a removable sensor member (15) to be inserted into the opening (27) of an insulated housing (13) mounted on the surface of a PCB (11) and secured thereon by a pair of the contact members (16, 17). The contact members (16, 17) have respective foot portions (19, 20) which are soldered to contact pads (14) on the PCB (11). The removable sensor member (15) is a piezoelectric film sensor mounted onto a hard drive to detect physical shock and to shut the drive down in order to prevent destruction of data thereon. The opening (27) is a slot angled at 45.degree. to the surface of the PCB (11) to allow a three- axis sensing capability as well as reducing the overall height of the insulated housing (13).

Abstract: A connector and contact for electrically interconnecting terminals of an upgraded circuit module to the leads of a pre-existing electronic component affixed to contact pads on a substrate through a separable connection, the connector having a frame upon which contacts are retainably positioned to form the interconnection between respective terminals and leads and a clamping mechanism for holding at least the connector and the pre-existing electronic component together to maintain the electrical interconnection. The circuit module being mountable either directly above the pre-existing electronic component in piggy-back manner or at a remote location by placing conductive pathways, such as a flat flex cable, between the terminals and the contacts.

Abstract: The contacts extending from the four sides of a flat-pack are releasably held against corresponding contacts extending from the sides of a socket for the flat-pack, by means of a cover comprising four arms pivotally mounted on the socket each near one of its four corners; by pivoting the arms downwardly against the tops of the flat-pack contacts, these contacts are pressed against, and held in positive contact with, the underlying socket contacts, and by pivoting the arms upwardly, the flat-pack can be released for removal and subsequent replacement. In addition, the cover is usefully mounted in position on the flat-pack even when the flat-pack is free of the socket, in which use it serves to protect the leads of the flat-pack in handling and during storage, for example.

Abstract: A connector for electrically connecting circuit members having a high density of contact pads located in an area array, the connector having an area array specific holder that is simple to produce for retainably positioning mass-produced standardized contact modules containing a deformable contact within a module body for interconnecting the contact pads, where the contact is constructed to be supportingly engaged by the module body to provide sufficient opposing spring force to effect a wiping interconnection between the contact and the contact pads.

Abstract: A connector and contact for electrically interconnecting terminals of an upgraded circuit module directly to the leads of a pre-existing electronic component affixed to contact pads on a substrate through a separable connection, the connector having a frame upon which contacts are retainably positioned to form the interconnection between respective terminals and leads and a clamping mechanism for holding the upgraded circuit module, the connector, and the pre-existing electronic component together to maintain the electrical interconnection.

Abstract: A hinged cover for an electrical socket having a top plate fixed relative the socket's housing and a cover plate pivotally attached to the top plate for removably retaining an electronic package in electrical engagement with contacts within the housing by compressing the electronic package against the contacts. The top plate is fixed relative to the housing of the socket and has integrally formed hinge members and first latch portions. The cover plate is pivotally movable between an open position and a closed position. The cover plate has an integrally formed complementary hinge member that is receivable about the hinge member and a second latch portion integrally formed with the cover plate and disconnectably engageable with the first latch portion to hold the cover in the closed position, thereby enabling the cover plate to exert the necessary force against the electronic package.

Abstract: A system for conveying chips from a container to a predetermined position on top of a chip socket. A vacuum-held hand tool having a handle is supplied with a vacuum or with a positive air pressure at its working face, as controlled by placement of a digit of the operator with respect to an air exhaust port on the handle. The bottom or working face of the tool is provided with a recess fitting the outline of a chip to be picked up by the tool working face, to hold the chip fixed on the tool as it is carried by the tool to a position atop the socket, where it is discharged by flow of air from the working face when a digit of the operator is applied to the exhaust port of the tool.

Abstract: An improved contact for use in a high density chip carrier socket mounted on a circuit member which utilizes a cover which to wedge the leads of the chip carrier into electrical engagement with a respective contact. A tool receiving recess is incorporated into the contact so that the forces exerted on the socket while pressing the cover into place can be opposed, minimizing the forces exerted on the connection between the socket and the circuit member, typically a solder joint. Providing a tool, that operates from one side of the circuit member, in order to press the cover into place while engaging the contact recess to oppose the insertion related forces, which can also pull the cover from the contacts, without exerting significant forces on the connection, by engaging a lip in the cover while pressing on the carrier.

Abstract: A modular chip carrier socket of integral construction and method of making the same for electrically engaging the leads of an integrated chip carrier to the conductors on a substrate that structurally simulates the monolithic molded plastic construction of chip carrier specific sockets. Where the modular socket is designed for minimal lead time manufacture of nonstandard sockets with limited application specific components. Standard contact modules, supporting contacts therein, are permanently affixed to an application specific base plate to form a socket of modular construction prior to assembly of the socket upon the substrate. An embodiment of the invention has improved thermal characteristics over the molded sockets by using a base plate having the same coefficient of thermal expansion as the substrate.

Abstract: A gripper head (18) for use, for example, with a pick and place robot (2) comprises a body (26) comprising a pair of housings (28) each containing a pneumatic piston and cylinder unit (62) and being connected together by means of a slide plate (30). The piston and cylinder units (62) are arranged in opposed relationship on opposite sides of a central vertical axis (Z) of the body (26). The slide plate (30) defines in cooperation with a top cover (32) a slideway (48) receiving slides (82) from which depend side plates (76) connected to gripper jaws (98). The slides (82) are positively connected by a link (92) which is pivotable about a pin (88) coincident with the central axis (Z). Pins (96) on the link (92) engage in transverse slots (86) in the slides (82) to ensure that the jaws (98) are moved by piston rods (66) of the piston and cylinder units (62), always simultaneously and by the same distance, between an open position to receive an electrical connector (C') and a closed position to grip it.