Integrated circuit package connector

Claim 2

An electrical connector for integrated circuit packages having a plurality of parallel, spaced leads depending from at least one side thereof, said connector comprising: a housing defining a cavity with a channel formed in each of two opposite sides of said cavity, a plurality of terminal passages in spaced relation in the bottom of each said channel; a plurality of terminals each mounted in a respective one of said passages in parallel spaced relationship, each said terminal having a contact arm lying against one wall of said channel and a resilient spring arm normally aligned with and spaced from said contact arm; an insert member received in each said channel, each said insert member having a plurality of cavities each receiving a respective terminal therein, each said cavity having a lead opening providing an access to said terminal; hold down means for holding said insert members in said housing while allowing limited relative movement of the insert members within the housing; and an actuating cover member having a pair of spaced depending sidewalls each having a cam surface on a free end thereof, said cam surfaces engaging said insert members to cause relative sliding movement of said insert members with respect to said housing whereby said movement of said insert members causes said insert members to drive said spring arms of said terminals into engagement with leads of a package received in said connector.

Claim 3

A connector according to claim 1 further comprising latching means to secure said cover member to said housing.

Claim 4

A connector according to claim 1 further comprising means to secure said connector to a printed circuit board.

Claim 5

A connector according to claim 1 wherein each said terminal comprises a single member of conductive material formed on a bight to have a contact arm and a spring arm normally spaced from said contact arm, said terminal being electrically connected to circuitry of a printed circuit board by said bight.

Claim 6

A connector according to claim 1 further comprising an abutment in said housing cavity, said abutment receiving and locating packages placed in said connector.

Claim 7

A connector according to claim 1 further comprising: at least one recess formed in said hold down means; a thermistor received in each said recess whereby heat generated by said package is readily dissipated.

Claim 8

An electrical connector for integrated circuit packages having a plurality of leads depending from at least one side thereof, said connector comprising: a generally rectangular housing defining an upwardly directed cavity with a channel formed in each of two opposite sides of said cavity a plurality of terminal passages extending between the bottom of each channel and the bottom of said housing; a plurality of terminals each mounted in a respective one of said passages in parallel spaced relationship, each said terminal being formed of conductive material and having a bight defining a contact arm lying against one wall of said channel and a resilient spring arm normally spaced from said contact arm; an insert member received in each said channel, each said insert member having a plurality of downwardly directed cavities each receiving a respective terminal therein, a like plurality of openings in an upper surface of each said insert member, each said opening providing an access to a respective terminal located in said cavity, each said insert member having an outwardly and upwardly directed cam surface; hold down means for holding said insert members in said housing while allowing limited relative movement of the insert members within the housing said movement causing opening and closing of said terminals; and an actuating cover member having a pair of spaced depending sidewalls each having a cam surface on a free end thereof, said cam surfaces engaging respective cam surfaces of said insert members to cause relative sliding movement of said insert members with respect to said housing whereby said movement of said insert members causes said insert members to drive said spring arms of said terminals into engagement with leads of a package received in said connector, said cover member bearing against the back of said package to aid in retaining it in said connector.

Claim 9

An electrical connector for integrated circuit packages having a plurality of leads depending from at least one side thereof, said connector comprising: a generally rectangular housing defining an upwardly directed cavity with a channel formed in each of two opposite sides of said cavity a plurality of terminal passages extending between the bottom of each channel and the bottom of said housing; a plurality of terminals each mounted in a respective one of said passages in parallel spaced relationship, each said terminal being formed of conductive material and having a bight defining a contact arm lying against one wall of said channel and a resilient spring arm normally spaced from said contact arm; an insert member received in each said channel, each said insert member having a plurality of downwardly directed cavities each receiving a respective terminal therein, a like plurality of openings in an upper surface of each said insert member, each said opening providing an access to a respective terminal located in said cavity, each said insert member having an outwardly and upwardly directed cam surface; hold down means for holding said insert members in said housing while allowing limited relative movement of the insert members within the housing said movement causing opening and closing of said terminals; and an actuating cover member having a pair of spaced depending sidewalls each having a cam surface on a free end thereof, said cam surfaces engaging respective cam surfaces of said insert members to cause relative sliding movement of said insert members with respect to said housing whereby said movement of said insert members causes said insert members to drive said spring arms of said terminals into engagement with leads of a package received in said connector, said cover member bearing against the back of said package to aid in retaining it in said connector.

Claim 10

A connector according to claim 7 further comprising latching means to detachably secure said cover member to said housing.

Claim 11

A connector according to claim 7 further comprising means to secure said connector to a printed circuit board.

Claim 12

A connector according to claim 7 further comprising an abutment in said housing cavity, said abutment receiving and locating packages placed in said connector.