Connector

Claim 1

An apparatus for providing electrical connections to an integrated circuit having conductive input/output pins extending in a first direction away from the integrated circuit comprising: a non-conductive base having a primary surface and adjacent sides around the perimeter of the primary surface extending in a direction away from the primary surface thereby forming a cavity, said cavity of a size and shape to physically mate with the integrated circuit when the base is placed over the integrated circuit such that the sides extend in the same direction as the input/output pins; at least one conductive contact to provide electrical connection to the input/output pins, comprising: a lower portion located inside the cavity having a bias toward the center of the cavity and positioned such that it aligns with and touches one of said input/output pins when the apparatus is placed over the integrated circuit; and an upper portion located on the primary surface of the base and electrically connected to the lower portion, said upper portion having a size and shape to electrically and physically mate with a contact of another device; whereby electrical connection is provided between the integrated circuit and said other device; and a first clamping means to lock the apparatus over the integrated circuit, said clamping means comprising at least one flange located on the inside of the cavity, said flange engaging with an edge of the integrated circuit to lock the apparatus over the integrated circuit.

Claim 2

An apparatus for providing electrical connections to an integrated circuit having conductive input/output pins extending in a first direction away from the integrated circuit comprising: a non-conductive base having a primary surface and adjacent sides around the perimeter of the primary surface extending in a direction away from the primary surface thereby forming a cavity, said cavity of a size and shape to physically mate with the integrated circuit when the base is placed over the integrated circuit such that the sides extend in the same direction as the input/output pins; at least one conductive contact to provide electrical connection to the input/output pins, comprising: a lower portion located inside the cavity having a bias toward the center of the cavity and positioned such that it aligns with and touches one of said input/output pins when the apparatus is placed over the integrated circuit; and an upper portion located on the primary surface of the base and electrically connected to the lower portion, said upper portion having a size and shape to electrically and physically mate with a contact of another device; whereby electrical connection is provided between the integrated circuit and said other device; and a first clamping means to lock the apparatus over the integrated circuit, said clamping means comprising at least one flange located on the inside of the cavity, said flange engaging with an edge of the integrated circuit to lock the apparatus over the integrated circuit.

Claim 4

A device for providing electrical connections between a first circuit board and an integrated circuit having conductive input/output pins extending in a first direction away from the integrated circuit and being mounted on a second circuit board, said device comprising: a non-conductive base having a top portion and side portions which extend perpendicular to the top portion thereby forming a cavity, said cavity of such size and shape to physically mate with the integrated circuit when the base is placed over the integrated circuit such that the side portions extend in the same direction as the input/output pins; a plurality of conductive contacts each comprising: a lower contact portion located inside the cavity having a bias towards the center of the cavity and positioned such that it aligns with and touches one of the input/output pins when the base is placed over the integrated circuit; and an upper contact portion located on the top surface of the base having a size and shape and positioned such that it electrically and physically mates with the first circuit board; whereby electrical connections are provided between the individual pins of the integrated circuit and the first circuit board and the first circuit board is mounted on the second circuit board.

Claim 5

A device for providing electrical connections between a first circuit board and an integrated circuit having conductive input/output pins extending in a first direction away from the integrated circuit and being mounted on a second circuit board, said device comprising: a non-conductive base having a top portion and side portions which extend perpendicular to the top portion thereby forming a cavity, said cavity of such size and shape to physically mate with the integrated circuit when the base is placed over the integrated circuit such that the side portions extend in the same direction as the input/output pins; a plurality of conductive contacts each comprising: a lower contact portion located inside the cavity having a bias towards the center of the cavity and positioned such that it aligns with and touches one of the input/output pins when the base is placed over the integrated circuit; and an upper contact portion located on the top surface of the base having a size and shape and positioned such that it electrically and physically mates with the first circuit board; whereby electrical connections are provided between the individual pins of the integrated circuit and the first circuit board and the first circuit board is mounted on the second circuit board.

Claim 11

An apparatus for providing electrical connections to an electrical component having conductive input/output pins comprising: a non-conductive base having a primary surface and adjacent sides around the perimeter of the primary surface extending in a direction away from the primary surface thereby forming a cavity, said cavity of a size and shape to physically mate with the electrical component when the base is placed over the component; at least one conductive contact to provide electrical connection to the component input/output pins, comprising: a lower portion located inside the cavity having a bias toward the center of the cavity and positioned such that it aligns with and touches one of said input/output pins when the device is placed over the component; and an upper portion located on the primary surface of the base and electrically connected to the lower portion, said upper portion having a size and shape to electrically and physically mate with a contact of another device; whereby electrical connection is provided between the electrical component and said other device; and a first clamping means comprising at least one flange located on the inside of the cavity, said flange engaging an edge of the component to lock the apparatus over the component.

Claim 12

An apparatus for providing electrical connections to an electrical component having conductive input/output pins comprising: a non-conductive base having a primary surface and adjacent sides around the perimeter of the primary surface extending in a direction away from the primary surface thereby forming a cavity, said cavity of a size and shape to physically mate with the electrical component when the base is placed over the component; at least one conductive contact to provide electrical connection to the component input/output pins, comprising: a lower portion located inside the cavity having a bias toward the center of the cavity and positioned such that it aligns with and touches one of said input/output pins when the device is placed over the component; and an upper portion located on the primary surface of the base and electrically connected to the lower portion, said upper portion having a size and shape to electrically and physically mate with a contact of another device; whereby electrical connection is provided between the electrical component and said other device; and a first clamping means comprising at least one flange located on the inside of the cavity, said flange engaging an edge of the component to lock the apparatus over the component.

Claim 13

An apparatus for providing electrical connections to an electrical component having conductive input/output pins comprising: a non-conductive base having a primary surface and adjacent sides around the perimeter of the primary surface extending in a direction away from the primary surface thereby forming a cavity, said cavity of a size and shape to physically mate with the electrical component when the base is placed over the component; at least one conductive contact to provide electrical connection to the component input/output pins, comprising: a lower portion located inside the cavity having a bias toward the center of the cavity and positioned such that it aligns with and touches one of said input/output pins when the device is placed over the component; and an upper portion located on the primary surface of the base and electrically connected to the lower portion, said upper portion having a size and shape to electrically and physically mate with a contact of another device; whereby electrical connection is provided between the electrical component and said other device; a first clamping means to lock the apparatus over the component; and a second clamping means to lock an input/output connector onto the apparatus.

Claim 14

An apparatus for providing electrical connections to an electrical component having conductive input/output pins comprising: a non-conductive base having a primary surface and adjacent sides around the perimeter of the primary surface extending in a direction away from the primary surface thereby forming a cavity, said cavity of a size and shape to physically mate with the electrical component when the base is placed over the component; at least one conductive contact to provide electrical connection to the component input/output pins, comprising: a lower portion located inside the cavity having a bias toward the center of the cavity and positioned such that it aligns with and touches one of said input/output pins when the device is placed over the component; and an upper portion located on the primary surface of the base and electrically connected to the lower portion, said upper portion having a size and shape to electrically and physically mate with a contact of another device; whereby electrical connection is provided between the electrical component and said other device; a first clamping means to lock the apparatus over the component; and a second clamping means to lock an input/output connector onto the apparatus.

Claim 15

A device for providing electrical connections between an electrical component having conductive input/output pins and a circuit board comprising: a non-conductive base having a top portion and side portions which extend perpendicular to the top portion thereby forming a cavity, said cavity of such size and shape to physically mate with the electrical component when the base is placed over the electrical component; a plurality of conductive contacts each comprising: a lower contact portion located inside the cavity having a bias towards the center of the cavity and positioned such that it aligns with and touches one of the electrical component pins when the base is placed over the electrical component; and an upper contact portion located on the top surface of the base having a size and shape and positioned such that it electrically and physically mates with the circuit board; whereby electrical connections are provided between the individual pins of the electrical component and the circuit board; and a first clamping means comprising at least one flange extending out of an inside surface of the cavity, said flange engaging an edge of the electrical component to lock the device over the electrical component.

Claim 16

A device for providing electrical connections between an electrical component having conductive input/output pins and a circuit board comprising: a non-conductive base having a top portion and side portions which extend perpendicular to the top portion thereby forming a cavity, said cavity of such size and shape to physically mate with the electrical component when the base is placed over the electrical component; a plurality of conductive contacts each comprising: a lower contact portion located inside the cavity having a bias towards the center of the cavity and positioned such that it aligns with and touches one of the electrical component pins when the base is placed over the electrical component; and an upper contact portion located on the top surface of the base having a size and shape and positioned such that it electrically and physically mates with the circuit board; whereby electrical connections are provided between the individual pins of the electrical component and the circuit board; and a first clamping means comprising at least one flange extending out of an inside surface of the cavity, said flange engaging an edge of the electrical component to lock the device over the electrical component.

Claim 17

A device for providing electrical connections between an electrical component having conductive input/output pins and a circuit board comprising: a non-conductive base having a top portion and side portions which extend perpendicular to the top portion thereby forming a cavity, said cavity of such size and shape to physically mate with the electrical component when the base is placed over the electrical component; a plurality of conductive contacts each comprising: a lower contact portion located inside the cavity having a bias towards the center of the cavity and positioned such that it aligns with and touches one of the electrical component pins when the base is placed over the electrical component; and an upper contact portion located on the top surface of the base having a size and shape and positioned such that it electrically and physically mates with the circuit board; whereby electrical connections are provided between the individual pins of the electrical component and the circuit board; a first clamping means to lock the device over the electrical component; and a second clamping means to lock a ribbon cable connector to the device.

Claim 18

A device for providing electrical connections between an electrical component having conductive input/output pins and a circuit board comprising: a non-conductive base having a top portion and side portions which extend perpendicular to the top portion thereby forming a cavity, said cavity of such size and shape to physically mate with the electrical component when the base is placed over the electrical component; a plurality of conductive contacts each comprising: a lower contact portion located inside the cavity having a bias towards the center of the cavity and positioned such that it aligns with and touches one of the electrical component pins when the base is placed over the electrical component; and an upper contact portion located on the top surface of the base having a size and shape and positioned such that it electrically and physically mates with the circuit board; whereby electrical connections are provided between the individual pins of the electrical component and the circuit board; a first clamping means to lock the device over the electrical component; and a second clamping means to lock a ribbon cable connector to the device.

Claim 19

An apparatus for mounting a first circuit board on an integrated circuit having conductive input/output pins which extend in a first direction toward and are mounted on a second circuit board, said apparatus comprising: a non-conductive base having a primary surface and adjacent sides around the perimeter of the primary surface extending in a direction away from the primary surface thereby forming a cavity, said cavity of a size and shape to physically mate with the integrated circuit when the base is placed over the integrated circuit so that the direction in which the sides extend is the same as said first direction; and a plurality of conductive contacts each comprising: a lower contact portion located inside the cavity having a bias towards the center of the cavity and positioned such that it aligns with and touches one of the integrated circuit pins when the base is placed over the integrated circuit; and an upper contact portion located on the top surface of the base having a size and shape and positioned such that it electrically and physically mates with the first circuit board; whereby electrical connections are provided between the individual pins of the integrated circuit and the first circuit board and the first circuit board is mounted on the second circuit board.

Claim 20

An apparatus for mounting a first circuit board on an integrated circuit having conductive input/output pins which extend in a first direction toward and are mounted on a second circuit board, said apparatus comprising: a non-conductive base having a primary surface and adjacent sides around the perimeter of the primary surface extending in a direction away from the primary surface thereby forming a cavity, said cavity of a size and shape to physically mate with the integrated circuit when the base is placed over the integrated circuit so that the direction in which the sides extend is the same as said first direction; and a plurality of conductive contacts each comprising: a lower contact portion located inside the cavity having a bias towards the center of the cavity and positioned such that it aligns with and touches one of the integrated circuit pins when the base is placed over the integrated circuit; and an upper contact portion located on the top surface of the base having a size and shape and positioned such that it electrically and physically mates with the first circuit board; whereby electrical connections are provided between the individual pins of the integrated circuit and the first circuit board and the first circuit board is mounted on the second circuit board.

Claim 21

A method for mounting a first circuit board on a second circuit board comprising the steps of: placing on an integrated circuit having conductive input/output pins which extend in a first direction toward and are mounted on a second circuit board a connector comprising: a non-conductive base having a primary surface and adjacent sides around the perimeter of the primary surface extending in a direction away from the primary surface thereby forming a cavity, said cavity being of a size and shape to physically mate with the integrated circuit when the base is placed over the integrated circuit so that the direction in which the sides extend is the same as said first direction; and a plurality of conductive contacts each comprising: a lower contact portion located inside the cavity having a bias towards the center of the cavity and positioned such that it aligns with and touches one of the integrated circuit pins when the base is placed over the integrated circuit; and an upper contact portion located on the top surface of the base; and mounting on the upper contact portions of said conductive contacts said first circuit board, said upper contact portions having a size and shape and being positioned so that they electrically and physically mate with the first circuit board; whereby electrical connections are provided between the individual pins of the integrated circuit and the first circuit board and the first circuit board is mounted on the second circuit board.

Claim 22

A method for mounting a first circuit board on a second circuit board comprising the steps of: placing on an integrated circuit having conductive input/output pins which extend in a first direction toward and are mounted on a second circuit board a connector comprising: a non-conductive base having a primary surface and adjacent sides around the perimeter of the primary surface extending in a direction away from the primary surface thereby forming a cavity, said cavity being of a size and shape to physically mate with the integrated circuit when the base is placed over the integrated circuit so that the direction in which the sides extend is the same as said first direction; and a plurality of conductive contacts each comprising: a lower contact portion located inside the cavity having a bias towards the center of the cavity and positioned such that it aligns with and touches one of the integrated circuit pins when the base is placed over the integrated circuit; and an upper contact portion located on the top surface of the base; and mounting on the upper contact portions of said conductive contacts said first circuit board, said upper contact portions having a size and shape and being positioned so that they electrically and physically mate with the first circuit board; whereby electrical connections are provided between the individual pins of the integrated circuit and the first circuit board and the first circuit board is mounted on the second circuit board.

Claim 23

An apparatus for providing electrical connections to an integrated circuit having conductive input/output pins extending in a first direction away from the integrated circuit and mounted on a first circuit board comprising: a non-conductive base having a primary surface and adjacent sides around the perimeter of the primary surface extending in a direction away from the primary surface thereby forming a cavity, said cavity of a size and shape to physically mate with the integrated circuit when the base is placed over the integrated circuit such that the sides extend in the same direction as the input/output pins; and at least one conductive contact to provide electrical connection to the input/output pins, comprising: a lower portion located inside the cavity having a bias toward the center of the cavity and positioned such that it aligns with and touches one of said input/output pins when the device is placed over the integrated circuit; and an upper portion located on the primary surface of the base and electrically connected to the lower portion, said upper portion having a size and shape to electrically and physically mate with a contact of another device; whereby electrical connection is provided between the integrated circuit and said other device.

Claim 24

An apparatus for providing electrical connections to an integrated circuit having conductive input/output pins extending in a first direction away from the integrated circuit and mounted on a first circuit board comprising: a non-conductive base having a primary surface and adjacent sides around the perimeter of the primary surface extending in a direction away from the primary surface thereby forming a cavity, said cavity of a size and shape to physically mate with the integrated circuit when the base is placed over the integrated circuit such that the sides extend in the same direction as the input/output pins; and at least one conductive contact to provide electrical connection to the input/output pins, comprising: a lower portion located inside the cavity having a bias toward the center of the cavity and positioned such that it aligns with and touches one of said input/output pins when the device is placed over the integrated circuit; and an upper portion located on the primary surface of the base and electrically connected to the lower portion, said upper portion having a size and shape to electrically and physically mate with a contact of another device; whereby electrical connection is provided between the integrated circuit and said other device.