Surface mount LCC socket

Claim 1

A socket (10) for electrically interconnecting a leadless chip carrier to a substrate, said socket comprising: a dielectric housing (12) having side walls (24,26) and corner blocks (28) which define a central opening (30) for receiving a leadless chip carrier, said side walls (24,26) having cavities (34) opening into said central opening (30), and further having a retaining bar (142) in each of said cavities (34); a plurality of contact elements (16) formed from conductive material and having a rigid base section (92) with first and second spring arms (100,102) extending outwardly from respective ends (96,98) of said base section (92) and a retaining member (104) having a barb (138) extending outwardly from said base section (92) intermediate and parallel to said spring arms (100,102), said second spring arm (102) having a first straight portion (120) with a barb (122) thereon said elements (16) being disposed in respective cavities (34) in said housing (12) with said base sections (92) being parallel to the height of said housing (12) and said first springs arm (100) extending into said central opening (30) for electrical engagement with a leadless chip carrier which may be disposed therein and said second spring arm (102) extending outwardly from said housing (12) for electrical engagement with circuits on a substrate on which said socket may be mounted and said barbs (122,138) on said second spring arm (102) and said retaining member (104) respectively engaging opposite sides of said retaining bar (142); and a cover (18) for holding a leadless chip carrier in said central opening and for biasing said carrier against said first springs arms (100).