Electronic surface mount module socket with ejector latch

• US 5,387,115 A
• Filed: 06/07/1993
• Issued: 02/07/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Methode Electronics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Methode Electronics Incorporated
• Inventors: Kozel, Charles, Ufheil, Joseph, Hiller, Steven
• Primary Examiner(s): Bishop, Steven C.
• Application Number:
  US08/073,168
• Time in Patent Office: 610 Days
• Field of Search: 439/152-160, 439/83, 439/62, 439/325, 439/327, 439/328, 439/329, 439/567, 439/629-631, 439/636, 439/637, 439/566
• US Class Current: 439/157
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/57 surface mounting terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/7029 not integral with the coupling device
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/712 co-operating with the surface of the printed circuit or with a coupling device exclusively provided on the surface of the printed circuit H01R12/72 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/721 cooperating directly with the edge of the rigid printed circuits

Abstract

A electronic module socket for interconnecting an electronic module to a circuit board includes an insulative housing having an elongated central cavity having multiple formed tuning fork contacts to provide electrical connection and retain an electronic module within the central cavity. The contacts include a contact end which extends transversely from the socket and engages conductive members of a circuit board for surface mounting of the socket thereon. The socket includes a latch to provide a locking and an ejector mechanism for an electronic module.

Claims

1. An electronic module socket for interconnecting an electronic module to a circuit board, the electronic module socket comprising:

an elongated insulative housing including,

an elongated central cavity for receiving an electronic module having,

a plurality of opposed contacts located along both sides of said central cavity configured to establish electrical contact with said electronic module upon insertion of said electronic module within said central cavity;

said contacts each defining a first and second section which resides within said central cavity exerting frictional force against said electronic module upon insertion, sufficient to retain said electronic module in said central cavity, said contacts also each defining a third contact section positioned exterior and transversely to the base of said socket to engage conductive members of a circuit board when said socket is carried thereon;

said third contact section extending beyond the side of said socket, whereby said third contact sections are exposed in the upward perpendicular direction while the socket is carded on a circuit board;

said housing includes a latch means positioned at each end of said central cavity, pivotally mounted on said housing for movement between a latched positioned in which support is provided for said electronic module upon insertion, and an eject position in which said electronic module is ejected from said socket;

said latch means includes an actuating surface for moving the latch from said latched position to said eject position and a detent which locks said electronic module by frictionally engaging said electronic module when said latch means is rotated toward said electronic module from said eject position to said latched position, said detents limiting movement of said electronic module upon insertion in said central cavity;

said latch means includes a camming surface positioned at the base of said latch means for exerting upward pressure at the base of said electronic module upon movement of said latch from said latched position to said eject position to eject said electronic module, and said base of said electronic module to contact said camming surface upon insertion of said electronic module in said central cavity providing downward pressure on said camming surface to rotate said latch from said eject position to said latched position;

said housing includes enlarged right-angle tabs positioned exterior and transversely to the base of said socket to engage solder pads of a circuit board; and

said right angle tabs being integral with a securement member.

2. The electronic module socket of claim 1, wherein:

said contacts are tuning fork contacts stamped and formed.

3. The electronic module socket of claim 2, wherein:

said contacts each comprise a convoluted, elongated, linear, conductive metal member said first and second sections being separated from each other by a U-shape base section.

4. The electronic module socket of claim 1, wherein:

said securement member protrudes downwardly from said socket for insertion into said circuit board, securing said socket to said circuit board.

5. The electronic module socket of claim 1 wherein:

said housing includes stand-offs projecting downwardly from the base of said socket providing contact areas to support said socket on said circuit board.

6. The electronic module socket of claim 4 wherein:

said stand-offs project equidistantly from said base as said contacts in order to provide protection of said contacts.

7. The electronic module socket of claim 1 wherein:

said contacts are gang loaded within said housing.