IP Library Granted Patent US 8,465,312
Granted Patent B2
US 8,465,312 · App. 13/312,279 · Granted Jun 18, 2013

Socket cartridge and socket cartridge assembly

Inventor: Thomas H. Di Stefano (Monte Sereno, CA)
Assignee: Centipede Systems, Inc.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,465,312
App. No.
13/312,279
Granted
Jun 18, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

A socket cartridge including: a contactor holder adapted to hold one or more electrical contactors disposed therein; and one or more pairs of spring structures; wherein each spring structure (a) is attached at a proximal end to the contactor holder, (b) includes an engagement feature disposed at a distal end thereof and a spring member attached to the engagement feature, and (c) the spring member is adapted to urge the engagement feature in a direction that points outward from a distal end of the contactor holder. A socket assembly that includes: (a) a mounting plate having one or more pairs of mating guides disposed on opposite sides of an aperture; and (b) the socket cartridge disposed in the aperture.

Claims (32)

1. A socket cartridge that comprises:

a contactor holder adapted to hold one or more electrical contactors disposed therein; and

one or more pairs of flat spring structures;

wherein each flat spring structure (a) is attached at a proximal end to the contactor holder, (b) includes an engagement feature disposed at a distal end thereof and a spring member attached to the engagement feature, and (c) the spring member is adapted to urge the engagement feature in a direction that points outward from a distal end of the contactor holder;

wherein the spring member comprises spring elements disposed on opposite sides of the engagement feature, and each of the spring elements are affixed to a distal end of the spring structure and to a distal end of the engagement feature; and

wherein the engagement feature includes a concave surface on the distal edge of the flat spring structure.

2. A socket cartridge that comprises:

a contactor holder adapted to hold one or more electrical contactors disposed therein; and

one or more pairs of flat spring structures;

wherein each flat spring structure (a) is attached at a proximal end to the contactor holder, (b) includes an engagement feature disposed at a distal end thereof and a spring member attached to the engagement feature, and (c) the spring member is adapted to urge the engagement feature in a direction that points outward from a distal end of the contactor holder;

wherein the spring member comprises spring elements disposed on opposite sides of the engagement feature, and each of the spring elements are affixed to a distal end of the spring structure and to a distal end of the engagement feature; and

wherein the engagement feature is a convex boss extending from the distal edge of the flat spring structure.

3. A socket cartridge that comprises:

a contactor holder adapted to hold one or more electrical contactors disposed therein; and

one or more pairs of flat spring structures;

wherein each flat spring structure (a) is attached at a proximal end to the contactor holder, (b) includes an engagement feature disposed at a distal end thereof and a spring member attached to the engagement feature, and (c) the spring member is adapted to urge the engagement feature in a direction that points outward from a distal end of the contactor holder;

wherein the spring member comprises spring elements disposed on opposite sides of the engagement feature, and each of the spring elements are affixed to a distal end of the spring structure and to a distal end of the engagement feature; and

wherein the engagement feature is a wedge protruding from the distal edge of the flat spring structure.

4. A socket cartridge that comprises:

a contactor holder adapted to hold one or more electrical contactors disposed therein; and

one or more pairs of flat spring structures;

wherein each flat spring structure (a) is attached at a proximal end to the contactor holder, (b) includes an engagement feature disposed at a distal end thereof and a spring member attached to the engagement feature, and (c) the spring member is adapted to urge the engagement feature in a direction that points outward from a distal end of the contactor holder;

wherein the spring member comprises spring elements affixed on opposite sides of the engagement feature, each of the spring elements being affixed to a proximal end of the spring structure and to an edge of the engagement feature opposite a distal edge of the spring structure; and

wherein the engagement feature is a notch into the distal edge of the flat spring structure.

5. A socket cartridge that comprises:

a contactor holder adapted to hold one or more electrical contactors disposed therein; and

one or more pairs of flat spring structures;

wherein each flat spring structure (a) is attached at a proximal end to the contactor holder, (b) includes an engagement feature disposed at a distal end thereof and a spring member attached to the engagement feature, and (c) the spring member is adapted to urge the engagement feature in a direction that points outward from a distal end of the contactor holder;

wherein the spring member comprises spring elements affixed on opposite sides of the engagement feature, each of the spring elements being affixed to a proximal end of the spring structure and to an edge of the engagement feature opposite a distal edge of the spring structure; and

wherein the engagement feature includes an engagement concave surface on the distal edge of the flat spring structure disposed between couplers.

6. The socket cartridge of claim 5 wherein each coupler is a concave surface on the distal edge of the flat spring structure.

7. The socket cartridge of claim 5 wherein the engagement concave surface is a notch.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 6, 2011
From: DI STEFANO, THOMAS H.
To: CENTIPEDE SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 027342/0171 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 61420733 · Dec 7, 2010
Related Publication 20120142210A1 · Jun 7, 2012