Locking device of zero insertion force socket connector

Abstract

A socket connector includes a base housing defining cells receiving and retaining conductive contact elements therein and a cover movably supported on a top face of the base housing. The base housing has a bottom face mounted to a circuit board and the contact elements have tails extending beyond the bottom face and electrically connected to the circuit board. The cover carries an electronic package having depending pin legs and defines passages through which the pin legs extend. The pin legs partially extend into the cells whereby when the cover is moved from an initial, non-engaged position to a final, engaged position, the pin legs are brought into contact with the contact elements to establish an electrical connection therebetween. A cavity is defined in the housing for receiving a tool to drive the movement of the cover with respect to the housing toward to the engaged position. A stuffer locker includes a stuffer body removably fit into the cavity and a stop flange abutting against an edge of the cover to secure the cover at the engaged position. The stuffer body forms raised ribs for interferentially engaging the cavity thereby firmly retaining the stuffer locker in the cavity.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.