Connector apparatus, and associated method, formed of material exhibiting physical-memory characteristics

In an electronic circuit component mounted upon a substrate and electronically connected thereto, the substrate defining a seating surface at which the electronic circuit is received in seating engagement thereon, the seating surface having at least a first indent coated with an electrically conductive material, an improvement of a connector for electrically connecting the electronic circuit component in affixed engagement with the substrate, said connector comprising:

• at least a first pin member affixed to the electrical circuit component to form a portion thereof, said first pin member of an electrically-conductive material that exhibits physical-memory characteristics, said first pin member positioned at least alternately in a first configuration and a memory configuration, said first pin member extending into the first indent when the electronic circuit is seated upon the seating surface and said first pin member is molded in the first configuration, said first pin member reconfigured in the memory configuration responsive to heating to a deformation threshold temperature such that, when positioned in the memory configuration, first clutching forces exerted by said first pin member cause flexing engagement of said first pin member with the electrically conductive material coating the first indent.