# US 8,465,312 B2 · Socket cartridge and socket cartridge assembly

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- Number: US 8,465,312 B2
- Document ID: US8465312B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/312,279
- Filed: 2011-12-06
- Published: 2012-06-07
- Granted: 2013-06-18
- Earliest claimed: 2010-12-07
- Assignees: Centipede Systems, Inc.
- Applicants: Thomas H. Di Stefano
- Inventors: Thomas H. Di Stefano
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8465312B2

## CPC

- H01R 13/24: resilient; resiliently-mounted
- H01R 4/48: utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member (H01R4/52 takes precedence)
- H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS

## 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

### Claim 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.

### Claim 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.

### Claim 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.

### Claim 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.

### Claim 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.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

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

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

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