Protective cover plate and associated system and method of use

[0001] The assembly process for installing certain Land Grid Array type processors in a socket requires that a protective cover be removed from the socket after placement of the processor in the socket. The cover is used to protect the delicate connection pins on the socket and also serves as a place to grab for the manufacturing machines. Forgetting to remove the plastic cover and installing a heat sink directly on top of the cover leads to thermal shut down of the system and damage to the ports.

[0002] In one embodiment there is disclosed a protective cover for a multi-pin electrical device socket. The socket, prior to having a device inserted therein, is covered with a cover having an inner surface facing the socket, a portion of the periphery of the inner surface of the cover contacting a frame having an open area surrounded by the frame structure. The inner surface of the cover has at least one protrusion thereon, with the protrusion adapted to contact an inserted electrical device thereby causing the cover to cease contacting at least one portion of the frame when the electrical device is installed in the socket.

[0010] FIGS. 1a and 1b show a top plan view and side view, respectively, of an embodiment of a multi-pin socket, such as land grid array socket 12 without an electrical device mated therewith. Locking lever 15 (shown in the locked position) holds down frame 101A–101D, which frame defines an open area across which protective cover 30 (20) is stretched. Protective cover 30 is held by its periphery to frame elements 101A–101D and, in one embodiment, is sealed to keep debris from the pins (shown in FIG. 4) of socket 12. Typically, the protective cover would have dimensions of 44.0 mm width, length 48.00 mm and thickness 1.0 mm and is manufactured of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene terpolymer thermoplastic. The dimensions of the protective cover will depend upon the size and shape of the frame and socket with which it is used. Any number of other appropriate materials may also be used for the cover.

[0011] FIG. 2a shows a side view of prior art protective cover 20 which is flat on both its top and bottom surfaces. Thus, when the socket device is closed over the top of an inserted electrical device, such as processor 51 (shown in FIG. 5) protected cover 20 remains in place essentially covering device 51. Thus, if one were to forget to remove protective cover 20 and attach an auxiliary device, such as a heat sink, (shown in FIG. 6) to the top of device 51, the system would fail because the protective cover would be interposed between the two devices. Causing thermal failure.

[0012] FIGS. 2a and 2b show the side view and bottom view, respectively, of prior art protective cover 20.

[0013] FIG. 3a shows the side view of a modified protective cover 30 having tabs, such as semi-circular cams 31, protruding downward from the bottom surface of the cover. In one embodiment, these protrusions are approximately 1.3 mm in height. Thus, as will be seen from FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 when the frame that holds the protective cover is lowered over an inserted electrical device, the tabs (protrusions) project into the socket cavity thereby coming into contact with the device inserted in the socket. Tabs 31 can have any shape or size to cause an interfering fit between the cover and a device positioned in the socket may be used. This contact then serves to dislodge protective cover 30 from frame portion 101A indicating to an operator that the remainder of the protective cover must be removed.

[0014] FIG. 3b shows the bottom view of protective cover 30.

[0015] FIG. 4 shows an empty (no electrical device plugged into socket base 42) socket 12 in the ‘open’ position. Note that locking lever 15 is shown in the open position. When socket 12 is closed, cam 150 of lever 15 would engage lip 41 to hold frame 101A–101D closed thereby maintaining an inserted electrical device in position. Tabs 31, 32 protrude from the bottom surface of cover 30 in a manner such that they do not contact socket base 42 or protruding pins 43 when cover 30 is in a closed position over the socket and no electrical device is present.

[0016] FIG. 5 shows electrical device 51, which in this embodiment is a 775 pin land grid array device, inserted in contact with pins 43 of socket base 42 (shown in FIG. 4). Once device 51 is inserted into the socket, frame 101A–101D portion of socket 12 is then closed around device 51 and lever 15 is rotated to hold the frame closed thereby holding device 51 in place.

[0017] FIG. 6 shows device 51 mounted within closed socket 12 with lever 15 in the locked position such that cam 150 is rotated over lip 41 of frame 101C. Protrusions 31, 32 on the inside surface of protective cover 30 bear upon the top of device 51 thereby forcing edge 601 of protective cover upward as shown. The operator can now easily remove the protective cover and, if desired, attach heat sink 61 to the top surface of device 51 via the open area within frame 101A–101D. The bottom peripheral dimension 62 of heat sink 61 is such that if fits within the open area formed by frame portions 101A–101D.

[0018] Note that the protective cover can be solid or flexible and can have one or more protrusions as desired. Thus, the cover could be designed with protrusions around its periphery so that when the socket is closed all sides of the cover are forced away from frames 101A–101D. Cover 30 may be attached to frame 101A–101D in a manner that permits detachment when tabs 31, 32 engage the top of device 51. Various ways of attaching cover 30 to frame 101A–101D include, but are not limited to end pins, hinges, rotation bars, flexible webbing, one-piece flexible plastic, etc.