1. A method of assembling an electrical terminal assembly comprising:
a. providing a base including a plurality of base beams;
b. providing a spring member including a plurality of spring beams, wherein the spring member defines an axis such that the plurality of spring beams are spaced radially apart from the axis;
c. deflecting the spring beams radially outwardly;
d. inserting the base in the spring member to position the base beams adjacent to the spring beams; and
e. releasing the spring beams such that the spring beams retract radially inwardly against the base beams, thereby assembling an electrical terminal assembly.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein in step (c), an arbor is inserted along the axis to deflect the spring beams radially outwardly.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein in step (e), the arbor is removed permitting the spring beams to retract radially inwardly against the base beams.
4. The method of claim 2, wherein each of the base beams include a slot formed therein to define a pair of adjacent spring beams.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the arbor includes a plurality of ribs such that a rib extends into each of the slots between the pair of adjacent base beams when the base is inserted into the spring member in step (d).
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the plurality of ribs act against the plurality of spring beams deflecting the spring beams radially outwardly in step (c).
7. The method of claim 6, wherein each of the ribs includes a ramped surface which engage with tip portions of the spring beams.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein each of the tip portions is curved.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the base and spring member are provided with integrally formed securing features to prevent axial movement of the base relative to the spring member.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the base is provided with a radially outwardly extending tab that engages with an edge of an opening formed in the spring member when the base is inserted into the spring member in step (d) to prevent the movement of the spring member relative to the base along a first axial direction.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the spring member is provided with a radially inwardly extending finger that engages with an edge of a slot formed in the base when the base is inserted into the spring member in step (d) to prevent the movement of the spring member relative to the base along a second axial direction opposite the first axial direction.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein the spring member is made of a material having a higher yield strength than material that the base is made of.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the spring member is made of steel.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein the base is made of a high conductivity alloy.
15. The method of claim 1, wherein the base and the spring member have a box-like shape, and wherein the spring member has four spring members which bias four base members in a radially inwardly direction when the electrical terminal assembly is assembled.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. An electrical connector adapted for connection an Integrated Circuit (IC) chip to a printed circuit board (PCB), comprising:
an insulating housing having a plurality of passageways;
a plurality of contacts received in the passageways; and a frame moveable assembled on the housing to allow the IC chip to be inserted therein, comprising a first and second side walls parallel to each other and a third side wall connecting with ends of the first and second side walls without a sidewall opposite the third wall, thereby a hatch is defined opposite to the third wall;
wherein the frame has retaining portions with hook sections extending downwards from the side walls to fix the frame to the housing;
wherein the frame has post portions each with a spring element received in a corresponding receiving hole of the housing.
2. The electrical connector as described in claim 1, wherein the frame defines a U-shape receiving space to receive the IC chip therein.
3. The electrical connector as described in claim 1, wherein the first and second side walls is longer than the third side wall.
4. The electrical connector as described in claim 1, wherein a supporting member is received in the housing and have protrusions pressed by actuating portion of the frame.
5. The electrical connector as described in claim 1, wherein said frame is of one piece unitarily.
6. An electrical connector for connection an Integrated Circuit (IC) chip to a printed circuit board (PCB), comprising:
an insulating housing having a plurality of passageways;
a plurality of contacts received in the passageways; and a frame up and down moveable assembled on the housing and allowing the IC chip to be loaded therethrough into the housing, said frame defining four sides with thereof one side being essentially laterally open to an exterior so as to not only provide flexibility and capability of receiving a longer IC chip which extends throughout said one side, but also maintain strength of the frame via the other three side joined together;
wherein the frame has retaining portions with hook sections extending downwards from the side walls to fix the frame to the housing;
wherein the frame has post portions each with a spring element received in a corresponding receiving hole of the housing.
7. The electrical connector as claimed in claim 6, wherein said four sides include two opposite long sides and two opposite short sides, and said one side belongs to the short side.
8. The electrical connector as claimed in claim 6, wherein at least two of said three other sides are equipped with latching devices and guiding device to assure up-and-down movement of the frame with regard to the housing without risk of being withdraw.
9. The electrical connector as claimed in claim 8, wherein all side other three sides are equipped with the latching devices, respectively.
10. The electrical connector as claimed in claim 6, wherein urging devices are provided between the frame and the housing to actuate upward moment of the frame with regard to the housing.
11. The electrical connector as described in claim 6, further including four chamfered structures at four corners of said four sided frame.
12. The electrical connector as described in claim 6, wherein said other three sides are all equipped with corresponding latching devices for cooperating with the housing.