Socket warpage reduction apparatus

Abstract

Socket warpage reduction apparatus and method including a socket comprising a socket housing having a surface mount region for an electrical device, and at least one rigid bar secured in a groove in the socket housing and contiguous the surface mount region to ensure the surface mount region is flat and remains flattened in varying ambient conditions.

1 . A socket comprising: 
 a socket housing having a surface mount region for an electrical device, and at least one rigid bar secured in a groove in the socket housing and contiguous the surface mount region to ensure the surface mount region is flat and remains flattened in varying ambient conditions.    
   
   
       2 . The socket as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the groove is a U-shaped channel.  
   
   
       3 . The socket as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the rigid bar is a rod.  
   
   
       4 . The socket as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein there is provided a second rigid bar secured in another groove in the housing substantially parallel to the rigid bar and disposed adjacent the surface mount region such that an electrical device positioned on the surface mount region is disposed between the one rigid bar and the second rigid bar.  
   
   
       5 . The socket as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the groove and the another groove are both U-shaped channels.  
   
   
       6 . The socket as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein each rigid bar is a rod.  
   
   
       7 . An electrical socket to provide a flat surface mount region for an electrical device, the socket comprising: 
 a U-shaped rigid bar secured in a mating U-shaped groove such that the surface mount region for the electrical device is disposed within the U-shape of the U-shaped bar to ensure the surface mount region is flat and remains flattened in varying ambient conditions.    
   
   
       8 . The socket as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the U-shaped groove is a channel having a U-shaped cross-section.  
   
   
       9 . The socket as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the U-shaped rigid bar has a rod shaped cross-section.