Socket with integral, retractable socket contact protector

Abstract

In some embodiments, a socket with integral, retractable socket contact protector is presented. In this regard, a contact protector is introduced to protect contacts, and to provide openings through which the contacts can emerge to couple with lands. Other embodiments are also disclosed and claimed.

1 . A method comprising:
 protecting contacts with a table containing openings though which the contacts can emerge to couple with lands.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 captivating the table within a socket housing.   
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein captivating the table within a socket housing comprises:
 snapping the table under tabs in the socket housing such that the openings are aligned over the contacts.   
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 repositioning the table from a first position where a top surface of the table is a distance above the contacts to a second position where the top surface of the table is a distance below the contacts.   
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein repositioning the table from the first position to the second position comprises:
 applying an actuation force to seat a device package in a socket.   
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 applying a force to compress springs integral to the table.   
   
   
       7 . An electronic appliance, comprising:
 a processor, to process data;   a memory, to store data;   a network controller, to communicate data; and   a processor socket coupled with the processor, the memory and the network controller, the processor socket comprising a table to protect socket contacts by providing a top surface a distance above the socket contacts when the table is in an up position and openings through which the socket contacts emerge to couple with the processor when the table is in a down position.   
   
   
       8 . The electronic appliance of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 the table containing integral springs to place the table in the up position when no force is applied and to place the table in the down position when an actuation force is applied.   
   
   
       9 . The electronic appliance of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 the table containing openings of a size to accommodate the socket contacts including any wiping action.   
   
   
       10 . The electronic appliance of  claim 7 , further comprising the table being captivated in the socket under integrated tabs within the socket. 
   
   
       11 . A socket comprising:
 socket contacts, to couple with a device package;   a socket housing, to hold the socket contacts and align the device package; and   a socket contact protector, to protect the socket contacts by providing a top surface a distance above the socket contacts when the socket contact protector is in an up position and openings through which the socket contacts emerge to couple with the device package when the socket contact protector is in a down position.   
   
   
       12 . The socket of  claim 11 , further comprising the socket contact protector being captivated within the socket housing. 
   
   
       13 . The socket of  claim 11 , further comprising compressible springs to hold the socket contact protector in the up position in the absence of an actuation force. 
   
   
       14 . The socket of  claim 13 , wherein the socket contact protector is a substantially planar plastic table. 
   
   
       15 . The socket of  claim 13 , wherein the springs are integrated with the plastic table. 
   
   
       16 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a substrate;   a memory socket coupled with the substrate; and   a processor socket coupled with the substrate, the processor socket containing means for covering socket contacts and means for allowing the socket contacts to couple with a processor package.   
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising means for retracting the means for covering socket contacts. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising means for aligning the means for covering socket contacts. 
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising means for extending the means for covering socket contacts in the absence of an actuation force. 
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising means for captivating the means for covering socket contacts. 
   
   
       21 . The socket of  claim 11 , further comprising the socket contact protector designed to physically align with surfaces of the socket housing. 
   
   
       22 . The electronic appliance of  claim 7 , further comprising the table having a shape and dimensions to physically align within the socket.