GB2085671A - Improvements in or relating to separating means for separating two connected components - Google Patents

Abstract

A tool for separating for example an integrated circuit 14 from a test socket 10 comprises a bar 22 located in a groove 24 formed along the centre of the test socket 10, the bar 22 being located below the IC when it is inserted. A lever 26, 30 is used to raise this bar and thus remove the IC when testing is complete. As an alternative the bar can be spring loaded upwardly and depressed when an IC is inserted and held in position manually by the operator. The IC is then automatically ejected when the operator releases the IC. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to separating means for separating two connected components This invention relates to separating means for separating two connected components and more particularly but not exclusively to separating means for miniature components which are difficult to handle manually, such as an integrated circuit from a socket.

One method of testing an integrated circuit is to insert the l.C. into a test socket manually. Test sockets however are normally provided with high tapering walls which guide the l.C. into position and are also quite robust compared to a normal l.C. socket to withstand the numerous insertions and removals of the l.C.'s. They thus tend to be rather bulky and it can be difficult to remove an l.C. from the test socket manually with the risk that the I.C. may be damaged during removal.

It is an object of the present invention therefore to provide means for separating electrical components which will overcome or substantially reduce these problems.

According to the present invention separating means for separating two connected components comprises a member moveably mounted relative to a first component the member being adapted to be located between the two components and adapted, when moved relative to the first component, to force the other component out of engagement with and to separate from the first component.

The member may be moved relative to the first component by lever means or by resilient means.

Thus in the former case the two connected components are separated by activation of the lever means whilst in the latter case the two connected components are separated by activating the resilient means.

Preferably the lever means comprises a pivoted lever which is adapted to move the member relative to the first component when the lever is manually pivoted.

The member may be urged by resilient means into a component separating position, whereby the two components are only connected when they are physically held together.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only in which:~ Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of one type of l.C.

ejector constructed according to the invention showing an integrated circuit inserted into a test socket.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the ejector shown in Figure 1 and Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of another type of I.C. ejector showing the two components in a separated position.

The test socket 10 is of welt known type and can be used for testing l.C.'s having different numbers of connections. In this case the socket has sixteen connections 12 but is shown with an l.C. 14 having eight connections 16 inserted into it.

Surrounding thetest socket 10 is a jig IS and formed in each end wall of the jig is an elongated slot 20. A bar 22 passes through the jig and through the slots 20 and is thus moveable along the slots, the test socket 10 being formed with V-shaped walls which permit movement of the bar 22. The V-shaped walls ofthe test socket are intended to guide the pins of the l.C. into the correct position. This avoids stress on the l.C. pins which are normally splayed out from the body. The socket is also conveniently provided with an axial groove 24 which groove remains uninterrupted when the l.C. is fully inserted.

The bar 22 is made of such a size therefore and the slots 20 arranged so that the bar can rest in the groove 24 whilst an I.C. is inserted in the socket 10.

The ends of the bar 22 are connected to a lever assembly consisting of two arms 26 and 28 which are rigidly connected together by a strip 30 which is adapted to be pressed to eject the I.C. Each arm 26 and 28 is provided on a pin 32 or 34 mounted on the jig and is urged by a hairpin type spring 36 or 38 acting on the ends of the bar 22 and against screws 23 to force the bar 22 into the groove 24 in the test socket 10. The screws 23 also serve to secure the jig 18 in position.

It will be seen therefore that the bar 22 normally rests in the groove 24 and an l.C. can be inserted manually into the socket 10. To remove the l.C. the strip 30 is pressed, thus lifting the bar 22 against the underside of the l.C. and forcing it out of the socket.

This method does not cause undue stress to the l.C.

or damage it in any way.

Figure 3 illustrates an embodiment of the ejector in which an l.C. 14 only needs to be inserted into the socket 10 for a short time to test it. In this case the lever assembly is dispensed with and hairsprings 40 are arranged on the pivots 32 and 34 at each end of the bar 22 to urge the bar outwardly from the socket.

Thus when an l.C. is inserted into the socket the bar 22 is depressed into the groove 24. The l.C. must be held in position either manually or by some other suitable means since the springs 40 are strong enough to force the l.C. out of the socket when the pressure is removed from the l.C.

Whilst an apparatus for ejecting l.C.'s from test sockets has been described the invention could be applied to a wide variety of connectable components which are held together by frictional forces such as electrical connectors, plugs and sockets as well as non-electrical components.

Claims (8)

1. Separating means for separating two connected components comprising a member movably mounted relative to a first component, the member being adapted to be located between the two components and adapted, when moved relative to the first component, to force the other component out of engagement with and to separate from the first component.

2 Separating means as claimed in claim 1 in which the member is moved relative to the first component by lever means.

3. Separating means as claimed in claim 1 in which the member is moved relative to the first component by resilient means.

4. Separating means as claimed in claim 2 in which the two connected components are separated by activation of the lever.

5. Separating means as claimed in claim 3 in which the two connected components are separated by activating the resilient means.

6. Separating means as claimed in claims 2 or 4 in which the lever means comprises a pivoted lever which is adapted to move the member relative to the first component when the lever is manually pivoted.

7. Separating means as claimed in claim 3 or Sin which the member is urged by resilient means into a component separating position whereby the two components are only connected when they are physically held together.

8. Separating means constructed and adapted to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 or 3 of the accompanying drawings.