US 6,981,882 B1
Packaged device adapter with torque limiting assembly
Ilavarasan Palaniappa, Apple Valley, Minn. (US)
Assigned to Ironwood Electronics, Inc., Eagan, Minn. (US)
Filed on Mar. 29, 2005, as Appl. No. 11/92,526.
Int. Cl. H01R 12/00 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 439—73 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An adapter apparatus for use with a packaged device having a plurality of contact elements disposed on a surface thereof, the adapter apparatus comprising:
an adapter body defining a socket cavity configured to receive a packaged device such that the plurality of contact elements of the packaged device are at least aligned with arranged conductive elements corresponding thereto, and further wherein the adapter body comprises a threaded opening; and
a torque limiting assembly for use in applying a force upon a packaged device received in the socket cavity of the adapter body, wherein the torque limiting assembly comprises:
a shaft;
a threaded interface member comprising a threaded portion configured to mate with the threaded opening of the adapter body;
one or more engagement elements; and
a torque control apparatus coupled to the threaded interface member, the torque control apparatus comprising a compressible element operatively connected to the one or more engagement elements in a first state to selectively engage the threaded interface member and the shaft and operatively connected to the one or more engagement elements in a second state to allow movement between the threaded interface member and the shaft.