US Patent 7651340 Chip actuator cover assembly

An improved IC chip actuator cover assembly for an IC socket includes a pedestal assembly spring-mounted to the bottom of a carrier housing and side leaf springs or other similar force transferring means on the pedestal assembly which transmit a z-axis force to the corner regions of the pedestal assembly for advancing the pedestal assembly in the z-axis direction against an IC chip in the IC socket. The compliance of the leaf springs maintains a constant and precise actuating force on the IC chip when the IC chip is contacted by the pusher end portion or portions of the pedestal assembly. In a preferred aspect of the invention, the front, back, and sides of the carrier housing define a central cavity region above the pedestal assembly for permitting air flow through the carrier housing to improve the heat dissipation capability of the cover assembly.