of the cpu are received through the passages 2010 of the cover 20 and then in the passageways 1010 of the base 10 with zero insertion force zif that is the leads of the cpu do not contact the terminals not shown of the base 10 referring to fig5 when the lid 30 is pushed downwardly by an external force corresponding force is applied to the first and second operating levers 601 602 the first and second operating levers 601 602 are pivoted downwardly about the first and second shafts 603 604 at the pivot pins 70 the first and second operating levers 601 602 cooperatively translate such pivotal movement into horizontal force acting on the first shafts 603 thus the first shafts 603 drive the cover 20 to slide horizontally from the first position to a second position in which the leads of the cpu engage with the terminals of the base 10 when the cover slides from the first position to the second position the coil springs 40 are compressed in addition the tenons 106 of the base 10 are received in the cutouts 306 of the lid 30 thereby preventing lateral movement of the lid 30 relative to the base 10 when said downward force is released the coil springs 40 decompress and drive the lid 30 upwardly the first shafts 603 accordingly drive the cover 20 to slide back from the second position to the first position the socket connector 1 unlike conventional socket connectors provides for insertion of the leads of the cpu into the passageways 1010 of the base 10 when the socket connector 1 is in a relaxed state that is when the cover 20 is in the first position.