The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 30, 1999
Filed:
Aug. 11, 1997
Bradford K Gauker, Clinton Township, MI (US);
David J Rhein, Memphis, MI (US);
Scott J Lapraik, Spartanburg, SC (US);
Thomas & Betts International, Inc., Memphis, TN (US);
Abstract
An orientationless squib connector assembly (10) for automotive air bag assemblies is disclosed. A single initiator pin (24, 326) is provided axially aligned within a squib socket (12, 324). An annular ground plate (28, 328) surrounds and shunts to ground the initiator pin near the base of the socket. An associated connector (16, 202, 312, 410) includes a first, axially located terminal (64, 280, 314, 416) for electrical contact with the initiator pin and a second terminal (66, 282, 316, 418) comprising a depending leg or beam (110, 320) radially aligned with the first terminal for electrically contacting the ground plate at any rotational orientation of the connector with respect to the socket and for moving a part of the ground plate (28) out of electrical engagement with pin (24). Eliminating a required rotational orientation of the connector simplifies its manufacture and assembly and its incorporation into a vehicle. Preferably, the entering wires, surrounded by a ferrite block (84), are also axially aligned with the first and second terminals. CPAs (72, 322, 420) may be used to prevent unlatching of the connector assembly. Closure of the CPA may be prevented by a blocking feature on the associated connector that is automatically displaced when the connector is properly engaged in the socket.