Shorting clip for air bag inflator

• US 6,213,800 B1
• Filed: 06/30/1999
• Issued: 04/10/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: TRW Limited (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Original Assignee: TRW Limited (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Inventors: Mramor, Vincent J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Abrams, Neil
• Assistant Examiner(s): DUVERNE, JEAN F
• Application Number:
  US09/343,574
• Time in Patent Office: 650 Days
• Field of Search: 280/736, 280/741, 439/188, 439/668, 439/607, 439/610, 439/630, 439/86, 439/886
• US Class Current: 439/188
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/7032 making use of a separate bridging element directly cooperating with the terminals

Abstract

A shorting clip (100) for establishing a short circuit between first and second electrical terminals (64, 66) of an air bag inflator initiator (62) includes a body of electrically insulating material (102) having portions engageable with the initiator for connecting the shorting clip to the initiator. The body of electrically insulating material (102) has first and second contact portions (140, 142) engageable with the first and second electrical terminals (64, 66) of the initiator (62) when the shorting clip (100) is connected to the initiator. The shorting clip (100) also comprises an electrically conductive plating (152, 154) on each one of the contact portions (140, 142) for establishing electrical contact between the shorting clip and the first and second terminals (64, 66) of the initiator (62).

Claims

1. A shorting clip for establishing a short circuit between first and second electrical terminals of an air bag inflator initiator, said shorting clip comprising:

a body of electrically insulating material having first and second contact portions engageable with the first and second electrical terminals of the initiator when said shorting clip is connected to the initiator; and

electrically conductive plating on said body of electrically insulating material, said electrically conductive plating having a generally U-shaped configuration and including a first portion, a second portion, and a bridge portion for establishing electrical contact between the first and second electrical terminals of the initiator;

said first portion of said electrically conductive plating being formed on said first contact portion of said body of electrically insulating material for engaging the first electrical terminal of the initiator, said second portion of said electrically conductive plating being formed on said second contact portion of said body of electrically insulating material for engaging the second electrical terminal of the initiator, and said bridge portion of said electrically conductive plating extending between and electrically interconnecting said first and second portions of said electrically conductive plating for electrically connecting the first and second electrical terminals of the initiator.

2. A shorting clip as set forth in claim 1 wherein said contact portions of said body of electrically insulating material are resilient arms.

3. A shorting clip as set forth in claim 1 having a central opening for receiving an electrical connector, the electrical connector having portions electrically connectable with the first and second electrical terminals of the initiator, the electrical connector having a portion for moving said contact portions of said body of insulating material out of engagement with the first and second electrical terminals of the initiator upon movement of the electrical connector into said central opening of said shorting clip.

4. A shorting clip as set forth in claim 3 wherein said contact portions of said body of electrically insulating material project into said central opening of said shorting clip.

5. A shorting clip as set forth in claim 4 wherein said contact portions of said body of electrically insulating material are resilient.

6. A shorting clip as set forth in claim 4 wherein said bridge portion of said electrically conductive plating forms a portion of a surface within said central opening of said shorting clip.

7. A shorting clip for establishing a short circuit between first and second electrical terminals of an air bag inflator initiator and for supporting an electrical connector which supplies an electric actuating signal to the initiator, said shorting clip comprising:

a one-piece molded body of electrically insulating material having an outer portion engageable with the initiator for connecting said shorting clip to the initiator and having an inner portion for receiving and supporting the electrical connector;

electrically conductive plating being formed on said inner portion of said body of electrically insulating material, said electrically conductive plating having a first portion, a second portion, and a bridge portion, said first portion being engageable with the first electrical terminal of the initiator, said second portion being engageable with the second electrical terminal of the initiator, and said bridge portion electrically interconnecting said first and second portions for electrically connecting the first and second electrical terminals of the initiator when said shorting clip is connected to the initiator.

8. A shorting clip as set forth in claim 7, having a central opening for receiving an electrical connector which is electrically connectable with the first and second electrical terminals of the initiator, said shorting clip having arm portions which are movable by the electrical connector out of engagement with the first and second electrical terminals of the initiator upon movement of the electrical connector into said central opening of said shorting clip.