Patents by Inventor Bart N. Caldwell
Bart N. Caldwell has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20230088130Abstract: A connector assembly includes a first housing having an indicium imprinted thereon and a movable member movable from a first position configured to render the indicium illegible to an optical scanning device to a second position configured to render the indicium legible to the optical scanning device. The indicium is visible when the movable member is in the first position and when the movable member is in the second position. A method of mating a connector assembly having a movable member and an indicum imprinted thereon is also presented.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2022Publication date: March 23, 2023Inventors: Bart N. Caldwell, John D. Schneider, John G. Kountz, Michael J. DeMonica
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Patent number: 10644428Abstract: A connector assembly includes a first-connector-housing, an inner-housing, a terminal-stabilizer, and a second-connector-housing. The inner-housing is disposed within a cavity defined by the first-connector-housing. The inner-housing includes an opposed flexible-lock moveable from a locked-position to an unlocked-position. The terminal-stabilizer is disposed within the cavity and is movable from a pre-stage-position to a seated-position. The terminal-stabilizer defines a stop configured to engage an end of the opposed flexible-lock when the opposed flexible-lock is in the locked-position. The second-connector-housing includes an unlocking-feature configured to move the opposed flexible-lock from the locked-position to the unlocked-position.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2019Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: Aptiv Technolgies LimitedInventors: Rangarajan Sundarakrishnamachari, Sivakumar Jogula, John D. Schneider, Bart N. Caldwell
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Patent number: 10601164Abstract: A connector assembly includes a connector-body having electrical-terminals. The electrical-terminals are inserted into cavities defined by the connector-body through apertures defined in a rear-face of the connector-body. The connector-body includes a lock feature configured to releasably lock the electrical-terminals within the cavities. The lock feature has a planar-member with a first-end and a second-end. The first-end defines a flex-lock feature. The second-end is attached by a hinge to a leading-edge of the outer-surface of the connector-body proximate the front-face. The flex-lock feature defines a hook-side and a wall-side disposed within a slot defined by the connector-body. The hook-side is configured to releasably engage a locking-shelf partially enclosing the slot. The wall-side engages the electrical-terminals when the hook-side engages the locking-shelf.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2019Date of Patent: March 24, 2020Assignee: Aptiv Technologies LimitedInventors: Erika M. Garver, Bart N. Caldwell, Christopher A. Margrave
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Publication number: 20200067226Abstract: A connector assembly includes a first-connector-housing, an inner-housing, a terminal-stabilizer, and a second-connector-housing. The inner-housing is disposed within a cavity defined by the first-connector-housing. The inner-housing includes an opposed flexible-lock moveable from a locked-position to an unlocked-position. The terminal-stabilizer is disposed within the cavity and is movable from a pre-stage-position to a seated-position. The terminal-stabilizer defines a stop configured to engage an end of the opposed flexible-lock when the opposed flexible-lock is in the locked-position. The second-connector-housing includes an unlocking-feature configured to move the opposed flexible-lock from the locked-position to the unlocked-position.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2019Publication date: February 27, 2020Inventors: Rangarajan Sundarakrishnamachari, Sivakumar Jogula, John D. Snider, Bart N. Caldwell
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Publication number: 20190379148Abstract: A connector assembly includes a first-connector-housing, an inner-housing, a terminal-stabilizer, and a second-connector-housing. The inner-housing is disposed within a cavity defined by the first-connector-housing. The inner-housing includes a pair of opposed flexible-locks moveable from a locked-position to an unlocked-position. The terminal-stabilizer is disposed within the cavity and movable from a pre-stage-position to a seated-position. The terminal-stabilizer defines a pair of stops configured to engage ends of the opposed flexible-locks when the opposed flexible-locks are in the locked-position. The second-connector-housing includes a pair of unlocking-features configured to move the pair of opposed flexible-locks from the locked-position to the unlocked-position.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2018Publication date: December 12, 2019Inventors: Rangarajan Sundarakrishnamachari, Sivakumar Niranjan, John D. Schneider, Bart N. Caldwell
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Patent number: 10498066Abstract: A connector assembly includes a first-connector-housing, an inner-housing, a terminal-stabilizer, and a second-connector-housing. The inner-housing is disposed within a cavity defined by the first-connector-housing. The inner-housing includes a pair of opposed flexible-locks moveable from a locked-position to an unlocked-position. The terminal-stabilizer is disposed within the cavity and movable from a pre-stage-position to a seated-position. The terminal-stabilizer defines a pair of stops configured to engage ends of the opposed flexible-locks when the opposed flexible-locks are in the locked-position. The second-connector-housing includes a pair of unlocking-features configured to move the pair of opposed flexible-locks from the locked-position to the unlocked-position.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2018Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: Delphi Technologies, LLCInventors: Rangarajan Sundarakrishnamachari, Sivakumar Niranjan, John D. Schneider, Bart N. Caldwell
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Publication number: 20190312374Abstract: A connector assembly includes a connector-body having electrical-terminals. The electrical-terminals are inserted into cavities defined by the connector-body through apertures defined in a rear-face of the connector-body. The connector-body includes a lock feature configured to releasably lock the electrical-terminals within the cavities. The lock feature has a planar-member with a first-end and a second-end. The first-end defines a flex-lock feature. The second-end is attached by a hinge to a leading-edge of the outer-surface of the connector-body proximate the front-face. The flex-lock feature defines a hook-side and a wall-side disposed within a slot defined by the connector-body. The hook-side is configured to releasably engage a locking-shelf partially enclosing the slot. The wall-side engages the electrical-terminals when the hook-side engages the locking-shelf.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2019Publication date: October 10, 2019Inventors: Erika M. Garver, Bart N. Caldwell, Christopher A. Margrave
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Patent number: 10348019Abstract: A connector assembly includes a connector-body having electrical-terminals. The electrical-terminals are inserted into cavities defined by the connector-body through apertures defined in a rear-face of the connector-body. The connector-body includes a lock feature configured to releasably lock the electrical-terminals within the cavities. The lock feature has a planar-member with a first-end and a second-end. The first-end defines a flex-lock feature. The second-end is attached by a hinge to a leading-edge of the outer-surface of the connector-body proximate the front-face. The flex-lock feature defines a hook-side and a wall-side disposed within a slot defined by the connector-body. The hook-side is configured to releasably engage a locking-shelf partially enclosing the slot. The wall-side engages the electrical-terminals when the hook-side engages the locking-shelf.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2018Date of Patent: July 9, 2019Assignee: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Erika M. Hocevar, Bart N. Caldwell, Christopher A. Margrave
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Patent number: 10186803Abstract: A connector assembly includes a first-connector and a second-connector. The first-connector has a locking-lug. The second-connector has a cantilevered latch configured to slideably engage the locking-lug. The cantilevered latch includes a pair of parallel latch-arms. The pair of parallel latch-arms terminate at a first cross-beam that spans the pair of parallel latch-arms. The cantilevered latch further includes a second cross-beam parallel to the first cross-beam. The second cross-beam is configured to releasably lock the locking-lug when the first-connector is mated with the second-connector. The pair of parallel latch-arms includes a rib extending beyond a bottom-surface of each individual latch-arm. The locking-lug deflects the pair of parallel latch-arms toward an outer-surface of the second-connector when first-connector is moved from an unmated-position to a mated-position, whereby the rib contacts the outer-surface and limits a deflection of the pair of parallel latch-arms.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2018Date of Patent: January 22, 2019Assignee: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Erika M. Hocevar, Bart N. Caldwell, Christopher A. Margrave
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Patent number: 9705228Abstract: A connector system including a first connector body, a second connector body configured to mate with the first connector body, a locking feature configured to secure the second connector body to the first connector body, and a connector position assurance (CPA) device that, when engaged, inhibits operation of the locking feature. A portion of the second connector body and the CPA device cooperate to form a box to completely enclose the locking feature, thereby inhibiting disengagement of the CPA device from the locking feature. The CPA device has a flexible lock arm configured to secure the CPA device to the second connector body. A portion of the CPA lock arm may be configured to be frangible. The second connector body and/or the CPA device may define an aperture configured to provide access to the CPA lock arm. The aperture is at least partially blocked by a frangible tab.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2015Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Bart N. Caldwell, John L. Jablonski
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Patent number: 9653846Abstract: A connector assembly includes a first connector that includes a ramp. A second connector has a pump handle that includes laterally spaced legs joined at a hook. The hook is configured to interlock with the ramp in an intermediate assembled condition that provides continuity between the first and second connectors. The pump handle has a lower surface. A positional assurance element is movably supported on the second connector and includes a tongue that is arranged between the legs. The tongue includes an upper surface that extends beyond the lower surface such that the tongue and the pump handle overlap one another with the first and second connectors in a nested but unassembled condition. The positional assurance element is configured to move from a retracted position to an extended position while in the intermediate assembled condition to provide a fully assembled condition.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2016Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Bart N. Caldwell, Kevin S. Turner
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Publication number: 20170054244Abstract: A connector system including a first connector body, a second connector body configured to mate with the first connector body, a locking feature configured to secure the second connector body to the first connector body, and a connector position assurance (CPA) device that, when engaged, inhibits operation of the locking feature. A portion of the second connector body and the CPA device cooperate to form a box to completely enclose the locking feature, thereby inhibiting disengagement of the CPA device from the locking feature. The CPA device has a flexible lock arm configured to secure the CPA device to the second connector body. A portion of the CPA lock arm may be configured to be frangible. The second connector body and/or the CPA device may define an aperture configured to provide access to the CPA lock arm. The aperture is at least partially blocked by a frangible tab.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2015Publication date: February 23, 2017Inventors: Bart N. Caldwell, John L. Jablonski
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Patent number: 8784127Abstract: An electrical connection system and method includes a first connector housing matable to a second connector housing along a mating axis. The first connector housing contains a mating assist lever (MAL) that rotationally pivots between an INOPERATIVE position and a CLOSED position and includes a locking means. When the MAL is positionally rotatable to the CLOSED position the first connector housing and the second connector housing are mated together such that the locking means is disposed adjacent an external surface of the second connector housing. A sufficiently applied force against the locking means actuates the locking means so that the locking means latchingly secures the first connector housing to the second connector housing. A CPA member, also disposed on the MAL, slidingly communicates with the latched locking means transverse to the mating axis and ensures the latched locking means does not become unlatched so that electrical connection system remains mated.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2012Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Michael Bashkin, Bart N. Caldwell, James D. Daugherty
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Publication number: 20130330959Abstract: An electrical connection system and method includes a first connector housing matable to a second connector housing along a mating axis. The first connector housing contains a mating assist lever (MAL) that rotationally pivots between an INOPERATIVE position and a CLOSED position and includes a locking means. When the MAL is positionally rotatable to the CLOSED position the first connector housing and the second connector housing are mated together such that the locking means is disposed adjacent an external surface of the second connector housing. A sufficiently applied force against the locking means actuates the locking means so that the locking means latchingly secures the first connector housing to the second connector housing. A CPA member, also disposed on the MAL, slidingly communicates with the latched locking means transverse to the mating axis and ensures the latched locking means does not become unlatched so that electrical connection system remains mated.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2012Publication date: December 12, 2013Applicant: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Michael Bashkin, Bart N. Caldwell, James D. Daugherty