Patents by Inventor Frank Odorfer

Frank Odorfer 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).

  • Patent number: 10014635
    Abstract: The invention relates to a grounding clip for an airbag ignition system adapted to be mounted to an airbag retainer insert. The clip comprises a first grounding contact in form of a spring tongue adapted to contact a grounding contact of a squib connector and a second grounding contact adapted to contact an electroconductive part of an airbag squib. The clip comprises a flat base connecting the first and second grounding contacts with each other, wherein the spring tongue has a straight portion that extends perpendicular from the flat base and wherein the free end of the spring tongue comprises a bent portion that is not perpendicular to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: DELPHI INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS LUXEMBOURG S.A.R.L.
    Inventors: Rene Lehmann, Vincent Regnier, Frank Odorfer, Bartlomiej Siwek
  • Patent number: 9537267
    Abstract: The present invention relates to squib connectors, for instance for airbag ignition systems, which allow the electrical or electronic monitoring of the correct coupling of a squib plug connector with its corresponding counterpart. According to the invention, a squib connector has at least two terminals having corresponding signal lines. In order to allow an electrical monitoring of the correct coupling of the plug connector, the terminals are in electrical contact with each other in the uncoupled or incorrectly coupled condition of the plug connector. This electrical contact between the terminals is configured to be separated upon correct coupling to a corresponding counter-connector either automatically or by an actuating action. The disconnecting of the terminals may then be monitored by any suitable monitoring means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Delphi International Operations Luxembourg SARL.
    Inventors: Frank Odorfer, Vincent Regnier, Bernhard Kuehnel, Michael Gunreben
  • Publication number: 20160181731
    Abstract: The invention relates to a grounding clip for an airbag ignition system adapted to be mounted to an airbag retainer insert. The clip comprises a first grounding contact in form of a spring tongue, adapted to contact a grounding contact of a squib connector and a second grounding contact adapted to contact an electroconductive part of an airbag squib. The clip comprises a flat base connecting the first and second grounding contacts with each other, wherein the spring tongue has a straight portion that extends perpendicular from the flat base and wherein the free end of the spring tongue comprises a bent portion that is not perpendicular to the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventors: RENE LEHMANN, VINCENT REGNIER, FRANK ODORFER, BARTLOMIEJ SIWEK
  • Patent number: 9190742
    Abstract: A connector assembly comprising a connector housing, a secondary locking member and a safety spring bar, whereby the secondary locking member and the safety spring bar are assigned to the connector housing. The secondary locking member is movable between a first and a second position, whereby the safety spring bar is adapted to lock the secondary locking member in its second position. The secondary locking member comprises a deflection surface adapted to engage the safety spring bar when the secondary locking member is moved in an insertion direction. Thereby, upon movement of the secondary locking member, the safety spring bar is deflected essentially in the insertion direction, urging the secondary locking member towards its first position. When the secondary locking member is placed in the second position, the safety spring bar is adapted to snap into a safety position, to lock the secondary locking member in its second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Delphi International Operations Luxembourg
    Inventors: Michael Gunreben, Frank Odorfer
  • Publication number: 20150219708
    Abstract: The present invention relates to squib connectors, for instance for airbag ignition systems, which allow the electrical or electronic monitoring of the correct coupling of a squib plug connector with its corresponding counterpart. According to the invention, a squib connector has at least two terminals having corresponding signal lines. In order to allow an electrical monitoring of the correct coupling of the plug connector, the terminals are in electrical contact with each other in the uncoupled or incorrectly coupled condition of the plug connector. This electrical contact between the terminals is configured to be separated upon correct coupling to a corresponding counter-connector either automatically or by an actuating action. The disconnecting of the terminals may then be monitored by any suitable monitoring means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Inventors: Frank Odorfer, Vincent Regnier, Bernhard Kuehnel, Michael Gunreben
  • Patent number: 9054457
    Abstract: The present invention relates to squib connectors for instance for airbag ignition systems, which allow the electrical or electronic monitoring of the correct coupling of a squib plug-connector with its corresponding counterpart. According to the invention, a squib connector has at least two terminals having corresponding signal lines. In order to allow an electrical monitoring of the correct coupling of the plug connector, the terminals are in electrical contact with each other in the uncoupled or incorrectly coupled condition of the plug connector. This electrical contact between the terminals is adapted for being separated upon correct coupling to a corresponding counter-connector either automatically or by an actuating action. The disconnecting of the terminals may then be monitored by any suitable monitoring means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Delphi International Operations Luxembourg S.A.R.L.
    Inventors: Frank Odorfer, Vincent Regnier, Berhard Kuehnel, Michael Gunreben
  • Publication number: 20130252455
    Abstract: A connector assembly comprising a connector housing, a secondary locking member and a safety spring bar, whereby the secondary locking member and the safety spring bar are assigned to the connector housing. The secondary locking member is movable between a first and a second position, whereby the safety spring bar is adapted to lock the secondary locking member in its second position. The secondary locking member comprises a deflection surface adapted to engage the safety spring bar when the secondary locking member is moved in an insertion direction. Thereby, upon movement of the secondary locking member, the safety spring bar is deflected essentially in the insertion direction, urging the secondary locking member towards its first position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Inventors: Michael Gunreben, Frank Odorfer
  • Publication number: 20120112762
    Abstract: The present invention relates to squib connectors for instance for airbag ignition systems, which allow the electrical or electronic monitoring of the correct coupling of a squib plug-connector with its corresponding counterpart. According to the invention, a squib connector has at least two terminals having corresponding signal lines. In order to allow an electrical monitoring of the correct coupling of the plug connector, the terminals are in electrical contact with each other in the uncoupled or incorrectly coupled condition of the plug connector. This electrical contact between the terminals is adapted for being separated upon correct coupling to a corresponding counter-connector either automatically or by an actuating action. The disconnecting of the terminals may then be monitored by any suitable monitoring means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: Frank Odorfer, Vincent Regnier, Berhard Kuehnel, Michael Gunreben
  • Patent number: 6422897
    Abstract: A shorting contact support for a plug-in projection (5c) in an igniter receptacle, comprising a first shorting bridge (30a) having two resilient contact elements (35a, 36a) connected to one another by an edge (37) of a metal plate (31), and a support housing (9) having an annular base (2) on which two diametrically opposite wings (3, 4) are integrally formed parallel to the insertion direction and form a holder (5) for a plug (6) having sockets (51, 52) for the insertion of contact pins (21, 22) on an igniter receptacle (20). The shorting contact support has a second shorting bridge (30b) which is essentially identical to the first shorting bridge (30a), each wing (3, 4) containing a shorting bridge (30a, 30b), so that at least one bridge (30a, 30b) shorts the two contact pins (21, 22) arranged in one plane on the igniter receptacle (20) when the plug (6) is inserted. In addition, the holder (5) is rotationally symmetrical through 180°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Framatone Connectors International
    Inventor: Frank Odorfer
  • Patent number: 6402540
    Abstract: The invention specifies a scoop-proof plug connector system having a connector (1) which has a pair of contact sockets (66, 67) situated in the plug-in projection (3) and a connector housing (2), a mating connector for an igniter, which has a pair of contact pins (51, 52) situated in one plane for insertion into the contact sockets (66, 67), and a coupling piece (30a, 30b) which is situated in the mating connector and has a recess (34), which is complementary to the plug-in projection (3) and an essentially cylindrical sleeve (31). At least one guide shoulder (35, 36; 43, 44) which runs parallel to the insertion direction and essentially over the full height of the sleeve (31) and which projects above the contact pins (51, 52) is integrally formed in the recess (34).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Framatome Connectors Internationals
    Inventors: Bernhard Kuhmel, Frank Odorfer
  • Patent number: 6341972
    Abstract: The invention relates to a connector (1) with secondary latching comprising a handle (2) for filling slots (3a, 3b) into each of which a tongue (4a, 4b) with a latch (5a, 5b) is inserted. The handle (2) engages a plug part (21) in a first position (I) in which the slots are not filled by two arms on the handle, and is mounted so as to be movable transversely to the plug axis into a position (II) in which the arms can be pressed into the slots (3a, 3b) and locked in a second position (II). Furthermore, the invention relates to a connector with a lateral cable outlet comprising a plug part (1) having an attachment (2) and an adjacent casing which is flat transversely to the direction of insertion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Assignee: Framatome Connectors International
    Inventor: Frank Odorfer
  • Patent number: 6045415
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cylindrical contact tube (1) having a contact part (2) and a connecting part (3). The contact part (2) has a cylindrical lateral surface (4) with at least one contact spring (5) which is punched out of the lateral surface (4) and orientated essentially parallel to the plug-in direction, the contact spring additionally being coined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Framatome Connectors International
    Inventors: Guntram May, Frank Odorfer
  • Patent number: 6033256
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a plug-in connector (1) for connection to a firing element receptacle (2), having a plug adapter (3), locking arms (4) and a plug body (5), the plug body having in a cable-receiving groove, which has teeth (10), a connecting cable (6) which is connected to contacts (7, 8), and having a housing cover (11), which rests on the upper side of the plug body (5). The fastening of the housing cover (11) on the upper side of the plug body (5) takes place by means of lateral and rear fastening lugs (12, 13), which extend downwards from the cover (11), the rear fastening lugs (13) being clipped into by detents (14), which are arranged on U-shaped flexible legs (15), which in turn are arranged in the vicinity of the cable-receiving groove (9) on the plug body (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Framatome Connectors International
    Inventor: Frank Odorfer