Abstract: A clockspring with a housing that includes a stationary member having a first wall and a hub member rotatably coupled to the stationary member having a second wall. A flat cable is wound between the first and second walls. The flat cable has opposite first and second ends with the first end being coupled to the stationary member at a first connection area and the second end being coupled to the hub member at a second connection area. A flexible strain relief member is integrally formed as one-piece with one of the first and second walls proximate one of the respective first and second connection areas with one of the first and second ends of the flat cable being disposed between the flexible strain relief member and the one of the first and second walls.

Abstract: A squib connector is provided that allows detection of an improper connection within a squib connector prior to incorporation within an airbag mechanism. The squib connector includes a male squib connector and a female squib connector. Positioned within the female squib connector is a disengaging member. The disengaging member may be, for example, a spring or the like. The disengaging member prevents the male squib connector and female squib connector from having an electrical connection if the male squib connector and female squib connector are not properly interlocked. The disengaging member performs this function by forcing the male squib connector away from the female squib connector at such a distance that no electrical connection is possible. The improperly connected squib connector may then be more easily detected. Thus, the squib connector improves the efficiency and reliability of the airbag mechanism.

Abstract: A squib connector is provided that allows detection of an improper connection within a squib connector prior to incorporation within an airbag mechanism. The squib connector includes a male squib connector and a female squib connector. Positioned within the female squib connector is a disengaging member. The disengaging member may be, for example, a spring or the like. The disengaging member prevents the male squib connector and female squib connector from having an electrical connection if the male squib connector and female squib connector are not properly interlocked. The disengaging member performs this function by forcing the male squib connector away from the female squib connector at such a distance that no electrical connection is possible. The improperly connected squib connector may then be more easily detected. Thus, the squib connector improves the efficiency and reliability of the airbag mechanism.

Abstract: A clockspring having adhesive so as to resist vibratory motion of the flat ribbon cable and to reduce rubbing of the flat ribbon cable against itself. The clockspring includes a housing, a hub, and a flat ribbon cable connecting the hub to the housing. The flat ribbon cable has an adhesive along a majority of the length of the flat ribbon cable.

Abstract: A steering column interconnector having a first plate with a center hole for the steering column and a first plurality of conductive rings, a second plate having a center hole for the steering column and a second plurality of conductive rings, a third plate having a center hole for the steering column and a plurality of apertures for rotatably positioning conductive rollers, and a plurality of conductive rollers, each conductive roller being rotatably positioned within an aperture of the third plate.

Abstract: A clockspring for powering a heated steering wheel having a resettable fuse connected in series between the heating element and a power source for the heating element. When a predetermined current limit is exceeded the resettable fuse trips and breaks the circuit providing power to the heating element. After the resettable fuse cools, the resettable fuse automatically reestablished the connection between the heating element and the power source for the heating element. The resettable fuse can be easily and economically implemented into a conventional clockspring, thus enabling a conventional clockspring to provide electrical connections for high current devices, such as a steering wheel heating element. Moreover, the present invention provides a reliable and cost effective safety device for preventing damage to the clockspring and the vehicle, and serious injury to a driver or a passenger.

Abstract: A clockspring connector having a clockspring housing, a hub, a chamber defined by the housing, and a carrier member. The clockspring housing includes an inner wall and an outer wall. A flat conductor cable coiled within the clockspring housing. The hub is rotatably mounted within the clockspring housing. The chamber is defined by the clockspring housing. The carrier member is mounted within the chamber. The carrier member has roller members. One of the roller members is a hard roller member and another of the roller members is a compliant roller member. Typically, the hard roller member is positioned at a turn-back portion of the flat conductor cable.

Abstract: A clockspring having adhesive so as to resist vibratory motion of the flat ribbon cable and to reduce rubbing of the flat ribbon cable against itself. The clockspring includes a housing, a hub, and a flat ribbon cable connecting the hub to the housing. The flat ribbon cable has an adhesive along a majority of the length of the flat ribbon cable.

Abstract: A clockspring connector is provided comprising a housing defining a chamber, including a carrier member having a first roller associated with a first turned-back loop of a first flat conductor cable and a second roller associated with a second turned-back loop of a second flat conductor cable wherein said first and second flat conductor cables are alternatingly coiled at an inner diameter of the chamber adjacent the hub or along said outer diameter of the chamber adjacent the housing wall. The clockspring connector includes a complaint roller member providing compression forces against the flat ribbon cable during rotation of the clockspring connector.

Abstract: A seal is provided for indicating whether a clockspring has been tampered with. The clockspring consists of a housing, a hub rotatably mounted to the housing, and a ribbon cable connected to the housing and the hub. The seal is attached to the clockspring housing and hub. The seal may consist of a tamper indicating non-marking label stock having a facestock, flexographically printed indicia located on the facestock, and an adhesive coated over the flexographically printed indicia. Furthermore, the flexographically printed indicia may provide a message such as the word "VOID." Finally, the seal may include printed instructions for inspecting the seal.

Abstract: A clockspring assembly having an apparatus for reducing the length of cable used in the clockspring's design. The clockspring has a housing which defines a first aperture. Rotatably mounted within the first aperture is a hub having a second aperture. Between the housing and the hub is a radial space defined within the housing. The radial space contains a ribbon cable which has a first end connected to a first connector and a second end connected to a second connector. Correspondingly, the first connector is attached to the housing and the second connector is attached to the hub. Furthermore, resiliently clamped onto the hub is a carrier apparatus which has a clamping portion for pressing the ribbon cable onto the hub during its rotation. In addition, the carrier apparatus also has a brace for reducing vibration of the portion of the cable portion which is not being pressed against the hub.

Abstract: A clockspring interconnector comprising a housing wall defining a chamber extending therethrough and a rotor hub attached to the housing. A coiled flat cable carried within the chamber surrounding the rotor hub. The flat cable having a first end attached to a first connector location of the rotor hub and a second end attached to a second connector location of the housing wall. A vibration dampener compresses the coils of the flat cable to limit vibration. An outer vibration dampener adjacent to the housing wall compresses the flat cable inward toward the rotor hub. An inner vibration dampener compresses the flat cable outwardly towards the housing wall. The vibration dampeners are preformed having folds formed therein. An alternate embodiment includes a pair of vibration dampeners pivotally attached to the clockspring housing which provide multi-directional compression to the flat cable.

Abstract: A clockspring interconnector comprising a housing wall defining a chamber extending therethrough and a rotor hub attached to the housing. A coiled flat cable carried within the chamber surrounding the rotor hub. The flat cable having a first end attached to a first connector location of the rotor hub and a second end attached to a second connector location of the housing wall. A vibration dampener compresses the coils of the flat cable to limit vibration. An outer vibration dampener adjacent to the housing wall compresses the flat cable inward toward the rotor hub. An inner vibration dampener compresses the flat cable outwardly towards the housing wall. The vibration dampeners are preformed having folds formed therein.

Abstract: A clockspring interconnector comprising a housing defining a chamber and a rotor cover attached to the housing. A coiled flat cable carded within the chamber surrounding the rotor cover. The flat cable having a first end attached to a first connector location of the rotor cover and a second end attached to a second connector location of the housing. The rotor cover includes an inner wall defining a central aperture having a top opening and a bottom opening. The inner wall having integral flanges extending from the rotor cover adjacent to the bottom opening. The housing having a center hole having a rim at its external diameter. The rotor cover snap fits to the housing via the flanges having angled surfaces to slide past the rim and a protruding surface to engage the rim of the housing. The first and second end of the flat cable including a backbone to receive the end of the flat cable. A backbone protrudes from the rotor cover at a first connection location and a second connection location.

Abstract: A clockspring interconnector comprising a housing defining a chamber and a rotor cover attached to the housing. A coiled flat cable carried within the chamber surrounding the rotor cover. The flat cable having a first end attached to a first connector location of the rotor cover and a second end attached to a second connector location of the housing. The rotor cover includes an inner wall defining a central aperture having a top opening and a bottom opening. The inner wall having integral flanges extending from the rotor cover adjacent to the bottom opening. The housing having a center hole having a rim at its external diameter. The rotor cover snap fits to the housing via the flanges having angled surfaces to slide past the rim and a protruding surface to engage the rim of the housing. The first and second end of the flat cable including a backbone to receive the end of the flat cable. A backbone protrudes from the rotor cover at a first connection location and a second connection location.

Abstract: A clockspring including a housing, a hub, and flexible printed wiring. The flexible printed wiring electrically connecting the hub to the housing. The hub mounted in the housing. The hub being able to rotate relative to the housing. The flexible printed wiring able to be affixed with components such as resistors, capacitors, inductors, and integrated circuits.