Patents by Inventor Ronald A. Puhl

Ronald A. Puhl 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: 11697353
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a plurality of cylindrical electrical terminals connected to ends of a plurality of first electrical cables, a housing defining a plurality of housing terminal cavities in which the plurality of cylindrical electrical terminals is disposed, and a cover attached to the housing having a plurality of cover cavities that is axially aligned with the plurality of housing terminal cavities. The plurality of cover cavities is configured to receive the plurality of cylindrical electrical terminals as it is inserted within the plurality of housing terminal cavities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: APTIV TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
    Inventors: Thomas Mathews, William C. Lovitz, Mark Fredrickson, Ronald A. Puhl
  • Publication number: 20220055490
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a plurality of cylindrical electrical terminals connected to ends of a plurality of first electrical cables, a housing defining a plurality of housing terminal cavities in which the plurality of cylindrical electrical terminals is disposed, and a cover attached to the housing having a plurality of cover cavities that is axially aligned with the plurality of housing terminal cavities. The plurality of cover cavities is configured to receive the plurality of cylindrical electrical terminals as it is inserted within the plurality of housing terminal cavities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2020
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas Mathews, William C. Lovitz, Mark Fredrickson, Ronald A. Puhl
  • Patent number: 10290970
    Abstract: A connector assembly includes a connector body, a flexible elongate conductor, such as an electrical cable, that is terminated within the connector body, and a strain relief device attached to the connector body. The strain relief device has a clamping collar configured to surround a portion of the conductor. The clamping collar comprises a first half ring and a second half ring, each having first ends that are separable to allow the strain relief device to be fitted over the conductor. The first and second half rings each have second ends joined by a hinge feature. The clamping collar further includes means for limiting rotation of the first and second half rings about the hinge, such as a first arm extending from the first half ring and a second arm extending from the second half ring. The first arm is configured to contact the second arm, thereby limiting the rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Wesley W. Weber, Jr., Ronald A. Puhl
  • Patent number: 9929508
    Abstract: An electrical connector system is presented herein. The electrical connector system includes a first connector body containing a first plurality of terminals and a second connector body containing a second plurality of terminals that are configured to interconnect with the first plurality of terminals. The second connector body is configured to receive the first connector body. The electrical connector system further includes a locking feature configured to secure the first connector body to the second connector body in a pre-staged position in which the first plurality of terminals is not connected to the second plurality of terminals and further configured to secure the first connector body to the second connector body in a staged position in which the first plurality of terminals is connected to the second plurality of terminals after disengaging the locking feature in the pre-staged condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Ronald A. Puhl, Faviola Ramon
  • Publication number: 20170338593
    Abstract: An electrical connector system is presented herein. The electrical connector system includes a first connector body containing a first plurality of terminals and a second connector body containing a second plurality of terminals that are configured to interconnect with the first plurality of terminals. The second connector body is configured to receive the first connector body. The electrical connector system further includes a locking feature configured to secure the first connector body to the second connector body in a pre-staged position in which the first plurality of terminals is not connected to the second plurality of terminals and further configured to secure the first connector body to the second connector body in a staged position in which the first plurality of terminals is connected to the second plurality of terminals after disengaging the locking feature in the pre-staged condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventors: Ronald A. Puhl, Faviola Ramon
  • Patent number: 9362676
    Abstract: A connector assembly including a first connector having a primary locking lever that is configured to mate with a second connector having a primary striker. The primary locking lever includes a beam extending along a mating axis and a primary latch configured to engage the primary striker. The connector assembly includes a connector position assurance (CPA) device slideably mounted to the first connector. The primary latch blocks movement of the CPA device from an initial position to a final position until the first connector and the second connector are fully mated. The CPA device defines a lateral flange that inhibits movement of a secondary latch of the CPA device under the primary latch that would allow the CPA device to move from the initial position prior to the full mating of the first connector and the second connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald A. Puhl, Peter M. Politsky
  • Publication number: 20160072226
    Abstract: A connector assembly including a first connector having a primary locking lever that is configured to mate with a second connector having a primary striker. The primary locking lever includes a beam extending along a mating axis and a primary latch configured to engage the primary striker. The connector assembly includes a connector position assurance (CPA) device slideably mounted to the first connector. The primary latch blocks movement of the CPA device from an initial position to a final position until the first connector and the second connector are fully mated. The CPA device defines a lateral flange that inhibits movement of a secondary latch of the CPA device under the primary latch that would allow the CPA device to move from the initial position prior to the full mating of the first connector and the second connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: RONALD A. PUHL, PETER M. POLITSKY
  • Patent number: 7615713
    Abstract: A mounting structure for a wire harness for use in a movable structure, such as a door of a passenger vehicle, is disclosed. The mounting structure may include a mounting frame and a bracket for use in a recess of the movable structure. The mounting structure may be installed on a movable structure such that water may contact the mounting frame. The mounting frame may include water management features that generally direct water away from a dry region. Such water management features may include one or more cut-aways formed in an outer periphery of the mounting frame, and may also include one or more dams and/or sub-dams. The cut-aways, dams, and sub-dams may be used to re-direct water away from the dry region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward J. Bardella, Joseph A. Wilson, Ronald A. Puhl, Theodore J. Borowicz
  • Patent number: 7423224
    Abstract: A wire bundle routing assembly for routing and at least partially enclosing and sealing a wire bundle between a a vehicle door frame and a vehicle door body. A door mounting base is slidably receivable in a slot formed in a front wall of a door body and includes a wire bundle through-hole. A door mounting base cover at least partially encloses and holds the wire bundle against an inner side of the door mounting base when the cover is installed over the inner side of the door mounting base. A base slide track detent surface on the door mounting base engages a corresponding cover slide track detent surface on the cover and guides the cover as the cover is slid into an installed position on the mounting base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald A. Puhl
  • Publication number: 20080142259
    Abstract: A wire bundle routing assembly for routing and at least partially enclosing and sealing a wire bundle between a a vehicle door frame and a vehicle door body. A door mounting base is slidably receivable in a slot formed in a front wall of a door body and includes a wire bundle through-hole. A door mounting base cover at least partially encloses and holds the wire bundle against an inner side of the door mounting base when the cover is installed over the inner side of the door mounting base. A base slide track detent surface on the door mounting base engages a corresponding cover slide track detent surface on the cover and guides the cover as the cover is slid into an installed position on the mounting base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventor: Ronald A. Puhl
  • Publication number: 20080128165
    Abstract: A mounting structure for a wire harness for use in a movable structure, such as a door of a passenger vehicle, is disclosed. The mounting structure may include a mounting frame and a bracket for use in a recess of the movable structure. The mounting structure may be installed on a movable structure such that water may contact the mounting frame. The mounting frame may include water management features that generally direct water away from a dry region. Such water management features may include one or more cut-aways formed in an outer periphery of the mounting frame, and may also include one or more dams and/or sub-dams. The cut-aways, dams, and sub-dams may be used to re-direct water away from the dry region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventors: Edward J. Bardella, Joseph A. Wilson, Ronald A. Puhl, Theodore J. Borowicz
  • Patent number: 6761568
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly has a male connector which mates to a female connector thereby electrically engaging male terminal blades, locked to a male connector body, to female terminals locked to a female connector body. The blade of each male terminal extends into a blind bore defined by a shroud of the male connector body. Prior to mating of the electrical connector assembly, a self-aligning blade stabilizer is snap fitted into a blade alignment position with the male connector via a lock arm which prevents withdrawal of the stabilizer from the male connector and a flex arm which restricts insertion of the stabilizer into the male connector. When the stabilizer is in the blade alignment position, the tips of the blades are disposed within respective apertures of the stabilizer and aligned to their respective female terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Bakker, Ronald A. Puhl, Courtney A. Mansky
  • Publication number: 20030119349
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly has a male connector which mates to a female connector thereby electrically engaging male terminal blades, locked to a male connector body, to female terminals locked to a female connector body. The blade of each male terminal extends into a blind bore defined by a shroud of the male connector body. Prior to mating of the electrical connector assembly, a self-aligning blade stabilizer is snap fitted into a blade alignment position with the male connector via a lock arm which prevents withdrawal of the stabilizer from the male connector and a flex arm which restricts insertion of the stabilizer into the male connector. When the stabilizer is in the blade alignment position, the tips of the blades are disposed within respective apertures of the stabilizer and aligned to their respective female terminals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventors: John H. Bakker, Ronald A. Puhl, Courtney A. Mansky
  • Patent number: 6565372
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly has a first connector with preferably two oppositely protruding cam followers and a second connector having a pivoting cam lever having preferably two lever arms. The two lever arms respectively engage the earn followers when the first connector is initially staged and locked partially into a cavity defined by the second connector, and as the cam lever pivots from an open position and towards a mated position. The first connector, once locked in the staged position within the forward cavity of the second connector, can not be easily or inadvertently withdrawn, thus, proper orientation of the cam followers to the cam lever is assured for initial cam engagement. The assembly is locked in the staged position by the snap fitting of a tab, which projects laterally from the first connector, into a close ended groove carried by a flex wall which is cantilevered from the second connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Bakker, Ronald A. Puhl, Courtney A. Mansky
  • Publication number: 20030003787
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly has a first connector with preferably two oppositely protruding cam followers and a second connector having a pivoting cam lever having preferably two lever arms. The two lever arms respectively engage the earn followers when the first connector is initially staged and locked partially into a cavity defined by the second connector, and as the cam lever pivots from an open position and towards a mated position. The first connector, once locked in the staged position within a forward cavity of the second connector, can not be easily or inadvertently withdrawn, thus, proper orientation of the cam followers to the cam lever is assured for initial cam engagement. The assembly is locked in a staged position by the snap fitting of a tab, which projects laterally from the first connector, into a close ended groove carried by a flex wall which is cantilevered from the second connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: John H. Bakker, Ronald A. Puhl, Courtney A. Mansky
  • Patent number: 6422881
    Abstract: A multi-blade electrical connector featuring a guidingly movable blade stabilizer which prevents blade misalignment and foreign article entry into the blade environment. A shroud provides a shroud cavity which communicates with terminal cavities. A bladed terminal is received in a respective terminal cavity, wherein the blade thereof projects into the shroud cavity. The shroud has a top wall and a bottom wall and have formed therein at least one pair of mutually opposed slot sets, each being composed of a prestage slot and a staging slot mutually aligned and separated by a prestage detent. The blade stabilizer has a plurality of blade apertures for snugly receiving a blade, respectively. Opposing edges of the blade stabilizer each have at least one staging nib for being respectively received into the at least one prestage and staging slots, wherein the blade stabilizer is at a prestage position when the staging nibs are at the prestaging slots, and at a sliding staging position when at the staging slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald A. Puhl, Courtney A Mansky, John H. Bakker
  • Patent number: 6234835
    Abstract: A removable connector edge clip has a support plate, a first arm integrally attached to the first end of the support plate by a first bight and a second arm integrally attached to the second end of the support plate by a second bight. The first arm confronts a lower surface of the support plate in generally parallel fashion to form a panel edge clamp at the first end of the clip. The support plate has a first spring blade inclined downwardly toward the first arm and the first bight for biasingly engaging a panel edge inserted into the panel edge clamp. The first arm has a barb for retaining the panel edge inserted into the panel edge clamp. The second arm confronts an upper surface of the support plate in generally parallel fashion to form a connector attachment at the second end of the clip. The connector attachment includes a second spring blade inclined downwardly toward the second bight and the support plate and a detent tang inclined upwardly toward the second bight and away from the second arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Bakker, Ronald A. Puhl, Vickey E. Reed