Patents by Inventor Shawna Higgins

Shawna Higgins 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).

  • Self-ejecting electrical connection system
    Patent number: 11876324
    Abstract: An electrical connector system includes a first connector body defining a locking fin, a second connector body configured to receive the first connector body, and a flexible locking arm defined by the second connector body configured to releasably engage the locking fin. A plunger is slidably attached to the second connector body and is moveable from an engaged position in which the plunger holds the locking arm in engagement with the locking fin to a disengaged position in which the plunger disengages the locking arm from the locking fin. A spring is disposed between the plunger and the second connector body and is configured to urge the plunger into the engaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Aptiv Technologies AG
    Inventors: Rachel O'Neill, Shawna Higgins, Marcia Lytle, Prasanna Ramakrishnan, Rangarajan Sundarakrishnamachari
  • SELF-EJECTING ELECTRICAL CONNECTION SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20230030374
    Abstract: An electrical connector system includes a first connector body defining a locking fin, a second connector body configured to receive the first connector body, and a flexible locking arm defined by the second connector body configured to releasably engage the locking fin. A plunger is slidably attached to the second connector body and is moveable from an engaged position in which the plunger holds the locking arm in engagement with the locking fin to a disengaged position in which the plunger disengages the locking arm from the locking fin. A spring is disposed between the plunger and the second connector body and is configured to urge the plunger into the engaged position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2022
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Inventors: Rachel O'Neill, Shawna Higgins, Marcia Lytle, Prasanna RAMAKRISHNAN, RANGARAJAN SUNDARAKRISHNAMACHARI
  • Electrical connector assembly having a male blade stabilizer with integrated primary lock reinforcement
    Patent number: 11502444
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes a connector body defining a terminal cavity therein and a male terminal projecting along a terminal axis to a tip and secured within the terminal cavity by a primary lock feature. The electrical connector assembly also includes a terminal stabilizer defining an aperture that is disposed within the connector body and is moveable from a pre-staged position to a staged position. The electrical connector assembly further includes a primary lock retaining feature that is integrated with the terminal stabilizer and is configured to engage the primary lock feature as the terminal stabilizer moves from the pre-staged position to the staged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: APTIV TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
    Inventors: Rangarajan Sundarakrishnamachari, Sivakumar Jogula, Shawna Higgins
  • ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY HAVING A MALE BLADE STABILIZER WITH INTEGRATED PRIMARY LOCK REINFORCEMENT
    Publication number: 20210226370
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes a connector body defining a terminal cavity therein and a male terminal projecting along a terminal axis to a tip and secured within the terminal cavity by a primary lock feature. The electrical connector assembly also includes a terminal stabilizer defining an aperture that is disposed within the connector body and is moveable from a pre-staged position to a staged position. The electrical connector assembly further includes a primary lock retaining feature that is integrated with the terminal stabilizer and is configured to engage the primary lock feature as the terminal stabilizer moves from the pre-staged position to the staged position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Inventors: Rangarajan Sundarakrishnamachari, Sivakumar Jogula, Shawna Higgins