Gregory D Reese

US Patent:

63223899, Nov 27, 2001

Filed:

Nov 12, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/438868

Inventors:

Gregory S. Reese - Sterling Hts MI
William G. Flask - Youngstown OH
John H. Bakker - Cortland OH
Brian R. Nagy - Taylor MI
Matthew K. Monden - Harrison Twp. MI

Assignee:

Delphi Technologies, Inc. - Troy MI

International Classification:

H02B 101

US Classification:

439553

Abstract:

A connection assurance bracket system (100) which is interfaced between mutually interconnectable first and second connectors (108, 118) to provide assurance of the connection therebetween and eliminate relative motion therebetween. A connection assurance bracket (102) has a flattened horseshoe-shaped base (104) defining a rectangular cut-out (145), wherein a cantilever beam (106) projects normally therefrom. The first connector includes a pump-handle lock (110) for engaging a ramped boss (120) of the second connector. The pump-handle lock features a beam seat (112) for receiving a distal end portion (106a) of the cantilever beam, wherein the distal end (106b) thereof has a lip (140). The first connector further includes left and right rear guide tabs (114, 116) which abut opposing left and right end walls (126, 128) of the cut-out, as well as left and right forward guide tabs (162, 164) for respectively engaging left and right tab collets (122, 124) of the second connector. In operation, the first connector is mounted onto the connection assurance bracket so as to be at a prestaged position, wherein the left and right rear guide tabs abut the left and right end walls and the distal end portion of the cantilever beam is fully seated in the beam seat of the pump-handle lock.