Patent Publication Number: US-6663411-B2

Title: Clamshell connector for airbag gas generator

Description:
This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/557,132, filed on Apr. 25, 2000, now abandoned which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 09/353,186, filed on Jul. 14, 1999 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,435,894, which claims benefit of Ser. No. 60/092,895, filed Jul. 15, 1998, and claims benefit of Ser. No. 60/121,499, filed on Feb. 24, 1999, and claims benefit of Ser. No. 60/121,650, filed on Feb. 24, 1999. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the field of electrical connectors. More specifically, the present invention relates to the field of electrical connectors for connecting to the pins of an initiator of an automobile airbag gas generator assembly. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Airbag gas generators contain the primary initiation charge for inflating automobile airbags during sufficiently extreme impact environments. A gas generator is an electro-explosive device (EED), or squib, initiated by an electrical signal commences airbag inflation. A firing circuit control device, upon sensing impact forces falling within the parameters indicating the need for airbag inflation, provides the squib firing signal. Once the squib has received the firing signal from the control device, the explosive gases produced by the squib inflate the airbag quickly. The control system is connected to the airbag by means of a wiring harness which typically includes an electrical plug and socket connector arrangement to permit an easy method of electrically joining the airbag assembly and the control system after they have been separately installed. As the airbag is a critical safety device that is relied upon to help protect occupants of a vehicle in an accident, the integrity of this connector arrangement is of paramount importance. 
     It is well-known in the airbag gas generator art for the squib to provide a pair of connector lead pins within a female connector housing for insertion into a pair of socket connectors within a male connector housing. It is also well-known in the art to provide a shorting clip for maintaining an electrical short across the connector pins to protect the squib from electro-static discharge prior to installation. The design of male connector components for such known female connector components of airbag gas generator assemblies should therefore incorporate both safety and reliability features for ensuring the timely and proper deployment of the airbag once required. 
     Towards this end, connector assemblies for airbag gas generators have been developed with a goal of providing secure and reliable mechanical and electrical connection between the connector assembly components. One typical design for connector assemblies known in the art is retained in the mated position by means of a fixed rib on the outer surface of a male connector housing cooperatively engaging a groove on the interior wall of a female socket housing a pair of pins. A drawback of this connection assembly is that it only requires the assembly operator to forcibly pull the locking piece out of place. Single action disconnection does not assure that full engagement is maintained as it is possible that an unseated plug connector may still give the operator an outward appearance of full locking engagement between the components. 
     Manufacturers seeking to improve the retention of the connector began employing a sensing means for positively retaining the plug connector within the socket. An example of a prior art connector employing a positive latching mechanism is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,314,345. This three-piece connector incorporates a separate locking element having latching legs for insertion into the mated connector. The reliability of this configuration also suffers due to the possibility that an assembly operator may altogether forget to insert the locking piece into the mated connector. 
     There is therefore a need in the art for an electrical plug connector for the socket component of an airbag gas generator assembly which provides a two-piece connection assembly having a positive latching mechanism. The connector should automatically establish a connection assembly without requiring additional effort on the part of the assembly operator. It is also desirable to provide an electrical connection assembly that requires multiple independent operator actions to attain disconnection. Additionally, it is desirable to provide an electrical connection assembly for an airbag gas generator assembly that utilizes a minimum number of parts to ensure reliable assembly of the connector assembly constituent elements. When the socket includes a shorting clip, the assembly should maintain the shorting connection across the leads of the airbag gas generator assembly until after a shielded electrical connection is established with the electrical connector. It is then also desirable for the connector to establish a mechanically-locked connection assembly prior to disengaging the shorting connection across the leads. It is also then desirable for a connector to allow electrical shorting while still mechanically locked in place. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the needs of the art, the present invention provides a connector assembly particularly suited for an automobile airbag gas generator assembly. The present invention provides a plug connector for insertion into a socket connector having a socket connector wall defining a socket cavity and supporting a conductive socket contact in the socket cavity. The plug connector includes an elongate male connector housing and a dependent housing shaft supporting an elongate housing latch deflectable theretowards. Deflection of the housing latch permits the housing shaft to be inserted into and withdrawn from the socket cavity. An elongate electrical contact supported in the male connector includes a cable terminating end and an opposed interconnection end extending into the shaft for engagement with the an electrical contact lead or pin supported in the socket. The plug connector also includes a housing cover supporting a depending blocking arm which extends between the latch and the shaft and which is deflectable between a first position preventing deflection of the latch, and a second position permitting deflection of the latch. The cover is spring biased towards the first position. 
     An alternate embodiment of the present invention provides a connector assembly including a plug connector having a housing supporting a pair of electrical terminals and a cover movably supported in overlying disposition with respect to the housing. The connector assembly also includes a socket connector including a socket body supporting a pair of electrical contacts within a cavity formed in the socket body. The plug connector is insertably removably accommodated by the socket body cavity for establishing electrical connection between the terminals and the contacts. The housing further includes a deflectable latch wherein the plug housing is insertably removable with respect to the socket body cavity upon deflection of the latch. The cover further supports a blocking lug thereon, such that the cover extends towards and away from the housing between a first position placing the blocking lugs clear of the latch and permitting the connector latch to be deflected towards the shaft and to pass through the socket opening, and a second position placing the blocking lug adjacent the connector latch to prevent the latch from deflecting sufficiently to allow passage through the socket cavity. 
     Yet another embodiment of the present invention provides a connector assembly including a plug connector having a housing supporting a pair of electrical terminals and a cover movably supported in overlying disposition with respect to the housing. The connector assembly also includes a socket connector including a socket body supporting a pair of electrical contacts within a cavity formed in the socket body. The plug connector is insertably removably accommodated by the socket body cavity for establishing electrical connection between the terminals and the contacts. The housing further includes a deflectable latch wherein the plug housing is insertably removable with respect to the socket body cavity upon deflection of the latch. The plug connector also includes a mechanical and electrical assurance button including a locking arm extendable between the latch and the shaft and arming arm extendable between the shorting clip and the shaft. The button is extendable from a first position to a second position. The first position maintains the electrical short across the female socket contacts and allows the latch to be deflected towards the shaft so as to allow the shaft to pass through the socket cavity. The second position disengages the electrical short across the female socket contacts and prevents deflection of the latch so as to prevent the shaft from passing through the socket opening. 
     The present invention also provides a deflectable shorting clip assembly for an electrical connection. The shorting clip assembly includes a socket housing having a socket housing wall defining a socket cavity and supporting a pair of socket contacts in the socket cavity. The socket contacts define a contact gap therebetween. An elongate shorting clip is provided having a first end supported by the socket housing wall and a second end extending into the contact gap. The second end is deflectable between a first position mutually engaging the pair of socket contacts and a second position spaced from mutual engagement with the pair of socket contacts. 
     The present invention also provides a keying structure between the shaft of the plug connector and the socket wall to align the socket contacts and the connector contacts prior to establishing electrical connection thereacross. 
     The present invention also contemplates forming a clamshell connector having a transversely-extending living hinge across both the cover and the housing so as to provide for hinged deflection of a cover clamshell component and a housing clamshell component. The housing and cover clamshells components define an enclosable clamshell cavity therebetween. The housing and cover clamshell components are movable towards and away from each other between an open configuration exposing the clamshell cavity and a closed configuration enclosing the clamshell cavity. The crimping ends of the electrical contacts extend into the enclosable clamshell cavity to provide easier access for an installer to crimp wires thereto when the clamshell components are in the open configuration. After wires have been affixed to the crimping ends of the electrical contacts, the cover and housing clamshell components may be brought together to enclose the crimping connection between the contacts and the wires of the firing circuit. The clamshell components may further include cooperating locking detents to maintain the closed configuration. 
     Connectors of the present invention may further be formed to allow the plug connectors to be inserted into a socket while the blocking key is in a down and locked position. The connectors include deflectable latch arms which are able to buckle at their projecting mating ribs so as to allow the mating ribs to deflect and enter the mating groove of the socket. Connectors of the present invention may further incorporate a ferrite block, a pair of cylindrical ferrite members, or an induction coil. The contacts of the present invention may further include a stress-relief tab which engages the housing body should the terminated wires be pulled in tension. The connectors of the present invention are further capable of terminating either round wire or flat cable conductors. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is exploded view of a plug connector of the present invention. 
     FIGS. 2 a-e  are sectional views of the mating sequence of the connector of FIG. 1 being inserted to a socket connector. 
     FIG. 3 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the connector of FIG. 1 depicting the cover in an undeflected configuration. 
     FIG. 4 is an exploded view of another plug connector of the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 is an assembly drawing of the plug connector of FIG.  4 . 
     FIGS. 6-8 depicts one embodiment of the locking button of the plug connector of FIG.  5 . 
     FIG. 9 shows a top-elevational view of the cover of the plug connector of FIG.  5 . 
     FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the cover of FIG. 9 taken through the line  10 — 10 . 
     FIG. 11 is an oblique view of the housing of the plug connector of FIG.  5 . 
     FIGS. 12A-B show alternate sectional views of the plug connector of FIG. 5 prior to insertion into a socket connector. 
     FIGS. 13A-B show alternate sectional views of the plug connector of FIG. 5 upon insertion into a socket connector prior to fully depressing the locking button to mechanically lock the connector in place and electrically enable an airbag firing circuit. 
     FIG. 13C is a perspective view of a shorting clip employed in the socket connector of the present invention. 
     FIGS. 14A-B show alternate sectional views of the plug connector of FIG. 5 after depressing the locking button to mechanically lock the connector in place and electrically enable an airbag firing circuit. 
     FIG. 15 is an exploded view of yet another plug connector of the present invention. 
     FIGS. 16A-B are cross-sectional views of the plug connector of FIG. 15 inserted into a socket having a pair of protruding lead pins, with the cover in the down and latch-locked position for disengaging a shorting clip extending across the lead pins, and with the cover in the raised position permitting the shorting clip to extend across the lead pins and the connector latches to deflect. 
     FIG. 17 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the plug connector of FIG. 15 inserted in a socket connector, showing the shorting clip in the disengaged position. 
     FIG. 18 is a side elevational view of the connector of FIG. 15, showing the wires entry into the connector. 
     FIG. 19 top elevational view of the plug connector housing of the connector of FIG.  15 . 
     FIG. 20 is a side elevational view of the plug connector cover of the plug connector of FIG.  15 . 
     FIG. 21 is an oblique sectional view of a keying design for a plug connector and socket connector of the present invention. 
     FIG. 22 is a top sectional view of the keying design of FIG.  21 . 
     FIGS. 23A-C depict coding variants for the keying design of the present invention. 
     FIG. 24 is a first cross-sectional view of a socket connector of the present invention. 
     FIG. 25 is a second cross-sectional view of the socket connector of FIG.  24 . 
     FIGS. 26-27 depict alternate oblique views of the shorting clip employed in the socket connection of FIG.  24 . 
     FIG. 28 depicts still another embodiment of the present invention in which the connector provides a clamshell opening for allowing access to the crimping ends of the electrical contacts. 
     FIG. 29 is an oblique view of the clamshell housing of the connector of FIG.  28 . 
     FIG. 30 depicts the housing of FIG. 29 deflected to an open configuration exposing the crimping ends of the electrical contacts. 
     FIGS. 31 and 32 depict alternate views of a shipping configuration of and a shipping container for the connector of FIG.  28 . 
     FIG. 33 depicts the cover and housing of still another embodiment of the clamshell connector of the present invention, for terminating flat conductor cable. 
     FIG. 34 is cross-sectional view of the connector of FIG. 33 with a flat conductor cable terminated therein. 
     FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional view of a socket contact having a strain-relief member employed within a housing of the present invention. 
     FIGS. 36-37 depict the employment of an elongate tubular ferrite bead in a connector of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the present invention provides a plug connector  10  for connecting to a socket connector  26  for establishing an ignition circuit for an automobile airbag gas generator squib (not shown). As will be described hereinbelow, plug connector  10  requires only a single operator action, or insertion force, for establishing a secure mechanical and electrical connection in a connector assembly while also requiring two independent operator actions to electrically and mechanically disconnect from a connector assembly. Plug connector  10  includes a connector housing  12  and a hinged connector cover  14  for fixedly supporting a first and second elongate electrical contact,  16  and  18 , and a split ferrite assembly  20 . First and second contacts  16  and  18  each terminate at opposed first and second socket contacts  17 ,  19  and first and second pigtail wires  22 ,  24 , respectively. Pigtail wires  22  and  24  are desirably respectively crimped to contacts  16  and  18  at a location within ferrite assembly  20 , although the present invention also contemplates crimping wires  22  and  24  to contacts  16  and  18  at a location transiting or outside of ferrite assembly  20 . Housing  12  and cover  14  are formed from a suitable dielectric material. 
     Connector  10  provides removable mating engagement with a socket connector  26 , shown in FIGS. 2A-E, having a socket housing  28  which defines a socket cavity  30 . Socket connector  26  supports a first and second socket lead, or pin,  32  and  34  in socket cavity  30  for establishing an electrical circuit with first and second contacts  16  and  18  in connector  10 . Socket housing  28  also defines a mating groove  66  communicating with socket cavity  30  for establishing mechanical connection with connector  10 . Connector  10  may also include an electrical shorting clip, not shown, for providing deflectable shorting engagement across pins  32  and  34 . 
     Housing  12  includes a pair of cantileverally-deflectable arms  50 ,  52  extending from the distal end  54   a  of a connecting shaft  54 . Shaft  54  terminates at a connector face  56  and is insertable into socket cavity  30  to establish both mechanical and electrical connection between connector  10  and socket  26 . Connector face  56  defines a pair of socket apertures  58 ,  60  positioned in underlying registry with socket contacts  17 ,  19  so as to enable lead pins  32 ,  34  to be inserted therethrough and establish electrical connection between the airbag gas generator and the firing circuitry. The outer surfaces of deflectable arms  50 ,  52  each include a projecting rib  62 ,  64  thereon for insertion into mating groove  66  of socket housing  28 . Deflectable arms also include an interiorly projecting lug  150  and  152  facing shaft  54 , for purposes described hereinbelow. 
     Housing  12  further includes a base wall  69  and a perimetrical housing wall  70  which defines an interior cavity  72 . Interior cavity  72  retentatively receives first and second contact elements  16 , 18  and ferrite component  20  therein. Housing wall  70  includes a pair of opposed retention clips  74  and  76  (not shown) facing across interior cavity  72  for engaging a pair of oppositely-extending locking ledges  78 ,  80  formed on ferrite component  20 . Bottom wall  69  includes a deflectable protrusion  82  facing interior cavity  72  for retentatively forcing locking ledges  78 ,  80  of ferrite component  20  against retention clips  74 ,  76  on housing wall  70 . A spring stop wall  95  having a spring stop edge  95   a  is positioned in interior cavity  72  between contacts  16  and  18 . 
     Housing wall  70  further includes a pair of exteriorly-facing detents  100  (not shown) and  102  thereon. Housing  12  further includes a crenellated back wall  82  and a crenellated interior wall  84  spaced parallel thereto. Both crenellated walls  82  and  84  define a pair of adjacent apertures  86 ,  88 , and  90 ,  92  for receiving wires  22  and  24  therethrough. 
     Cover  14  includes a fixed cover member  120  and a deflectable cover member  122  deflectably attached to fixed cover member  120  by three hinges  122 ,  124 , and  126 . As represented in FIG. 3, the hinges include an elongate substantially rigid hinge link body ( 124   a  shown), spanning between the cover members  120  and  122  and being connected to each by a narrow living hinge ( 124   b  and  124   c  shown) to better approximate linear motion for deflectable cover member  122 . Fixed cover portion  120  includes a planar top wall  128  and a depending perimetrical wall  130 . Deflectable cover member  122  similarly includes a planar top wall  132  and a depending perimetrical wall  134 . Perimetrical walls  132  and  134  define a cover cavity  136  positionable in overlying registry with housing interior cavity  72 . 
     Fixed cover member  120  also includes a back crenellated wall, not shown, projecting from top wall  128  which is formed to extend between crenellated walls  82  and  84  of housing  12  and define a pair of pigtail passageways through housing  12 . Perimetrical wall  130  further includes a first and second clasp detents  130  (not shown) and  132  formed to cooperatively engage detents  100  and  102  of housing  12  and thereby hold housing  12  and cover  14  together. 
     Top wall  132  of deflectable cover member  122  includes a centrally-located depending cantilever spring  138  having free end  138   a . As shown in FIG. 3, spring free end  138   a  abuts spring stop edge  95   a  so as to urge deflectable cover member  122  away from spring stop wall  95 . Depressing planar top wall  132  towards housing  12  causes spring  138  to deflect such that release of deflectable cover member  132  allows spring  138  to urge cover member  132  away from housing  12 . 
     Deflectable cover member  122  further includes a first and second fixed elongate blocking arms  140  and  142 . Blocking arms  140  and  142  include a planar blocking lug  144  and  146  at a distal end thereof and define an elongate recess  140   a  and  142   a  extending between blocking lug  144  and  146  and perimetrical wall  134 , respectively. Blocking lugs  144  and  146  are therefore substantially linearly movable with deflectable cover member  122  between an undeflected position and deflected position against the urging of spring  138 . 
     As shown in FIG. 2A, blocking lugs  144  and  146  are positioned adjacent interior latch lugs  150  and  152  in an undeflected position to thereby prevent deflection of latch arms  50  and  52  towards shaft  54 . Thus, in the undeflected position, connector  10  may not be inserted into, or withdrawn from, socket cavity  30  as the exterior latch ribs  62  and  64  are spaced too far outward from shaft  54 . While FIG. 2A shows that electrical connection may be established between leads  32  and  34  and socket contacts  17  and  19 , respectively, prior to latch ribs  62  and  64  extending into socket cavity  30 , the present invention contemplates that, by positioning either socket contacts  17  and  19  deeper within shaft  54  or leads  32  and  34  deeper within socket cavity  30 , electrical connection may be delayed until mechanical retention is more likely established. FIG. 2B shows that as deflectable cover member  122  is deflected towards housing  12 , spring  138  deflects and blocking lugs  144  and  146  extend further towards connector face  56  at the free end of shaft  54  so as to position recesses  140   a  and  142   a  adjacent latch lugs  150  and  152 . Consequently, when deflectable cover member  122  and blocking lugs  144  and  146  are in the deflected position, latch arms  50  and  52  may be deflected towards shaft  54  to thereby allow connector  10  to be inserted into, or withdrawn from, socket cavity  28 . 
     As seen FIGS. 2C-E, with latch arms  50  and  52  deflected towards shaft  54 , connector  10  may be inserted into socket cavity  28  so as to align latch ribs  62  and  64  with mating groove  66 . It is contemplated that by tapering the leading edges of latch ribs  62  and  64 , an operator need not manually deflect latch arms  50  and  52  as such will occur with continued insertion forces while cover member  122  is deflected. That is, as connector  10  is inserted into female connector  26 , engagement between projecting ribs  62 ,  64  against connector wall  28  causes arms  50 ,  52  to deflect towards male connecting portion  54 . By either insertion method, once projecting ribs  62 ,  64  reach mating groove  66 , deflectable arms  50 ,  52  spring outwards from male connecting portion  54  to provide mechanically-locked engagement between connector  10  and female connector  26 . In order to withdraw connector  10  from female connector  26 , cover member  122  must be deflected towards housing  12  and deflectable arms  50 ,  52  must be simultaneously deflected towards male connecting portion  54  until ribs  62 ,  64  are clear of mating groove  66  and then pulled from cavity  30 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 4-14B, an alternate connector  210  of the present invention is shown. Connector  210  requires two independent operator actions for establishing mechanical and electrical connection within a connector assembly and three independent operator actions to mechanically and electrically disconnect from the connector assembly. Connector  210  includes a housing  212  and a cover  214  for mating engagement with the housing  212  so as to contain a first and a second contact element  216  and  218 , respectively, and a ferrite component  220 . First and second contact elements  216  and  218  each terminate at opposed first and second socket contacts  217 ,  219  first and second wire  222 ,  224 , respectively. Wires  222  and  224  each extend through ferrite component  220  and provide a pigtail connection end  222   a  and  224   a  exterior to connector  210 . Connector  210  employs an adjustable locking key  215  for controlling both mechanical locking of connector  210  and electrical shorting of the firing circuit established by connector  210  and an airbag gas generator squib (not shown). Housing  212  and cover  214  are formed from a suitable dielectric material. Connector  210  provides mating engagement with a female connector  226 , shown in FIGS. 13A-14B, of an airbag gas generator assembly, not shown. 
     Socket connector  226  includes a connector wall  228  defining a female connector cavity  230  in which a pair of electrical lead pins  232  and  234  are positioned. Connector wall  228  defines a mating groove  266  opening towards connector cavity  230  so as to provide mechanical retention of a connector therein. Female connector  226  may further include a conductive shorting clip  236  extendable across pins  232  and  234  within cavity  230  for providing protection against unintentional initiation of the airbag gas generator assembly by a current induced from electrostatic discharge arcing to one of lead pins  232  or  234 . In some configurations, shorting clip  236  is provided by an intermediate insert  238  positioned within cavity  230 . As shown in FIG. 13C, shorting clip  236  typically includes a clip body  240  and a pair of clip appendages  242  and  244  each bent so as to deflectably contact one of pins  232  and  234  and thereby provide a short circuit thereacross. Upon insertion of connector  210 , clip appendages  242  and  244  are deflected away from pins  232  and  234  by the dielectric material of housing  212  so as to allow a firing circuit to be established with the airbag gas generator. 
     Housing  212  includes a pair of cantileverally-deflectable latch arms  250 ,  252  extending from the distal end  254   a  of a shaft  254 . Shaft  254  terminates at a planar connector face  256  and is insertable into female connector cavity  230  to establish both mechanical and electrical connection. Connector face  256  defines a pair of socket apertures  258 ,  260  positioned in underlying registry with socket contacts  217 ,  219  so as to enable lead pins  232 ,  234  to be inserted therein and establish electrical connection between the airbag gas generator and the firing circuitry. 
     Deflectable latch arms  250 ,  252  each include a projecting rib  262 ,  264  thereon for insertion into a mating groove  266  in socket wall  228 . As connector  210  is inserted into socket connector  226  with locking key  215  in a raised position, engagement between projecting ribs  262 ,  264  against connector wall  228  causes latch arms  250 ,  252  to deflect towards shaft  254 . Once projecting ribs  262 ,  264  reach mating groove  266 , deflectable latch arms  250 ,  252  spring outwards from shaft  254  to provide mechanically-locked engagement between connector  210  and female connector  226 . In order to withdraw connector  210  from female connector  226 , deflectable latch arms  250 ,  252  must be simultaneously deflected towards shaft  254  until ribs  262 ,  264  are clear of mating groove  266  and then pulled from cavity  230 . 
     Shaft  254  defines a pair of adjacent elongate channels  294 ,  296  opening in facing opposition to the appendages  242 ,  244  of shorting clip  236  when connector  210  is inserted into female connector  226 . Connector portion  254  further defines a pair of socket cavities  298 ,  299  for retentatively receiving socket contacts  217 ,  219  therein. 
     Referring now to FIG. 11, housing  212  further includes a bottom wall  269  and a perimetrical housing wall  270  which defines an interior cavity  272 . Interior cavity  272  retentatively receives first and second contact elements  216 ,  218  and ferrite component  220  therein. Housing wall  270  includes a pair of opposed retention clips  274 ,  276  facing across interior cavity  272  for engaging a pair of oppositely-extending locking ledges  278 ,  280  formed on ferrite component  220 . Bottom wall  269  includes a deflectable protrusion  281  facing interior cavity  272  for retentatively forcing locking ledges  278 ,  280  of ferrite component  220  against retention clips  274 ,  276  on housing wall  270 . 
     Housing  212  further includes a crenellated back wall  282  and a crenellated interior wall  284  spaced parallel thereto. Both crenellated walls  282  and  284  define a pair of adjacent apertures  286 ,  288 , and  290 ,  292  for receiving wires  222  and  224  therein. Back wall  282  further includes a locking barbs (not shown) extending into apertures  290  and  292  for retaining wires  222  and  224  in place. 
     With additional reference to FIGS. 9-10 and  12 A, cover  214  of connector  210  is affixed to housing  212  by means of detent arms  319   a-e  deflectably engaging and retaining housing protrusions  271   a-e  formed on housing  212 . Cover  214  includes a planar top wall  320 , a forward key-accommodating member  322 , and a depending perimetrical wall  324 . Perimetrical wall  324  defines a cover cavity  326  to be positioned in overlying registry with interior cavity  272  of housing  212  when connector  210  is assembled. Cover  214  also includes an interior crenellated wall  350  projecting from top wall  320  into cover cavity  326 . Crenellated wall  350  defines a pair of wire passages for receiving wires  224 ,  226  therein once connector  210  is assembled. Crenellated wall  350  is formed to extend between crenellated walls  282  and  284  of housing  212 . 
     Key-accommodating member  322  includes a pair of transversely-spaced forward legs  356 ,  358  depending therefrom and defines a key insertion aperture  355  adjacent to, and forward of, forward legs  356 ,  358 . Key-accommodating member  322  also provides a pair of oppositely-extending cover shoulders  360 ,  362  longitudinally spaced from cover perimetrical wall  324  by cross-piece  364  from which forward legs  356 ,  358  depend. Cover  214  defines a key-accommodating space  366  between cover shoulders  360 ,  362  and cover perimetrical wall  324 . 
     With particular reference to the FIGS. 6-8, locking key  215  of connector  210  includes an upper button  370  which is manually engaged for manipulating and positioning key  215  within connector  210 . Button  370  includes an elongate transversely-oriented planar upper wall  372 , depending crenellated forward and rear button walls  374  and  376 , respectively, and transversely-spaced depending endwalls  378 ,  380 . Walls  374 ,  376 ,  378 , and  380  define an interior button cavity  382 . Crenellated button walls  374  and  376  each define longitudinally-registered notches  382  and  384 , respectively, for receiving cross-piece  364  of cover  214 . 
     Locking key  215  and cover  214  include cooperatively engaging detents for positively holding locking key in the raised or lowered position. Detents  201 - 204  on cover  214  provide overridable staggered engagement with cooperating detents  205 - 208  on crenellated button walls  274  and  276 . Locking key  215  and housing  212  also include cooperatively engaging retention features which prevent locking key  215  from being separated from the remainder of connector  210 . Locking arms  286  and  288  each define an elongate retention slot  287 ,  289  having one end closed by a the distal arm end  286   a  and  288   a , respectively. Housing  212  provides a retention pin  701 ,  702 , on perimetrical wall  270  in facing opposition to a latch arm  250 ,  252  for slidable retention within retention slot  287 ,  289 , respectively, as locking key  215  is raised and lowered. 
     Locking key  215  further includes a pair of transversely-spaced, longitudinally-extending mechanical locking arms  386 ,  388  and an electrical safing element  390  depending from upper wall  372  through button cavity  382 . Electrical safing element  390  further includes a pair of transversely-spaced fixed arms  392 ,  394  which function to provide engagement and disengagement between clip appendages  242 ,  244  of shorting clip  236  and lead pins  232 ,  234 . Electrical safing element  390  passes through key-insertion aperture  355  when assembled. With additional reference to FIGS. 3-10 b , locking key  215  provides a pair of latch arm stops  396 ,  398  within button cavity  382  adjacent to endwalls  378 ,  380 . 
     Locking key  215  is adjustable within connector  210  so as to both control the shorting engagement of shorting clip  226  across lead pins  232 ,  234  and to prevent the inadvertent mechanical disconnection of connector  210  from female connector  226 . As will be described hereinbelow, locking key  215  is adjustable between a raised and unlocked position and a lowered and locked position. In the raised and unlocked position, fixed arms  392 ,  394  are retracted along channels  294 ,  296  so as not to interfere with lead pins  232 ,  234  being shorted by shorting clip appendages  242 ,  244 . Simultaneously, when locking key is in the raised and unlocked position, latch arms  250 ,  252  may be deflected towards shaft  254 . Conversely, when locking key  215  is in the lowered and locked position, shorting clip appendages  242 ,  244  are disengaged from lead pins  232 ,  234  by fixed arms  392 ,  394  and locking arms  386 ,  388  prevent the deflection of latch arms  250 ,  252 . The raised and unlocked position of locking key  215  is shown in FIGS. 12-13B while the lowered and locked position of locking key  215  is shown in FIGS. 14A-B. 
     FIGS. 12A-B show another attribute of connector  210 . When connector  210  is free from female connector  226 , locking key  215  is in a raised position and latch arms  250 ,  252  outwardly deflect to an at-rest position whereby their free ends  250   a ,  252   a  are positioned adjacent latch arm stops  396 ,  398  so as to prevent locking key  215  being lowered. This feature of the present invention ensures that shorting clip  236  maintains the short circuit across lead pins  232 ,  234  while the mechanical engagement between connector  210  and female connector  226  is being established. Insertion of shaft  254  into female connector  226  causes latch arms  250 ,  252 , either with or without concurrent manual assistance, to deflect inwards towards shaft  254  so as to position ribs  262 ,  264  within mating groove  266 . 
     As made clear by FIGS. 13A-B, the positioning of ribs  262 ,  264  within mating groove  266  results in sufficient inward deflection of latch arms  250 ,  252  to position their free ends  250   a ,  252   a  clear of latch stops  396 ,  398  and allow for subsequent lowering of locking key  215 . The present invention thereby ensures that the shorting of lead pins  232 ,  234  is maintained until the electrical engagement between lead pins  232 ,  234  and socket contacts  217 ,  219  is established. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 14A-B, locking key  215  may now be pressed to the lowered position and thereby both mechanically lock the connector in place and electrically enable the airbag firing circuit. In the lowered position, locking key  215  extends fixed arms  392 ,  394  along channels  294 ,  296  of shaft  254  to disengage shorting clip appendages  242 ,  244  from lead pins  232 ,  234 . Furthermore, in the lowered position, locking key  215  positions locking arms  386 ,  388  adjacent latch arms  250 ,  252  and thereby prevents their inward deflection as would be required for disconnecting connector  210  from female connector  226 . As is shown in the Figures, latch arms  250 ,  252  are preferably contoured to conforms to endwalls  378 ,  380  and further thwart inadvertent disengagement of locking key  215 . Similarly, when connector  210  is mechanically locked in female connector  226 , locking key  215  may be raised and lowered as desired so as to provide a shorted or unshorted path across lead pins  232 ,  234 , as desired. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 15-20, yet another connector  410  of the present invention requires two independent operator actions to both establish and break from secure mechanical and electrical connection with a connector assembly. Connector  410  includes a housing  412  and a cover  414  for mating engagement with the housing  412  so as to contain a first and a second contact element  416  and  418 , respectively, and a ferrite component  420 . First and second contact elements  416  and  418  each terminate at opposed first and second socket contacts  417 ,  419  first and second wire  422 ,  424 , respectively. Wires  422  and  424  each extend through ferrite component  420  and provide a pigtail connection end  422   a  and  424   a  exterior to connector  410 . 
     Housing  412  and cover  414  are formed from a suitable dielectric material. Connector  410  provides mating engagement with a female connector  426 , shown in FIGS. 16A and 17, of an airbag gas generator assembly, not shown. 
     Female connector  426  includes a connector wall  428  defining a female connector cavity  430  in which a pair of electrical lead pins  432  and  434  are positioned. Connector wall  428  defines a mating groove  466  opening towards connector cavity  430  so as to provide mechanical retention of a connector therein. Female connector  426  may further include a shorting clip  436  deflectably connected across pins  432  and  434  within cavity  430  for providing protection against unintentional initiation of the airbag gas generator assembly by a current induced from electrostatic discharge arcing to one of lead pins  432  or  434 . In some configurations, shorting clip  436  is provided by an intermediate insert  438  positioned within cavity  430 . Shorting clip  436  typically includes a clip body  440  and a pair of clip appendages  442 , shown in FIG. 13C, and  444  each bent so as to deflectably contact one of pins  432  and  434  and thereby provide a short circuit thereacross. Upon insertion of connector  410 , clip appendages  442  and  444  are deflected away from pins  432  and  434  by the dielectric material of housing  412  so as to allow a firing circuit to be established with the airbag gas generator. 
     Housing  412  includes a pair of cantileverally-deflectable arms  450 ,  452  extending from the distal end  454   a  of a shaft  454 . Shaft  454  terminates at a planar connector face  456  and is insertable into female connector cavity  430  to establish both mechanical and electrical connection. Connector face  456  defines a pair of socket apertures  458 ,  460  positioned in underlying registry with socket contacts  417 ,  419  so as to enable lead pins  432 ,  434  to be inserted therein and establish electrical connection between the airbag gas generator and the firing circuitry. 
     Deflectable arms  450 ,  452  each include a projecting rib  462 ,  464  thereon for insertion into a mating groove  466 . As connector  410  is inserted into female connector  426 , engagement between projecting ribs  462 ,  464  against connector wall  428  causes arms  450 ,  452  to deflect towards shaft  454 . Once projecting ribs  462 ,  464  reach mating groove  466 , deflectable arms  450 ,  452  spring outwards from shaft  454  to provide mechanically-locked engagement between connector  410  and female connector  426 . In order to withdraw connector  410  from female connector  426 , deflectable arms  450 ,  452  must be simultaneously deflected towards shaft  454  until ribs  462 ,  464  are clear of mating groove  466  and then pulled from cavity  430 . 
     Shaft  454  defines a pair of adjacent elongate channels  494 ,  496  opening in facing opposition to the appendages  442 ,  444  of shorting clip  436  when connector  410  is inserted into female connector  426 . Shaft  454  further defines a pair of socket cavities  498 ,  499  for retentatively receiving socket contacts  417 ,  419  therein. 
     Housing  412  further includes a bottom wall  469  and a perimetrical housing wall  470  which defines an interior cavity  472 . Interior cavity  472  retentatively receives first and second contact elements  416 ,  418  and ferrite component  420  therein. Housing wall  470  includes a pair of opposed retention clips  474 ,  476  facing across interior cavity  472  for engaging a pair of oppositely-extending locking ledges  478 ,  480  formed on ferrite component  420 . Bottom wall  469  includes a deflectable protrusion  481  facing interior cavity  472  for retentatively forcing locking ledges  478 ,  480  of ferrite component  420  against retention clips  474 ,  476  on housing wall  470 . 
     Housing  412  further includes a crenellated back wall  482  and a crenellated interior wall  484  spaced parallel thereto. Both crenellated walls  482  and  484  define a pair of adjacent apertures  486 ,  488 , and  490 ,  492  for receiving wires  422  and  424  therethrough. Back wall  482  further includes a locking elements  491 ,  493  extending into apertures  486 ,  490  for retaining wires  422  and  424  in place. 
     Housing wall  470  includes eight exteriorly-facing detents  500 - 508  thereon. Housing wall  470  also includes a pair of oppositely-extending stop elements  510 ,  512  having downward-facing planar stop faces  510   a ,  512   a , respectively. While detents  500 - 308  are preferably positioned about a plane extending slightly above a plane including stop faces  510   a  and  512   a , detents  502 ,  503  and  506 ,  507  also preferably extend slightly farther out from housing wall  470  than their adjacent stop elements  510  and  512 . 
     Cover  414  includes a planar top wall  520 , a depending front wall  522 , and a depending perimetrical wall  524 . A pair of fixed arms  446 ,  448 , which function to provide engagement and disengagement between clip appendages  442 ,  444  of shorting clip  436  and lead pins  432 ,  434 , depend from front wall  522 . Perimetrical wall  524  defines a cover cavity  526  for receiving perimetrical wall  470  of housing  412  when connector  410  is assembled. Cover  414  also includes an interior crenellated wall  550  projecting from top wall  520  into cover cavity  526 . Crenellated wall  550  defines a pair of wire passages  552 ,  554  for receiving wires  424 ,  426  therein once connector  410  is assembled. Crenellated wall  550  is formed to extend between crenellated walls  482  and  484  of housing  412 . 
     Cover  414  includes opposed recesses  570  and  572  for receiving deflectable arms  450  and  452 , respectively. Planar top wall  520  and perimetrical wall  524  support blocking lugs  574  and  575  in recess  570  and blocking lugs  576  and  577  in recess  572 . Blocking lugs  574 ,  575  and  576 ,  577  are positionable adjacent the free ends of deflectable latches  450  and  452 , as shown in FIG. 16A when cover  414  is in the down position, so as to prevent their deflection towards shaft  454  and thereby preventing shaft  454  from being either inserted into or withdrawn from socket cavity  430 . When cover  414  is in the raised position, blocking lugs  574 ,  575  and  576 ,  577  will be raised clear of deflectable latches  450  and  452 , as shown in FIG. 16B, so as to allow their deflection towards shaft  454  and thereby allow for shaft  454  to be inserted into or withdrawn from socket cavity  430 . 
     Perimetrical wall  524  of cover  414  includes eight interiorly-facing detents  530 - 538  formed to cooperatively abut detents  501 - 508  of housing  412  in the lowered and locked configuration. Detents  531 - 538  pass over and back across detents  501 - 508  as cover  414  is moved between the lowered and locked and the raised and unlocked configurations. Relative travel between cover  414  and housing  412  is limited by the abutting engagement between stop elements  510 ,  512  on housing  412  and a pair of oppositely facing cover stops  540 ,  542  formed between detents  532 ,  533 , and  536 ,  537 , respectively. Cover stops  540 ,  542  each include planar stop surfaces  540   a ,  542   a , respectively for abutting engagement with stop surfaces  510   a ,  512   a , respectively. 
     Cover  414  is shown in the down and locked position with respect to housing  412 , as depicted in FIG.  16 A. The down and locked position sufficiently extends fixed arms  446 ,  448  within channels  494 ,  496  of housing  412  so as to be in position to disengage clip appendages  446 ,  448  from shorting engagement across lead pins  432 ,  434  of female connector  426 . The down and locked position also places blocking lugs  574 ,  575  and  576 ,  577  adjacent the free end of deflectable latches  450  and  452  to prevent their deflection towards shaft  454 . Cover  414  may also be withdrawn to a raised and unlocked position, shown in FIGS. 16B, which removes fixed arms  446 ,  448  from blocking engagement of clip appendages  446 ,  448  so that shorting contact across lead pins  432 ,  434  may be re-established while maintaining connector  410  mechanically engaged with female connector  426 . Thus, only when fixed arms  446  and  448  are clear from shorting clip appendages  446  and  448  will blocking lugs  574 ,  575  and  576 ,  577  be clear of deflectable latches  450  and  452  to thereby allow withdrawal or insertion of connector  410  through socket cavity  430 . Alternatively, when connector  410  is mechanically locked in female connector  426 , cover  414  may be raised and lowered as desired so as to provide a shorted or unshorted path across lead pins  432 ,  434 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 21-23C, it is desirable to provide keying accommodation between the shaft and plug of the present invention. Keying the shaft and plug assists in preventing relative rotation between the shaft of the plug connector and the socket connector which can cause the socket contacts and leads to be unaligned. Improper alignment between the socket and leads can result in the leads being bent by insertion of the shaft into the socket. The present invention assures the mechanical alignment between the shaft and socket connector so as to align the leads with the socket contacts by providing a cooperative keying structure to both the shaft and the socket connector. It is desirable that the tolerances of the fit between the shaft and the socket are sufficiently tight to ensure that the alignment therebetween is established prior to the socket leads entering the socket contacts of the plug connector. 
     As seen in FIGS. 21-23, the keying structure employs a crenellated interface  801  between the shaft  854  of the plug connector  810  and either the socket connector  826  or a socket insert  838  supporting a shorting clip. Cooperative grooves  810  and protuberances  812  are formed on plug connector shaft  854  and on socket housing  825  to ensure plug connector  810  is correctly oriented with respect to socket  826  prior to insertion thereinto. As additionally seen in FIGS. 23A-C, the crenellations of the keying structure  801  may be altered by shifting one socket channel  814  and one shaft protuberance  816  so as to differentiate connectors and sockets for different locations or airbags within a single vehicle. The different keying structures are especially useful for multiple airbag applications where more than one airbag is provided and which are varyingly deployed in response to different impact environments. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 24-27, a shorting clip for use in a socket connector is also disclosed. Shorting clip  900  is an elongate member having a single wedge-shaped head  902  for engaging a pair of leads  932  and  934  within the socket cavity  930  defined by a socket housing  928 . Leads  934  and  934  define a gap  933  therebetween into which head  902  of shorting clip  900  extends in order to make shorting engagement thereacross. Head  902  includes a pair of tapered edges  902   a  and  902   b  which make contact with lead  932  and  934 , respectively, to establish the short circuit across the leads. 
     Shorting clip  900  also includes a tail  904  embedded in either socket housing  926  itself or in a socket insert  938  which is retained in socket cavity  930 . Tail  904  includes a retention barb  904   a  which permits insertion of tail  904  into a preformed shorting clip aperture  941  and which retentatively engages socket insert  938  to prevent withdrawal therefrom. 
     Shorting clip  900  further includes an elongate clip body  906  extending between head  902  and tail  904 . Starting from tail  904 , body  906  includes a first portion  906   a  obliquely bent away from leads  932  and  934  towards a central body portion  906   b  which is bent approximately 180 degrees so that a third body portion  906   c  extends substantially parallel to, and spaced from, portion  906   a  back towards leads  932  and  934 . Third body portion  906   c  extends to a fourth body portion  906   d  which is bent to extend substantially parallel to, and spaced from, leads  932  and  934 . Head  902  extends approximately 90 degrees from body portion  906   d  towards leads  932  and  934 . 
     The bending of body portion  906  imparts a spring-like deflectability to shorting clip  900  so that head  902  is deflectably urged to extend into gap  941  and provide shorting engagement with leads  932  and  934 . The spring bias of shorting clip  900  is desirably of sufficient magnitude that the leads  932  and  934  actually limit the deflection of head  902  away from tail  904 . Head  902  desirably extends underneath the free end of the plug connector shaft inserted into socket cavity  930  so as to maintain shorting connection across leads  932  and  934  while the shaft is retained therein. As the plug connector shaft does not disengage head  902 , electrical shorting may be maintained until a separate connector member, such as fixed teeth  392  and  394  of connector  210  or fixed arms  446  and  448  of connector  410 , are brought down to engage body portions  906   c  or  906   d  and cause head  902  to retract from shorting engagement with leads  932  and  934 . Alternatively, head  902  may be disengaged by the shaft of a plug connector, such as shaft  54  of connector  10 , which is formed having a cut-out portion  57  to define a recessed ledge  57   a  which disengages head  902  after proper mechanical connection between shaft  54  and socket housing  26  is assured. It is also contemplated that the plug connectors of the present invention may provide a single tooth or arm for engaging body portion  906   c-d  of shorting clip  900 . 
     FIGS. 28-32 depict still another embodiment, clamshell connector  610 , of the present invention. Clamshell connector  610  is a modification of connector  210  and includes like reference numerals to depict like components. Connector  610  is intended for applications where an installer further prefers to terminate electrical conductors  623  and  625  to the crimping ends  616   a  and  618   a  of the supported electrical contacts  616  and  618 , rather than to pigtail wires  22  and  24  described hereinabove. To render crimping ends  616   a  and  618   a  of contacts  616  and  618  accessible, connector  610  includes modified connector housing  612  and connector cover  614  which hingedly support a clamshell housing component  612   a  and a clamshell cover component  614   a , respectively. 
     Housing  612  includes a living hinge  712  supporting deflectable housing clamshell component  612   a  to fixed housing component  612   b . Cover  614  likewise includes a living hinge  714  supporting deflectable cover clamshell component  614   a  to fixed cover component  614   b . Fixed housing and cover components  612   b  and  614   b  are desirably provided in mating engagement with each other and supporting locking key  615  therethrough. Locking key  615  desirably provides both mechanical and electrical position assurance as was described hereinabove for locking key  215 . 
     Clamshell components  612   a  and  614   a  define a clamshell cavity  720  therebetween in which crimping ends  616   a  and  618   a  of contacts  616  and  618  are supported. Clamshell components  612   a  and  614   a  are deflectable between an open configuration, exposing crimping ends  616   a  and  618   a  of contacts  616  and  618  to an installer, and a closed configuration, enclosing the termination of conductors  623  and  625  to contacts  616  and  618  within clamshell cavity  720 . The open configuration of clamshell connector  610  is depicted in FIG. 28, while the closed configuration appears to be substantially the same as that shown for connector  210  in FIG. 5 although, in use, the separately-terminated conductors transit the connector. Clamshell components  612   a  and  614   a  include cooperating latching features  717  and  718  for maintaining both clamshell components together in the closed position. Latching features  717  and  718  desirably comprise a deflectable latch arm  717  defining a receiving aperture  719  for retentatively receiving latch lug  718 . Clamshell components  612   a  and  614   a  further define, in the closed position, a conductor egress apertures  715  and  716  through which conductors  623  and  625  transit connector  610  to firing control circuitry. 
     FIGS. 29 and 30 depict further details of housing  612  which includes a centrally-located interior wall  722  extending across housing cavity  672  to define a central housing cavity  672   a . Wall  722  further includes wall portions  722   a ,  722   b , and  722   c  which define notches  723  and  725  through which the crimping ends  616   a  and  618   a  of contacts  616  and  618  pass. A pair of central cavity steps  726  and  728  are provided adjacent housing wall  670  and in facing opposition across central cavity  672   a . FIGS. 29-30 shows that contacts  616  and  618  are also modified to support an induction coil  730  in lieu of a ferrite member. 
     Due to the presence of induction coil  730 , contacts  616  and  618  effectively cross over each other to connect to their respective socket contacts  617  and  619 . Contacts  616  and  618  include central contact portions  616   b  and  618   b  extending at an angle across housing base  669 . Central contact portion  618   b  extends from socket contact  619  along base  669  and through notch and finally to crimping end  618   a . Central contact portion  616   b  extends socket contact  617  along base  669  up to and over wall portion  722   c , and terminates at a first crimping arm  616   c . A second crimping arm  616   d  freely extends out from wall portion  722  adjacent crimping end  616   a , descends along wall portion  722   a , and through notch  723  to terminate at crimping end  616   a.    
     Coil  730  includes a first linear free end  730   a , a second linear free end  730   b , and an elongate cylindrical helix winding  740  extending therebetween. Winding  740  further includes a first end  740   a , adjacent coil free end  740   a , and a second end  740   b , adjacent coil free end  740   b . As shown in FIG. 33, coil  730  is positioned in central cavity  672  by resting coil ends  740   a  and  740   b  on steps  726  and  728 , respectively, so as to be spaced above central contact portions  616   b  and  618   b . Free ends  730   a  and  730   b  are crimped to crimping arms  616   c  and  616   d , respectively. While coil  730  is employed in place of a ferrite core, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that central cavity  672  could be modified to support a ferrite core similar to ferrite  220  of connector  210  or as is described hereinbelow. Then, either contacts  616  and  618  or terminated conductors  623  and  625  could then similarly be modified to extend through the ferrite core to provide for termination on one side of thereof. Alternatively, each of connectors  10 ,  210 , and  410  could be modified to support coil  730  therein, in lieu of their respective ferrite cores, in accordance with connector  610 . Alternatively still, each of clamshell components  612   a  and  614   a  may retentatively support opposing halves of a split ferrite bead which individually surrounds each conductor  623  and  625  either adjacent to or over termination ends  616   a  and  618   a  of contacts  616  and  618 . 
     FIGS. 31 and 32 depict an elongate hollow storage sleeve  850  for accommodating a plurality of clamshell connectors of the present invention. Storage sleeve  850  provides for shipping and storage of clamshell connector  610  in an open-clamshell configuration which renders contacts  616  and  618  accessible for crimping connection to a pair of electrical conductors. A plurality of connectors  610  are stored side-by-side in storage sleeve  850  and accessible through a first open end  852  thereof. Storage sleeve  850  includes an elongate hollow sleeve wall  854  defining an elongate sleeve cavity  856  for receiving connector  610 . Sleeve wall  854  defines first, second, and third lobes  858 ,  860 , and  862 , respectively, which generally contour the open clamshell connector  610 . Lobe  858  conforms about locking key  615  and housing shaft  654 , while lobes  860  and  862  conform about deflectable housing clamshell component  612   a  and deflectable cover clamshell component  614   a , respectively. An elongate stiffening support flange  864  extends into sleeve cavity  856 , desirably generally between second and third lobes  860  and  862 , so as to provide structural rigidity to storage sleeve  850 . Storage sleeve  850  is desirably extruded from a suitably rigid dielectric material to provide opposed open ends  854  and  866 . Open ends  854  and  866  of storage sleeve  850  desirably receive a removable plug, not shown, therein as is well known in the storage container art or may alternatively be otherwise closed, crimped, or sealed so as to removably retain a number of connectors  850  in cavity  856 . 
     An installer terminating a pair of conductor wires to connector  610  would crimp one of contacts  616  and  618  to a free end of each of the conductor wires. Once the conductors are properly terminated, the installer desirably then rotates each of clamshell components  612   a  and  614   a  towards each other until each of retention  717  deflect past and lockingly engage a locking lug  718 . Connector  610  is then ready for connection to the firing squib of an automobile airbag gas generator. 
     Installation and removal of connector  610  is similar to that described for connectors  10 ,  210 , and  410 . Additionally, each connector of the present invention maybe inserted into a socket with the locking key  215 ,  615  in down and locked position. Deflectable latch arms  250 ,  252  or  650 ,  652  may be formed resilient so that projecting ribs  262 ,  264  or  662 ,  664  inwardly deflect as they first enter the socket. As the projecting ribs reach a position in registry with mating groove  226 , the deflectable latch arms  250 ,  252  or  650 ,  652  then outwardly recover so to insert the projecting ribs  262 ,  264  or  662 ,  664  into the socket mating groove  226 . The deflection of latch arms  250 ,  252  or  650 ,  652  takes the form of a buckling action as the free ends  250   a ,  252   a  or  650   a ,  652   a  of the latch arms abut against the blocking member of locking key  215  or  615 . This feature of the present invention offers the assurance of mechanical integrity of the connection between connector and socket while still requiring multiple independent operator actions to disconnect. 
     FIGS. 33 and 34 depict still another embodiment of the present invention, connector  1010 , adapted to accommodate a flat wire conductor cable  627 . Housing  1012  and cover  1014  include opposed cooperating chicanes  1080  and  1082  around which flat wire cable  627  bends so as to be held in place thereby when clamshell components  1012   a  and  1014   a  are brought together into the closed position. Tugging on flat wire cable  627  from outside of connector  1010  will be absorbed by the meshing chicanes  1080  and  1082  rather than at the connection between flat wire cable  627  and terminal ends  1016   a  and  1018   a.    
     FIG. 35 depicts a right-angle contact  1116  for use in any of the connectors of the present invention so that similar numbering will denote similar components. Contact  1116  includes a termination end  1116   b  for crimping connection to an electrical conductor and an opposed socket contact  1116   a  for receiving the conductor pins of the socket connector. Contact  1116  includes a stress-relief tab  1116   c  adjacent termination end  1116   b . Stress-relief tab  1116   c  is provided to abut against a relief wall portion  1184  of housing  1112  such that any tension applied to conductors  623  or  625  prohibits damage to contact  1116 . While contact  1116  is shown with a round wire termination end  1116   b , strain relief tab  1116   c  is also contemplated for contacts used to terminate flat cable conductor  627 . 
     FIGS. 36 and 37 depict the use of first and second tubular ferrite beads  1220  and  1221  over conductors  623  and  625 . Ferrite beads  1220  and  1221  are elongate cylindrical ferrite members which allow for a connector of the present invention to have a lower profile and to thereby occupy less space as compared to ferrite block  220  of connector  210 . By way of illustration and not of limitation, ferrite beads  1220  and  1221  may be formed having an outside diameter of 3 millimeters, an inside diameter of 1.8 millimeters, and a length of about 10 millimeters. Such a ferrite bead allows the upper housing portion of the connectors of the present invention to have a height less than 5 millimeters. While housing  1212  of FIG. 42 is not shown having a clamshell feature, the present invention contemplates that a clamshell connector of the present invention may accommodate ferrite beads  1220  and  1221  as well. 
     While the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described, it will be obvious in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the teachings of the invention. The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as a limitation. The actual scope of the invention is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the prior art.