Grounding plate for orientationless squib connector assembly for automotive air bag assemblies

An orientationless squib connector assembly for an automotive air bag assembly, the squib connector assembly comprising:

• a socket comprising a cylindrical inner wall, defining a central axis, and a bottom surface, a first electrically conductive terminal comprising a single initiator pin extending axially along the central axis, and a second electrically conductive terminal comprising a grounding plate, the grounding plate comprising:
• an electrically conductive plate having a centrally located opening therein, the plate sized and configured to fit within the socket of the squib assembly with the centrally located opening coaxially disposed about and spaced from the single, centrally axially extending initiator pin, and
• a shorting member connected to the plate by a flexible hinge member and extending radially inwardly toward the centrally located opening to contact the single, centrally axially extending initiator pin when no external force is applied to the shorting member, the shorting member including an opening therein disposed to surround the single, centrally axially extending initiator pin, the opening generally aligned over the centrally located opening in the plate;
• and a connector comprising:
• a connector body having a cylindrical portion, defining a central axis, configured to fit in mating engagement with the socket,
• a first electrically conductive terminal symmetrically located about the central axis within the cylindrical portion, and
• a second electrically conductive terminal located within the cylindrical portion radially offset from the first electrically conductive terminal with respect to the central axis and comprising a depending beam extending to a free end and having a downwardly facing contacting surface at the free end to contact the grounding plate.