US3588679A - Engine ignition tester including an ignition coil polarity indicator - Google Patents

Abstract

THIS INVENTION IS AN IGNITION TESTER SCOPE OPERABLE TO TEST COILS, SPARK PLUGS, CONDENSERS, AND ALSO TIME THE POWER PLANT ON INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES NORMALLY FOUND ON VEHICLES. MORE PARTICULARLY, THIS INVENTION IS AN IGNITION TESTER SCOPE INCLUDING A MAIN SUPPORT ASSEMBLY, A MOVABLE TERMINAL ASSEMBLY MOUNTED UPON THE SUPPORT ASSEMBLY, AND A STATIONARY TERMINAL ASSEMBLY POSITIONED IN COOPERATING ALIGNMENT WITH THE MOVABLE TERMINAL ASSEMBLY ON THE MAIN SUPPORT ASSEMBLY USABLE TO VISUALLY INDICATE THE SPARK STRENGTH RECEIVED FROM THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN A VEHICLE. ADDITIONALLY, THIS INVENTION IS AN IGNITION TESTER SCOPE HAVING MEANS FOR CONNECTING TO EXISTING COIL AND SPARK PLUG WIRES IN AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE AND ELECTRICAL CONTACT POINTS MOVABLE RELATIVE TO EACH OTHER TO VISUALLY INDICATE THE SPARK STRENGTH THEREBETWEEN.

Description

United States Patent [72] Inventor Orrin E. Lewin 2401 K St., Belleville. Kans. 66935 {2]} App]. No. 776.407 [22] Filed Nov. 18,1968 [45] Patented June 28,1971

[S4] ENGINE IGNITION TESTER INCLUDING AN IGNITION COIL POLARITY INDICATOR 1 Claim, 9 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl... 324/17, 324/122 [51] Int. Cl G0lm 5/00 [50] Field of Search 324/15- [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,736,004 11/1929 Hack 324/17 1,914,808 6/1933 Kongsted 324/17 2,501,802 3/1950 Walker 2,841,761 7/1958 Kincaid. 1.

Primary Examiner-Michael J. Lynch Auorney-John I-I. Widdowson ABSTRACT: This invention is an ignition tester scope operable to test coils, spark plugs, condensers, and also time the power plant on internal combustion engines normally found on vehicles. More particularly, this invention is an ignition tester scope including a main support assembly, a movable terminal assembly mounted upon the support assembly, and a stationary terminal assembly positioned in cooperating alignment with the movable terminal assembly on the main support assembly usable to visually indicate the spark strength received from the electrical system in a vehicle. Additionally,

this invention is an ignition tester scope having means for connecting to existing coil and spark plug wires in an internal combustion engine and electrical contact points movable relative to each other to visually indicate the spark strength therebetween.

PATENTEUJUHEBIHYI $588,679

SHEET 1 0r 2 X h/MM ATTOQA/E-Y ENGINE lGNll'll'lON TESTER INCLUDING AN IGNITION COIL POLARI'II'Y INDICATOR Numerous types of testers are known to the prior art operable to electrically check the efficiency and effectiveness of coils, distributors, and spark plugs normally found on internal combustion engines. However, the prior art devices are substantially complicated in structure and difficult to use by one not skilled in the various electronic aspects thereof. Also, the prior art devices are not operable to easily and effectively indicate through visual means the resultant strength and condition of the various items in the electrical system of an internal combustion engine. Also, the prior art devices are substantially bulky in nature, costly to manufacture, difficult to use and understand, and not readily operable to give a positive visual indication of engine condition in the minimum amount of time.

In one preferred embodiment of this invention, an ignition tester scope is provided including a main support assembly, a pivotal terminal assembly cooperatively mounted upon the main support assembly, and each adapted to receive a spark plug or coil wire connected thereto. The main support assembly includes a generally rectangular support base having an attachment clip connected thereto operable in a manner so as to be readily attachable to a support surface for holding the entire device in a proper working relationship. The pivotal terminal assembly includes a main support block having a terminal structure thereon and a connector assembly for attaching the same to the support base. The support block is of generally rectangular shape also having a laterally extended actuator handle connected thereto and a hole adapted to receive a connector post of the connector assembly. The connector assembly includes a resilient grommet mounted between the connector post and the undersurface of the support block with an upper portion of the connector post having a laterally extended hole to receive a cotter pin therethrough. The resilient grommet operates to maintain frictional contact between the support block and the upper surface of the support base so that the entire pivotal terminal assembly is movable under resistance which is desirable. The terminal structure includes a main upright cylindrical housing having a central opening to receive a connector sleeve therein for attachment to respective ones of the plug-in Wires and a conductor shaft electrically connected to the sleeve and extended outwardly of the support block. A carbon shaft is adjacent and parallel the conductor shaft extended outwardly of the support block for testing purposes. The stationary terminal assembly includes a terminal structure with an upright cylindrical housing also having a cylindrical sleeve member therein adapted to be electrically connected to respective ones of the plug-in wires. Additionally, the stationary terminal assembly has the sleeve member engageable with a conductor shaft which extends laterally of the cylinder housing for operable alignment with the conductor shaft of the pivotal terminal assembly.

In a second embodiment of this invention, an ignition tester scope includes the same support assembly plus an axially movable terminal assembly and a stationary terminal assembly. The movable terminal assembly is provided with a support and connector assembly to receive a movable contact point assembly therein. The support and contact assembly includes a support post secured to the support base by a screw member and having a laterally extended contact cylinder integral therewith. The contact cylinder includes a conductor sleeve therein to receive a plug-in wire. The contact point assembly includes an elongated rod with a contact point at one end and the opposite end connected to a micrometer handle assembly. The micrometer handle assembly includes an actuator cylinder secured to the elongated rod and threadably mounted on a support member secured to the support post. The actuator cylinder is rotatable to move the rod axially inwardly and outwardly from the stationary terminal assembly. The rod and conductor sleeve are interconnected for electrical continuity through a ball member biased by a spring member into engagement with the rod. The stationary terminal assembly is provided with an upright support post and a laterally extended contact cylinder. The contact cylinder is provided with a conductor sleeve to receive a plug-in wire. The sleeve is connected to a stationary contact point or shaft anchored in the support post which is positioned so as to be in axial alignment with the elongated rod in the movable terminal assembly.

One object of this invention is to provide an ignition tester scope overcoming the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art devices.

One other object of this invention is to provide an ignition tester scope readily connectable to various parts of an internal combustion engine to test the coil, spark plugs, spark plug wires, condensers, and may be used to time the engine through the use of movable contact points to readily give a visual indication of the testing.

Still, one further object of this invention is to provide an ignition tester scope including a main support base readily attachable to a given working surface; a movable terminal assembly and a stationary terminal assembly mounted in cooperating relationship upon the main support assembly; and plug-in wire members connectable to respective ones of the movable terminal assembly and the stationary terminal assembly plus the item being tested.

One further object is to provide an ignition tester scope having a pair of adjacent contact terminals electrically connectable to various portions of an internal combustion engine having one contact movable to vary the distance therebetween.

Another object of this invention is to provide an ignition tester scope which is efficient and accurate in operation, economical to manufacture, lightweight and readily usable in any desired position, and presenting visual observation of the relative strength and condition of parts involved.

Various other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following discussion, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. I is a top plan view of an ignition tester scope of this invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 2-2 in FiG. l;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1 illustrating a pivotal terminal assembly in a different position;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the ignition tester scope of this invention;

FIG. 5 is another side elevational view of the ignition tester scope of this invention;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of another embodiment of an ignition tester scope of this invention;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 7-7 in FIG. ti;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the ignition tester scope of this invention; and

FIG. 9 is another side elevational view of the ignition tester scope of this invention.

The following is a discussion and description of preferred specific embodiments of the new ignition tester scope of this invention, such being made with reference to the drawings, whereupon the same reference numerals are sued to indicate the same or similar parts and/or structure. It is to be understood that such discussion and description is not to unduly limit the scope ofthe invention.

Referring to the drawings in detail and in particular to FIG. I, an ignition tester scope, indicated generally at I2, includes a main support assembly 16 having mounted thereon in spaced cooperating arrangement a pivotal terminal assembly 18 and a stationary terminal assembly 20, and plugin wires 22 readily attachable to respective ones of the terminal assemblies I8 and 20. The ignition tester scope I2 is readily mountable within various lines in the electrical system of an automotive vehicle through the use of the plug-in wires 22 which are readily connectable to spark plugs, coils, distributor caps, and the like.

The main support assembly 16 includes an irregularly shaped support base 23 having an attachment clip assembly 25 connected thereto. It is noted that the upper surface of the support base 23 is provided with a large flat area for putting operating instructions, advertising, and the like thereon. The attachment clip assembly includes a pair of spaced support lugs 26 secured to the lower surface of the support base 23', a clip member 27 rotatably mounted upon the support lugs 26 through shaft members 29', and a compression spring 31 mounted within cylindrical sections 32 in both the opposed areas of the support base 23 and the clip member 27 for holding the compression spring 31 therein. As shown in FIG. 5, the compression spring 31 biases the clip member 27 in a counterclockwise direction about the support shafts 29 no as to be in engagement with the support base 23. The clip member 27 is of irregular shape operable to receive a support member between the outer leg 33 and the undersurface of the support base 23 for attaching the same thereto.

The pivotal terminal assembly 18 includes a support block 35 having a laterally extended actuator handle 37 at one end portion and a terminal structure 38 at the other end. The block 35 is readily connectable through a connector assembly 40 to the support base 23. The support block 35 is preferably constructed of a nonconductive material such as plastic and provided with a hole 42 adjacent the handle 37 to receive a connector post 43 from the connector assembly 40 therethrough. The terminal structure 38 includes a cylindrical housing 44 anchored to the support block 35 provided with an inner conductor sleeve 46. Additionally, the terminal structure 38 includes a contact shaft 47 extended within and laterally of the support block 35 and having its innermost end connected to the conductor sleeve 46 so as to achieve electrical continuity therebetween. Additionally, a carbon post member 49 is mounted in the support block 35 adjacent the contact shaft 47 for reasons to be explained.

The connector assembly as includes the connector post 43 extended through aligned openings in the support base 23 and the support block 35. The connector post 43 has an enlarged head 51 with a resilient grommet 53 mounted between the same and the support base 23. The other exposed end of the connector post 43 is provided with aligned holes to receive a cotter pin 55 therein. It is seen that the connector assembly 40 operates to resiliently bias the support block 35 into engagement with an upper surface of the support base 23 so that the pivotal terminal assembly 18 is rotatably about the connector post 43 against frictional resistance between the support block 35 and the support base 23.

The stationary terminal assembly 29 includes a main upright terminal housing 57 anchored to the support base 23 having a conductor sleeve 59 telescopically mounted therewithin. The conductor sleeve 59 is connected to a stationary contact shaft 61 extended transversely of the cylindrical housing 57 and operable so as to be in cooperation with the contact shaft 47 in the pivotal terminal assembly 18 as will be explained.

The plug-in wires 22 are substantially ofa conventional nature each having an electrical conductor 63 enclosed with an outer insulation cover 65 and attachment sleeves 67 at opposite ends. The sleeves 67 are readily attachable to the ignition tester scope 12 and, additionally, to spark plugs, coils, and the distributor for various testing purposes as will be explained.

As shown in FIGS. 6-9, inclusive, another embodiment of an ignition tester scope 71 includes basically the same main support assembly 16 but having mounted thereon in cooperating engagement an axially movable terminal assembly 73 and a stationary terminal assembly 75, both of which are readily connectable to the aforementioned plug-in wires 22 for c4nnection to elements in an internal combustion engine. The axially movable terminal assembly 73 includes a support and connector assembly 77 with a contact point assembly 78 connected thereto. The support and connector assembly 77 includes a support post 79 secured as by a screw member 81 to the support base 23 and a laterally extended contact cylinder 83. The contact cylinder 83 includes a conductor sleeve 85 to receive a plug-in wire 22. The contact point assembly 78 includes an elongated rod 86 secured to a micrometer handle assembly 88. The handle assembly 88 includes an actuator cylinder 89 secured to the rod 86 and threadably mounted on a support member 91 secured by adhesive or the like to the support post 79. The rod 86 is provided with a pointed end 93 and, additionally, a lock nut 94 to restrict axial movement. The actuator cylinder 89 is rotatable so as to move the elongated rod 86 axially of a hole 98 in the support post 79. It is seen that the stationary support member 91 is provided with a plurality ofspaccd marking indicia 101 such as every sixteenth ofan inch so as to indicate axial movement of the rod 86 relative to the support post 79. Also, the movable terminal assembly 73 includes an opening 103 within the support post 79 having therein a ball member 105 biased upwardly into engagement with the rod 86 and the conductor sleeve 85 by a spring member 107 so that the same is always in electrical contact and rotatable under frictional resistance which is desirable for returning to the same location and accurate measurement. It is also seen that the outer end of the rod 86 formed with the very sharp point 93 is desirable for measuring the efiiciency and effectiveness of various elements to be tested.

The stationary terminal assembly 75 is provided with an upright support post 112 secured by a screw 114 to the support base 23 and having a laterally extended terminal structure 116. The terminal structure 116 is provided with an inner conductor sleeve 118 to receive respective ones of the plug-in wires 22 and, additionally, electrically connected through the support post 112 to a stationary contact rod 122. The contact rod 122 extends laterally of the post 112 and has an outer pointed end 123 to be axially aligned with the other movable rod 36 ofthe movable terminal assembly 73.

ln the use and operation of the ignition tester sco e 12 of this invention, it is first noted that the same can be used to test the coil as normally found on automotive engines. First, the coil wire is pulled from the coil and installed in the stationary terminal assembly 20. Next, one of the plug-in wires 22 is ex tended from the pivotal terminal assembly 18 and mounted in the proper position on the coil. The engine is started whereupen the pivotal terminal assembly 18 is rotated about its connector assembly 40 by the handle member 37 and toward the position of spaced increments indicia on the support base 23. The spark that is normally flowing from the coil is conducted between the shafts 47 and 61. If the coil is good, this high voltage will jump the entire distance as shown on the scale indicia 130. In fact, this should approximate one-half to five-eights of an inch if the coil is in good condition.

On proceeding without changing wires from the tester scope 12 in order to check coil polarity, move the handle member 37 so that the carbon post 49 is placed between the shafts 47 and 61. If polarity is correct, the will jump to the carbon post 49 and a small feathered flare will exist between the carbon post 49 and the shaft 61. If a flair is between the shafts 47 and the carbon post 49, then the coil polarity is reversed and should be changed for engine efficiency.

Also on testing the coil strength if you find that red flashes are playing along the blue coil spark of the condenser, then this indicates that the condenser is of sufficient strength and in good shape.

The ignition tester scope 12 can also be used to time automotive engines without using the conventional timing lights and other expensive equipment. First, the engine is turned until the timing marks on the adjacent housing and the fly wheel are lined up with the rotor in the distributor pointing to the number one cylinder spark plug position as indicated by the mark on the distributor cap. Next, the ignition tester scope 12 is connected to one of the plug-in wires 22 between the number one spark plug wire and the distributor. Next, the pivotal terminal assembly 18 is movable so as to provide a spacing of approximately two marks as shown on the scale indicia 130. The ignition to the engine is then turned on but the engine is not started. Next, the distributor is loosened through its connector bolt and it is rotated in direction of rotation of the distributor shaft until the distributor points are closed. Ne'xt, we rotate the distributor back slowly and when the fire jumps the gap between the spaced shafts 47 and 61 on the ignition tester scope 12, this indicates the position of most efficiency and the engine is now timed.

In order to test the spark plugs and the wires thereto, it is seen that the ignition tester scope 12 may be connected through the use of a plug-in wire 22 between the wire to the spark plug and to the distributor. Next, we start the engine and move the scope gap until the ignition tire will not jump between the contact shafts 47 and 61. It" the spark plug and wire thereto are in good condition, the operating engine will miss to indicate that you now have lost fire to this particular cylinder. However, if the spark plug or wire is bad, the engine will continue to operate the same as there has been no loss due to interruption of what should have been energy supplied for igniting this particular cylinder. You need only continue this process from one spark plug to another until all the plugs and wires have been so checked.

In the use and operation of the other embodiment being the ignition tester scope 7] it is seen that the same is operable in a similar manner except the stationary contact rod 122 and the axially movable contact rod 86 are aligned whereupon the same are movable to separate the gap through the micrometer handle assembly 88. This would operate in substantially the identical manner as the other ignition tester scope 12 except having the same axial movable and the adjacent point ends for measuring the span of jumping of electrical spark is proven to be a more accurate means of the testing. Also, it is seen that the micrometer handle assembly 88 with the indicating indicia 101 provides a more accurate means to readily note variations in distance between the contact rods 86 and 122. It is obvious that this tester scope 71 can be connected to the coil wire, spark plug wires, and the plug-in wires 22 to readily test the strength of the coil, coil polarity, strength of condenser, time the engine, and test the various spark plugs and wires as previously described.

It is seen that the ignition tester scope of this invention provides an economical structure which can efficiently and effectively measure the various electrical components found in an internal combustion engine. The same is readily attachable to adjoining structures through the use of its attachment clip assembly and provides a visual indicating means which is most desirable and eliminates errors achieved in numerous, more complicated structures. The ignition tester scope of this invention provides a lightweight, economical to manufacture structure which is substantially maintenance free and provides one with accurate, immediate visual results of the testing.

While the invention has been described in conjunction with preferred specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that this description is intended to illustrate and not to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the following claims.

lclaim:

I. An electrical tester apparatus operable to test the ignition system in an internal combustion engine being selectively connectable to the spark plugs, coil, and condenser thereof, including:

a. a main support assembly adapted to be readily connectable to a support structure;

b. a movable terminal assembly secured to said main support assembly connected to a wire member;

c. a stationary terminal assembly secured to said main support assembly and having a contact member in cooperating relationship to said movable terminal assembly, and said stationary terminal assembly connected to a conductor wire, said conductor wire first removed from the coil and connected to said stationary terminal assembly and said wire member mounted in place thereof in the coil so that said apaparatus is mounted therebetween; d. said mova e terminal assembly Including a contact element movable relative to said contact member to indicate electrical strength of the coil by electrical spark between said wire member and said conductor wire connected to said movable terminal assembly and said stationary terminal assembly;

e. a connector assembly connecting said movable terminal assembly to said main support assembly so as to have frictional engagement therebetween to control the relative movement therebetween for accurate test results;

said connector assembly including an upright connector post extended through aligned openings in said main support assembly and said movable terminal assembly, and a grommet member mounted between said support post and said main support assembly to provide resilient contact therebetween;

g. a rectangular support block and said movable terminal assembly having said contact element mount in said rectangular support block which is pivotally connected to said main support assembly, and a handle member secured to said support block extended perpendicular the axis of said support block positioned adjacent said pivotal con nector for ease of movement of said contact element to vary distance between same and said contact member; and

h. said movable terminal assembly including a laterally extended carbon post mounted next to said contact element, and said carbon post is movable between said contact element and said contact member operable to indicate coil polarity during testing.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,588,679 D t d I June 28, 1971 Orrin E. Lewis Inventor(s) It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

On the cover sheet [72] "Orrin E. Lewin" should read Orrin E. Lewis Column 1, line 20, after "assembly" insert and a stationary terminal assembly Column 2, line 61,

"sued" should read used Column 3, line 6, after "assembly" insert 25 line 46, "rotatably" should read rotatable lines 69 and 70, "c4nnection" should read correction Signed and sealed this 22nd day of February 1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents

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