US3847464A

US3847464A - Universal adaptor and disconnect for accessory ignition

Info

Publication number: US3847464A
Application number: US00329079A
Authority: US
Inventors: W Pattee
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1973-02-02
Filing date: 1973-02-02
Publication date: 1974-11-12
Anticipated expiration: 1991-11-12

Abstract

An adaptor permits an accessory ignition system to be installed on both U.S. and foreign vehicles having different types of ignition coil terminals, without requiring wire splices. A pair of push-on connectors that will mate with tap type terminals are mounted on a flexible, insulated strip, and a pair of tab components are attached to the strip by threaded fasteners for receiving the wiring connectors disconnected from the coil terminals. For use with ignition coil terminals of the threaded post type, the tab components are installed on the terminal posts in order to accommodate the push-on connectors. Leads extend from the adaptor to the accessory ignition, and specially arranged male and female connector units are interposed in series in the leads to provide a means of disconnecting the accessory ignition if desired and returning the standard ignition to regular operation.

Description

United States Patent 1 Pattee UNIVERSAL ADAPTOR AND DISCONNECT FOR ACCESSORY IGNITION [76] lnventor: Warren K; Pattee, 1200 E. 44th St.,

Kansas City, Mo. 64110 [22] Filed: Feb. 2, 1973 211 App]. No.: 329,079

[52] 1.15. CI.. 339/31 R, 339/10, 339/151 M, 123/148 DS [51] Int. Cl. H0lr 33/00, H01r 13/50 [58] Field of Search 123/148 D5, 148 E; 307/10 R; 315/77, 209 T, 209 M, 209 PZ, 209 SC; 339/10, 19, 27, 28, 31, 148, 149, 150,151,198 R, 219, 272 R, 272 A [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 480,152 8/1892 Tobey 339/198 R 1,023,552 4/1912 Cunningham 307/10 R 2,173,870 9/1939- I Weston 123/148 DS 2,412,540 12/1946 Sellaro 123/148 DS 2,636,065 4/1953 Fiske 339/149 R 2,787,649 4/1957 Ballard et al.. 315/209 T 2,788,780 4/1957 Neubauer 123/148 DS 1 3,168,891 2/1965 Cook 123/148 DS v 3,299,199 1/1967 Mattingly 339/198 R 3,357,418 12/1967 Goodman 123/148 D5 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 115,133 12/1899 Germany 339/150 F 325,632 2/1930 Great Britain 339/148 Primary ExaminerBobby R. Gay Assistant Examiner1.awrence J. Staab Attorney, Agent, or FirmD. A. N. Chase [5 7 ABSTRACT An adaptor permits an accessory ignition system to be installed on both US. and foreign vehicles having different types of ignition coil terminals, without requiring wire splices. A pair of push-on connectors that will mate with tap type terminals are mounted on a flexible, insulated strip, and a pair of tab components are attached to the strip by threaded fasteners for receiv- I ing the wiring connectors disconnected from the coil terminals. For use with ignition coil terminals of the threaded post type, the tab components are installed on the terminal posts in order to accommodate the push-on connectors. Leads extend from the adaptor to the accessory ignition, and specially arranged male and female connector units are interposed in series in the leads to provide a means of disconnecting the accessory ignition if desired and returning the standard ignition to regular operation.

8 Claims, 15 Drawing Figures UNIVERSAL ADAPTOR AND DISCONNECT FOR ACCESSORY IGNITION This invention relates to improvements in the installation of accessory ignition systems in automotive vehicles.

In internal combustion engines for motor vehicles, boats, aircraft, and stationary applications, capacitive discharge ignition systems and solid'state ignition systems in general are a substantial improvement over the standard breaker points, condenser and ignition coil arrangement in use for a number of years. These improved ignitions are especially popular in the automotive field with racing and performance enthusiasts, since a capacitive dischargesystemprovides a spark plug voltage having a faster rise time and materially flattens the voltage versus rpm curve of the engine. The result is a much hotter spark at the higher engine speeds. Furthermore, savings in the life of spark plugs, distributor points, and condenser are realized, together with a decrease in'fuel consumption. A capacitive discharge system is disclosed in a prior patent of the applicant, U.S. Pat. No. 3,583,378.

However, for the performance enthusiast or the ordinary automobile owner who wishes to benefit from improved ignition, the capacitive discharge or other solid state ignition is usually added as an accessory item supplanting the standard ignition provided by the vehicle manufacturer. The user normally desires to install the accessory ignition himself, but the installation thereof bility may also prevent the owner from transferring the accessory ignition to another vehicle.

There are also instances where, once installed, the owner wishes to disconnect the accessory ignition and operate on the original ignition supplied with the vehicle. Although shorting plugs and the like have been used in the past to facilitate this, such plugs are easily misplaced if not connected to the ignition wiring and, if this is done, then the pinsof the plug'may become corroded or covered with engine oil and thus become unusable.

It is, therefore, an important object of the present invention to provide an adaptor for connecting an accessory electrical apparatus with an ignition coil that may have terminals of different types depending upon the manufacturer, wherein the adaptor is universal in character and enables the installation to be made without splicing into the existing wiring.

As a corollary to the foregoing object, it is an important aim of the present invention to provide an adaptor as aforesaid for connecting accessory electrical apparatus with the ignition coil terminals which may be of ei- I Another important object of thepresent invention is to provide an adaptor as aforesaid which is capable of accommodating different terminal spacings to permit the adaptor to be used with most U.S. and foreign automotive vehicles.

Still another important object of this invention is to provide a disconnect for use in conjunction with accessory electrical apparatus that is normally connected to the ignition coil of a vehicle, wherein the disconnect is not characterized by the disadvantages discussed above, permits selective connecting and disconnecting of the accessory apparatus with the ignition coil, and enables the original ignition system to return to regular operation when the accessory apparatus is discon- FIG. Sis a view illustrating the installation of the adaptor on an ignition coil having post type terminals;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the installed adaptor and coil shown in FIG. 5; g

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 4, but showing the adaptor modified for use with an ignition coil having tab type terminals;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of anignition coil having-tab type terminals, showing the adaptor installed thereon;

FIGS. 9 and 10 are detail views showing one of the two tab components forming a part of the adaptor assembly;

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but showing the connectors rotated inwardly and provided with the tab components to adapt the assembly for use with post type terminals of significantly reduced spacing;

FIG. 12 is an elevational view illustrating the manner in which the assembly of FIG. 11 is installed on the ignition coil terminals;

FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic and electrical schematic diagram illustrating the manner in which the adaptor connects an accessory capacitive discharge ignition system with the existing ignition components of a vehicle;

FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic view showing the disconnect feature of the present invention; and

FIG. 15 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the shorting of the leads that returns the standard ignition to regular operation.

Referring initially to FIGS. 1-4, the adaptor -is broadly denoted by the numeral 20 and includes a mounting member 22 in the form of a flexible strip of insulating material, such as a suitable plastic. A female push-on connector 24 is secured to each end portion of the strip 22 by a rivet 26. It should be noted thatithe connector 24 is adapted to receive a tab type terminal, and is Lshaped to permit convenient attachment to the strip 22 by the rivet 26 with the connector projecting outwardly from the strip at approximately a right angle. The two connectors 24 are spaced apart a distance equal to approximatelythe-spacing between the terminals to be accommodated, as will be discussed hereinafter.

screws 28 and associated nuts 30 are locatedon the strip 22 between the connectors 24, the threaded A pair of connectingdevices in the form of machine I shanks of the screws 28 extending through suitable openings in the strip. A ring lug 32 is slippedover the shank of each screw 28 and is securely held by the nut 30. The two ring lugs 32 are on the ends of a pair of leads 34 that extend from the adaptor 20. Two additional leads 36 extend through apertures 38 in the strip 22 and are electrically connected to the connectors 24 by the attaching rivets 26.

Now referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, a tab component 40 is illustrated having a base portion 42 and a pair of tab elements 44 extending from the base 42 at approximately a right angle and a 135 angle respectively. The tab component 40 is a metal stamping and, if desired, may be provided with the 90 tab element 44 only. The base portion 42 has an opening 46 therein for a purpose which will become apparent hereinafter.

. The ignition coils supplied as original equipment in currently manufactured U.S. automobiles have a pair of low voltage terminals of the threaded post type which are commonly provided with a simple nut to hold a spade lug or the like in place and form a positive electrical connection. However, foreign made automobiles (particularly British and European) utilize ignition coils with tab type low voltage terminals that receive push-on connectors such as illustrated at 24 as a party of the adaptor of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 5, the top of an ignition coil 48 is shown of the type used by some US. manufacturers, one of the post type terminals 50 being illustrated together with its associated nut 52. In FIG. 6, both of the terminal posts 50 may be seen on opposite sides of the center, high voltage terminal 54. The adaptor 20 of the present invention is shown installed on the terminal posts 50, it being required that the two tab components 40 be slipped on the posts 50 in order to convertthe same to a configuration compatible with the push-on connectors 24. The tab components 40 illustrated in FIGS. and 6 are of the type having only a single tab element 44 for purposes of clarity; the elements 44 may be easily bent to any desired angle with respect to the base 42. The openings 46 receive the posts 50 and the nuts 52 are threaded in place to provide a simple yet mechanically solid installation.

The wires that were previously connected to the posts 50 are now connected to the junctions formed by the screws 28 and associated nuts 30. This is illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 where it may be seen that the two spade lugs 56 previously connected to the posts 50 are now secured beneath respective nuts 30 and are thus clamped in place in contact with the ring lugs 32. Accordingly, the installation is complete without requiring wire splices, and the four leads 34, 36 are available for connection to the accessory ignition. In a standard ignition system, the two wires terminating in the spade lugs 56 are connected to one terminal of the vehicle battery and the breaker points, respectively.

The flexibility of the strip 22, together with the rotation of the connectors 24 permitted by the rivets 26, permit the spacing between the connectors 24 to be varied to accommodate minor variations in terminal post spacing that will occur with different ignition coils. However, certain commercially available ignition coils (such as utilized by the Ford Motor Company) have significantly reduced terminal spacing which cannot be accommodated by the flexure of the strip 22 or slight rotation of the connectors 24. Accommodation of these more closely spaced terminals is illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12 where it may be seen that the connectors 24 are rotated inwardly 90 to positions of minimum spacing therebetween. With the tab components 40 in place (using a 90 angle between the tab element 44 and the base portion 42) the installation is effected as depicted in FIG. 12 where the tab components are shown secured to the threaded posts 50a by the associated nuts 52a. Otherwise, the installation is the same as discussed above with respect to FIGS. 5 and 6.

In FIG. 8 an ignition coil 58 is illustrated having a pair of terminals 60 of the tab type, as commonly utilized in British and European automobiles. Installation in this case is effected by simply slipping the female connectors 24 onto the terminal tabs 60, the spacing between the tabs 60 being essentially the same as the spacing between the terminal posts 50 of the ignition coil of the type illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. Minor variations in spacing from coil to coil are accommodated by the flexibility of the strip 22. The two tab components 40 are now used in conjunction with the screws 28 and are held in place by the nuts 30. Accordingly, the two wires previously connected to the terminals 60 are now connected to the adaptor by mating their female push-on connectors 62 with the projecting tab elements 44 as best illustrated in FIG. 7.

An exemplary installation diagram is shown in FIG. 13 and illustrates the use of the present invention in connecting a capacitive discharge ignition module 64 to the ignition coil 48. Conventional ignition components include the vehicle battery 66, the ignition switch 68, a ballast resistor 70, the condenser 72, breaker points 74, and the breaker cam 76 for operating the points 74. The four leads 34, 36 from the adaptor 20 are formed into a cable and extend to the accessory ignition module 64, one of the cable leads being shown grounded to the vehicle chassis. FIG. 13 illustrates the function of the adaptor 20 in making electrical connections between the module 64 and the ungrounded side of the battery potential, the breaker points 74, and the ignition coil terminals.

In FIGS. 14 and 15 the four leads 34, 36 are shown terminating in a male electrical connector unit 78 and a female electrical connector unit 80. The four leads are shown divided into two pairs, each of the leads 36 being associated in the same lead pair with the lead 34 which extends from the connector screw 28 that is not adjacent the connector 24 from which such lead 36 extends. The

units

78 and 80 are not illustrated in detail, it being understood that the male unit 78 within its case has a pair of jacks which receive a corresponding pair of plugs within the case of the female unit 80, when the two units are mated as illustrated in FIG. 15. This shorts the

lead

34 and 36 extending from each connector 24 and the adjacent connector screw 28 to return the wiring to the same electrical configuration as existed prior to installation of the adaptor 20.

However, during normal use of the adaptor 20, the male and

female units

78 and 80 are mated with corresponding female and

male units

82 and 84 respectively to connect the four leads 34, 36 to the accessory ignition module 64. This is illustrated in FIG. 14 where it may be seen that the

units

82 and 84 are electrically connected to two pairs of lead extensions 86 and 88 respectively. To protect the

units

82 and 84 when the accessory module 64 is disconnected, the

units

82 and 84 are preferably mated (in addition to the units 78 and 80) to prevent corrosion and contact with engine oil.

Accordingly, whether or not the accessory ignition 64 is connected in the circuit, the

units

78, 80, 82 and 84 are not left disconnected and at all times remain with the accessory wiring.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

is provided means mounting said connectors on said member for pivotal movement toward each other from normal dispositions to positions of minimum spacing to accommodate said terminals having correspondingly reduced spacing therebetween.

6. The adaptor as claimed in claim 1, wherein there is provided four leads electrically connected to corresponding connectors and connecting posts and extending therefrom for connection to said accessory electrical apparatus.

7. In combination with the adaptor as claimed in claim 6, a first male electrical connector unit on a first said terminals, said connectors being compatible with said terminals of the tab type;

a pair of connecting posts on said member and extending in a second direction; and

a pair of tab components having first means for mating with said connectors and second means for mating with said connecting posts, said second means being compatible with said terminals of the post type,

whereby when said adaptor is used with an ignition coil of the tab type said connectors engage the tab terminals of the ignition coil and said tab components adapt said compatible electrical connection means for connection to said connecting posts and when said adaptor is used with an ignition coil of the post type said compatible electrical connection means engage said connecting posts and said tab components adapt the post terminals of the ignition coil for connection to said connectors.

2. The adaptor as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mounting member is flexible to permit minor variation in the spacing between said connectors to accommodate variations in the spacing of said terminals.

3. The adaptor as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said connecting posts has a threaded fastener extending through said member, and wherein each of said tab components has an opening therein comprising said second means for receiving a corresponding fastener when the adaptor is used with an ignition coil having terminals of the tab type, and for receiving an ignition coil post when the adaptor is used with an ignition coil having terminals of the post type.

4. The adaptor as claimed in claim 1, wherein said member comprises a flexible strip of said insulating material having a pair of opposed end portions to which said connectors are respectively attached, and wherein said connecting posts are secured to said strip between said connectors.

5. The adaptor as claimed in claim 1, wherein there pair of said leads, a first female electrical connector unit on a second pair of said leads, four extensions of. said leads, a second male electrical connector unit on a first pair of said extensions and normally mated with said first female unit, and a second female electrical connector unit on a second pair of said extensions and normally mated with said first male unit, wherein said leads are arranged to cause shorting across each of said adaptor connectors and a corresponding connecting post upon uncoupling of said units and mating of said first male and female units.

8. Apparatus for selectively connecting and disconnecting an accessory ignition system with an ignition coil having a pair of terminals to which the standard ignition system was directly wired prior to installation of said accessory system, said apparatus comprising:

an adaptor having a pair of connectors engageable with said terminals, and a pair of connecting devices insulated from said connectors for receiving the wiring of the standard system disconnected from said terminals;

a plurality of leads electrically connected to said connectors and connecting devices;

a first male electrical connector unit on a first pair of said leads;

a first female electrical connector unit on a secon pair of said leads;

a plurality of extensions of said leads for connection to said accessory system;

a second male electrical connector unit on a first pair of said extensions and normally mated with said first female unit; and i a second female electrical connector unit on a second pair of said extensions and normally mated with said first male unit,

said leads being arranged to cause shorting across each of said adaptor connectors and a corresponding connecting device upon uncoupling of said units and mating of said first male and female units, whereby to disconnect said accessory system and return said standard system to regular operation.

Claims

1. An adaptor for connecting accessory electrical apparatus with an ignition coil having a pair of spaced terminals of either the tab type or the post type which are normally engaged by compatible electrical connection means, said adaptor comprising: a mounting member of insulating material; a pair of tab-receiving connectors on said member eXtending in a first direction and spaced apart a distance equal to approximately the spacing between said terminals, said connectors being compatible with said terminals of the tab type; a pair of connecting posts on said member and extending in a second direction; and a pair of tab components having first means for mating with said connectors and second means for mating with said connecting posts, said second means being compatible with said terminals of the post type, whereby when said adaptor is used with an ignition coil of the tab type said connectors engage the tab terminals of the ignition coil and said tab components adapt said compatible electrical connection means for connection to said connecting posts and when said adaptor is used with an ignition coil of the post type said compatible electrical connection means engage said connecting posts and said tab components adapt the post terminals of the ignition coil for connection to said connectors.

5. The adaptor as claimed in claim 1, wherein there is provided means mounting said connectors on said member for pivotal movement toward each other from normal dispositions to positions of minimum spacing to accommodate said terminals having correspondingly reduced spacing therebetween.

7. In combination with the adaptor as claimed in claim 6, a first male electrical connector unit on a first pair of said leads, a first female electrical connector unit on a second pair of said leads, four extensions of said leads, a second male electrical connector unit on a first pair of said extensions and normally mated with said first female unit, and a second female electrical connector unit on a second pair of said extensions and normally mated with said first male unit, wherein said leads are arranged to cause shorting across each of said adaptor connectors and a corresponding connecting post upon uncoupling of said units and mating of said first male and female units.

8. Apparatus for selectively connecting and disconnecting an accessory ignition system with an ignition coil having a pair of terminals to which the standard ignition system was directly wired prior to installation of said accessory system, said apparatus comprising: an adaptor having a pair of connectors engageable with said terminals, and a pair of connecting devices insulated from said connectors for receiving the wiring of the standard system disconnected from said terminals; a plurality of leads electrically connected to said connectors and connecting devices; a first male electrical connector unit on a first pair of said leads; a first female electrical connector unit on a second pair of said leads; a plurality of extensions of said leads for connection to said accessory system; a second male electrical connector unit on a first pAir of said extensions and normally mated with said first female unit; and a second female electrical connector unit on a second pair of said extensions and normally mated with said first male unit, said leads being arranged to cause shorting across each of said adaptor connectors and a corresponding connecting device upon uncoupling of said units and mating of said first male and female units, whereby to disconnect said accessory system and return said standard system to regular operation.