US1476028A - Electrical connecter for spark plugs - Google Patents

Description

J. SERGE ET AL ELECTRICAL CONNECTER FOR SPARK PLUGS Dec. 4 1923.,

2 sneet-sheet 1 Filed April 11 1919 31mm s (Ima Dec. 4 1923. 1,475,928

r J. BERGE ET AL ELECTRICAL CONNEC'I'ER FOR SPARK PLUGS Filed Apri l ll 1919 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 III/IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII L 9;,{0/07 /1072/ III/Arm!!! Ill aucmmup Patented Dec. a, 1923.

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JOSEPH BERGE AND LOUIS B. BERG-E, OF FLINT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOBS TO A. C. SPARK PLUG COMPANY, OF FLINT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN.

ELECTRICAL CONNECTER FOR SPARK PLUGS.

Application filed April 11, 1919. Serial No. 289,269.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, Josnrrr BERGE and LoUIs B. Bones, both citizens of the United States of America, residing at Flint, in the 6 county of Genesee and State of Michi an,

have invented certain new and useful mprovements in Electrical Connecters for Spark Plugs, of which the followin is a specification, reference being had t erein to the accompanying drawings.

The invention relates to electrical connecters particularly designed for use in connection with spark plugs and the invention consists in the construction of the coupling as hereinafter set forth.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevation of a spark plug showing the connecter in engagement therewith;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the coupling members detached;

Figure 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view showing th engagement of the connecter with the plug terminal;

Figure 4 is a view, partly in elevation and partly in section, showing an alternative form of the invention;

Figur 5 is a view in side elevation of another form of the invention;

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken on line 6-6 of Fi re 5.

Describing first the construction shown in Figures 1, 2 and. 3, A is a spark plu having the insulator B and an electrode projecting from th outer end of said insulator to form a terminal post. This post is provided with a groove C and with a tapered or rounded outer end C D is the insulated conductor for the terminal connecter, and E is a coupling at the end of said conductor for engaging the post C.

In order that the conductor D may be arranged in axial alignment with the spark plug the coupling E is in the form of a resilient socket member which may be sleeved over the post C and will be yieldably held from disengagement therefrom. We have therefore,-devised a simple constructlon of such a coupling as follows: F and F are segmental members, preferably stampings, which are adapted to embrace the insulation on the conductor D on opposite sides thereof. These members are formed with a shoulder G and a portion H extending forwardly therefrom of slightly smaller diameter and substantially corresponding internally to the external diameter of the post I is a ferrule member for fittin over the shank ends of the members F an F to clamp the same against the insulation of the conductor D, and I is an inturned flan e on the ferrule for engaging the shoulder To mount the coupling uponthe conductor a portion J of the stranded metallic conductor is bared of the insulation and is divided and then turned backward over the outer surface of the insulation, and preferably upon diametricall opposite sides thereof. The members E and F are then placed against the return-bent ends of the bared portions J, after which the ferrule I is engaged with the outer ends of said members and pressed on the shanks thereof so as to force the same inward against the insulation with considerable pressure. This will cause the imbedding of the conductor J in the insulation and will compress the latter so that the ferrule is substantially flush with the surface of the insulation beyond the same. The members F and F are also provided with prongs K at the inner ends of the shanks, which are pressed into the insulation and form a. locking engagement therewith. Thus the coupling when assembled will be firmly attached to the insulated conductor and will be in good electrical connection with the metallic conductor thereof. The members F and F are further provided with inwardly pressed portions L which are so located that when the coupling is sleeved upon the post 0, the projections L will engage with the oove C. To positively prevent accidental isengagement of the ferrule I from the coupling, said ferrule may be formed with a pair (if inwardly deflected tongues L which when the parts are assembled, will shape into apertures L respectively formed in the shank portions of the coupling. Thus, the

ferrule will be effectively locked against removal.

With the construction as described, in use the connecter may be quickly attached to or detached from the plug by telescopically engaging the coupling with the post C. The inwardly extending portions L in passing over the outer end of the post will expand the socket, but this is permitted by the yieldable character of the insulation to which the shanks of the members F and F are clamped. Also the resiliency of this insulation Wlll cause the portions L to snap into engagement with the groove C and therefore to hold the coupling from accidental disengagement. Thus a resiliently expansible socket coupling is formed Without any flexing of the metallic members thereof, which, on account of the curved cross-section, would be difficult to accomplish' The construction is also one which is exceedingly inexpensive to manufacture and which may be quickly assembled.

The form of the invention disclosed in Figure l is quite similar to the construction already described, the only difi'erence being that the coupling member is of an elbow form, having a ninety degree bend, whereby the conductor may lead laterally to the spark plug instead of having an axial relation thereto.

In the construction shown in Figures 5 and 6, the two coupling members M have complementary cylindrical portions M for engaging the terminal post N of a spark plug, the axis of the portions M being transverse to that of the coupling itself so that the latter may engage a conductor 0 laterally approaching the spark plug. construction the ferrule R, since it cannot be passed over the portions M of the coupling, must be slipped on the conductor 0 prior to engaging the members M therewith and is shifted toward the adjacent end of the conductor to engage it with the members M. The ferrule R, in this form of the invention, is preferably formed of fiber and has the internal shoulder R to engage the ends of the coupling members M.

In this What we claim as our invention is 1. In an electrical connecter, the combination with a conductor having an elastic insulation, of an expansible socket coupling member at the end of said conductor, electrically connected with said conductor and comprising substantially non-flexible segments overlapping the end of the insulation, and means clamping said segments upon said insulation, relative yielding of the segments being provided for by the elasticity of the insulation.

2. In an electrical connecter, the combination with an insulated conductor, of a pair of complementary segments having shank portions overlapping the end of the insulation, the opposite ends of said segments forming an expansible tubular socket, said segments being of a contour to produce rigidity throughout their lengths, and means for clamping said shank portions upon the insulation of said conductor, relative yielding of the segments being provided for by the resiliency of the insulation.

3. In an electrical connecter, the combination with a conductor having elastic insulation, of a tubular member comprising separate complementary segments transversely curved throughout their lengths, and means for clamping said segments upon the insula- 1 tion of said conductor, one end of said tubular member overlapping and being secured by said means to the insulation of said conductor and the other end forming an expansible socket.

In testimony whereof we afiix our signatures.

JOSEPH BERGE. LOUIS B. BERGE.

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