US2515336A

US2515336A - Spark plug cleaning apparatus

Info

Publication number: US2515336A
Application number: US622407A
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert K Christie
Original assignee: Champion Spark Plug Co
Current assignee: Federal Mogul Ignition LLC
Priority date: 1945-10-15
Filing date: 1945-10-15
Publication date: 1950-07-18
Anticipated expiration: 1967-07-18

Description

July 18, 1950 R. K. CHRISTIE SPARK PLUG CLEANING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 15, 1945 Elma/14M ROBERT K. CHRIS TIE 3543 M$Qw -g July 18, 1950 R. K. CHRISTIE 2,

SPARK PLUG CLEANING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 15, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 EEIBERT K. EHHIE TIE July 18, 1950 R. K. CHRISTIE SPARK PLUG CLEANING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 15, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 3mm RUEERT K. EHHIS TIE July 18, 1950 R. K. CHRISTIE 2,515,336

I SPARK PLUG CLEANING APPARATUS Filed on. 15. 1945 s Sheets-Sheet 4 WWO July 18, 1950 R. K. CHRISTIE 2,515,336

SPARK PLUG CLEANING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 15, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 TIE-E1- g6 RUBBRTK. CHRIS TIE 35 W (Qw-bz/v,

Patented July 18, 1950 SPARK PLUG CLEANING APPARATUS Be e-rt Christie, de. one, as i ns 0 lia rmnfirerk l g o an Toledo, 01110,:

a corporation of pelaware Application October 1 5, 1945, Serial No. 622,407

3'0 .Qlai rns (01. 134-97 Th s invention relatesio sparl; plug cleaning me ns of the type in which a cleaning action. is obtained by discharging a chemical solution conam n abrasive materialiaeainst the electrodes and suriac s of the plugs which me c ated. with fuel deposits inservice.

n o d r that plugs cleaned in this manner may besui-table for further use, it iS essential that a he abrasi e material well as the chemicals used i th solution be removed after the cleani s pera ont is tmreiore, important to. wash the p rti n i the p ug subjected to the cleanin pe ati also dry t e plu surface to prevent the detrimental rusting which would otherwis Q cu 1 Qhi ct o the intentio is the pro ision o means which i ef ectively op rable to succes ve y Pe f rm t e hr e operatic-1 s of cleanin Washin a d dry n withou necessit t n emoval or th p ug f o its h .Q r-

Anqth ob ct 9i the invent on is th pr vision in eqmbine iqn wit seve e m a s .for cleanin washing and drying a spark plug, of a unitary ee tml themier wh ch i Operable y man movements to i rent predetermined positions he f e sepa at su ees re eper t on of said mean n e mp wtiw an e nomi al men- $101.1 of sim l a ef i et meens for effi c ng a aina e of th l ri iqn rom th par m a n t e s m r reu and s t ate-any ee e y e mange .frQm he cleaning operation to theu rals in' ng operation to prevent the washing liquid from draining into the ean n tio c nteiuer whereb il t th s lu ion, b n te d to ause i to pass to a D9 1 of suitable drainage. t

Another object of the invention is the provision of rneans in an va oparatus o f'the class described, which is operable; by shifting from one operative condition to another, to effect an agitation of the cleaning solution to maintain the abrasive particles thereof in suspension. curing the cleaning operation.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the f oliowing detailed clespript and tr m the 'aeecmnenyine drawings ill s a one mbouiment of the invent on; n which:

1 is a central vertical section of an aurar m embodying he We bios, t in e d i he centre; he in o neu a position; Fig. 2 is a s1 tevation thereof 1001;.- in a t open ne. therc eie er the container for the. cleaning solution part 2. -nine s l ion disposed therein and turned int p sition for removal; F :3 is an e larged entr vert al secti n of th apparat s. w th he parts in pos tion for a cleani op ratiqn; i and 5 are .si re ueeu views t parts n fu With th. ab e pa F s- .1m P shin p s i n d i 5 n ryine'or a re le t posit o Fi 1.6.1.5 a side elevation of the ppar tu with par s. b ok awa and w the removed from within the apparatus; Fig. '7 ise i nte rossect on on thelin 1,.1r1e. (5; Fig. .8 is a perspective View of the control and as s eieted Paris embed in fe ures h tion, with parts lorolgen away; Fig.9 is atop plan ViQW thereof; F gl. is a section .on the 11- 16 in Fig. 3, and Fig. 11 is a section on the line H.-Il in Fig. 4.

e r i t draw n s 1 d i a s what in the present in sta ce, is a portable, housing of Su t t al y uer m in n, ele d t top and bctt and having an Op lei one side through which a container 3 for the cleaning solution may be inserted into operative position Within the housing or removed there from. The container is provided with a handle; and its top edge; when the container is raised as hereinafter described, is adapted to fit tightly, in a sealed mar ner, against a shoulder and within an ov rhang n flan e provided, as shown at 5 at the lower edge of a hood 6 that fixed permanently within the casing and against its top. The

. on ain r and its hood are cylindr cal t permi in the bottom pQItion of the casing and the raisin lowering of this plate is controlled by an elevator level 9. Thi l er, n h p esen stance, is bent from a single length of rod to term a "Le l er en tion "L w h beer at its loop upwardly against the bottom of the p ate .8 and i as he o o t en f s e er n n in latera xten g fu c um ertio'n sil l from the outer ends of which at right n e ih tq ens in ,o posi ien o t .9 er..- tion 10 project handles 1&2. These u s xtend along the sides of the housing I and through the rioorjop ning 1? t each d h o and are hel inmwe d-pc it 2 e sem ni wifi the notches IS in the lower end portion ofthe side w s f id enemies The 99 9 p t on fl e fulcrum members I 1 seat in registering recesses l in h casing be mh raisin an l wern m veme t f he pla e 8 a ed y through registering openings in the housing bottom.

The container 3 is provided with a bottom extension I5 of cup-form and forming, with the main bottom of the container, a compartment.

l6 for an electric heating element This element is of ring-form and is held up against the main bottom of the containerby a series of indentations l8 rising from the bottom of the extension |5-. In the present instance, the extension I5 is in slip fit connection with the container and is drawn up to force the heater ll against the container bottom by tightening a screw l9 in engagement with a lug 29 depending from said bottom. Suitable electrical connector studs 2| are attached to the extension l5 and have connection with the heater Wires. 22 designates a thermostatic control switch for the heater element. A raising of the elevator plate 8 with the container thereof forces the upper edge of the container up against the centering flange 5.

clamped thereto and to the casing by screws 28.

An adapter 29, preferably of a yielding material such as soft rubber, is mounted on the top of the extension 26 and has a central top opening to receive the threaded end of a spark plug A with its electrode end exposed to the interior or the chamber 30 formed by the extension and adapter.

The bottom of the chamber 30, which is formed by the block 25, has drainage passages 3! extending down through the block at opposite sides .of a centrally disposed cross-part 32 (Figs. '7, 8 and 9) and opening into the top of a drainage.

passage 33 formed by a funnel drainage discharge tube 34. The upper large end of this part is fitted into a recess 35 in the bottom of the block, and the lower annular edge portion of its taper 0r enlargement is provided interiorly ,with a conical seat 36. A valve tube 31 projects downwardly through the restricted portion of the funnel part 34 in spaced relation thereto and has at its upper end a conically flaring part 38 for resting on the conical seat'36 of the tube 34. The lower end of the valve tube 31 projects below the tube 34 and is provided with an outwardly projecting radial flange 39 that is connected through a bellows 49 to the enlarged up- The drainage chamber 4| thus formed within the bellows 40 has a drainage tube 42 extending therefrom through an opening in the flange 39 to any suitable point of discharge without the apparatus.

The valve tube 37 may be raised by meanshereinafter described to unseat its flange 38 from the seat 36 and cause it to seat against the edge of a' deflector flange 43attached to the bottom of the block 25 centrally of its recess 35.

When the valve tube is in raised position drainage from the recess 35 is through the tube 34 .to the chamber 4| within the bellows 40, and

when the valve tube is in lowered position the drainage is therethrough and into the container 3 into which its lower end opens.

.Mounted on top of the cross-partv32 of the body block concentric to the extension 26' and to each'other are outer and inner nozzles 45 and 46, the first for discharging a'cleaning liquid up against the spark plug end and these'cond" to discharge an air jet through the first to create a suction action therethrough and a lifting and discharge of the cleaning liquid. The bore of the nozzle 45 is in connection through a passage 47 with a short suction tube section 48 that projects down from the bottom of the block centrally through the valve tube 31 in spaced relation thereto.

When the container 3 is'in raised position in the housing the tube section 48 is in sealed connection with the upper end of a lower suction tube section 49 carried by the container and which extends down to near its bottom. The section 49 i supported and guided for vertical movements by a bracket 50 on the interior of the container and has an upward pressure exerted thereon by a spring 5| interposed between the top of the bracket and a flange 52 on the tube. This flange supports a gasket 53 against which the upper tube section is adapted to seat to maintain a sealed joint between the sections when the container i in elevated position. The upward spring-actuated movement of the tube section 49 is limited relative to the container 3 so that the gasket 53 will only have engagement with the tube section 48 when the container is raised within the housing in position for its upper edge to seat against the lower edge 5 of the hood 6. Thus, a'lowering of the container in the housing by a manipulation of the handle I2, whereby to permit a removal of the container from the housing, will lower the upper end of the tube section 49 from engagement with the tube section 48.

The air nozzle 46 receive its air supply from a passage 55 (Fig. 3) in the block 25, which passage communicates through a valve chamber 56 with an air pressure supply line 54 that has connection with a suitable source of air pressure supply. A valve 58 normally seats in the chamber 56 to close it communication with the passage 55 and is opened by means hereinafter described.

When it is desired to utilize the air jet from the air nozzle 46 to dry the plug after a cleaning and washing operation, a vent line 60 from the suction passage 41 is opened, thus relieving the lifting action on the cleaning liquid so that only air will discharge through the nozzle 45. The outer end of the vent passage is normally open and is closed by the depression of a valve 6| that is carried by a spring finger 62 mounted on the top of the block '25 near one side thereof, as shown in Figs. 3, 8 and 9.

A water stream for washing the plug after a cleaning operation is discharged against the plug end from a nozzle 63 in the block 32. This nozzle i connected by a passage 64 to a water supply line 65 (Fig. '7) and has a control valve 66 (Fig. 10) disposed therein. This valve is normally retained in closed position and has its stem projecting below the block 25 in' position to be pressed by a finger 61, as hereinafter described.

The manual control for the operative parts will now be described. Thi control includes, in the present instance, a U-form of rocker yoke 68, which straddles the block 25 and is pivotally supported at its closed end by a shaft 69 mounted in a bracket 19 on the adjacent end of the block. The handle 1| projects upwardly from oneyside ofsthe yoke 68 near its closed end to a manually operable position through and without the top of the casing In the operation of the apparatus, it i desirable (l) to clean a spark plug by directing a chemical cleaning solution thereacrea e against'; 2) to" wash the cleaning solutions from the spark plug bydirecting a stream of water thereagainst; (3-) to dry the spark plug after washing, and (-4) tothen place the handle in neutralor off position. These various positionsof the handle-are indicated in Figs. 1,. 3 4 and fi. Theseoperations will be takenup'in their. order.

For cleaning, the handle H is thrown to the extreme right position (Fig. 3) which causes a downward swinging of the free end of the yoke Wto-theposition shown in Figs. 3 and 5. In this position a finger 72 on one top edge of the yoke engages the upper end of the stem of the air valve 58'and moves the valve to open positionto admit-air from the supply line 54 to the' passage 55' leadingto the air nozzle 46 in the block 25 Air-thus discharges from said nozzle through the nozzle 45 to create suction throughthe-latter and to discharge, upwardly against the spark plug", the cleaning solution that is drawn upward from the" container 3 through the passage-4! and tubes and 49. The solution, after striking the spark plug, drains down through the chamber 30, passages 3t, drainage passage 33, funnel part 3! and valve tube 31 into thecontainer 3; During this action a finger 13- projecting upwardly andinwardly from one leg of the yoke 68 engages thespri'ng finger 62 and draws it down to cause the valve 6| to move to vent closing position. The vent 60 that is closed by said valve has communication with the discharge passage 4'! for the cleaning solution.

The cleaning of the spark plug having been completed, the handle H is thrown over to washing?" position, which is at the extreme left of its; throat, thus rocking the yoke 58 to the limit of its upward swinging movement to. the position notedin Fig.4. This permits a closing of the air value? 58 so. as. to discontinue the air discharge thnoughthe nozzle 45 andalsopermits an opening on the vent valve 6! to release the suctionpressure the. discharge passage 41 and communicating passageathus permitting the cleaning fluid there,-- iii to return. to; the container 3. At the same time-the finger 61 at the lower edge of the loopedendpontionlofztheyoke 68; swings into valve opening engagement with the exposed stem portion of the: water valve 65. so. as to permit water to pass; from the supply line 65 through the water. passage Satin-the block 25 andup throughthe dis oharge nozzle into the chamber 3!} and against the; end oi; the spark plugto wash the latter. the: same time the-upper edges of the yoke leg-s engage respectivelugs .lfiprojecting laterally from the upperends, of; the arms ofa vertical U-shaped cradle; 11 and raise such cradle. These cradle. arms are. guided for vertical movements betweengpidepinslfi on the-block 25-. The loop or crosspiece 119% of this cradle is provided with a central opening through whichthesuction tube 48 for the. cleaning; solution extends and. it has upward thrust: engagement with the radial flange 39 through a plurality of coiled springs 80;. It is thus.- apparent that the raising of the cradle H by the upwardl swinging movements of the yoke; Bil-mums thevalve tube 31, to which the flange 39 isaattached, tozbe-raised to close the drainage-communication through said valve tube and toopen the drainagepassage throughzthetube 34 into the drainage. chamber ll. This causes the washing- Water to be directedlintosaid: chamber and thence out-through the pipe 42. to; a suitable drainage point rather than to permit it to enter the: cone 3' and dilutethe cleaning: solution.

The washing ofthe plug having 'been'com' plet'ed'i-the control handle it is thrown to the air-blast position,which is intermediate its cleaningand off positions, thereby moving the yoke 6-8 downwardlya sufii cient' distance to slightlybut not fullyopenthe airvalve-58: permits air to discharge through theairnozzle Q6 upwardly against the plug for drying purposes". During this operation the vent valve 6| is open so as torelieve any: suction action in the nozzle: 45 effected by the discharge of the air-jet therethrough, thereby preventing the drawing of the cleaning solution up from the container and its discharge against the-plug;

When the drying operation has been contpleted, the control handle I l is moved to its off position; which places the yoke 68: in the neutral position shown" in Fig. l", in which position the air valve 58* and water valve 6 6'- are both closed, the'vent valve 6| is open and the drainage" valve t'ube S-Fis in its lowermost position.

The container 3 is provided with means for agitating the liquid in the bottom thereof so as to-maintain the heavier particles of the cleaning solution in suspension, and this agitating means is connected to and operated byswinging move mentsof the yoke 68 so that agitation ofthe solu tion will be effected during an operation of the apparatus. For this, purpose a perforated: plate 83 isloosely mounted in the bottom of'the con tainer 3, and pivotally rising from the edge oi: tion of: said plate disposed beneath the free end oithe yoke 88" is a tube 84' in which the lower end. of a tube 85': is received for telescopic sliding movements; The tube 85 has a cross-pin 85 operating in longitudinally extending side. slots. 81 in the upper-end portion of'the. tube. 84" whereby the relative longitudinal movements of the. tubes are limited. The tubes are acted on by a coiled expansion spring 88 to normally retain them in lengthened relation, as bestshown in Fig. 3... A spring finger 8.9 bearsagainst the tube 84 to nor:- mally retain it in an upright position and. the upper end of such tube is guided for limited swinging movements forward andrearwardof'the container by a. slotted bracket 90. An agitator pick-up hook 91. is pivotally connected to. the upper end of the tube 8'5 for pivotal movements in a vertical. plane and with'it's bill portion eXf-j tending'over the tube end and toward the casing openingi'; as shown invFig. 3'. A springv 92'urgeS a swinging of the hook .tothe right; in the present; instance, into. stop. coaction with the. tube endi. This" hook: is intended to engage over a. horizontally disposedpick-up rod 93 pendentl'y attached. to the free swinging end portion of the yoke. .68, as. best shown in Fig. 8,. It isthusapparent. that: theyoke 68 is connected to the agitating, platen; through the pick-up members 9.1,. 9.3,. and the yieldingly connected tubes 84', 85, whereby the plate is raised and lowered. with the. control movements ofthe. yokeliit and agitationreifectedloi the cleaning. solution in,the container 3.

The. tubes. 84,. 851 are positioned in. the contains, er. 3.. at thehandleside thereof, .butslightl'y tov the left. oi the handle so that whenthecontainer is; inserted. in. the Casing; lthrough its side opening 2 with the handle centrally of the opening, the hook 9.1.- will stand. at the left-ofthe ver.tical-=-path of movement: of the projeetingend portionlotthe pick-uprod 931.. A- turning of the container to the; right in elevated guided engagement with the flange: 5: will turn the. hook 9| horizontally into the: path of: swinging movement ofithe piclhup rod: 93;. so that; a. lowering; ofssaida rock from 4% atlases raised position will cause it to enga e the registering inclined side of the hook 9i and force the hookrearwardly as the rod snaps into hook engagement thereunder.- To release th hook 9| from engagement with the rod 93, it is only necessary to turn the container 3 to the left so as to bring the handle 4 thereof into centered relation to the casing opening 2. This action will slide the hook 9| from engagement with the engaged end portion of therod 93 lengthwise thereof.

In the operation of the apparatus, the containe er 3 with the cleaning liquid therein is inserted into the casing I through the opening 2 thereof and placed with its bottom resting on the elevator plate 8. The handles I2 of the elevatorlever 9 are then lowered to effect a raising of the elevator plate and container to place the upper edge of the latter into seating engagement with the centering flange 5 and to raise the upper gasket end of the tube 49 into seating engage ment with the lower end of the tube 48. The lever .arms l2 when lowered are engaged in notches 13 at the lower ends of the side edge walls of the opening 2, so as to hold the plate 8 and container in their elevated positions. The container is then turnedto the right to place its handle in substantially the dotted line position indicated in Figs. 2 and 7, and in which position the inclined edge of the agitator pick-up. hook 9| is in the lower portion of the arc of swinging movements of the pick-up rod 93, which is then in the partially raised position which it assumes when the yoke 68 and its control handle II are in fofi position. A lowering of the yoke 68 to air blast position will cause the pick-up rod 93 to move into pick-up engagement with the hook 9!. When the container has been placed in operative position within the casing I, an electrical supply line socket is placed in engagement with the contact studs 2| of the heater circuit. A plug A to be cleaned having been placed in the adapter 29, the control lever H is first thrown completely, to the right to cleaning position, as shown in Fig. 3, so as to swing the yoke 68 to the limit of its lowering movement, thereby moving the trip finger 72 down into engagement with the stem of the air valve 58 to open such valve and permit air under pressure to pass to and be discharged from the air jet 46 upwardly through the nozzle 45. This air discharge causes the cleaning liquid to be raised from the container through the

tubes

48, 49 and passage 41, and thence'to be discharged through the nozzle 45 in spray-form against the end of the spark plug. During this operation the valve tube 31 is in its lowered position so that the cleaning fluid is drained back into the container through the

tubes

34 and 31. When the cleaning operation has been completed, the yoke 68 and its control handle H are thrown to the washing position shown in Fig. 4, which'permits a closing of the air valve 58 and effects an opening of the water supply valve 66, due to the pressure of the finger 61 against its stem. This permits water to be discharged up against the plug through the nozzle 63 to wash the cleaning fluid from the plug. The movement of the yoke 68- to this washing position raises the

cradle

11, 19, so as to raise the valve tube 31 to seat against the flange 43, there by closing the drainage passag through the valve tube and opening the water drainage passage through the lower end portion of the tube 34 to the drainage chamber 41 within th'ebellows 40. From this point the water is discharged without the apparatus through a drainage tube 42 --instead of being. permitted to. pass into. the

cleaning fluid as would be'thecase if thedraine age discharge was through the waive tube 31;. The drainage tothe upperend of the tube; 31, both in thecase of the cleaning fluid and of the cleaning water, is from the chamber 30 through the passages 3| in the block 25. Washing of the plug having been accomplished, the control lever 'H is moved to the air-blast position shown: in

Fig. 5. This effects a partial, but not complete, opening of the air valve 58 to cause a discharge of air from the nozzle 46 through the nozzle 45 and up against the plug for drying purposes. In this position of the yoke 68 the vent valve BI is still open so that no cleaner lifting suction action through the

tubes

48 and 49 can take place. This completes the operations on the plug so that the control handle ll may then be moved tojofif position and another spark plug to be cleaned substituted for the cleaned plug.

I wish it understood that my invention is not limited to any specific construction, arrangement orform oftheparts, as it is capable of numerous modifications and changes without departing from the spirit of the claims.

Having thus described my invention, what claim as new, and desire to secure by United- States Letters Patent, is:

1. In an apparatus of the class described, a frame, a container for a cleaning liquid mounted in said frame for limited turning movements relative thereto and for removal therefrom, and liquid agitating means insaid container, a-rockable control means, and a connection-between said control means and agitator means for causing an agitation of the liquid during predeter-" mined control movements of the control means, said connection being engageable with and re leasable from said control means by predeter-. mined turning movements of the container.

2. In an apparatus of the class described, a container for a cleaning liquid, means operable by air pressure to discharge a cleaning liquidv from the container in spray-form against a spark plug to be cleaned, a liquid agitator means in said container, and a rockable control for said first means having connection with said agitator means and operable when rocked to actuate said agitator means.

3. In an apparatus of the class described, acontainer for a cleaning liquid, a liquid agitating means in said container, a rockable control means, and a releasable connection between said control means and agitator means for causing" an agitation of the liquid during predetermined air pressure to discharge a cleaning liquid from'- the container in spray-form against a spark plug to be cleaned, said means having an air pressure control valve, an agitating member movably" mounted in the bottom portion of the container,

and 'a movable control means operable to open and close said air valve and having connection with said agitating member to impart agitating movements thereto during at least a portion. 011. thevalve controlling movement of said controh means.

6. In an apparatus of the class described. f

means operable by air :pressure to :raise a liquid by suction 'action from a container and to discharge it in spray-form against a spark plug to be cleaned, and including a vent passage, a normally open valve for said passage, an air pressure control valve, and *control means operable toopen the air valve and to close the vent valve during a portion only of the opening movement of the 'air valve.

7'. In an apparatus of the class described, a container for a cleaning liquid, vmeans operable by air pressure to 'raise a 'cleaning liquid 'from the container by suction action and discharge :it in spray-form against-a'spark'plug to be cleaned, said means including a discharge 'nozz'le having suction communication with the container, a vent passage for 'said "communication, an air nozzle in communication with :a source of air pressure supply for'discharging air in relation to *saidffirst nozzle to create a'suctionaction'through saidsuction communication, a normally closed control valve for said air source communication, a'normally open valve for said vent passage, and a control means operable to imoveisaid air valve :to difierent open positions and to move the vent valve to closed position when the air valve is in one of its open .positions.

8. In an apparatus of the class described, :a container 'for a cleaning liquid, :means operable by air pressure to discharge a cleaning liquid from the container in spray-iorm against a spark plug to be cleaned, said means including :air and spray nozzles, the latter being in suction communication with the interioraof :the container and the former being in communication with an air pressure supply source :to direct :air 'therethrough to create a suction actionin-said first communication to raise a liquid from the :container to the spray nozzle and to discharge it in spr'ayform therefrom, said suction communication having a normally open relief vent, a normally closed valve "for said air pressure communication having different open stages, and lrocka'bleimeans operable to move said air valve to both open stages and to closesaid vent'wh'enthe air valveisin one open stage position.

9. In an apparatus of the class described, a container for cleaning liquid, means operable by air pressure to raise a liquid from said container and discharge it in spray-form against a spark plug to be cleaned, means for discharginga washing liquid against the spark plug,said first and second means having communication respectively with a source of air pressure supply and a source of water pressure supply, separate valves normally closing said sources of air'and'water 'pres--' sure supply, and control means operable "to separately and selectively openeither of said valves.

10. An arrangement as called for in claim '9 wherein the control means includes *a rockable member which has connection with and operates to-open said air and water valve'sat difierent predetermined stages of its movement.

11. In an apparatus of the class described, a container for a cleaning liquid, means operable by 'air pressure action to raise a liquid from the container and disc'harge it in sprayform against a spark plug to be cleaned and to discharge air alone against the spark plug when the suction communication of -'the spray means with the container is vented, said means including a vent passage for saidpurpose, means for discharging a washing-liquidunder'pressureagainst the spark plug, a normally closed air pressure control valve for said first means, a=normally closed valve for control valve for said air pressure "means, and a control means operable to open said valve and said washing means, a normally open valve for said vent passage, andcontrol means movable to different predetermined positions to open said air valve and to one of said positions -to close said vent valve, and also movable to a different position to open said washing liquid valve whereby selective cleaning, air-blasting and Washing operations may 'be'performed on the plug.

12. 'An arrangement as called for in claim B1 wherein the control means includes a rockable member toeilect said various=operations at various predetermined stages in its rocking movement. I 1

13. In :an apparatus of the class described, a container for a cleaning liquid, means operable. to discharge a cleaning liquid in spray-form against a spark plug to be cleaned and including an air blast for effecting the spraying action and for raising a liquid by suction action from the container-to a spraying 'pointga normallyopen vent for said "suction communication, a normally open valve for said vent, a normally-closed valve for said air blast means, and a control 'means manually operable to move the air valve to different'open positions and to close said vent valve during a predetermined open stage of the -'airvalve whereby a cleaning liquid may be discharged against a spark plug during one open stage of the air valve a'nd an air blast "alone disicharged thereagainst during theother open stage 15. Anapparatus of the class described,=a'cona tainer for a cleaning liquid, air pressure means for raising a liquid from the container and'discharging it in spray-form against a spark "plug to be cleaned and also for discharging an air blast alone against the plug, a normally closed during a portion of the opening period "of the valve to render said liquid lifting and spraying means inoperative so that an air blast alone is 5 discharged against the spark plug.

'16.'In an apparatus 'of the class described, a

container for a cleaning liquid, air pressure actuated means for raising aliquid from thecontainer and discharging it in spray-form against ;-a. spark plug to be cleaned and also :for dischargin an air blast alone against the plug when the spraying "feature is rendered inoperative, a valve operable to admit an "operating air pressure to said means both for spraying and blast purposes,

:and control means operable to open said valve both for spark plug cleaning and air-drying operations and to render said cleaner spraying means inoperative when a drying operation is desired.

17. An arrangement as called "for'in claim 16 mined portion only of said predetermined move-.

ment.

18. An arrangement as called for in 'claim 16,

together with an agitating means in the con- 7 tainer, and :a connection between said agitating means and the control under pressure against the spark plug, a valve operable to control the air pressure supply to said first means, a second valve for controlling the water supply of the second means, and a movable control means operable to selectively open said air and water valves at predetermined stages in its movement and to render the cleaning liquid lifting and spraying action of said first means inoperative during a predetermined portion of the open stage of said air valve whereby the plug may be cleaned, washed and dried at different respective operating positions of the control means.

20. An arrangement as called for in claim 19 wherein the control means includes a rockable member which effects the different stated actions at different predetermined positions in its rocking movement.

21. An arrangement as called for in claim 19, together with a liquid agitating means in the container and a connection between said control means and agitating means whereby agitating means are communicated to the latter from control movements of the former.

22. In an apparatus of the class described, a container for a cleaning liquid, suction means v means to impart agitating movements to one from control movements of operable by air pressure to raise a liquid from the container and discharge it in spray-form against a spark plug to be cleaned, means for discharging a washing liquid under pressure against the spark plug, separate control valves for said first two means, means forming a chamber in which the cleaning and washing liquids are discharged,

a single control means operable to selectively and independently open said valves, and valve means controlled by said control means for caus ing liquid draining from said chamber to discharge into said container when the first means is in operation and to discharge to a drainage source when the second means is in operation.

23. An arrangement as called for in claim 22 wherein the control means includes a rockable member which during one stage in its rocking movement opens the control valve of the first means and during another stage in its rocking movement opens the control valve for said second means.

24. In an apparatus of the class described, air

pressure operated means for raising a cleaning either into the container or to said separate source, separate control valves for said first and second means, and a single control means operable to selectively and independently open said control valves and also selectively operable to control said drainage directing means to cause drainage to return to the container when a. c eaning fluid is being discharged and to be discharged 1 to the separate drainage source when the washing liquid is being discharged.

25. In an apparatus of the class described, a' container for a cleaning liquid, means forming a chamber in which a'spark plug may be positioned for cleaning, means operable to cause discharge of the drainage from said chamber either into said container or to a point of drainage separate from said container, means for discharging cleaning 'liquid from the container against a spark plug in said chamber, means for discharging a' washing liquid into the chamber against the spark plug, and a single means manually operable to selectively and independently control the discharge of cleaning liquid and washing liquid through said respective discharging means and to control said drainage discharging means so that when a spark plug is being cleaned the drainage will be into the tank and" when being washed the drainage will be to a point without the container.

26. In an apparatus of the class described, a

container for a cleaning liquid, means forming a chamber in which a spark plug may be positioned drainage into the container or to a position to cause drainage to a point without the container,

and a single control'means including a rockable member operable to selectively and independently cause operation of the cleaning liquid and wash ing liquid discharge means and to control said drainage valve means to cause drainage into the container when a cleaning operation is being peri formed and to cause drainage to a point without the container when a washing operation is'beingperformed.

27. In an apparatus of the class described, a container for a cleaning liquid, means forming a chamber for receiving a spark plug to be cleaned, means operable by suction action to discharge a cleaning liquid from the container. in spray-form against a spark plug in said chamber, means operable to discharge a washing liquid against a spark plug in said chamber, said chamber having a drainage passage with a drainage discharge tube leading therefrom, a drainage chamber in connection with said tube and having provision for discharging the drainage outside of said container, a valve tube in said drainage tube operable to direct drainage from the passage either through the valve tube into the container or through the drainage tube and into said drainage chamber, control means operable to selectively and independently control they discharge from said cleaning liquid and washing liquid discharge means and to control the move- -ment of said valve tube to cause drainage into the container when a spark plug is being cleaned and to cause drainage into said drainage chamber when a spark plug is being washed.

28. An arrangement as called for in claim 2'7 together with means for venting said cleaning liquid discharge means so that air only is discharged therefrom against a spark plug, and valve means controlled by said control means for closing said vent means during a portion of the operation of said liquid spraying means whereaswhen the control means is in a predetermined position of its movement an air blast only is discharged from the cleaning liquid discharge means.

.29. 1 an'apparatus of the class describeday i receptacle, a container for a cleaning liquid removably mounted in the receptacle, elevating means for the container when disposed in the receptacle, means for discharging a cleaning liquid in spray-form from the container, said means including a sectional delivery tube extending down into the container with one section attached to and movable with the container and adapted to have sealing connection with the other section when the container is elevated in the receptacle.

30. in an apparatus of the class described, a receptacle, a container for a cleaning liquid movably mounted in said receptacle and removable laterally therefrom, means operable to elevate the container to usable position in the receptable, spraying means operable to raise a liquid from the container when in elevated position, said spraying means including a suction tube extending down into the container and hav- 2o 14 ing separable parts one of said parts being associated with and carried by the container and movable into sealing joint connection with another tube part when the container is in elevated position, and means operable to control the operation of said spraying means.

ROBERT K. CHRISTIE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS- Number Name Date 457,224 Shepard Aug. 4, 1891 1,438,834 Keil Dec. 12, 1922 1,771,436 Guett July 29, 1930 2,009,589 Pedersen July 30, 1935 2,024,952 Snyder Dec. 17, 1935 2,025,592 Kelly Dec. 24, 1935