US2640474A - Spark plug - Google Patents

Description

June 2, 1953 H, P, PHILLIPS 2,640,474

SPARK PLUG Filed 0G12. l, 1951 T115- a f f INVENTOR. wd/f f @Wy/w BWM. 5w

Patented June` 2, 1953 SPARK PLUG Harold P. Phillips, Hastings, Mich.. asslgnor to Hastings Manufacturing Company, Hastings,

Mich.

Application October 1, 1951, Serial No. 249,134

2 Claims. (Cl. 123-169) This invention relates to improvements in spark plugs.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a spark plug in which the electrodes are all within and guarded by the time one in which the ground electrode may be very easily and quickly adjusted relative t the insulated electrode.

Second, to provide a spark plug insulator shell and ground electrode assembly having these advantages which may be very economically produced.

Objects relating to details and economies of the invention will appear from the description `to follow. The invention is defined and pointed out in the claims.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which;

Fig. l is a perspective view of a spark plug embodying my invention.

Fig. .2 is an enlarged inner end view with an adjusting tool shown in section positioned for the spark gap adjusting a ground electrode.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view partially in section on a line corresponding to 3--3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an end elevational view of the shell slotted to receive the ground electrodes and the tool abutment elements.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary View on a line corresponding to '5-5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view partially in section corresponding to that of Fig. 3 of a modifled form or embodiment of my invention.

In the accompanying drawings the view are considerably enlarged as compared to commercial structures; this being done for clearness and l convenience in illustration.

In the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings the spark plug comprises the insulator l and the insulator shell 2 having an external threaded portion 3 adapted to be threaded into a suitable bore provided therefor in a cylinder head or block. The insulated electrode 4 is mounted and sealed within the insulator l to y ent invention.

The shell 2 is provided with slots 5 disposed in .angularly spaced nonaligned relation and opening to and extending from its inner end. Bendinsulator shell of the spark plug and at the same able ground electrodes 6 are disposed `in and welded in the slots as is best shown at 'l in Figs.

3 and 5. These electrodes in the embodiment illustrated are disposed in parallel relation with their inner ends overlapping each other and in spaced lapping relation to the insulator electrode 4. The electrodes are all within and guarded by the shell.`

It is recognized that the spacing or spark gapping of the ground electrode relative -to the insulated electrode is an important factor in the eiiicient operation of an internal combustion engine.

To facilitate the adjustment of the ground electrodes I provide tool supporting abutment elements 8 which are disposed in generally opposed relation to the free ends of the ground electrodes but spaced therefrom and preferably in inclined offset relation thereto so that a tool such as a screw driver blade 9 may be positioned in supporting fulcruming engagement with an abutment element for engagement with the end of an electrode and facilitating the accurate adjustment thereof.

The shell is provided With slots I0 open to the inner edge thereof and dimensioned to receive the elements 8 which are welded thereiiras indicated at 1. The slots l0 and the securing of the elements 8 therein is the same as the slots 5 receiving the ground electrodes. The slots I0 are desirably radially positioned relative to the axial center of the shell as is shown in Figs. 2 and 4 which results in the easy positioning of the abutment elements.

In the modiiication shown in Fig. 6 the abutment element Il corresponding to abutment elements 8 are inserted in and iixedly secured in bores l2 instead of in slots but the tool supporting elements li are disposed in generally the same relation of the inner ends of the electrodes of Fig. 2 as shown in the preferred embodiment, so that they serve as supports for tools for adjusting or gapping the ground electrodes. The embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive is however preferred in that it has substantial manufacturing economies as compared to embodiments shown in Fig. 6.

With this arrangement of parts the ground electrodes may be quickly and easily and accurately gapped at the factory when the spark plug is designed and packaged for the requirements of the particular engine and also to compensate for manufacturing errors. They may be quickly gapped by the installer when used for replacement purposes. This is a -very great convenience as a spark plug may be quickly adjusted to meet the requirements of the particular engine.

I have illustrated and described two practical embodiments of my invention. I have not attempted to illustrate or describe certain other modifications or adaptations which I contemplate as it is believed those skilled in the art'l will be able to embody or adapt my invention asmay be desired.

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

1. A spark plug insulator shell and ground electrode assembly comprising aninsulator shell having angularly spaced nonaligned .sll.' ts;openv ing to and extending from its inner end, bendable ground electrodes disposed iti-parallel relation within said shell and guardedthereby and with their outer ends within and welded iii-said slots and with their inner ends free and disposed in oppositely directed laterally spaced overlap.- ping relation to each other and to the axial center of the shell, said shell having other slots opening to and extending from its inner end anddisposed in angularly lspaced" relation to said ground electrode receiving slots, and `tool abutment elements disposed and weldedfin said other slots with their inner ends projectingrinto the shell in opposedf angularlyj inclined laterally spaced relation to theiree endsof the ground electrodes facilitating the adjustment of an electrode relative to the axial center of the shell by a tool in supported engagement with the opposed abutment element.

2. A spark plug insulator shell and ground electrode assembly comprising an insulator shell having a slot opening to and extending from its innery end, a bendable ground electrode disposed within said shell and guarded thereby and with its outer end Within and Welded in said slot and with its inner end free, said shell having another slot opening to and extending from its inner end, anda tool abutment element disposed and Welded in saidiother slot with its inner end projecting into .the shell in generally opposed angularly inclined laterally spaced relation to the free end of the ground electrode facilitating the adjustment of the electrode relative to the axial center of Athe-shell with a toc-l in supported engagement with the abutment element. Y

HAROLD P, PHILLIPS.

References Cited in the iile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,940,324 Rabezzana Dec. 19, 1933 2,150324- Nowosielski Mar. 14, 1939 2,270,765 Nowosielski Jan. 20, 1942

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