US3001035A - Distributor cap - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 19, 1961 A. w, BUTTS 3,001,035

DISTRIBUTOR CAP Filed oct. 21, 195e Mlle.' 1"' JIT..

INVENTUR- ANDERSON W Bar/'s .Ex/544W Q? AfmR/VY United States Patent Filed Oct. 21, 1958, Ser. No. 7 68,813 3 Claims. (Cl. 2011-49) j 'Ifhis invention relates to an ignition system distributor cap wherein there are a number of upwardly extending, exposed terminals to which wires may be applied to lead to spark plugs of an engine all in the usual and well v known manner in respect to the wiring.

A primary object of this invention is to provide a simpliiied distributor cap of the nature above indicated wherein the terminals for spark plug leads are exposed in such manner that spring cups or frictional engaging terminals of the wires may be selectively pushed over these terminals wherein the terminal itselfin each instance forms the male part of the connection.

In distributor caps heretofore known, it has been a usual practice to employ a cap designed wherein there would be an external cup at each electrical terminal of the cap ranging in depth upwardly from a half inch and then within thelcup there would be a female terminal also in ycup form.V This structure presents a problem in that the cups would collect moisture and consequently the capu would deteriorate by cracking. In Ian attempt to overcome that result, elastic sleeves or cuis would be provided on the wires so as to engage over the cups with the idea of setting up a seal between the wire and the mouth of the cup. In time, in the lpresence of 'oil mist or vapor about the engine these sleeves would open so that eventually moisture would appear within the cups in spite of the sleeves.

Therefore, it is a further primary object of my invention to provide a structure as herein described which eliminates all cups about the exterior of the distributor cap, and eliminates the flexible Acap covering sleeves, all in avoidance of moisture collection about the terminals.

A still further primary object of my invention resides in the formation of individual moisture drainage areas about the cap from the center thereof to the margin and with dielectric barriers between adjacent terminals.

These and many other objects of the invention including the simplicity of design permitting a cheaper method of molding the distributor cap as opposed to previous, well known designs, will become apparent to those versed in the art in the following description of one particular form of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in top plan of a structure embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a view in side elevation;

FIG. 3 is a view in bottom plan;

FIG; 4 is a View in vertical section on the line 4--4 in FIG. l;

FIG. 5 is a detail in vertical section on the line 5-5 in FIG.V l; and

FIG. 6 is a detail in partial section of a spark plug lead wire interconnected with a cap terminal.

In the present form of the invention as now best known to me, .I provide a cap which is generally cylindrical and from which cylindrical portion 10, there is an outwardly flared base 11 for fitting over the base of the distributor (not shown).

There is an upper end closure completing the cup proper, this closure being designated by the numeral 12, Centrally disposed, there is a terminal post 13 molded in the closure 12, FIG. 2, to extend above the cap which is generally designated by the numeral 16, and also to extend into the interior of the cap, FIG. 3, where it terminates in the usual manner by a central button 14 generally made of carbon. This post 13 is the post to which the secondary voltage output of a transformer. coil 4'is' applied.

Arranged in circumferentially spaced apart relation and centered-at a constant distance from the center of thebutton 14, FIG. 3, are a plurality of spark plug distributor posts 15 herein shown as eight in number such as would 1 be employed for an eight cylinder engine. Each of these posts 15 is molded in place at the time of forming thel cap 16 to extend vertically through the closure 12 in the manner as indicated in FIG. 4, where each of these posts 15 extends aboveY and below the closure`12, upwardly by a wire terminal end 17 and inwardly by'a terminal 18 to bein close proximity to the usual revolving arm (not shown) of the distributor block of the distributor all in the manner as is well `known to those versed in the art, such block not constituting a part of the invention per se.

In reference to these terminal posts 13 and 15, it is to be noted that clear access. from the outside is provided thereto without having to approach these terminals through a sleeve or any other part of the closure 12.

In order to reinforce the top closure 12, and also in order to provide a longer path of possible discharge be.

tween terminals, a number of radially extending ribs 19 are provided on the under side of the closure 12, as indicated in FIGS. 35. Also on the upper or outer side of the closure 12, there -is a rib 20 radially extending from the center of the closure 12 to the outer circumferential side of the cylindrical part 10 between adjacent posts 15. Any tendency of a voltage to be transmitted across the cover either inside or outside between .adjacent terminals is required to travel a path not only across the cover, but up and over the outer ribs 20 or around and below the inner ribs 19 as the case might be.

As above indicated, the primary purpose of this invention is to provide a male post on the distributor cup itself to be engaged by a female connector on the end of a wire, as indicated in FIG. 6 where the tubular connector 21 is engaged over a terminal post such as a post 13 or 15 as the case may be. The connector 21 may be made in the usual and well known manner to engage by one length around the end of a wire 22, the connector 21 having barbs 23 punched therefrom and extending into the conductor 24 of the wire 22. Also the lower end of the conductor 24 bears against the upper end of the post 13 as viewed in FIG. 6. The other portion of the length of the connector tube 21 has a number of detents elastically engaging under the shoulder 26 of the post 13 so as to retain the connector tube 21 in firm engagement with the post 13.

The cover 12, cylindrical portion 10, ared portion 11, and the ribs 19 and 2.0 are `all made out of a moldable material such as one of the synthetic plastics commonly employed for such purposes.

While I have herein shown and described my invention in the one particular form, it is obvious that structural details may be varied without departing from the spirit of the inventon, and I therefore do not desire to be limited to that precise structure beyond the limitations which may be imposed bythe following claims.

What I claim is:

l. A distributor cap for use in an automotive vehicle with a distributor in an upright position, said cap comprising an inverted cup of dielectric material with a circumferential wall and a dome-shaped top sloping downwardly to said wall, said cup having a plurality of rigid upright terminal posts sealed in said domeshaped top and having upper end portions projecting upwardly from said top, each of said pests having a substantially smooth peripheral surface and also having a recess positioned inwardly from the terminal end oi the post and defining a retaining shoulder to hold a snap-on wire connector thereon, whereby to prevent collection of moisture at the Patented Sept. 19, 1,961

terminal posts andthereby prevent formation of insulating corrosion and splitting of the dielectric cup.

2. For use with the upright distributor and spark-carryingwiresofzanautomotive vehicle, the combination ,of a l distributor cap comprising an inverted cup of dielectric material and being applicable to the top of thedistributor of; v,the automobile, said ,cup having Aa circumferential andl a. domershaped. top sloping downwardly toward said wall, a vplurality of rigid `upright terminal posts sealed kin thetopzan'd having upper 'end portions projecting'zupwardly fromthe top, the upper end portion of each ofrsaid postshaving a diminished throat portion inwardly Aof: A,the 1 upper Yend'thereof and dening a retaining shoulvto prevent. 'collection of moisture at the terminal posts and thereby prevent production of insulating corrosion and splitting ofthe cap.

i 3.@ForY use withA the upright distributor and sparkcarrying wires ov an automotive vehicle, the Ycombination,

of' a' distributor cap including an inverted cup of dielectric: material applicable to the distributor of the automobile and'having a circumferential wall and a domeshaped top sloping downwardly toward said wall, a pluaco rosa rality of rigid upright terminal posts sealed -in the top and having upper end portions projecting upwardly from the top, a plurality of connectors adapted for -axation secure relationship with each other and permitting,erid-` Y wise separation thereof, whereby to prevent collection of water at the terminal posts and thereby prevent 'formation of electrical insulating corrosion and prevent splitting;

- ofthefcup.

References Cited inthe tile of vthis patent 'UNITED 'STATES PATENTS 1,203,693 1,415,369 Lehman May-9, 1222 1,907,428 Martin May -9-,.y 19,33; 2,034,090v Douglas Mar.- 17, 1935. 2,301,571 Nowosielski Nov. l0, 1942 2,358,971 Hallett Sept. 26,' 1944 2,364,095 Pederquist Dec. 5, 1944 2,464,533 Shearer Mar. 15,y 19,49, 2,769,047 Hartzell et al; Oct; 30, i956` FORElGN PATENTS p 1,095,568 France Dec. 22, 195;(

Brinton Nov. -7, 1916

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