US3851847A

US3851847A - Spark plug holder for motorcycles and the like

Info

Publication number: US3851847A
Application number: US00408056A
Authority: US
Inventors: R Hinkley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1973-10-19
Filing date: 1973-10-19
Publication date: 1974-12-03
Anticipated expiration: 1991-12-03

Abstract

An article of manufacture for removably securing a conventional spark plug to a cylindrical support member such as a tubular frame member of a motorcycle. The article consists of first and second means for holding the opposite ends of the spark plug in contact with the frame member of the motorcycle and a stretchable cord connected between the first and second means which is wrapable around the frame member and connectable to the first and second means to secure same and the spark plug to the frame member.

Description

United States Patent Hinkley Dec. 3, 1974 SPARK PLUG HOLDER FOR MOTORCYCLES AND THE LIKE Robert L. Hinkley, 14160 Red Hill Ave., Tustin, Calif. 92680 Filed: Oct. 19, 1973 Appl. N0.: 408,056

Inventor:

US. Cl. 248/231, 248/314 Int. Cl. A47f 13/00 Field of Search 248/226 E, 316 D, 314,

248/311, 313, 231; 24/3 M, 81 TH References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 10/1955 Johannsen 248/231 8/1959 Jones t 248/231 3/1965 Copell i, 24/3 M Primary Examiner-Paul R. Gilliam Assistant ExaminerDarrell Marquette Attorney, Agent, or FirmPhilip M. Hinderstein 5 7] ABSTRACT An article of manufacture for removably securing a conventional spark plug to a cylindrical support member such as a tubular frame member of a motorcycle The article consists of first and second means for holding the opposite ends of the spark plug in contact with the frame member of the motorcycle and a stretchable cord connected between the first and second means which is wrapable around the frame member and connectable to the first and second means to secure same and the spark plug to the frame member.

8 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTEL DEB SPARK PLUG HOLDER FOR MOTORCYCLES AND THE LIKE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTlOn 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a spark plug holder for motorcycles and the like and, more particularly, to an article of manufacture for removably securing a conventional spark plug to a cylindrical support member such as a tubular frame member of a motorcycle.

2. Description of the Prior Art It is well known by those who own and ride motorcycles that the spark plugs thereof deteriorate rapidly and often fail suddenly. Since most motorcycles have only a few cylinders, the failure of a single spark plug may either substantially reduce the power of the motorcycle or render it totally inoperative.

Thus, it is generally considered to be a good practice to keep extra spark plugs handy to replace those that might fail when a service station or other repair location is not handy. Heretofore, these extra spark plugs have usually been carried in the riders pocket, but this is obviously unsatisfactory since the rider often forgets to take a spark plug with him or ends up carrying the spark plug with him wherever he goes. While some motorcycles are provided with carrying pouches of one sort or another, most motorcycles obviously do not have such a feature.

With these problems in mind, it has been proposed to provide an article for removably securing a spark plug to the frame of a motorcycle. However, previously developed articles have been unduly complex, difficult to install and remove froom the motorcycle, and sufficiently bulky to get in the 'way of the rider. In addition, the means for attachment of available spark plug holders has often caused scratching or marring of the motorcycle finish.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a spark plug holder for motorcycles and the like which solves the problems encountered heretofore. The present spark plug holder .is simple and easily attachable to and removable from a motorcycle. The present spark plug holder' is quite streamlined and holds the spark plug close to the motorcycle frame so that it does not interfere with the rider. Furthermore, the present spark plug holder is made from one piece of rubber-like material which eliminates any possibility of scratching or otherwise marring the finish of the motorcycle.

Briefly, the present spark plug holder for motorcycles and the like comprises first means including a first, hollow, cylindrical, spark plug receiving cap and a first, hollow, semicylindrical, frame member engaging base, the axes of the cap and the base being parallel, second means including a second, hollow, cylindrical, spark plug receiving cap and a second, hollow, semicylindrical, frame member engaging base, the axes of the second cap and the second base being parallel, the first and second means being adapted to be positioned with the axes of the first cap and the first base coaxial with the axes of the second cap and the second base, respectively, and third means consisting of an elongated, resilient, stretchable member interconnecting the first and second bases, the stretchable member being wrapable OBJECTS It.is therefore an object, of the present invention to provide a spark plug holder for motorcycles and the like.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an article of manufacture for removably securing a conventional spark plug to a cylindrical support member such as a tubular frame member of a motorcycle.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a spark plug holder which is simple in construction and easy to install and remove from a motorcycle frame.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a spark plug holder which supports the spark plug close to the motorcycle frame so that it does not interfere with the rider..

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a spark plug holder made from a single piece of rubber-like material.

Still other objects, features, and attendant advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a reading of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment constructed in accordance therewith, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like numerals designate like parts in the several figures and wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1. is a perspective view of the present spark plug holder shown in operative position securing a conventional spark plug to a tubular support member;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the spark plug holder of FIG. 1; and

FIG 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 33 in FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, there is shown a spark plug holder, generally designated 10, for removably securing a conventional spark plug 11 to a cylindrical support member 12, such as a tubular frame member of a motorcycle. For this purpose, spark plug holder 10 includes first means, generally designated 15, including a first, hollow, cylindrical, spark plug receiving cap 16 and a first, hollow, semicylindrical, frame member engaging base 17. Cap 16 and base 17 are preferably made integrally and connected by a common throat l8. Throat l8 maintains cap 16 and base 17 with their axes parallel.

Cap 16 is adapted to receive the threaded electrode end 13 of spark plug 11. In order to protect the electrodes of spark plug 11 so as to prevent damage thereto, cap 16 is preferably closed at one end thereof, as shown at 19, threaded electrode 13 being insertable into the open end of cap 16. Finally, first means 15 may also include a tab ZO'made integral with cap 16, on the side thereof opposite to throat 18, to assist in manipulating cap 16 onto threaded electrode 13 of spark plug Spark plug holder includes second means, generally designated 25, including a second, hollow, cylindrical, spark plug receiving cap 26 and a second, hollow, semicylindrical, frame member engaging base 27. Cap 26 and base 27 are preferably made integrally and connected by a common throat 23. Throat 28 maintains cap 26 and base 27 with their axes parallel.

Cap 26 is adapted to receive the porcelain insulator 14 of spark plug 11. Since no special protection is required for this end of spark plug 11, cap 26 is preferably open at both ends thereof, as shown in FlG. 2. Pi nally, second means 25 may also include a tab 29 made integral with cap 26, on the side thereof opposite to throat 28, to assist in manipulating cap 26 onto insulator 14 of spark plug 11.

For reasons which will appear more fully hereinafter,

throats

18 and 28 of first and second means 15 and 25, respectively, are not as long as bases 17 and 27., respectively. Thus, portions 17' and 27 of bases 17 and 27, respectively, extend beyond first sides of

throats

18 and 28, respectively, as shown most clearly in FlG. 2.

Spark plug holder 10 further includes third means 30, consisting of an elongated, resilient, stretchable member, interconnecting base 17 and base 27. According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the oppo site ends of member 30 are connected to the respective side edges of bases 17 and 27.

According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, first. second, and third means 15, 25, and 30, re spectively, are manufactured as a single, one-piece. integral unit, as shown in FIG. 2. Furthermore, such unit is manufactured from a resilient, stretchable, rubber or rubber-like material which may be readily manipulated onto spark plug 11 and which will hold spark plug 11 tightly once in place.

OPERATION Spark plug holder 10 is adapted to be used to removably secure spark plug 11 to cylindrical support mem ber 12. Thus, the radius of curvature of bases 17 and 27 will be approximately equal to the average radius of curvature found in the tubular frame members of motorcycles. However, by making means 15 and from a resilient material, bases 17 and 27 may be readily deformed to approximately conform to the radius of curvature of any tubular member.

By holding the body of spark plug 11 in one hand and tab 20 of first means 15 in the other hand, threaded electrode 13 may be readily inserted into the open end of first cap 16 until it is securely positioned therein. Thereafter, tab 20 may be released and tab 29 of second means grasped to manipulate porcelain insulator 14 of spark plug 11 into and through cap 26 of means 25. Thereafter, means 15 and 25 are adapted to be positioned adjacent support member 12 with the inner surfaces of bases 17 and 27 in contact wit the outer surface of support member 12 and with the opposite ends of member 30 on the same side of support member 12. In this position, the axes of

cap

16 and 26 are coaxial and the axes of bases 17 and 27 are also coaxial.

Member 30 is now wrapable around frame member 12 so as to bring the central portion thereof to the other side of support member 12 from the opposite ends thereof. Furthermore, the length and stretchability of member 30 are such that the central portion thereof is positionable over spark plug 11 so that the central portion thereof is again on the same side of support mem ber 12 as the ends thereof. In this position, as shown in H65. 1 and 3, the body of member 30 passes over por tions 17' and 27' of bases 17 and 27, respectively, securely holding bases 17 and 27 in contact with support member 12. Furthermore, the central portion of member 30 is held by

throats

18 and 28 so as to prevent the inadvertent removal from means 15 and 25.

It can therefore be seen that in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a spark plug holder 10 for motorcycles and the like which solves the problems encountered heretofore in carrying a spare spark plug with a motorcycle. Spark plug holder 10 is simple and easily attachable to and removable from a motorcycle. Spark plug holder 10 is quite streamlined and holds spark plug 11 close to the motorcycle frame so that it does not interfere with the rider. Furthermore. spark plug holder 10 is made from one piece of rubberlike material which eliminates any possibility of scratching or otherwise marring the finish of the motorcycle.

While the invention has been described with respect to the preferred physical embodiment constructed in accordance therewith, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and improvements may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. For example, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that other tech niques may be used for securing the central portion of member 30 to spark plug 11 once member 30 is wrapped around frame member 12. Thus, an additional member may be provided for connecting the central portion of member 30 to the body of spark plug 11 or to means 15 or 25 to prevent the removal of spark plug holder 10 from support member 12. However, the connecting means shown in HQ. 1 is presently considered to be the preferred embodiment since no additional ap paratus is required. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited by the specific illustrative embodiment but only by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An article of manufacture for removably securing a conventional spark plug to a cylincrical support member such as a frame member of a motorcycle comprismg:

first means including a first, hollow, cylindrical, spark plug receiving cap and a first, hollow, semicylindrical, frame member engaging base. the axes of said cap and said base being parallel;

second means including a second, hollow, cylindrical, spark plug receiving cap and a second, hollow, semicylindrical, frame member engaging base, the axes of said second cap and said second base being paralle, said first and second means being adapted to be positioned with the axes of said first cap and said first base coaxial with the axes of said second cap and said second base, respectively; and

third means consisting of an elongated. resilient,

stretchable member interconnecting said first and second bases, said stretchable member being wra pable around said frame member and connectable to said first and second means to secure said first and second bases to said frame member.

2. An article according to claim 1 wherein said first cap is adapted to receive the threaded electrode of said spaark plug and wherein said second cap is adapted to receive the porcelain insulator of said spark plug.

3. An article according to claim 2 wherein said first cap is open at one end and closed at the other end to function as a protective cap for the electrodes of said spark plug.

4. An article of manufacture according to claim 3 wherein said second cap is open at both ends theroef to permit passage therethrough of said porcelain insulator of said spark plug.

5. An article of manufacture according to claim 1 wherein said first, second, and third means are manufactured from a resilient, stretchable, rubber or rubberlike material.

6. An article of manufacture according to claim 5 wherein said first, second, and third means are made integrally as a one-piece unit.

7. An article of manufacture according to claim 1 wherein said first cap and said first base are made integrally and connected by a common throat, and wherein said second cap and said second base are made integrally and connected by a common throat.

8. An article of manufacture according to claim 7 wherein the opposite ends of said stretchable member are connected to adjacent sides of said first and second bases, and wherein the central portion of said stretchable member is wrapable around said frame member and positionable over said first and second caps so as to contact said throats of said first and second means on the sides thereof adjacent the said opposite ends of said stretchable member.

Claims

1. An article of manufacture for removably securing a conventional spark plug to a cylincrical support member such as a frame member of a motorcycle comprising: first means including a first, hollow, cylindrical, spark plug receiving cap and a first, hollow, semicylindrical, frame member engaging base, the axes of said cap and said base being parallel; second means including a second, hollow, cylindrical, spark plug receiving cap and a second, hollow, semicylindrical, frame member engaging base, the axes of said second cap and said second base being paralle, said first and second means being adapted to be positioned with the axes of said first cap and said first base coaxial with the axes of said second cap and said second base, respectively; and third means consisting of an elongated, resilient, stretchable member interconnecting said first and second bases, said stretchable member being wrapable around said frame member and connectable to said first and second means to secure said first and second bases to said frame member.

5. An article of manufacture according to claim 1 wherein said first, second, and third means are manufactured from a resilient, stretchable, rubber or rubber-like material.