Patent Application
20190210197
Spark plug installation and removal in auto repair and maintenance can be difficult, given accessibility to the spark plugs and other factors. Traditional tools for spark plug installation and removal typically have rigid bodies that can make it difficult for a mechanic to “feel” the threads catching, increasing the likelihood of stripping threads during installation. Moreover, the rigidity of traditional tools may also increase the likelihood that the spark plug can break during removal.
This spark plug tool comprises a flexible cylindrical body with a cavity into which a spark plug may be inserted. The cylindrical body has ridges extending along at least a portion of the body between a first end having the cavity and an opposite end. Embodiments may include other features, such as a weight and/or gripping portion for ease of use.
An example spark plug tool, according to the description, comprises a flexible cylindrical member having a first end, a second end, and an outer surface extending in an axial direction between the first end and the second end, and a plurality of ridges disposed on the outer surface. Each ridge of the plurality of ridges rises above the outer surface in a radial direction, extends along the axial direction of the cylindrical member, and is spaced disposed such that a human finger may be positioned between the respective ridge and an adjacent ridge. The spark plug tool further comprises a cavity configured for receiving a portion of a spark plug, where the cavity extends into the first end of the cylindrical member and having a cavity wall configured for engaging a perimeter surface of the spark plug to install or remove the spark plug from an engine. The spark plug tool also comprises a weight disposed on or in the cylindrical member between a center portion of the cylindrical member and the second end.
Embodiments of the spark plug tool can comprise one or more of the following additional features. The spark plug tool may further comprise a gripping portion coupled to second end of the cylindrical member, wherein the plurality of ridges do not extend to the gripping portion. The gripping portion may comprise a plurality of faces substantially perpendicular to an axis of the cylindrical member. The cavity may have a circular opening. A diameter of the circular opening may be ⅜ inches. A depth of the cavity is at least 2 inches. A spacing between adjacent ridges of the plurality of ridges may be at least ⅛ inches. The cylindrical member may comprise rubber. A portion of the cylindrical member into which the cavity extends may have a larger circumference than a portion of the cylindrical member into which the cavity does not extend. The cylindrical member may have a length along the axial direction of at least 4 inches or at least 8 inches.
According to another embodiment in the description, a spark plug tool may comprise a flexible cylindrical member having a first end, a second end, and an outer surface extending in an axial direction between the first end and the second end, and a plurality of ridges disposed on the outer surface. Each ridge of the plurality of ridges rises above the outer surface in a radial direction, extends along the axial direction of the cylindrical member, and is spaced disposed such that a human finger may be positioned between the respective ridge and an adjacent ridge. The spark plug took further comprises a cavity configured for receiving a portion of a spark plug, the cavity extending into the first end of the cylindrical member and having a cavity wall configured for engaging a perimeter surface of the spark plug to install or remove the spark plug from an engine. The spark plug tool also comprises a gripping portion coupled to second end of the cylindrical member.
Embodiments of the spark plug tool can comprise one or more of the following additional features. The gripping portion may comprise a plurality of faces substantially perpendicular to an axis of the cylindrical member further comprising. The spark plug tool may further comprise a weight disposed on or in the cylindrical member between a center portion of the cylindrical member and the second end. The cavity may have a circular opening. A diameter of the circular opening may be ⅜ inches. A depth of the cavity may be at least 2 inches. A spacing between adjacent ridges of the plurality of ridges may be at least 0.25 inches. The cylindrical member may comprise rubber. A portion of the cylindrical member into which the cavity extends may have a larger circumference than a portion of the cylindrical member into which the cavity does not extend.
For a more complete understanding of this invention, reference is now made to the following detailed description of the embodiments as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which like reference designations represent like features throughout the several views and wherein:
In the appended figures, similar components and/or features may have the same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label by a dash and a second label that distinguishes among the similar components. If only the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any or all of the similar components having the same first reference label irrespective of the second reference label.
The ensuing description provides embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of the disclosure. Rather, the ensuing description of the embodiments will provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing an embodiment. It is understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the scope.
As previously mentioned, traditional spark plug installation tools often have rigid bodies (e.g., made of metal) that can make it difficult not only to maneuver to the spark plug opening, but also to enable the user to feel whether the threads of the spark plug successfully catch the threads of the spark plug socket without stripping. Because of these difficulties, mechanics would often use a rubber hose to install (or remove) a spark plug. However, rubber hoses may not provide easy gripping and they can wear unevenly after several uses.
As illustrated in the embodiments that follow, a spark plug tool is provided that comprises a flexible cylindrical member with a cavity on one end for engaging with a spark plug, and ridges running lengthwise (along an axial direction). According to embodiments, the spark plug tool may further comprise a weight to provide a better balance and feel to the tool. The appended figures and accompanying description below provide additional detail.
The spark plug tool 100 can also include a plurality of ridges 110, which may rise outward above an outer surface of the cylindrical member 105 (e.g., in a radial direction 115 outward from an axial direction 120 of the cylindrical body). These ridges 110 may vary in number, size, and spacing, depending on desired functionality. Generally, however, the ridges may be sized, spaced, and/or numbered to provide additional rigidity to the cylindrical body and/or enable a user to more easily grip the spark plug tool 100 along the cylindrical member 105, to apply torque in circumferential directions 125 to install or remove a spark plug. To help enable this, the spacing 130 between ridges 110 may be such that a human finger may be positioned between adjacent ridges. In some embodiments, for example, the spacing 130 can be at least ⅛ inches.
One end of the cylindrical member 105 comprises a cavity 135 into which a spark plug can be inserted when the spark plug tool 100 is in use.
During operation, the cavity wall may engage with a perimeter surface of a spark plug, holding the spark plug (e.g., the porcelain surface of the spark plug) with sufficient tension to apply a rotary force in a circumferential direction (item 125 of
As noted above, the size and shape of the cavity 135 can be configured to accommodate a spark plug and ensure engagement between the spark plug and the cavity wall. Although the cavity is cylindrically shaped in
The width 310 of the end of the spark plug tool 100 into which the cavity 135 extends may vary, depending on desired functionality. In some embodiments, the width 310 may be chosen to help ensure the tool remains durable after repeated use. In some embodiments this width 310 is ⅞ inches. Other embodiments may have a larger or smaller width 310.
Just as the shape and size of the opening of the cavity 135 can vary, so too can the depth 315. The depth 315 of the cavity (and the diameter 305) may vary based on factors such as a type of spark plug(s) with which the spark plug tool 100 is to be used, the diameter 305 of the opening, the elasticity of the material(s) with which the spark plug tool 100 (or at least the cavity walls 300) is/are made, and the like. In some embodiments, the depth 315 sat least 2 inches. In other embodiments, the depth 315 may be longer or shorter. In some embodiments, a portion of the cylindrical member into which the cavity extends has a larger circumference than a portion of the cylindrical member into which the cavity does not extend.
As illustrated in
The size and shape of the gripping portion can vary, depending on desired functionality. In some embodiments, for example, the width 325 of the gripping portion 320 may be wider than the width 310 of the opposite end and/or body of the cylindrical member of the spark plug tool 100. In some embodiments, the width 325 of the gripping potion 320 may be 1 inch. As illustrated in
The spark plug tool 100 additionally or alternatively may include a counterweight to provide balance to the spark plug tool 100, facilitating its use. Referring again to
The position of the weight may also vary, depending on desired functionality, manufacturing concerns, and/or other factors. For instance, as illustrated in
Finally, the length of the spark plug tool 100 can vary, depending on desired functionality. Referring again to
Different spark plug tools 100 may have different lengths 140 to accommodate different applications. A spark plug tool 100 may have a relatively shorter length 140 (e.g., at least 4 inches) to accommodate older cars with spark plugs located on the side of the engine. Another spark plug tool 100 may have a relatively longer length 140 (e.g., at least 8 inches) to accommodate newer cars with spark plug openings located on the top of the engine. Spark plug tools 100 with other lengths (e.g., shorter than 4 inches, longer than 8 inches, etc.) may be created for other applications.
Various components may be described herein as being “configured” to perform various operations. Those skilled in the art will recognize that, depending on implementation, such configuration can be accomplished through design, material, structure, and the like, and, again depending on implementation, a configured component might or might not be reconfigurable for a different operation. Moreover, for many functions described herein, specific means have also been described as being capable of performing such functions. It can be understood, however, that functionality is not limited to the means disclosed. A person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that alternative means for performing similar functions may additionally or alternatively be used to those means described herein.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that substantial variations to the embodiments provided herein may be made in accordance with specific requirements. For example, size, shape, materials, components, and/or other features may vary. Various embodiments may omit, substitute, or add components as appropriate. For instance, features described with respect to certain embodiments may be combined in various other embodiments. Different aspects and elements of the embodiments may be combined in a similar manner. Also, technology evolves and, thus, many of the elements are examples that do not limit the scope of the disclosure to those specific examples.
Reference throughout this specification to “one example”, “an example”, “certain examples”, or “exemplary implementation” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the feature and/or example may be included in at least one feature and/or example of claimed subject matter. Thus, the appearances of the phrase “in one example”, “an example”, “in certain examples” or “in certain implementations” or other like phrases in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same feature, example, and/or limitation. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in one or more examples and/or features.
In the preceding detailed description, numerous specific details have been set forth to provide a thorough understanding of claimed subject matter. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that claimed subject matter may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, methods and apparatuses that would be known by one of ordinary skill have not been described in detail so as not to obscure claimed subject matter.
The terms, “and”, “or”, and “and/or” as used herein may include a variety of meanings that also are expected to depend at least in part upon the context in which such terms are used. Typically, “or” if used to associate a list, such as A, B or C, is intended to mean A, B, and C, here used in the inclusive sense, as well as A, B or C, here used in the exclusive sense. In addition, the term “one or more” as used herein may be used to describe any feature, structure, or characteristic in the singular or may be used to describe a plurality or some other combination of features, structures or characteristics. Though, it should be noted that this is merely an illustrative example and claimed subject matter is not limited to this example.
While there has been illustrated and described what are presently considered to be example features, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various other modifications may be made, and equivalents may be substituted, without departing from claimed subject matter. Additionally, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation to the teachings of claimed subject matter without departing from the central concept described herein. Therefore, it is intended that claimed subject matter not be limited to the particular examples disclosed, but that such claimed subject matter may also include all aspects falling within the scope of appended claims, and equivalents thereof.
