Patent Application
20060000319
The present invention relates generally to a tool for installing or removing a component in an engine. More particularly, the present invention relates to a tool for installing or removing a sparkplug in or out of an internal combustible engine.
Standard spark plug sockets having hex sizes, ⅝ inch and 13/16 inch, have been available for many years. These typical sockets are about 2½ inch long and some contain an internal elastomeric material sleeve that fits snugly over the ceramic portion of the spark plug to grip and protect the spark plug. On many modern engines, the spark plug is deeply recessed and difficult to reach unless an extension is used with the socket. In order to install or remove the recessed spark plug, a mechanic will select a properly sized socket that fits the spark plug, add an extension that mates with a wrench. The wrench provides the rotational force necessary to install or remove the spark plug. Occasionally, the frictional force between the elastomeric sleeve and the spark plug is greater than the force of the ball detent on the socket and its extension. If this occurs, the extension will become disengaged from the socket while the mechanic is trying detach the socket from the spark plug. As a result, the socket becomes difficult to reach and therefore, difficult to remove from the engine's recess. The mechanic then has to waste time and effort to reattach the extension with the socket, thereby, costing the consumer more for the repair. Additionally, exposed engine parts may be damaged when the extension becomes disengaged unexpectedly from the socket.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an easy-to-use and simple tool capable of readily installing and removing a deeply recessed spark plug without being susceptible to easy disengagement. In addition, it is desirable to provide a single tool capable of installing and uninstalling spark plugs and thereby, alleviate the need for a multiple tool assembly, which may otherwise be required to reached the deeply recessed spark plug. It is also desirable to provide a method of installing and uninstalling the deeply recessed spark plug that decreases the chance of a component being disengaged unexpectedly.
The foregoing needs are met, to a great extent, by the present invention, wherein in one aspect an apparatus is provided that in some embodiments includes a first housing member having an opening fitted with an elastomeric sleeve for receiving a spark plug. A shaft may be integrally connected to the first housing member and to a second housing member. The second housing member may be adapted to be coupled with a torque member.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a spark plug tool is provided and can include a shaft that has a first end and a second end and a length from about 2-5 inches, a first housing member that may be integrally connected to the first end of the shaft and that may have a first open portion, wherein the first open portion can include an internal polygonal configuration that may be adapted to couple with about a 9/16 hex size spark plug, and a second housing member that may be integrally connected to the second end of the shaft and may have a second open portion for mating with a torque member. The spark plug tool can further include an elastomeric sleeve that may be disposed in the first housing member for retaining the spark plug, and wherein the first open portion can include an internal polygonal configuration that may have a cross sectional distance from about 0.566 inch to about 0.576 inch. The spark plug tool may have a length from about 3½ inches to about 12 inches. Additionally, the spark plug tool may have a length from about 5½ inches to about 10 inches. The first housing member can have a length from about 1 inch to about 4 inches or a length from about 2 inches to about 3 inches. Further, the shaft may have a length of about 3 inches. The second housing member may have a length from about ½ inch to about 3 inches and may have an knurled outer surface. The outer diameter of the shaft may be less than an outer diameter of the first housing member and may be less than an outer diameter of the second housing member. The torque member may include a wrench, pliers, a human hand, a screwdriver and other torquing tools.
In accordance another aspect of the present invention, a method of rotating a spark plug within an engine is provided and can include the steps of providing a spark plug tool having a first housing member adapted to mate with the sparkplug and a second housing member having a knurled outer surface and adapted to couple with a torque member, coupling the first housing member with the spark plug, and rotating the second housing member with the torque member, wherein the spark plug tool further includes a shaft having a length from about 2-5 inches that can be integrally connected to the first and second housing members and the first housing member may have a first open portion having an internal polygonal configuration that can be adapted to mate with about a 9/16 hex size spark plug. The step of coupling the first housing member with the spark plug can be with an elastomeric sleeve that can be disposed in the first housing member for retaining the spark plug. Rotating the second housing member can further include rotating in a first direction to install the spark plug or rotating in a second direction to remove the spark plug. The method can also include moving the spark plug tool with the spark plug away from the engine or moving the spark plug tool with the spark plug toward the engine.
In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, a system for installing and removing a spark plug can include means for connecting having a first end and a second end and having a length from about 2-5 inches, means for coupling with a spark plug that may be integrally connected to the first end of the means for connecting and may have a first open portion for mating with a spark plug, wherein the first open portion can include an internal polygonal configuration that may be adapted to mate with about a 9/16 hex size spark plug, and means for engaging that may be integrally connected to the second end of the connecting means and may have a second open portion for mating with a torque means. The system may further include a gripping means disposed in the means for coupling for retaining the spark plug. The first open portion may include an internal polygonal configuration that may have a cross sectional distance from about 0.566 inch to about 0.576 inch. Further, the system for installing and removing may have a length from about 3½ inches to about 12 inches or from about 5½ inches to about 10 inches. The means for coupling may have a length from about 1 inch to about 4 inches or from about 2 inches to about 3 inches. Additionally, the means for connecting may have a length of about 3 inches. The means for engaging may have a length from about ½ inch to about 3 inches and may have a knurled outer surface. The outer diameter of the means for connecting may be less than an outer diameter of the means for coupling and may be less than an outer diameter of the means for engaging. The torque means may include a wrench, pliers, a human hand, a screwdriver and other torquing tools.
In accordance with still yet another aspect of the present invention, a spark plug tool can include a shaft that may have a first end and a second end and a length of about 3 inches, and a first housing member that may be integrally connected to the first end of the shaft and that may have a first open portion, wherein the first open portion can include an internal polygonal configuration that may be adapted to mate with about a 9/16 hex size spark plug, wherein the second end of the shaft is adapted to mate with a torque member.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, certain embodiments of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof herein may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional embodiments of the invention that will be described below and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of embodiments in addition to those described and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides a single tool capable of reaching a recessed spark plug that will replace the function of an assembly of tools without part of the assembly disengaging while in use. An embodiment in accordance with another aspect of the present invention provides a method of installing or removing the recessed spark plug by using a single tool. The invention will now be described with reference to the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout.
The first end 13 of shaft 14 may be constructed and arranged to be integrally connected to the first housing member 12 and thereby, retaining the first housing member 12 with the spark plug tool 10 despite large axial forces 28 and rotational forces 32 (See
The design of the second housing member 16 may also include a knurled portion 26. The knurled portion 26 is generally configured to increase the coefficient of friction between the second housing member 16 and the mechanic's hand. Thus, enabling the mechanic to grip the tool well enough to install or remove the spark plug without using a torque member. The knurl portion 26 may envelope the entire outer surface of the second housing member 16 or be on a portion thereof depending on the needs of the user.
The second housing member 16 may have a length between about ½ inch and 3 inches, but preferably about 1 inch and a width between about ½ inch and 1½ inches, but preferably about ¾ inch. The total length of the tool in this particular embodiment is between about 3½ inches and 12 inches, but preferably about 5¾ inches. The second housing member 16 includes the second opening 24 for receiving a torque member.
In another embodiment of the invention, the first housing member 12 is further designed to include an elastomeric sleeve 20 disposed therein as shown in
In operation, the spark plug tool 10 can be used to install or remove the spark plug to or from an engine. To install the spark plug, the spark plug with its upper portion can mate with the elastomeric sleeve 20 portion of the first housing member 12. The frictional force between the sleeve 20 and the upper portion of the spark plug will retain the sparkplug so that it can be placed in the engine. Once the spark plug is placed in the engine, a torque member can be attached to the second housing member 16, if not already, in order to provide axial 28 and/or rotational 32 forces to install the sparkplug. The torque member can be rotated in a first direction to install the spark plug. Alternatively, the mechanic's hand may be placed on the knurl portion 26 of the second housing member 16 to provide the same forces. Because the first and second housing members 12, 16 and the shaft 14 are all integrally connected, the spark plug tool 10 components will not disengage due to the forces acting on the sparkplug during use. Therefore, the first housing member 12 will not be retained in the engine due to disengagement from the shaft or unnecessary damage exposed portions of the engine.
To remove the sparkplug, the elastomeric sleeve 20 portion of the first housing member 12 can mate with the upper portion of the spark plug and retain it within the spark plug tool 10. The torque member can be attached to the second housing member 16 to provide the necessary axial 28 and/or rotation 32 force during use. The torque member can be rotated in a second direction in order to remove the spark plug from the engine.
Although an example of the spark plug tool 10 is shown using integrally formed connections, it will be appreciated that other connections can be used. Also, although the spark plug tool 10 is useful to install and remove spark plugs to and from engine recesses, it can also be used install and remove other things to and from hard to reach areas.
The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the detailed specification, and thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and variations will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
