Patent EP0189695A1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3573709A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Spark plug terminal with elliptical cross section barrel
Assignee: Lear Corp EEDS and Interiors
•
Filing: 1969-01-31
•
Granted: 1971-04-06
•
Expires: 1989-01-31
Abstract
Abstract A terminal for a spark plug includes an elongated barrel having an elliptical cross section. A pair of elongated resilient spark plug electrode holding and contact tabs are positioned on the major axis of the barrel and the barrel is split adjacent the minor axis thereof to allow the barrel to flex. The elliptical shape of the barrel prevents overstressing and deformation of the tabs when the barrel is moved in a direction generally perpendicular to its axis, the electrode contacting the internal surface of the barrel in preference to the tabs.
Inventors
- 👤 Howard A Elliott
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 17:19
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01T; H01T13/00; H01T13/02; H01T13/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
A terminal for a spark plug comprising: an elongated barrel having an internal surface which is substantially of elliptical cross section; connector means on said barrel adapted to receive an ignition lead wire in conductive relationship to said barrel; and resilient projection means projecting inwardly of the internal surface of said barrel for conductively contacting and holding the electrode of the spark plug when the electrode is inserted in the barrel, said resilient projection means being positioned with respect to the elliptical internal surface of said barrel such that when said barrel is moved perpendicular to its longitudinal axis the electrode principally bears against the internal surface of the barrel in preference to the projection means whereby excessive deformation of the projection means is prevented.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
125 words
A terminal for a spark plug comprising: an elongated barrel having an internal surface which is substantially of elliptical cross section; connector means on said barrel adapted to receive an ignition lead wire in conductive relationship to said barrel; and resilient projection means projecting inwardly of the internal surface of said barrel for conductively contacting and holding the electrode of the spark plug when the electrode is inserted in the barrel, said resilient projection means being positioned with respect to the elliptical internal surface of said barrel such that when said barrel is moved perpendicular to its longitudinal axis the electrode principally bears against the internal surface of the barrel in preference to the projection means whereby excessive deformation of the projection means is prevented.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
64 words
The terminal of claim 1 wherein the minor axis of the elliptical cross section of the barrel is of a selected length such that the internal surface normally contacts the electrode of the spark plug at at least one point located substantially on said minor axis in addition to the contact afforded by said projection means when the electrode is inserted in the barrel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The terminal of claim 1 wherein said resilient projection means are positioned substantially on the major axis of the elliptical cross section of the barrel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
The terminal of claim 3 whErein said resilient projection means comprise a pair of crests positioned opposite each other on said major axis, the distance between said crests being less than the length of the minor axis of the elliptical cross section of the barrel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
77 words
The terminal of claim 1 wherein said projection means comprise a pair of elongated resilient tabs stamped from said barrel and which extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said barrel, each of said tabs being positioned adjacent the opposite ends of said major axis of the elliptical cross section of the barrel, the electrode contacting the internal surface of the barrel at points adjacent the tabs when the barrel is moved perpendicular to its axis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The terminal of claim 1 wherein said barrel is split over its longitudinal length in spaced relationship to said resilient projection means for permitting flexing of the barrel to vary the size of the perimeter of the elliptical cross section of said barrel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The terminal of claim 6 wherein said split is located adjacent an end of the minor axis of the elliptical cross section of the barrel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
50 words
The terminal of claim 6 wherein a portion of the barrel overlies another portion of the barrel adjacent said split, and locking means are carried on one of said portions and cooperate with the other of said portions to enable limited movement of said portions with respect to each other.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
The terminal of claim 8 wherein a portion of said resilient projection means and a portion of said locking means extend beyond the external surface of said barrel, said extended portions being aligned with each other for mutual entry into positioning grooves of a spark plug protective boot.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
The terminal of claim 8 wherein said locking means comprise an opening defined in the overlying portion of the barrel, and tab means bent upwardly from the other portion and extending through said opening, said opening being larger than said tab means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
The terminal of claim 8 wherein said locking means comprise an opening defined in the overlying portion of the barrel, and expanded means extending upwardly from the other portion through said opening, said opening being larger than said expanded means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2712117A
Cited
US1296318A
Cited
US2364095A
Cited
GB811825A
Cited
US3141724A
Cited
US3246284A
Cited
US3364459A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-04-05 | 1974-10-05 | 1975-04-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-04-05 | 1978-10-05 | 1979-04-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-04-05 | 1982-10-05 | 1983-04-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |