Apparatus for testing spark plugs

• US 20030201776A1
• Filed: 04/26/2002
• Published: 10/30/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lisle Corporation
• Original Assignee: Lisle Corporation
• Inventors: Whitehead, Michael L.
• Granted Patent: US 6,714,015 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/378
• CPC Class Codes: F02P 17/06 using a stroboscopic lamp
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/91 Observation aide, e.g. transparent material, window in housing

Abstract

A tool for determining the continuity of an electrical circuit for an internal combustion engine includes a single body member with male connectors projecting from the opposite ends and a lead wire having a 90° connection boot at one end and an inline connection boot at the opposite end is useful for attachment to the heads of spark plugs regardless of their orientation in an engine block.

Claims

1. Apparatus for testing the continuity of the ignition system of an internal combustion engine comprising in combination:

a translucent, hollow body member having a longitudinal axis extending between a first connection end thereof and a second, longitudinally spaced connection end thereof which is axially aligned with the first end, each connection end including a connection mechanism;

a first cap assembly comprising a first cap, a first axial, conductive male contact rod extending from the first cap, a first contact on the inside of the first cap connected to the rod, a conductive spring member engaging the contact in axial alignment therewith and a first connection mechanism compatible with the body connection mechanism of the first end of the body member;

a second cap assembly comprising a second cap, a second axial, conductive male contact rod extending from the second cap, a second contact on the inside of the second cap connected to the second rod, and a second connection mechanism compatible with the body connection mechanism of the second end of the body member;

an indicator bulb responsive to an electric spark activated circuit, said bulb axially aligned and electrically connected between the spring and the second contact; and

a separate lead wire having a first, inline axially extending female boot connector at one end for attachment to a contact rod of one of said caps and a second angled female boot connector at the opposite end for attachment to a contact rod of one of said caps, each of said lead wire connectors being attachable to a spark plug male connector.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the body member is cylindrical and substantially transparent.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second female angle boot connector is a right angle boot connector.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the light bulb includes two spaced leads and distilled with an electric spark activated gas.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the connection mechanisms comprise threaded connections.