Patent Publication Number: US-2018044061-A1

Title: Spark plug storage device

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a container for spark plugs and more particularly related to a container for accommodating plurality of spark plugs with ease of storage and transportation. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A vehicle combustion chamber comprises a spark plug device to deliver electric current to ignite the compressed fuel/air mixture by an electric spark. These devices are integral part of the engine as they need to continuously ignite the fuel/air mixture. The spark plug should be changed at the recommended time interval and so the maintenance personnel will have to store a set of spark plugs in their kit. Therefore, a separate storage box is always needed to accommodate and store all the spark plugs during vehicle maintenance or repair. There have been many efforts attempted before to store multiple spark plugs in a container for displaying and storage. 
     The plastic trays in a casing are generally used to accommodate these spark plugs but most of the time, the electrodes of the plug get damaged due to repeated and frequent usage without proper protection. Further, in most of the packaging boxes, it is not possible to store the spark plugs that are of different sizes and dimensions. Few storage containers have to packed twice to provide additional protection for spark plugs. Eventually, in all these cases, the box is expensive and not so effective in addressing the problems. 
     Prior art reference U.S. Pat. No. 6,533,115 A discloses a work-holder device for spark plugs to support and store plurality of spark plugs. However, this has some design limitations with respect to the configuration of the box and only accepts plugs that are of similar predetermined size. 
     Another prior art reference U.S. Pat. No. 5,829,587A discloses a package box in which a plurality of spark plugs is accommodated using a paper tray an array of lower cellular boxes. The design is complex and does not provide adequate protection to the spark plug. 
     Prior art reference U.S. Pat. No. 4,184,592 A discloses a spark plug retainer having a multiplicity of offset openings to hold the spark plugs. However, the device does not protect the plugs from the moisture that gets inside the box and also does not have a separate storage rack for maintenance purpose. 
     In some cases, the spark plugs are securely mounted by threaded engagement with specifically designed socket portions of the storage racks so that their electrode portions are spaced from any surface against which a possible impact would damage the electrode. Also these designs do not allow to clean the spark plug holder with ease, accuracy and safety. Previous attempts have also tried using metal racks for holding the spark plug but that is expensive and did not help provide the protection efficiently. The storage device includes a rack member which holds the spark plugs does not help in transportation purpose as those are just merely a rack member. 
     In light of aforementioned problems of conventional and traditional spark plug containers, there exists a need for a lightweight, easy to use, clean and organized storage container to accommodate various types of spark plugs. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a lightweight, easy to use, portable spark storage device for storing and transporting a plurality of spark plugs in a clean, indexed and organized fashion. 
     The storage device for spark plugs comprises a generally rectangular container comprising an open upper section and a storage rack. The storage rack comprises a generally rectangular box frame and a plurality of spark plug receptors positioned within the box frame along predetermined positions via support plates that extend from inner walls of the box frame, wherein the spark plug receptors are configured to adaptably receive the spark plugs, wherein the storage rack is configured to be conformingly inserted within the rectangular container. Optionally, the storage device also comprises a covering member removably attached to bottom of the rectangular container containing the storage rack, to secure the spark plugs during transportation. 
     Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and the specific examples, while indicating specific embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows an exploded view of a storage device for storing and transporting a plurality of spark plugs wherein a spark plug is shown going inside the spark plug receptors, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  shows an exploded view of a storage device for storing and transporting a plurality of spark plugs, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3A  shows a top view of storage device for storing and transporting a plurality of spark plugs, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3B  shows a bottom view of the storage rack of the storage device showing the spark plug receptors, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3C  shows a cross sectional view of the spark plug receptors of the storage rack, viewed along the cross sectional line of cut A-A as shown in  FIG. 3B , according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     A description of embodiments of the present invention will now be given with reference to the Figures. It is expected that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , which shows an exploded view of a storage device  100  for storing and transporting a plurality of spark plugs  112  wherein the spark plug  112  is shown going inside the spark plug receptors  108  in a clean, indexed and organized fashion. The storage device  100  comprises a generally rectangular container  102  comprising an open upper section and a storage rack  104 . The storage rack  104  also comprises a generally rectangular box frame  106  and a plurality of spark plug receptors  108  positioned within the box frame  106  along predetermined positions via support plates  110  that extend from inner walls of the box frame  106 , wherein the spark plug receptors  108  are configured to adaptably receive the spark plugs  112 , wherein the storage rack  104  is configured to be conformingly inserted within the rectangular container  102 . In an additional embodiment, the storage device  100  also comprises a covering member removably attached to bottom section of the rectangular container  102  containing the storage rack  100 , to secure the spark plugs  112  during transportation. The storage device  100  is generally manufactured from at least one of a rigid plastic material, and a semi-rigid plastic material. However, other materials can be also used to accomplish the effect without deviating from the proposed invention. Further, a fluoropolymer coating varnish with excellent weather resistance, anti-fouling property and corrosion resistance property and therefore the storage device  100  is weather resistant to all conditions. The spark plug receptors  108  of the box frame  106  are configured to receive the spark plugs  112  comprising different sizes and dimensions. In a preferred embodiment, the storage device  100  acts as a user-friendly tray to assist in ease of handling and maintenance during installation and removal. The box frame  106 , according to one embodiment, is configured to have a gripping member  122  to keep a firm hold of the box frame  106  when taking out from the storage device  100  during the time of installation and maintenance. The rectangular container  102  also comprises a notch  124  to provide assistance to the user while removing the storage rack  104  from the rectangular container  102  of the storage device  100 . In an exemplary embodiment, the storage device  100  further comprises an indication such as little arrow  126  on the storage rack  104  to assist in identifying the location or direction of the box with respect to the position of front of engine or front of car. 
     According to  FIG. 2 , an exploded view of a storage device  200  for storing and transporting a plurality of spark plugs  112 . In a different embodiment, a method for storing and transporting the plurality of spark plugs  112  using the storage device  200  is illustrated. The method comprises providing the storage device  200  wherein the storage device  200  comprises a generally rectangular container  102  comprising an open upper section and a storage rack  104 . The storage rack  104  further comprises a generally rectangular box frame  106  with a plurality of spark plug receptors  108  positioned within the box frame  106  along predetermined positions via support plates  110  that extend from inner walls of the box frame  106 . The spark plugs  112  are adaptably received within the spark plug receptors  108 . The method also comprises conformingly inserting the storage rack  104  within the rectangular container  102  to secure the spark plugs  112  during transportation. The spark plugs  112  are securely positioned inside the spark plug receptors  108  by placing an electrode portion  116  of each spark plug  112  inside the spark plug receptor  108  and engaging an insulator portion  114  of each spark plug  112  is supported upwardly. 
     According to  FIG. 3A , a top view of storage device  100  for storing and transporting the plurality of spark plugs  112  is illustrated. The storage device  100  comprises the plurality of spark plug receptors  108  that supports and holds spark plugs  112  in a clean and organized fashion. In an exemplary embodiment, the storage rack  104  comprises four support plates  110  that extend from inner walls of the box frame  106  and eight spark plug receptors  108  positioned in alternating rows within the box frame  106 . The support plates  110  and spark plug receptors  108  are rigidly attached to provide a substantial support to safeguard the stored spark plugs  112  from external damages.  FIG. 3B  shows a bottom view of the storage rack  104  of the storage device  100  showing the spark plug receptors  108  and  FIG. 3C  shows a cross sectional view of spark plug receptors of the storage rack  104 , viewed along the cross sectional line of cut A-A as shown in  FIG. 3B , according to one embodiment of the present invention, wherein the spark plug receptor  108  extends downwardly in a cylindrical hollow configuration to adaptably receive and hold the spark plugs  112  for storage and maintenance. The spark plug receptors  108  in the storage rack  104  are indexed with orientation points for easy location and maintenance of spark plugs  112  arranged in the storage rack  104 . These orientation points assist the user in selecting and locating the desired spark plugs  112  in a quick succession. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 2 , in an additional embodiment, the storage device  200  further comprises the covering member removably attached to bottom of the rectangular container  102  containing the storage rack  104 , to secure the spark plugs  112  during transportation. The covering member securing the bottom side of the box frame  106  is further configured to provide a fluid-tight sealing fit and this provides adequate protection to the stored spark plugs  112  from moisture during its time of transportation for extended use. 
     Although the present invention has been described herein in the context of a particular implementation in a particular environment for a particular purpose, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that its usefulness is not limited thereto and that the present invention may be beneficially implemented in any number of environments for any number of purposes. Accordingly, the claims set forth below should be construed in view of the full breadth and spirit of the present invention as described herein. Although specific terms may be employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.