Patent Publication Number: US-2023155355-A1

Title: Spark plug gapping tool

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 17/210,935, filed Mar. 24, 2021, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates generally to the field of tools and more specifically to a spark plug gapping tool. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A spark plug is a device that produces a spark for igniting a combustible mixture (e.g., a compressed fuel/air mixture in an engine of an automobile). This spark is produced when an electrical current flows from a center electrode to a side electrode, across a spark plug gap in-between the center electrode and the side electrode. The distance of this spark plug gap (i.e., the distance between the center electrode and the side electrode) is important to the operation of the spark plug. Furthermore, this spark plug gap distance frequently needs to be changed prior to the spark plug being installed. This process of changing the spark plug gap distance is referred to as gapping the spark plug. Unfortunately, traditional methods and tools for gapping a spark plug may be deficient. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to one example, a spark plug gapping tool includes a first side handle, a second side handle, a middle handle, and a pusher that are made of a non-metallic material. The first side handle extends from a proximal end to a distal end, and has a first connection opening that extends through a first standoff protrusion, a second connection opening, and a third connection opening. The second side handle extends from a proximal end to a distal end, and has a first connection opening that extends through a first standoff protrusion, a second connection opening, and a third connection opening. The middle handle extends from a proximal end to a distal end, and is positioned in-between the first side handle and the second side handle. The middle handle has a first connection opening that can receive the first standoff protrusion of the first side handle and the first standoff protrusion of the second side handle. The middle handle also has a stopper surface, and an insert slot that can receive a feeler gauge insert. The pusher is rotatably positioned in-between the first side handle and the second side handle. The pusher has a hollow housing that can receive a terminal end of a spark plug, and further has a first arm and a second arm extending perpendicular away from the hollow housing. The first arm is rotatably positioned within the third connection opening of the first side handle, and the second arm is rotatably positioned within the third connection opening of the second side handle. The spark plug gapping tool further includes a first connector and a second connector. The first connector is positioned within the first connection opening of the first side handle, the first connection opening of the second side handle, and the first connection opening of the middle handle. The first connector connects the middle handle in-between the first side handle and the second side handle. The second connector is positioned within the second connection opening of the first side handle and the second connection opening of the second side handle. The second connector connects the proximal end of the first side handle to the proximal end of the second side handle. In operation, the distal end of the middle handle and the distal ends of the first side handle and the second side handle can move closer together, when the proximal end of the middle handle and the proximal ends of the first side handle and the second side handle are moved closer together by a user&#39;s hand, so as to gap the spark plug. 
     Certain examples of the disclosure may provide one or more technical advantages. For example, each of the first side handle, the second side handle, the middle handle, and the pusher may be made of a non-metallic material. Such a non-metallic material allows the spark plug gapping tool to be lightweight, allowing a user to utilize the tool with only one of the user&#39;s hands, in some examples. Also, the non-metallic material further prevents damage to the spark plug, in some examples. In another example, each of the first side handle, the second side handle, the middle handle, and the pusher may be made using 3D printing, or may be made using any other additive manufacturing method. As such, the spark plug gapping tool may be easier to manufacture, in some examples. 
     Certain examples of the disclosure may include none, some, or all of the above technical advantages. One or more other technical advantages may be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the figures, descriptions, and claims included herein. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and its features and advantages, reference is now made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG.  1 A  is a side view of one example of a spark plug gapping tool. 
         FIG.  1 B  is an elevated perspective view of the example tool of  FIG.  1 A , with a spark plug inserted into the tool. 
         FIG.  1 C  is a side view and a front view of one example of the first side handle of the example tool of  FIG.  1 A . 
         FIG.  1 D  is a side view and a front view of one example of the second side handle of the example tool of  FIG.  1 A . 
         FIG.  1 E  is a side view and a front view of one example of the middle handle of the example tool of  FIG.  1 A . 
         FIG.  1 F  is a perspective view of one example of a pusher of the example tool of  FIG.  1 A . 
         FIG.  2    is a side view of an example spark plug that may be gapped using the example spark plug gapping tool of  FIG.  1 A . 
         FIG.  3    illustrates one example of the assembly and operation of the spark plug gapping tool of  FIG.  1 A . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure are best understood by referring to  FIGS.  1 A- 3    of the drawings, like numerals being used for like and corresponding parts of the various drawings. 
     A spark plug is a device that produces a spark for igniting a combustible mixture (e.g., a compressed fuel/air mixture in an engine of an automobile). This spark is produced when an electrical current flows from a center electrode to a side electrode, across a spark plug gap in-between the center electrode and the side electrode. The distance of this spark plug gap (i.e., the distance between the center electrode and the side electrode) is important to the operation of the spark plug. Furthermore, this spark plug gap distance frequently needs to be changed prior to the spark plug being installed. This process of changing the spark plug gap distance is referred to as gapping the spark plug. Unfortunately, traditional methods and tools for gapping a spark plug may be deficient. For example, a spark plug may be gapped manually using a feeler gauge, and by manually applying pressure to the side electrode of the spark plug. This, however, may be time consuming because the entire process needs to be repeated for each spark plug (even if all the spark plugs have the same size gap requirement). As another example, traditional tools for gapping a spark plug tend to be bulky and heavy. This requires a user to use both of their hands to gap the spark plug. These traditional tools are also made of metal, which may damage the insulator of the spark plug. Contrary to such typical deficiencies, the spark plug gapping tool  10  of  FIGS.  1 A- 1 F  may provide one or more advantages, as is discussed below. 
       FIGS.  1 A- 1 F  illustrate an example spark plug gapping tool  10  that may be used to gap a spark plug  150 . As is illustrated in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 F , the tool  10  includes a first side handle  14 , a second side handle  42 , a middle handle  70  positioned in-between the first side handle  14  and the second side handle  42 , and a pusher  102  rotatably positioned in-between the first side handle  14  and the second side handle  42 . In the illustrated example, these parts of the tool  10  are each made of a non-metallic material (e.g., carbon fiber). Such a non-metallic material may allow the tool  10  to be lightweight, allowing a user to utilize the tool  10  with only one of the user&#39;s hands, in some examples. Also, the non-metallic material may further prevent damage to the spark plug  150 , in some examples. 
     In the example illustrated in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 B , the tool  10  includes a first side handle  14 .  FIG.  1 C  illustrates a side view and a front view of this first side handle  14 . The first side handle  14  may be any structure that may be gripped by a user, and that may further be used to apply pressure to a spark plug  150 . In the example illustrated in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 C , the first side handle  14  extends from a proximal end  18  to a distal end  22 . The proximal end  18  refers to the end of the first side handle  14  that is closest to a user&#39;s hand when the user is holding the tool  10 . The distal end  22  refers to the end of the first side handle  14  that is furthest from the user&#39;s hand when the user is holding the tool  10 . 
     In the example illustrated in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 C , the first side handle  14  further includes a first connection opening  26 , a second connection opening  30 , and a third connection opening  34 . The first connection opening  26  may be any opening that extends entirely through a thickness of the first side handle  14 , and that may allow a first connector  124  to be inserted through the opening to couple each of the first side handle  14 , the second side handle  42 , and the middle handle  70  together. In the example illustrated in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 C , the first connection opening  26  is positioned at a location on the first side handle  14  that operates as the pivot point of the tool  10 . This causes the first side handle  14  to rotate (or otherwise pivot) around this location when the tool  10  is in use, in some examples. The first connection opening  26  may have any size and/or shape. In the example illustrated in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 C , the first connection opening  26  is shaped as a circle. 
     The second connection opening  30  may be any opening that extends entirely through a thickness of the first side handle  14 , and that may allow a second connector  128  to be inserted through the opening to couple each of the first side handle  14  and the second side handle  42  together. In the example illustrated in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 C , the second connection opening  30  is positioned at a location that is adjacent to (i.e., within 2 inches of) the proximal end  18  of the first side handle  14 . This allows the first side handle  14  and the second side handle  42  to be coupled together at a location that does not interfere with the movement of the tool  10 , in some examples. For example, this location allows the proximal end  18  of the first side handle  14  to be squeezed toward the proximal end  74  of the middle handle  70 , without interfering with this movement. The second connection opening  30  may have any size and/or shape. In the example illustrated in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 C , the second connection opening  30  is shaped as a circle. 
     The third connection opening  34  may be any opening that extends entirely through a thickness of the first side handle  14 , and that may allow a pusher  102  to be inserted through the opening so as to be rotatably positioned in-between the first side handle  14  and the second side handle  42 . In the example illustrated in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 C , the third connection opening  34  is positioned at a location that is adjacent to (i.e., within 2 inches of) the distal end  22  of the first side handle  14 . This allows the pusher  102  to align the spark plug  150  with the stopper surface  86  of the middle handle  70 , so that the spark plug  150  can be gapped, in some examples. The third connection opening  34  may have any size and/or shape. In the example illustrated in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 C , the third connection opening  34  is shaped as a circle. 
     The first side handle  14  may have any size and/or shape. In the example illustrated in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 C , the first side handle  14  is shaped so that the proximal end  18  curves outward away from the first connection opening  26  (and the pivot point of the tool  10 ). This curvature may allow the tool  10  to be more easily gripped by a user. 
     Additionally, the shape of the first side handle  14  may also include one or more standoff protrusions  38 . The standoff protrusion  38  may be a structure that extends perpendicularly away from the main body of the first side handle  14 . Furthermore, the standoff protrusions  38  may surround a connection opening, causing the connection opening to extend through the entire length of the standoff protrusion  38 . In the example illustrated in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 B , a first standoff protrusion  38   a  surrounds the first connection opening  26  and a second standoff protrusion  38   b  surrounds the second connection opening  30 , causing the connection openings  26 ,  30  to extend through the entire length of the standoff protrusions  38 . When the tool  10  is assembled, the standoff protrusion(s)  38  of the first side handle  14  may be in contact with the standoff protrusion(s)  66  of the second side handle  42 . As such, the first side handle  14  may touch (or otherwise be in contact) with the second side handle  42 , even though the middle handle  70  is positioned in-between the first side handle  14  and the second side handle  42 . This may provide additional stability to the tool  10 . One example of this touching is illustrated in  FIG.  1 B . 
     The first side handle  14  may be made of any material that allows it to be used to gap the spark plug  150 . For example, the first side handle  14  may be made of any non-metallic material that is strong enough to be used to gap the spark plug  150 . Examples of such a non-metallic material include carbon fiber, basalt fiber, Kevlar, any other strong non-metallic material, or any combination of the preceding. In some examples, the first side handle  14  may be 3D printed using a 3D printer, or may be made using any other additive manufacturing method. 3D printing refers to the construction of a three-dimensional object from a computer-aided design (CAD) model or a digital 3D model. In 3D printing, material is deposited, joined or solidified under computer control to create a three-dimensional object, with material being added together (such as liquids or powder grains being fused together), typically layer by layer. Examples of a 3D printer include the Stratasys Fortus 450MC, the Stacker S4 Industrial Grade 3D Printer, the Ultimaker S5, and the Markforged X7. Furthermore, although the first side handle  14  is described above as being made of a non-metallic material, in other examples it may be made of metal (e.g., steel, billet aluminum). 
     In the example illustrated in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 B , the tool  10  further includes the second side handle  42 .  FIG.  1 D  illustrates a side view and a front view of this second side handle  42 . The second side handle  42  may be any structure that may be gripped by a user, and that may further be used to apply pressure to a spark plug  150 . In the example illustrated in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 B and  1 D , the second side handle  42  extends from a proximal end  46  to a distal end  50 . The proximal end  46  refers to the end of the second side handle  42  that is closest to a user&#39;s hand when the user is holding the tool  10 . The distal end  50  refers to the end of the second side handle  42  that is furthest from the user&#39;s hand when the user is holding the tool  10 . 
     In the example illustrated in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 B and  1 D , the second side handle  42  further includes a first connection opening  54 , a second connection opening  58 , and a third connection opening  62 . The first connection opening  54  may be any opening that extends entirely through a thickness of the second side handle  42 , and that may allow a first connector  124  to be inserted through the opening to couple each of the first side handle  14 , the second side handle  42 , and the middle handle  70  together. In the example illustrated in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 B and  1 D , the first connection opening  54  is positioned at a location on the second side handle  42  that operates as the pivot point of the tool  10 . This causes the second side handle  42  to rotate (or otherwise pivot) around this location when the tool  10  is in use, in some examples. The first connection opening  54  may have any size and/or shape. In the example illustrated in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 B and  1 D , the first connection opening  54  is shaped as a circle. 
     The second connection opening  58  may be any opening that extends entirely through a thickness of the second side handle  42 , and that may allow a second connector  128  to be inserted through the opening to couple each of the first side handle  14  and the second side handle  42  together. In the example illustrated in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 B and  1 D , the second connection opening  58  is positioned at a location that is adjacent to (i.e., within 2 inches of) the proximal end  46  of the second side handle  42 . This allows the second side handle  42  and the first side handle  14  to be coupled together at a location that does not interfere with the movement of the tool  10 , in some examples. For example, this location allows the proximal end  46  of the second side handle  42  to be squeezed toward the proximal end  74  of the middle handle  70 , without interfering with this movement. The second connection opening  58  may have any size and/or shape. In the example illustrated in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 B and  1 D , the second connection opening  58  is shaped as a circle. 
     The third connection opening  62  may be any opening that extends entirely through a thickness of the second side handle  42 , and that may allow a pusher  102  to be inserted through the opening so as to be rotatably positioned in-between the first side handle  14  and the second side handle  42 . In the example illustrated in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 B and  1 D , the third connection opening  62  is positioned at a location that is adjacent to (i.e., within 2 inches of) the distal end  50  of the second side handle  42 . This allows the pusher  102  to align the spark plug  150  with the stopper surface  86  of the middle handle  70 , so that the spark plug  150  can be gapped, in some examples. The third connection opening  62  may have any size and/or shape. In the example illustrated in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 B and  1 D , the third connection opening  62  is shaped as a circle. 
     The second side handle  42  may have any size and/or shape. In the example illustrated in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 B and  1 D , the second side handle  42  is shaped so that the proximal end  46  curves outward away from the first connection opening  54  (and the pivot point of the tool  10 ). This curvature may allow the tool  10  to be more easily gripped by a user. 
     Additionally, the shape of the second side handle  42  may also include one or more standoff protrusions  66 . The standoff protrusion  66  may be a structure that extends perpendicularly away from the main body of the second side handle  42 . Furthermore, the standoff protrusion  66  may surround a connection opening, causing the connection opening to extend through the entire length of the standoff protrusion  66 . In the example illustrated in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 B and  1 D , a first standoff protrusion  66   a  surrounds the first connection opening  54  and a second standoff protrusion  66   b  surrounds the second connection opening  58 , causing the connection openings  54 ,  58  to extend through the entire length of the standoff protrusions  66 . When the tool  10  is assembled, the standoff protrusion(s)  66  of the second side handle  42  may be in contact with the standoff protrusion(s)  38  of the first side handle  14  (e.g., the ends of the standoff protrusion(s)  66  may touch the ends of the standoff protrusion(s)  38 ). As such, the second side handle  42  may touch (or otherwise be in contact) with the first side handle  14 , even though the middle handle  70  is positioned in-between the second side handle  42  and the first side handle  14 . This may provide additional stability to the tool  10 . One example of this touching is illustrated in  FIG.  1 B . 
     The second side handle  42  may be made of any material that allows it to be used to gap the spark plug  150 . For example, the second side handle  42  may be made of any non-metallic material that is strong enough to be used to gap the spark plug  150 . Examples of such a non-metallic material include carbon fiber, basalt fiber, Kevlar, any other strong non-metallic material, or any combination of the preceding. In some examples, the second side handle  42  may be 3D printed using a 3D printer, or may be made using any other additive manufacturing method. Furthermore, although the second side handle  42  is described above as being made of a non-metallic material, in other examples it may be made of metal (e.g., steel, billet aluminum). 
     In the example illustrated in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 B and  1 D , the second side handle  42  and the first side handle  14  are mirror images of each other. That is, the second side handle  42  and the first side handle  14  have the same components, the same shape, the same size, and are made of the same material, but they are configured to face each other, as is seen in  FIG.  1 B . This may allow the second side handle  42  and the first side handle  14  to be connected together (via connection openings  34 ,  38 ,  54 , and  58 ) to form a single lever. This single lever may then be squeezed toward the middle handle  70  (by a user&#39;s hand), so as to operate the tool  10 . In some examples, by separating this lever into two portions (i.e., the first side handle  14  and the second side handle  42 ), less material may be needed to form the lever (as most of it may be filled with empty space). This may further reduce the weight of the tool  10 . 
     In the example illustrated in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 B , the tool  10  further includes the middle handle  70  positioned in-between the first side handle  14  and the second side handle  42 .  FIG.  1 E  illustrates a side view and a front view of this middle handle  70 . The middle handle  70  may be any structure that may be gripped by a user, and that may further be used to apply pressure to a spark plug  150 . In the example illustrated in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 B and  1 E , the middle handle  70  extends from a proximal end  74  to a distal end  78 . The proximal end  74  refers to the end of the middle handle  70  that is closest to a user&#39;s hand when the user is holding the tool  10 . The distal end  78  refers to the end of the middle handle  70  that is furthest from the user&#39;s hand when the user is holding the tool  10 . 
     In the example illustrated in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 B and  1 E , the middle handle  70  further includes a first connection opening  82 , a stopper surface  86 , an insert slot  90 , and an insert connection opening  98 . The first connection opening  82  may be any opening that extends entirely through a thickness of the middle handle  70 , and that may allow a first connector  124  to be inserted through the opening to couple each of the first side handle  14 , the second side handle  42 , and the middle handle  70  together. In some examples, the first connection opening  82  may further allow a first standoff protrusion  38   a  of the first side handle  14  and a first standoff protrusion  66   a  of the second side handle  42  to be inserted through the opening from opposite sides. As such, the ends of the standoff protrusions  38   a  and  66   a  may touch each other within the first connection opening  82 , even though the middle handle  70  is positioned in-between the first side handle  14  and the second side handle  42 . In the example illustrated in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 B and  1 E , the first connection opening  82  is positioned at a location on the middle handle  70  that operates as the pivot point of the tool  10 . This causes the middle handle  70  to rotate (or otherwise pivot) around this location when the tool  10  is in use, in some examples. The first connection opening  82  may have any size and/or shape. In the example illustrated in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 B and  1 E , the first connection opening  82  is shaped as a circle. 
     The stopper surface  86  may be any surface that is positioned on the middle handle  70  in a location that allows the stopper surface  86  to apply pressure to a side electrode  174  of the spark plug  150 , so as to gap the spark plug  150 . In the example illustrated in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 B and  1 E , the stopper surface  86  is positioned at a location that is adjacent to (i.e., within 2 inches of) the distal end  78  of the middle handle  70 . This allows the pusher  102  to align the spark plug  150  with the stopper surface  86  of the middle handle  70 , so that the spark plug  150  can be gapped, in some examples. For example, this allows the pusher  102  to align the side electrode  174  of the spark plug  150  so that it is positioned against the stopper surface  86 . As such, the stopper surface  86  may apply pressure to the side electrode  174  of the spark plug  150 , when the tool  10  is in use, so as to gap the spark plug  150 . The stopper surface  86  may have any size and/or shape. In the example illustrated in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 B and  1 E , the stopper surface  86  is shaped as a flat surface. In other examples, it may be rounded, or have any other shape. The stopper surface  86  may be angled relative to the middle handle  70 . In the example illustrated in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 B and  1 E , the stopper surface  86  is angled so as to extend upwards at an angle that is parallel or substantially parallel (i.e., parallel +/−10 degrees) to the insert slot  90 . 
     The insert slot  90  may be any slot or opening that allows a feeler gauge insert  94  to be inserted into the insert slot  90 , so as to attach the feeler gauge insert  94  to the tool  10 . In the example illustrated in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 B and  1 E , the insert slot  90  is positioned at a location that is immediately adjacent to (i.e., within 10 millimeters of) the stopper surface  86 . This allows the spark plug  150  to be positioned in the tool  10  in a manner that allows the feeler gauge insert  94  to be positioned in-between the center electrode  170  and the side electrode  174  of the spark plug  150 . As such, the feeler gauge insert  94  can be used to gap the spark plug  150 . The insert slot  90  may have any size and/or shape. In the example illustrated in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 B and  1 E , the insert slot  90  is shaped as a slot that extends downward to (or past) the insert connection opening  98 . 
     The feeler gauge insert  94  (an example of which is shown in  FIG.  1 B ) may be any structure that can be inserted into the tool  10  so as to measure the clearance between the center electrode  170  and the side electrode  174  of the spark plug  150 . Furthermore, the feeler gauge insert  94  may also prevent the spark plug  150  from being over gapped. That is, it may prevent the side electrode  174  from being moved too close to the center electrode  170  of the spark plug  150 . The feeler gauge inset  94  may have any thickness. This thickness may correspond to the proper gap of a spark plug  150 . For example, if the spark plug  150  is supposed to be gapped to a measurement of 1 millimeter, the feeler gauge insert  94  may have a thickness of 1 millimeter. In the example illustrated in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 B and  1 E , the feeler gauge insert  94  may be replaceable. That is, a feeler gauge insert  94  having a first thickness (e.g., 1 millimeter) may be removed from the tool  10 , and a new feeler gauge insert having a second thickness (e.g., 1.5 millimeters) may be inserted onto the tool  10 . This may allow the user to properly gap a spark plug  150  to any gap distance, in some examples. In some examples, the feeler gauge insert  94  has an opening in its bottom portion to allow the third connector  132  to be inserted through all or a portion of the thickness of the feeler gauge insert  94 . This may assist in coupling the feeler gauge insert  94  in the insert slot  90 . 
     The insert connection opening  98  may be any opening that extends through a portion of the middle handle  70  to connect with the insert slot  90 , and that may allow a third connector  132  to be inserted through the opening to couple the feeler gauge insert  94  in the insert slot  90 . The insert connection opening  98  may have any size and/or shape. In the example illustrated in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 B and  1 E , the insert connection opening  98  is shaped as a circle. 
     The middle handle  70  may have any size and/or shape. In the example illustrated in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 B and  1 E , the middle handle  70  is shaped so that the proximal end  74  curves outward away from the first connection opening  82  (and the pivot point of the tool  10 ). This curvature may allow the tool  10  to be more easily gripped by a user. As is illustrated in  FIG.  1 A , the proximal end  74  curves outward away from the first connection opening  82  in a direction that is opposite of the curvature of the first side handle  14  and the second side handle  42 . 
     The middle handle  70  may be made of any material that allows it to be used to gap the spark plug  150 . For example, the middle handle  70  may be made of any non-metallic material that is strong enough to be used to gap the spark plug  150 . Examples of such a non-metallic material include carbon fiber, basalt fiber, Kevlar, any other strong non-metallic material, or any combination of the preceding. In some examples, although the middle handle  70  may be made of a non-metallic material, the stopper surface  86  may include a metal insert that may be added to the tool  10  (e.g., pressed into the stopper surface  86 , inserted into a small indent in the stopper surface  86 ). This metal insert in the stopper surface  86  may apply pressure to the side electrode  174  of the spark plug  150 , when the tool  10  is in use, so as to gap the spark plug  150 . This metal insert may provide additional durability to the stopper surface  86 . In some examples, the middle handle  70  may be 3D printed using a 3D printer, or may be made using any other additive manufacturing method. Furthermore, although the middle handle  70  is described above as being made of a non-metallic material, in other examples it may be made of metal (e.g., steel, billet aluminum). 
     In the example illustrated in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 B , the tool  10  further includes the pusher  102  rotatably positioned in-between the first side handle  14  and the second side handle  42 .  FIG.  1 F  illustrates a perspective view of this pusher  102 . The pusher  102  may be any structure that may receive a terminal end  158  of the spark plug  150 , and that may further be used to apply pressure to a shell  162  of the spark plug  150 , so as to assist in gapping the spark plug  150 . 
     In the example illustrated in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 B and  1 F , the pusher  102  includes a hollow housing  106  and two arms  116 . The hollow housing  106  may be any structure that includes an opening  108  that extends entirely through a length of the structure, thereby hollowing out the structure. This opening  108  may allow the terminal end  158  of the spark plug  150  to be inserted through the hollow structure  106 , as is seen in  FIG.  1 B . The opening  108  may have any size and/or shape. In the example illustrated in  FIG.  1 B , the opening  108  is a circular opening that has a diameter large enough to allow the terminal end  158  of the spark plug  150  to be inserted through the hollow structure  106 , but small enough to prevent the shell  162  of the spark plug  150  from being inserted through the hollow structure  106 . As a result of this, the edge  112  may press against the shell  162  of the spark plug  150 . This allows the pusher  102  to be used to apply pressure to the shell  162  of the spark plug  150 , so as to assist in gapping the spark plug  150 . 
     The arm  116  may be any structure that extends outward from the hollow housing  106 , and that can further be inserted into the third connection opening  34  of the first side handle  14  or the third connection opening  62  of the second side handle  42 . In the example illustrated in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 B and  1 F , the pusher  102  includes two arms  116 :  116   a  and  116   b . Arm  116   a  can be inserted into the third connection opening  34  of the first side handle  14 , while arm  116   b  can be inserted into the third connection opening  62  of the first side handle  42 , or vice versa. 
     The arm  116  may extend outward from the hollow housing  106  at any angle. In the example illustrated in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 B and  1 E , the arm  116  extends outward from hollow housing  106  at an angle that causes it to be perpendicular (i.e., 90 degrees) to the hollow housing  106  and the opening  108 . The arm  116  may also be positioned on the hollow housing  106  at any location along the length of the hollow housing  106 . For example, the arms  116  may positioned at a location that is closer to the edge  112   b  of the hollow housing  106  than the edge  112   a  of the hollow housing  106 . In the example illustrated in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 B and  1 F , the arms  116  are positioned at a location that causes the outermost dimension of the arms  116  to be in-line with (or substantially in-line with) the edge  112   b . This may cause the hollow housing  106  to have a first length portion  120   a  that is longer than the second length portion  120   b , in some examples. As such, the hollow housing  106  may be used to fit spark plugs  150  that have different lengths. If the spark plug  150  has a shorter electrode end  166 , the hollow housing  106  may be pivoted so that edge  112   a  presses against the shell  162  of the spark plug  150 , as is seen in  FIG.  1 B . On the other hand, if the spark plug  150  has a longer electrode end  166 , the hollow housing  106  may be pivoted so that edge  112   b  presses against the shell  162  of the spark plug  150 . 
     The arm  116  may have any size and/or shape. The arm  116  is shaped as a circle, in the example illustrated in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 B and  1 E . This circular shape of the arms  116 , in combination with the circular shape of the third connections  34  and  62 , allows the pusher  102  to rotate while the pusher  102  is positioned in-between the first side handle  14  and the second side handle  42 , in some examples. Such rotation allows the hollow housing  106  to be pivoted for insertion of the spark plug  150 , and then pivoted back for gapping the spark plug  150 . This rotation may also allow the hollow housing  106  to be rotated around so that edge  112   b  or edge  112   a  faces the shell  162  of the spark plug  150 , so that the hollow housing  106  can be used to fit spark plugs  150  that have different lengths. 
     The pusher  102  may have any size and/or shape. Furthermore, the pusher  102  may be made of any material that allows it to be used to gap the spark plug  150 . For example, the pusher  102  may be made of any non-metallic material that is strong enough to be used to gap the spark plug  150 . Examples of such a non-metallic material include carbon fiber, basalt fiber, Kevlar, any other strong non-metallic material, or any combination of the preceding. In some examples, the pusher  102  may be 3D printed using a 3D printer, or may be made using any other additive manufacturing method. Furthermore, although the pusher  102  is described above as being made of a non-metallic material, in other examples it may be made of metal (e.g., steel, billet aluminum). 
     In the example illustrated in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 B and  1 E , the pusher  102  may be replaceable. That is, a pusher  102  having a first size (e.g., having a smaller sized opening  108 ) may be removed from the tool  10 , and a new pusher  102  having a second size (e.g., having a larger sized opening  108 ) may be inserted onto the tool  10 . This may allow the tool  10  to be used to gap spark plugs  150  having different thicknesses (e.g., it may be used to gap standard sized spark plugs  150  and also spark plugs  150  for a HEMI engine). 
     In the example illustrated in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 B , the tool  10  further includes the first connector  124  positioned within the first connection opening  26  of the first side handle  14 , the first connection opening  54  of the second side handle  42 , and the first connection opening  82  of the middle handle  70 . The first connecter  124  may be any structure or device that couples the middle handle  70  in-between the first side handle  14  and the second side handle  42  in a manner that allows middle handle  70  to pivot in relation to the first side handle  14  and the second side handle  42 . For example, the first connecter  124  may be a bolt, a screw, a pin, any other structure or device that couples the middle handle  70  in-between the first side handle  14  and the second side handle  42  in a manner that allows middle handle  70  to pivot in relation to the first side handle  14  and the second side handle  42 , or any combination of the preceding. In the example illustrated in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 B , the first connecter  124  is a binding barrel and screw, such as a steel binding barrel and screw from MCMASTER-CARR. 
     The first connector  124  is a commercially available connector, in some examples. In other examples, the first connector  124  may be 3D printed using a 3D printer, or may be made using any other additive manufacturing method. The first connector  124  may be made of a non-metallic material (e.g., carbon steel) and/or a metallic material (e.g., steel, billet aluminum). 
     In the example illustrated in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 B , the tool  10  further includes the second connector  128  positioned within the second connection opening  30  of the first side handle  14  and the second connection opening  58  of the second side handle  42 . The second connector  128  may be any structure or device that couples the proximal end  18  of the first side handle  14  to the proximal end  46  of the second side handle  42  in a manner that prevents the proximal ends  18  and  46  from moving in relation to each other. For example, the second connector  128  may be a bolt, a screw, a pin, any other structure or device that couples the proximal end  18  of the first side handle  14  to the proximal end  46  of the second side handle  42  in a manner that prevents the proximal ends  18  and  46  from moving in relation to each other, or any combination of the preceding. In the example illustrated in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 B , the second connector  128  is a binding barrel and screw, such as a steel binding barrel and screw from MCMASTER-CARR. 
     The second connector  128  is a commercially available connector, in some examples. In other examples, the second connector  128  may be 3D printed using a 3D printer, or may be made using any other additive manufacturing method. The second connector  128  may be made of a non-metallic material (e.g., carbon steel) and/or a metallic material (e.g., steel, billet aluminum). 
     In the example illustrated in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 B , the tool  10  further includes the third connector  132  positioned within the insert connection opening  98 . The third connector  132  may be any structure or device that couples that the feeler gauge insert  94  in the insert slot  90 . For example, the third connector  132  may be a bolt, a screw, a pin, any other structure or device that couples that the feeler gauge insert  94  in the insert slot  90 , or any combination of the preceding. 
     The third connector  132  is a commercially available connector, in some examples. In other examples, the third connector  132  may be 3D printed using a 3D printer, or may be made using any other additive manufacturing method. The second connector  128  may be made of a non-metallic material (e.g., carbon steel) and/or a metallic material (e.g., steel, billet aluminum). 
       FIG.  2    is a side view of an example spark plug  150  that may be gapped using the example spark plug gapping tool  10  of  FIG.  1 A . The spark plug  150  is a device that produces a spark for igniting a combustible mixture (e.g., a compressed fuel/air mixture in an engine of an automobile). The spark plug  150  is a commercially available spark plug, in some examples. The spark plug  150  may be a spark plug for any device that utilizes a spark-ignition engine, such as an automobile or a lawn mower. As is illustrated, the spark plug  150  includes the terminal  154 , the terminal end  158 , the shell  162  (otherwise referred to as a hexagon), the electrode end  166 , the center electrode  170  (otherwise referred to as a main electrode), the side electrode  174  (otherwise referred to as a ground strap, ground electrode, or side strap), and the spark plug gap  178  (otherwise referred to as an electrode gap). Different spark-ignition engines may require (or recommend) different spark plug gaps  178 . For example, a first engine may require (or recommend) a spark plug gap  178  of 0.6 millimeters, while a second engine may require (or recommend) a spark plug gap  178  of 1.8 millimeters. 
       FIG.  3    illustrates one example of the assembly and operation of a spark plug gapping tool. The steps of method  300  are described as being performed using the spark plug gapping tool  10  of  FIGS.  1 A- 1 F  and the spark plug  150  of  FIG.  2   . However, one or more of the steps (such as all of the steps) of method  300  may be performed using any other spark plug gapping tool and/or any other spark plug, in some examples. Furthermore, one or more of the steps (such as all of the steps) of method  300  may be performed by a manufacturer of a tool  10 , a seller of a tool  10 , a re-seller of a tool  10 , and/or a user of a tool  10 . 
     The method  300  begins at step  304 . At step  308 , a first side handle  14 , a second side handle  42 , a middle handle  70 , and a pusher  102  are received. The first side handle  14 , the second side handle  42 , the middle handle  70 , and the pusher  102  may be received in any manner. For example, the first side handle  14 , the second side handle  42 , the middle handle  70 , and the pusher  102  may be received as a result of them being 3D printed. As another example, the first side handle  14 , the second side handle  42 , the middle handle  70 , and the pusher  102  may be received as a result of them being purchased, delivered, retrieved from storage, received in any manner, or any combination of the preceding. 
     At step  312 , the middle handle  70  is positioned in-between the first side handle  14  and the second side handle  42 . In some examples, this positioning may cause both the first standoff protrusion  38   a  of the first side handle  14  and the first standoff protrusion  66   a  of the second side handle  42  to be positioned within the first connection opening  82  of the middle handle  70 . That is, the first standoff protrusions  38   a ,  66   a  may be inserted into the first connection opening  82  of the middle handle  70  on opposite sides. 
     At step  316 , the pusher  102  is positioned in-between the first side handle  14  and the second side handle  42 . In some examples, this positioning may cause the first arm  116   a  to be rotatably positioned within the third connection opening  34  of the first side handle  14 , and may further cause the second arm  116   b  to be rotatably positioned within the third connection opening  62  of the second side handle  42 . 
     At step  320 , the first connector  124  is positioned within the first connection opening  26  of the first side handle  14 , the first connection opening  54  of the second side handle  42 , and the first connection opening  82  of the middle handle  70 . As an example of this, the first connector  124  may be a bolt that inserted into the first connection openings  26 ,  54 ,  82 . The first connector  124  may couple the middle handle  70  in-between the first side handle  14  and the second side handle  42 . Furthermore, the first connector  124  may allow the middle handle  70  to pivot in relation to the first side handle  14  and the second side handle  42 . 
     At step  324 , the second connector  128  is positioned within the second connection opening  30  of the first side handle  14  and the second connection opening  58  of the second side handle  42 . As an example of this, the second connector  128  may be a bolt that inserted into the second connection openings  30 ,  58 . The second connector  128  may couple the proximal end  18  of the first side handle  14  to the proximal end  46  of the second side handle  42 . This may prevent the proximal ends  18 ,  46  from moving in relation to each other, in some examples. 
     At step  328 , the feeler gauge insert  94  is positioned into the insert slot  90  of the middle handle  70 . To do so, a user may select (or create) a feeler gauge insert  94  to be used to gap the spark plug  150 . For example, if an engine requires (or recommends) a spark plug gap  178  of 0.6 millimeters, the user selects (or creates) a feeler gauge insert  94  having a thickness of 0.6 millimeters. The user may then insert the feeler gauge insert  94  into the insert slot  90 , and may then couple the feeler gauge insert  94  in the insert slot  90  by positioning the third connector  132  (e.g., a screw) into the insert connection opening  98 . 
     At step  332 , the spark plug  150  is inserted into the tool  10 . To do so, the terminal end  158  of the spark plug  150  may be inserted into the pusher  102  (through the opening  108  of the hollow housing  106 ) so that the edge  112  of the hollow housing  106  presses against the shell  162  of the spark plug  150 . Then, the spark plug  150  and the pusher  102  may be rotated downwards so that the feeler gauge insert  94  is positioned in-between the center electrode  170  and the side electrode  174  of the spark plug  150 , and further so that the side electrode  174  is positioned in-between the feeler gauge insert  94  and the stopper surface  86 . An example of this is illustrated in  FIG.  1 B . 
     At step  336 , the spark plug  150  is gapped using the tool  10 . To do so, a user may grip the middle handle  70  and the side handles  14 ,  42  in the user&#39;s hand, at a location adjacent to the proximal ends  18 ,  46 ,  74 . Then the user may squeeze their grip, causing the proximal end  74  of the middle handle  70  to move closer to the proximal ends  18 ,  46  of the side handles  14 ,  42 . This movement is illustrated at arrows  182  in  FIG.  1 A . As a result of this movement, the distal ends  22 ,  50  of the side handles  14 ,  42  move closer to the distal end  78  of the middle handle  70 . This movement is illustrated at arrows  186  in  FIG.  1 A . The movement (shown in arrows  186 ) causes the spark plug  150  to be gapped. For example, as the distal ends  22 ,  50  of the side handles  14 ,  42  move towards the distal end  78  of the middle handle  70 , the edge  112  of the pusher  102  applies pressure to the shell  162  of the spark plug  150 , causing the spark plug  150  to move towards the stopper surface  86 . This movement is illustrated at arrow  186   a  in  FIG.  1 A . At the same time, the stopper surface  86  (and the distal end  78  of the middle handle  70 ) moves towards the distal ends  22 ,  50  of the side handles  14 ,  42 . As this occurs, the stopper surface  86  presses against the side electrode  174 , causing it to bend (or otherwise move) towards the feeler gauge insert  94  and the center electrode  170 . This movement is illustrated at arrow  186   b  in  FIG.  1 A . Thus, the movement causes the spark plug gap  178  to be reduced. 
     Eventually, the side electrode  174  may be bent (or otherwise moved) up against the feeler gauge insert  94 , which prevents the side electrode  174  from bending (or otherwise moving) any further closer to the center electrode  170 . When this occurs, the spark plug gap  178  is reduced to the thickness of the feeler gauge insert  94  (e.g., 0.6 millimeters), which is consistent with the required (or recommended) spark plug gap  178  for that engine (e.g., 0.6 millimeter). 
     At step  340 , the spark plug  150  is removed from the tool  10 . This may allow the spark plug  150  to be used, such as in an engine. 
     At step  344 , it is determined whether additional spark plugs  150  should be gapped. If the answer is no, the method  300  moves to step  348 , where the method  300  ends. Alternatively, if the answer is yes, the method  300  moves back up to step  332 , where the new spark plug  150  is inserted into the tool  10 . Then steps  332 - 344  may be repeated. Steps  332 - 344  may be repeated for any number of spark plugs  150 . Furthermore, in some examples, additional spark plugs  150  may be gapped without a new feeler gauge insert  94  being inserted. The user may only need to insert a new feeler gauge insert  94  when a different spark plug gap  178  is required (or recommended). If that is the case, method  300  may include removing the old feeler gauge insert  94  (e.g., by removing the third connector  132  from the insert connection opening  98 , and then removing the old feeler gauge insert  94 ), and then method  300  may re-perform step  328  with the new feeler gauge insert  94 . 
     Furthermore, in some examples, the spark plug  150  may not fit within the pusher  102  because the spark plug  150  is too thick or not thick enough. In such examples, the old pusher  102  may be removed by dissembling all or a portion of the tool  10  (e.g., by removing the first connector  124 , removing the second connector  128 , and removing the old pusher  102 ), and then the new pusher  102  may be inserted into the tool  10  (and the tool  10  may be re-assembled) by re-performing steps  316 - 324 . 
     Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to method  300 . For example, one or more of the steps of method  300  may be performed in parallel, or in a different order. As one example of this, the pusher  102  may be positioned in-between the first side handle  14  and the second side handle  42  (i.e., step  316 ), prior to or in parallel with the middle handle  70  being positioned in-between the first side handle  14  and the second side handle  42  (i.e., step  312 ). 
     Modifications, additions, combinations, or omissions may be made to the spark plug gapping tool  10  of  FIGS.  1 A- 3    without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For example, the tool  10  may not include a second connector  128 , and/or may not include one or more other elements described above. 
     This specification has been written with reference to various non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments or examples. However, it will be recognized by persons having ordinary skill in the art that various substitutions, modifications, or combinations of any of the disclosed embodiments or examples (or portions thereof) may be made within the scope of this specification. Thus, it is contemplated and understood that this specification supports additional embodiments or examples not expressly set forth in this specification. Such embodiments or examples may be obtained, for example, by combining, modifying, or reorganizing any of the disclosed steps, components, elements, features, aspects, characteristics, limitations, and the like, of the various non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments or examples described in this specification.