Patent ID: 8035286

Claim:
A spark plug casing, comprising: a nut portion; a first tubular portion extending from the nut portion, the first tubular portion having a first cross-sectional size and a threaded fastener configured to attach the spark plug casing to a cylinder head; a second tubular portion having a second cross-sectional size, the second cross-sectional size being less than the first cross-sectional size, the second tubular portion configured to extend toward a combustion chamber past the cylinder head; a converging shell portion coupled between the first tubular portion and the second tubular portion, wherein the nut portion, the first tubular portion, the second tubular portion and the converging shell portion are formed from a single-piece shell such that the single-piece shell is configured to be removed from the cylinder head as an integral device; and a ground strap having a third cross-sectional size, the third cross-sectional size being less than the second cross-sectional size, the ground strap being received within and fixedly secured to an end portion of the second tubular portion opposite the converging shell portion, such that the ground strap and the cylinder head are in a spaced relationship with respect to each other for preventing a buildup of carbon from binding the ground strap to the cylinder head.