IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,030,831
Granted Patent B1
US 8,030,831 · App. 12/752,694 · Granted Oct 4, 2011

High thread spark plug with undercut insulator

Assignee: FRAM Group IP LLC
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,030,831
App. No.
12/752,694
Granted
Oct 4, 2011
Kind
B1
Abstract

A spark plug for an internal combustion engine, the spark plug having an elongated center electrode having a center electrode tip at one end and a terminal proximate to another end of the center electrode; an insulator surrounding a portion of the center electrode, the insulator having a channel formed in an exterior surface of the insulator; and a jamb nut surrounding the insulator, the jamb nut being aligned with the channel such that a distal end of the jamb nut does not contact the insulator.

Claims (26)

1. A spark plug for an internal combustion engine, the spark plug comprising:

an elongated center electrode having a center electrode tip at one end and a terminal proximate to another end;

an insulator surrounding a portion of the center electrode, the insulator having a channel formed in an exterior surface of the insulator; and

a jamb nut surrounding the insulator, the jamb nut being aligned with the channel such that a distal end of the jamb nut does not contact the insulator.

2. The spark plug as in claim 1 , wherein no portion of the jamb nut makes direct contact with the insulator barrel.

3. The spark plug as in claim 2 , wherein the insulator has a first portion, a second portion and a third portion, the first portion being located at one end of the insulator and the third portion being located at an opposite end of the insulator, wherein the channel is located between the second portion and the third portion and the second portion has a larger thickness than the first portion and the third portion.

4. The spark plug as in claim 1 , wherein the jamb nut is integrally formed with an outer shell that surrounds a portion of the insulator and an exterior surface of the outer shell proximate to the jamb nut has a threaded portion.

5. The spark plug as in claim 4 , wherein the jamb nut is located on one end of the outer shell and an opposite end of the outer shell defines a motor seat portion of the outer shell, wherein the threaded portion is located between the jamb nut and the motor seat portion.

6. The spark plug as in claim 5 , wherein the insulator has a first portion, a second portion and a third portion, the first portion being located at one end of the insulator and the third portion being located at an opposite end of the insulator, wherein the channel is located between the second portion and the third portion and the second portion has a larger thickness than the first portion and the third portion.

7. The spark plug as in claim 6 , wherein the insulator further comprises a shoulder portion located between the channel and the second portion the shoulder portion being configured to engage an inner shoulder portion of the outer shell proximate to the jamb nut and thread interface of the outer shell.

8. The spark plug as in claim 7 , wherein the jamb nut forms an opening and the channel extends from the inner shoulder of the outer shell towards the distal end of the jamb nut forming the opening and thereafter the thickness of the insulator increases to provide the third portion of the insulator.

9. The spark plug as in claim 8 , wherein no portion of the jamb nut extending from the inner shoulder of the outer shell towards the distal end of the jamb nut makes direct contact with the insulator.

10. The spark plug as in claim 9 , wherein the insulator is made from a non-conducting ceramic material.

11. The spark plug as in claim 9 , wherein the center electrode extends form one end of the insulator and the terminal stud extends from an opposite end of the insulator.

12. The spark plug as in claim 9 , wherein the insulator further comprises another shoulder portion located between the first portion and the second portion, the another shoulder portion being configured to engage a distal end of a ground shield located between the motor seat portion of the outer shell and the another shoulder portion.

13. The spark plug as in claim 12 , wherein the jamb nut forms an opening and the channel extends from the inner shoulder past a distal end of the jamb nut forming the opening and thereafter the thickness of the insulator increases to provide the third portion of the insulator.

14. A method of forming a spark plug, comprising:

inserting an insulator into an outer shell of the spark plug, the insulator having a first portion, a second portion and a third portion, the first portion being located at one end of the insulator and the third portion being located at an opposite end of the insulator and the second is located between the first end and the third end, wherein a channel is located between the second portion and the third portion and the second portion has a larger thickness than the first portion and the third portion, the insulator further comprising a shoulder portion located between the channel and the second portion;

contacting the shoulder portion of the insulator with an inner shoulder portion of the outer shell proximate to a jamb nut of the outer shell, the inner shoulder and the jamb nut being configured to provide an air gap between the jamb nut and the channel such that no portion of the jamb nut directly contacts the insulator; and

securing a ground shield between another shoulder portion of the insulator and a distal end of the outer shell, the another shoulder portion being located between the first portion and the second portion of the insulator.

15. The method as in claim 14 , wherein the insulator has a first portion, a second portion and a third portion, the first portion being located at one end of the insulator and the third portion being located at an opposite end of the insulator, wherein the channel is located between the second portion and the third portion and the second portion has a larger thickness than the first portion and the third portion.

16. The method as in claim 14 , wherein the jamb nut is integrally formed with an outer shell that surrounds a portion of the insulator and an exterior surface of the outer shell proximate to the jamb nut has a threaded portion.

17. The method as in claim 16 , wherein the jamb nut is located on one end of the outer shell and an opposite end of the outer shell defines a motor seat portion of the outer shell, wherein the threaded portion is located between the jamb nut and the motor seat portion.

18. The method as in claim 17 , wherein the insulator has a first portion, a second portion and a third portion, the first portion being located at one end of the insulator and the third portion being located at an opposite end of the insulator, wherein the channel is located between the second portion and the third portion and the second portion has a larger thickness than the first portion and the third portion.

19. The method as in claim 18 , wherein the insulator further comprises a shoulder portion located between the channel and the second portion the shoulder portion being configured to engage an inner shoulder portion of the outer shell proximate to the jamb nut and thread interface of the outer shell.

20. The method as in claim 19 , wherein the jamb nut forms an opening and the channel extends from the inner shoulder of the outer shell towards the distal end of the jamb nut forming the opening and thereafter the thickness of the insulator increases to provide the third portion of the insulator.

Assignments (22)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 2, 2026
From: WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB
To: JEFFERIES FINANCE LLC
Reel/Frame 075891/0705 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 12, 2026
From: PGI NORTHSTAR LLC
To: FIRST HORIZON BANK
Reel/Frame 075410/0391 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 4, 2026
From: FIRST BRANDS GROUP HOLDINGS, LLC; FIRST BRANDS GROUP INTERMEDIATE, LLC; FIRST BRANDS GROUP, LLC; CHAMPION LABORATORIES, INC.; FRAM GROUP IP LLC; PYLON MANUFACTURING CORP.; HEATHERTON HOLDINGS, LLC; TRICO PRODUCTS CORPORATION; STRONGARM, LLC
To: PGI NORTHSTAR LLC
Reel/Frame 075584/0001 →
LIEN Recorded Dec 8, 2025
From: JEFFERIES FINANCE LLC
To: WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB
Reel/Frame 073892/0154 →
FIRST LIEN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 18, 2025
From: AIRTEX INDUSTRIES, LLC; AIRTEX PRODUCTS, LP; APC INTERMEDIATE HOLDINGS, LLC; APC PARENT, LLC; ASC INDUSTRIES, INC.; AUTOLITE OPERATIONS LLC; AVM EXPORT, INC.; BPI ACQUISITION COMPANY, LLC; BPI EC, LLC; BPI HOLDINGS INTERNATIONAL, LLC; BRAKE PARTS INC CHINA LLC; BRAKE PARTS INC INDIA LLC; BRAKE PARTS INC LLC; CARDONE INDUSTRIES, INC.; CARRAND COMPANIES, INC.; CARTER CARBURETOR HOLDINGS, LLC; CARTER CARBURETOR, LLC; CARTER FUEL EXPORT, INC.; CARTER FUEL SYSTEMS, LLC; CHAMPION LABORATORIES, INC.; CWD HOLDING, LLC; CWD INTERMEDIATE HOLDINGS I, LLC; CWD INTERMEDIATE HOLDINGS II, LLC; CWD, LLC; DALTON CORPORATION; DALTON CORPORATION, KENDALLVILLE; MANUFACTURING FACILITY DALTON CORPORATION, ASHLAND; MANUFACTURING FACILITY DALTON CORPORATION, STRYKER MACHINING FACILITY CO.; DALTON CORPORATION, WARSAW MANUFACTURING FACILITY; EAGLE CASTING, LLC; EAGLE MACHINING, LLC; FIRST BRANDS GROUP INTERMEDIATE, LLC; FIRST BRANDS GROUP, LLC; FRAM GROUP IP LLC; FRAM GROUP OPERATIONS LLC; FRAMAUTO HOLDINGS, LLC; FUEL FILTER TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; GLOBAL REMAN VENTURES, LLC; HEATHERTON HOLDINGS, LLC; HOPKINS ACQUISITION, INC.; HOPKINS MANUFACTURING CORPORATION; HORIZON EURO FINANCE LLC; HORIZON GLOBAL AMERICAS INC.; HORIZON GLOBAL COMPANY LLC; HORIZON GLOBAL CORPORATION; HORIZON INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LLC; IBI INTERNATIONAL HOLDING COMPANY, INC.; INTERNATIONAL BRAKE INDUSTRIES, INC.; JASPER ACQUISITION CORP.; JASPER RUBBER PRODUCTS, INC.; KTRI HOLDINGS, INC.; KTRI OFFSHORE HOLDINGS, LLC; LONGMAN ENTERPRISES, INC.; PHNX ACQUISITION CORP.; PREMIER MARKETING GROUP, LLC; PYLON MANUFACTURING CORP.; PYLON SOUTH BEND, INC.; QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE, L.L.C.; QUALIS ENTERPRISES, LLC; QUALITOR ACQUISITION INC.; QUALITOR AUTOMOTIVE, LLC; QUALITOR SUBSIDIARY H, INC.; QUALITOR SUBSIDIARY S, INC.; QUALITOR, INC.; REMAN MANAGEMENT INTERNATIONAL LLC; SDC TX, LLC; SMART CHOICE, LLC; SPECIALTY PUMPS GROUP, INC.; STRONGARM, LLC; TAE BRAKES, LLC; TAE CHINA HOLDINGS, INC.; TMD INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LLC; TMD MEXICO LLC; TOLEDO MOLDING & DIE, LLC; TRANSPORTATION AFTERMARKET ENTERPRISE, LLC; TRICO HOLDING CORPORATION; TRICO PRODUCTS CORPORATION; TRICO TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION; TRIDONEX USA LLC; UCI ACQUISITION HOLDINGS (NO. 4) LLC; UCI INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS PARENT, INC.; UCI INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC.; UCI INTERNATIONAL, LLC; UCI PENNSYLVANIA, INC.; UCI-AIRTEX HOLDINGS, INC.; UNITED COMPONENTS, LLC; UNIVERSAL AUTO FILTER LLC; VIPER ACQUISITION I, INC.; VIPER ACQUISITION, INC.; WALBRO LLC; WALBRO MIDCO LLC; WEM US CO.
To: GLAS USA LLC
Reel/Frame 071674/0688 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE THE PATENT APPLICATION NUMBERS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 053377 FRAME: 0596. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Dec 19, 2022
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
To: JEFFERIES FINANCE LLC
Reel/Frame 062584/0429 →
ASSIGNMENT OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 31, 2020
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
To: JEFFERIES FINANCE LLC
Reel/Frame 053377/0596 →
RELEASE OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 25, 2020
From: ACQUIOM AGENCY SERVICES LLC
To: ASC INDUSTRIES, INC.; CARTER FUEL SYSTEMS, LLC; FRAM GROUP IP LLC; STRONGARM, LLC; TRICO PRODUCTS CORPORATION; TRICO GROUP, LLC; TRICO GROUP HOLDINGS, LLC
Reel/Frame 053313/0812 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 23, 2020
From: FRAM GROUP IP LLC
To: ACQUIOM AGENCY SERVICES LLC
Reel/Frame 052481/0586 →
ABL INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 1, 2019
From: FRAM GROUP IP LLC
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 048479/0639 →
SECOND LIEN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 27, 2019
From: ASC INDUSTRIES, INC.; CARTER FUEL SYSTEMS, LLC; FRAM GROUP IP LLC; HEATHERTON HOLDINGS, LLC; STRONGARM, LLC; TRICO PRODUCTS CORPORATION
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 048887/0495 →
RELEASE OF ABL PATENT SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 27, 2019
From: BMO HARRIS BANK N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: FRAM GROUP IP LLC
Reel/Frame 048455/0808 →
RELEASE OF TERM LOAN PATENT SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 27, 2019
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: FRAM GROUP IP LLC
Reel/Frame 048455/0869 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 16, 2017
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS RESIGNING COLLATERAL AGENT
To: BMO HARRIS BANK, N.A., AS SUCCESSOR COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 041739/0040 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 27, 2016
From: FRAM GROUP IP LLC
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 041190/0001 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 27, 2016
From: FRAM GROUP IP LLC
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 041190/0278 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 27, 2016
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: FRAM GROUP IP LLC
Reel/Frame 041189/0938 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 27, 2016
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: FRAM GROUP IP LLC
Reel/Frame 041189/0782 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 12, 2011
From: FRAM GROUP IP LLC; PRESTONE PRODUCTS CORPORATION
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG, AS SECOND LIEN COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 026740/0089 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 11, 2011
From: FRAM GROUP IP LLC; PRESTONE PRODUCTS CORPORATION
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG, AS FIRST LIEN COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 026732/0670 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 29, 2011
From: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
To: FRAM GROUP IP LLC
Reel/Frame 026671/0907 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 1, 2010
From: BELOW, MATTHEW B.
To: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
Reel/Frame 024922/0538 →