Apparatus for shock mounting of piston rods in internal combustion engines and the like

Claim 2

In an engine having piston means reciprocable in cylinder chamber means, a crankshaft adapted for power-conveying rotation, power-transmitting connection means between said piston means and the crankshaft, and eccentrically-mounted member means mounted on said crankshaft in transverse relation thereto, the improvement comprising, in combination: a bearing member pivotally attached to said eccentrically-mounted member means, said bearing member defining an elongated, curved bearing surface, and positioned for sliding, power-transmitting contact with the power-transmitting connection means, whereby, when shock is generated through said power-transmitting connection means, said bearing member can be displaced by pivotal motion to absorb said shock, said bearing member being adapted to return to its pre-displacement position after absorbing of said shock.

Claim 3

The engine of claim 1 in which said bearing member defines an elongated structure, the point of pivotal attachment to said eccentrically-mounted member means being adjacent one end of said bearing member.

Claim 4

The engine of claim 2 in which said eccentrically-mounted member also carries compression cam means adapted to periodically engage said power-transmitting connection means as the crankshaft and eccentrically-mounted member rotate, to cause said piston to reciprocate inwardly to reduce the volume of said cylinder chamber means, said cam means being also adapted to be periodically spaced from said connection means, to permit said piston and connection means to displace said bearing member.

Claim 5

The engine of claim 3 in which said eccentrically-mounted member defines a face having an annular slot, a ring member rotatably positioned in said slot as part of said eccentrically-mounted member, said bearing member being pivotally attached to said ring member.

Claim 6

The engine of claim 4 in which said ring member defines a protrusion positioned between said compression cam and said bearing member, to provide a sliding surface for said power-transmitting connection means therebetween as said crankshaft rotates.

Claim 7

The engine of claim 3 in which said eccentrically-mounted member means and said bearing member are enclosed in tubular retainer means and adapted for rotation therein, said tubular retainer means and eccentrically-mounted member means being positioned in generally co-axial relationship, said tubular retainer means further defining a transverse tubular sleeve communicating with the interior of said tubular retainer means, said power-transmitting connection means passing through said transverse tubular sleeve, to be in sliding, power-transmitting, rotational contact with said bearing member and compression cam means.

Claim 8

The engine of claim 6 in which said eccentrically-mounted member means is freely rotatably mounted on said crankshaft, whereby said eccentrically-mounted member means, retained by said tubular retainer means, moves in counter-rotating relationship with said crankshaft as the engine operates.

Claim 9

The engine of claim 7 in which spring means is positioned to resiliently bias said piston means outwardly from said tubular retainer means and transverse tubular sleeve.

Claim 10

The engine of claim 8 in which said bearing member is positioned between a pair of said eccentrically-mounted members, each carrying a said compression cam, said pair of members and bearing member being positioned within said tubular retainer means.

Claim 11

The engine of claim 9 in which a spring member urges said bearing member into its radially outwardmost pivoting position.

Claim 12

In an engine having piston means reciprocable in cylinder chamber means; a crankshaft adapted for power conveying rotation; power-transmitting connection means between said piston means and the crankshaft, and eccentrically-mounted member means mounted on said crankshaft in transverse relation thereto, the improvement comprising, in combination: a bearing member attached to said eccentrically-mounted member means, said bearing member defining an elongated, curved bearing surface, and positioned for sliding, power-transmitting contact with the power-transmitting connection means whereby, when shock is generated through said power-transmitting connection means, said bearing member can be displaced by pivotal motion to absorb said shock, said bearing member being adapted to return to its pre-displacedment position after absorbing of said shock, and spring means positioned adjacent said piston to resiliently bias said piston means away from said bearing member.

Claim 13

In an engine having piston means reciprocable in cylinder chamber means; a crankshaft adapted for power conveying rotation; power-transmitting connection means between said piston means and the crankshaft, and eccentrically-mounted member means mounted on said crankshaft in transverse relation thereto, the improvement comprising, in combination: a bearing member attached to said eccentrically-mounted member means, said bearing member defining an elongated, curved bearing surface, and positioned for sliding, power-transmitting contact with the power-transmitting connection means whereby, when shock is generated through said power-transmitting connection means, said bearing member can be displaced by pivotal motion to absorb said shock, said bearing member being adapted to return to its pre-displacedment position after absorbing of said shock, and spring means positioned adjacent said piston to resiliently bias said piston means away from said bearing member.

Claim 14

In an engine having piston means reciprocable in cylinder chamber means; a crankshaft adapted for power-conveying rotation; power-transmitting connection means between said piston means and the crankshaft, and eccentrically-mounted member means mounted on said crankshaft in transverse relation thereto, the improvement comprising, in combination: a bearing member carried by said eccentrically-mounted member means, said bearing member defining an elongated, curved bearing surface, and positioned for sliding, power-transmitting contact with the power-transmitting connection means, whereby, when shock is generated to said power-transmitting connection means, said bearing member can be displaced to absorb said shock; means for biasing said bearing member into its pre-displacement position to cause its return after absorbing of said shock; said eccentrically-mounted member means and said bearing member being enclosed in tubular retainer means and capable of rotation therein, said tubular retainer means and eccentrically-mounted member means being positioned in generally co-axial relationship, said tubular retainer means being adapted for colinear, reciprocating motion with said piston means and said connection means, and further defining a transverse tubular sleeve communicating with the interior of said tubular retainer means, said power-transmitting connection means passing through said transverse tubular sleeve for sliding, power-transmitting contact with said bearing member; said eccentrically-mounted member means being freely rotatably mounted on said crankshaft, whereby said eccentrically-mounted member means, retained by said tubular retainer means, moves in counterrotating relationship with said crankshaft as the engine operates.

Claim 15

In an engine having piston means reciprocable in cylinder chamber means; a crankshaft adapted for power-conveying rotation; power-transmitting connection means between said piston means and the crankshaft, and eccentrically-mounted member means mounted on said crankshaft in transverse relation thereto, the improvement comprising, in combination: a bearing member carried by said eccentrically-mounted member means, said bearing member defining an elongated, curved bearing surface, and positioned for sliding, power-transmitting contact with the power-transmitting connection means, whereby, when shock is generated to said power-transmitting connection means, said bearing member can be displaced to absorb said shock; means for biasing said bearing member into its pre-displacement position to cause its return after absorbing of said shock; said eccentrically-mounted member means and said bearing member being enclosed in tubular retainer means and capable of rotation therein, said tubular retainer means and eccentrically-mounted member means being positioned in generally co-axial relationship, said tubular retainer means being adapted for colinear, reciprocating motion with said piston means and said connection means, and further defining a transverse tubular sleeve communicating with the interior of said tubular retainer means, said power-transmitting connection means passing through said transverse tubular sleeve for sliding, power-transmitting contact with said bearing member; said eccentrically-mounted member means being freely rotatably mounted on said crankshaft, whereby said eccentrically-mounted member means, retained by said tubular retainer means, moves in counterrotating relationship with said crankshaft as the engine operates.

Claim 16

The engine of claim 12 in which said eccentrically-mounted member means also carries compression cam means adapted to periodically engage said power-transmitting connection means as the crankshaft and eccentrically-mounted member rotate, to cause said piston to reciprocate inwardly to reduce the volume of said cylinder chamber means, said cam means being also adapted to be periodically spaced from said connection means, to permit said piston and connection means to displace said bearing member.

Claim 17

The engine of claim 13 in which said bearing member is positioned between a pair of said eccentrically-mounted members, each carrying a said compression cam, said pair of members and bearing member being positioned within said tubular retainer means.

Claim 18

The engine of claim 14 in which a spring member urges said bearing member into its radially outwardmost pivoting position.

Claim 19

The engine of claim 15 in which said bearing member defines an elongated, curved structure which is pivotally attached adjacent one end thereof to eccentrically-mounted members.