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US4193314A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Timing chain snubber

Assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
•
Filing: 1978-03-22
•
Granted: 1980-03-18
•
Expires: 1998-03-22
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Abstract

Abstract An engine timing chain snubber comprises a pair of guide shoes fixedly supported on the engine block and extending in line-to-line nondeflecting contact with the inner sides of unsupported chain portions between drive and driven sprockets. The guide shoes prevent movement of the chain runs inwardly of their tensioned positions and thus prevent chain oscillation or vibration.

Inventors

  • 👤 Thomas G. Horner
  • 👤 Robert A. Ellis

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-28 21:29
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16H; F16H7/00; F16H7/18; F01; F01L; F01L1/00; F01L1/02; F01L1/022; F02; F02B; F02B2275/00; F02B2275/08; F02B75/00; F02B75/16; F02B75/18; F02B75/22; F16H2007/185

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim 136 words
In an internal combustion engine, a frame rotatably supporting a crankshaft and a camshaft in spaced parallel relation, a sprocket mounted on each of said shafts, a timing chain extending around and engaging both of said sprockets for drivably connecting said crankshaft with said camshaft, and the improvement comprising a snubber for limiting vibrations in the unsupported portions of the chain intermediate the sprockets, said snubber comprising guide means fixed with respect to said frame and having a pair of fixed guide surfaces positioned so as to extend in line-to-line nondeflecting contact with the opposed inner sides of the chain unsupported portions over most of their length when in their tightly stretched positions between sprockets, so as to prevent movement of the contacted chain portions inwardly of said tightly stretched positions without affecting movements outwardly thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 136 words
In an internal combustion engine, a frame rotatably supporting a crankshaft and a camshaft in spaced parallel relation, a sprocket mounted on each of said shafts, a timing chain extending around and engaging both of said sprockets for drivably connecting said crankshaft with said camshaft, and the improvement comprising a snubber for limiting vibrations in the unsupported portions of the chain intermediate the sprockets, said snubber comprising guide means fixed with respect to said frame and having a pair of fixed guide surfaces positioned so as to extend in line-to-line nondeflecting contact with the opposed inner sides of the chain unsupported portions over most of their length when in their tightly stretched positions between sprockets, so as to prevent movement of the contacted chain portions inwardly of said tightly stretched positions without affecting movements outwardly thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 161 words
In an internal combustion engine, a frame rotatably supporting a crankshaft and a camshaft in spaced parallel relation, a sprocket mounted on each of said shafts, a timing chain extending around and engaging both of said sprockets for drivably connecting said crankshaft with said camshaft, and the improvement comprising a snubber for limiting vibrations in the unsupported portions of the chain intermediate the sprockets, said snubber comprising a bracket member having a transversely disposed body fixedly attached to said frame between the unsupported chain portions and a pair of chain guide shoes fixedly secured to the body at either side thereof, each shoe having a guide surface positioned so as to extend in line-to-line nondeflecting contact with the opposed inner side of its respective chain unsupported portion over most of its length when in its tightly stretched position between sprockets, so as to prevent movement of the contacted chain portion inwardly of said tightly stretched position without affecting movements outwardly thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 161 words
In an internal combustion engine, a frame rotatably supporting a crankshaft and a camshaft in spaced parallel relation, a sprocket mounted on each of said shafts, a timing chain extending around and engaging both of said sprockets for drivably connecting said crankshaft with said camshaft, and the improvement comprising a snubber for limiting vibrations in the unsupported portions of the chain intermediate the sprockets, said snubber comprising a bracket member having a transversely disposed body fixedly attached to said frame between the unsupported chain portions and a pair of chain guide shoes fixedly secured to the body at either side thereof, each shoe having a guide surface positioned so as to extend in line-to-line nondeflecting contact with the opposed inner side of its respective chain unsupported portion over most of its length when in its tightly stretched position between sprockets, so as to prevent movement of the contacted chain portion inwardly of said tightly stretched position without affecting movements outwardly thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 43 words
The combination of claim 2 wherein said bracket member comprises a formed sheet metal body having a flattened center section with upturned edges and a pair of oppositely disposed upturned wall portions, said guide shoes being nonmetallic and fixed to said wall portions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 22 words
The combination of claim 3 wherein said guide shoes are formed of nylon base material molded on to said upturned wall portions.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US414774A Cited
US2101172A Cited
US2261316A Cited
US2601789A Cited
US2526173A Cited
US2766634A Cited
DE1036596B Cited
US3964331A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1983-03-18 1983-09-17 1984-03-18 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1987-03-18 1987-09-17 1988-03-18 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1991-03-18 1991-09-17 1992-03-18 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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