US4448155A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Guide for roller cam follower
Assignee: Eaton Corp
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Filing: 1982-06-03
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Granted: 1984-05-15
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Expires: 2002-06-03
Abstract
Abstract A guide (28) is provided for retrofitting an existing internal combustion engine block (10) with roller cam followers (24 and 26) in place of conventional barrel-type lifters, without modification of the block itself. The guide includes a guide bar (64), keyed to the upper body (38) of each follower to allow limited rotational freedom thereof and a resilient C-shaped spring clip (70) which simultaneously bears downwardly on the upper surface of the guide bar and upwardly on the lower surface (40) of an engine block boss (18) defining follower receiving bores (20 and 22). Annular spacers (72) are provided, if required, to displace the guide bar upwardly from the upper surface (52) of the boss. An upper leg (76) of the spring clip wraps around the guide bar for retention therewith and a lower leg (78) of the spring clip is necked at a point (86) intermediate adjacent cylindrical portions (30 and 32) of the follower boss for retention therebetween.
Inventors
- 👤 George A. Hillebrand
- 👤 Michael S. Paar
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 16:09
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01L; F01L1/00; F01L1/12; F01L1/14; F01L2307/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
In an internal combustion engine of the type including a valve train incorporating at least one roller cam follower and a block defining a boss characterized by an upper surface, a lower surface and a bore for slidably receiving said follower, follower guide means comprising: a member defining keying surfaces nominally spaced from said follower at a point adjacent said upper surface and operative to effect limited non-contacting rotational freedom of said follower within said bore; and means for resiliently connecting said member to said boss by embracingly engaging said member and said lower surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
95 words
In an internal combustion engine of the type including a valve train incorporating at least one roller cam follower and a block defining a boss characterized by an upper surface, a lower surface and a bore for slidably receiving said follower, follower guide means comprising: a member defining keying surfaces nominally spaced from said follower at a point adjacent said upper surface and operative to effect limited non-contacting rotational freedom of said follower within said bore; and means for resiliently connecting said member to said boss by embracingly engaging said member and said lower surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The follower guide means of claim 1, wherein said resilient connecting means comprises a generally C-shaped spring clip including an upper leg bearing downwardly against said member and a lower leg bearing upwardly against said lower surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The follower guide means of claim 2, wherein said spring clip is constructed of metal band stock.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The follower guide means of claim 1, wherein said member is operative to limit rotational freedom of said follower to a predetermined range.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The follower guide means of claim 4, wherein said predetermined range comprises approximately ±3 degrees about a nominal center.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The follower guide means of claim 2, wherein said resilient connecting means further comprises means for mechanically interconnecting said upper leg with said member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The follower guide means of claim 6, wherein said interconnecting means comprises means depending from the free end of said upper leg and at least partially circumferentially embracing said member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The follower guide means of claim 2, wherein said resilient connecting means further comprises means for mechanically interconnecting said lower leg with said boss.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The follower guide means of claim 1, further comprising means operative to rigidly space said member a predetermined distance above said top surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
95 words
In an internal combustion engine of the type including a valve train incorporating at least two roller cam followers and a block defining a boss characterized by an upper surface, a lower surface and a bore for slidably receiving each said follower, follower guide means comprising: a member extending between said followers at point adjacent said upper surface and defining keying surfaces nominally spaced from said followers for limiting non-contacting rotational freedom thereof within said bores; and means for resiliently connecting said member to said boss by embracingly engaging said member and said lower surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
95 words
In an internal combustion engine of the type including a valve train incorporating at least two roller cam followers and a block defining a boss characterized by an upper surface, a lower surface and a bore for slidably receiving each said follower, follower guide means comprising: a member extending between said followers at point adjacent said upper surface and defining keying surfaces nominally spaced from said followers for limiting non-contacting rotational freedom thereof within said bores; and means for resiliently connecting said member to said boss by embracingly engaging said member and said lower surface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
The follower guide means of claim 10, wherein said resilient connecting means comprises a generally C-shaped spring clip including an upper leg bearing downwardly against said member and a lower leg bearing upwardly against said lower surface.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The follower guide means of claim 11, wherein said spring clip is constructed of metal band stock.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The follower guide means of claim 10, wherein said member is operative to limit rotational freedom of said followers to a predetermined range.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The follower guide means of claim 13, wherein said predetermined range comprises approximately ±3 degrees about a nominal center.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The follower guide means of claim 11, wherein said resilient connecting means further comprises means for mechanically interconnecting said upper leg with said member.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
The follower guide means of claim 15, wherein said interconnecting means comprises means depending from the free end of said upper leg and at least partially circumferentially embracing said member.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The follower guide means of claim 15, wherein said resilient connecting means further comprises means for mechanically interconnecting said lower leg with said boss.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
54 words
The follower guide means of claim 17, wherein said boss comprises two generally parallel cylindrical portions defining said bores and interspaced a predetermined distance by a web defining said lower surface, said lower leg being characterized by an intermediate area of reduced width disposed between said cylindrical portions and in an abutting relationship therewith.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
50 words
The follower guide means of claim 18, wherein said cylindrical portion have a minimum spacing S, said lower leg has a nominal width N and said intermediate area of reduced width is of a dimension W, and wherein said minimum spacing, nominal width and dimension conform to the relationship: N>S>W.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
The following guide means of claim 10, further comprising means operative to rigidally space said member a fixed predetermined distance above said top surfaces.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
38 words
The follower guide means of claim 20, wherein said spacing means comprises an annular ring disposed substantially coaxially with each side bore and having a characteristic inner diameter dimensionally not less than that of said bore associated therewith.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
119 words
In a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine of the type including a valve train incorporating a pair of roller cam followers associated with each said cylinder and a block defining a integral boss for each said cylinder, each said boss defining an upper surface, a lower surface and bores for slidingly receiving said associated pair, follower guide means comprising: an elongated member defining keying surfaces nominally spaced from each said follower at points adjacent each said respective upper surface and operative to effect limited non-contacting rotational freedom to each said follower within each associated bore; and at least one means for resiliently connecting said member to one said boss by embracingly engaging said member and said associated boss lower surface.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
119 words
In a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine of the type including a valve train incorporating a pair of roller cam followers associated with each said cylinder and a block defining a integral boss for each said cylinder, each said boss defining an upper surface, a lower surface and bores for slidingly receiving said associated pair, follower guide means comprising: an elongated member defining keying surfaces nominally spaced from each said follower at points adjacent each said respective upper surface and operative to effect limited non-contacting rotational freedom to each said follower within each associated bore; and at least one means for resiliently connecting said member to one said boss by embracingly engaging said member and said associated boss lower surface.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
20 words
The follower guide means of claim 22, wherein said resilient connecting means comprises at least two generally C-shaped spring clips.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2119096A
Cited
US3089472A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-05-15 | 1987-11-14 | 1988-05-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-05-15 | 1991-11-14 | 1992-05-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-05-15 | 1995-11-14 | 1996-05-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |