Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
In an internal combustion engine of the type which includes a cylinder, a piston slidable in said cylinder, a crankcase having a wall, a crankshaft and a balance shaft, each shaft carrying respective eccentric weights and rotatable around axes which are parallel to one another, said piston being linked to said crankshaft, and said crankshaft and balance shaft being linked together for simultaneous rotation, bearing means on each of said crankshaft and balance shaft rotationally mounting them to said crankcase wall, the improvement comprising: a reinforcing member made of a stronger material than that of said crankcase wall, said reinforcing member comprising an enclosing portion for embracing and enclosing the bearing means of each of said shafts, with a connecting wall portion joining said enclosing portions to one another, said reinforcing member being cast into said crankcase wall, said connecting wall portion resisting compressive and tensile forces exerted on said reinforcing member as a consequence of rotation of said shafts.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
160 words
In an internal combustion engine of the type which includes a cylinder, a piston slidable in said cylinder, a crankcase having a wall, a crankshaft and a balance shaft, each shaft carrying respective eccentric weights and rotatable around axes which are parallel to one another, said piston being linked to said crankshaft, and said crankshaft and balance shaft being linked together for simultaneous rotation, bearing means on each of said crankshaft and balance shaft rotationally mounting them to said crankcase wall, the improvement comprising: a reinforcing member made of a stronger material than that of said crankcase wall, said reinforcing member comprising an enclosing portion for embracing and enclosing the bearing means of each of said shafts, with a connecting wall portion joining said enclosing portions to one another, said reinforcing member being cast into said crankcase wall, said connecting wall portion resisting compressive and tensile forces exerted on said reinforcing member as a consequence of rotation of said shafts.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said crankcase wall is made of a material selected from a group consisting of one of aluminum and aluminum alloy, and said reinforcing member is made of an iron alloy.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said reinforcing member includes a threaded hole to receive a cylinder hold down bolt.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which two of said reinforcing members are provided, one at both ends of said shafts.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 in which said crankcase wall is made of a material selected from a group consisting of one of aluminum and aluminum alloy, and said reinforcing member is made of an iron alloy.