US5010857A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rocker arm
Assignee: MASCOTECH INDUSTRIAL COMPONENTS Inc
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Filing: 1990-08-15
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Granted: 1991-04-30
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Expires: 2010-08-15
Abstract
Abstract A rocker arm is formed from a unitary sheet metal material with a unitary journal and pad with selective welds to provide rigidity.
Inventors
- 👤 Heinrich J. Hempelmann
- 👤 Eugene P. Manier
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 06:36
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01L; F01L1/00; F01L1/12; F01L1/18; F01L1/181; F01L2303/00; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20576; Y10T74/20582; Y10T74/20882
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
A rocker arm formed from a one-piece sheet metal blank, a pair of sidewalls opposing one another, said pair of sidewalls each defining an aperture, said apertures being positioned coaxial with one another with an integral circumferential flange extending from each sidewall about said aperture therein to define a shaft journal; an end wall integral with and interconnecting said side walls at one end thereof; at least one integral finger extending transversely from each said sidewall towards the other said side wall, the ends of said fingers being welded together to rigidify said rocker arm; force receiving means adjacent one end of said rocker arm adapted to engage a push rod or the like; and force exerting means at the opposite end of said rocker arm than said force exerting means and adapted for contacting a valve stem or the like to activate same.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
144 words
A rocker arm formed from a one-piece sheet metal blank, a pair of sidewalls opposing one another, said pair of sidewalls each defining an aperture, said apertures being positioned coaxial with one another with an integral circumferential flange extending from each sidewall about said aperture therein to define a shaft journal; an end wall integral with and interconnecting said side walls at one end thereof; at least one integral finger extending transversely from each said sidewall towards the other said side wall, the ends of said fingers being welded together to rigidify said rocker arm; force receiving means adjacent one end of said rocker arm adapted to engage a push rod or the like; and force exerting means at the opposite end of said rocker arm than said force exerting means and adapted for contacting a valve stem or the like to activate same.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A rocker arm as claimed in claim 1 wherein said integral fingers are disposed adjacent the opposite end of said sidewalls from said end wall.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
A rocker arm as claimed in claim 2 wherein said force receiving and exerting means are disposed on the lower portion of said rocker arm and said integral fingers are disposed on the upper surface of said rocker arm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A rocker arm as claimed in claim 1 wherein said circumferential flanges extend outwardly from said rocker arm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A rocker arm as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a tab formed integrally with said end wall and having opposite side edges welded to each of said side walls respectively.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A rocker arm as claimed in claim 5 wherein said tab is disposed on the upper surface of said rocker arm.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
A rocker arm as claimed in claim 5 further comprising a second tab formed integrally with said end wall and having opposite side edges welded to each of said side walls respectively.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A rocker arm as claimed in claim 7 wherein said second tab is disposed on the lower surface of said rocker arm.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
A rocker arm as claimed in claim 8 wherein said force receiving means is disposed on said second tab.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A rocker arm as claimed in claim 9 wherein said force receiving means is an upwardly projecting dimple in said second tab.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
A rocker arm as claimed in claim 9 wherein said dimple has a bore therethrough defining a lubricant passage.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
A rocker arm as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said sidewalls has an inwardly projecting dimple, said dimples being aligned with one another and having their inner surfaces welded together to further rigidify said rocker arm.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
A rocker arm as claimed in claim 12 wherein said dimples are disposed between said shaft journal and said force exerting means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
A rocker arm as claimed in claim 1 wherein said force exerting means includes transversely aligned openings in said sidewalls, and roller means rotatively disposed in said openings.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-04-29 | 1994-10-29 | 1995-04-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-04-29 | 1998-10-29 | 1999-04-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-04-29 | 2002-10-29 | 2003-04-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |