US5823153A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Compressing release with snap-in components
Assignee: Briggs and Stratton Corp
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Filing: 1997-05-08
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Granted: 1998-10-20
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Expires: 2017-05-08
Abstract
Abstract The centrifugally-responsive compression release apparatus of the present invention is a compact unit which can be simply snap-fit to a position on the cam shaft during assembly and will retain that position during engine operation. The compression release apparatus relieves compression in at least one chamber of an internal combustion engine by utilizing a lift member engageable with a valve operating device and centrifugally-responsive means for changing the position of the lift member in response to engine speeds. The apparatus includes a base member which can be injection molded to a shape of a segmented cylinder thereby substantially corresponding to the shape of the outer surface of the cam shaft. The base member also provides means for integrating and retaining the dynamic components of the apparatus to the base member. Furthermore, the compression release apparatus is adaptable to utilizing a single centrifugally-responsive means, such as a flyweight, to engage more than one valve operating device, thereby relieving pressure in more than one combustion chamber. Thus, the compression release apparatus is easy to manufacture and easy to install on the engine, and does not require any major modification to engine components.
Inventors
- 👤 John D. Santi
- 👤 David A. Kratz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 13:00
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01L; F01L13/00; F01L13/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
A compression release apparatus for relieving compression in at least one combustion chamber of an engine, said engine having a rotatable cam shaft, a cam gear and a valve operating device associated with said chamber, comprising: a base member having a shape that substantially corresponds to an outer surface of said cam shaft; an arm interconnected with said base member, said arm abutting a surface on said cam gear; a lift member engageable with said valve operating device; and a centrifugally-responsive means for changing the position of said lift member in response to engine speeds.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
95 words
A compression release apparatus for relieving compression in at least one combustion chamber of an engine, said engine having a rotatable cam shaft, a cam gear and a valve operating device associated with said chamber, comprising: a base member having a shape that substantially corresponds to an outer surface of said cam shaft; an arm interconnected with said base member, said arm abutting a surface on said cam gear; a lift member engageable with said valve operating device; and a centrifugally-responsive means for changing the position of said lift member in response to engine speeds.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The compression release apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a lift pin interconnected between said lift member and said centrifugally responsive means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The compression release apparatus of claim 2, wherein said base member includes a guide for said lift pin.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The compression release apparatus of claim 1, wherein said centrifugally responsive means includes a flyweight interconnected with said lift member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
83 words
A compression release apparatus for relieving compression in at least one combustion chamber of an engine, said engine having a rotatable cam shaft, a cam gear and a valve operating device associated with said chamber, comprising: a base member having a shape of a segmented cylinder that substantially corresponds to an outer surface of said cam shaft; a lift member engageable with said valve operating device; and a centrifugally-responsive means for changing the position of said lift member in response to engine speeds.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
83 words
A compression release apparatus for relieving compression in at least one combustion chamber of an engine, said engine having a rotatable cam shaft, a cam gear and a valve operating device associated with said chamber, comprising: a base member having a shape of a segmented cylinder that substantially corresponds to an outer surface of said cam shaft; a lift member engageable with said valve operating device; and a centrifugally-responsive means for changing the position of said lift member in response to engine speeds.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The compression release apparatus of claim 5, further comprising: a lift pin interconnected between said lift member and said centrifugally responsive means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The compression release apparatus of claim 6, wherein said base member includes a guide for said lift pin.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The compression release apparatus of claim 5, wherein said centrifugally responsive means includes a flyweight interconnected with said lift member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
105 words
A compression release apparatus for relieving compression in at least one combustion chamber of an engine, said engine having a rotatable cam shaft, a cam gear and a valve operating device associated with said chamber, comprising: a base member having a shape that substantially corresponds to an outer surface of said cam shaft; means for retaining said base member in a position adjacent to said outer surface of said cam shaft, including an arm interconnected with said base member; a lift member engageable with said valve operating device; and a centrifugally-responsive means for changing the position of said lift member in response to engine speeds.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
105 words
A compression release apparatus for relieving compression in at least one combustion chamber of an engine, said engine having a rotatable cam shaft, a cam gear and a valve operating device associated with said chamber, comprising: a base member having a shape that substantially corresponds to an outer surface of said cam shaft; means for retaining said base member in a position adjacent to said outer surface of said cam shaft, including an arm interconnected with said base member; a lift member engageable with said valve operating device; and a centrifugally-responsive means for changing the position of said lift member in response to engine speeds.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The compression release apparatus of claim 9, further comprising: a lift pin interconnected between said lift member and said centrifugally responsive means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The compression release apparatus of claim 10, wherein said base member includes a guide for said lift pin.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The compression release apparatus of claim 9, wherein said centrifugally responsive means includes a flyweight interconnected with said lift member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
107 words
A compression release apparatus for relieving compression in at least one combustion chamber of an engine, said engine having a rotatable cam shaft, a cam gear and a valve operating device associated with said chamber, comprising: a base member having a shape that substantially corresponds to an outer surface of said cam shaft; an arm interconnected with said base member, said arm abutting a surface on said cam gear; a lift member engageable with said valve operating device; a centrifugally-responsive means for changing the position of said lift member in response to engine speeds; and a lift pin interconnected between said lift member and said centrifugally-responsive means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
107 words
A compression release apparatus for relieving compression in at least one combustion chamber of an engine, said engine having a rotatable cam shaft, a cam gear and a valve operating device associated with said chamber, comprising: a base member having a shape that substantially corresponds to an outer surface of said cam shaft; an arm interconnected with said base member, said arm abutting a surface on said cam gear; a lift member engageable with said valve operating device; a centrifugally-responsive means for changing the position of said lift member in response to engine speeds; and a lift pin interconnected between said lift member and said centrifugally-responsive means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
The compression release apparatus of claim 13, wherein said base member includes a guide for said lift pin having a shape partially corresponding to the shape of said lift pin.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The compression release apparatus of claim 13, wherein said centrifugally-responsive means includes a single flyweight.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
37 words
The compression release apparatus of claim 13, further comprising: at least one gear member that is responsive to movement of said centrifugally-responsive means, said lift member being responsive to movement of said at least one gear member.
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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) | 2001-10-19 | 2002-04-20 | 2002-10-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-10-19 | 2006-04-20 | 2006-10-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-10-19 | 2010-04-20 | 2010-10-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |