Rocker arm fixture

Details Rocker arm fixture Rocker arm fixture

1999-05-07

2001-01-30

Lo, Weilun (Department: 3748)

Internal-combustion engines

Poppet valve operating mechanism

Rocker

C123S090390, C123S193500

Reexamination Certificate

active

06178937

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION.
1. Field of the Invention
The invention pertains to assembly fixtures for properly positioning internal combustion engine rocker arm pedestals prior to the pedestals being bolted to engine structure.
2. Description of the Related Art
While fixtures for positioning elements prior to final assembly with another component are known, the need for a low cost fixture for positioning rocker arm pedestals in an internal combustion engine has long existed. Because of the complexity of the configuration and shape of an engine inlet manifold, it has been very difficult to provide a fixture which would accurately hold rocker arm pedestals in position prior to the pedestals being bolted to the engine structure. Prior attempts to utilize an assembly fixture for rocker arm pedestals have not been universally acceptable, and prior to the advent of the instant invention, considerable time and expense has been wasted in the difficulty of properly positioning rocker arm pedestals prior to assembly.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION.
It is an object of the invention to provide a fixture for the positioning of rocker arm pedestals in an internal combustion engine prior to the pedestals being bolted to the engine structure.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a fixture for positioning rocker arm pedestals which firmly holds the pedestals within the fixture during handling of the fixture, and wherein the fixture does not interfere with the mounting of the pedestals in the engine.
An additional object of the invention is to provide a rocker arm pedestal fixture which is of a molded configuration having a shape which corresponds to the engine inlet manifold and wherein the fixture configuration readily “nests” within the engine components to permit the assembler to recognize proper alignment between the pedestals and their mounting holes.
A further object of the invention is to provide an assembly fixture for internal combustion engine rocker arm pedestals which is molded of a low cost temperature resistant synthetic material which may remain in the engine without adverse effect.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION.
An internal combustion engine rocker arm fixture in accord with the invention consists of an elongated molded body of a complex configuration. The body is preferably molded of a temperature resistant synthetic material, such as a glass fiber reinforced resin, and is capable of withstanding the temperatures exteriorly encountered with an automotive internal combustion engine without significant degradation.
The fixture body includes a lower side which is configured to cooperate with the shape of the engine inlet manifold so that the fixture will firmly rest upon the engine surfaces adjacent the location where the rocker arm pedestals are mounted. Further, the fixture body includes recesses or rests which provide clearance for the engine push rods and springs, and further aid in positioning of the fixture within the engine.
The body consists of a plurality of enlargements or islands interconnected by relatively thin bridges forming a relatively rigid structure. A rectangular recess is defined within each of the islands adapted to snugly receive a rocker arm pedestal. Each of the recesses is provided with means for holding a pedestal within the recess consisting of a resilient finger having a barb on its free end adapted to cooperate with a shoulder defined on the pedestal. Vertical positioning of the pedestal within the recess is determined by a pair of projections formed on opposite sides of the recess which engage locating surfaces formed in notches defined on the pedestals. In this manner, the fingers and projections prevent the pedestals from being removed from the associated recess, and the snug relationship between the recess and the pedestals assures that the pedestals will be properly located within the recesses, and the fixture.
After the rocker arm pedestals have been inserted within all of the fixture recesses, the pedestals, usually six in number, and the fixture are placed within the engine and properly located by the configuration of the fixture relative to the engine components, and the pedestals can be quickly firmly attached to the engine structure by the usual bolts extending through the pedestal countersunk bores.
The configuration of the fixture, and its composition, permits all of the fixture components to be homogeneously molded in one operation at low cost, and the relationship of the fixture to the pedestals is such that the fixture may remain in place within the engine during normal engine operation without interfering in any way with engine function.


REFERENCES:
patent: 3870024 (1975-03-01), Ridgeway
patent: 4086887 (1978-05-01), Schoonover et al.
patent: 5095861 (1992-03-01), Dove, Jr.
patent: 5596958 (1997-01-01), Miller
patent: 5617818 (1997-04-01), Luders
patent: 5636600 (1997-06-01), Sweetland et al.
patent: 5970932 (1999-10-01), Richardson et al.

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