Motor vehicles – Special wheel base – Having only two wheels
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-05
2001-10-02
Schwartz, Christopher P. (Department: 3613)
Motor vehicles
Special wheel base
Having only two wheels
C123S090330
Reexamination Certificate
active
06296071
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to motorcycle internal combustion engines, and more particularly to a rocker assembly for a motorcycle internal combustion engine.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Motorcycle engines typically have either overhead cam or push rod valve operation. With push rod valve operation, the push rods typically operate rocker assemblies, each having a rocker mounted to a rocker support. The rocker assemblies are positioned within a rocker box mounted above a cylinder assembly (i.e., a cylinder and cylinder head). The rocker box includes a lower section that is formed integrally with the rocker supports, and an upper section that completes the enclosure for the rocker assemblies.
When the engine is mounted in the frame of some motorcycles, the rocker box is positioned very close to one of the frame members. Such close proximity requires that the entire engine be removed from the frame in order to remove the upper section of the rocker box to have access to the rocker assemblies. In this regard, it is known to produce the upper section of the rocker box in two portions: a middle portion and an upper portion. Because each of the two portions is thinner than the one-piece upper section, they can be removed from the engine one at a time while the engine is mounted in the frame.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention provides a rocker assembly removably housed in or separable from a rocker box, and mounted on a cylinder assembly of a motorcycle engine. By virtue of this design, the entire rocker assembly (including the rocker support) can be removed from the rocker box (e.g., the lower section) so that repairs and/or replacement of the rocker assembly can be performed more efficiently. That is, the rocker support can be replaced without the need to also remove and replace the lower section of the rocker box. In addition, since the lower section does not need to be removed when removing the rocker support, the gasket between the lower section and the cylinder head can stay intact, thereby further saving time and money.
In one embodiment, the rocker assembly includes a rocker support and a rocker supported by the rocker support. The rocker support includes a base having opposite ends and a flange interconnected with each end of the base. Preferably, the base and flanges are made as one piece to accommodate ease of assembly while providing a common machining center.
The rocker support also includes a pair of rocker shafts, each having a longitudinal axis, mounted generally parallel to one another between the flanges. A pair of rockers are supported by the rocker support for rotation with respect to the rocker shafts about the respective longitudinal axes. Each rocker includes a first portion, arm, or actuator at one end for engaging a valve stem, and a second portion, arm, or actuator at the other end for engaging a push rod. The first portions are pivoted into engagement with the valve stems by the push rods.
In one embodiment, the rocker box is a two-piece housing having a wedge-shaped lower section or base, and a wedge-shaped upper section or cover. The cover may be separated from the base in a generally horizontal direction for ease of in-vehicle service. This allows service on components housed within the rocker box, including the rocker assembly, without removing the engine from the motorcycle frame. With this arrangement the number of rocker box gaskets has also been reduced from ten per engine down to four per engine.
Other principal features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following drawings, the detailed description and the appended claims.
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Dennert R. Bruce
Hubbard Henry
Runte Richard M.
Bartz C. T.
Harley-Davidson Motor Company Group Inc.
Michael & Best & Friedrich LLP
Schwartz Christopher P.
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