U.S. patent application number 12/494854 was filed with the patent office on 2010-01-07 for valve spring retainer.
Invention is credited to James R. Edgar.
Application Number | 20100001224 12/494854 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41463647 |
Filed Date | 2010-01-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100001224 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Edgar; James R. |
January 7, 2010 |
Valve Spring Retainer
Abstract
The valve spring retainer includes a base having an outer
periphery and a central aperture. The central aperture defines a
center axis. At least two tabs extending radially from the base
outer periphery relative to the center axis. Each of the tabs have
a distal end including an axially extending lip for retaining a
spring relative to the retainer.
Inventors: |
Edgar; James R.; (Shorewood,
WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
QUARLES & BRADY LLP
411 E. WISCONSIN AVENUE, SUITE 2040
MILWAUKEE
WI
53202-4497
US
|
Family ID: |
41463647 |
Appl. No.: |
12/494854 |
Filed: |
June 30, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61077629 |
Jul 2, 2008 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
251/337 ;
123/90.67 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F01L 1/462 20130101;
F01L 3/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
251/337 ;
123/90.67 |
International
Class: |
F01L 3/10 20060101
F01L003/10 |
Claims
1. A valve spring retainer comprising: a base having an outer
periphery and a central aperture, said central aperture defining a
center axis; and at least two tabs extending radially from said
base outer periphery relative to said center axis, each of said
tabs having a distal end including an axially extending lip for
retaining a spring relative to said retainer.
2. The valve spring retainer as in claim 1, in which said central
aperture is formed in a downwardly extending tapered cone
section.
3. The valve spring retainer as in claim 2, in which said central
aperture is surrounded by an upwardly extending annular ridge.
4. The valve spring retainer as in claim 1, including a reinforcing
band surrounding said cone section.
5. A valve spring retainer comprising: a base having an outer
periphery and a central aperture, said central aperture defining a
center axis; a downwardly extending tapered cone section coaxial
with said central axis; and at least two tabs extending radially
from said base outer periphery relative to said center axis, each
of said tabs having a distal end including an axially extending lip
for retaining a spring relative to said retainer.
6. The valve spring retainer as in claim 5, including an upwardly
extending annular ridge surrounding said central aperture.
7. The valve spring retainer as in claim 5, including a reinforcing
band surrounding said cone section.
Description
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the priority of Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 61/077,629, filed Jul. 2, 2008, the entire
disclosure of which is expressly and fully incorporated herein by
reference.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH
[0002] Not Applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention relates to valve spring retainers, and
more particularly to a valve spring retainer for an internal
combustion engine.
[0004] Typical valve spring retainers have a circular perimeter
with a downwardly extending periphery flange or downwardly
projecting protrusion for engaging a return compression spring. The
groove or flange retains the spring relative to a poppet valve of
an internal combustion engine to bias the poppet valve toward a
specific position. The mass of the spring retainer, however,
affects the performance of the internal combustion engine, i.e. the
higher the mass of the spring retainer the less the engine
performance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention provides a valve spring retainer
having a lower mass than prior art valve spring retainers designed
for the same application. The valve spring retainer includes a base
having an outer periphery and a central aperture. The central
aperture defines a center axis. At least two tabs extending
radially from the base outer periphery relative to the center axis.
Each of the tabs have a distal end including an axially extending
lip for retaining a spring relative to the retainer.
[0006] In the detailed description below, a preferred embodiment of
the invention will be described in reference to the accompanying
drawings. This embodiments do not represent the full scope of the
invention. Rather the invention may be employed in other
embodiments. Reference should therefore be made to the claims
herein for interpreting the breadth of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a top view of a valve spring retainer
incorporating the present invention installed in an internal
combustion engine;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the valve spring
retainer of FIG. 1;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the valve spring
retainer of FIG. 1;
[0010] FIG. 4 is side view of the valve spring retainer of FIG. 1;
and
[0011] FIG. 5 is side view of an alternative embodiment of a valve
spring retainer incorporating the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0012] Referring now to the Figures, a valve spring retainer 10
incorporating the present invention is preferably stamped from a
thin steel blank. In a preferred embodiment, the valve spring
retainer 10 is stamped from a blank approximately 1.06 mm thick
providing a retainer with a total mass of 30-40% less than the
prior art. As shown in FIG. 1, the valve spring retainer 10 is
secured to a valve stem 12 by two keys or collets 14. However,
other methods for securing the spring retainer to the valve can be
used, such as leaf springs, cotter pins, and the like, without
departing from the scope of the invention.
[0013] As shown in FIGS. 2-4, the valve spring retainer 10 includes
a base 16 with a downwardly extending tapered cone section 18
surrounded by an upwardly extending annular ridge 22 spaced
inwardly from a base outer periphery 24. The annular ridge 22
stiffens the base 16 allowing the valve spring retainer 10 to be
formed from a blank thinner than normally required for the same
application. Of course, the annular ridge 22 can be omitted without
departing from the scope of the invention.
[0014] The cone section 18 includes a circular aperture 26 through
which the valve stem 12 is received. The aperture 26 defines a
central axis 28 coaxial with the cone section 18 and extending
through the base 16.
[0015] Four retaining tabs 32 extend radially outwardly from the
base outer periphery 24 relative to the central axis 28. Each
retaining tab 32 extends radially from a proximal end attached to
the base toward a distal end. A lip 34 extending substantially
axially from the distal end of the tab engages the outer periphery
of a return compression valve spring to retain the spring relative
to the valve spring retainer 10. Advantageously, the absence of
material between the retaining tabs 32 reduces the mass of the
valve spring retainer 10 compared to the prior art. Although four
retaining tabs are shown, any number of retaining tabs, such as two
or more retaining tabs can be provided to retain the spring
relative to the valve spring retainer.
[0016] Carrying web tabs 36 interposed between two pairs of the
retaining tabs 32 can be provided to facilitate progressive
stamping of the valve spring retainer 10. Although carrying web
tabs 36 are preferred to facilitate manufacturing, the carrying tab
webs 36 can be omitted without departing from the scope of the
present invention.
[0017] In an alternate embodiment shown in FIG. 5, a reinforcing
band 38 of material surrounding a lower part of the cone section 18
strengthens the cone section 18 for use under harsh conditions.
Preferably, the reinforcing band is formed as an integral part of
the cone section 18. Although a reinforcing band 38 is disclosed.
The reinforcing band can be omitted without departing from the
scope of the invention.
[0018] While there has been shown and described what are at present
considered the preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be
obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and
modifications can be made therein without departing from the scope
of the invention defined by the appended claims.
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