Limited rotation roller tappet

Abstract

A limited rotation roller tappet having an aperture and a slot formed in it. A locking bar having a narrow end portion and a shoulder portion prevents rotation of the tappet. The end portion of the locking bar is adapted to pass through both the aperture and the slot while the shoulder portion will not pass through the aperture. The locking bar preferably has a second narrow end portion and is held in place by a second similar roller tappet adjacent to the first having a slot through which the second end portion passes and an aperture through which the shoulder portion will not pass.

Description

Claims

1. A non-rotatable valve lifter mechanism for actuating intake and exhaust valves in an internal combustion engine, comprising:

a first tubular member having a bifurcation formed in one end thereof, a first roller bearing mounted in said bifurcation of said first tubular member, said first tubular member having an aperture and a slot formed therein, said slot being substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said first tubular member;

a second tubular member having a bifurcation formed in one end thereof, a second roller bearing mounted in said bifurcation in said second tubulor member, said second tubular member having a slot and an aperture formed therein, said slot being substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said second tubular member; and

a locking bar supported by and preventing rotation of said tubular members, said locking bar having a first end portion, a first shoulder portion adjacent to said first end portion, a second end portion, a second shoulder portion adjacent to said second end portion, each said end portion being adopted to pass through both said slots and said apertures, each said shoulder portion having at least one dimension too great to allow passage through said apertures, the end portion of said locking bar passing through said apertures.

2. The non-rotatable valve lifter mechanism of claim 1 wherein the distance between said shoulder portions is greater than the distance between said slot in said first tubular member and said slot in said second tubular member.

3. The non-rotatable valve lifter mechanism of claim 2 wherein the distance between said shoulder portions is less than the distance between said aperture in said first tubular member and wherein the total length of said locking bar is sufficient to maintain said locking bar within said slots as said tubular members reciprocate.

4. The non-rotatable valve lifter mechanism of claim 1 wherein a line substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of each said roller bearing can be passed through said slot and aperture in each said tubular member.

5. The non-rotatable valve lifter mechanism of claim 4 wherein said locking bar is a substantially planar member, the plane of said member being parallel to the longitudinal axes of said tubular members.

6. The non-rotatable valve lifter mechanism of claim 4 wherein said locking bar reciprocates with said tubular members, and is of sufficient length to be maintained within said slots and apertures as said tubular members reciprocate.

7. The non-rotatable valve lifter mechanism of claim 4 wherein each said line passes through the longitudinal axis of each said tubular member and further comprising a pushrod seat mounted on each said tubular member at the end opposite said roller bearing, each said pushrod seat having a bearing surface formed therein.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein each said pushrod seat has a substantially cylindrical insertable portion having an outside diameter which is substantially equal to the inside diameter of each said tubular member, a shoulder means joined to said insertable portion for mounting said pushrod seat on said tubular member and a portion having a bearing surface formed herein.

9. The device of claim 1 further comprising a pushrod seat disposed within said tubular member between said first roller bearing and said first aperture, said first roller bearing and said first aperture, said pushrod seat including a substantially cylindrical member having a bearing surface formed therein in the face opposite said roller bearing, having a groove formed in the cylindrical surface of said cylindrical member and having an aperture formed therein, said aperture connecting said bearing surface with said groove, and wherein a passage is formed in said first tubular member extending from the interior of said first tubular member.

10. The non-rotatable valve lifter mechanism of claim 1 wherein said locking bar is a substantially planar member, the plane of said member being parallel to the longitudinal axes of said tubular members.

11. The non-rotatable valve lifter mechanism of claim 1 wherein said locking bar reciprocates with said tubular members and is of sufficient length to be maintained within said slots and apertures as said tubular member reciprocate.