High profile rocker arm assembly with offset valve lash adjuster

Abstract

A high profile rocker arm assembly increases rocker arm strength, minimizes rocker arm weight and enables improved valve lash adjustment. The rocker arm assembly comprises a rocker arm, a cross shaft, and an externally mounted roller tip. The cross shaft incorporates certain offset structure so that when adjustment thereof is made, valve lash adjustment is quickly and easily achieved. This eliminates the need for an adjuster stud and nut on the rocker arm. Several different pillow blocks may function to operatively retain the device.

1 . A high profile rocker arm assembly, the high profile rocker arm assembly comprising a rocker arm, a cross shaft assembly, an externally mountable roller tip, and a rocker arm pivot axis, the rocker arm comprising a rod end, a valve end, a shaft-receiving bore, an upper arm portion, a shaft-receiving mount, and an outer rocker arm surface, the upper arm portion having an arm thickness, the shaft-receiving mount having a mount thickness, the arm thickness being lesser in magnitude than the mount thickness, the outer rocker arm surface sloping non-linearly intermediate the upper arm portion and the shaft-receiving mount, the roller tip being U-shaped and comprising valve end-receiving arms, the valve end being rotatably received intermediate the valve end-receiving arms, the rod end comprising a swiveling push rod socket, the cross shaft assembly comprising a cross shaft, the cross shaft comprising a first shaft end, a second shaft end, and a central shaft portion, a select shaft end comprising adjustment-enabling means, the adjustment-enabling means for rotatably enabling valve lash adjustment via the cross shaft, the adjustment-enabling means having an offset axis of rotation, the offset axis of rotation being parallel to and offset from the rocker arm axis, the offset shaft axis for easing valve lash adjustment. 
   
   
       2 . The high profile rocker arm assembly of  claim 1  wherein the roller tip comprises opposing planar valve-engaging surfaces and a radius of curvature, the radius of curvature extending intermediate the valve-engaging surfaces, the valve-engaging surfaces and the radius of curvature being rockable upon a valve stem for enhancing valve action via the valve end. 
   
   
       3 . The high profile rocker arm assembly of  claim 2  wherein a pin having eccentric ends rotatably attaches the valve end-receiving arms to the valve end, said eccentric ends for increasing valve lift. 
   
   
       4 . The high profile rocker arm assembly of  claim 1  wherein an eccentric pin fastens a push rod to the push rod socket, the eccentric pin for enhancing swivel action of the push rod socket, the enhanced swivel action for increasing rocker arm ratio. 
   
   
       5 . The high profile rocker arm assembly of  claim 1  comprising bearing lubrication means and bearing means, the bearing lubrication means for lubricating the bearing means. 
   
   
       6 . A high profile rocker arm assembly, the high profile rocker arm assembly comprising a rocker arm, a cross shaft assembly, and a rocker arm pivot axis, the rocker arm comprises a rod end, a valve end, a shaft-receiving bore, an upper arm portion, a shaft-receiving mount, and an outer rocker arm surface, the upper arm portion having an arm thickness, the shaft-receiving mount having a mount thickness, the arm thickness being lesser in magnitude than the mount thickness and the outer rocker arm surface having a non-linear slope intermediate the upper arm portion and the shaft-receiving mount, the non-linear slope for localizing rocker arm weight adjacent the rocker arm pivot axis and enhancing rocker arm action. 
   
   
       7 . The high profile rocker arm assembly of  claim 6  comprising an externally mountable roller tip, the roller tip being U-shaped and comprising valve end-sandwiching arms, the valve end being rotatably received intermediate the valve end-receiving arms, the roller tip for enhancing valve action via the valve end. 
   
   
       8 . The high profile rocker arm assembly of  claim 7  wherein the roller tip comprises opposing planar valve-engaging surfaces and a radius of curvature, the radius of curvature extending intermediate the valve-engaging surfaces, the valve-engaging surfaces and the radius of curvature being rockable upon a valve stem for enhancing valve actuation via the valve end. 
   
   
       9 . The high profile rocker arm assembly of  claim 7  wherein a pin having eccentric ends rotatably attaches the valve end-receiving arms to the valve end, said eccentric ends for increasing valve lift. 
   
   
       10 . The high profile rocker arm assembly of  claim 6  wherein the rod end comprises a swiveling push rod socket, the swiveling push rod socket for increasing rocker arm ratio. 
   
   
       11 . The high profile rocker arm assembly of  claim 10  wherein an eccentric pin fastens a push rod to the push rod socket, the eccentric pin for enhancing swivel action of the push rod socket, the enhanced swivel action for increasing rocker arm ratio. 
   
   
       12 . The high profile rocker arm assembly of  claim 6  wherein cross shaft assembly comprising a cross shaft, the cross shaft comprising a first shaft end, a second shaft end, and a central shaft portion, a select shaft end comprising adjustment-enabling means, the adjustment-enabling means for rotatably enabling valve lash adjustment via the cross shaft, the adjustment-enabling means having an offset axis of rotation, the offset axis of rotation being offset from the rocker arm axis, the offset axis of rotation for easing valve lash adjustment. 
   
   
       13 . The high profile rocker arm assembly of  claim 6  comprising bearing lubrication means and bearing means, the bearing lubrication means for lubricating the bearing means. 
   
   
       14 . A high profile rocker arm assembly, the high profile rocker arm assembly comprising a rocker arm and a rocker arm pivot axis, the rocker arm comprising a rod end, a valve end, an upper arm portion, a shaft-receiving mount, and an outer rocker arm surface, the upper arm portion having an arm thickness, the shaft-receiving mount having a mount thickness, the arm thickness having varied thickness relative to the mount thickness, the varied thickness for localizing rocker arm weight adjacent the rocker arm pivot axis. 
   
   
       15 . The high profile rocker arm assembly of  claim 14  wherein the outer rocker arm surface slopes intermediate the upper arm portion and the shaft-receiving mount. 
   
   
       16 . The high profile rocker arm assembly of  claim 15  wherein the outer rocker arm surface slopes non-linearly intermediate the upper arm portion and the shaft-receiving mount. 
   
   
       17 . The high profile rocker arm assembly of  claim 14  comprising an externally mountable roller tip, the roller tip being U-shaped and comprising valve end-sandwiching arms, the valve end being rotatably received intermediate the valve end-receiving arms. 
   
   
       18 . The high profile rocker arm assembly of  claim 14  wherein the rod end comprises a swiveling push rod socket, the swiveling push rod socket for increasing rocker arm ratio. 
   
   
       19 . The high profile rocker arm assembly of  claim 14  comprising a cross shaft assembly, the cross shaft assembly comprising a cross shaft, the cross shaft comprising an eccentric end, the eccentric shaft-adjusting end, the shaft-adjusting end having an offset axis of rotation, the offset axis of rotation being offset from the rocker arm axis, the offset axis of rotation for easing valve lash adjustment. 
   
   
       20 . The high profile rocker arm assembly of  claim 14  comprising means for enabling eccentric pivot action, said means for enhancing rocker arm action.