Patent ID: 6601555
Filing Date: 2003-08-05
Classification: B21K,F01L,Y10T

Abstract:
A cam follower comprising a sheet metal rocker arm, rollers, and a support shaft;the sheet metal rocker arm having a single piece unitary integral structure made by bending a sheet blank having a predetermined contour including a pair of wing-shaped portions projecting outwardly in a widthwise direction at opposite sides, and a central through-hole into which a pair of opposed flap portions inwardly project in the widthwise direction; whereby, after said bending, said sheet metal rocker arm comprises: a pair of opposed side walls having respective shaft support portions formed of said wing-shaped portions and said flap portions, said wing-shaped portions extending upwardly and said flap portions extending downwardly, and a pair of through holes in said side walls aligned with each other; said support shaft being supported by said pair of through holes and said rollers being supported on said support shaft between said side walls; a first connecting portion having a first engagement portion; and a second connecting portion having a second engagement portion; wherein: (1) said side walls each extend in a lengthwise direction of the rocker arm to a lateral side of said second engagement portion; (2) said flap portions each project in a downward direction over a line connecting bottom surfaces of said first and second connecting portions; and (3) a portion in the bottom surface of said second connecting portion between said side walls, and in an area other than a portion where said second engagement portion is formed, is straight in the lengthwise direction of the rocker arm.