Abstract:
A valve cover assembly for use on an internal combustion engine includes an adapter ring structured and disposed for mating and sealing attachment to the engine block in surrounding relation to cylinder openings, a removable cover which sealingly engages with the adapter ring in order to enclose the cylinders and valves of the engine, an O-ring seal for sealing the cover and the adapter ring when in assembly, and a quick release mechanism to releasably connect the cover to the adapter ring and allowing for quick removal of the cover in order to gain access to the engine interior without the need of first removing associated engine parts.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to a valve cover assembly for an internal combustion engine adapted to be installed in a confined space on a vehicle. Particularly, this invention relates to a valve cover assembly for use on the block of an internal combustion engine which includes associated engine parts installed in close adjacent relation to the block defining a confined access space between the block and the associated engine parts. And, more particularly, the valve cover assembly of this invention is sized to be carried on the engine block in the confined access space between the block and the aforesaid associated engine parts. The invention, in general, includes: A) an adapter ring designed and configured to mate sealingly and peripherally about the cylinder openings in the engine block; B) a removable cap which sealingly engages with the adapter ring in order to enclose the cylinders and valves in the block; and C) quick release means to releasably connect the cap to the adapter ring for removal of it to gain access to the engine interior without the need of first removing the associated engine parts, removal of which is a time-consuming and expensive task. 
     2. Discussion of the Related Art 
     Vehicular driving internal combustion engines, whether for land vehicles or inboard marine engines, ordinarily include one or two cylinder heads which are disposed longitudinally on the engine. In either case, each includes a cover, which is sized and configured to mate with the cylinder blocks in covering relation of the valves above the cylinders. A companionate gasket is provided between the head and the cylinder block to prevent leakage of oil. Usually 8 or 10 threaded and spaced bolts secure each cylinder head to the engine block. 
     At times, inspection, adjustment, service, or repair of the engine is required; and, accordingly, access is required to the engine interior, which dictates removal of a cylinder head. However, because the configuration of many automotive and marine engines and their attached or associated engine parts or components are required to fit in a confined engine space, access, even to the bolts, is difficult, if not impossible, without removal of some of the attached components, such as the exhaust manifold. This is very often the case with high-performance engine installations which are equipped with elaborate exhaust systems carried in close adjacent relationship to the cylinder head and engine block. This makes removal of exteriorly carried components, for example, the exhaust system, in whole or in part, a required and first task. This first task requires substantial time and expense which if avoided, might be an otherwise relatively minor and rapidly performed job. 
     In the past, efforts have expended to reduce the overall space of a vehicle required for its driving engine and the relatively small or tight space between the engine proper and its associated engine parts or components. These efforts have resulted in many prior patents having been granted in what has grown to be a relatively crowded art. A representative prior patent of structure to reduce required engine space, especially for high-performance engines, is found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,788,950 to Finley, which describes an assembly to cover an engine block&#39;s cylinder openings. That patent describes an assembly which includes a cover hingedly connected to a ring, which cover, in use, swings open on one side only, namely the swinging side, to permit some engine interior access. The entire cylinder head assembly, and all parts of the assembly, however, remain attached to the engine, limiting interior engine access. Moreover, sufficient room is needed to allow for the swinging movement of the cover to an open position. On engine assemblies which include associated engine parts in close adjacent relation to the block, such as exhaust manifolds, it may not be possible to hingedly open the Finley valve cover without first disassembling and removing the adjacent associated engine parts. 
     The recurring problem of access for machinery parts is generally described in the referenced patent. In addition to this problem, there is the problem, often encountered, of damage to a gasket, conventionally sandwiched between the cover and the engine block, and the need to replace it each time engine interior access is achieved. 
     Thus, those in the field continue to be concerned with the need for rapid adjustment of an internal combustion engine and reflect continuing efforts to reduce the size of the space between an installed internal combustion engine proper and its associated parts, while on a vehicle. This invention provides improved structure to meet these problems in the field. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Generally, this invention addresses these and related problems by providing a valve cover assembly composed essentially of two main parts, a ring adapter and a mating and completely removable ring cover. In use, a ring with a first main face is positioned on an engine block about the cylinder openings and attached to the block by bolts or screws with a gasket therebetween. The ring has a sealing groove in its outer main face to receive the rim of the cover in sealing relation therein. An O-ring is captivated in the groove, as is explained in more detail in the following specification and attached drawings. The cover is attached to the adapter by quick release means, constituting in the described embodiment, two captured screws in two vertical bores, one bore in each end of the cover with the bolts being in threaded engagement in bores in the adapter ring. Thus, tightening these screws attaches the cover to the ring in sealing relation and loosening of it lifts the cover out of the groove so it can be completely removed from the block and the confined access space between the ring and the associated exterior engine parts without disturbing the gasket between the ring and engine block. 
     This structure is in contrast to the aforementioned patent disclosure. The instant invention provides an improved structure that enables complete and rapid removal of a cover member of a valve cover assembly, as well as providing for rapid replacement of it. In general, the invention provides an improved valve cover as is described more fully herein. 
     The valve cover assembly of this invention is sized and structured to fit in the tight or confined access space between an installed engine block of an engine and other associated engine parts, such as the engine&#39;s exhaust manifold members. The structure of the assembly, described hereinafter, not only permits it to be installed in an optimally small space between the engine block and associated engine parts; but, also, it permits removal of the cover proper of the assembly to gain access to the inner parts of the engine through the ring adapter for fine tuned engine adjustments without requiring the associated engine parts to be removed as a first task of doing this job. It will be appreciated that avoiding removal of the associated engine parts saves time, which is important in ordinary work, and is, indeed, vital in a racing situation. Thus, the assembly of this invention is especially practical for a high-performance engine. 
     In summary, the valve cover assembly is sized to be carried on the engine between the block and the aforesaid engine parts; and it includes: A) an adapter ring designed and configured to mate peripherally about the cylinder openings in the engine block; B) a removable cover or cap, as described below, structured for sealing engagement with the adapter ring to cover and enclose the valves and the cylinder openings in the block; and C) quick release means connecting the cap to the ring for gaining access without the need of removal of the engine parts to adjust the engine. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     Without intention of being limited, it is accordingly a general object of this invention to describe and provide a valve cover assembly according to a preferred embodiment which provides for rapid access to the interior parts of an engine installed in a confined space, or to be installed in such a space, on a vehicle. 
     It is a general object of this invention to provide a valve cover assembly sized to dwell on an engine block between the block and associated engine parts which includes an adapter ring designed and configured to mate peripherally about cylinder openings in the block, a removable cover or cap in sealing engagement with the adapter ring, which covers valves and cylinders in the block, and quick release means connecting the cap to the ring for gaining access without the need for removal of the engine parts to adjust, inspect or service the engine interior parts. 
     It is a general object of this invention to provide a valve cover assembly for the purposes described which is compact, simple to assemble, easily installed, and which provides for efficient use of space between an internal combustion engine block and associated engine parts; and a further object being to provide for rapid access to the engine interior for inspection, adjustments and repairs without the need of expensive and time consuming removal and repositioning of associated engine parts in order to achieve such adjustments. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In accordance with these and other objects which will be apparent to those skilled in this field, the invention will be described in the following paragraphs on reference to the accompanying illustrations which are here described generally in the following figure descriptions and in more detail in the written description, or specification part of this application, which follows: 
     FIG. 1A is a diagram to illustrate an arrangement of an engine block, associated engine parts and the valve cover assembly therebetween; 
     FIG. 1B is another illustration representing the engine block with a different arrangement of the associated engine parts relative to the engine block and the cylinder head; 
     FIG. 2 is an isolated perspective view showing a portion of the valve cover assembly composed of the adapter ring, its mating removable cap, a seal member or O-ring, and a quick release means known in the art; 
     FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the component elements of the valve cover assembly including a cover, a ring adapter, and an O-ring seal; 
     FIG. 4 is a top perspective view showing the adapter ring positioned on the top surface of the engine block surrounding the cylinder recesses; 
     FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the ring adapter; 
     FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the plane of the line  6 — 6  of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the plane of the line  7 — 7  of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 8 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the cover; and 
     FIG. 9 is an isolated sectional view of one end of the cover showing quick release means fitted thereto for removably attaching the cover to the ring adapter and the engine block. 
     Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring first to the illustrative drawings, on which like or corresponding parts in the several views are similarly numbered, an engine block of type engine is generally indicated by the numeral  2  in FIG. 1A, while another engine block for another type engine is represented by the numeral  2  in FIG.  1 B. In each case, the associated engine parts are designated either by the numeral  3  of  3 ′ in those FIGS. 1A and 1B, respectively. The access space between the engine and associated parts  3 ,  3 ′, which may be minimized by the invention, is designated by the numeral  7  in both FIGS. 1A and 1B. Also, the assembly, comprising the invention, is generally represented by the numeral  4  through the several drawings figures. As seen in FIGS. 3,  5  and  8 , the assembly  4  includes the two main parts of the assembly, the removable cover  5  and adapter ring  6 . 
     Generally, the invention is of the assembly  4  generally indicated in FIGS. 1A,  1 B and  2 , and it is more specifically depicted in FIGS. 3,  5 - 9 . The overall structure of the two primary parts, the adapter ring  6  and the removable mating cover  5 , are best seen in FIGS. 5-9. 
     The adapter ring  6  is configured and of a size to mount to an engine block by bolts  11  and registering recesses  13  in the engine block  2  (see FIG. 4) and mating gasket  15  is captivated between the block  2  and the adapter ring  6 . In use, the adapter ring  6  and cover  5  are joined together by quick release fastening means  17  of many conventional types known in the field, such as by an e-clip carrying set of bolts  18  to capture the bolts  18  within hollow bosses formed in opposite ends of the cover  5 . Also, a sealing means such as a gasket or an O-ring  19  is captivated between the ring adapter  6  and the cover  5 , in assembly  4 . In a preferred embodiment, the ring adapter  6  is of oblong configuration or somewhat rectangularly configured and is sized to fit on top of an engine block peripherally, and more particular on a surface  20  encircling a plurality of cylinder recess openings  21  and on a companionate shaped gasket  15  to captivate the gasket between the adapter ring  6  and the engine block surface  20  when bolts  11  are tightened in registered recesses  13  and  14  in the block and ring adapter  6 , respectively, as well as through recesses  23  in gasket  15 . The ring  6  has a first surface  22  to confront the gasket  15  on the engine block and an opposite second surface  24  confronting the cover  5  upon assembly. This second surface  24  of the ring  6  has a recessed seal groove  26  and, along the length of that groove, spaced ears, such as  30 , may be provided either extending inwardly or outwardly to accommodate the recesses  14 . Alternatively, the recesses may be located in the groove floor  28  and be of countersunk configuration. Centrally arranged on the shorter ring length are a set of second ears such as that designated by the numeral  32  in opposing relation to one another, each with a through hole  35  to releasably retain the cover  5  in a manner to be explained. 
     Also in the preferred embodiment, the cover  5  defines a cap portion  38  sized to span the ring adapter in spaced relation; and the cover further includes a skirt portion  40  with a margin zone having a brink edge or terminal end  44 . The brink edge  44  is configured to fit in the seal groove  26  of the ring adapter  6 , that is, it fits within the groove  26  and bears against the sealing means  19  positioned therein providing a seal. In other words, upon assembly, the brink edge  44  of the cover  5  snugly rests in the seal groove  26  and the sealing means  19 , in this case an O-ring, is captivated between the brink edge  44  and the walls of the groove  26  forming a labyrinth seal between the cover  5  and the groove walls of the adapter ring  6 . 
     Quick release means  17  interconnect the ring adapter  6  and cover  5  in assembly. Without intending to limit the invention, one type quick release fastener means, in the form of conventional and common e-clip carrying bolts  18 , may be used. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 9, each bolt  18  of a pair is received in one of the hollow bosses  60  on a respective opposite end of the cover, with the e-clip  62  or radial enlarged portion captivating the bolts  18  in the respective hollow bosses  60 . These bolts, only two in number preferably, extend through the holes  35  of the ring adapter and into threaded engagement with threaded recesses  13  in the engine block, to effectively attach the cover  5  to the ring adapter  6  and engine block  2 . The bolts  18  can be quickly manipulated to remove the cover completely from the ring  6 . 
     In use, once the ring adapter  6  of the assembly  4  has been bolted to an engine block  2  and the cover  5  has been attached to the ring adapter  6  and block  2 , and the assembly  4  is in the confined access space  7  between the engine  2  and an associated engine part(s)  3 ,  3 ′, such as an exhaust manifold, rapid access can be had to the space above and near the engine block cylinder openings by removing the cover  5  only and not the ring adapter  6 . This is done by manipulating the quick release means  17  and thereafter when the job has been completed, by repositioning the cover  5  and assembling the cover  5  with the ring adapter  6 . This is because little access space  7  is required between the engine block  2  and the associate engine parts  3 ,  3 ′ to accommodate the assembly  4  and all may be accomplished without the use of tools and without disturbing and/or replacing the gasket  15 . 
     Referring to the quick release means  17 , an embodiment is described. Other type quick release devices are well known equivalents and are not described herein to avoid being prolix, but reference is made to U.S. Pat. No. 5,598,612, for example, which shows such a device and refers to the other patents of known structures in the field of similar purpose. The drawings illustrate a bolt  18  which is headed as at  52  and which has a shank  54  which passes through the hole in the boss  60  and is captivated therein by the radially enlarged shank portion  62  with a biasing means  56  preferably to bear between the cover and the enlarged portion  62 . Wing members or a textured surface on the head  52  may be used to facilitate finger manipulation and application of torque to tighten and loosen the bolt  18 . Thus, the quick release means  17  may be said to include manipulation means, which is the head  52  of the bolt  18  whether with or without other manipulation means. It should be noted also that the head  52  of the bolt  18  is in a position to release the cover  5  from the ring adapter  6  through the access space  7  and without the need for tools. 
     While this invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be a practical and preferred embodiment and is addressed to those skilled in the art to which the subject matter pertains, it will be readily apparent that seeming departures can be made which are, nevertheless, within the spirit and scope of this best mode of the invention; and, therefore, the following claims should not be limited except within and by the doctrine of equivalents.