Abstract:
Special service tool and method for compressing cylinder valve springs for the removal and installation of their locks or keepers and for replacement of valve stem seals or brocken springs on an internal combustion engine, while the head still mounted on the engine or is on a work bench. Service tool comprising a multiple of attachment members for configuring the tool as need depending of the cylinder head design. Support means temporarily secured over the cylinder head and employing existing threaded opening for securing camshaft caps are arrange to mount the tool over slidably dispose bars and brackets, this method allow technicians to overcome the problems of removal and replacement of overhead valve springs by performing this task faster and in a safer manner.

Description:
[0001]    This non-provisional application claims the benefits of prior provisional application No. 60/964,840 filed on Aug. 15, 2007 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to special service tools and more specifically to tools use in the service or repair of internal combustion engines. the special tool allow technician to easy overcome the problems of removal and replacement of valve springs on overhead camshaft cylinder head as need for the replacement of valve stem seals or the spring itself. Service tool having a multiple of attachment members. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    within the time, valve stem seal lose effectiveness gradually and oil leaks into the combustion chambers, this oil get burned during the power stroke producing hydrocarbon that exit from the tail pipe. Each valve is located on the cylinder head and is held firmly against it seat by a spring that presses it against the valve seat and the spring retainer and is secured to the valve stem by locks (keepers). In the past different procedures or methods were use in order to replace valve stem seal or springs, one of them involves the removal of the cylinder head; it was the most common but time consuming procedures while using a C-clamp type spring compressor. 
         [0004]    Other method was and still the most preferred; the on vehicle repair. The cylinder is pressurized with air in order to hold the valves, the disadvantage was the set up of the tool that permits the valve spring compressor to move from one valve spring to the other, it is also a time consuming method, and another disadvantage here was or still a problem of firmly holding the tools in place that sometimes led to injuries to the technician. 
         [0005]    A different method was the use of a spring compressor tool that hooks onto the spring coil and compresses it by a screw type mechanism that is set onto the valve spring retainer. The disadvantage is that this tool only fits in few type cylinder head design. 
         [0006]    There is the need to provide an effective way for removal and installation of valve springs for the replacement of valve stem seals or the spring itself, by reducing the time and physical effort for the technicians, but also a safety method for the accomplishment of this special task in order to help reduce the amount of hydrocarbons released from the tail pipe to the atmosphere. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    It is an object of the present invention to provide an effective way to compress the valve spring and remove its locks of an internal combustion engine for the purpose of replacing valve stem seals or the valve spring itself. 
         [0008]    It is yet another object of the present invention to safely compress the valve spring to remove its locks; for the replacement of valve stem seals or the valve springs while the head still mounted or when the cylinder head is removed from the engine. 
         [0009]    It is another object of the preferred embodiment of the present invention to insured the less amount of time use to performed the task of the removal and installation of valve springs. 
         [0010]    It is thus provided a special service tool, said; multiple configuration valve spring compressor to allow technicians to compress the valve springs for the removal of their locks and installation as need for the replacement of valve stem seal or broken valve springs, said tool comprising: 
         [0011]    A cylindrical body element of the modular valve spring compressor tool that includes a push rod, a return spring, a handle and a compressing member that is able to compress the valve spring by applying positive pressure to the handle. The cylindrical body element is mounted on a ring shape extension at one end of a transversal bar, that is positioned on a bracket slidably dispose on a longitudinal bar that is slidably dispose on two brackets secured by bolts on the cylinder head, the slidably dispose bracket can move to any position around the longitudinal bar. 
         [0012]    Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention all parts are rigid, made of steel or a suitable material, this makes the tool durable and safer. 
         [0013]    Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention the cylindrical body element of the multiple configuration valve spring compressor can move back and forward, and left to right when mounted on the transversal bar that is slidably dispose on the bracket for the purpose of clearing obstacles and allow the positioning of the tool over any valve. 
         [0014]    Furthermore, it is another object of the present invention, the cylindrical body element of the spring compressor is threaded at the external lower portion of the body to allow adjustments in high of the tool. 
         [0015]    Furthermore, it is another object of the present invention, the handle can rotate with the cylindrical body element of the spring compressor tool for the purpose of clearing objects and to adjust the high of the compressing member. 
         [0016]    Furthermore, it is another object of the present invention, the pushrod slides up and down in the cylindrical body of the spring compressor and is returned to the rest position by a spring, the push rod is made to provide a push action and for attachment of the compressing member and also help to adjust the high of the compressing member. 
         [0017]    Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention difference sizes of the compressing member are made to provide a proper push action on top of the valve spring retainers. 
         [0018]    Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention the angle of the cylindrical body element of the valve spring compressor can be adjusted depending of the angle of the valve located around the cylinder head. 
         [0019]    Additionally, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention the brackets are twin, both have the same dimension and design and an elongated longitudinal bar is mounted on both brackets in two apertures. 
         [0020]    Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention the cylindrical body element mounted on the transversal bar can also be positioned on a different bracket or stands, to allow the tool to serve in other cylinder head design. 
         [0021]    Furthermore, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention the multiple configuration valve spring compressor uses set points over the cylinder head. They are the same threaded holes for the set up or installation of the caps that secured the overhead camshafts. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0022]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of the multiple configuration valve spring compressor tool, wherein a longitudinal bar is mounted on twin brackets and a transversal bar mounted on a single bracket slidably dispose over the longitudinal bar. 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of a different base bracket design and a cylindrical stand for positioning the tool in a different configuration of the valve spring compressor. 
           [0024]      FIG. 3  shows a sectional view of the cylindrical body element of the valve spring compressor tool, partially showing the return spring and the push rod of the valve spring compressor tool. 
           [0025]      FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of the push rod, showing the upper flat circular section and the threaded section at the bottom end. 
           [0026]      FIG. 5  illustrates the attachment member that facilitates the angle adjustment of the main body of the multiple configuration valve spring compressor that attach at the other end of the transversal bar. Said attachment member to be use only when required. 
           [0027]      FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective view of the multiple configuration valve spring compressor tool mounted over a cylinder head, using twin brackets. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0028]    Due to the necessity of replacing valve stem seals or the spring of the cylinder valves on an internal combustion engine, it is required to create a special service tool that allow technician to overcome the major difficulties when performing this task. In the past technicians are being injured when performing this operation due to the lack of reliable tools, also time consuming procedures of very limited benefits for the owner of the motor vehicle and technicians. 
         [0029]    The most important part of all; is the reduction of harmful contaminants to the atmosphere and our environment that are the cause of many respiratory diseases specially for senior citizens and young kids, good reasons for all States of our country to enforces the law about inspection maintenance test required by every State in order to reduce the amount of harmful pollutants exiting from the tail pipe of every automobile. Vehicles that do not pass the inspection maintenance test and safety inspection are not allow to circulate on the American roads. 
         [0030]    Reference is now make to  FIG. 1  illustrating the complete assembly of the multiple configuration valve spring compressor when mounted on two brackets or stands  1  that are identical in shape and size. The bottom section of the base  1  is 80 mm long and 20 mm high. the upper section is 52 mm high and 20 mm wide, the elongated aperture  14  is located at 22 mm from the bottom edge of the base  1  and at 5 mm from the top edge and at the center of the upper portion of said bracket  1 . The thickness of bracket  1  is 17 mm. 
         [0031]    Two apertures are arrange on the top of the bottom portion of base  1  that are use to secure said bracket  1  onto the cylinder head while using two bolts, one aperture is round and is refer to as aperture  6 . It is of 7 mm and is located at 4 mm from right to left of base  1  in this illustration or  FIG. 1 . 
         [0032]    The second aperture  5  on top of bottom portion of bracket  1  is elongated aperture of 7 mm wide and 15 mm long and designed for mounting purpose over different cylinder head. the distance from aperture  5  to aperture  6  is 41 mm from the center of each aperture. 
         [0033]    A longitudinal bar  2  is slidably mounted on two rectangular apertures  14  one on each bracket  1 . The size of the elongated apertures  14  are 7 mm wide and 27 mm high, while the dimensions of the longitudinal bar  2  are 6.8 mm×26.8 mm and its length is of 350 mm. 
         [0034]    On the longitudinal bar  2  is dispose a bracket  4  that can move to any position around the longitudinal bar  2 , bracket  4  has a elongated aperture  4 A on its lower section for the purpose of mounting said bracket  4  over the longitudinal bar  2 . The dimensions of this aperture is 7 mm×27 mm. 
         [0035]    Another rectangular aperture  4 B is on the upper section of the bracket  4  and is at 90 degree angle from aperture  4 A, its purpose is to slidably dispose the transversal bar  3 , the dimensions of this aperture are 7 mm×27 mm, its depth is 30 mm, this allow the main body of this tool to be positioned at any valve over the cylinder head and for the purpose of clearing obstacles. 
         [0036]    The upper section of bracket  4  is elongated to the back and is 30 mm long, and 35 mm from top to bottom the lower section is 22 mm wide from right to left and total high of said bracket is 64 mm. 
         [0037]    The transversal bar  3  has a total length of 300 mm, it has a ring shape extention  3 A at one end of external diameter of 30 mm and a threaded aperture  3 B of 20 mm at the center of this extension and serve for threadably mounting the cylindrical body of the spring compressor tool  9  This ring extension is 15 mm high and the treaded aperture  3 B is metric M20, has a pitch of 1.501 with maximum drill diameter of 18.5 mm right hand. 
         [0038]    The flat section of bar  3  is 270 mm long and 7 mm of thickness. At the end of this flat section on bar  3  are two round apertures of 5 mm each and serve for mounting a adapter to facilitate the angle adjustment. the first aperture  13 A is located at 4 mm from the end on the left and at the center line of the transversal arm  3 , the diameter of this aperture is 5 mm. A second aperture  13 B of the same diameter is located at 10 mm from the aperture  13 A to the right. 
         [0039]    The upper section of the cylindrical body  9  extend 45 mm, and has a external diameter of 26 mm and a bore aperture of 19 mm diameter that extend downwardly 40 mm in the cylindrical body, from the bottom end of first bore section begins another bored section of 12 mm diameter, this serve as a guide for the push rod  11  that is installed inside the cylindrical body  9  in this illustration. Two elongated apertures  9 A and  9 B are diametrically dispose at 90 degree angle from apertures  8 . 
         [0040]    The cylindrical body  9  of the multiple configuration valve spring compressor tool is threaded on its lower section  10 , has a diameter of 20 mm and has a metric type thread M20 a pitch of 1.501 and a minor diameter of 18.2 mm, this lower section  10  is 30 mm high and serve for threadably mounting the cylindrical body element. 
         [0041]    At the upper section of the cylindrical body  9  two round apertures  8  are diametrically dispose, this apertures are of 5 mm and serve for mounting a steel pin for the purpose of securing lever  7  on the upper section of cylindrical body  9   
         [0042]    At the bottom end of push rod  11  a threaded section is visible and extend 30 mm and for the purpose of threadably mounting compressing member  12  and for adjustments in high of said compressing member. 
         [0043]    Reference is now made to  FIG. 2  of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. We can see here the cylindrical body means  9  with all components mounted on transversal bar  3  but utilizing a different bracket  15  and base  16 . This setup works perfect for a large varieties of 4, V6 and V8 Asian import engines that have positioning the cylinder valves in a shallow angle. 
         [0044]    The U-shape type base  16  can be installed around the spark plug tube on two apertures around the tube that serve for securing the camshaft caps. The U-shape base  16  has a internal radius of 14 mm and external radius of 22.5 mm. Two round apertures  17  of 7 mm in diameter are located at the center line of the semicircle, one at each side. This base  16  has a elongated extension that extend to the back for a total length of 60 mm. 
         [0045]    At 5 mm from the left end of the base  16  a threaded aperture  16 A is arrange, it is of 14 mm diameter and the body of the base  16  has a thickness of 20 mm. This round aperture is metric M14 and has a pitch of 1.5 mm, a major diameter of 14 mm and minor diameter of 12.5 mm right hand. This aperture serves for the purpose of mounting the cylindrical bracket  15 . 
         [0046]    Bracket  15  of  FIG. 2  has a total length of 88 mm, the bottom section is cylindrical in shape and has a diameter of 14 mm, the lower portion of bracket  15  is threaded and has a size M14 a pitch of 1.5, a major diameter 14 mm and a minor diameter of 12.52 mm. This threaded section extend upwardly 30 mm, the purpose of this threaded section serves for threadably mounting the bracket  15  over the base  16 . 
         [0047]    With this configuration we can rotate the bar  3  around the cylinder head for the purpose of clearing objects and positioning the tool over any cylinder valve and also for adjusting the high of the cylindrical body of this preferred embodiment. 
         [0048]    The top section  15 A has a rectangular shape of 30 mm long by 28 mm high and a thickness of 20 mm. An aperture  15 B is arrange and measures 7 mm×27 mm and 30 mm in depth for the purpose of slidably mounting bar  3  on bracket  15 . 
         [0049]    Reference is now made to  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 3  illustrates a more detailed view of the cylindrical body  9  and the major components of the preferred embodiment, on the cutaway view  9 C we can observe the spring  19  and the head  18  of push rod  11 , the spring  19  creates a push action under the head  18  of the push rod  11  to keep the push rod  11  in rest position. 
         [0050]    When applying positive pressure to handle  7  a pushing action is apply over the head  18  moving the push rod  11  down, this push action is transferred to the compressing member  12  and compressing the valve spring. Different sizes of compressing members can be made depending of the diameter of the spring retainer according with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0051]    Handle  7  has a flat extension at one end and curved at no more than ninety degree angle, additionally said handle has a semicircular flat shape extension at the other end with an aperture of 5 mm to secure handle  7  with a steel pin, mounted in apertures  8  The thickness of handle  7  is 6 mm. 
         [0052]    Reference is now made to  FIG. 4 , this is a perspective view of the push rod  11  showing the complete part. The head  18  of push rod  11  is 3 mm thick and has a round Shape, its diameter is 17 mm, the push rod  11  extend downwardly 72 mm for a total length of 75 mm and of 8 mm diameter. the bottom portion of the push rod is threaded and its size is metric M10 and its pitch is 1.5, major diameter is 8 mm and a minor diameter of 6.780 mm. 
         [0053]    Reference is now made to  FIG. 5 , showing a perspective view of transversal bar  3  where also the adapter  21  can be seen, this adapter facilitates the angle adjustment of the cylindrical body of the tool when the adapter  21  is mounted on the transversal bar  3 , the aperture  3 A serve as a pivot point while  13 B serves as a angle adjuster, changing the angle of the tool at 25 degree when said pin is install on aperture  21 A or  21 B. 
         [0054]    The adapter  21  has a ring shape extension on the right hand side according to this illustration, the external diameter is 30 mm and at the center of this section an aperture  23  of 20 mm is located which is threaded metric size M20, has a pitch of 1.501 and a major diameter of 20 mm, a minor diameter of 18.286 right hand. The high of this section is 15 mm. 
         [0055]    Two elongated sections extend parallel to the left of the adapter  21 , the separation in between which is the thickness plus 1 mm of transversal arm  3  and serves for mounting purpose of the transversal bar  3 , each wall of this two sections are 25 mm×25 mm and of 2.5 mm of thickness, having 6 diametrically dispose apertures which serve for securing and adjusting the adapter to different angle. Aperture  21 A will change the angle by 25 degree counterclockwise and aperture  21 B will change the angle also by 25 degree clockwise. 
         [0056]    Reference is now made to  FIG. 6 , this figure illustrate a perspective view of the multiple configuration valve spring compressor tool mounted over a cylinder head  24  that is mounted on an engine block, some valves are been omitted over the cylinder head for clarification. 
         [0057]    Two brackets  1  are use in this configuration, the brackets are secured by bolts  28  using the same threaded holes for securing the overhead camshaft caps. the longitudinal bar  2  is mounted on apertures  14  and the bracket  4  runs over the longitudinal bar  2  mounted in aperture  4 A, transversal bar  3  is positioned in the aperture  4 B on the bracket  4  allowing the cylindrical body  9  to move to any direction or any position over the cylinder head  24 . An air hose  29  is installed to pressurize the cylinder with regulated air from 40 o 50 psi The air hose  29  is installed in the threaded spark plug hole in spark plug tube  27   
         [0058]    As we can see in this illustration the cylindrical body  9  is positioned over a retainer of cylinder valve  25  just like retainer of the numeral  26 , when applying positive pressure to handle  7  the push rod  11  moves down transferring the downward force to compressing member  12  applying pressure over the spring retainer, compressing the valve spring and releasing the locks or keepers  30 , according with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0059]    It should be clear that the above description of the embodiments and attached figures set forth in this specification serves only for a better understanding of the present Invention. 
         [0060]    It should also be clear that a person in the art, after reading the present specification could make adjustments to the attached figures and the above described embodiment.