Patent ID: 7055479

Claim:
A coupling mechanism for relatively movable elements, for a switchable cam follower, a switchable cam follower group or a switchable support device of a valve train of an internal combustion engine, a high lift obtainable upon coupling of said elements and a lift smaller than the high lift being obtainable upon uncoupling of said elements, a first one of said elements comprising a guide bore for at least one coupling piston which, for achieving coupling, can be displaced partly beyond a parting surface between said elements into an aligned reception of a second one of said elements, wherein, upon cam lift and coupling of the elements, a contact zone between the piston and the reception is clearly spaced from an edge section of the reception on the parting surface, starting from the contact zone, the piston tapers relative to a perpendicular line of the parting surface at least in this peripheral section or on this side toward an inner end face.