Patent ID: 8869769

Claim:
An internal combustion engine comprising: a cylinder block defining a cylinder having a cylinder axis; a crankshaft defining a crankpin, wherein the crankshaft is rotatably received by the cylinder block and rotates about a longitudinal axis; a piston configured to reciprocate within the cylinder; a connecting rod operably coupled to the piston and the crankpin, wherein the connecting rod comprises: a first rod element comprising a first distal end and a first proximate end, the first distal end being operably coupled to the piston, and a second rod element comprising a second distal end operably coupled to the first proximate end of the first rod element, and a second proximate end operably coupled to the crankpin, wherein the first rod element and the second rod element are pivotally coupled to one another, and wherein the cylinder axis intersects the longitudinal axis about which the crankshaft rotates; and a surface associated with the cylinder block, wherein the surface and the second rod element are configured to affect a pivoting motion of the first rod element relative to the second rod element.