Snap-on spring retainer lock

{
  "publication_number": "US3978830A",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "A",
  "title": "Snap-on spring retainer lock",
  "abstract": "A snap-on type spring retainer lock comprises a one-piece stamped retainer element which has resilient spring fingers which encircle and clamp against a tapered surface portion of a valve stem. A spring retainer is held on the valve stem by the abutting engagement of the spring retainer with the retainer lock. The retainer lock has a base portion from which the spring fingers project. The base portion is adapted to cover the tip end of the valve stem and acts as a bearing surface for a mechanism for driving the valve.",
  "claims": [
    "1. Apparatus for holding a spring retainer on a valve stem against the bias of a spring, said apparatus comprising a one-piece retainer lock member for insertion onto one end of a valve stem, said retainer lock member comprising a cup-shaped member having a base and a plurality of spring fingers for resiliently clampingly engaging the valve stem, said base and spring fingers defining a chamber for receiving said valve stem, said spring fingers having a generally frusto-conical outer surface and a frusto-conical inner surface, the frusto-conical outer surface of said spring fingers comprising means engageable with the spring retainer for holding the spring retainer on the valve stem against the bias of the spring.",
    "2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said chamber defined by said base and said fingers is generally frusto-conical in shape, and wherein said spring fingers project from said base and converge toward each other as they extend from said base, said base comprising a disc portion having an uninterrupted surface and said spring fingers being connected to said base at the periphery thereof.",
    "3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said disc and fingers are made of metal, said disc being substantially flat and the thickness of said disc and said fingers is substantially uniform throughout.",
    "4. Apparatus comprising a stem having a valve at one end thereof, a spring for biasing said stem in one direction, a spring retainer located on said stem and against which said spring acts to move said stem in said one direction, a spring retainer lock for holding said spring retainer on said stem against axial movement by said spring bias, said spring retainer lock comprising a one-piece member having a base and a plurality of spring fingers which extend from said base, said spring fingers clampingly engaging said stem to secure said retainer lock on said stem, said retainer lock having surfaces which engage surfaces of said spring retainer to prevent movement of said spring retainer relative to said stem by said spring, and said base abutting the outer tip of said stem and providing a wear-resistant surface at said tip.",
    "5. Apparatus as defined in claim 4 further including a tapered pilot surface portion on said stem at the outer tip thereof and which is engageable with said spring fingers as said stem and retainer lock move toward each other to move said spring fingers outwardly as said retainer lock and stem move together.",
    "6. Apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said retainer lock comprises a generally cup-shaped member defining a frusto-conical chamber, and wherein said spring fingers project from said base and converge toward each other to define such chamber, said stem including a tapered surface portion against which said spring fingers clampingly engage when assembled with said valve stem, and said spring retainer having a corresponding tapered passage therethrough into which said fingers extend, and said surface of said spring retainer engaging the outer surface of said spring fingers to prevent movement of said spring retainer in said one direction."
  ],
  "cpc": [
    "F01L 3/10"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "TRW INC"
  ],
  "filing_date": "1975-01-13",
  "publication_date": "1976-09-07",
  "grant_date": "1976-09-07",
  "priority_date": "1975-01-13",
  "application_number": "US-54058875-A",
  "family_id": "24156096",
  "citations": [
    "US3021593A",
    "US3077874A",
    "US3110298A",
    "US3164336A",
    "US3815873A"
  ]
}