Gear Backlash Tool and Method of Using Same
First Claim
1. A device for adjusting the relative spatial arrangement between a first gear and an adjustable gear, the adjustable gear defining a central bore and being removably mountable on a backplate and having a gear teeth configured to mesh directly with the first gear and a second gear, the backplate being adjustably mounted to a structure, the backplate comprising a substantially planar body and a stub shaft extending outward from the backplate body normal to the plane of the backplate body and configured to receive the adjustable gear, the backplate body defining openings for receiving a first set of retaining members extending from the structure, the first set of retaining members configured to receive a first set of fasteners to secure the backplate to the structure, the device comprising:
- a substantially cylindrical central body having a central bore sized to accommodate the backplate stub shaft and a center axis of rotation; and
first and second spaced apart arms extending outward from the central body, the first arm comprising a first set of gear teeth configured to engage the first gear and the second arm comprising a second set of gear teeth configured to engage the second gear.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A tool for use in adjusting the relative position of one gear to another is provided. The tool may be used to set and adjust the backlash between a camshaft gear and an adjustable idler gear in an internal combustion engine.
4 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A device for adjusting the relative spatial arrangement between a first gear and an adjustable gear, the adjustable gear defining a central bore and being removably mountable on a backplate and having a gear teeth configured to mesh directly with the first gear and a second gear, the backplate being adjustably mounted to a structure, the backplate comprising a substantially planar body and a stub shaft extending outward from the backplate body normal to the plane of the backplate body and configured to receive the adjustable gear, the backplate body defining openings for receiving a first set of retaining members extending from the structure, the first set of retaining members configured to receive a first set of fasteners to secure the backplate to the structure, the device comprising:
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a substantially cylindrical central body having a central bore sized to accommodate the backplate stub shaft and a center axis of rotation; and first and second spaced apart arms extending outward from the central body, the first arm comprising a first set of gear teeth configured to engage the first gear and the second arm comprising a second set of gear teeth configured to engage the second gear. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A gear backlash adjustment system comprising:
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An overhead camshaft gear; a second gear; a backplate adjustably mounted to a structure and comprising a substantially planar body and a stub shaft extending outward from the body and normal to the plane of the backplate body, the backplate body defining openings for receiving a first set of studs extending from the structure, the first set of studs configured to receive a first set of fasteners to secure the backplate to the structure; an adjustable idler gear, the adjustable idler gear being removably mountable on the backplate stub shaft and configured to mesh directly with the camshaft gear and the second gear, and a tool comprising a substantially cylindrical central body having a central bore sized to accommodate the backplate stub shaft, and a pair of arms, each arm comprising an annular segment extending radially from the central body and gear teeth extending radially from the annular segment, the gear teeth of each arm configured to engage the camshaft gear and the second idler gear respectively. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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12. A method of adjusting the backlash between an overhead camshaft gear and an adjustable idler gear, the adjustable idler gear having a central bore and being removably mounted on a backplate and configured to mesh directly with the camshaft gear and a second gear, the backplate being adjustably mounted to a structure in a first position, the backplate comprising a substantially planar body and a stub shaft extending outward normal to the plane of the backplate body and configured to receive the adjustable idler gear, the backplate body comprising a first set of openings for receiving a first set of studs extending from the structure, the first set of studs configured to receive a first set of fasteners to secure the backplate to the structure in stationary relationship therewith, the method comprising:
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removing the adjustable idler gear from the backplate stub shaft; removing the first set of fasteners from the first set of studs; providing a backlash adjustment tool having a substantially cylindrical central body with a central bore for installing the tool onto the stub shaft and a pair of arms, each arm comprising a set of gear teeth; installing the tool onto the backplate stub shaft so that the gear teeth of one arm mesh with the camshaft gear and the gear teeth of the other arm mesh with the second gear; moving the backplate to a desired second position; tightening the first set of fasteners on the first set of studs to secure the backplate in stationary relationship with the gear plate; removing the tool from the backplate stub shaft; and installing the adjustable idler gear onto the backplate.
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Specification