INTEGRALLY-MOLDED INTAKE MANIFOLD CONNECTOR FOR ENGINE COVER OF COMBUSTION ENGINE
First Claim
1. A combustion engine system comprising:
- an intake manifold body comprised of molded polyamide defining a plurality of runners and an air intake passage, wherein a plurality of structural ribs project from an external surface of the body including a pair of parallel ribs oriented longitudinally and having rib ends juxtaposed with a first edge of the body, wherein the parallel ribs each carry an integrally-molded U-shaped receiver strip extending transversely from the parallel ribs to form slots having closed ends proximate the first edge and slot openings defined by respective edges of the receiver strips;
an engine cover comprised of a shroud, first and second radial arms extending from the shroud at a first end, and first and second hinge pins projecting from the first and second radial arms, respectively, wherein the hinge pins are configured to slide into the slots via the slot openings into the closed ends; and
first and second elastomeric ferrules installed on the first and second hinge pins, respectively, configured to be compressed by the receiver strips when captured at the closed ends.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An engine cover system for joining a cover with an intake manifold body. A plurality of structural ribs project from an external surface of the body including a pair of parallel ribs. Each parallel rib carries an integrally-molded U-shaped receiver strip extending transversely from the parallel ribs to form slots having closed ends proximate a first edge of the body and slot openings defined by respective edges of the receiver strips. The engine cover is comprised of a shroud, first and second radial arms, and first and second hinge pins projecting from the first and second radial arms, respectively. The hinge pins are configured to slide into the slots via the slot openings into the closed ends. First and second elastomeric ferrules are installed on the first and second hinge pins, respectively, configured to be compressed by the receiver strips when captured at the closed ends.
-
Citations
6 Claims
-
1. A combustion engine system comprising:
-
an intake manifold body comprised of molded polyamide defining a plurality of runners and an air intake passage, wherein a plurality of structural ribs project from an external surface of the body including a pair of parallel ribs oriented longitudinally and having rib ends juxtaposed with a first edge of the body, wherein the parallel ribs each carry an integrally-molded U-shaped receiver strip extending transversely from the parallel ribs to form slots having closed ends proximate the first edge and slot openings defined by respective edges of the receiver strips; an engine cover comprised of a shroud, first and second radial arms extending from the shroud at a first end, and first and second hinge pins projecting from the first and second radial arms, respectively, wherein the hinge pins are configured to slide into the slots via the slot openings into the closed ends; and first and second elastomeric ferrules installed on the first and second hinge pins, respectively, configured to be compressed by the receiver strips when captured at the closed ends. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
-
-
5. A method for attaching an engine cover, comprising:
-
integrally molding an intake manifold upper body with parallel strengthening ribs having U-shaped receiver strips extending transversely from the parallel ribs to form slots; inserting hinge pins extending from the engine cover into the slots; pivoting the engine cover into abutment with the body; and attaching a releasably fastener to the engine cover and the body. - View Dependent Claims (6)
-
Specification