Roller follower body

• US 7,273,026 B2
• Filed: 10/18/2002
• Issued: 09/25/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: MacLean-Fogg Company
• Original Assignee: MacLean-Fogg Company
• Inventors: Williams, Carroll, Mandal, Dhruva
• Primary Examiner(s): Denion; Thomas
• Assistant Examiner(s): Riddle; Kyle M.
• Application Number:
  US10/316,261
• Publication Number:
  US 20050000314A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,803 Days
• Field of Search: 123/90.48, 123 9051- 9056, 123/90.2, 123/90.35, 123/90.43, 123/90.45, 123/198.F, 123/90.15, 123/90.16, 92 51- 53, 298/884.3, 745/69
• US Class Current: 123/90.48
• CPC Class Codes: F01L 1/146 Push-rods
• CPC Class Codes: F01L 2301/00 Using particular materials
• CPC Class Codes: F01L 2303/00 Manufacturing of components used in valve arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: F01L 2305/00 Valve arrangements comprising rollers
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 53/06 Cam-followers F16H53/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49304 Valve tappet making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/2107 Follower

Abstract

The present invention relates to a roller follower, comprising an outer surface, enclosing a first cavity, a second cavity, and a transition opening, wherein the first cavity includes a first inner surface configured to house a cylindrical insert the second cavity includes a second inner surface configured to house an inner body, and the transition opening links the first cavity with the second cavity; and at least one of the cavities is fabricated through forging.

Claims

1. A roller follower body, comprising:

a) a forgeable material that has been cold formed to provide, at least in part, an outer surface, a first end, and a second end;

b) the outer surface has, at least in part, been machined to include an undercut surface that is generally cylindrical in shape and provided with a reduced diameter relative to at least a portion of the outer surface;

c) the undercut surface extends from the second end to a generally frusto-conical surface that is located adjacent to a generally cylindrical surface;

d) a first cavity that has, at least in part, been cold formed into the first end to provide a first inner surface that includes;

i) a first wall, a second wall, a third wall, a fourth wall, a first angled wall, a second angled wall, a third angled wall, and a fourth angled wall that extend axially into the first end from a first opening;

ii) the first wall faces the second wall and is located adjacent to the first angled wall and the fourth angled wall;

iii) the second wall faces the first wall and is located adjacent to the second angled wall and the third angled wall;

iv) the third wall faces the fourth wall and terminates, at least in part, at a second curved surface;

v) the fourth wall faces the third wall and terminates, at least in part, at a first curved surface; and

e) a second cavity that has, at least in part, been cold formed into the second end to provide a second inner surface that is generally cylindrical in shape and generally concentric relative to at least a portion of the outer surface.

2. The roller follower body according to claim 1, further comprising a transition that has been drilled to link the first cavity and the second cavity.

3. The roller follower body according to claim 1, further comprising a transition that has been bored into the roller follower body to link the first cavity and the second cavity.

4. The roller follower body according to claim 1, further comprising a transition that has been ground into the roller follower body to link the first cavity and the second cavity.

5. The roller follower body according to claim 1, further comprising a transition that has been machined into the forgeable material so that the first and second cavities are linked.

6. The roller follower body according to claim 1, further comprising a transition that links the first and second cavities and that is in the form of a transitional tube.

7. The roller follower body according to claim 1, further comprising a transition that links the first and second cavities and that is in the form of a transition opening.

8. The toilet follower body according to claim 1, wherein the second inner surface has been machined, at least in part, so that the second inner surface includes a plurality of cylindrically shaped surfaces.

9. The roller follower body according to claim 1, further comprising a first angled surface located adjacent to the first wall and the fourth wall, a second angled surface located adjacent to the first wall and the third wall, a third angled surface located adjacent to the second wall and the third wall, and a fourth angled surface located adjacent to the second wall and the fourth wall, wherein:

a) the first angled surface extends from the first angled wall and is generally oriented to be at an angle relative to the plane of the first angled wall that measures between 65 and about 75 degrees;

b) the second angled surface extends from the fourth angled wall and is generally oriented to be at an angle relative to the plane of the second angled wall that measures between 65 and about 75 degrees;

c) the third angled surface extends from the second angled wall and is generally oriented to be at an angle relative to the plane of the third angled wall that measures between 65 and about 75 degrees; and

d) the fourth angled surface extends from the third angled wall and is generally oriented to be at an angle relative to the plane of the fourth angled wall that measures between 65 and about 75 degrees.

10. The roller follower body according to claim 1, further comprising a first angled surface located adjacent to the first wall and the fourth wall, a second angled surface located adjacent to the first wall and the third wall, a third angled surface located adjacent to the second wall and the third wall, and a fourth angled surface located adjacent to the second wall and the fourth wall, wherein:

a) the first angled surface extends from the first angled wall and is generally oriented to be at an angle relative to the plane of the first angled wall;

b) the second angled surface extends from the fourth angled wall and is generally oriented to be at an angle relative to the plane of the second angled wall;

c) the third angled surface extends from the second angled wall and is generally oriented to be at an angle relative to the plane of the third angled wall; and

d) the fourth angled surface extends from the third angled wall and is generally oriented to be at an angle relative to the plane of the fourth angled wall.

11. The roller follower body of claim 10, wherein the angled surfaces are generally flat.

12. The roller follower body according to claim 10, further comprising:

a) a transition that links the first cavity and the second cavity; and

b) at least one of the curved surfaces terminates, at least in part, at a cylindrically shaped surface that is generally located at the transition.

13. The roller follower body according to claim 10, further comprising:

a) a transition that links the first cavity and the second cavity; and

b) a frusto-conically shaped surface that terminates, at least in part, at a cylindrically shaped surface generally located at the transition.

14. A roller follower body, comprising:

a) a forgeable material that is provided with an axis, an outer surface, a first end with a first opening, and a second end with a second opening;

b) the outer surface has, at least in part, been cold formed to include an undercut surface that is generally cylindrical in shape and provided with a reduced diameter relative to at least a portion of a generally cylindrical surface located on the outer surface;

c) the undercut surface extends from the second end to a generally frusto-conical surface that is located adjacent to the generally cylindrical surface;

d) a first cavity that has, at least in part, been cold formed to provide a first inner surface that extends from the first opening and includes;

i) a first wall, a second wall, a third wall, a fourth wall, a first angled wall, a second angled wall, a third angled wall, and a fourth angled wall that extend axially into the forgeable material;

ii) the first wall faces the second wall and is located adjacent to the first angled wall and the fourth angled wall;

iii) the second wall faces the first wall and is located adjacent to the second angled wall and the third angled wall;

iv) the third wall faces the fourth wall and terminates, at least in part, at a second curved surface;

v) the fourth wall faces the third wall and terminates, at least in part, at a first curved surface; and

e) a second cavity that has, at least in part, been cold formed to provide a second inner surface that extends from the second opening, is generally cylindrical in shape, and is generally concentric relative to at least a portion of the outer surface.

15. The roller follower body according to claim 14, further comprising a transition that has been dilled to link the first cavity and the second cavity.

16. The roller follower body according to claim 14, further comprising a transition that has been bored into the roller follower body to link the first cavity and the second cavity.

17. The roller follower body according to claim 14, further comprising a transition that has been ground into the roller follower body to link the first cavity and the second cavity.

18. The roller follower body according to claim 14, further comprising a transition that has been machined into the forgeable material so that the first and second cavities are linked.

19. The roller follower body according to claim 14, further comprising a transition that links the first and second cavities and that is in the form of a transitional tube.

20. The roller follower body according to claim 14, further comprising a transition that links the first and second cavities and that is in the form of a transition opening.

21. The roller follower body according to claim 14, wherein the second inner surface has been machined, at least in part, so that the second inner surface includes a plurality of cylindrically shaped surfaces.

22. The roller follower body according to claim 14, further comprising a first angled surface located adjacent to the first wall and the fourth wall, a second angled surface located adjacent to the first wall and the third wall, a third angled surface located adjacent to the second wall and the third wall, and a fourth angled surface located adjacent to the second wall and the fourth wall, wherein:

a) the first angled surface extends from the first angled wall and is generally oriented to be at an angle relative to the plane of the first angled wall that measures between 65 and about 75 degrees;

b) the second angled surface extends from the fourth angled wall and is generally oriented to be at an angle relative to the plane of the second angled wall that measures between 65 and about 75 degrees;

c) the third angled surface extends from the second angled wall and is generally oriented to be at an angle relative to the plane of the third angled wall that measures between 65 and about 75 degrees; and

d) the fourth angled surface extends from the third angled wall and is generally oriented to be at an angle relative to the plane of the fourth angled wall that measures between 65 and about 75 degrees.

23. The roller follower body according to claim 14, further comprising a first angled surface located adjacent to the first wall and the fourth wall, a second angled surface located adjacent to the first wall and the third wall, a third angled surface located adjacent to the second wall and the third wall, and a fourth angled surface located adjacent to the second wall and the fourth wall, wherein:

a) the first angled surface extends from the first angled wall and is generally oriented to be at an angle relative to the plane of the first angled wall;

b) the second angled surface extends from the fourth angled wall and is generally oriented to be at an angle relative to the plane of the second angled wall;

c) the third angled surface extends from the second angled wall and is generally oriented to be at an angle relative to the plane of the third angled wall; and

d) the fourth angled surface extends from the third angled wall and is generally oriented to be at an angle relative to the plane of the fourth angled wall.

24. The roller follower body of claim 23, wherein the angled surfaces are generally flat.

25. The roller follower body according to claim 23, further comprising:

a) a transition that links the first cavity and the second cavity; and

b) at least one of the curved surfaces terminates, at least in part, at a cylindrically shaped surface that is generally located at the transition.

26. The roller follower body according to claim 23, further comprising:

a) a transition that links the first cavity and the second cavity; and

b) a frusto-conically shaped surface that terminates, at least in part, at a cylindrically shaped surface generally located at the transition.

27. A roller follower body, comprising:

a) a forgeable material that includes an outer surface, a first end, and a second end;

b) a first cavity that has, at least in part, been cold formed into the first end to provide a first inner surface that includes;

i) a first wall, a second wall, a third wall, a fourth wall, a first angled wall, a second angled wall, a third angled wall, and a fourth angled wall that extend axially into the first end from a first opening;

ii) the first wall faces the second wall and is located adjacent to the first angled wall and the fourth angled wall;

iii) the second wall faces the first wall and is located adjacent to the second angled wall and the third angled wall;

iv) the third wall faces the fourth wall and terminates, at least in part, at a second curved surface;

v) the fourth wall faces the third wall and terminates, at least in part, at a first curved surface;

c) a second cavity that has, at least in part, been cold formed into the second end to provide a second inner surface that is generally concentric relative to at least a portion of the outer surface;

d) the first and second curved surfaces terminate at a transition that connects the first and second cavities;

e) the outer surface has, at least in part, been machined to include an undercut surface that is generally cylindrical in shape and provided with a reduced diameter relative to at least a portion of the outer surface; and

f) the undercut surface extends from the second end to a generally frusto-conical surface that is located adjacent to a generally cylindrical surface.

28. The roller follower body according to claim 27, wherein the transition has been dilled to link the first cavity and the second cavity.

29. The roller follower body according to claim 27, wherein the transition has been bored into the roller follower body to link the first cavity and the second cavity.

30. The roller follower body according to claim 27, wherein the transition has been ground into the roller follower body to link the first cavity and the second cavity.

31. The roller follower body according to claim 27, wherein the transition has been machined into the forgeable material so that the first and second cavities are linked.

32. The roller follower body according to claim 27, wherein the transition that links the first and second cavities is in the form of a transitional tube.

33. The roller follower body according to claim 27, wherein the transition that links the first and second cavities is in the form of a transition opening.

34. The roller follower body according to claim 27, wherein the second inner surface has been machined, at least in part, so that the second inner surface includes a plurality of cylindrically shaped surfaces.

35. The roller follower body according to claim 27, further comprising a first angled surface located adjacent to the first wall and the fourth wall, a second angled surface located adjacent to the first wall and the third wall, a third angled surface located adjacent to the second wall and the third wall, and a fourth angled surface located adjacent to the second wall and the fourth wall, wherein:

a) the first angled surface extends from the first angled wall and is generally oriented to be at an angle relative to the plane of the first angled wall that measures between 65 and about 75 degrees;

b) the second angled surface extends from the fourth angled wall and is generally oriented to be at an angle relative to the plane of the second angled wall that measures between 65 and about 75 degrees;

c) the third angled surface extends from the second angled wall and is generally oriented to be at an angle relative to the plane of the third angled wall that measures between 65 and about 75 degrees; and

d) the fourth angled surface extends from the third angled wall and is generally oriented to be at an angle relative to the plane of the fourth angled wall that measures between 65 and about 75 degrees.

36. The roller follower body according to claim 27, further comprising a first angled surface located adjacent to the first wall and the fourth wall, a second angled surface located adjacent to the first wall and the third wall, a third angled surface located adjacent to the second wall and the third wall, and a fourth angled surface located adjacent to the second wall and the fourth wall, wherein:

a) the first angled surface extends from the first angled wall and is generally oriented to be at an angle relative to the plane of the first angled wall;

b) the second angled surface extends from the fourth angled wall and is generally oriented to be at an angle relative to the plane of the second angled wall;

c) the third angled surface extends from the second angled wall and is generally oriented to be at an angle relative to the plane of the third angled wall; and

d) the fourth angled surface extends from the third angled wall and is generally oriented to be at an angle relative to the plane of the fourth angled wall.

37. The roller follower body of claim 36, wherein the angled surfaces are generally flat.

38. The roller follower body according to claim 36, wherein

at least one of the curved surfaces terminates, at least in part, at a cylindrically shaped surface that is generally located at the transition.

39. The roller follower body according to claim 36, further comprising:

a frusto-conically shaped surface that terminates, at least in part, at a cylindrically shaped surface generally located at the transition.

40. A roller follower body, comprising:

a) a forgeable material that has been cold formed to provide, at least in part, an outer surface, a first end, and a second end;

b) the outer surface has, at least in part, been machined so that;

i) an undercut surface extends from the second end;

ii) the undercut surface is provided with a first diameter;

iii) the undercut surface is adjacent to a generally cylindrical surface;

iv) at least a portion of the outer surface is provided with a second diameter;

v) the first diameter of the undercut surface is smaller than the second diameter;

c) a first cavity that has, at least in part, been cold formed into the first end to provide a first inner surface that includes;

i) a first wall, a second wall, a third wall, a fourth wall, a first angled wall, a second angled wall, a third angled wall, and a fourth angled wall that extend axially into the first end from a first opening;

ii) the first wall faces the second wall and is located adjacent to the first angled wall and the fourth angled wall;

iii) the second wall faces the first wall and is located adjacent to the second angled wall and the third angled wall;

iv) the third wall faces the fourth wall and terminates, at least in part, at a second curved surface;

v) the fourth wall faces the third wall and terminates, at least in part, at a first curved surface; and

d) a second cavity that has, at least in part, been cold formed into the second end to provide a second inner surface that is generally cylindrical in shape and generally concentric relative to at least a portion of the outer surface.

41. The roller follower body according to claim 40, further comprising a transition that has been drilled to link the first cavity and the second cavity.

42. The roller follower body according to claim 40, further comprising a transition that has been bored into the roller follower body to link the first cavity and the second cavity.

43. The roller follower body according to claim 40, further comprising a transition that has been ground into the roller follower body to link the first cavity and the second cavity.

44. The roller follower body according to claim 40, further comprising a transition that has been machined into the forgeable material so that the first and second cavities are linked.

45. The roller follower body according to claim 40, further comprising a transition that links the first and second cavities and that is in the form of a transitional tube.

46. The roller follower body according to claim 40, further comprising a transition that links the first and second cavities and that is in the form of a transition opening.

47. The roller follower body according to claim 40, wherein the second inner surface has been machined, at least in part, so that the second inner surface includes a plurality of cylindrically shaped surfaces.

48. The roller follower body according to claim 40, further comprising a first angled surface located adjacent to the first wall and the fourth wall, a second angled surface located adjacent to the first wall and the third wall, a third angled surface located adjacent to the second wall and the third wall, and a fourth angled surface located adjacent to the second wall and the fourth wall, wherein:

a) the first angled surface extends from the first angled wall and is generally oriented to be at an angle relative to the plane of the first angled wall that measures between 65 and about 75 degrees;

b) the second angled surface extends from the fourth angled wall and is generally oriented to be at an angle relative to the plane of the second angled wall that measures between 65 and about 75 degrees;

c) the third angled surface extends from the second angled wall and is generally oriented to be at an angle relative to the plane of the third angled wall that measures between 65 and about 75 degrees; and

d) the fourth angled surface extends from the third angled wall and is generally oriented to be at an angle relative to the plane of the fourth angled wall that measures between 65 and about 75 degrees.

49. The roller follower body according to claim 40, further comprising a first angled surface located adjacent to the first wall and the fourth wall, a second angled surface located adjacent to the first wall and the third wall, a third angled surface located adjacent to the second wall and the third wall, and a fourth angled surface located adjacent to the second wall and the fourth wall, wherein:

a) the first angled surface extends from the first angled wall and is generally oriented to be at an angle relative to the plane of the first angled wall;

b) the second angled surface extends from the fourth angled wall and is generally oriented to be at an angle relative to the plane of the second angled wall;

c) the third angled surface extends from the second angled wall and is generally oriented to be at an angle relative to the plane of the third angled wall; and

d) the fourth angled surface extends from the third angled wall and is generally oriented to be at an angle relative to the plane of the fourth angled wall.

50. The roller follower body of claim 49, wherein the angled surfaces are generally flat.

51. The roller follower body according to claim 49, further comprising:

a) a transition that links the first cavity and the second cavity; and

b) at least one of the curved surfaces terminates, at least in part, at a cylindrically shaped surface that is generally located at the transition.

52. The roller follower body according to claim 49, further comprising:

a) a transition that links the first cavity and the second cavity; and

b) a frusto-conically shaped surface that terminates, at least in part, at a cylindrically shaped surface generally located at the transition.

53. A roller follower body, comprising:

a) a forgeable material that is provided with an axis, an outer surface, a first end with a first opening, and a second end with a second opening;

b) the outer surface has, at least in part, been cold formed so that;

i) an undercut surface extends from the second end;

ii) the undercut surface is provided with a first diameter;

iii) the undercut surface is adjacent to a generally cylindrical surface;

iv) at least a portion of the outer surface is provided with a second diameter;

v) the first diameter of the undercut surface is smaller than the second diameter;

c) a first cavity that has, at least in part, been cold formed to provide a first inner surface that extends from the first opening and includes;

i) a first wall, a second wall, a third wall, a fourth wall, a first angled wall, a second angled wall, a third angled wall, and a fourth angled wall that extend axially into the forgeable material;

ii) the first wall faces the second wall and is located adjacent to the first angled wall and the fourth angled wall;

iii) the second wall faces the first wall and is located adjacent to the second angled wall and the third angled wall;

iv) the third wall faces the fourth wall and terminates, at least in part, at a second curved surface;

v) the fourth wall faces the third wall and terminates, at least in part, at a first curved surface; and

d) a second cavity that has, at least in part, been cold formed to provide a second inner surface that extends from the second opening, is generally cylindrical in shape, and is generally concentric relative to at least a portion of the outer surface.

54. The roller follower body according to claim 53, further comprising a transition that has been drilled to link the first cavity and the second cavity.

55. The roller follower body according to claim 53, further comprising a transition that has been bored into the roller follower body to link the first cavity and the second cavity.

56. The roller follower body according to claim 53, further comprising a transition that has been ground into the roller follower body to link the first cavity and the second cavity.

57. The roller follower body according to claim 53, further comprising a transition that has been machined into the forgeable material so that the first and second cavities are linked.

58. The roller follower body according to claim 53, further comprising a transition that links the first and second cavities and that is in the form of a transitional tube.

59. The roller follower body according to claim 53, further comprising a transition that links the first and second cavities and that is in the form of a transition opening.

60. The roller follower body according to claim 53, wherein the second inner surface has been machined, at least in part, so that the second inner surface includes a plurality of cylindrically shaped surfaces.

61. The roller follower body according to claim 53, further comprising a first angled surface located adjacent to the first wall and the fourth wall, a second angled surface located adjacent to the first wall and the third wall, a third angled surface located adjacent to the second wall and the third wall, and a fourth angled surface located adjacent to the second wall and the fourth wall, wherein:

a) the first angled surface extends from the first angled wall and is generally oriented to be at an angle relative to the plane of the first angled wall that measures between 65 and about 75 degrees;

b) the second angled surface extends from the fourth angled wall and is generally oriented to be at an angle relative to the plane of the second angled wall that measures between 65 and about 75 degrees;

c) the third angled surface extends from the second angled wall and is generally oriented to be at an angle relative to the plane of the third angled wall that measures between 65 and about 75 degrees; and

d) the fourth angled surface extends from the third angled wall and is generally oriented to be at an angle relative to the plane of the fourth angled wall that measures between 65 and about 75 degrees.

62. The roller follower body according to claim 53, further comprising a first angled surface located adjacent to the first wall and the fourth wall, a second angled surface located adjacent to the first wall and the third wall, a third angled surface located adjacent to the second wall and the third wall, and a fourth angled surface located adjacent to the second wall and the fourth wall, wherein:

a) the first angled surface extends from the first angled wall and is generally oriented to be at an angle relative to the plane of the first angled wall;

b) the second angled surface extends from the fourth angled wall and is generally oriented to be at an angle relative to the plane of the second angled wall;

c) the third angled surface extends from the second angled wall and is generally oriented to be at an angle relative to the plane of the third angled wall; and

d) the fourth angled surface extends from the third angled wall and is generally oriented to be at an angle relative to the plane of the fourth angled wall.

63. The roller follower body of claim 62, wherein the angled surfaces are generally flat.

64. The roller follower body according to claim 62, further comprising:

a) a transition that links the first cavity and the second cavity; and

b) at least one of the curved surfaces terminates, at least in part, at a cylindrically shaped surface that is generally located at the transition.

65. The roller follower body according to claim 62, further comprising:

a) a transition that links the first cavity and the second cavity; and

b) a frusto-conically shaped surface that terminates, at least in part, at a cylindrically shaped surface generally located at the transition.

66. A roller follower body, comprising:

a) a forgeable material that includes an outer surface, a first end, and a second end;

b) a first cavity that has, at least in part, been cold formed into the first end to provide a first inner surface that includes;

i) a first wall, a second wall, a third wall, a fourth wall, a first angled wall, a second angled wall, a third angled wall, and a fourth angled wall that extend axially into the first end from a first opening;

ii) the first wall faces the second wall and is located adjacent to the first angled wall and the fourth angled wall;

iii) the second wall faces the first wall and is located adjacent to the second angled wall and the third angled wall;

iv) the third wall faces the fourth wall and terminates, at least in part, at a second curved surface;

v) the fourth wall faces the third wall and terminates, at least in part, at a first curved surface;

c) a second cavity that has, at least in part, been cold formed into the second end to provide a second inner surface that is generally concentric relative to at least a portion of the outer surface;

d) the first and second curved surfaces terminate at a transition that connects the first and second cavities; and

e) the outer surface has, at least in part, been machined so that;

i) an undercut surface extends from the second end;

ii) the undercut surface is provided with a first diameter;

iii) the undercut surface is adjacent to a generally cylindrical surface;

iv) at least a portion of the outer surface is provided with a second diameter; and

v) the first diameter of the undercut surface is smaller than the second diameter.

67. The roller follower body according to claim 66, wherein the transition has been drilled to link the first cavity and the second cavity.

68. The roller follower body according to claim 66, wherein the transition has been bored into the roller follower body to link the first cavity and the second cavity.

69. The roller follower body according to claim 66, wherein the transition has been ground into the roller follower body to link the first cavity and the second cavity.

70. The roller follower body according to claim 66, wherein the transition has been machined into the forgeable material so that the first and second cavities are linked.

71. The roller follower body according to claim 66, wherein the transition that links the first and second cavities is in the form of a transitional tube.

72. The roller follower body according to claim 66, wherein the transition that links the first and second cavities is in the form of a transition opening.

73. The roller follower body according to claim 66, wherein the second inner surface has been machined, at least in part, so that the second inner surface includes a plurality of cylindrically shaped surfaces.

74. The roller follower body according to claim 66, further comprising a first angled surface located adjacent to the first wall and the fourth wall, a second angled surface located adjacent to the first wall and the third wall, a third angled surface located adjacent to the second wall and the third wall, and a fourth angled surface located adjacent to the second wall and the fourth wall, wherein:

a) the first angled surface extends from the first angled wall and is generally oriented to be at an angle relative to the plane of the first angled wall that measures between 65 and about 75 degrees;

b) the second angled surface extends from the fourth angled wall and is generally oriented to be at an angle relative to the plane of the second angled wall that measures between 65 and about 75 degrees;

c) the third angled surface extends from the second angled wall and is generally oriented to be at an angle relative to the plane of the third angled wall that measures between 65 and about 75 degrees; and

d) the fourth angled surface extends from the third angled wall and is generally oriented to be at an angle relative to the plane of the fourth angled wall that measures between 65 and about 75 degrees.

75. The roller follower body according to claim 66, further comprising a first angled surface located adjacent to the first wall and the fourth wall, a second angled surface located adjacent to the first wall and the third wall, a third angled surface located adjacent to the second wall and the third wall, and a fourth angled surface located adjacent to the second wall and the fourth wall, wherein:

a) the first angled surface extends from the first angled wall and is generally oriented to be at an angle relative to the plane of the first angled wall;

b) the second angled surface extends from the fourth angled wall and is generally oriented to be at an angle relative to the plane of the second angled wall;

c) the third angled surface extends from the second angled wall and is generally oriented to be at an angle relative to the plane of the third angled wall; and

d) the fourth angled surface extends from the third angled wall and is generally oriented to be at an angle relative to the plane of the fourth angled wall.

76. The roller follower body of claim 75, wherein the angled surfaces are generally flat.

77. The roller follower body according to claim 75, wherein

at least one of the curved surfaces terminates, at least in part, at a cylindrically shaped surface that is generally located at the transition.

78. The roller follower body according to claim 75, further comprising:

a frusto-conically shaped surface that terminates, at least in part, at a cylindrically shaped surface generally located at the transition.