Retention device for valve actuating mechanism

Abstract

A retention device to secure a finger follower and lash adjuster of a valve actuating mechanism together includes a ring member disposed in a groove of a movable piston of the lash adjuster. The retention device also includes a plurality of connecting members formed from the finger follower and extending axially below the ring member and about a portion of the lash adjuster to engage the ring member in all operating positions of the valve actuating mechanism as a result of the pivoting motion of the finger follower.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A retention device to secure a finger follower and lash adjuster of a valve actuating mechanism together comprising:
 a ring member adapted to be disposed in a groove of a moveable piston of the lash adjuster; and   a plurality of connecting members adapted to be formed from the finger follower and extending axially below said ring member and about a portion of the lash adjuster to engage said ring member in all operating positions of the valve actuating mechanism as a result of the pivoting motion of the finger follower.   
     
     
         2 . A retention device as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said connecting members are cantilevered to extend toward said ring member. 
     
     
         3 . A retention device as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said connecting members form a groove to receive said ring member. 
     
     
         4 . A retention device as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said connecting members are angled inwardly to extend radially below and past said ring member. 
     
     
         5 . A retention device as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said connecting members include a tab extending radially from an interior surface thereof and below and past said ring member. 
     
     
         6 . A retention device to secure a finger follower and lash adjuster of a valve actuating mechanism together comprising:
 a plurality of connecting members adapted to be formed from the finger follower and extending axially about a portion of the lash adjuster and adapted to engage a groove of the lash adjuster in all operating positions of the valve actuating mechanism as a result of the pivoting motion of the finger follower.   
     
     
         7 . A retention device as set forth in  claim 6  wherein said connecting members are spaced from each other about the groove. 
     
     
         8 . A retention device as set forth in  claim 6  wherein each of said connecting members includes a tab extending radially from an interior surface thereof. 
     
     
         9 . A retention device as set forth in  claim 8  wherein said tab is generally rectangular shaped and adapted to extend radially inwardly into the groove. 
     
     
         10 . A retention device as set forth in  claim 6  wherein said connecting members are generally rectangular shaped. 
     
     
         11 . A valve actuating mechanism for an engine comprising:
 a finger follower having one end adapted to engage a valve of the engine;   a lash adjuster adapted to be supported by the engine, said lash adjuster having a movable piston with a rounded end and a groove in said rounded end; and   a retention device to secure said finger follower and said lash adjuster together and comprising a ring member disposed in said groove of said moveable piston and a plurality of connecting members formed from said finger follower and extending axially below said ring member and about said rounded end of said lash adjuster to engage said ring member in all operating positions of said valve actuating mechanism as a result of the pivoting motion of said finger follower.   
     
     
         12 . A valve actuating mechanism as set forth in  claim 11  wherein said connecting members are cantilevered to extend toward said ring member. 
     
     
         13 . A valve actuating mechanism as set forth in  claim 11  wherein said connecting members form a groove to receive said ring member. 
     
     
         14 . A valve actuating mechanism as set forth in  claim 11  wherein said connecting members are angled inwardly to extend radially below and past said ring member. 
     
     
         15 . A valve actuating mechanism as set forth in  claim 11  wherein said connecting members include a tab extending radially from an interior surface thereof and below and past said ring member. 
     
     
         16 . A valve actuating mechanism for an engine comprising:
 a finger follower having one end adapted to engage a valve of the engine;   a lash adjuster adapted to be supported by the engine, said lash adjuster having a movable piston with a rounded end and a groove in said rounded end; and   a retention device to secure said finger follower and said lash adjuster together and comprising a plurality of connecting members formed from said finger follower and extending axially about said rounded end of said lash adjuster to engage said groove in all operating positions of said valve actuating mechanism as a result of the pivoting motion of said finger follower.   
     
     
         17 . A valve actuating mechanism as set forth in  claim 16  wherein said connecting members are spaced from each other about said groove. 
     
     
         18 . A valve actuating mechanism as set forth in  claim 16  wherein each of said connecting members includes a tab extending radially from an interior surface. 
     
     
         19 . A valve actuating mechanism as set forth in  claim 18  wherein said tab is generally rectangular shaped and extends radially inwardly into said groove. 
     
     
         20 . A valve actuating mechanism as set forth in  claim 16  wherein said wherein said connecting members are generally rectangular shaped and extending axially.