GB2395709A

GB2395709A - Storage device for mechanical components

Info

Publication number: GB2395709A
Application number: GB0228016A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Martyn Shaw
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-11-30
Filing date: 2002-11-30
Publication date: 2004-06-02
Also published as: GB0228016D0

Abstract

A storage device comprises a base portion (2), storage means provided on the base portion and identifying means, in which the storage means are adapted to receive a number of identical mechanical components, and the identifying means are adapted to identify each of said components. For storing the components of a dismantled ic engine, the storage means may comprise inlet valve sockets (3), exhaust valve sockets (4), cam follower sockets (5), a collets bay (6), cam shaft cap bays (7), a miscellaneous items bay (8) and cam shaft carrying arms (9), the device including an outer casing (11) with two hinged lid portions (13), handles (14) and a label socket (15). The identifying means may be labelling or the layout of the storage means and facilitate replacement of the engine components in their original positions.

Description

-1 Mechanical components storage device Mechanical components storage

device.

This invention relates to a mechanical components storage device, for use particularly, but not exclusively to store various parts of an internal combustion engine. When an internal combustion engine Is dismantled for repairs or servicing, a large number of similar parts are removed. In the case of a four cylinder, 16 valve engine, eight identical inlet valves, eight identical exhaust valves, 16 identical cam followers, 16 identical valve springs with 16 identical caps and two or more cam shafts may be removed. In order to provide the optimum engine performance, each of these parts should be replaced in its original position when the engine is rebuilt. However, these parts are easily confused, and time consuming to individually label or store.

It will be appreciated that the same problems occur when any article of machinery comprising a number of Identical or similar parts is dismantled.

The present invention is intended to overcome some of the above problems. According to the present invention a storage device comprises a base portion, storage means provided on the base portion and identifying means, in which the storage means are adapted to receive a number of identical mechanical components, and the identifying means are adapted to identify each of said components.

Preferably a number of different storage means can be provided on the base, each one being adapted to receive a number of particular identical mechanical components.

-2- In a preferred construction the device may be adapted to store the valves, the camshafts and their associated components of an internal combustion engine. In one construction inlet valve sockets, exhaust valve sockets, cam follower sockets, one or more collets bays, one or more cam shaft cap bays, one or more miscellaneous items bays and one or more cam shaft carrying arms are provided. The identifying means can be labelling. Preferably, in addition the layout of the storage means associates one or more of the components, with one or more of the other components, such that the layout itself can be identifying means.

In one construction the inlet valve sockets, the exhaust valve sockets and the cam follower sockets for each cylinder of an internal combustion engine are disposed adjacent one another, and alighted along the width of the base, such that each component can be identified by its position in relation to each other component. The storage device can also be provided with an outer casing adapted to contain the base. The outer casing can be adapted to cover the storage means, and the components retained thereon.

In one construction the base can be removed from the outer casing for use. Further, the base and the base portion of the outer casing can combine to define further storage means, in particular the miscellaneous items bay.

The outer casing can be provided with labelling means, and handles.

The invention can be performed in various ways, but one embodiment will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

-3 F'gure 1 is a top view of a storage device according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a cross sectional side view along line A-A as shown in Figure 1; figure 3 Is a top view of the storage device shown in Figure 1 In use; and, Figure 4 is a cross sectional side view along line A-A as shown in Figure 3.

As shown in Figure a storage device 1 comprises a base 2 provided with a number of different storage means provided thereon. The base 2 Is provided with inlet valve sockets 3, exhaust valve sockets 4, cam follower sockets 5, collets bay 6, cam shaft cap bays 7, miscellaneous items bay 8 and cam shaft carrying arms 9.

The device 1 is also provided with identifying means in the form of labelling 10, and due to the particular lay out of the storage means 3-9, which associates various parts with one another. In particular, the inlet valve sockets 3a, exhaust valve sockets 4a and cam follower sockets 5a from the first cylinder are aligned along the width of the base 2. Further the cam shaft carrying arms 9 are aligned adjacent the appropriate cam shaft cap bays 7. It will be appreciated from Figures 1 and 3 that the lay out of the storage means on the base 2 makes it readily clear which parts are associated with which.

The device 1 is also provided with an outer casing 11 comprising a box 12 with two hinged lid portions 13 attached to the longer upper edges of the box 12.

The box 12 is also provided with handles 14, and a label socket 15.

The base 2 can be removed from the casing 11 during use. It will also be appreciated that in the device 1 shown in the Figures, the base 2 and the box 12

- combine to define storage means, and in partcular the miscellaneous items bay 8, which is defined by the gap between the base 2 and the wall of the box 12.

The miscellaneous items bay 8 is also adapted to receive the cam shaft pulleys, which extend into the bay 8 from the cam shafts when the shafts are mounted on the cam shaft carrying arms 9. (See Figure 4).

The position of the cam shaft carrying arms 9 can be adjusted due to cam shaft carrying arms sockets 16. This is so that the arms 9 can be positioned to avoid the position of the cam lobes disposed on a cam shaft to be placed on the arms 9.

The exhaust valve sockets 4 are provided with an internal circumferential ledge 17, which is adapted to receive the top portion of an exhaust valve, and the valve spring and the spring cap. The stem of the valve extends to the base of the socket 4.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the components of an engine have been placed in the device 1. Inlet valves 18 together with their respective springs and caps are disposed in the inlet valve sockets 3, exhaust valves 19 together with their respective springs and caps are disposed in the exhaust valve sockets 4, cam followers 20 are disposed in the cam follower sockets 5, collets 21 are disposed in the collets bay 6, cam shaft caps 22 are disposed in the cam shaft cap bays 7, miscellaneous items 23 are disposed in the miscellaneous items bay 8, and cam shafts 24 are disposed on the cam shaft carrying arms 9.

The cam shaft carrying arms 9 have been positioned to avoid the cam lobes 25 extending from the cam shafts 24. The cam shaft pulleys 26 extend into the miscellaneous items bay 8. Further, the exhaust valves 19 are disposed on the ledges 17 provided in the exhaust valve sockets 4.

In use the components of the engine are removed from the engine block, and disposed in the correct storage means. The lids 13 can then be closed, and the contents labelled via the label socket 15. Once closed the box 12 can be stored with other similar boxes. When the engine is to be rebuilt, the engineer removes the various components in order, and replaces them in their correct position on the engine.

It will be appreciated that the invention can be used with any mechanical apparatus comprising a number of identical or similar parts. For example the device could be extended to allow for a 6, 8 or any cylinder number engine to be accommodated. Further, the device could accommodate the parts of other engines, for example steam or jet engines, without departing from the spirit of the invention. Thus a storage device is provided which allows the various components of an engine to be dismantled and stored without losing their correct Identity as part of the engine.

Claims

-6 Clams 1. A storage device comprises a base portion, storage means

provided on the base portion and identifying means, in which the storage means are adapted to receive a number of identical mechanical components, and the identifying means are adapted to identify each of said components.
2. A storage device according to Claim 1 in which a number of different storage means are provided on the base, each one being adapted to receive a number of particular identical mechanical components.
3. A storage device according to Claim 2 in which the storage device is adapted to store identical components of one internal combustion engine.
4. A storage device according to Claim 3 in which the device is adapted to store the valves, the camshafts and their associated components of an internal combustion engine.
5. A storage device according to Claim 3 in which the storage means comprise a number of inlet valve sockets, a number of exhaust valve sockets, a number of cam follower sockets, one or more collets bays, one or more cam shaft cap bays, one or more miscellaneous items bays and one or more cam shaft carrying arms.
6. A storage device according to Claim 5 in which the exhaust valve sockets are provided with an internal circumferential ledge which is adapted to receive the top portion of an exhaust valve, the valve spring and the spring cap, with the stem of the valve extending to the base of the socket.
7. A storage device according to any of the preceding Claims in which the identifying means comprises labelling adjacent the storage means.

-7
8. A storage device according to any of the preceding Claims in which the layout of the storage means associates one or more of the components with which they are used, with one or more of the other components with which they are used; the layout forming part of, or the whole of, the identifying means.
9. A storage device according to Claim 8 in which the inlet valve sockets, the exhaust valve sockets and the cam follower sockets for each cylinder of the internal combustion engine are disposed adjacent one another, and alighted along the width of the base, such that each component can be identified by its position in relation to each other component.
10. A storage device according to Claim 9 in which the cam shaft carrying arms are aligned adjacent the appropriate cam shaft cap bays.
11. A storage device according to Claim 10 in which the cam shaft carrying arms are adapted to carry the cam shafts along the length of the base.
12. A storage device according to Claim 11 in which the cam shaft carrying arms are movable, such that they can be positioned to avoid the cam shaft lobes of a cam shaft with which they are used.
13. A storage device according to Claim 12 in which the miscellaneous items bay is disposed at one end of the base.
14. A storage device according to Claim 13 in which the cam shaft carrying arms are disposed such that when they receive a cam shaft, the cam shaft pulley can extend into the miscellaneous items bay.
15. A storage device according to any of the preceding Claims in which the device is provided with an outer casing adapted to contain the base.

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16. A storage device according to Claim 15 in which the outer casing is adapted to cover the storage means and/or the components stored thereon.
17. A storage device according to Claim 16 in which the base is removable from the outer casing.
18. A storage device according to Claim 17 in which the base and the base portion of the outer casing combine to define the miscellaneous items bay.
19. A storage device according to any of Claims 15 to 18 in which the outer casing is provided with labelling means.
20. A storage device according to any of Claim 15 to 19 in which the outer casing is provided with handles.
21. A storage device substantially as described herein and as shown in the accompanying drawings.