In the past, it has typically been necessary to adjust and secure valve plates on shafts with built-on type mechanisms. There has been a need in the art to provide a self-centering and easy-to-assemble valve plate for use in a short runner valve. Details of a short runner valve manifold are found in U. S. Patent No.

5,992,370, which patent is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

As shown in U. S. Patent No. 5,992,370, typically these plates are secured with screws or fasteners. In fact, because of the difference in coefficients of expansion between the aluminum or metal plates and the polymer or plastic manifold, it is necessary to provide either increased tolerances or very specific assembly requirements, as shown in Figure 10 of the'370 patent. Therefore, it has been a goal in the art to provide further streamlined manufacturing processes, lighter weight assemblies in the valve plate area, and closer tolerance parts with less differences of coefficients of expansion.

Additionally, the anti-chatter feature of the'370 patent discloses useful apparatus for reducing chatter in the short runner valve shafts. These are highly effective in reducing shaft chatter. However, there is some friction associated with these anti-chatter devices and their use. Therefore, it has been a goal in the art to further reduce friction of these anti-chatter devices while maintaining the

effectiveness of anti-chatter devices. This would allow reduced actuation toward further streamlining and reducing weight in the short runner valve manifold.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Thus, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a plastic or polymer valve plate for use in a short runner manifold. The short runner manifold includes a shaft portion with at least a first slot therein. The plate includes barbed tabs, which are insertable through the stop portion but expand at the other side of the slot portion. Also included is a stop for securing the plate from further movement through the slot. Thus, the plate is secured in the slot, with very little assembly required. Also provided in the present invention is a grease applicator and method for applying grease in the shaft biasing assemblies of a short runner valve manifold.

A further understanding of the present invention will be had in view of the description of the drawings and detailed description of the invention, when viewed in conjunction with the subjoined claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a plan view of the valve plate assembly of the present invention; Figure 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of Figure 1, showing the valve plate assembly of the present invention; Figure 3 is an alternate embodiment of a clip-in valve plate assembly as set forth in the present invention; Figure 4 is a top view of the clip in the valve plate of the present invention;

Figure 5 is a sectional view of the clip on the valve plate of Figure 4 taken along line 5-5 of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 of Figure 4; Figure 7 is a detailed sectional view taken from area 6 of Figure 4; Figure 8 is a bottom view of the clip of Figure 3; Figure 9 is a further sectional view of the valve plate of Figure 3; Figure 10 shows a sectional view of a lubrication applicator for the anti-chatter or shaft biasing of the short runner valve shaft; and Figure 11 is a sectional view of a short runner shaft assembly showing the applicator of Figure 10 lubricating the shaft at the anti-chatter or shaft biasing locations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a first embodiment of a plastic clip-on valve plate assembly, generally shown at 10. Figures 3 through 9 show an alternate embodiment of the plastic short runner valve plate assembly, generally shown at 100.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, the valve plate 12 includes a widened portion 14 and tabs A and B for securing the member in a widened area of a slot in a short runner valve shaft 16. Tabs A and B are compressible for installation, and then flare out to lock, hold and secure the plate in the shaft. The plate is self-centering and is lighter and easier to assemble than short runner valve plates of the past.

Referring now to Figure 3, a similar protrusion 114 of valve plate 112 stops the clip on the valve plate from traveling too far into the slot portion 116 of the shaft

118. In this embodiment, a resilient clip portion 120 is included for engaging the outer surface of the shaft. Tabs 122 prevent the clip from being withdrawn from the slot by engaging shelf 124 in the wide area of the slot.

In a preferred embodiment, a pair of resilient clip portions 120 and 120a are provided for stabilizing the valve plate 112 on the shaft 118. The clip portion 120 includes a resilient base portion 126, a shaft engagement portion 128 and a ramp portion 130. As shown in Figure 3, the ramp portion 130 deflects arms 120 and 120a over the shaft 118 until engagement portion 128 engages the shaft against abutment 114. This secures the plate 112 to the shaft 118 and the position is locked in place via the deflectable tab 122.

The clips of the present invention may be readily constructed of a suitable plastic or polymer material, such as a 25% to 40% carbon fiber loaded PPA (polythalamide) or a Nylon 66 polyamide material, and are lightweight and easy to install in the shafts. Preferably, the valve plate is injection molded in a single piece.

These plates are also self-centering in the short runner valve orifice.

Referring now to Figure 9, a sectional of the valve plate 112 is shown. The difference being that a pre-designed indentation 101 is provided. This indentation reduces the amount of plastic where the clip 102a joins the body of the valve plate 100. This allows and compensates for curing characteristics of the injection mold plastic. This indentation 101 provides for a more constant thickness part which is less susceptible to warpage during cure. The rib 103 is configured to be an injection gate during manufacturing of the part.

Referring now to Figures 10 and 11, a method and apparatus for lubricating a short runner valve shaft at the anti-chatter or shaft biasing locations is shown

generally at 300. An applicator 302 is provided which is insertable into shaft biasing device cavity or orifice 304 (such as shown in U. S. Patent No. 5,992,370). The applicator 302 is inserted into the cavity 304 and a lubricant is injected through hollow opening 306 in the applicator 302. Therefore, the anti-chatter device is secured in the cavity or orifice 304. A suitable lubricant such as grease or the like may be utilized.

Thus, the subject lubrication apparatus and method enhances the runner valve biasing or anti-chatter system by adding lubrication. This results in improved performance of the short runner valve system. The lubrication reduces the friction associated with the biasing load or anti-chatter device. This provides for improved system performance, including faster response times, increased durability and reduced actuator torque requirements.

Those skilled in the art can now appreciate from the foregoing description that the broad teachings of the present invention can be implemented in a variety of forms. Therefore, while this invention has been described in connection with particular examples thereof, the true scope of the invention should not be so limited, since other modifications will become apparent to the skilled practitioner upon a study of the drawings, specification and following claims.