Engine block heater having flexible clamping member

摘要

An engine block heater adapted for insertion through an opening in the block wall of an internal combustion engine has a novel arrangement for securing the heater within the opening of the block wall. The heater includes a plug member having a heating element, an adjustable screw and a fastening assembly attached to the screw and extending from one side of the heater into the interior of the engine block. The adjustable screw loosely passes through the plug member for adjusting the position of the fastening assembly. The fastening assembly comprises an elongated flexible bar and a rigid member. The flexible bar has the ends thereof normally biased such that one surface of the bar is flat and the distance between the ends is greater than the diameter of the block aperture. The flexible bar is capable of bending in opposing directions to reduce the distance between its ends and facilitate the insertion of the flexible bar through the block aperture. The rigid member is securable in at least partial contacting and supporting relation with one side of the flexible member to prevent the bending of the flexible member in one of the opposing directions. When the adjustable screw means is manipulated to draw the flexible member toward one side of the plug member, the rigid member prevents the flexible assembly from bending and results in the ends of the flexible member moving into engaging relation with interior wall portions of the block. This novel arrangement allows for repeated insertion and removal of the heater from the engine block.