Bearings – Rotary bearing – Antifriction bearing
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-03
2001-12-04
Hannon, Thomas R. (Department: 3682)
Bearings
Rotary bearing
Antifriction bearing
C384S473000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06325545
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to relubrication of rotatably supported elements and, more particularly, to the relubrication of a self-contained idler bushing used in a machine.
Idler bushings are used to rotatably support elements, such as pulleys and sprockets, in applications such as belt tensioners and the like. In such applications, the idler bushing is journaled on a spindle which is fixed to the frame of the machinery, allowing the idler bushing and the pulley or sprocket carried by the idler bushing to rotate freely. In many environments, the presence of dust and moisture make it necessary to lubricate the idler bushing periodically. This requires at least partial disassembly of the idler bushing installation to access the idler bushing.
Relubable devices are known for relubricating bearings in applications in which an outer member is journaled on an inner member. Such devices can include a mounting bolt which is drilled axially and tapped and fitted with a grease fitting. Grease can be forced into the bearing by way of the axial passage and a cross-drilled passage in the idler race. However, known idler bushing installations include a spacer member interposed between the spindle and the idler bushing which precludes passage of lubricant from the spindle to the bearings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a relubricatable idler bushing assembly including an idler bushing, an inner bushing and a spindle. The idler bushing is journaled on the inner bushing and has an axial through bore which defines an inner surface for the idler bushing. The inner bushing extends within the through bore of the idler bushing with an outer surface of the inner bushing spaced apart from the inner surface of the idler bushing, defining a lubricant passageway therebetween. The spindle is dimensioned to be received within a through bore of the inner bushing. The spindle has an axial passageway therein and one end of the spindle is adapted for supplying lubricant under pressure to the axial passageway. The spindle has a radial bore which communicates the axial passageway with the outer surface of the spindle for allowing the axial passageway to be communicated with the lubricant passageway along a fluid flow path which is defined in part by the inner bushing.
In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the inner bushing includes a radial bore for providing fluid communication between the radial bore of the spindle and the lubricant passageway. The spindle can have an annular groove extending around the outer periphery of the spindle for communicating the radial bore in the spindle and the radial bore in the inner bushing.
In one embodiment, the idler bushing is journaled to the inner bushing by first and second bearings. The bearings are located within recesses at opposite ends of the idler bushing and are communicated with the lubricant passageway to receive lubricant which is introduced through the spindle.
The relubricatable idler bushing assembly provided by the present invention is simple in construction and is characterized by relatively low cost materials and low production costs.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2272757 (1942-02-01), Teker
patent: 3399003 (1968-08-01), Jansson
patent: 3762784 (1973-10-01), Pachuta
patent: 4262978 (1981-04-01), Everett
patent: 4317599 (1982-03-01), Anderson
patent: 4408808 (1983-10-01), Redmann, Jr. et al.
patent: 4919253 (1990-04-01), Morrison
patent: 5372434 (1994-12-01), Roberts et al.
patent: 5823293 (1998-10-01), Gilbertson et al.
patent: 57-208317-A (1982-12-01), None
Stangl Frank E.
Stangl Richard J.
Hannon Thomas R.
Reinhart, Boerner, Van Deuren, Norris & Rieselbach, s.c.
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