Lubrication – Lubricators – Nipple or fitting
Reexamination Certificate
1997-11-24
2001-02-13
Bucci, David A. (Department: 3682)
Lubrication
Lubricators
Nipple or fitting
C384S322000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06186278
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
I. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a bearing grease fitting that seats within a wheel hub, and more particularly, to a plastic bearing grease fitting that eliminates the need to drill through the wheel or hub in order to grease the axle or wheel bearing.
II. Description of the Related Art
The prior art uses grease fittings that are typically inserted in threaded bores within a wheel hub or the wheel itself. Grease fittings are usually manufactured of metal and are attached to a grease applicator. The grease applicator is typically a grease gun that injects grease through the grease fitting. The grease passes through the fitting and into the hub to lubricate the axle or bearings.
The cost to manufacture the wheel or hub is significantly increased by the need of drilling and tapping a hole to accept the grease fitting. Typically, a hole is drilled and tapped through the wheel rim or hub and the metal grease fitting is thereafter tapped into place. This is a labor-intensive manufacturing process. In addition, expensive drills and taps often break during this process. This leads to a further increase in the cost of the wheel.
Recently, plastic grease fittings have been used on a wheel. The plastic grease fitting eliminates the need for welding and snaps into the wheel rim or hub hole. However, one drawback of the plastic grease fitting is that the grease gun can twist off the grease fitting when applied. This twisting causes the plastic grease fitting to become “unsnapped” from the wheel thereby preventing the wheel from being properly greased.
The present invention contemplates a new and improved bearing grease fitting which is simple in design, effective in use, and overcomes the foregoing difficulties and others while providing better and more advantageous overall results.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A bearing grease fitting for directing grease into an interior portion of a wheel is disclosed. The bearing grease fitting has a first and a second end, a first bore with an inner periphery, a first portion that has a first outer periphery, a second portion that has a protrusion and a second outer periphery. The protrusion has a top surface and a grease delivery bore. The grease delivery bore extends from the top surface into the first bore, whereby the first portion, the second portion, the protrusion, and the grease delivery bore are integral. The bearing grease fitting directs grease to the interior portion of the wheel contained within the first bore. Typically, the interior portion of the wheel is an axle contained within the first bore of the bearing grease fitting. Preferably, the bearing grease fitting is integral and made by injection molding.
The inner periphery of the first bore further comprises a flow path. The flow path extends from the grease delivery bore at the inner periphery to the first end, whereby the grease flows along the flow path to the interior portion of the wheel hub. The grease delivery bore extends along a centerline that passes through the protrusion. The protrusion also extends outwardly from the second outer periphery. Preferably, the protrusion extends outwardly at an angle between 15° and 90° measured from a centerline passing through the center of the first bore to a centerline passing through the protrusion.
A bearing grease fitting assembly comprises the wheel hub and the bearing grease fitting described above. An alternative embodiment of the bearing grease fitting has the second outer periphery of the first portion equal to the first outer periphery of the first portion.
In accordance with the present invention, a new and improved bearing grease fitting is provided which seats within the wheel hub.
One object of the present invention is to provide a bearing grease fitting that eliminates a hole within a wheel rim or hub.
Another object of the present invention is to combine a grease fitting and bearing thereby eliminating the total number of parts.
Still other benefits and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading and understanding of the following detailed specification.
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Database search.
Bucci David A.
Emerson Roger D.
Emerson & Associates
Kim Chong H.
Louke Marcella R.
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