Lubrication – Bearing packer
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-11
2001-06-19
Bucci, David A. (Department: 3682)
Lubrication
Bearing packer
Reexamination Certificate
active
06247554
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an apparatus which is used to encapsulate and lubricate bearings, for example, ball bearings mounted in a bearing raceway.
Mechanics and other repairmen who have the responsibility for maintaining vehicles and other apparatus of the type having a shaft or axle mounted with bearings, often find it necessary to lubricate the bearings. Lubrication is typically effected by removal and cleaning the raceway containing the bearings and/or injecting or otherwise forcing a lubricating material into the raceway and around the bearings. Applicant's assignee has in the past manufactured and sold apparatus to effect such lubrication.
Prior art apparatus is comprised of first, second congruent, molded polymeric, conically shaped plates which are nested or overlie one another. The first plate includes a threaded aluminum rod or shaft extending from the apex of the plate. The rod is threadable into an aluminum fitting which is attached to the apex of the second plate. In use, a raceway with bearings is positioned between the plates, and the plates are rotated with respect to each other to narrow the space between the plates and thereby encapsulate the raceway. The aluminum shaft projected from the first plate contains a hollow passageway which is connected to the region or space between the plates where the encapsulated raceway is located. Lubricating material is injected through that passageway into the region between the plates and envelopes the raceway and bearings forcing old lubricating material and dirt from and encapsulating the raceway with new lubricating material. Any excess lubricating material is ejected outwardly between the peripheral edges of the plates.
The described apparatus works well. However, the cost of manufacture is significant. Moreover, the mechanism for attaching the aluminum shaft to the one plate and for attaching the threaded aluminum hub to the other plate is not fail safe. For example, the polymeric parts may separate from the aluminum parts, thereby rendering the apparatus ineffective. Thus there is a recognized need for an improved assembly and construction of such apparatus.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In a principal aspect, the present invention comprises a set of male and female conical plates which are substantially the same size and shape. The male plate includes a central counterbore integrally molded therewith at the apex or centerline of the plate. The counterbore is adapted to receive a threaded hollow shaft or rod with a valve fitting at the outer or distal end of the shaft. The shaft is threaded into the counterbore. The female plate includes an integrally molded hub with an internally threaded throughbore adapted to receive the aluminum rod or shaft projecting from the male plate. The hub includes external flutes or ribs in a pattern that facilitate manual manipulation of the female plate by rotation to appropriately encapsulate and compress a bearing assembly or raceway between the plates.
Thus it is an object of the invention to provide an improved apparatus for effecting lubrication of a wheel bearing assembly of the type which includes bearings in a cage or raceway.
A further object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus for lubrication of a wheel bearing assembly wherein the apparatus is comprised of fewer parts, is easily assembled wherein the parts comprising the apparatus are fabricated in a manner which ensures the reliability of the apparatus and wherein the apparatus is less expensive to manufacture and assemble.
These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1991542 (1935-02-01), Cavanaugh
patent: 2210478 (1940-08-01), Berg
patent: 2439888 (1948-04-01), Ginter
Banner & Witcoff , Ltd.
Bucci David A.
Hansen Colby
Lisle Corporation
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