Land vehicles: wheels and axles – Wheel – Hub
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-02
2001-08-14
Morano, S. Joseph (Department: 3617)
Land vehicles: wheels and axles
Wheel
Hub
C301S108400
Reexamination Certificate
active
06273519
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to a hub structure of a vehicle wheel axle, and in particular to an oil hub cup of a wheel axle which effectively prevent emulsification of grease or lubrication oil that is contained in the cup for lubricating the axle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A wheel of a vehicle is mounted to a chassis of the vehicle by an axle. To ensure smooth rotation of the wheel about the axle, lubricant, such as grease and lubrication oil, is commonly applied between the wheel hub and the axle. The lubricant is usually preserved in a cup. Two types of lubricant cups are known. One includes visual inspection means for allowing a user to visually check the amount of the lubricant in the cup and the other does not.
A major problem encountered by the lubricant of the axle is emulsification. Once emulsified, the grease or lubrication oil deteriorates and loses its function of lubrication thereby causing damage to the axle.
FIG. 1
shows a conventional oil cup indicated by reference numeral
1
. The oil cup
1
comprises a casing with a vent hole
111
defined therein for pressure balance and heat dissipation purposes. The vent hole
111
, however, also provides a leaking passage for water to get into the cup, especially when the vehicle is cleaned with pressurized water or when the vehicle is moving across a river. Water getting into the oil cup
1
through the vent hole
111
is mixed with and emulsifies the grease or lubrication oil contained therein.
Thus, it is desired to provide an oil cup that is capable to effectively block water from leaking into the oil cup thereby eliminating the emulsification of the oil contained therein.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an oil hub cup which is capable to effectively prevent the entry of water thereby keeping oil contained therein from emulsification.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an oil hub cup which is capable to release excessive pressure inside the hub cup.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an oil hub cup having readily releasable water blocking means for facilitating use of the oil hub cup.
To achieve the above objects, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided an oil hub cup comprising a cylindrical body mounted to a wheel axle defining an interior space for preserving lubricant oil. The cylindrical body has a top face defining a central bore with a circumferential shoulder formed around the central bore for receiving and retaining an observing lens to seal the central bore. A cavity is defined in a top face of the observing lens with first and second holes defined in the observing lens exposed to a bottom of the cavity. The second hole is in communication with the interior space of cylindrical body for releasing excessive inside pressure inside the hub cup. A resilient vent check valve comprises a disk received in the cavity and a plug extending from the disk for being received in the first hole to secure the vent check valve in position. A circumferential flange is formed on the disk to sealingly engage the bottom of the cavity for sealing the second hole thereby preventing water from entering the interior space of the cylindrical body through the second hole.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2647406 (1953-08-01), Sorensen
patent: 3649080 (1972-03-01), Molinare
patent: 4073540 (1978-02-01), Jackowski
patent: 5024488 (1991-06-01), Lindhuber et al.
patent: 5303800 (1994-04-01), Persson
patent: 5482358 (1996-01-01), Kuck
patent: 5492393 (1996-02-01), Peisker et al.
patent: 5752746 (1998-05-01), Perry
patent: 5860708 (1999-01-01), Borders et al.
Bellinger Jason R.
Morano S. Joseph
Ostrolenk Faber Gerb & Soffen, LLP
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