Mechanical lubricating device and method

Claim 3

A lubricating device for use with a moving conveyor system in which said system is to be lubricated by said device, said lubricating device comprising: a base member adjacent to the conveyor system to be lubricated; a mounting post located on said base member; an arm having two ends, said arm being disposed for movement with respect to said post from a normal position in which the arm is out of contact with the conveyor system to a biased position when one of said arm ends contacts said conveyor system; a spring means having two ends and adapted to be deflected and theReby store potential energy; one spring end being connected to said base member and the other spring end being connected to said arm to maintain said arm in its normal position of non-contact with a conveyor system; said spring means being adapted to be extended when said arm is moved with respect to said post from its normal position to the biased position whereupon said spring is extended and potential energy is stored; a manual pump means for pumping lubricating fluid said means including at least one fluid dispensing port and a piston rod adapted for contact with and movement with said arm; whereby, when said lubricating device is in operation, one end of said arm contacts said conveyor system intermittently to move with respect to said mounting post whereby potential energy is first stored in said spring means as said spring means is deflected and then released substantially instantaneously whereby said pump means is actuated to release a clean shot of lubricating fluid from said fluid dispensing port.

Claim 4

A lubricating device for use with a moving conveyor system in which said system is to be lubricated by said device, said lubricating device comprising: a base member adjacent to the conveyor system to be lubricated; a mounting post located on said base member; an arm having two ends, said arm being disposed for movement with respect to said post from a normal position in which the arm is out of contact with the conveyor system to a biased position when one of said arm ends contacts said conveyor system; a spring means having two ends and adapted to be deflected and theReby store potential energy; one spring end being connected to said base member and the other spring end being connected to said arm to maintain said arm in its normal position of non-contact with a conveyor system; said spring means being adapted to be extended when said arm is moved with respect to said post from its normal position to the biased position whereupon said spring is extended and potential energy is stored; a manual pump means for pumping lubricating fluid said means including at least one fluid dispensing port and a piston rod adapted for contact with and movement with said arm; whereby, when said lubricating device is in operation, one end of said arm contacts said conveyor system intermittently to move with respect to said mounting post whereby potential energy is first stored in said spring means as said spring means is deflected and then released substantially instantaneously whereby said pump means is actuated to release a clean shot of lubricating fluid from said fluid dispensing port.

Claim 5

A lubricating device in accordance with claim 2 wherein said mounting post serves as an attachment for said arm whereby said arm rotates about said post when urged from the normal position by said moving conveyor system.

Claim 6

A lubricating device in accordance with claim 2 and further including a locking means attached to said arm to maintain said arm in an inoperative position.

Claim 7

A lubricating device in accordance with claim 2 and further including means for adjusting said spring means.

Claim 8

A lubricating system in accordance with claim 2 wherein said spring is an extension spring.

Claim 9

A lubricating device in accordance with claim 2 and further including a locking means pivotally mounted on said base and selectively movable to engage said arm and thereby lock said arm in a position free of contact with the conveyor system.

Claim 10

A lubricating device in accordance with claim 7 wherein said locking means is maintained in a biased position when said locking means is in locking engagement with said arm.