US4009764A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Lubricating apparatus for conveyor chains
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-08-07
•
Granted: 1977-03-01
•
Expires: 1995-08-07
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for lubricating a chain has a follower bar which rides the rollers between the rows of chain links on each side of the chain, and accordingly maintains a predetermined lateral position with respect to the chain. Oil nozzles are carried by the follower bar and are directed toward the links. The nozzles are supplied with oil from a pneumatically operated ejector which is controlled by a fluidic control device including an air jet and a fluidic sensing unit aligned with the jet. The chain passes between the nozzle and the fluidic sensing unit and is positioned such that the rollers in it periodically interrupt or disperse the air jet so that the air jet at one instant passes through the chain and impinges on the sensing unit and at another instant is dispersed by a roller. The restoration of the air jet after it is dispersed is sensed by the sensing unit which directs a signal to the ejector, causing the ejector to discharge a metered amount of oil each time a roller passes through the air jet. The oil nozzles are positioned such that the oil so delivered flows onto the chain at locations where adjacent links in each row are joined.
Inventors
- 👤 Henry F. Hafner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 16:50
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16N; F16N7/00; F16N7/30; F16N13/00; F16N13/22; F16N7/02; F16N7/38
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
244 words
In a chain system including a moving chain having links arranged in two distinct spaced apart rows which are parallel and extend longitudinally of the chain, and cross pieces extending transversely of the chain and connecting successive links in the rows, all of the cross pieces being parallel and each of the rows being continuous so that no gaps exist between adjacent links of the rows, the chain having a tendency to move laterally as it moves in the normal longitudinal direction of chain advancement; an improved chain lubricating apparatus comprising: an anchor past which the chain moves; a chain follower bearing against the cross pieces on the chain and confined in the lateral direction by the links so that when the chain moves laterally the follower moves laterally with it; restraining means connecting the follower with the anchor for restraining the follower and thereby preventing it from moving in the direction of chain advancement, the restraining means permitting the follower to move laterally with respect to the anchor so that the follower will follow lateral movement of the chain; at least one lubricant nozzle carried by the follower and directed toward the chain; a source of lubricant; and delivery means between the source of lubricant and the nozzle for forcing lubricant out of said at least one lubricant nozzle and onto the chain, whereby the lubricant will be deposited at the correct lateral location on the chain notwithstanding lateral movement of the chain.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
244 words
In a chain system including a moving chain having links arranged in two distinct spaced apart rows which are parallel and extend longitudinally of the chain, and cross pieces extending transversely of the chain and connecting successive links in the rows, all of the cross pieces being parallel and each of the rows being continuous so that no gaps exist between adjacent links of the rows, the chain having a tendency to move laterally as it moves in the normal longitudinal direction of chain advancement; an improved chain lubricating apparatus comprising: an anchor past which the chain moves; a chain follower bearing against the cross pieces on the chain and confined in the lateral direction by the links so that when the chain moves laterally the follower moves laterally with it; restraining means connecting the follower with the anchor for restraining the follower and thereby preventing it from moving in the direction of chain advancement, the restraining means permitting the follower to move laterally with respect to the anchor so that the follower will follow lateral movement of the chain; at least one lubricant nozzle carried by the follower and directed toward the chain; a source of lubricant; and delivery means between the source of lubricant and the nozzle for forcing lubricant out of said at least one lubricant nozzle and onto the chain, whereby the lubricant will be deposited at the correct lateral location on the chain notwithstanding lateral movement of the chain.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The structure according to claim 1 wherein the follower rests on and is supported by the chain.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
The structure according to claim 2 wherein the chain links project beyond the cross pieces and the follower is narrower than the spacing between the two rows of links so that it fits between the links of the two rows and is confined laterally thereby.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
244 words
In combination with a chain having connected links arranged in two distinct spaced apart rows which are parallel and extend longitudinally of the chain, and cross pieces connecting the links and extending transversely of the chain, all of the cross pieces being parallel and narrower than the links so that the links project beyond the cross pieces, the chain having a tendency to move laterally as it moves in the normal longitudinal direction of chain advancement; an improved apparatus for lubricating the chain, said apparatus comprising: a bar resting on the cross pieces of the chain, the bar being slightly narrower than the spacing between the two rows of links so that it fits between the two rows of links and is confined in the lateral direction by the links; means connecting the bar to an anchor past which the chain moves to prevent the bar from moving in the direction of chain advancement, said means permitting the bar to move laterally with the chain; a pair of nozzles on the bar with one of the nozzles of said pair of nozzles being directed toward one row of links and the other of the nozzles of said pair nozzles being directed toward the other row of links; and means for delivering lubricant to the pair of nozzles and for forcing the lubricant from the pair of nozzles, whereby the lubricant is directed toward the links irrespective of the lateral position assumed by the chain.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
244 words
In combination with a chain having connected links arranged in two distinct spaced apart rows which are parallel and extend longitudinally of the chain, and cross pieces connecting the links and extending transversely of the chain, all of the cross pieces being parallel and narrower than the links so that the links project beyond the cross pieces, the chain having a tendency to move laterally as it moves in the normal longitudinal direction of chain advancement; an improved apparatus for lubricating the chain, said apparatus comprising: a bar resting on the cross pieces of the chain, the bar being slightly narrower than the spacing between the two rows of links so that it fits between the two rows of links and is confined in the lateral direction by the links; means connecting the bar to an anchor past which the chain moves to prevent the bar from moving in the direction of chain advancement, said means permitting the bar to move laterally with the chain; a pair of nozzles on the bar with one of the nozzles of said pair of nozzles being directed toward one row of links and the other of the nozzles of said pair nozzles being directed toward the other row of links; and means for delivering lubricant to the pair of nozzles and for forcing the lubricant from the pair of nozzles, whereby the lubricant is directed toward the links irrespective of the lateral position assumed by the chain.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The structure according to claim 4 wherein the bar extends over a plurality of cross pieces on the chain.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The structure according to claim 4 wherein the means connecting the bar to a fixed anchor permits the bar to follow vertical motion of the chain as well as lateral motion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The structure according to claim 6 wherein the means connecting the bar to a fixed anchor is a rigid link which is pivotally connected to the bar and to the fixed anchor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The structure according to claim 5 wherein the end of the bar toward which the chain is advanced is beveled so that the included angle between that end and the chain is an acute angle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The structure according to claim 5 wherein both ends of the bar are beveled so that the included angles between the ends of the bar and the chain are acute angles.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device according to claim 4 wherein the portion of the chain on which the bar is supported is substantially horizontal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-02-29 | 1980-08-30 | 1981-03-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-02-29 | 1984-08-30 | 1985-03-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-02-29 | 1988-08-30 | 1989-03-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |