Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
Means for lubricating machine components, comprising: a lubricant reservoir; said reservoir having an open-top and a lubricant outlet, said outlet opening onto a first plane; rigid conduit means coupled at one end thereof to said outlet, and opening onto a second plane spaced apart from said first plane; and lubricant collector means coupled to said top for directing lubricant into said reservoir; wherein said reservoir has inner walls joined to an inner bottom surface, in which to confine lubricant, said bottom surface defining a lowermost given level of said reservoir; said outlet comprises an opening formed in said reservoir, opening inwardly onto one of said walls, and outwardly of said reservoir; said conduit means is coupled to said opening and has a lubricant discharge means formed in an end thereof opposite said one end; said discharge means is disposed in a level elevated from said given level; and said opening is disposed in a level intermediate said given and elevated levels.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
161 words
Means for lubricating machine components, comprising: a lubricant reservoir; said reservoir having an open-top and a lubricant outlet, said outlet opening onto a first plane; rigid conduit means coupled at one end thereof to said outlet, and opening onto a second plane spaced apart from said first plane; and lubricant collector means coupled to said top for directing lubricant into said reservoir; wherein said reservoir has inner walls joined to an inner bottom surface, in which to confine lubricant, said bottom surface defining a lowermost given level of said reservoir; said outlet comprises an opening formed in said reservoir, opening inwardly onto one of said walls, and outwardly of said reservoir; said conduit means is coupled to said opening and has a lubricant discharge means formed in an end thereof opposite said one end; said discharge means is disposed in a level elevated from said given level; and said opening is disposed in a level intermediate said given and elevated levels.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
Means for lubricating machine components, according to claim 1, wherein: said discharge means extends parallel to said one wall.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
Means for lubricating machine components, according to claim 1, wherein: said one wall is disposed in said one plane; and said conduit means extends from said one wall in a plane normal to said one plane.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
Means for lubricating machine components, according to claim 3, wherein: said conduit means has a portion thereof angularly directed from said normal plane disposing said discharge means in elevation relative to said normal plane.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
Means for lubricating machine components, according to claim 3, wherein: said conduit means has a portion thereof formed with serpentine bends or curvatures along said normal plane.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
93 words
Means for lubricating machine components, according to claim 5, wheren: said conduit means comprises a plurality of conduits; said reservoir has a plurality of lubricant outlets spaced apart, one from another thereof, a given distance; each lubricant outlet of said plurality thereof has a conduit, of said plurality thereof, coupled thereto; and two conduits of said plurality each have a first bend or curvature, along said normal plane, which first bends of curvatures dispose portions of said two conduits in a juxtaposition with a distance therebetween which is greater than said given distance.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
Means for lubricating machine components, according to claim 4, wherein: said conduit means, together with said reservoir, defines a chamber for maintaning a constant supply of lubricant therein, said chamber being bounded by said bottom surface, and said inner walls, and a first section of said angularly directed portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
Means for lubricating machine components, according to claim 7, wherein: a second section of said angularly directed portion maintains said discharge means in elevation above said chamber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
Means for lubricating machine components, according to claim 7, wherein: said lubricant collector means comprises an elongate, narrow planar element integral with said top, and angularly disposed in a direction away from said first plane, for receiving lubricant thereon and conducting same into said reservoir.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
71 words
Means for lubricating machine components, according to claim 9, in combination with a rotary machine, further including: a machine housing having side walls and a lubricant sump; a shaft rotatively disposed in said housing above said sump; and bearing means fixed in said housing rotatively supporting said shaft; wherein said reservoir is disposed upon one of said walls, and said lubricant collector means is in contacting engagement with said one wall.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
Means for lubricating machine components, according to claim 10, wherein: said conduit means opens into said housing in immediate adjacency to said bearing means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
Means for lubricating machine components, according to claim 11, further including: means rotatively carried by said shaft, and intruding into said sump, for impelling lubricant from said sump into said reservoir.