Protection plug

Claim 2

In combination with a component having an exterior surface and a recess in said surface, at least a portion of said recess including a generally cylindrical threaded interior surface, said recess opening only to said exterior surface, a protection plug, comprising: (a) a body having an exterior, a first end and a second end, said body being insertable within said recess, said body including a threaded exterior threadably engagable with said threaded interior surface, said second end being oriented toward said bottom of said recess; (b) a first bore extending through said body between said first end and said second end; and (c) a lubrication fitting fluidly connected to said first bore at a point accessible from said first end of said body.

Claim 3

A protection plug according to claim 1 , wherein said body further includes a second bore, said second bore extending between said first end and said exterior of said body below said second end.

Claim 4

A protection plug according to claim 1 , wherein said lubrication fitting does not extend beyond said first end.

Claim 5

A protection plug according to claim 1 , wherein said body further comprises one or more engagement surfaces positioned near said first end.

Claim 6

A protection plug according to claim 4 , wherein said engagement surface comprises one or more engagement holes in said first end.

Claim 7

A protection plug according to claim 2 , wherein said body further comprises one or more engagement surfaces positioned near said first end.

Claim 8

A protection plug according to claim 6 , wherein said engagement surface comprises one or more engagement holes in said first end.

Claim 9

A protection plug according to claim 7 , wherein said second bore extends between said exterior of said body below said first end and at least one of said engagement holes.

Claim 10

A protection plug according to claim 5 , wherein said engagement surface comprises an enlarged portion of said first bore near said first end, said enlarged portion having a non-circular cross-section.

Claim 11

A protection plug according to claim 9 , wherein said enlarged portion of said first bore is provided with a polygonal cross-section.

Claim 12

A protection plug according to claim 9 , wherein said lubrication fitting is positioned within said enlarged portion of said first bore.

Claim 13

A protection plug according to claim 1 , wherein said body further comprises a lip extending outward from said first end.

Claim 14

A protection plug according to claim 1 , wherein said lubrication fitting allows fluid flow through said fitting into said first bore and prevents back-flow through said fitting.

Claim 15

A protection plug according to claim 3 , wherein said lubrication fitting is positioned within an enlarged portion of said first bore near said first end of said body, such that said lubrication fitting does not extend substantially beyond said first end.

Claim 16

A protection plug according to claim 1 , wherein said body is shaped such that said body is threadable into said recess such that said first end is substantially flush with said exterior surface of said component.

Claim 17

In a component having an exterior surface and a recess in said surface, at least a portion of said recess including a generally cylindrical threaded interior surface, said recess opening only to said exterior surface, a method for protecting said threaded interior surface, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a protection plug, comprising: (i) a body having an exterior, a first end and a second end, said body being insertable within said recess, said body including a threaded exterior portion threadably engagable with said threaded interior surface, said second end being oriented toward said bottom of said recess; (ii) a first bore extending through said body between said first end and said second end; and (iii) a lubrication fitting fluidly connected to said first bore at a point accessible from said first end of said body; (b) inserting said protection plug into said recess, threadably engaging said threaded portion with said threaded interior surface; and (c) injecting a protective material through said lubrication fitting and said first bore into said recess.

Claim 18

In a component having an exterior surface and a recess in said surface, at least a portion of said recess including a generally cylindrical threaded interior surface, said recess opening only to said exterior surface, a method for protecting said threaded interior surface, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a protection plug, comprising: (i) a body having an exterior, a first end and a second end, said body being insertable within said recess, said body including a threaded exterior portion threadably engagable with said threaded interior surface, said second end being oriented toward said bottom of said recess; (ii) a first bore extending through said body between said first end and said second end; and (iii) a lubrication fitting fluidly connected to said first bore at a point accessible from said first end of said body; (b) inserting said protection plug into said recess, threadably engaging said threaded portion with said threaded interior surface; and (c) injecting a protective material through said lubrication fitting and said first bore into said recess.