LUBRICATOR SIGHT FEED DOME

• US 3,707,204 A
• Filed: 09/13/1971
• Issued: 12/26/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Claude J. Dussardier
• Original Assignee: Claude J. Dussardier
• Inventors: Dussardier, Claude J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Antonakas, Manuel A.
• Application Number:
  US05/179,853
• Time in Patent Office: 470 Days
• Field of Search: 74/89.15,527 184/55R,55A,56R,56A
• US Class Current: 184/55.2
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/60 Handles form, features or function of taps or faucet handles for domestic plumbing installations E03C1/04
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 35/027 the locking mechanism being actuated by pushing or pulling the valve actuator, the valve actuator being rotated subsequently to bring the valve closure element in the desired position
• CPC Class Codes: F16N 7/34 Atomising devices for oil atomising devices in general B05B
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 5/12 for holding members in an indefinite number of positions, e.g. by a toothed quadrant G05G5/28 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/18752 Manually driven
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20636 Detents

Abstract

Air line lubricator with sight dome drip feed, characterized by a metering needle valve, operated by a rotatable control knob having a locking ring which may be moved axially between locked and unlocked positions. When in locked position, it may be secured by a seal wire to prevent tampering with the metering adjustment. Replaceable inserts may be provided to select the size of oil drops which are delivered to an air stream.

Claims

1. In a lubricator of the type having an adjustable valve for metering lubricant to an air stream and a transparent sight dome body through which the rate of metering of the lubricant may be observed, the improvemeNts in combination, comprising:

a. said dome body having a discharge orifice and a valve cooperating therewith, b. said valve being affixed to a valve stem threadedly engaging the dome body, whereby rotation of the valve stem may vary the rate of flow through the discharge orifice, c. a knob affixed to the valve stem for rotating same, d. said knob having resilient first locking means adapted to be urged radially inwardly for engaging second locking means spaced circumferentially on the dome body, whereby the knob may be locked at desired increments of its rotation, e. said knob including a locking ring for rotating same, said locking ring being mounted for slidable movement in the axial direction of the valve stem, and f. a first camming surface on said locking ring adapted to cooperate with a second camming surface on said first locking means, g. the construction and arrangement being such that when the locking ring is moved axially in one direction, said camming surfaces cause said first locking means to engage said second locking means and lock the knob against rotation.

2. A lubricator in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first locking means comprises a plurality of like angularly spaced legs disposed peripherally about the dome body having splines thereon extending parallel to the axial direction of the stem, said second locking means being like splines engagable therewith.

3. A lubricator in accordance with claim 2 wherein said first and second camming surfaces are annuli of a common cone.

4. A lubricator in accordance with claim 1 wherein the valve stem is provided with a threaded flange adapted to abut a shoulder on the dome body, when rotated to a predetermined position, to prevent removal of the stem from the come body.

5. A lubricator in accordance with claim 1 wherein said dome body is provided with an annular recess, at the end thereof remote from the knob, an annular filter disposed within said recess and a channel communicating said annular recess with the supply side of said valve.

6. A lubricator in accordance with claim 5 wherein the filter is substantially V-shaped in cross section.

7. A lubricator in accordance with claim 1 including a longitudinally extending cylindrical bore in the dome body, and a tubular insert disposed in said bore, said insert having a wall at one end thereof, said discharge orifice extending axially through said wall.

8. A lubricator in accordance with claim 7 wherein said wall includes an annular surface surrounding said discharge orifice on which a drop of lubricant may form, prior to dropping therefrom, the diameter of said annular surface being variable by selection of inserts, whereby drops of different size may be formed thereon.

9. A lubricator in accordance with claim 8 wherein said cylindrical bore is provided with a concentric counterbore, providing an annular space around the insert, open at one side thereof, an annular filter disposed within said annular space, and a channel communicating said annular space with the supply side of said valve.

10. A lubricator in accordance with claim 1 wherein said locking ring may move axially between unlocked and locked positions, providing an annular space of variable width between one face of same and a face of a portion of the knob affixed to the stem, and a locking wire or the like disposed circumferentially in said space for blocking axial movement of the ring toward unlocked position.

11. A lubricator in accordance with claim 1 wherein the periphery of said ring is provided with angularly spaced isoceles trapezoidal recesses, facing in opposite directions, forming flat abutments engagable by the thumb, index and middle fingers of an operator for facilitating pushing and pulling the ring in opposite axial directions and rotating same in opposite directions.

12. Means for axially positioning a rotatable first member threadedly connected to a fixed second member and for locking same in a desired axial position relativE thereto, such as a rotatable needle valve relative to a fixed seat, to provide a variable orifice therebetween, comprising;

a. a knob member affixed to said first member for rotating same to a desired axial position, b. said second member having a plurality of circumferentially disposed and angularly spaced splines therein, extending parallel to the axis of rotation of the first member, c. said first member having a plurality of angularly spaced resilient legs having second like splines, d. said second splines normally being out of engagement with said first splines but adapted to engage therewith upon radial inward movement of said legs, e. a ring member, forming a part of said knob, rotatable therewith and axially movable relative thereto, and f. cooperating camming surfaces on said ring and on said legs for moving said legs radially inward upon axial movement of said ring for moving said splines into locking engagement.

13. An apparatus in accordance with claim 12 wherein said first member is a needle valve adapted to control the metering rate of lubricant across its cooperating seat.