Lubricant supply apparatus and system

Abstract

An apparatus is provided for supplying lubricant to at least one delivery point. The lubricant supply apparatus comprises a housing defining a reservoir for holding the lubricant, a pump having a pump inlet and a pump outlet, the pump mounted to the housing so that the pump inlet is in fluid communication with the reservoir for receiving lubricant from the reservoir, and a lubricant distributor having a pass through opening, a fluid delivery bore opening into the pass through opening, and at least one outlet in fluid communication with the fluid delivery bore. A rigid connector defining a fluid passageway having an inlet opening and an outlet opening is rotatably received in the pass through opening of the distributor for attaching the distributor to the pump outlet, such that the inlet opening of the rigid connector is in fluid communication with the pump outlet and the outlet opening of the rigid connector is aligned with the fluid delivery bore for providing a fluid path from the pump outlet to the at least one distributor outlet regardless of the rotational position of the distributor relative to the housing. An adapter block having a pass through opening for receiving the connector and a lubricant transfer bore opening into the pass through opening may be disposed between the pump outlet and the lubricant distributor such that the lubricant delivery bore is in fluid communication with the lubricant transfer bore.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to an apparatus for use in a centralized lubrication system for supplying lubricant to multiple points of lubrication, and more particularly to a lubricant supply apparatus including a rigid connector between a lubricant source and a distributor.

[0002] A centralized lubrication system generally includes a housing accommodating a reservoir of lubricant, a distributor for distributing lubricant to various points of lubrication, and a pump for delivering lubricant from the reservoir to the distributor. Conventional centralized lubrication systems often use one or more flexible hoses to connect the pump outlet and the distributor. There are several disadvantages to this configuration, however, including the large amount of space required for installation of the system and the potential for failure of the hoses.

[0003] A centralized lubrication system designed to alleviate these disadvantages consists of an apparatus wherein the housing also contains the pump and the distributor is affixed to the housing such that the distributor inlet is connected directly to the pump outlet. This arrangement is compact and eliminates the need for hoses connected between the pump outlet and the distributor. However, this arrangement renders the distributor difficult to access for adjustment, maintenance and repair. Moreover, affixing the distributor directly to the pump and housing involves costly machining of mating surfaces and cross drilling of numerous connecting holes. Further, because the distributor is affixed to the housing, the distributor is difficult to manipulate relative to the housing.

[0004] For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a lubricant supply apparatus for use in a centralized lubrication system that effectively eliminates the need for hoses or extensive piping between the pump outlet and the distributor, while providing convenient access to the distributor for adjustment, maintenance and repair as necessary. Ideally, the new lubricant supply apparatus should include a distributor that can be appropriately positioned in multiple positions relative to the housing, depending on the needs of the user.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0005] According to the present invention, an apparatus is provided for supplying lubricant to at least one delivery point, the lubricant supply apparatus comprising a housing defining a reservoir for holding the lubricant, a pump having a pump inlet and a pump outlet, the pump mounted to the housing so that the pump inlet is in fluid communication with the reservoir for receiving lubricant from the reservoir, and a lubricant distributor having a pass through opening, a fluid delivery bore opening into the pass through opening, and at least one outlet in fluid communication with the fluid delivery bore. A rigid connector defining a fluid passageway having an inlet opening and an outlet opening is rotatably received in the pass through opening of the distributor for attaching the distributor to the pump outlet, such that the inlet opening of the rigid connector is in fluid communication with the pump outlet and the outlet opening of the rigid connector is aligned with the fluid delivery bore for providing a fluid path from the pump outlet to the at least one distributor outlet regardless of the rotational position of the distributor relative to the housing.

[0006] Also according to the present invention, an apparatus is provided for supplying lubricant to at least one delivery point, the lubricant supply apparatus comprising a housing defining a reservoir for holding the lubricant, a pump having a pump inlet and a pump outlet, the pump mounted to the housing so that the pump inlet is in fluid communication with the reservoir for receiving lubricant from the reservoir, an adapter block having a pass through opening and a lubricant transfer bore opening into the pass through opening, and a lubricant distributor having a lubricant delivery bore and at least one outlet in fluid communication with the fluid delivery bore, the distributor connected to the adapter block such that the lubricant delivery bore is in fluid communication with the lubricant transfer bore. A rigid connector defining a lubricant passageway having an inlet opening and an outlet opening is rotatably received in the pass through opening of the adapter block for attaching the adapter block to the pump outlet, such that the inlet opening of the rigid connector is in fluid communication with the pump outlet and the outlet opening of the rigid connector is aligned with the fluid transfer bore for providing a fluid path from the pump outlet to the at least one distributor outlet regardless of the rotational position of the distributor relative to the housing.

[0007] Further according to the present invention, a connector is provided for a lubricant supply apparatus of the type comprising a housing defining a reservoir for holding lubricant, a pump having a pump inlet and a pump outlet, the pump mounted to the housing such that the pump inlet receives lubricant from the reservoir, and a lubricant distributor having a pass through opening, a fluid delivery bore opening into the pass through opening, and at least one outlet in fluid communication with the fluid delivery bore for providing lubricant to at least one point of lubrication. The connector comprises a rigid conduit defining a lubricant passageway having an inlet and an outlet opening in the periphery of the rigid conduit. The rigid conduit is adapted to be rotatably received in the pass through opening of the distributor for attaching the distributor to the pump outlet, such that the inlet opening of the rigid connector is in fluid communication with the pump outlet and the outlet opening of the rigid connector is aligned with the fluid delivery bore for providing a fluid path from the pump outlet to the at least one distributor outlet regardless of the rotational position of the distributor relative to the housing.

[0008] Still further according to the present invention, a connector is provided for a lubricant supply apparatus of the type comprising a housing defining a reservoir for holding lubricant, a pump having a pump inlet and a pump outlet, the pump mounted to the housing for receiving lubricant from the reservoir, an adapter block having a pass through opening and a lubricant transfer bore opening into the pass through opening, and a lubricant distributor having a fluid delivery bore for receiving lubricant from the adapter block and at least one outlet in fluid communication with the fluid delivery bore for providing lubricant to at least one point of lubrication. The lubricant distributor is adapted to attach to the adapter block such that the lubricant delivery bore is in fluid communication with the opening of the lubricant transfer bore of the adapter block. The connector comprises a rigid conduit defining a passageway having an inlet opening and an outlet opening in the periphery of the rigid conduit. The rigid conduit is adapted to be rotatably received in the pass through opening of the adapter block for attaching the adapter block and the distributor to the pump outlet for providing a fluid path from the pump outlet to the distributor inlet regardless of the rotational position of the adapter block and the distributor relative to the housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference should now be had to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings and described below. In the drawings:

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a lubricant supply apparatus according to the present invention;

[0011] FIG. 2 is a cross-section of the lubricant supply apparatus taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

[0012] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the reservoir, housing, mounting bracket and circuit board of the lubricant supply apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

[0013] FIG. 4 is a close-up view of the cross-section of the pump, fitting, rigid connector, adapter block, filter, and distributor of the lubricant supply apparatus as shown in FIG. 2;

[0014] FIG. 5A is an exploded view of the pump, fitting, rigid connector, adapter block, filter, and distributor of the lubricant supply apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

[0015] FIG. 5B is a close-up view of the pump and fitting shown in FIG. 5A;

[0016] FIG. 6 is a plan view of an embodiment of a rigid connector according to the present invention;

[0017] FIG. 7 is a partial longitudinal cross-section of the rigid connector of FIG. 6;

[0018] FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of the lubricant supply apparatus shown in FIG. 1 wherein the adapter block and attached distributor are in a different position relative to the housing;

[0019] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a distributor according to the present invention for use with the lubricant supply apparatus shown in FIG. 1; and

[0020] FIG. 10 is an up-close exploded perspective view of another embodiment of a fitting and rigid connector according to the present invention along with the adapter block and distributor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the invention. For example, words such as “upper,” “lower,” “top,” “bottom,” “left,” “right,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “upward,” and “downward” merely describe the configuration shown in the FIGS. Indeed, the components may be oriented in any direction and the terminology, therefore, should be understood as encompassing such variations unless specified otherwise.

[0022] The lubricant supply apparatus according to the present invention may be used with any conventional centralized lubrication system, such as, for example, the centralized lubrication system described by U.S. Pat. No. 6,244,387, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. Accordingly, detailed explanations of the functioning of all of the system components are deemed unnecessary for understanding of the present invention by one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0023] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding or similar elements throughout the several views, an embodiment of a lubricant supply apparatus according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 1 and generally designated at 20. The lubricant supply apparatus 20 comprises a reservoir 22 for containing lubricant 24. The reservoir 22 is mounted to a housing 26. A pump 28 is disposed in the housing 26 for pumping lubricant 24 from the reservoir 22 to a lubricant distributor 30 for distributing lubricant to multiple points of lubrication, as is conventional. The lubricant distributor 30 is connected to the housing 26 via an adapter block 32 and a rigid connector 34.

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the reservoir 22 comprises a bottom wall 36, a cylindrical side wall 38 extending upward from the bottom wall 36 and a removable cover 40. The bottom wall 36 includes a central hub portion 42 and a plurality of spokes 44 extending radially outward to the periphery of the bottom wall 36. The hub portion 42, spokes 44 and periphery define several openings 46 in the bottom wall 36 of the reservoir 22. A follower shaft 48 is vertically disposed in the reservoir 22 and extends the length of the reservoir 22. One end of the follower shaft 48 is secured in the central hub portion 42 of the bottom wall 36 with a fastener 50 (FIG. 2), such as a screw threaded through the hub portion 42 of the bottom wall 36 and into the end of the follower shaft 48. Similarly, the cover 40 of the reservoir 22 is removably secured to the other end of the follower shaft 48 with a fastener 52, such as a screw threaded through the cover 40 of the reservoir 22.

[0025] A flat, circular follower 54 is provided having a diameter only slightly less than the inner diameter of the reservoir 22. The follower 54 has a central opening for slidingly receiving the follower shaft 48. An O-ring 56 is radially disposed in the periphery of the follower 54 for sealingly engaging the cylindrical side wall 38 of the reservoir 22 as the follower 54 moves within the reservoir 22. A coil spring 58 surrounds the follower shaft 48 and is positioned between the cover 40 of the reservoir 22 and the follower 54 for urging the follower 54 downwardly within the reservoir 22.

[0026] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the housing 26 is circular in cross-section and comprises a horizontal bottom wall 60 and a rim 62 extending upwardly from the periphery of the bottom wall 60. The housing 26 is mounted on a substantially flat mounting bracket 64 using fasteners 66, such as screws. A gasket 68 is provided for sealing the bottom wall 60 of the housing 26 and the mounting bracket 64. The reservoir 22 is mounted on the housing 26. An O-ring 72 is disposed on the rim 62 of the housing 26 to ensure a sealing fit between the reservoir 22 and the housing 26. The bottom wall 36 of the reservoir 22 is attached to the rim 62 of the housing 26 using fasteners 70, such as screws. The openings 46 in the bottom wall 36 of the reservoir 22 allow lubricant 24 contained in the reservoir 22 to flow from the reservoir 22 into the housing 26.

[0027] Referring to FIG. 2, an electric motor 86 is mounted on the underside of the mounting bracket 64. A drive shaft 76 extends vertically from the motor 86 and through openings 78, 80, 82 in the mounting bracket 64, gasket 68 and housing 26, respectively. A cam assembly 84 is eccentrically mounted on the distal end of the shaft 76 in the housing 26. A semi-circular scraper plate 74 is attached to the cam assembly 84. The scraper plate 74 and cam assembly 84 may be formed as an integral unit, or be separate components as shown in the present embodiment.

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, a pump 28 is mounted in a radial opening 88 in the rim 62 of the housing 26. The pump 28 (FIG. 5B) includes a pump body 100 comprising an axially-bored threaded fitting, a piston 90 and a check valve assembly 98. The pump body 100 is threadably received in the opening 88 in the rim 62 such that a portion of the pump body 100 remains external to the housing 26. The axial bore in the pump body 100 defines a piston chamber 92 for accommodating the piston 90 and the check valve assembly 98. The pump body 100 has one or more radial inlets 96 which open into the piston chamber 92 to allow lubricant 24 to flow from the housing 26 into the piston chamber 92 adjacent the piston 90.

[0029] The piston 90 comprises an elongated rod having a flat circular head 91 at one end. The piston 90 is slidably received in the piston chamber 92 in the inner end of the pump body 100. A spring 94 surrounds the pump body 100 and the piston 90. The spring 94 is seated at one end against a larger diameter portion of the pump body 100 and at the other end against the piston head 91. The spring 94 urges the piston 90 outwardly of the pump body 100 and into contact with the cam assembly 84 in the housing 26 so that the rotation of the cam assembly 84 linearly reciprocates the piston 90 within the piston chamber 92.

[0030] The outlet check valve assembly 98 includes a stem 102 having a bell-shaped inner end and a valve retainer 104. The stem 102 is positioned in the piston chamber 92 outwardly of the piston 90 at a point where the piston chamber 92 tapers outwardly to a larger diameter forming a valve seat 101. The bell-shaped inner end of the stem 102 is adapted to fit snugly within the valve seat 101.

[0031] The outer end of the pump body 100 is internally threaded for fixing the valve retainer 104 in the pump body 100. The valve retainer 104 has a central opening for slidably receiving the outer end of the stem 102. A small coil spring 105 surrounds the stem 102 and is compressed between the valve retainer 104 and the bell-shaped end of the stem 102 for sealingly biasing the stem 102 against the valve seat 101. Longitudinal slots 106 are formed in the periphery of the valve retainer 104 to permit lubricant to pass the valve retainer 104 and exit the outer end of pump body 100 externally of the housing 26.

[0032] Referring to FIG. 4, the lubricant distributor 30 has an axial inlet passage 120 opening externally of the distributor 30 for receiving lubrication. The inlet passage 120 is in fluid communication with a plurality of distributor outlets 122 that can be connected to delivery lines such as flexible hoses for delivering lubricant to multiple points of lubrication, as is conventional. The delivery lines are not illustrated and it is understood that any delivery line of conventional design for use with a centralized lubrication device can be used. When a particular distributor outlet 122 is not in use and not attached to a delivery line, a plug 124 can seal the distributor outlet 122 to prevent the discharge of lubricant through the outlet 122. It is understood that the lubricant distributor 30 can be any centralized lubrication device lubricant distributor of conventional design and the construction and operation of the lubricant distributor 30 is not critical to the present invention, provided it can be adapted to be in fluid communication with the pump outlet 100 in accordance with the present invention.

[0033] In one embodiment of the present invention, best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5A, the adapter block 32 is positioned between the lubricant distributor 30 and the pump body 100. The adapter block 32 has a passage 110 extending through opposed faces of the block 32. A transverse bore 108 intersects the passage 110 and opens at another face of the adapter block 32.

[0034] The lubricant distributor 30 is attached to the adapter block 32 using fasteners 126, such as screws, only one of which 126 is shown in FIG. 5A. When attached (FIG. 4), the transverse bore 108 in the adapter block 32 is in fluid communication with the distributor inlet passage 120. The bore 108 opening in the face of the adapter block 32 includes a counterbore 112 to accommodate a gasket 128 to seal the mating surfaces of the adapter block 32 and distributor 30. A lubricant purification device, such as a filter 130, may also be housed in the counterbore 112 of the adapter block 32. The filter 130 can be removed for cleaning or replacement by disconnecting the lubricant distributor 30 from the adapter block 32.

[0035] According to the present invention, the rigid connector 34, shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, is used to connect the adapter block 32 and attached lubricant distributor 30 to the pump body 100. The rigid connector 34 has a threaded end portion 140 and an axial bore 132 extending from the threaded end portion 140. A through opening 136 is cross-drilled in an annular groove 138 in the periphery of the rigid connector 34 adjacent the end of the axial bore 134. The connector 34 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 is sometimes referred to as a banjo bolt. However, it is understood that any type of rigid conduit with an axial passageway 132 with an inlet 134 and an outlet 136 can be used, so long as the conduit material is sufficiently strong to structurally support the lubricant distributor 30 and the adapter block 32 fastened to the pump body 100.

[0036] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5A, the rigid connector 34 extends through the passage 110 in the adapter block 32 and is threadably received in the pump body 100. A gasket 142 is placed around the rigid connector 34 for sealing the connection between the adapter block 32 and the fitting 100. As seen in FIG. 4, the rigid connector 34 is positioned in the adapter block opening 110 such that the through opening 136 in the connector 34 is aligned with the transverse bore 108 thereby defining a fluid path from the pump body 100 through the axial passage 132 in the connector 34 and out of the transverse bore 108 of the adapter block 32. This arrangement allows the lubricant distributor 30 to be rotated on the rigid connector 34 to different positions relative to the housing 26, depending on the positional needs of the user. For example, one such position is shown in FIG. 8.

[0037] In another embodiment of the present invention, an elongated lubricant distributor 144 (FIG. 9) is used to replace the adapter block 32. In this embodiment, a pass through opening 146 extends through the lubricant distributor 144. A distributor inlet passage 148, just barely visible in FIG. 9, intersects the pass through opening 146. As described above, the rigid connector 34 extends through the opening 146 for connecting the distributor 144 to the pump body 100. The through opening 136 in the connector 34 aligns with the distributor inlet passage 148. The lubricant distributor 144 is rotatable on the rigid connector 34 to different positions relative to the housing 26, depending on the positional needs of the user. In all other aspects, the lubricant distributor 144 in this embodiment is similar to the lubricant distributor 30 described above.

[0038] In still another embodiment of the present invention, shown in FIG. 10, the rigid connector 34 is formed as an integral part of the pump body 100. In this embodiment, the adapter block 32 and attached lubricant distributor 30 are rotatably mounted on the rigid connector 34 and secured in place via a fastener 150, such as a bolt receivable on the threaded end 140 of the connector 34.

[0039] As illustrated in FIG. 3, a printed circuit board 152 with a programmable controller 154 is mounted to the underside of the mounting bracket 64 below the housing 26 using fasteners 156, such as screws. The programmable controller 154 is in communication with a sensor 158 connected to the lubricant distributor 30. The controller 154 and the sensor 158 allow for the operating time and lubrication cycle of the lubricant supply apparatus 20 to be monitored, set and adjusted. The printed circuit board 152 also includes visual displays (e.g., LEDs) 160 that indicate when the pump 28 is in operation, when the lubricant 24 level is low, when the apparatus 20 is not functioning properly, and the like.

[0040] As FIG. 2 shows a sensor shaft 162 slidingly extending through aligned openings 164, 166, 168 (FIG. 3) in the mounting bracket 64, gasket 68 and the rim 62 of the housing 26 and into the reservoir 22. The sensor shaft 162 is capped 170 and a spring 172 surrounding the sensor shaft 162 is positioned between the rim 62 of the housing 26 and the cap 170 for urging the shaft 162 upward into the reservoir 22. The follower 54 engages the cap 170 on the sensor shaft 162 when the level of lubricant 24 contained in the reservoir 22 is low. As the follower 54 descends, the sensor shaft 162 is advanced downward below the mounting bracket 64. A suitable sensor (not shown) on the printed circuit board 152 adjacent the lower end of the sensor shaft 162 senses the downward motion of the sensor shaft 162 and signals the controller 154. The visual display 160 on the circuit board 152 may also indicate that the lubricant 24 level in the reservoir 22 is low.

[0041] To complete the lubricant supply apparatus 20, a supporting case 174 (FIGS. 1 and 2) is attached to the underside of the mounting bracket 64 below the housing 26 for enclosing the electric motor 86, the printed circuit board 152 and the lower end of the sensor shaft 160. It is understood that at least a portion 178 of the case 174 is clear so that the visual display 160 on the printed circuit board 152 is visible through the case 174.

[0042] In use, the lubricant supply apparatus 20 is filled with lubricant via a zerk fitting 180 mounted to the housing 26. Lubricant introduced into this zerk fitting 180 fills the housing 26 and then flows up through the openings 46 in the bottom wall 36 of reservoir 22 and into the reservoir 22. As the amount of lubricant 24 in the reservoir 22 increases, the follower 54 rises towards the cover 40 of the reservoir 22 against the force of the spring 58. At least a portion of the side wall 38 of the reservoir 22 can be composed of a translucent material so that the amount of lubricant 24 contained in the reservoir 22 is visible.

[0043] When activated, the electric motor 86 rotates the shaft 76 and the cam assembly 84 and scraper plate 74 mounted thereon. Lubricant 24 contained in the reservoir 22 is forced, via the downward pressure of the spring-biased follower 54 through the openings 46 in the bottom wall 36 of the reservoir 22 and into the housing 26. The rotation of the scraper plate 74 moves the lubricant in the housing 26 towards the pump 28 where it enters the piston chamber 92 of the pump 28 through the lubricant inlets 96 in the pump body 100. Rotation of the cam assembly 84 causes the cam assembly 84 to engage the piston head 91 moving the piston 90 to the right (as seen in FIGS. 2 and 4), within the piston chamber 92. During this forward stroke of the piston 90, lubricant in the piston chamber 92 is forced toward the outlet check valve 98, lifting the end of the stem 102 off the valve seat 101 against the force of the spring 105 and allowing the lubricant to pass the check valve assembly 98 via the slots 106. As the cam assembly 84 rotates out of engagement with the piston head 91, the spring 94 forces the piston 90 to the left (as seen in FIGS. 2 and 4). During this return stroke of the piston 90, the spring 105 closes the outlet check valve 98 and lubricant is drawn from the housing 26 into the piston chamber 92 through the one or more piston chamber inlets 96. This process repeats for pumping lubricant from the reservoir and out of the pump body 100.

[0044] Lubricant discharged from the pump body 100 advances through the axial passageway 132 of the rigid connector 34, the transverse bore 108 in the adapter block 32, and into the distributor inlet passage 120. The lubricant distributor 30 then delivers lubricant to multiple points of lubrication via conduit lines connected to the plurality of lubricant outlets 122 on the lubricant distributor 30.

[0045] Referring to FIG. 5A, the adapter block 32 may have a second transverse bore 114 through a face of the adapter block 32 in the same plane as the first transverse bore 108. The second transverse bore also intersects with the pass through opening 110 in the adapter block 32. This transverse bore is threaded 116 for receiving a zerk fitting 118 for injecting lubricant directly into the adapter block 32 and distributor 30.

[0046] The use of a rigid connector 34 as the means for both connecting the lubricant distributor 30 to the pump body 100 and providing a conduit for lubricant flow from the pump 28 to the lubricant distributor 30 eliminates the need for hoses or extensive piping connecting the pump 28 to the distributor 30. The lubricant supply apparatus 20 in accordance with the present invention is therefore relatively compact. In addition, because the distributor 30 can be disconnected by unfastening the rigid connector 34 from the pump body 100, or detaching the distributor 30 from the adapter block 32, the use of a rigid connector 34 for connecting the lubricant distributor 30 to the pump body 100 also allows for the distributor 30 to be conveniently accessed for adjustment, maintenance and repair as necessary. Moreover, because the distributor 30 is rotatable relative to the rigid connector 34 in accordance with the present invention, the lubricant distributor 30 may be mounted to the apparatus 20 at multiple angles, depending on the positional needs of the user. The adapter block 32 allows for a filter 130 to be utilized to prevent impurities in the lubrication from entering the distributor 30 and for devices such as a zerk fitting 118 to be installed.

[0047] Although the present invention has been shown and described in considerable detail with respect to only a few exemplary embodiments thereof, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that I do not intend to limit the invention to the embodiments since various modifications, omissions and additions may be made to the disclosed embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the invention, particularly in light of the foregoing teachings. For example, the rigid connector could be constructed as an integral part of the adapter block. Accordingly, I intend to cover all such modifications, omission, additions and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. Thus, although a nail and a screw may not be structural equivalents in that a nail employs a cylindrical surface to secure wooden parts together, whereas a screw employs a helical surface, in the environment of fastening wooden parts, a nail and a crew may be equivalent structures.

Claims

1. An apparatus for supplying lubricant to at least one delivery point, the lubricant supply apparatus comprising:

a housing defining a reservoir for holding the lubricant;

a pump having a pump inlet and a pump outlet, the pump mounted to the housing so that the pump inlet is in fluid communication with the reservoir for receiving lubricant from the reservoir;

a lubricant distributor having a pass through opening, a fluid delivery bore opening into the pass through opening, and at least one outlet in fluid communication with the fluid delivery bore; and

a rigid connector defining a fluid passageway having an inlet opening and an outlet opening, the connector rotatably received in the pass through opening of the distributor for attaching the distributor to the pump outlet, such that the inlet opening of the rigid connector is in fluid communication with the pump outlet and the outlet opening of the rigid connector is aligned with the fluid delivery bore for providing a fluid path from the pump outlet to the at least one distributor outlet regardless of the rotational position of the distributor relative to the housing.

2. A lubricant supply apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the rigid connector is adapted to sealingly engage the pump outlet.

3. A lubricant supply apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the rigid connector is a banjo bolt.

4. A lubricant supply apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the rigid connector is integral with the pump outlet.

5. An apparatus for supplying lubricant to at least one delivery point, the lubricant supply apparatus comprising:

a housing defining a reservoir for holding the lubricant;

a pump having a pump inlet and a pump outlet, the pump mounted to the housing so that the pump inlet is in fluid communication with the reservoir for receiving lubricant from the reservoir;

an adapter block having a pass through opening and a lubricant transfer bore opening into the pass through opening;

a lubricant distributor having a lubricant delivery bore and at least one outlet in fluid communication with the fluid delivery bore, the distributor connected to the adapter block such that the lubricant delivery bore is in fluid communication with the lubricant transfer bore; and

a rigid connector defining a lubricant passageway having an inlet opening and an outlet opening, the connector rotatably received in the pass through opening of the adapter block for attaching the adapter block to the pump outlet, such that the inlet opening of the rigid connector is in fluid communication with the pump outlet and the outlet opening of the rigid connector is aligned with the fluid transfer bore for providing a fluid path from the pump outlet to the at least one distributor outlet regardless of the rotational position of the distributor relative to the housing.

6. A lubricant supply apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein the rigid connector is a adapted to sealingly engage the pump outlet.

7. A lubricant supply apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein the rigid connector is a banjo bolt.

8. A lubricant supply apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein the rigid connector is machined as an integral part of the fitting.

9. A lubricant supply apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein a filter is housed between the opening of the lubricant transfer bore of the adapter block and the opening of the fluid delivery bore of the lubricant distributor.

10. A lubricant supply apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein the adapter block has a second bore that is in fluid communication with the pass through opening of the adapter block, and further comprising a zerk fitting disposed in the second bore.

11. A connector for a lubricant supply apparatus of the type comprising a housing defining a reservoir for holding lubricant, a pump having a pump inlet and a pump outlet, the pump mounted to the housing such that the pump inlet receives lubricant from the reservoir, and a lubricant distributor having a pass through opening, a fluid delivery bore opening into the pass through opening, and at least one outlet in fluid communication with the fluid delivery bore for providing lubricant to at least one point of lubrication, the connector comprising:

a rigid conduit defining a lubricant passageway having an inlet and an outlet opening in the periphery of the rigid conduit, the rigid conduit adapted to be rotatably received in the pass through opening of the distributor for attaching the distributor to the pump outlet, such that the inlet opening of the rigid connector is in fluid communication with the pump outlet and the outlet opening of the rigid connector is aligned with the fluid delivery bore for providing a fluid path from the pump outlet to the at least one distributor outlet regardless of the rotational position of the distributor relative to the housing.

12. A connector for a lubricant supply apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein the rigid connector is adapted to sealingly engage the fitting

13. A connector for a lubricant supply apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein the rigid conduit is a banjo bolt.

14. A connector for a lubricant supply apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein the rigid conduit is machined as an integral part of the fitting.

15. A connector for a lubricant supply apparatus of the type comprising a housing defining a reservoir for holding lubricant, a pump having a pump inlet and a pump outlet, the pump mounted to the housing for receiving lubricant from the reservoir, an adapter block having a pass through opening and a lubricant transfer bore opening into the pass through opening, and a lubricant distributor having a fluid delivery bore for receiving lubricant from the adapter block and at least one outlet in fluid communication with the fluid delivery bore for providing lubricant to at least one point of lubrication, the lubricant distributor being adapted to attach to the adapter block such that the lubricant delivery bore is in fluid communication with the opening of the lubricant transfer bore of the adapter block, the connector comprising:

a rigid conduit defining a passageway having an inlet opening and an outlet opening in the periphery of the rigid conduit, the rigid conduit adapted to be rotatably received in the pass through opening of the adapter block for attaching the adapter block and the distributor to the pump outlet for providing a fluid path from the pump outlet to the distributor inlet regardless of the rotational position of the adapter block and the distributor relative to the housing.

16. A connector for a lubricant supply apparatus as recited in claim 15, wherein the rigid connector is adapted to sealingly engage the fitting.

17. A connector for a lubricant supply apparatus as recited in claim 15, wherein the rigid conduit is a banjo bolt.

18. A connector for a lubricant supply apparatus as recited in claim 15, wherein the rigid conduit is machined as an integral part of the fitting.