Abstract An improved method and apparatus are provided for sealing hollow pins which are commonly used as lubricant reservoirs in, e.g., track chain assemblies of crawler tractors, and linkage joints of earthmoving vehicles. One embodiment of the invention comprises a plug of elastomer material which has a lubricant passage axially therethrough, which passage receives an auxiliary plug means for the purpose of obturating the passage as well as causing radial expansion of the elastomer plug into positive engagement with a receiving axial bore in a hollow pin. The auxiliary expansion means takes the form of a screw, a spherical ball, or a headless plug employing a plurality of annular serrations. Another embodiment comprises a spherical ball which is received in a stepped, axial bore of a hollow pin and is retained therein by a Belleville washer. The invention facilitates refilling in the field of the lubricant reservoir contained within the pin.
A method of installing resilient, vented plugs having auxiliary plug means in vent passages into pin bores having open ends of track pins on track chains comprising the steps of: a. Placing a track in a position wherein the open end of the pin bore is vertically upward, b. Filling the pin bore with lubricant, c. Inserting a resilient, vented plug into the pin bore, d. Advancing the vented plug into the pin bore to displace lubricant through the vent passage, and e. Inserting an auxiliary plug means into the vent passage to obturate said vent passage.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
97 words
A method of installing resilient, vented plugs having auxiliary plug means in vent passages into pin bores having open ends of track pins on track chains comprising the steps of: a. Placing a track in a position wherein the open end of the pin bore is vertically upward, b. Filling the pin bore with lubricant, c. Inserting a resilient, vented plug into the pin bore, d. Advancing the vented plug into the pin bore to displace lubricant through the vent passage, and e. Inserting an auxiliary plug means into the vent passage to obturate said vent passage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
68 words
The invention of claim 1 further including the steps of: a. Inserting a tool into the vent passage, b. Displacing the auxiliary plug means into the pin bore with the tool so as to open the vent passage, c. Refilling the pin bore with lubricant through the vent passage, and d. Inserting a new auxiliary plug means in the vent passage so as to obturate the vent passage.