U.S. patent application number 09/302835 was filed with the patent office on 2001-12-20 for protection plug.
This patent application is currently assigned to Tucker, Robert C.. Invention is credited to SPENCER, R. WILSON.
Application Number | 20010052438 09/302835 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23169408 |
Filed Date | 2001-12-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010052438 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SPENCER, R. WILSON |
December 20, 2001 |
PROTECTION PLUG
Abstract
A plug for protecting the interior of a recessed area of a
component during storage is disclosed herein. The plug includes a
lubrication fitting positioned thereon to flow a protective
material, such as grease, into the cavity between the lower end of
the plug and the recessed area and any remaining voids between the
walls of the plug and the walls of the recessed area. The plug may
also include an engagement surface to assist in the insertion and
removal of the plug into and out of recessed areas of a
component.
Inventors: |
SPENCER, R. WILSON;
(HOUSTON, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ROBERT C TUCKER
JONES, WALKER, WAECHER, POITEVENT, CARRERE&DENEGRE
5TH FLOOR, FOUR UNITED PLAZA
8555 UNITED PLAZA BLVD.
BATON ROUGE
LA
70809
US
|
Assignee: |
Tucker, Robert C.
|
Family ID: |
23169408 |
Appl. No.: |
09/302835 |
Filed: |
April 30, 1999 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
184/105.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16N 21/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
184/105.3 |
International
Class: |
F16N 021/00 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A protection plug comprising: (a) a body insertable within a
recessed area of a component, said body having an exterior, a first
end and a second end; (b) a first bore extending between said first
end and said exterior of said body below said first end; (c) a
lubrication fitting fluidly connected to said first bore, said
lubrication fitting allowing fluid flow from said first end to a
point exterior of said body.
2. The plug according to claim 1 wherein said lubrication fitting
does not extend beyond said first end.
3. The plug according to claim 2 further comprising a second bore
extending between said first end and the exterior of said body
below said first end.
4. The plug according to claim 3 further comprising one or more
engagement surfaces positioned near said first end.
5. The plug according to claim 4 wherein said engagement surface
comprises a polygonal upper wall of said first bore.
6. The plug according to claim 4 wherein said body further
comprises a lip positioned at said first end.
7. The plug according to claim 4 wherein said engagement surface
comprises one or more engagement holes in said first end.
8. The 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 the engagement holes.
9. The plug according to claim 1 wherein said body has a threaded
exterior extending between said ends.
10. In combination with a component having a recessed area, a plug
for protecting said recessed area, said plug comprising: (a) a body
insertable within a recessed area of a component, said body having
an exterior, a first end and a second end; (b) a first bore
extending between said first end and said exterior of said body
below said first end; (c) a lubrication fitting positioned within
said first bore, said lubrication fitting allowing fluid flow from
said first end to a point exterior of said body.
11. A method for protecting a recessed area of a component using a
plug, said component having a surface, said plug comprising a body
insertable within said recessed area, said body having an exterior,
a first end, and a second end; a first bore extending between said
first end and the exterior of said body below said first end; a
lubrication fitting fluidly connected to said first bore, said
lubrication fitting allowing fluid flow from said first end to a
point exterior of said body, said method comprising the steps of:
(a) inserting said plug into said recessed area of said component;
and, (b) pumping a protective material through said lubrication
fitting.
12. The method according to claim 11 comprising the step of
inserting said plug into said recessed area of said component until
said first end is at least substantially flush with said surface of
said component.
13. The method according to claim 11, wherein said plug further
comprises a second bore extending between said first end and said
second end, said method further comprising the step of pumping a
protective material through said lubrication fitting until
protective material flows through said second bore and reaches said
first end.
14. The method according to claim 11, further comprising the step
of pumping a protective material through said lubrication fitting
until said protective material flows between said component and
said plug and reaches said first end.
15. In combination with a component having a bore extending
therethrough, a plug for protecting said bore, said plug
comprising: (a) a pair of washers positionable at opposite ends of
said bore, said washers having a first end and a recessed end
positionable within said bore; (b) a joining member engageable with
said pair of washers, said joining member positioning said washers
over said bore when said washers are positioned at opposite ends of
said bore; (c) a lubrication fitting positioned on at least one of
said washers to allow a protective material to be inserted into
said bore when said washers have been positioned over said
bore.
16. The combination according to claim 15 further comprising a
second bore positioned in at least one of said washers.
17. The combination according to claim 16 wherein said joining
member is configured such that the ends of said joining member are
at least flush with said first ends of said washers.
18. A method for protecting a bore configured within a component
using a plug comprising a pair of washers positionable at opposite
ends of said bore, said washers having a first end and a recessed
end positionable within said bore; a joining member engageable with
said pair of washers, said joining member securing said washers
over said bore when said washers are positioned at opposite ends of
said bore, and, a lubrication fitting positioned at least one of
said washers to allow a protective material to be inserted into
said bore when said washers have been positioned over said bore,
said method comprising the steps of: (a) positioning said washers
over the opposite ends of said bore; (b) operating said joining
member so that said washers are positioned over said bore; and, (c)
pumping a protective material through said lubrication fitting.
19. The plug according to claim 4 wherein said engagement surface
comprises a slot traversing at least a portion of a top surface of
said body.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to devices for protecting internal
areas of large cast or machined components, namely the internal
threads.
[0003] 2. Prior Art
[0004] Large castings and machined components having internal
threads are often placed outdoors for temporary storage.
Accordingly, these components are subject to moisture and other
damaging weather and environmental conditions. While many parts of
the components do not suffer significant damage, the threads which
are machined into metal surfaces often must be re-machined after
the components have been exposed to the elements and damaged.
Re-machining of threads significantly increases the turnaround time
and is expensive, particularly in the case of leased equipment.
[0005] In some instances, these components are temporarily stored
outdoors and stacked on top of each other. If there are any
protrusions that extend beyond the surfaces on which the components
rest, the protrusions are broken or sheared off during the stacking
process, allowing water that often contains corrosive agents, to
seep in and destroy the threads. Thus, a long-standing need exists
for a device that protects threads in components from the
destructive effects of weather and harsh operating conditions and
that does not have any protrusions extending beyond the stacking
surface.
[0006] Stationary surfaces, such as the decks of ships, also have
threaded recessed areas configured therein that may be exposed to
saltwater and the elements. The threads must be protected from the
elements and effects of saltwater and must be flush with the deck
surface so as not to produce a trip hazard. In the event of an
emergency, these thread protection devices may have to be removed
very quickly and with minimum effort. The very safety of the ship
could depend on it. Therefore, it is imperative that the threads be
protected from even the slightest hint of corrosion of any
kind.
ADVANTAGES AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention meets needs existing in the prior art.
The thread protection plug of the present invention is designed to
seal the threads of the components from weather and environmental
conditions. The thread protection plug is also positionable within
the components so that it is flush with the stacking surface.
[0008] With the aforementioned considerations in mind, it is
therefore an object of this invention to provide a thread
protection plug that prevents damage to threaded components caused
by exposure to weather and environmental conditions.
[0009] It is a further object of this invention to provide a thread
protection plug that allows the component threads to be lubricated
and protected without removal of the plug.
[0010] It is a further object of this invention to provide a thread
protection plug that can quickly and efficiently insert into a
variety of cast and machined components.
[0011] These and other advantages and objects of this invention
shall become apparent from the ensuing description of the
invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The invention herein comprises a body insertable within a
recessed area of a component, body having an exterior, a first end
and a second end. The first bore extends between the first end and
the exterior of the body below the first end. The invention further
comprises at least one lubrication fitting, preferably
self-sealing, fluidly connected to the first bore to allow fluid
flow from the first end to a point exterior of the body. The
invention comprises the plug alone and in combination with a
threaded component.
[0013] The invention also comprises a method for protecting a
recessed area of a component using a plug, comprising the steps of
(a) inserting the plug into the recessed area of the component,
and, (b) pumping a protective material through the lubrication
fitting to a point exterior of the body.
[0014] An alternate embodiment of the invention comprises the
combination of a component having a bore extending therethrough and
plug for protecting said bore. The plug comprises (a) a pair of
washers positionable at opposite ends of the bore having a recessed
end positionable over or at least partially within said bore; (b) a
joining member engageable with the pair of washers that positions
the washers over the bore; (c) a lubrication fitting positioned on
at least one of the washers to allow a protective material to be
inserted into said bore when the washers have been positioned over
the bore.
[0015] The invention comprises an alternate method for protecting a
bore configured within a component using the plug invention
described in the previous paragraph. The alternate method comprises
the following steps: (a) positioning washers over the opposite ends
of the bore; (b) operating said the joining member so that the
washers are positioned over the bore; and, (c) pumping a protective
material through the lubrication fitting.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a top view of the plug invention.
[0017] FIG. 1a is a top view of an alternate embodiment of the
invention without secondary engagement surfaces.
[0018] FIG. 1b is a top view of an alternate embodiment of the
invention.
[0019] FIG. 2 is a side view of an embodiment of the plug
invention.
[0020] FIG. 2a is a side view of an alternate embodiment of the
plug invention.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the
plug invention shown in FIG. 2 installed in a component taken along
section line 3-3 in FIG. 1.
[0022] FIG. 3a is a similar cross-sectional view of an embodiment
of the plug invention shown in FIG. 2a installed in a
component.
[0023] FIGS. 4 and 5 are cross-sectional views of an alternate
embodiment of the invention used for components having bores
extending completely therethrough.
[0024] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the
invention.
[0025] FIG. 7 is a top view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0026] Illustrations of construction, design, and methods of
operation of the invention are set forth below with specific
references to the Figures. However, it is not the intention of the
inventor that the scope of his invention be limited to these
embodiments.
[0027] As shown in FIGS. 1, 1a, 1b, 2, and 2a, plug 10 has a
substantially cylindrical body 12 with external threads 14,
although body 12 need not be configured with external threads in
embodiments comprising press-fitting type bodies. Body 12 and
external threads 14 are configured to be insertable into a recessed
area of a component 30 and to mate with an opposing internal
surface, such as internal threads 36. As used herein, recessed area
shall include, but is not limited to, areas below surface 46 in
need of protection, such as the areas filled by plug 10 and the
cavity 34 remaining below plug 10 shown in FIGS. 3 and 3a. Recessed
areas also include areas extending through a component 30 such as
bore 50 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.
[0028] Body 12 has a first end 16 and a second end 18, both of
which are preferably substantially planar. Body 12 also has an
exterior 59, which comprises all outer surfaces of plug 10.
Referring to FIG. 2, a lip 44 may extend slightly out from the edge
of first end 16 to aid in the protection of the internal surface of
component 30. Lip 44 may comprise a single thread as shown in FIG.
2 to allow plug 10 to remain substantially flush with surface 46
while protecting the recessed area of a component 30.
[0029] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2a, plug 10 may be
configured with a head 48 when it is not necessary that end 16 be
substantially flush with surface 46, providing a larger lip 70
extending out from the edge of first end 16 as shown in FIG. 2a.
Plug 10 may be constructed from a wide variety of materials, such
as metal or plastic. Head 48 may take various shapes, such as round
(as shown) or hexagonal.
[0030] As shown in FIG. 3, a first bore 40 extends between ends 16,
18, and may comprise recess 24 and lower bore 22. Recess 24 is
preferably configured to have a substantially planar bottom surface
42. As shown in FIG. 1, the upper wall 58 of first bore 40 (or
recess 24) near first end 16 may be circular in shape, but it is
preferred that the upper portion be polygonal in shape, as shown in
Figure 1a, so that first bore 40 (or recess 24) is engageable by a
polygonal wrench.
[0031] Referring back to FIG. 3, a lubrication fitting 20,
preferably a Zerk-type fitting as manufactured by Alemite
Corporation, is positioned within the recess 24 and fluidly
connects recess 24 to lower bore 22 formed through body 12 to allow
fluid flow through first bore 40 from first end 16 to a point
exterior of body 12, preferably near second end 18. Fitting 20
prevents back-flow along that same path. Protective material, such
as grease, enters fitting 20 and passes through body 12, out
through lower bore 22. Both recess 24 and fitting 20 are preferably
constructed so that no portion of fitting 20 extends beyond first
end 16.
[0032] As shown in FIGS. 1, 1a and 3, a second bore 26 may be
positioned within body 12 between first end 16 and the exterior of
body 12 below first end 16 to allow grease to pass back through
body 12 after the cavity area 34 between second end 18 and the
bottom of the recessed area of the component 30 has been filled
with grease. As used herein "at an exterior point below first end"
means any point along the exterior 59 of plug other than top
surface 63. This allows the user of plug 10 to know when cavity
area 34 has been completely filled with grease. Second bore 26 may
extend from first end 16 as shown in FIG. 3a or may extend from the
bottom of engagement hole 32 as shown in FIG. 3. Second bore 26 may
exit at second end 18 or at some other point exterior of body 12,
such as a point within the area of external threads 14.
[0033] Engagement surfaces 28 may be formed within first end 16. As
shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, engagement surfaces 28 comprise engagement
holes 32. Engagement holes 32 are sized and spaced apart
sufficiently to allow engagement by the prongs of a spanner wrench
as shown in the attached drawing. Engagement holes 32 may be
configured in other ways to allow for engagement by other tools,
such as the polygonal recess 24, shown in FIG. 1a, where upper wall
58 serves as an engagement surface 28. As shown in FIG. 1b,
engagement surface 28 may comprise a slot 64 traversing at least a
portion of top surface 63 to allow engagement by a tool. The bottom
of slot 64 may terminate above the upper end of fitting 20 so that
when a tool engages slot 64, the tool will not damage fitting
20.
[0034] In operation, plug 10 is inserted into the recessed area 38
of the component 30. When component 30 has a threaded recessed
area, plug 10 is simply screwed into recessed area 38 until first
end 16 has become at least substantially flush with the surface 46
of component 30. When it is not necessary that upper end 16 of plug
10 be substantially flush with surface 46, the embodiment shown in
FIGS. 2a and 3a may be used, and engagement surface 28 may be
located on head 48 or along upper wall 58 as previously described.
A grease gun is then attached to lubrication fitting 20, and grease
is pumped through lubrication fitting 20, into cavity area 34 and
any voids that may exist between opposing threads 14, 36. Grease is
pumped through lubrication fitting 20 until grease flows between
opposing threads 14, 36 to surface 46 or flows through second bore
26 and becomes visible to the operator. Preferably, a
water-resistant or water-proof grease is used.
[0035] An alternate embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 4
for use with a component 30 having a bore 50 extending completely
therethrough. Plug 10 comprises a top washer 51 and a bottom washer
52 positionable over or at least partially within bore 50. Each
washer 51, 52 has a first end 53, preferably flanged as shown, that
allow the recessed ends 57 of washers 51, 52 to rest substantially
within bore 50. Each washer 51, 52 is configured with an aperture
56 therein to allow a bolt 54 to pass therethrough. Washers 51, 52
are mounted to the components by positioning them at opposite ends
of bore 50, inserting bolt 54 through the washer apertures 56, and
securing a nut 55 to bolt 54 until washers 51, 52 are positioned
over bore 50, preferably securely positioned. Either washer 51, 52
or bolt 54 may be configured with a lubrication fitting 20 or
second bore 26 so that plug 10 operates as previously described. As
used in the claims, "joining member" describes nut 55 and bolt 54,
or any other device or apparatus known in the art, used to
releasably join or connect two washers 51, 52.
[0036] Another alternate embodiment of the invention 10 is shown in
FIGS. 6 and 7. In this embodiment, a threaded bolt 60 or other
suitable member is fixedly positioned longitudinally within and
included as part of body 12. Lubrication fitting 20 is attached to
bolt head 62 and is fluidly connected to lower bore 22, which
extends through bolt 60 to second end 18 or a point exterior of
body 12 below first end 16. Bolt 60 may be fixed in a position
within body 12 by welds 61 or other suitable means. Bolt head 62
and lubrication fitting 20 are preferably contained within recess
24. Engagement surface 28 may be provided on bolt head 62 and may
take the form of a standard hex head or any other regular polygonal
shape, as shown in FIG. 7. Alternatively, as previously described,
upper wall 58 may form an engagement surface 28. Sufficient area
should be provided around bolt head 62 for insertion of a socket
wrench or similar tool to operate plug 10.
[0037] Although the preferred embodiment has been described, it
will be appreciated by those skilled in the art to which the
present invention pertains that modifications, changes, and
improvements may be made without departing from the spirit of the
invention defined by the claims.
* * * * *