Patent ID: 6742932
Filing Date: 2004-06-01
Classification: F16C,Y10T

Abstract:
An axle bolt comprising:an elongated body having a first end, a second end and an external surface; an end cap integrally formed with the first end of the elongated body, the end cap having an end face defining a plane, the end face having a cold formed recess defined therein with a bottom surface spaced from the plane, the bottom surface of the recess being conically tapered with respect to the plane and having a central low spot that is furthest from the plane of the end face; an axial passage defined in the bolt, the passage having an open end defined at the central low point of the bottom surface of the recess, the passage extending from the open end axially along the elongated body toward the second end, and terminating before the second end; a transverse passage defined in the bolt, the transverse passage extending from the axial passage to the external surface of the elongated body; a grease fitting having a generally cylindrically shaped engagement portion having a barbed projection defined thereon, the grease fitting being driven into the open end of the axial passage such that the engagement portion engages the open end of the axial passage; wherein the conically tapered bottom surface of the recess extends radially away from the grease fitting so as to define substantially the entire width of the recess; and wherein the recess is sufficiently deep that the grease fitting does not extend beyond the plane of the end face.