Fitting cover

A lubricant fitting cover for a zerk having a substantially planar body with a first side and a second side, the first side is capable of being removeably secured to the head of a grease fitting, the second side includes an indicator for providing information about the type of lubricant to be injected through the grease fitting.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a protective cap for fittings. More specifically, the present invention relates to an improved protective cap for a lubricant fitting.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Generally, machinery is provided with lubricant fittings such as a nipple or zerk to apply internal lubrication. The fittings allow lubricants, such as grease, to be injected under pressure into the machine, while preventing such lubricant from leaking outwardly therefrom. As shown inFIG. 1, a typical lubricant fitting10has a wrenching surface120and a threaded end12for securing to a port of a machine. The opposite end of the fitting10generally includes a head15having a neck17and lubricant introduction port20with a check valve (not shown). To apply lubrication, a grease gun may be secured to the head15to inject the lubrication into the port20with sufficient force to overcome the check valve and the internal pressure of the machine.

Often, such fittings are positioned in places that are difficult to locate and are exposed to conditions and foreign materials that may damage the fittings or the machinery that uses the fittings. For example, dust or other abrasive material may settle on the fitting so that when a grease gun is placed over the fitting, the dust is forced into the machine along with the new grease. Under such conditions, equipment failure may result.

Therefore, maintenance personnel consume substantial time locating fittings hidden by dust and dirt, and additional time cleaning the grease fittings before the grease gun is attached. Even when the fittings are clean, operators or maintenance personnel occasionally inject a different lubrication than required. An incorrect lubricant can result in catastrophic machine failure.

In an attempt to overcome these problems, protective covers have been used on lubricant fittings. However, such covers suffer a variety of deficiencies. Typically, the covers are small and difficult to locate, especially when covered in dust or when installed in poorly lit areas. Therefore, covers have been provided in different colors to help locate the underlying fittings. However, the covers are only available in a limited range of colors and usually fade. In addition, the covers do not provide adequate grip for removing the covers from the fittings, making it difficult to inject new lubricants into the machine.

In addition, the covers are designed primarily to protect lubricant fittings from contamination or damage. Typically, the covers provide no indication of the correct lubricant to inject into the machine. Therefore, a need exists for an improved lubricant fitting cover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the invention is described with reference to lubricant fittings, it should be clear that the invention should not be limited to such uses or embodiments. The description herein is merely illustrative of an embodiment of the invention and in no way should limit the scope of the invention.

Reference will now be made to an embodiment of the invention as illustrated in accompanyingFIGS. 2-9. As shown inFIG. 2A, a cover30is provided having a body35with a first side40and a second side42. The first side40is capable of being removeably secured to the head15of a fitting10. The second side42includes an indicator85providing information, such as, the type of lubricant to be injected through the fitting10. As shown inFIGS. 3A,3B, and3C, the cover30may have a grip45, a retaining member47, and legs50.

As shown inFIGS. 2A and 2B, the body35may be substantially planar and may be made from a variety of materials including, but not limited to, metals, plastics, rubber, and combinations thereof. In one illustrative example, the body35is made from polyethylene.

As best shown inFIG. 2A, the first side40is provided with an engagement member52capable of removeably securing the cover30about the head15of the fitting10. The engagement member52may extend substantially perpendicularly outward from the first side40and may terminate at an open end55. An inner wall57of the engagement member52defines a cavity therein for inserting the head15, as shown inFIG. 4. The inner wall57provides a seal around the head15to prevent dust, moisture, and other foreign matter from contacting the head15or port20. Although the engagement member52is shown as having a cylindrical shape, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that other shapes may be used to accommodate any type of head15.

As shown inFIGS. 2A and 5, the engagement member52may also be provided with one or more protrusions60extending from the inner wall57. As best shown inFIG. 4, when the engagement member52is positioned about the head15, the protrusion60prevents accidental removal of the cover30. Although the protrusion60is shown as having a ring shape, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the protrusion may include, but is not limited to, one or more rings, o-rings, bumps, barbs, and combinations thereof.

As shown inFIG. 6, a recess is provided on or adjacent to the second side42for providing an indicator85. As shown inFIGS. 2A and 2C, the recess may be defined by the inner surface62of a wall65extending from the second side42. Although the wall65and resulting recess may be circular in shape, it is to be understood that a variety of shapes may be utilized to accommodate the indicator85.

The indicator85may include, but is not limited to, a label, an engraving, an insert such as a card, sticker, or other interchangeable unit. The indicator85may include a variety of indicia such as text, numbers, colors, symbols, and combinations thereof. It is to be understood that such indicia may indicate unique information. Non-limiting examples include information regarding the fitting10, the type of lubricant to inject, information regarding the machine to be lubricated, maintenance procedures, lubrication schedules or intervals, and combinations thereof.

One or more fingers67may be provided for securing the indicator85in the recess. In an embodiment, the indicator85may be removeably secured in the recess to allow insertion of new or different indicators85on the cover30. Such flexibility allows the cover30to be used on different fittings, or updated to reflect changes in lubrication procedures. Although the indicator85is described as being secured by fingers67, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate a variety of mechanisms may be used to secure the indicator85to the second side42. In one non-limiting example, the mechanism securing the indicator85may be locked to prevent unauthorized personnel from changing the indicator85.

A best shown inFIGS. 6 and 7, a protective member70may be positioned over the indicator85to protect the underlying indicator85from damage and to keep it weatherproof. In an embodiment, the protective member70is a transparent or translucent material. Accordingly, any dust or other foreign material in the surrounding environment will accumulate on the protective member70and not the indicator85. Such material can be wiped away to reveal any instructions without damaging the indicator85.

The protective member70may be made from a variety of materials including, but not limited to, glass, metal, plastic, and combinations thereof. In an embodiment, the protective member70may be removeably secured to the second side42to allow replacement of the indicator85or the protective member70. Although shown as positioned between fingers67, a variety of mechanisms may be used for securing the protective member70. In a non-limiting example, the protective member70may be hingedly secured to the body35to provide access to the underlying indicator85. It is understood that in such an example, the protective member70may be opaque.

A grip45may be provided for removing the cover30from the head15. In one embodiment, as shown inFIG. 3B, the grip45may be a loop extending from at least one end of the body35. The grip45may enable additional indicators85or devices to be tied or otherwise secured to the cover30via aperture74.

In a non-limiting example, a tag88may be secured to the grip45. As shown inFIG. 8, the tag88may include an indicator85(such as a card), a holder90, and a frame95. Such tags are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/801,821 entitled “Labeling System,” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. The indicator85may be inserted into the holder90, which in turn may be inserted into the frame95. It is understood that the holder90may be transparent to allow viewing of the indicator85. The holder may be sealed or otherwise closed to protect the indicator85from dirt, moisture, and other foreign materials. As shown inFIG. 9, a cord110may be inserted through aperture100to attach the tag88to the cover30via aperture74(frame95not shown).

As further shown inFIG. 3B, a retaining member47may be provided for securing the cover30to the fitting10while the cover30is disengaged from the head15. The retaining member47is provided with an aperture77for inserting the threaded end12therethrough, as shown inFIG. 4. The fitting10may then be threaded so that at least part of the retaining member47is interposed or sandwiched between the wrenching surface120and the surface of a machine115or other device. Accordingly, the cover30is secured to the fitting10and personnel are able to use both hands to inject lubricant into the fitting10while the cover30is disengaged from the head15. It is understood that the retaining member47may be made from any suitable material including, but not limited to, metal, plastic, rubber, and combinations thereof.

In one non-limiting example, the aperture77has a smaller diameter than the threaded end12. In such an embodiment, the threaded end12may be inserted through the aperture77, and the retaining member47may grip the threaded end12to prevent accidental removal from the fitting10while threadingly securing the fitting10in a machine115.

As shown inFIG. 3A, the retaining member47may be connected to the body35with one or more legs50. As shown inFIG. 4, the legs50may operate as a living hinge so that while the retaining member47is secured about the neck17, the engagement member52may be positioned about the head15. In one embodiment, one or more apertures80may be provided in or between the legs50for attaching indicators85or other devices, such as the tag88. In one illustrative example, an indicator85may be tied to the legs50via the aperture80.

It is to be understood, however, that the cover30should not be deemed as limited to the legs50as shown inFIGS. 3A,3B, and3C. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that a variety of different mechanisms may be used to connect the retaining member47to the body35. Illustrative examples include, but are not limited to, strings, cords, and chains. In such examples, a cord may be secured directly about the fitting10without the retaining member47.

It is to be understood that the entire cover30, or any part thereof, may be provided in a variety of colors. In an illustrative example, the cover30may be color-coded to aide a user in identifying and locating the fitting10. In addition, color-coding may be used to indicate the type of lubricant to inject in that particular lubricant fitting. Further, color-coding may be used to identify which fittings10to lubricate in accordance with a maintenance schedule.

Turning to the cover30, an example of how to use the cover30as illustrated inFIGS. 2 through 9is set forth below. To secure the cover30to the fitting10, the cover30may be positioned along a fitting10so that the threaded end12substantially coaxially aligns with the aperture77of the retaining member47. The threaded end12may be inserted through the aperture77so that the retaining member47is positioned about the threaded end12. The threaded end12may then be threadingly secured to the machine115. As shown inFIG. 4, at least part of the retaining member47is secured between the wrenching surface120and the surface of the machine115.

To cover the head15, the head15may be substantially coaxially aligned with the open end55of the engagement member52. Force may be exerted on the cover30toward the fitting10so that the head15is received within the engagement member52, as shown inFIG. 4. Accordingly, the body35protects the port20, and the engagement member52protects the head15.

To remove the cover30from the head15, a user may grasp the fitting10at the grip45to remove the fitting10from the cover30. Once removed from the head15, the cover30remains secured to the fitting10via the retaining member47. Therefore, lubricant may be easily injected without having to handle the cover30. The cover30may then be secured to the head15as described above.

Therefore, the cover30protects the head15of the fitting10from damage and/or contamination so that the fitting10remains in an operable condition. In addition, the indicator85ensures that any necessary information, such as the correct type of lubricant to inject into the machine, is readily available and in good condition.

The invention has been described above and, obviously, modifications and alternations will occur to others upon a reading and understanding of this specification. The claims as follows are intended to include all modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the claims or the equivalent thereof.