Improvements in Automatic Sight Feed Lubricators.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Dec., 1899-Accepted, 17th Feb., 1900
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Automatic Sight Feed Lubricators.
We, ALBERT ALLEN FREEMAN and OGDEN ARMSTRONG, both citizens of the
United States, the former residing at No. 3321, North Broad Street, and the
latter at No. 1320, Locust Street, in the City of Philadelphia, in the County of
Philadelphia, and State of Pennsylvania, Mechanical Engineers, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
Our invention has relation to a lubricator having a sight feed, and in which
the oil or lubricant delivered to the reservoir of the lubricator is automatically
discharged therefrom; and in such connection our invention relates to certain
defined means connected with the lubricant reservoir of the device for intro-
ducing into the reservoir the oil or lubricant and to certain other defined means
for cutting off the discharge of the oil or lubricant from the reservoir when
the movable or vibrating part of the machine to which the lubricator is attached,
is at rest.
The principal objects of our invention are first, to provide an automatic sight
feed lubricator of simple construction and arrangement, whereby the several
parts may be readily assembled and taken apart for required purposes; second,
to provide an automatic sight feed lubricator with a spring controlled adjust-
able ball check or closing valve and a hollow stem closed at one end by a spring
controlled button, ball or stud-pin and through which hollow stem the oil or
lubricant is fed into the lubricant reservoir of the device; third, to provide an
automatic sight feed lubricator with a spring balanced feed valve closing the
seat of the oil or lubricant reservoir and adapted to be actuated by the weight
of oil or lubricant and vibrations or movements of the machine or engine to
which applied, to liberate in minute particles, streams or drops, the oil or
lubricant from the reservoir of the device onto the part of the engine or machine
to be lubricated; fourth, to provide an automatic sight feed lubricator with a
spring balanced valve seating and closing the discharge orifice of the oil or
lubricant reservoir and having a stem with means adapted to engage the slotted
wall of the neck or throat of the device to seal the valve against oil discharge,
when required, and the lubricator attached to a machine or engine in which
the parts of the same are subject to movement or vibrations calculated to
shift the valve in or on the seat of the lubricant reservoir to cause minute
discharges of the oil or lubricant from the device; fifth, to provide an automatic
sight feed lubricator in which a valve normally closing the lubricant reservoir
by means of a coiled spring is held in vertical position between standards by
a cross strip slidable in connection with said standards and the strip adjustably
connected with a stem; -sixth, to provide a sight feed lubricator of the character
described, in which when the oil or lubricant discharge is cut off, the tension of
the spring balanced valve of the reservoir can be adjusted from the stem with
the spring; and seventh, to provide a sight feed lubricator in which the parts
of the oil or lubricant reservoir thereof, may be readily taken apart or assembled

page_text: by removal of screws or bolts and a threaded spindle or shank connected with
the spring balanced closing valve of the lubricant reservoir of the device.
Our invention stated in general terms, consists of an automatic sight feed
lubricator constructed and arranged in substantially the manner hereinafter
described and claimed.
The nature and characteristic features of our invention will be more fully
understood from the following description taken in connection with the accom-
panying drawings forming part hereof, in which
Figure 1, is a view partly in broken section and partly in elevation of a
sight feed lubricator device, embodying main features of our invention.
Fig. 2, is a top or plan view of the device of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3, is a vertical sectional view of the lubricator, showing the detail con-
struction of the same of our invention; and
Fig. 4, is a transverse section on the line y-y of Fig. 3.
Referring to the drawings A, represents the lubricant reservoir of the device
provided, as illustrated, with a downwardly flanged top plate a, having on the
inner side adjacent to the periphery of the same a cork, rubber or other suit-
able type of gasket a", and integral with the exterior of said plate is formed
a throat or neck having step-like notches a¹ and a², arranged opposite to each
other for a purpose to be presently fully explained. a³, is an upwardly flanged
bottom plate provided on the innerside with a rim a, between which and the
flange of the plate a³, is removably mounted a cork, rubber or other suitable
type of gasket a. Inside of the rim at, of the bottom plate ³, the surface of
the plate is made sloping to a central orifice or opening a, and on the under-
side of the plate a³, about the said orifice or opening is provided a threaded
collar or rim 8, for removably securing thereto a cylindrical chambered
device B, provided with oblong openings 6 and 61, in the wall thereof, on opposite
surfaces of the same, and with an internal inclined bottom 63, connected with
a nipple 63, having a reduced discharge orifice or passage-way through which
the oil or other suitable lubricant is adapted to escape from the device. In the
inclined surface on the inner-side of the bottom plate a³, and preferably formed
integral therewith, are two standards e and e¹, with a cross-strip c², perforated
adjacent to the respective ends of the same for the insertion of screw-bolts d
and d, therethrough and with a central opening 3, through which a spindle
or shank e, partially threaded is afforded a range of movement.
This spindle
or shank at its lower end is adapted to be engaged in a spanning strip f, having
recessed ends f1 and 2, slidable in connection with the two standards c and c¹,
of the bottom plate a³, of the lubricator. This plate carries one end of a
helical, spiral or coiled spring g, the other end of which spring is secured into
a ball g, adapted to close the beveled or other suitable type of seat about the
outlet orifice or opening in the bottom plate a³, of the oil or lubricant reser-
voir A. The upper end of the spindle or shank e, is provided with a hollow
stem, with an outlet opening h¹. In this hollow stem h, is mounted a helical
or other type or spring 2, with a button, ball or stud-pin h³, adapted to fit into
an opening in the beveled surface of a removable cap 4, secured onto the
hollow stem h. By depressing the button, ball or stud-pin the oil is permitted
to flow through the stem and from the outlet h¹ thereof, into the lubricant
reservoir A. provided with a glass or other surrounding wall located and held
between the top and bottom plates a and a³, in the manner illustrated in
Figs. 1 and 3, of the drawings. Mounted on the upper portion of the hollow
stem h, in normal position is a sleeve j, provided with projecting pins and j²,
opposite each other. This sleeve is mounted in the throat or neck of the top
plate a, of the device. Projecting from the lower portion of the hollow stem h.
within the lubricant reservoir A, is a pin k, provided therein, so as to prevent
displacement of the said stem in operative position, in connection with the
central opening of the top plate a, of the lubricant reservoir, as clearly illus
trated and as will be readily understood from Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings.

page_text: The mode of operation of the device herein before described, is as follows:-
Oil or other lubricant, by depressing the stud or button h³, is admitted into
the hollow stem h, of the device and escapes therefrom into the interior of the
lubricant reservoir A, and with the parts of the lubricator in the position
illustrated in either Fig. 1 or 3, the oil will flow around the ball g, seated in
the bottom plate a³, in minute particles or drops in a downward direction
through the contracted orifice of the nipple in the sight feed chamber and be
discharged through said orifice onto the part or parts of machinery to be kept
oiled. This action of the valve will continue and supply the oil in regulated
quantity automatically onto the part of machinery to be lubricated, while the
machine or engine is in motion, or, if during the time the machine is in action
any of the parts thereof should become unduly lubricated, the supply of fluid
can be cut off by raising the hollow stem and therewith the spring and its
spindle by a manual operation to cause the pins of the sleeve, which latter
surrounds said stem, to engage with the step-like slots in the throat or neck
of the top plate a, of the lubricant reservoir A, and thereby to draw the ball
valve so tightly against its seat in the bottom plate a³, of the reservoir A, as
to prevent escape of oil from the reservoir A, and while in this position the
tension under which the spring of said ball valve g, is held can be regulated
by simply turning the cap at the upper end of the hollow stem h. In case the
ball should feed too freely while the machinery is in action by turning the cap
at the upper end of the hollow stem h, the spring may be brought under greater
tension to thereby reduce the discharge of oil around about the ball g, and its seat
into the sight chamber B, beneath the same and prior to its discharge through
the contracted passage-way of the nipple 3, formed integral with the said
chamber B. By means of the tightening screws extending through the top
plate a, and engaging with the cross-strip c², formed integral with the vertical
standards c and c, the top and bottom plates a and a³, in conjunction with the
surrounding glass wall 10, are held firmly in position so as to constitute by.
the clamping of these parts together in the manner explained, the lubricant
reservoir A, of the device. It will be observed in case of any trouble with
the lubricator that the various parts can be readily separated and equally true
is it that parts of the device can be readily assembled for use again. Moreover,
by reason of the feed being made from the interior through the top of the
lubricator, dust and other extraneous matter is removed from contact with the
oil reservoir and thereby an efficient lubricator provided, and one which is
automatic in its action and is under perfect control as to the quantity of oil
or other lubricant discharged therefrom, as well as to the cut-off of the oil or
lubricant to prevent its discharging onto a part or parts of machinery to be
kept in good working order and with the tension under which the spring
balance valve is held controlled, without disorganizing the members of the
device.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature and objects of
our invention and in what manner the same are to be performed, we declare
that what we claim is:-
1. An automatic sight feed lubricator provided with a lubricant reservoir, a
controlled ball valve fitting the exit of said reservoir and having a hollow stem
through which the lubricant flows into said reservoir, and means connected
with said stem to cut off the flow of the lubricant about said valve, substantially
as and for the purposes described.
2. An automatic sight feed lubricator provided with a lubricant reservoir, a
spring controlled valve fitting the exit of said reservoir and having an adjust-
able stem through which the lubricant flows into said reservoir and means
connected with said stem to cut off the flow of the lubricant around said valve,
substantially as and for the purposes described.

page_text: 3. An automatic sight feed lubricator provided with a lubricant reservoir, a
spring controlled adjustable valve fitting the exit of said reservoir and means
connected with said valve to cut off the flow of the lubricant about said valve,
substantially as and for the purposes described.
4. An automatic sight feed lubricator provided with an oil reservoir, a spring
controlled ball valve fitting the outlet of said reservoir and having a spindle
connected with a hollow stem provided with an outlet and an inlet, the inlet
being closed by a spring controlled button, ball or stud-pin, substantially as
and for the purposes described.
5. An automatic sight feed lubricator provided with a detachable oil reservoir,
a sight feed chamber connected with said reservoir having a nipple with a
contracted orifice or passage-way, a spring controlled valve seated in the bottom
of said reservoir, a hollow stem connected with the spring of said valve and
provided with an outlet and an inlet, the latter normally closed by a button,
ball or stud-pin adapted to be depressed to permit of oil being introduced
through said stem into said reservoir, substantially as and for the purposes
described.
6. An automatic sight feed lubricator provided with an oil reservoir, con-
sisting of top and bottom plates and an intermediate wall, said parts being
clamped and held together, the bottom plate of said reservoir on the inner side
inclined and having standards and a cross-strip, means for clamping the top
plate to said cross-strip, a spring controlled valve fitting the outlet of said reser-
voir and carrying a spanning device connected with a spindle or shank having
a hollow stem with an outlet and an inlet and said inlet closed by a button,
ball or stud-pin held under spring tension, substantially as and for the purposes
described.
7. An automatic sight feed lubricator provided with a spring controlled ball
valve in the outlet thereof and adjustably connected with a spanning plate
afforded a range of movement between standards within said reservoir and said
valve having a hollow stem provided with an inlet and an outlet, the inlet of
said stem being closed by a spring actuated device, substantially as and for
the purposes described.
8. An automatic sight feed lubricator having an outlet in the bottom closed
by a ball under spring tension, a shank or spindle connected with said ball
and with a hollow stem through which oil is fed into said reservoir, and means
for adjusting said spring in its connection with said stem, substantially as and
for the purposes described.
9. An automatic sight feed lubricator provided with a ball fitting the outlet
of the lubricant reservoir, a coiled spring connected therewith and with a
hollow stem through which the lubricant flows into said reservoir, a spring
controlled closing device connected with said stem, and means connected with
said stem for cutting off the flow of oil from said reservoir around said ball
and for increasing or decreasing the tension of said spring, substantially as
and for the purposes described.
10. An automatic sight feed lubricator provided with a lubricant reservoir,
a spring controlled valve for opening and closing the exit of said reservoir, the
spring whereof is detachably connected with a threaded spindle carrying, a
hollow stem into which hollow stem the lubricant is admitted and flows there-
through into said reservoir, and a bayonet connection between said reservoir and
stem so arranged as to permit of the raising and lowering of said valve spring,
stem and spindle with its hollow stem, substantially as and for the purposes
described.
11. An automatic sight feed lubricator provided with a lubricant reservoir, a
spring controlled ball valve for opening and closing the exit of said reservoir,
the spring whereof is detachably connected with a threaded spindle carrying
an adjustable stem into which the lubricant is admitted and from which it flows
into said reservoir, and a bayonet connection for raising and lowering said stem

page_text: and controlling the spring tension of the ball of said valve, substantially as and
for the purposes described.
12. An automatic sight feed lubricator provided with a lubricant reservoir, a
ball valve for opening and closing the exit of said reservoir having a spring
stem connected with a nut in which is mounted an adjustable spindle carrying
a hollow stem, the latter closed at the upper end by a button held under spring
tension and a bayonet connection between said valve stem and lubricator reser-
voir for raising and lowering said hollow stem with its spindle and therewith
increasing or decreasing the tension of the spring stem of said ball valve, sub-
stantially as and for the purposes described.
13. An automatic sight feed lubricator provided with a detachable oil reservoir,
a sight feed chamber connected with said reservoir having a nipple with a con-
tracted orifice, a spring controlled valve normally seated in the outlet of said
reservoir, a hollow stem connected with the spring of said valve, a spring
controlled button, ball or stud-pin mounted in said stem and normally closing the
inlet of the same, and a bayonet connection between said lubricator reservoir and
stem, substantially as and for the purposes described.
14. An automatic sight feed lubricator provided with an oil reservoir, con-
sisting of top and bottom plates and an intermediate wall, said parts being
clamped and held together, the bottom plate of said reservoir on the inner side
inclined and having standards and a cross-strip, means for clamping the top
plate to the cross-strip of said standards, spring controlled valve fitting the
outlet of said reservoir and carrying a spanning device connected with a spindle
and a hollow stem, the latter adapted to permit of oil being admitted there-
into and of flowing through the same into said reservoir, and a spring actuated
button, ball or stud-pin mounted in said hollow stem and normally closing the
oil inlet thereof, substantially as and for the purposes described.
Dated at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this 28th day of November A.D. 1899.
ALBERT ALLEN FREEMAN.
OGDEN ARMSTRONG.
Per J. G. Lorrain, M.I.Mech. E., M.I.E.E.,
Norfolk House, Norfolk Street, London, W.C.,
Chartered Patent Agent.