Greasable hub for a continuous track system
AssigneeBair Products, Inc.
InventorLarry Bair
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A greasable axle and hub kit assembly and method of installing the greasable axle and hub kit assembly in the frame of a continuous tread machine is provided. The greasable axle and hub kit assembly utilizes at least an inner seal, greased bearing, an anti-spin washer, a fastener, an outer dust cap, an inner seal protector, and an outer seal protection cap to provide for an axle and hub kit assembly with an improved lifetime and a reduced chance of blowouts. The greasable axle and hub kit may further comprise a coupled grease zerk for applying grease to the interior of the hub portion, providing lubrication to the interior components. The greasable axle and hub kit may even further comprise a pilot flange for attaching wheels of varying sizes and materials to the greasable axle and hub kit.
Claims20
An axle and hub device for a continuous track machine, the axle and hub device comprising:
- an axle having a first end and a second end, wherein each of the first end and the second end is threaded,
- wherein the axle is configured for placement in a frame of the continuous track machine;
- a first hub configured for placement on the first end of the axle;
- a second hub configured for placement on the second end of the axle;
- wherein interior to each, the first hub and the second hub includes:
- an inner seal, at least one bearing, an anti-spin washer, a fastener, an inner seal protector, a base extending portion extending from a disc portion longitudinally relative to the axle, and a grease zerk,
- a first outer seal protection cap fixedly coupled to the base extending portion of the first hub and extending radially outward from the axle;
- a second outer seal protection cap fixedly coupled to the base extending portion of the second hub and extending radially outward from the axle;
- a first outer dust cap covering the first end and at least partially disposed in the first hub;
- a first retainer ring positioned between a first exterior surface of the first outer dust cap and a first interior surface of the first hub to secure the first outer dust cap within the first hub;
- a second outer dust cap covering the second end and at least partially disposed in the second hub;
- and
- a second retainer ring positioned between a second exterior surface of the second outer dust cap and a second interior surface of the second hub to secure the second outer dust cap within the second hub.
A continuous track system for a machine, the continuous track system comprising:
- an axle having a first end and a second end,
- wherein the axle is configured for placement in a frame of the machine;
- a first hub configured for placement on the first end of the axle;
- a second hub configured for placement on the second end of the axle,
- wherein, interior to each of the first hub and the second hub;
- an inner seal, at least one bearing, an anti-spin washer, a fastener, a base extending portion extending from a disc portion longitudinally relative to the axle, and an inner seal protector,
- a first outer seal protection cap fixedly coupled to the base extending portion of the first hub and extending radially outward from the axle, and
- a second outer seal protection cap fixedly coupled to the base extending portion of the second hub and extending radially outward from the axle;
- a first outer dust cap covering the first end and at least partially disposed in the first hub;
- a first retainer ring positioned between a first exterior surface of the first outer dust cap and a first interior surface of the first hub to secure the first outer dust cap within the first hub;
- a second outer dust cap covering the second end and at least partially disposed in the second hub;
- a second retainer ring positioned between a second exterior surface of the second outer dust cap and a second interior surface of the second hub to secure the second outer dust cap within the second hub;
- a first wheel, wherein the first wheel is attached to the first hub;
- and
- a second wheel, wherein the second wheel is attached to the second hub,
- wherein each of the first wheel and the second wheel engage a continuous track of the machine.
A method of installing an axle and hub to a continuous track machine, the method comprising:
- inserting the axle into a frame of a machine, wherein the machine comprises a continuous track;
- inserting a first bearing, a second bearing, an inner seal, and an inner seal protector into an interior of the hub, wherein the hub comprises a proximal end, a distal end, and an axle channel;
- fixedly coupling an outer seal protection cap to the proximal end of the hub at a base extending portion, wherein the outer seal protection cap extends radially outward from the axle;
- placing the proximal end first, onto an end of the axle, wherein the axle passes through the axle channel;
- inserting through an opening of the distal end of the hub, a top washer, and a fastener into the interior of the hub;
- securing the fastener to the end of the axle;
- placing and securing an outer dust cap inside the hub, wherein the outer dust cap covers the opening of the distal end of the hub and at least a portion of the outer dust cap is disposed in the interior of the hub;
- and
- placing a retainer ring between an exterior of the outer dust cap and the interior of the hub between the outer dust cap and the hub in a groove or channel of the hub to secure the outer dust cap to the hub.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.