Hubcap with vented closure
AssigneeStemco Co., Ltd.
InventorPaul S. Perry
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A hubcap attached to a wheel wherein a chamber is formed between the hubcap and the wheel for housing a lubricating fluid for the associated wheel bearings. A vent passage extending through the hubcap is provided for relieving the pressure formed in the chamber. A first one way valve is positioned to cover the vent passage for allowing a flow of gases to exit the vent passage while preventing liquids and other contaminants from entering the vent passage. A porous material is mounted across an air inlet passage extending through the hubcap for allowing air to enter the chamber. A second one way valve is mounted across the air inlet passage between the chamber and the porous material to shield the outer surface of the porous material from exposure to lubricating fluid from the chamber.
Claims22
A hubcap for covering lubricated wheel bearings in a wheel comprising:
- a hubcap body assembly member attachable to the wheel for covering the wheel bearings, said hubcap body member defining a chamber between said hubcap body assembly and the wheel for housing a fluid for lubricating the wheel bearings;
- a vent passage extending through said hubcap body assembly to said chamber for permitting gases to flow from said chamber;
- a first one way valve mounted on said body assembly to close said vent passage, said first one way valve permitting gasses to flow from said chamber through said vent passage while preventing liquids and other contaminants from flowing into said chamber;
- an inlet passage extending through said hubcap body assembly to said chamber for permitting air to flow into said chamber;
- a porous material member mounted on said hubcap body assembly to cover said inlet passage for permitting a flow of air to pass through said porous material member, said porous material member preventing liquids and other contaminants from passing therethrough;
- and a second one way valve mounted on said hubcap body assembly to close said inlet passage between said chamber and said porous material member, said second one way valve permitting air to flow from said porous material member into said chamber while preventing lubricating fluid within said chamber from reaching said porous material member.
A venting closure assembly for attachment to a hubcap body member attachable to a vehicle wheel to close a lubricant containing chamber in the hubcap body member comprising:
- a closure body assembly;
- vent means formed in said closure body assembly and operable to connect said lubricant containing chamber to atmosphere external to said venting closure assembly when said venting closure assembly is attached to said hubcap body member;
- said vent means including an air inlet vent having an innermost end which opens into said lubricant containing chamber when said venting closure assembly is attached to said hubcap body member and a vent passage;
- a porous material member mounted on said closure body assembly to extend across said air inlet vent, said porous material member being spaced from said innermost end and permitting a flow of air to pass from atmosphere therethrough while preventing the passage of liquids and other contaminants;
- a first one way valve mounted on said closure body assembly to close the innermost end of said air inlet vent, said one way valve opening in response to an air flow through said porous material member;
- and
- a second one way valve mounted on said closure body assembly to close said vent passage.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.