Protection plug
OwnerR. Wilson Spencerinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A plug for protecting the interior of a recessed area of a component during storage is disclosed herein. The plug includes a lubrication fitting positioned thereon to flow a protective material, such as grease, into the cavity between the lower end of the plug and the recessed area and any remaining voids between the walls of the plug and the walls of the recessed area. The plug may also include an engagement surface to assist in the insertion and removal of the plug into and out of recessed areas of a component.
Claims16
In combination with a component having an exterior surface and a recess in said surface, at least a portion of said recess including a generally cylindrical threaded interior surface, said recess opening only to said exterior surface, a protection plug, comprising:
- (a) a body having an exterior, a first end and a second end, said body being insertable within said recess, said body including a threaded exterior threadably engagable with said threaded interior surface, said second end being oriented toward said bottom of said recess;
- (b) a first bore extending through said body between said first end and said second end;
- and
- (c) a lubrication fitting fluidly connected to said first bore at a point accessible from said first end of said body.
In a component having an exterior surface and a recess in said surface, at least a portion of said recess including a generally cylindrical threaded interior surface, said recess opening only to said exterior surface, a method for protecting said threaded interior surface, comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a protection plug, comprising:
- (i) a body having an exterior, a first end and a second end, said body being insertable within said recess, said body including a threaded exterior portion threadably engagable with said threaded interior surface, said second end being oriented toward said bottom of said recess;
- (ii) a first bore extending through said body between said first end and said second end;
- and
- (iii) a lubrication fitting fluidly connected to said first bore at a point accessible from said first end of said body;
- (b) inserting said protection plug into said recess, threadably engaging said threaded portion with said threaded interior surface;
- and
- (c) injecting a protective material through said lubrication fitting and said first bore into said recess.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.