Grease Distribution Bar

Abstract

The invention provides an improved device for the lubrication of railway tracks in the form of grease distribution bar ( 1 ) of simplified construction, which may be machined from a single piece of suitable material. This is possible because the greaseways ( 3 ) are simple, without multiple bifurcations forming complex distribution trees, thus allowing the internal greaseways ( 3 ) to be drilled or machined rather than requiring construction by layering multiple blades. In further aspects, the invention provides improved channels ( 6 ) and nozzles ( 22 ) for grease delivery, and improved grease delivery using a progressive distributor system ( 10 ) and improved means of rapid attachment and disengagement of such a device from the rail to be lubricated.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
   
   
       11 . A lubrication device according to  claim 24 , wherein the longitudinal axis of the upwardly extending channel is inclined towards the inner face of the flange. 
   
   
       12 . A lubrication device according to  claim 11 , wherein the longitudinal axis of channel is inclined by between about 3° and 10°. 
   
   
       13 . A lubrication device according to  claim 12 , wherein the longitudinal channel is inclined by about 5°. 
   
   
       14 . A lubrication device according to  claim 22 , wherein each outlet port communicates with a nozzle assembly. 
   
   
       15 - 21 . (canceled) 
   
   
       22 . A lubrication device for a rail track comprising a grease distribution bar of single piece construction and a progressive distributor device connected to the bar to supply grease thereto, the grease distribution bar having a plurality of outlet ports and a plurality of inlet ports, each outlet port or each pair of outlet ports being supplied by way of a dedicated internal greaseway from a respective inlet port and each inlet port being separately connected to the progressive distributor device so that in use each inlet port and its respective outlet port or pair of outlet ports is supplied in turn with grease. 
   
   
       23 . A lubrication device according to  claim 22 , wherein each dedicated greaseway bifurcates once to provide two outlet ports, each of these two ports being fitted with a closable valve such that grease flow from the respective inlet ports may be directed to either one of the outlet ports alone. 
   
   
       24 . A lubrication device according to  claim 22 , wherein each outlet port comprises an upwardly extending channel open towards one side so as to present a column of grease which is lightly dragged in a direction away from the open side. 
   
   
       25 . A lubrication device according to  claim 24 , wherein the grease distribution bar comprises an essentially upright flange having an inner face and an outer face, the inner face being continuous with a side surface of the bar, which side surface in use is fitted closely adjacent a side of a rail, and the channel being in the outer face of said flange and therefore open in a direction which in use faces away from the rail. 
   
   
       26 . A lubrication device according to  claim 24 , wherein the base of the channel communicates with an outlet aperture that is continuous with an internal greaseway. 
   
   
       27 . A lubrication device according to  claim 22  further including a slideable attachment unit which serves to attach the grease distribution bar to a rail-engaging base unit in a manner which allows disengagement of the device from the base unit by a lateral translational movement, followed by upward tilting of the device by means of a rotational movement of the attachment unit. 
   
   
       28 . A lubrication device according to  claim 22 , further comprising a spring-loaded base block to which the grease distribution bar is mounted to allow rapid attachment of the bar to the rail by means of said spring-loaded bolt base block. 
   
   
       29 . A lubrication device for a rail track comprising a grease distribution bar of single piece construction having a plurality of outlet ports and a plurality of inlet ports, each outlet port or each pair of outlet ports being supplied by way of a dedicated internal greaseway from a respective inlet port and each outlet port comprising an upwardly extending channel open towards one side so as to present a column of grease which is lightly dragged in a direction away from the open side. 
   
   
       30 . A lubrication device according to  claim 29 , wherein each dedicated greaseway bifurcates once to provide two outlet ports, each of these two ports being fitted with a closable valve such that grease flow from the respective inlet ports may be directed to either one of the outlet ports alone. 
   
   
       31 . A lubrication device according to  claim 29 , wherein the grease distribution bar comprises an essentially upright flange having an inner face and an outer face, the inner face being continuous with a side surface of the bar, which side surface in use is fitted closely adjacent a side of a rail, and the channel being in the outer face of said flange and therefore open in a direction which in use faces away from the rail. 
   
   
       32 . A lubrication device according to  claim 29 , wherein the base of the channel communicates with an outlet aperture that is continuous with an internal greaseway. 
   
   
       33 . A lubrication device according to  claim 29 , wherein the upwardly extending channel has a longitudinal axis which is inclined towards the inner face of the flange. 
   
   
       34 . A lubrication device according to  claim 33 , wherein the longitudinal axis of the channel is inclined by between 3° and 10°. 
   
   
       35 . A lubrication device according to  claim 34 , wherein the longitudinal axis of the channel is inclined by about 5°. 
   
   
       36 . A lubrication device according to  claim 29  further including a slideable attachment unit which serves to attach the grease distribution bar to a rail-engaging base unit in a manner which allows disengagement of the device from the base unit by a lateral translational movement, followed by upward tilting of the device by means of a rotational movement of the attachment unit. 
   
   
       37 . A lubrication device according to  claim 29 , further comprising a spring-loaded base block to which the grease distribution bar is mounted to allow rapid attachment of the bar to the rail by means of said spring-loaded bolt base block.