Importance

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Abstract

An improved wick-holder for mounting a felt lubricating wick is provided with a passive inertia-activated pump mounted for submersion in the axle-cap lubricant-reservoir at a level that ensures that for all levels of the reservoir, the pump inlet is submerged in the lubricant of the reservoir. In a first embodiment, the passive inertia-activated pump takes the form of a piston-type pump, while in a second embodiment, the passive inertia-activated pump takes the form of a diaphragm pump. In either embodiment, the inlet of the passive inertia-activated pump is submersed in the lubricant-reservoir, and the output of the passive inertia-activated pump is directed to the surface-interface between the felt wick and the axle journal surface-area to increase the lubrication thereof over and above that which normally ensues owing to the conventional capillary action of the felt wick. In a modification of the first embodiment, the piston pump is mounted to a splash sleeve forming part of the wick-holder and which is telescopingly received over the free end of the felt wick, with the output of the passive inertia-activated pump delivering the lubricant to the surface-interface between the felt wick and the axle journal surface-area via the hollow interior-volume of the splash sleeve and wick holder proper. The slosh pump of the invention may replace the wick assembly entirely, whereby the lubrication is achieved solely by the slosh pump of the invention.

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First Claim