Importance

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Abstract

A device is disclosed for sealing the end of a hollow shaft having internal splines extending into a passageway longitudinal through the shaft. The device has a locking member pivotally attached to a sealing member which is sized so as to seal the opening in the shaft to prevent the leakage of oil through the shaft opening. The locking member and sealing member each have splines which are capable of engaging the internal splines of the hollow shaft. A knob member is attached to the locking member and extends from an opposite end of the sealing member to enable the user to manually impart rotational movement to the locking member about a generally longitudinal axis. The locking member may be pivoted between a first position wherein its splines are aligned with those of the sealing member such that the device may be slid longitudinally into the open end of the hollow shaft. The internal splines of the shaft extend between transverse planes P1 and P2, and the length of the device is such that, when the sealing member is positioned to seal the end of the shaft, the locking member extends slightly beyond the plane P2. A biasing device is located between the sealing member and the locking member to rotate the locking member to a position in which its splines are no longer aligned with those of the sealing member or the internal splines of the shaft. The splines of the locking member contact the ends of the internal splines lying on plane P2 which prevents the device from being withdrawn from the end of the hollow shaft. When it is desired to remove the device, the knob member is manually manipulated so that the splines of the locking member are in alignment with the internal splines of the shaft, enabling the device to be manually withdrawn from the hollow shaft.

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First Claim