US1981507A

US1981507A - Portable grease pump

Info

Publication number: US1981507A
Application number: US553297A
Authority: US
Inventors: Harris Cleo; Clyde G Butler
Original assignee: CINCINNATI BALL CRANK CO
Current assignee: CINCINNATI BALL CRANK CO
Priority date: 1931-07-27
Filing date: 1931-07-27
Publication date: 1934-11-20
Anticipated expiration: 1951-11-20

Description

Nov 20, 1934.

QHAiRiS ET AL PORTABLE GREASE PUMP Filed July 27, 19:51

5 Sheets-Sheet 1 T N E V m.

K WT'TORNEYS Patented Nov. 20, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PORTABLE GREASE PUMP Cleo Harris and Clyde G. Butler, Cincinnati, Ohio,

assignors to The Cincinnati Ball Crank Company, Cincinnati, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application July 27, 1931, Serial No. 553,297

Claims. (Cl. 221-95) This invention relates to lubricant pumps and in the device for accomplishing the above result. is particularly directed to improvements in that Other objects and certain advantages will be type of pump disclosed in the Bell Patent No. more fully apparent from the description of the R 1,736,644. The patent discloses a pneumatically accompanying drawings, in which:

* operated transfer pump in which the primary fea- Figure 1 is a general view of the portable transture consists in the utility of the pump for applifer pump showing it mounted relative to the origcation to and removal of grease from original inal container, the original container being broken containers. The pumps of this class are of portaway for more fully illustrating the pump. able character and are of a compact structure Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on line 19 capable of being easily carried about and readily 22, Figure 1, generally detailing the interior of inserted into the original grease container through the pump. the standard opening thereof for the purpose of Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3, transferring the contents of the container directly Figure 2, illustrating the air by-pass valve at the to the point of use. base of the pump.

15 It is an object of this invention to provide an Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on line 44, improved transfer pump which is pneumatically Figure 2, illustrating the operating means for the operated and of generally slender and compact pump including the air control mechanisms for structure for ready insertion through the conreversal of the piston. ventional opening in the top of an original grease Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5--5,

' container and which includes an improved air Figure 4. 76

control means for operating the piston which Figure 6 is a fragmentary enlarged view of the means is compactly arranged and is effective for lower end of the pump illustrating the air byproducing rapid and efficient constant pump oppass valve in operation.

eration delivering grease uniformly at high pres- Figure '7 is a view taken similar to Figure 6,

sure and in suitable quantity. but showing the pump in normal operation,

It is another object of this invention to provide wherein the air by-pass valve is inoperative for an improved means for adjustably attaching the preventing eflicient pumping operation of the pump to the top of the container with the pump mechanism. depending from the mounting to the extreme Figure 8 is a view taken similar to Figures 6 39 lower regions of the original container for efiecand 'l, but showing modified form of air by-pass tively pumping substantially the entire contents valve. therefrom. Figure 9 is a transverse sectional view through An her je r l tes to h pr vi i n of an the lower end of the pump cylinder below the improved air valve operating mechanism with pumping piston for illustrating another modifica- 35 this type of pump whereby the air motor cannot tion of the air by-passing valve. stall and the reversal of the piston occurs posi- Figure 10 is a transverse sectional view taken tively and accurately and whereby its strokes are below the pumping piston illustrating a third uniform d regular. the features of improvemodification of the air by-pass valve. merit extending also to the durability of the valve Figure 11 is a sectional view taken on line 40 and valve seat. 11'-11, Figure 10, further detailingthe valve of 5 The improved transfer pump of this invention Figure 10, s n arranged to include a te in O der Figure 12 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional that the grease taken from the original container view of the pump outlet between the pump and may be accurately measured for determining the the meter, illustrating a fourth modification of amount served or for checking the contents of the air by-pass valve.

the original container. This metered service Figure 13 is a top plan view of the valve elecalls for the provision of a device for preventing ment 148. the pumping of air and short measure of grease The improved portable grease pump is of as regulated by the various state departments. slender character so as to be conveniently and 59 It is, therefore, another object of this invention easily inserted into the standard commercial 5 to provide a device which renders the pump ingrease container through the average opening and effective for pumping air whereby the air in the for this purpose includes a generally coaxial argrease is readily by-passed and wherein under no rangement of the major parts. A pumping cylincircumstances can the air reach the meter. This der 20 is secured on the lower end of a long disobject includes the factor of extreme simplicity charge tube 21, fixed at its upper end to the 11 casing 22 of any air motor unit 23, which air motor casing houses the air control mechanisms for the motor. A pumping piston 24 is located at the lower end of the discharge tube operating within the pump cylinder and is in operative contact with the piston 25 of the air motor through the discharge tube, by means of a piston rod 26.

This pump unit is depended into the original container 27 through the opening 28 thereof and is adjustably sustained by means of a closure and support device 29. The container 27 illustrated is 'of the conventional drum type. The closure and support device 29 includes a circular closure plate 30 having a circular depending flange 31 and adapted 'to fit over the top of the container with the flange 31 fitting over the edge thereof. This plate has a central aperture 32 extended upwardly by means of a split sleeve 33 designed to encircle the tube and to be slidable thereon.

The split portion of the sleeve is traversed by a draw bolt 34which may be tightened to set the closure and support device 29 in place when the tube has been adjusted-to the depth of the particular tank or container for entirely or substan tially emptying the container of grease.

The grease drum or container opening is thus entirely closed to prevent the entrance of dirt into the grease. The closure plate 30 is secured in place by means of a plurality of hook bolts 35 depending through openings 36 and adapted to be hooked under the depending flange 37 about the opening of the container and tightened by means of wing nuts 38 screwed into their upper ends.

The openings through which the hook bolts extend may be in the form of radial slots or may be large enough to permit some shifting of the hook bolts by utilizing washers 38a under the wing nuts as shown.

The air motor for actuating the pumping piston is effective for producing pumping or forcing strokes under air pressure and a spring means is effective for return of the piston.

In this instance it is so arranged that the pumping strokes of the piston moves the grease upwardly through a hollow or tubular lower end 39 of the piston rod 26. The pumping piston 24 is assembled on the lower end of the piston rod by means of a headed sleeve 40' screwed into the bore of the piston rod at the lower end thereof and securing oppositely turned gaskets 41 of the piston against the lower end of the piston rod,

these gaskets being spaced by means of a washer The headed sleeve includes'an upwardly disposed valve seat 43 and has a ball valve 44 enlarged against the seat, as formed by a converging bore wall at the lower end of the sleeve 40. The ball is preferably held against the seat by means of a coil spring 45 under compression between the ball and the upper end or the bore of the piston rod. As will be apparent the spring compresses and the valve opens to downward stroke of the pumping piston. The grease passes through the tubular lower end of the piston rod and is discharged upwardlyand outwardly through a port or ports 46 extending from the interior of the hollow piston rod into the tube 21 above the pumping cylinder for discharge upwardly through the tube. An air by-pass valve is provided below the pumping piston, the construction of which will be described in detail hereinafter.

The piston rod 26 is slidably mounted at its lower end within the central bore of a tube closure cap 47 which is threaded into the lower end of the tube and provides the board intermediate wall for guiding the piston rod. This element 47 also functions as a coupling device whereby the pumping cylinder 20 is screwed thereon. This closure cap or coupling means also serves for maintaining the piston return spring 48 in position of compression within the tube. The piston return spring 48 is maintained under adjustable compression downwardly against the closure cap by means of a nut 49 screwed onto the piston rod and an inverted thimble 50 is inserted at the lower end of the tube, the thimble fitting snugly within the tube and resting upon the shoulder provided by the inserted upper end of the assembly sleeve, the fitting at this point being by means of a counterturned portion 51 on the thimble fitting over the inserted and of the sleeve. A cotter pin 52 maintains the nut 49 in set position.

A gasket 54 is held between the coupling element or cap 47 and the thimble and is engaged about the piston rod at the point where it traverses the coupling element or cap 47 for sealing the sliding rod at this point. Since the thimble 50 surrounds the piston red at the point of grease discharge outlet 46 of the hollow rod, the thimble includes outlet ports 53 in its upper end for permitting flow of grease directly into the tube.

For the purpose of preventing the vacuum which would occur at the top of the piston 24 within' the pumping cylinder 20, a series of radially disposed apertures 55 are provided through the pump cylinder wall permitting the grease to enter above the piston.

By the arrangement of parts described at the base of the gun, it will be apparent that the assembly oi the pump at this point is extremely eflicient.

With the piston rod in place within the tube, the piston return spring 48 is inserted against the nut 49 and the thimble 50 and gasket are placed upon the coupling sleeve or closure cap 4'7, the coupling sleeve or cap 4'7 thereupon be ing screwed into the lower end of the tube thereby compressing the return spring into position whereupon it is conveniently possible to attach the parts of the piston 24 to the rod 26 and to screw the pumping cylinder 20 into position about the pump piston.

An inlet valve is provided for the pumping cylinder at its extreme lower end which valve is adapted to open on upstroke or intake stroke of the piston and to close on downstroke or discharge stroke. Sincethis valve may be included with the-air by-pass valve or may be separate, the detailed description thereof is given hereinafter.

The piston rod at its upper end is slidably mounted in the lower end of the air motor casing 22. The air motor casing isinthree parts, including, an air motor cylinder section 56, a

lower cylinder head section 57, which slidably flcient length for carrying the discharge to the point of service. A suitable valve mechanism and manual control 6 3. is included at the outer end of the discharge hose for controlled delivery of the grease. The valve and control are not illustrated in detail herein since this apparatus forms the subject matter of a separate invention.

The piston rod 26 is sectional including two sections which are pivotally joined. The lower end of the upper section 64 is bifurcated and the end of the lower section 65 extends into the bifurcations and is pivotally secured in place therein by means of a cross pin 66. A packing gland 67 is screwed into the head 57 for sealing the sliding rod within the head.

The piston rod is made sectional receiving the nut 49 on the screw-threaded portion thereof, the lower section being counterturned over its major portion with the exception of its lower slidably mounted end. The piston section 64 and the lower end of the section 65 are of the same diameter whereby the pressure imparted to the upper section 64 through contact with the piston 25 of the air motor is effective over the same area in the lower end of the section 65. It will be observed that this would not be true if the counterturned upper end of the lower sec tion were in contact with the air motor piston.

The piston rod assembly 26 extends into the air motor cylinder and the air motor piston 25 engages against its upper end. The air motor piston includes a pair of discs 68 screwed together upon a gasket 69 which engages the walls of the cylinder and is disposed upwardly for action of the air thereagainst from above. The elements of the piston are clamped upon the head of the piston rod '70 for the air motor piston which extends upwardly through the upper disc and is slidably mounted through the upper cylinder head 58. A packing gland 71 is provided at the point where the piston rod '70 traverses the cylinder head 58 for sealing the cylinder at this point.

The air is supplied to the air motor 23 through a pipe '72 extending from the main supply conduit '73, this pipe '72 connecting to the upper end of the air motor casing. A valve '74 is mounted in the passageway 75 to which the pipe '72 connects. This passageway 75 extends from the valve downwardly through the upper cylinder head and enters the air motor cylinder above the piston. The opening and closing of the valve is automatically controlled by the movement of the air motor piston through its piston rod which actuates a toggle mechanism, the toggle mechanism acting upon the stem 76 of the valve '74 which stem is slidably mounted within the casing in the position parallel to the piston rod 70.

The valve stem '76 has a screw-threaded counterturned upper end upon which is screwed the valve element. The valve element 74 is held against the shoulder formed by the counterturn by means of a sleeve nut 7'7 screwed onto the threaded portion from above. Two valve seat elements are provided, one 78 above the other 79 below the valve element, the lower one functioning to cut off the air supply during the exhaust stroke of the air motor and the upper through which the valve stem passes, provides ample clearance for the passage of air, the air entering this bore through radial apertures 82 and a circumferential groove 83 which is supplied from the radially extended air supply passageway 75.

The upper valve seat element is spaced from the lower valve seat element by means of a spacer sleeve 84 encircling the valve element 74' and providing ample clearance for movement of the valve thereof and air passage. The upper valve seat element includes a flange .85 resting upon the upper end of the casing about the bore and a central bore clearing the valve assembly to permit air exhaust upwardly from the valve chamber.

The valve seats 78, 79 and the spacersleeve 84 are held in position of assembly by means of an acorn nut 87 screwed onto the casing and. upon the flange 85 of the upper valve seat. This nut includes a series of radially disposed exhaust ports 88. Packing 89 is provided under the respective heads of the valve seat elements where they abut the casing. The valve is adapted to move between the opposing and spaced seats thus provided, the seats proper being provided in both instances by circular bosses or raised portions on the respective elements.

In the instance of the upper valve seat to prevent undue wear of the seat and to provide a positive seal when the air is being supplied to the air motor, the seat combines metal and leather, rubber or some yieldable composition. For this reason a circular or annular lip 90 is extended from the valve seat element and a washer 91 equal in thickness to the height of the lip is disposed around the same and engaged against the under side of the valve seat element. Thus, when the valve '74 engages this seat, the contact with the metal and the leather is simultaneous. Great durability and a positive seal for the valve are thus provided. I

The intermediate or spacer sleeve 84 is radially ported as at 92 and is grooved medially exteriorly as at 93 to provide passage for the air which passage communicates with the main air passageway to the air motor cylinder. The movement of the air motor piston rod 70 is effective for actuating the valve controlling toggle mechanism and for this purpose is counterturned intermediate its length to provide opposing shoulders 94,

94, which shoulders are adapted to alternately engage the toggle.

The toggle elements are engaged to provide a knuckle adjacent the piston rod 70. The

respective links

95, 96 of the toggle are pivotally mounted at their outer ends, one of the pivotal mountings being floating and yieldable to permit forced movement of the toggle past dead center 1 rounded ends 97 of its arms engaged in semicir- &

cular grooves formed in offset portions disposed intermediate of the length of the other toggle link 96.

The other toggle link comprises arms respectively disposed at opposite sides of the piston rod 70. The rounded inner ends 98 of the arms of the link 96 are disposed between the arms of the first mentioned toggle link 95 and the outer ends are pivotally mounted on a pivot pin 99 disposed within the swinging end of a pivot bracket link 100 which is pivoted at its lower end in the casing on a pin 100. The swinging bracket 100 includes a pair of side arms and a cross plate 101. The cross plate portion is engaged by one end of a coil spring 102 under compression extending .toggle to the opposite-side.

center, with the rounded swinging ends =98 of the toggle links 96 actively engaged against either an upper shoulder 105 or a lower shoulder 106 of the valve stem formed by a counterturned portion in the same.

The toggle is designed to act rapidly underthe action of the spring. When the air motor piston is at its upper position as shown in Figure 5, the lower shoulder-94 of the piston rod is engaging the toggle links; having forced the same p t dead center toward that .side, 'and' the s ging ends 98 of the toggle links 96 having engaged-the upper shoulder 105 on the valve stem thereby-moving the valve into seated position on its upper seat to permit supplyof air above the piston and a power stroke thereof.

-As the power stroke takes place, the piston moves downwardly under the action of the compressed air moving a distance which is governed by the distance between the

shoulders

94, 94 of the piston rod until the upper shoulder 94 of the piston rod engages the toggle at the knuckle thereof. The power piston continuing downwardly forces the toggle by contact therewith at the point of the knuckle downwardly to dead center compressing the spring 102 and storing up energy therein for a quick valve actuation. The moment the toggle passes dead center, the spring 102 under compression rapidly forces the This swings the swinging ends 98 of the link parts 96 against the lower shoulder 106 of the valve stem and delivers a quick blow thereto which rapidly moves the valve to the lower seat thereby cutting off the air supply and permitting exhaust through the supply passageway from-.above the piston as the return spring 48 acts from below.

It will be observed that the opening and closing of the valve on either side is accomplished rapidly, insuring positive uniform strokes of the piston. There is no opportunity for the valve to pause between the seats,, movement taking place so rapidly that the pump cannot be stopped with the valve at rest intermediate its seats. The toggle acts to deliver a quick blow to the valve plunger, this blow being delivered under the accumulation of force in the spring 102, it

A being apparent that the valve is not pushed open but is snapped open.

It will be observed by considering the area of valve surfaces exposed to the air as compared to the area of the passages between the valve and seat that the air is always effective for closing the valve against the respective seats whether it be inlet or exhaust. This is necessary for the air must hold the valve closed while the toggle is travelling between the shoulders 105, 106 and up until the time the toggle snaps past dead center and actuates the valve and maintains the same in closed position under the action of the spring. In other words, this condition when the valve is being held closed by the air pressure, must take place during the time when either the upper or lower shoulder of the piston rod has engaged the toggle and is moving it to dead center, at which time the swinging ends 98 of toggle link parts 96 have been moved out of contact with the respective shoulders 105, 106 of the valve stem. It is of course apparent that the air will be auxiliarly effective for holding the valve in open or closed position even when the toggle is effective for this purpose.

The lower region of the air motor cylinder below the piston 25 is open to the atmosphere through a pipe 107 screwed into the lower end of the cylinder through the cylinder head and depending into the tank through an opening 108 in the closure means. This prevents formation of a vacuum in the cylinder and permits the return to the tank of any grease escaping into the cylinder from the grease discharge tube.

For the purpose of safety to the equipment, a grease operated valve is provided for stopping the air supply when the line pressure is too great. This is necessary for the reason thatthe air pressures supplied to the gun will vary considerably depending entirely upon the conditions at theparticular station. It would be damaging to the equipment if the air pressure were too great due to the excessive pressure created in the grease discharge line and the strain on the working parts of the air motor. Moreover, in cases where the grease discharge line is closed over too'long a period with the pump working or where the line is clogged, excessive pressures will develop and it is of importance to provide for automatic discontinuance of the air supply to the pump.

' For the purpose of this grease operated valve, the air supply line 73 is attached to the hub at the extreme lower end of the air motor casing and above the upper end of the grease discharge tube. This air supply line includes a manually operated valve 109 for arbitrarily starting and stopping the pump.

has the air supply hose 73 attached to a thread-- ed nipple 113 thereof by means of a coupling 114 and an air filter 115 is attached in place between the coupling 114 and the valve body.

The valve body 112 has a bore 116 extending therethrough from the air inlethose 73 to the rubber diaphragm and a discharge port 117 extends radially from the valve chamber portion of this bore to which discharge port the continuation 72 of the air line is attached by means of a conventional fltting 118.

The valve 119 comprises a plunger 120 having a conical outer end and having its inner end riveted within a thimble 121, the thimble having sliding flt within the valve chamber bore and engaged against the rubber diaphragm. A wall is provided in the valve body bore providing a small central aperture axially aligned with the valve plunger and entered by the conical end thereof for the purpose of providing a valve seat 122.

A light coil spring'123 under compression between this wall and the thimble normally maintains the valve away from its seat and against the flexible diaphragm permitting the air to flow under normal conditions, when the main valve 109 is open, through the valve chamber and to the valve of the air motor. The moment the presrubber diaphragm flexing the same outwardlyagainst the valve. This slides the valve and closes the same by contact of the conical tip with its seat thus cutting oi! the air supply.

As detailed-in Figures 6 and 7, and illustrated at the bottom'of the pump in Figure 2, an air bypass valve is provided in conjunction with the inlet control for the pump cylinder 20. For this purpose a valve carrier 124 is screwed into the lower end of the pump cylinder, this valve carrier including a plurality of slots 125 in its lower edge for entrance of the grease when the valve carrier or body has been disposed in contact with the bottom of the grease tank. A conical coil spring 126 under compression is mounted within the valve carrier and is under compression between a filter disc 127 and a valve support and spring retainer 128. The bore 129 housing the spring is conical, the element 128 being mounted in its small upper end and including a conical wall portion engaging the wall of the bore and a straight wall portion, the latter being extended above the top of the valve carrier. This element 128 is open as at 130 for the purpose of permitting grease flow therethrough.

The filter disc 127 includes a circular metal binding or frame 131 and a circular sheet of screening material 132. The filter is held in place within an annular groove 133 at the lower end of the conical bore by means of a spring clip 134 engaged in an annular groove beneath the filter disc.

The combined inlet and air by-pass valve 135 is of circular plate or disc form and is disposed within a valve chamber above the valve carrier formed by a counterbore 136 in the lower end of the pump cylinder. The valve slidably engages the walls of this counterbore and includes slots 137 in its edge for the passage of grease. A raised valve seat 138 is formed on the upper surface of the valve carrier being, of a small enough outside diameter so as to be engaged by the valve within the solid portion of the valve exclusive of the slots.

The upper shoulder 139 formed by the counterbore of the cylinder is inclined and the valve may move against the lower edge of the shoulder without interfering with the passage of grease through the slots as occurs on the intake or upward stroke of the piston. Under normal pumping condition with the pump cylinder full of grease,as drawn in on the intake stroke, when the down or discharge stroke of the piston takes place and the grease is being discharged upwardly through the center of the piston rod, the valve 135 will be forced against the cage or spring retainer 128 and will force the valve support and spring re-' tainer element 128 downwardly against the spring therebeneath until the valve engages the seat 138 formed on the upper surface of the valve carrier thus closing the valve against back flow of grease, this condition being shown'in Figure 7.

However, if it should occur that air'has been drawn into the pump cylinder, the valve will assume the position shown in Figurelfi, that is, will be forced down under air pressure against the valve support and spring retainer and will, if there is any air in the cylinder, stop at this point. This happens because it is impossible to compress the air sufficiently for opening the discharge valve 44 in the piston rod when there is an outlet for the air.

The down stroke of the piston therefore is ineifective for closing the valve 135 against the action of the spring under the valve support and spring retainer 128 which therefore forms astop or initial seat. The air will then be forced'o'u under the valve through the slots of the valve support 128 and back into the container. It is necessary that'there be a solid mass or grease within the pump cylinder before the valvewill Tully close. In the event that air becomes col-.

lected around the base of the pump, the effect of the pumping piston will be to pass the air back and forth through the valve without effective pumping action.

A modified device for preventing pumping of air'is shown in Figure 8. In this form an inlet valve is provided independently of the air by-pass valve. The inlet valve consists of a ball valve 140 supported within a valve seat element 141 screwed into the lower end of the pump cylinder'which positively stops the back flow of the contents of the cylinder and compels discharge upwardly through the tube on the down stroke of the piston. This ball valve is retained within its seat element against the suction action by means of a cross pin 142. e 1

The grease screenor filter 127 is attached at the extreme lower end of the pump cylinder by means of a sleeve 143'having an intumed flange 144 engaging the filter 127, the sleeve being screwed onto the end of the cylinder for clamping the screen in position. This sleeve includes the clearance slots 125 mentioned heretofore.

, The air by-pass device in this form is screwed into the side of the cylinder below the range of the pumping stroke of the piston. A valve body 144 is provided in two sections for assembly purposes, these parts being screwed together. The assembled body provides a passageway extending therethrough which-includes an intermediate shoulder affording a valve seat 145 and a series of radially disposed inlet ports 146 at the inner side of the seat. A ballvalve 147 is contained within the chamber at the inner side of the seat and is adapted to engage thereagainst. A coil spring 148 is provided between the ball valve and shoulder 149 at the outer end of the bore for maintaining the ball valve against a seat 150 formed by a flange at the inner end of the valve passageway. Normally if thereis solid grease in the pump cylinder both the air by-pass valve and the inlet valve will be forced closed under the solid pressure imparted by the grease, (see position shown in Figure 8). However, ii there is any air present, the ball valve of the air by-pass device will not close against the pressure of the spring 148 and the air will pass through the ports 146 and be discharged through the side of the cylinder. Therefore, in the same way as in the preceding form, the valve in the piston rod will not open for grease supply unless there is solid grease within the cylinder.

In Figure 9, another modified form of by-pass valve for controlling the pump to eliminate pumping of. air separate from the inlet valve, is disclosed. In this instance the valve is disposed diametrically across the pump cylinder below the piston and below the range of its strokes. The arrangement of the device provides a double valve, there being a pair of aligned valve elements 151 having telescopically engaged inner stems 152 and outer stems 153 slidably mounted in cross walls 154 of the sleeves 155 screwed into the opposite sides of the cylinder wall.

The cross walls 154 of the sleeves are ported as at 156 so as to permit by-passing of grease therethrough from the interior of the cylinder back into the grease container. The seating portions of the valve are in the form of circular discs 157' normally maintained slightly clear of the seats formed by the inner ends of the respective sleeves, by means of a coil spring 158 under tension tending to pull the valves together, thesetion of the spring being limited by means of cross pins 159 in the outer stems 153 of the valves abutup be apparent that if there is any air in the cylinder it will he forced out into the tank through this clearance and it will be impossible to develop a pressure on the air sufiicient for overcoming the resistance of the spring and closing the valves. However, if the cylinder is solidly filled with grease, the down stroke of the piston will compact the grease against the valves and close the same by sliding them relative to each other, the discs abutting the inner ends of the sleeve 155 thereby effectively closing the valve outlet ports.

Another form of independent air by-pass valve is detailed in Figures 10 and 11. The valve in this case is designed to close a radial by-pass port 161 in the cylinder 20 below the range of the piston and consists of an expansible split band 162 slightly deformed inwardly from the true circle of the cylinder bore. One end of this metal band is secured to the inner wall of the cylinder by means of a screw 163 and nut 164 and the other end is disposed over the discharge port being spaced inwardly from the wall at this point providing clearance in back of the band, through which clearance the air may pass. However, if there is no air present, the effect of the solid grease pressure is to spring the band into a perfect circle fiat against the circular wall of the cylinder and firmly contact the same about the by-pass opening 161 closing the same, whereby the pump is effective for discharging grease in the normal manner through the meter.

In Figure 12 another modification of the air bypass means is illustrated. In this case a by-pass valve is placed above the pump piston in the dis-- charge line just in front of the meter. For this purpose of diverting the air from the meter a fitting 165 constituting a valve body is inserted between the pump and the meter. The direct passageway 166 tothe meter in this valve body includes a ball valve 167 maintained against a seat 168 within the passageway, against discharge of.

air, by a coil spring 169 maintained under compression aga nst the ball valve by means of a sleeve nut 170 screwed into the valve body.

A conduit 171 is extended from the valve body passageway down the pump tube for return back into the tank, this conduit being a by-passor return line for any air passed into the valve body by the pump. A ball valve 1'72 is included in the valve body passageway to this conduit, being ma ntained away from its seat 172 by means of a coil spring 174 under compression urging the ball against a cross pin 175. The spring is held in place by the fittings 176 which attach the conduit 171 to the valve fitting body.

In the case of this by-passage valve, the ball valve 172 is maintained off its seat by the action of its spring and is moved against its seat by the action of solid grease pressure within the passageway. Therefore, in case there is solid grease being passed into the meter, the main valve 167 will be forced off its seat by the passage of the grease and the by-pass valve 172 will be forced against its seat for closing the by-passage. Should there be air in the discharge, the solid action of the grease will be lacking and the main valve 167 will be held against its seatby itsspring which is computed to resist omning of the valve against the lower pressures afforded by slightly compressed air which is escaping at the time.

I The lack of solid grease will cause a failure to close the bypass valve and the air will pass around the same and will be returned to the tank. The respective spring strengths may be computed to give the best results and resistances to the particular pressures. Likewise, the spacing of the by-pass valve from its seat for the by-passing of air is computed on test to permit escape of air without disturbing the valve. This last mentioned form of by-pass valve, the use of the valve 167 in the discharge conduit, may or may not eliminate the valve 44 in the pumping piston rod.

Having described our invention, we claim:

1. In a grease pump, an air motor, a pumping cylinder, a piston in said pumping cylinder connected to said air motor, an air supply pipe connected to said air motor, a discharge conduit for said pumping cylinder, said air supply pipe and said grease discharge tube adjacently disposed at one point, a slidable air valve inthe air supply pipe at said point, and a diaphragm interposed between said air supply pipe and said grease discharge tube and engaging said air valve and acted on by the grease in the discharge conduit for closing said valve.

2. In a grease pump, operating means, a pump cylinder, a pumping piston in said pump cylinder, a piston rod for said piston extended to said operating means for actuation therefrom, a tube extended from said air motor for housing said piston rod and slidably mounting the lower end thereof, said pump cylinder removably attached to the lower end of said tube.

3. In a grease pump, operating means, a pump cylinder, a pump piston in said pump cylinder, a piston rod for said piston extended to said operating means for actuation therefrom, a tube housing said piston rod, said pump cylinder removably attached to the lower end of said closure tube in axial alignmenttherewith, said cylinder detachable from the lower end of said closure tube entirely independently of the remainder of the pump.

4. In a grease pump, operating means, a pump cylinder, a pump piston in said pump cylinder, a piston rod for said piston extended to said operating means for actuation therefrom, a tube depending from said operating means, housing said piston rod and slidably mounting the lower end thereof, said pump cylinder removably attachable to the' lower end of said closure tube, an inlet valve in said cylinder, said piston rod having a hollow lower end, an outlet valve in the lower end of said piston rod and said piston rod having an outlet port for discharge of the grease from the hollow lower end of the rod into the tube.

5. In a grease pump, operating means, a pump cylinder, a pumping piston in said cylinder, a piston rod for said piston extended to said operating means for actuation therefrom in one direction, a tube housing said piston rod, a journal sleeve attached to the lower end of said for moving the piston in the other direction,

said pump cylinder attached tol'said journal sleeve.

6. In a grease pump, a pump cylinder includ- .valve in the inlet inoperative for'closing and said outlet valve inoperative for opening during discharge strokes of the piston when air has been drawn into the cylinder. I

7. In a grease pump, a pump cylinder including a valve controlled inlet and an outlet, apumping piston in said cylinder, operating means for actuating said piston, and a by-pass means including a valve sensitive to solid grease pressure for closing and non-sensitive to air pressures for closing whereby the air passes through.

8. In a grease pump, an air' motor, a pumpconnected to said air motor, an air supply pipe connected to said air motor, a discharge conduit for said pumping cylinder, said air supply pipe and said grease discharge tube adjacently disposed at one point, a slidable air control valve in the air supply pipe at said point, a diaphragm separating said grease discharge conduit and said air supply pipe, and a spring normally maintaining said valve in open position against the diaphragm whereby excessive pressure in the grease will actuate the diaphragm and slide the valve into closed position.

9. In a grease pump, a pumping cylinder, a pumping piston in said cylinder, inlet and outlet ports for said cylinder, and valves for'the respective ports, said cylinder having diametrically disposed by-pass openings therein, a pair of valve elements, means for slidably mounting said valve elements within said openings, valve seats formed in said means, said openings including valve seats, spring means under tension adapted to maintain the valve elements away from said seats, the normal opening past the respective valve elements being of less area than the valve surface adapted to be acted upon by the contents of the cylinder, whereby the valves will close under full grease pressure but will remain open if air is present in the cylinder.

10. In a grease pump, a pumping cylinder, a pumping piston in said cylinder, inlet and, outlet ports for said cylinder, said cylinder'having diametrically related by-pass openings therein, a pair of valve elements having stems telescopically engaged for sliding movement coaxially, means for slidably mounting said elements within said opening, said openings including valve seats, a spring under tension adapted to maintain the valve elements in positions away from said seats, the normal opening past the respective valve, elements of less area than the valve surface adapted to be acted upon by the contents of the cylinder, whereby the valves will close under full grease pressure but will remain open if air is present in the cylinder.

11. In combination with a pumping cylinder and a pumping piston, including, valve controlled inlet and outlet ports for the intake and discharge strokes of the piston respectively; an expansible split band disposed within the cylinder circumferentially thereof and be ow the range of the piston, said split band having one end attached to the cylinder wall andhaving its site end normally spaced from the wall of the cylinder, and said cylinder including a by-pass opening disposed adjacentthe spaced end of the-split band, whereby said splitband is adaptedunder 30 normal pumping of grease under pressure to I springoutwardly and to be engaged against the cylinder wall about the openingforclosing the opening, but permits. air to pass out through the u by-pass' opening without expansion. 30

12. In a grease pump, a pumping cylinder,- a pumping-piston, valve controlled inlet-andoutlet ports for the intake and discharge strokes of the piston respectively, an expansible 'elementmounted within the cylinder circumferentially thereof and belowhthe range of thepiston, said element normally maintained in spaced position fromthe wall .of the cylinder, said cylinder including a radial'opening disposed adjacent said expansible engaged against'thecylinder wall for, closing the opening, but is not actuated by air pressure. ing cylinder, a piston in said pumping cylinder 13. In combination with a pumping cylinder and a pumping piston therein, including, inlet and outlet passageways, and valves for the respective passageways; a valve element disposed between the pumping piston and the inlet port, a spring urging said valve element'for normally maintaining the inlet valve in opened position and said spring effective for resisting closing. action from within unless solid grease pressure is exerted against the valve.

14. In a grease pump, apumping. cylinder, a pumping piston therein, inlet. and outlet ports for said cylinder, an outlet valve and a seat therefor, an inlet valve, a valve control element disposed within the inlet port, a seat for said inlet valve,

a spring urging. said valve control element into position beyond said valve seat and said spring efiectivefor resisting closing-action of the valve against its seat unless solid grease pressure is ex erted thereagainst, whereby air is'adapted to pass out between the inlet valve and seat,

15. In a grease pump, a pumping cylinder, a pumping piston therein, valve controlled inlet and outlet passageways, said inlet valve of disc form, a seat for said inlet valve, a valve control element disposed .in the inlet port beneath said inlet valve, a spring urging said valve control 7 element against said inlet valve, and an abutment formed in said inlet port for limiting movement of said valve control element to slight projection above the inletvalve seat, whereby the spring-urged element normally maintains said in- 30 let valve slightly off its seat and is effective for preventing closingthereof unless solid grease pressure is exerted against said inlet valve.

' 16. In combination with a pumping cylinder and-a piston therein, including, valve controlled 3 inlet .and outlet ports, a discharge passageway,

a grease meter in said discharge passageway, bypass means before said meter adapted to remain open when air is contained within the cylinder and adaptedto close when the piston is effective 14C for a pumping stroke against solid grease.

17. In agrease pump, a cylinder, a pumping piston in said cylinder, an outlet port, an inlet port,

a valve in the outlet port opening to discharge stroke, a valve in the inlet port closing to discharge stroke, spring-urged means for normally sustaining said latter valve slightly off its seat whereby the contents of the cylinder may be bypassed around said latter valve in the event that it is impossible to develop a solid grease pressure within thecylinder capable of overcoming thesaid piston and extending to the operating means for actuation therefrom, a tube attached to said operating means and supporting said pumping cylinder, valve means and ports in said cylinder and piston for permitting intake 0! grease on the up stroke of the piston and discharge upwardly through the piston rodand tube 'on the down stroke of the piston, said valve means inoperative for closing on the down stroke of the piston when air is pocketed in the cylinder.

19. In combination with a pump including inlet and ofitlet ports and valves for the respective ports; said valve for said inlet port comprising a disc, a seat element, a valve control element in the inlet port, and a spring normally maintaining said valve at a level slightly above the seat, said valve control element including ports for thepassage of grease, and said spring of a strength suitable i'or resisting engagement of the valve control element on its seat unless solid grease pressure is active against said inlet valve.

20. In a grease pump, a pumping cylinder, a pumping piston in said cylinder, an inlet port for said cylinder, an inlet valve in said port, a discharge passageway for said pumping cylinder, an outlet valve in said discharge passageway, a by-passage extending from said discharge passageway in front oi said outlet valve, a by-passage control valve including a seat, and a spring for maintaining said by-passage control valve in unseated position unless solid grease pressure is exerted against said by-pass valve and said outlet valve.

21. In a grease-pump, a pumping cylinder, a pumping piston in said cylinder, an inlet port for said cylinder, an inlet valve in said port, a discharge passageway for said pumping cylinder, an outlet valve in said discharge passageway adiacent said cylinder, a secondoutlet control valve in said discharge passageway beyond the pump, a by-passage extending from said discharge passageway in front of said latter outlet valve, a meter disposed in the grease discharge line beyond said latter outlet valve, a by-passage control valve including a seat, and a spring for maintaining said by-pass control valve in unseated position unless solid grease pressure is exerted against said by-pass'valve and said latter outlet valve.

22. In a grease pump including an inlet port and an outlet port, valves controlling the respective ports, a by-pass valve mounted in the cylinder, a seat element for said by-passvalve including a by-pass valve including a by-passage from the cylinder, said seat element including oppos-' ing seats, a spring normally maintaining said valveagainst the inner seat, said seat element having air passageways entering the by-passage between the seats, the area of said passages being less than the area of the entrance to said valve for unseating the same from its normal seat, whereby it is necessary for solid grease pressure to be exerted against the valve to move the same from its inner seat to its outer seat for closing the by-passage during normal pumping of grease.

23. In a'grease pump, a pumping cylinder, a pumping piston in said cylinder, saidcylinder including inlet and outlet ports, valves for controlling the respective ports, said cylinder including a by-passage between the inlet and outlet ports, and a by-pass valve independent of the inlet and outlet valves for controlling said bypass, said valve sensitive for closing to solid grease pressure but non-sensitive for closing to air pressure.

24. In a grease dispensing and measuring apparatus, a grease pump, a container for the grease,

a discharge line extending from said pump, a meter in said discharge line, an air bypass extended from the discharge line in front of. the meter for bypassing any air delivered from said pump, and a valve in said bypass maintained in open position when air'pressure is being exerted thereagainst and seating under the force of grease. v

25. A dispensing and measuring apparatus for viscous substances such as grease, comprising a container for the grease, a pump adapted to be mounted in said container, a discharge conduit extending from said pump, a meter in said discharge conduit, a discharge nozzle at the end of said discharge conduit, a fitting disposed in said discharge conduit and forming a part thereof between said pump and said meter, said fitting having a grease passageway therethrough of reduced size relative to the pump passageway and discharge conduit for forming .a restriction in the greasedischarge conduit, a valve mounted in the discharge conduit between the pump and the meter adapted to unseat to solid grease pressure through the discharge conduit, a spring for seating said valve and imposing a resistance to the free flow of grease through the discharge conduit upon actuation of said pump, and said fitting including an' air by-passage whereby air entrained in the stream 01' grease will be by-passed through said air bypassage because said valve can only -be unseated by solid grease pressure flow, the reduced passageway in the fitting causlng expulsion of air through the by-passage.

CLEO HARRIS. CLYDE G. BUTLER.