| 摘要 |
<p>A series of flexible, substantially cylindrical tubes communicates with the hollow central bores of shafts of adjacent idler rolls to form a conduit so that lubrication introduced through a fitting at one end of the idler roll assembly can be distributed in sequence to all of the rolls. Opposite ends of each tube are secured in position by insertion into an axial passageway in the end cap? secured to the ends of the shafts. In the preferred embodiment, each passageway has a tapered entrance to facilitate the insertion of a tube, and a radially inwardly extending knife edge at the inner end remote from the entrance. The diameter of the passageway along its axial extent is slightly larger than the external diameter of the tube, while the diameter of the passageway at the knife edge is smaller than the external diameter of the tube to deform same and secure it in fixed position. In one alternative embodiment, the tube is notched at its ends to enhance its ability to "neck down"; in another alternative embodiment, axial slits are substituted for the notches. In yet another alternative embodiment, the tube has an annular bead and a neck of reduced diameter formed at each end. In still another alternative embodiment, the tube is of cylindrical configuration, and each end of the tube is slipped over an outwardly tapering hollow boss and seated in an annular groover in the face of the end cap. The diameter of the groove and of the large end of the boss is greater than the inner diameter of the tube so the tube is expanded to thus form a tight seal.</p> |
