Improved lubricating apparatus

739,082. Lubricating. TECALEMIT, Ltd. Dec. 4, 1953 [Nov. 24, 1952], No. 29678/52. Class 12 (3). Lubricating apparatus for supplying automatically metered quantities of lubricant to a number of points or bearings comprises an airoperated lubricant pump receiving compressed air from a supply source included in mechanism the bearings of which are to be lubricated, the pump supplying lubricant through metering devices, each comprising a coiled tube of capillary dimensions, the arrangement being such that the pump discharges the lubricant through the metering devices to the bearings when the mechanism is inoperative while when the mechanism is operative the pump carries out its suction stroke. The invention is described as applied to a known signal device consisting of an electro-pneumatically operated switch mechanism controlled through a solenoidactuated air valve. When the solenoid is energized compressed air is admitted to a ram 1, Fig. 1, whereby a shaft 3 carrying cams is rotated and the switches are operated. The switch contacts, ram 1 and associated mechanism are contained in a casing 2. Compressed air is also admitted by piping 27, 26, 25 to the lubricant pump 7 which is connected by an outlet pipe 14 to a manifold 36 containing metering devices as described in Specification 706,175, each device comprising a coiled capillary tube. From the metering device pipes lead to various points. Pipe 51 is to supply oil to the piston of the pump 7, pipe 53 leads to shaft bearing 4, pipe 55 to another bearing (not shown), pipe 56 to shaft bearing 5 and pipe 58 to parts of the ram 1 and its cylinder. The oil is supplied to the pump from sump 29 through pipe 21. The pump, Fig. 2, comprises a cylinder 8 containing a spring-pressed piston 9, the piston rod 10 being connected to a plunger 11 in a liner 12. The liner has ports 18 communicating with the pipe 21. When compressed air is supplied through pipe 25 it raises the piston 9 and with it the plunger 11, thereby drawing in oil through the ports 18. On release of air pressure the plunger 11 forces the oil past ball valve 16 and through pipe 14 to the metering manifold.