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An automatic lubrication system for a vehicle, comprising a pump assembly having a plurality of outlet ports, a motor operable to drive the pump assembly, and a cartridge that is attachable to the pump assembly to provide a source of lubricant to the pump. The cartridge is removable from the pump as

An automatic lubrication system for a vehicle, comprising a pump assembly having a plurality of outlet ports, a motor operable to drive the pump assembly, and a cartridge that is attachable to the pump assembly to provide a source of lubricant to the pump. The cartridge is removable from the pump assembly and has an interior space that is collapsible as lubricant is dispensed therefrom. A controller is provided to periodically initiate the motor to cause the pump to dispense lubricant to the outlet ports.

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Having described the invention, the following is claimed: 1. An automatic lubrication system for a vehicle, comprising: a pump assembly having a plurality of outlet ports and a lubricant inlet port; a motor operable to drive said pump assembly; a cartridge assembly that is attachable to said pump a

Having described the invention, the following is claimed: 1. An automatic lubrication system for a vehicle, comprising: a pump assembly having a plurality of outlet ports and a lubricant inlet port; a motor operable to drive said pump assembly; a cartridge assembly that is attachable to said pump assembly at said lubricant inlet port to provide a source of lubricant to said pump, said cartridge assembly being removable from said pump assembly, said cartridge assembly having a base, a cover that is attachable to the base to define a cavity, and a lubricant cartridge within said cavity, said base having a passage therethrough and said lubricant cartridge having an interior space that is collapsible as lubricant is dispensed therefrom, said interior space being in fluid communication with said passage in said base, said base being attachable to said lubricant inlet port; a valve within said passage, said valve being movable to control the flow of lubricant through said passage, said valve being movable when said base is attached to said inlet port; a controller operable to periodically initiate said motor to cause said pump to dispense lubricant to said outlet ports; and a housing having a first housing section attachable to said vehicle and a removable cover attachable to said first housing section, wherein said pump assembly, said motor assembly and said cartridge assembly are contained within said first housing section and said removable cover. 2. An automatic lubrication system as defined in claim 1, wherein said pump, motor and controller are mounted to said first housing section. 3. An automatic lubrication system as defined in claim 1, wherein said pump is a piston pump. 4. An automatic lubrication system as defined in claim 3, wherein said motor is a reversible motor. 5. An automatic lubrication system as defined in claim 1, wherein said lubricant cartridge includes a collapsible bellow for holding said lubricant. 6. A lubrication system for a vehicle, comprising: a lubrication dispensing assembly having a lubricant inlet fitting and a plurality of outlet ports that are connectible to locations on said vehicle; a controller operable to periodically activate said lubrication dispensing assembly to dispense metered amounts of lubricant to said outlet ports; a replaceable lubricant cartridge having an interior cavity for storing lubricant under pressure, said cartridge having a base having a passage therethrough that is attachable to said dispensing assembly, said cartridge being attachable to said base and having valve means operable to allow flow of lubricant to said dispensing assembly when said cartridge is attached to said dispensing assembly and to prevent flow of lubricant to said dispensing assembly when said cartridge is detached from said dispensing assembly; and an opening through said dispensing assembly, said opening being disposed to be in conmiunication with said passage in said base to allow filling or refilling of said cartridge when said cartridge is attached to said dispensing assembly. 7. A lubrication system as defined in claim 6, further comprising a housing dimensioned to contain said lubrication dispensing assembly, said controller and said replaceable lubricant cartridge. 8. A lubrication system as defined in claim 6, wherein said lubrication dispensing assembly is comprised of a pump and a motor operable to drive said pump. 9. A lubrication system as defined in claim 8, wherein said pump is a piston pump and said motor is a reversible motor. 10. A lubrication system as defined in claim 6, wherein said lubricant cartridge is comprised of collapsible bellows having a collapsible internal chamber for holding said lubricant, said internal chamber being in communication with said passage. 11. A lubrication system as defined in claim 10, further comprising a cover releaseably attachable to said base, said cover dimensioned to encase said collapsible bellows. 12. A lubrication system as defined in claim 11, further comprising a biasing element disposed between said cover and said bellow to bias said bellow towards a collapsed position. 13. A lubrication system as defined in claim 6, wherein said valve means includes a valve element disposed within said passage, said valve element being movable between a first position, wherein lubricant is prevented from flowing through said passage and a second position wherein lubricant is permitted to flow through said passage. 14. A lubrication system as defined in claim 13, wherein said valve element is movable from said first position to said second position by surface means on said dispensing assembly when said cartridge is attached to said dispensing assembly. 15. A lubricant cartridge for connection to a pump assembly in a lubrication system, comprising: a base having a passage therethrough, said passage having a first end and a second end connectable to a pump assembly of said lubrication system; a collapsible cartridge having a collapsible inner chamber for storing a lubricant, said cartridge being mountable on said base with said inner chamber in communication with said first end of said passage; a biasing element biasing said cartridge toward a collapsed configuration, wherein said lubricant within said inner chamber is forced into said passage; and a flow control assembly in said passage for controlling the flow of said lubricant through said passage, said lubricant flow control assembly comprised of a valve having an opening therein, said valve being movable in said passage between a first position wherein said opening is obstructed and said lubricant is prevented from flowing through said passage, and a second position wherein said opening connects said first end of said passage to said second end of said passage and said lubricant is allowed to flow through said passage to said second end thereof, said valve being movable to said first position by removal of said cartridge from said lubrication system and being movable to said second position by attachment of said cartridge to said lubrication system, said valve remaining in said second position while said cartridge is attached to said lubrication system. 16. A cartridge as defined in claim 15, further comprising a cover releaseably attachable to said base, said cover dimensioned to encase said cartridge between said base and said cover. 17. A cartridge as defined in claim 16, wherein said cover is formed of a clear, polymeric material. 18. A cartridge as defined in claim 16, wherein said biasing element is a spring disposed between said cover and said cartridge. 19. A cartridge as defined in claim 18, wherein a plate is disposed between said spring and said cartridge. 20. A cartridge as defined in claim 15, wherein said cartridge is a generally cylindrical collapsible bellow. 21. A cartridge as defined in claim 20, wherein said bellow is formed of a resilient, polymeric material.