대표
청구항
▼
What is claimed is: 1. A hub seal adapter, comprising: a main body, the main body having an outer diameter constructed and arranged to be removably and replaceably axially inserted into and positioned by an internal bore of a hub; and an internal bore positioned in the main body about an axis of the main body, the internal bore having a diameter constructed and arranged to axially receive and position a grease seal such that the grease seal is centered about an axis of the internal bore of the hub, the grease seal being removable and replaceable with re...
What is claimed is: 1. A hub seal adapter, comprising: a main body, the main body having an outer diameter constructed and arranged to be removably and replaceably axially inserted into and positioned by an internal bore of a hub; and an internal bore positioned in the main body about an axis of the main body, the internal bore having a diameter constructed and arranged to axially receive and position a grease seal such that the grease seal is centered about an axis of the internal bore of the hub, the grease seal being removable and replaceable with respect to the internal bore of the main body, the hub seal adapter allowing removal and replacement of the grease with respect to the hub without having displace the grease seal with respect to the internal bore of the main body. 2. A hub seal adapter as in claim 1, and further comprising: an o-ring retaining groove positioned on an outer periphery of the main body; and an o-ring constructed and arranged to be seated in the o-ring retaining groove; wherein the o-ring takes a compression fit between the main body and the internal bore of the hub when the main body is positioned in the internal bore of the hub. 3. A hub seal adapter as in claim 2, wherein the o-ring provides a sealed connection between the main body and the hub. 4. A hub seal adapter as in claim 3, wherein the outer diameter of the main body is smaller than a diameter of the internal bore of the hub such that the main body is maintained in a radial position within the internal bore of the hub by the compression fit of the o-ring between the main body and the internal bore of the hub. 5. A hub seal adapter as in claim 4, and further comprising at least one radially extending wall positioned on the outer periphery of the main body adjacent the o-ring retaining groove to maintain an axial position of the o-ring on the main body upon at least one of: installation of the main body in the internal bore of the hubs, and removal of the main body from the internal bore of the hub. 6. A huh seal adapter as in claim 5, and comprising two radially extending walls respectively positioned on the outer periphery of the main body adjacent opposite edges of the o-ring retaining groove to maintain an axial position of the o-ring on the main body upon at least one of: installation of the main body in the internal bore of the hub, and removal of the main body from the internal bore of the hub. 7. A hub seal adapter as in claim 6, wherein the o-ring retaining groove is formed by the two radially extending walls. 8. A hub seal adapter as in claim 7, wherein the internal bore of the main body includes a retaining mechanism for axially retaining the grease seal in the internal bore of the main body. 9. A hub seal adapter as in claim 8, wherein the retaining mechanism includes a first circumferential groove on the internal bore of the main body and a first snap ring constructed and arranged to engage the first circumferential groove. 10. A hub seal adapter as in claim 9, wherein the retaining mechanism includes a second circumferential groove on the internal bore of the main body spaced axially apart from the first circumferential groove and a second snap ring constructed and arranged to engage the second circumferential groove, the grease seal being retained between the first and second snap rings. 11. A hub seal adapter as in claim 9, and further comprising a radially inwardly projecting flange positioned at one end of the internal bore of the main body to retain the grease seal between the flange and the first snap ring, the radially inwardly projecting flange having an internal diameter greater than a diameter of an axle over which the hub seal adapter is intended to fit. 12. A hub seal adapter as in claim 9, and further comprising a retaining mechanism for axially retaining the hub seal adapter in the hub, the retaining mechanism including a snap ring for engaging a groove on the internal bore of the hub. 13. A hub seal adapter as in claim 9, and further comprising the grease seal. 14. A hub seal adapter as in claim 9, and further comprising the hub. 15. A hub seal adapter as in claim 2, wherein the outer diameter of the main body is smaller than a diameter of the internal bore of the hub such that the main body is maintained in a radial position within the internal bore of the hub by the compression fit of the o-ring between the main body and the internal bore of the hub. 16. A hub seal adapter as in claim 2, and further comprising at least one radially extending wall positioned on the outer periphery of the main body adjacent the o-ring retaining groove to maintain an axial position of the o-ring on the main body upon at least one of: installation of the main body in the internal bore of the hub and removal of the main body from the internal bore of the hub. 17. A hub seal adapter as in claim 16, and comprising two radially extending walls respectively positioned on the outer periphery of the main body adjacent opposite edges of the o-ring retaining groove to maintain an axial position of the o-ring on the main body upon at least one of: installation of the main body in the internal bore of the hub, and removal of the main body from the internal bore of the hub. 18. A hub seal adapter as in claim 17, wherein the o-ring retaining groove is formed by the two radially extending walls. 19. A hub seal adapter as in claim 1, wherein the internal bore of the main body includes a retaining mechanism for axially retaining the grease seal in the internal bore of the main body. 20. A hub seal adapter as in claim 19, wherein the retaining mechanism includes a first circumferential groove on the internal bore of the main body and a first snap ring constructed and arranged to engage the first circumferential groove. 21. A hub seal adapter as in claim 20, wherein the retaining mechanism includes a second circumferential groove on the internal bore of the main body spaced axially apart from the first circumferential groove and a second snap ring constructed and arranged to engage the second circumferential groove, the grease seal being retained between the first and second snap rings. 22. A hub seal adapter as in claim 20, and further comprising a radially inwardly projecting flange positioned at one end of the internal bore of the main body to retain the grease seal between the flange and the first snap ring, the radially inwardly projecting flange having an internal diameter greater than a diameter of an axle over which the hub seal adapter is intended to fit. 23. A hub seal adapter as in claim 20, and further comprising a retaining mechanism for axially retaining the hub seal adapter in the hub, the retaining mechanism including a snap ring for engaging a groove on the internal bore of the hub. 24. A hub seal adapter as in claim 1, and further comprising a radially inwardly projecting flange positioned at one end of the internal bore of the main body to axially retain the grease seal on one side, the radially inwardly projecting flange having an internal diameter greater than a diameter of an axle over which the hub seal adapter is intended to fit. 25. A hub seal adapter as in claim 1, and further comprising a retaining mechanism for axially retaining the hub seal adapter in the hub, the retaining mechanism including a snap ring for engaging a groove on the internal bore of the hub. 26. A hub seal adapter as in claim 1, and further comprising the grease seal. 27. A hub seal adapter as in claim 1, and further comprising the hub. 28. A hub seal adapter as in claim 2, wherein the compression fit of the o-ring is capable of allowing removal of the hub seal adapter from the hub by hand. 29. A hub seal adapter, comprising: a main body, the main body having an outer diameter constructed and arranged to be axially inserted into an internal bore of a hub; an internal bore positioned in the main body about an axis of the main body, the internal bore having a diameter constructed and arranged to axially receive a grease seal such that the grease seal is centered about an axis of the internal bore of the hub, the grease seal being removable and replaceable with respect to the internal bore of the main body, an o-ring retaining groove positioned on an outer periphery of the main body; and an o-ring constructed and arranged to be seated in the o-ring retaining groove; wherein the o-ring takes a compression fit between the main body and the internal bore of the hub when the main body is positioned in the internal bore of the hub. 30. A hub seal adapter as in claim 29, wherein the o-ring provides a sealed connection between the main body and the hub. 31. A hub seal adapter as in claim 30, wherein the outer diameter of the main body is smaller than a diameter of the internal bore of the hub such that the main body is maintained in a radial position within the internal bore of the hub by the compression fit of the o-ring between the main body and the internal bore of the hub. 32. A hub seal adapter as in claim 31, and further comprising at least one radially extending wall positioned on the outer periphery of the main body adjacent the o-ring retaining groove to maintain an axial position of the o-ring on the main body upon at least one of: installation of the main body in the internal bore of the hub, and removal of the main body from the internal bore of the hub. 33. A hub seal adapter as in claim 32, and comprising two radially extending walls respectively positioned on the outer periphery of the main body adjacent opposite edges of the a-ring retaining groove to maintain an axial position of the o-ring on the main body upon at least one of: installation of the main body in the internal bore of the hub, and removal of the main body from the internal bore of the hub. 34. A hub seal adapter as in claim 33, wherein the o-ring retaining groove is formed by the two radially extending walls. 35. A hub seal adapter as in claim 34, wherein the internal bore of the main body includes a retaining mechanism for axially retaining the grease seal in the internal bore of the main body. 36. A hub seal adapter as in claim 35, wherein the retaining mechanism includes a first circumferential groove on the internal bore of the main body and a first snap ring constructed and arranged to engage the first circumferential groove. 37. A hub seal adapter as in claim 36, wherein the retaining mechanism includes a second circumferential groove on the internal bore of the main body spaced axially apart from the first circumferential groove and a second snap ring constructed and arranged to engage the second circumferential groove, the grease seal being retained between the first and second snap rings. 38. A hub seal adapter as in claim 36, and further comprising a radially inwardly projecting flange positioned at one end of the internal bore of the main body to retain the grease seal between the flange and the first snap ring, the radially inwardly projecting flange having an internal diameter greater than a diameter of an axle over which the hub seal adapter is intended to fit. 39. A hub seal adapter as in claim 36, and further comprising a retaining mechanism for axially retaining the hub seal adapter in the hub, the retaining mechanism including a snap ring for engaging a groove on the internal bore of the hub. 40. A hub seal adapter as in claim 36, and further comprising the grease seal. 41. A hub seal adapter as in claim 36, and farther comprising the hub. 42. A hub seal adapter as in claim 29, wherein the outer diameter of the main body is smaller than a diameter of the internal bore of the hub such tat the main body is maintained in a radial position within the internal bore of the hub by the compression fit of the o-ring between the main body and the internal bore of the hub. 43. A hub seal adapter as in claim 29, and further comprising at least one radially extending wall positioned on the outer periphery of the main body adjacent the o-ring retaining groove to maintain ax axial position of the o-ring on the main body upon at least one of: installation of the main body in the internal bore of the hub, and removal of the main body from the internal bore of the hub. 44. A hub seal adapter as in claim 43, and comprising two radially extending walls respectively positioned on the outer periphery of the main body adjacent opposite edges of the o-ring retaining groove to maintain an axial position of the o-ring on the main body upon at least one of: installation of the main body in the internal bore of the hub, and removal of the main body from the internal bore of the hub. 45. A hub seal adapter as in claim 44, wherein the o-ring retaining groove is formed by the two radially extending walls. 46. A hub seal adapter as in claim 29, wherein the internal bore of the main body includes a retaking mechanism for axially retaining the grease seal in the internal bore of the main body. 47. A hub seal adapter as in claim 46, wherein the retaining mechanism includes a first circumferential groove on the internal bore of the main body and a first snap ring constructed and arranged to engage the first circumferential groove. 48. A hub seal adapter as in claim 47, wherein the retaining mechanism includes a second circumferential groove on the internal bore of the main body spaced axially apart from the first circumferential groove and a second snap ring constructed and arranged to engage the second circumferential groove, the grease seal being retained between the first and second snap rings. 49. A hub seal adapter as in claim 47, and further comprising a radially inwardly projecting flange positioned at one end of the internal bore of the main body to retain the grease seal between the flange and the first snap ring, the radially inwardly projecting flange having an internal diameter greater than a diameter of an axle over which the hub seal adapter is intended to fit. 50. A hub seal adapter as in claim 46, and further comprising a retaining mechanism for axially retaining the hub seal adapter in the hub, the retaining mechanism including a snap ring for engaging a groove on the internal bore of the hub. 51. A hub seal adapter as in claim 29, and further comprising a radially inwardly projecting flange positioned at one end of the internal bore of the main body to axially retain the grease seal on one side, the radially inwardly projecting flange having an internal diameter greater than a diameter of an axle over which the hub seal adapter is intended to fit. 52. A hub seal adapter as in claim 29, and further comprising a retaining mechanism for axially retaining the hub seal adapter in the hub, the retaining mechanism including a snap ring for engaging a groove on the internal bore of the hub. 53. A hub seal adapter as in claim 29, and further comprising the grease seal. 54. A hub seal adapter as in claim 29, and further comprising the hub. 55. A hub seal adapter as in claim 29, wherein the compression fit of the o-ring is capable of allowing removal of the hub seal adapter from the hub by hand. 56. A hub seal adapter, comprising: a main body, the main body having an outer diameter constructed and arranged to be axially inserted into an internal bore of a hub; and an internal bore positioned in the main body about an axis of the main body, the internal bore having a diameter constructed and arranged to axially receive a grease seal such that the grease seal is centered about an axis of the internal bore of the hub, wherein the internal bore of the main body includes a retaining mechanism for axially retaining the grease seal in the internal bore of the main body and the retaining mechanism includes a first circumferential groove on the internal bore of the main body and a first snap ring constructed and arranged to engage the first circumferential groove. 57. A hub seal adapter as in claim 56, and further comprising: an o-ring retaining groove positioned on an outer periphery of the main body; and an o-ring constructed and arranged to be seated in the o-ring retaining groove; wherein the o-ring takes a compression fit between the main body and the internal bore of the hub when the main body is positioned in the internal bore of the hub. 58. A hub seal adapter as in claim 57, wherein the o-ring provides a sealed connection between the main body and the hub. 59. A hub seal adapter as in claim 58, wherein the outer diameter of the main body is smaller than a diameter of the internal bore of the hub such that the main body is maintained in a radial position within the internal bore of the hub by the compression fit of the o-ring between the main body and the internal bore of the hub. 60. A hub seal adapter as in claim 59, and further comprising at least one radially extending wall positioned on the outer periphery of the main body adjacent the o-ring retaining groove to maintain an axial position of the o-ring on the main body upon at least one of: installation of the main body in the internal bore of the hub, and removal of the main body from the internal bore of the hub. 61. A hub seal adapter as in claim 60, and comprising two radially extending walls respectively positioned on the outer periphery of the main body adjacent opposite edges of the o-ring retaining groove to maintain an axial position of the o-ring on the main body upon at least one of: installation of the main body in the internal bore of the hub, and removal of the main body from the internal bore of the hub. 62. A hub seal adapter as in claim 61, wherein the o-ring retaining groove is formed by the two radially extending walls. 63. A hub seal adapter as in claim 62, wherein the internal bore of the main body includes a retaining mechanism for axially retaining the grease seal in the internal bore of the main body. 64. A hub seal adapter as in claim 63, wherein the retaining mechanism includes a first circumferential groove on the internal bore of the main body and a first snap ring constructed and arranged to engage the first circumferential groove. 65. A hub seal adapter as in claim 64, wherein the retaining mechanism includes a second circumferential groove on the internal bore of the main body spaced axially apart from the first circumferential groove and a second snap ring constructed and arranged to engage the second circumferential groove, the grease seal being retained between the first and second snap rings. 66. A hub seal adapter as in claim 64, and further comprising a radially inwardly projecting flange positioned at one end of the internal bore of the main body to retain the grease seal between the flange and the first snap ring, the radially inwardly projecting flange having an internal diameter greater than a diameter of an axle over which the hub seal adapter is intended to fit. 67. A hub seal adapter as in claim 64, and further comprising a retaining mechanism for axially retaining the hub seal adapter in the hub, the retaining mechanism including a snap ring for engaging a groove on the internal bore of the hub. 68. A hub seal adapter as in claim 64, and further comprising the grease seal. 69. A hub seal adapter as in claim 64, and further comprising the hub. 70. A hub seal adapter as in claim 56, wherein the outer diameter of the main body is smaller than a diameter of the internal bore of the hub such that the main body is maintained in a radial position within the internal bore of the hub by the compression fit of the o-ring between the main body and the internal bore of the hub. 71. A hub seal adapter as in claim 56, and further comprising at least one radially extending wall positioned on the outer periphery of the main body adjacent the o-ring retaining groove to maintain an axial position of the o-ring on the main body upon at least one of; installation of the main body in the internal bore of the hub, and removal of the main body from the internal bore of the hub. 72. A hub seal adapter as in claim 71, and comprising two radially extending walls respectively positioned on the outer periphery of the main body adjacent opposite edges of the o-ring retaining groove to maintain an axial position of the o-ring on the main body upon at least one of: installation of the main body in the internal bore of the hub, and removal of the main body from the internal bore of the hub. 73. A hub seal adapter as in claim 72, wherein the o-ring retaining groove is formed by the two radially extending walls. 74. A hub seal adapter as in claim 56, wherein the retaining mechanism includes a second circumferential groove on the internal bore of the main body spaced axially apart from the first circumferential groove and a second snap ring constructed and arranged to engage the second circumferential groove, the grease seal being retained between the first and second snap rings. 75. A hub seal adapter as in claim 56, and further comprising a radially inwardly projecting flange positioned at one end of the internal bore of the main body to retain the grease seal between the flange and the first snap ring, the radially inwardly projecting flange having an internal diameter greater than a diameter of an axle over which the hub seal adapter is intended to fit. 76. A hub seal adapter as in claim 56, and further comprising a retaining mechanism for axially retaining the hub seal adapter in the hub, the retaining mechanism including a snap ring for engaging a groove on the internal bore of the hub. 77. A hub seal adapter as in claim 56, and further comprising a radially inwardly projecting flange positioned at one end of the internal bore of the main body to axially retain the grease seal on one side, the radially inwardly projecting flange having an internal diameter greater than a diameter of an axle over which the hub seal adapter is intended to fit. 78. A hub seal adapter as in claim 56, and further comprising a retaining mechanism for axially retaining the hub seal adapter in the hub, the retaining mechanism including a snap ring for engaging a groove on the internal bore of the hub. 79. A hub seal adapter as in claim 56, and further comprising the grease seal. 80. A hub seal adapter as in claim 56, and further comprising the hub. 81. A hub seal adapter as in claim 56, wherein the compression fit of the o-ring is capable of allowing removal of the hub seal adapter from the hub by hand. 82. A hub seal adapter, comprising: a main body, the main body having an outer diameter constructed and arranged to be axially inserted into an internal bore of a hub; an internal bore positioned in the main body about an axis of the main body, the internal bore having a diameter constructed and arranged to axially receive a grease seal such that the grease seal is centered about an axis of the internal bore of the hub, the grease seal being removable and replaceable with respect to the internal bore of the main body, and a retaining mechanism for axially retaining the hub seal adapter in the hub, the retaining mechanism including a snap ring for engaging a groove on the internal bore of the hub. 83. A hub seal adapter as in claim 82, and further comprising: an o-ring retaining groove positioned on an outer periphery of the main body; and an o-ring constructed and arranged to be seated in the o-ring retaining groove; wherein the o-ring takes a compression fit between the main body and the internal bore of the hub when the main body is positioned in the internal bore of the hub. 84. A hub seal adapter as in claim 83, wherein the a-ring provides a sealed connection between the main body and the hub. 85. A hub seal adapter as in claim 84, wherein the outer diameter of the main body is smaller than a diameter of the internal bore of the hub such that the main body is maintained in a radial position within the internal bore of the hub by the compression fit of the o-ring between the main body and the internal bore of the hub. 86. A hub seal adapter as in claim 85, and further comprising at least one radially extending wall positioned on the outer periphery of the main body adjacent the o-ring retaining groove to maintain an axial position of the o-ring an the main body upon at least one of; installation of the main body in the internal bore of the hub, and removal of the main body from the internal bore of the hub. 87. A hub seal adapter as in claim 86, and comprising two radially extending walls respectively positioned on the outer periphery of the main body adjacent opposite edges of the o-ring retaining groove to maintain an axial position of the o-ring on the main body upon at least one of: installation of the main body in the internal bore of the hub, and removal of the main body from the internal bore of the hub. 88. A hub seal adapter as in claim 87, wherein the o-ring retaining groove is formed by the two radially extending walls. 89. A hub seal adapter as in claim 88, wherein the internal bore of the main body includes a retaining mechanism for axially retaining the grease seal in the internal bore of the main body. 90. A hub seal adapter as in claim 89, wherein the retaining mechanism includes a first circumferential groove on the internal bore of the main body and a first snap ring constructed and arranged to engage the first circumferential groove. 91. A hub seal adapter as in claim 90, wherein the retaining mechanism includes a second circumferential groove on the internal bore of the main body spaced axially apart from the first circumferential groove and a second snap ring constructed and arranged to engage the second circumferential groove, the grease seal being retained between the first and second snap rings. 92. A hub seal adapter as in claim 90, and further comprising a radially inwardly projecting flange positioned at one end of the internal bore of the main body to retain the grease seal between the flange and the first snap ring, the radially inwardly projecting flange having an internal diameter greater than a diameter of an axle over which the hub seal adapter is intended to fit. 93. A hub seal adapter as in claim 90, and further comprising a retaining mechanism for axially retaining the hub seal adapter in the hub, the retaining mechanism including a snap ring for engaging a groove on the internal bore of the hub. 94. A hub seal adapter as in claim 90, and further comprising the grease seal. 95. A hub seal adapter as in claim 90, and further comprising the hub. 96. A hub seal adapter as in claim 83, wherein the outer diameter of the main body is smaller than a diameter of the internal bore of the hub such that the main body is maintained in a radial position within the internal bore of the hub by the compression fit of the o-ring between the main body and the internal bore of the hub. 97. A hub seal adapter as in claim 83, and further comprising at least one radially extending wall positioned on the outer periphery of the main body adjacent the o-ring retaining groove to maintain an axial position of the o-ring on the main body upon at least one of: installation of the main body in the internal bore of the hub, and removal of the main body from the internal bore of the hub. 98. A hub seal adapter as in claim 97, and comprising two radially extending walls respectively positioned on the outer periphery of the main body adjacent opposite edges of the o-ring retaining groove to maintain an axial position of the o-ring on the main body upon at least one of: installation of the main body in the internal bore of the hub, and removal of the main body from the internal bore of the hub. 99. A hub seal adapter as in claim 98, wherein the o-ring retaining groove is formed by the two radially extending walls. 100. A hub seal adapter as in claim 82, wherein the internal bore of the main body includes a retaining mechanism for axially retaining the grease seal in the internal bore of the main body. 101. A hub seal adapter as in claim 100, wherein the retaining mechanism includes a first circumferential groove on the internal bore of the main body and a first snap ring constructed and arranged to engage the first circumferential groove. 102. A hub seal adapter as in claim 101, wherein the retaining mechanism includes a second circumferential groove on the internal bore of the main body spaced axially apart from the first circumferential groove and a second snap ring constructed and arranged to engage the second circumferential groove, the grease seal being retained between the first and second snap rings. 103. A hub seal adapter as in claim 101, and further comprising a radially inwardly projecting flange positioned at one end of the internal bore of the main body to retain the grease seal between the flange and the first snap ring, the radially inwardly projecting flange having an internal diameter greater than a diameter of an axle over which the hub seal adapter is intended to fit. 104. A hub seal adapter as in claim 101, and further comprising a retaining mechanism for axially retaining the hub seal adapter in the hub, the retaining mechanism including a snap ring for engaging a groove on the internal bore of the hub. 105. A hub seal adapter as in claim 82, and further comprising a radially inwardly projecting flange positioned at one end of the internal bore of the main body to axially retain the grease seal on one side, the radially inwardly projecting flange having an internal diameter greater than a diameter of an axle over which the hub seal adapter is intended to fit. 106. A hub seal adapter as in claim 82, and further comprising the grease seal. 107. A hub seal adapter as in claim 82, and further comprising the hub. 108. A hub seal adapter as in claim 83, wherein the compression fit of the o-ring is capable of allowing removal of the hub seal adapter from the hub by hand.
