Abstract: A radial support bearing having a cylindrical cage including a central portion, a first end portion and a second end portion, the central portion defining a plurality of roller pockets, and at least one projection extending radially inwardly from an inner surface of the cage, a plurality of rollers, each roller being disposed in a respective roller pocket, a cylindrical outer sleeve disposed about an outer surface of the cage so that the inner surface of the outer sleeve is adjacent the plurality of rollers, and an o-ring adapted to be axially fixed relative to the shaft. The o-ring is slidably received between the at least one projection of the cage and the central portion of the cage so that the cage is axially fixed with respect to the shaft.

Abstract: A follower mechanism movable along an axis within a bore including an alignment groove. The follower mechanism includes a bucket with a cylindrical inner surface and a cylindrical outer surface, and a yoke positioned at least partially within the bucket, the yoke including a bottom wall and two opposed sidewalls depending upwardly therefrom, each sidewall defining a shaft aperture. A shaft with first and second ends is received in the shaft apertures, and a roller follower is rotatably received on the shaft such that a portion of the roller follower extends axially outwardly beyond the bucket.

Abstract: A radial support bearing assembly for use within a steering column assembly having an outer tube and a shaft 50, including at least one inner ring 70 defining an inner raceway, the inner ring 70 being axially fixed relative to the shaft 50, at least one outer ring 30 defining an outer raceway, and a plurality of roller elements 60 disposed between the at least one inner ring 70 and the at least one outer ring 30 in rolling contact with the inner raceway and the outer raceway. The inner ring 70 is in direct contact with the shaft 50 and has a circular cross-section as taken in a plane parallel to a longitudinal center axis of the shaft 50.

Abstract: A radial support bearing having a cylindrical cage including a central portion, a first end portion and a second end portion, the central portion defining a plurality of roller pockets, and at least one projection extending radially inwardly from an inner surface of the cage, a plurality of rollers, each roller being disposed in a respective roller pocket, a cylindrical outer sleeve disposed about an outer surface of the cage so that the inner surface of the outer sleeve is adjacent the plurality of rollers, and an o-ring adapted to be axially fixed relative to the shaft. The o-ring is slidably received between the at least one projection of the cage and the central portion of the cage so that the cage is axially fixed with respect to the shaft.

Abstract: A bearing assembly (100) for supporting a steering shaft within a steering column tube including an outer bearing ring (120) defining an outer raceway (122), an inner bearing ring (130) defining an inner raceway (132), a plurality of roller elements (154) disposed between the inner raceway and the outer raceway, a support cone (160) defining an inner face and an outer surface, the support cone being disposed radially inwardly of, and in contact with, the inner bearing ring, and a biasing element (180) disposed adjacent the inner surface of the support cone. The biasing element exerts force radially-outwardly against the inner surface of the support cone.

Abstract: A pin assembly for use in a planetary gear, including a pin defining a blind bore therein, the blind bore extending axially from an opening and terminating with an end face, the pin defining an inlet bore and an outlet bore, and a plug including a substantially cylindrical body including a circular base wall and a sidewall extending from its outer perimeter, the sidewall defining an inlet recess and an outlet recess. The inlet recess and outlet recess of the plug are aligned with the inlet bore and outlet bore, respectively, of the pin when the plug is inserted in the pin.

Abstract: A pin assembly for use in a planetary gear, including a pin defining a blind bore therein, the blind bore extending axially from an opening and terminating with an end face, and an annular rib depending inwardly from an inner surface of the blind bore adjacent the opening. A plug includes a stopper portion and a shaft extending therefrom, the stopper portion including a circular base defining an outer perimeter. The outer perimeter of the stopper portion engages the annular rib, thereby maintaining the plug in the blind bore.

Abstract: A bearing assembly including a connecting rod (30) with a first end (32) and a second end (36), the second end (36) defining a first outer raceway (44a) and a second outer raceway (44b) with a thrust ring (60) therebetween, a crankshaft (10) defining a cylindrical inner raceway (14), a first plurality of radial roller elements (52a) disposed between the first outer raceway (44a) and the inner raceway (14), and a second plurality of radial roller elements (52b) disposed between the second outer raceway (44b) and the inner raceway (14). An axial length of at least one of the first radial roller elements (52a) is greater than an axial length of the first outer raceway (44a) and the axial length of at least one of the second radial roller elements (52b) is greater than an axial length of the second outer raceway (44b).

Abstract: A roller bearing assembly (10) having an annular outer race (22) with a raceway (24), a pair of opposed flanges (30), and a pair of shoulders (32), each shoulder (32) being disposed between a corresponding flange (30) and a corresponding edge of the raceway (24), a roller retainer (12) defining a plurality of roller pockets (16), and a plurality of rollers (14), each roller (14) being disposed in a corresponding roller pocket (16). Each shoulder (32) forms an annular ridge (32a) with the corresponding edge of the raceway (24).

Abstract: A unitized component assembly includes an component having an aperture, and a plurality of discrete projections extending into the aperture and spaced apart from one another about the perimeter of the aperture, and a fastener having a head and a shank extending from the head. The shank includes a necked portion and a threaded portion adjacent the necked portion. The shank is positioned in the aperture such that the necked portion is in facing relationship with the projections. The threaded portion is engageable with the projections to provide an axial stop for limiting movement of the fastener relative to the component.

Abstract: A radial support bearing assembly for use within a steering column assembly having an outer tube and a shaft 50, including at least one inner ring 70 defining an inner raceway, the inner ring 70 being axially fixed relative to the shaft 50, at least one outer ring 30 defining an outer raceway, and a plurality of roller elements 60 disposed between the at least one inner ring 70 and the at least one outer ring 30 in rolling contact with the inner raceway and the outer raceway. The inner ring 70 is in direct contact with the shaft 50 and has a circular cross-section as taken in a plane parallel to a longitudinal center axis of the shaft 50.

Abstract: A roller bearing assembly includes a plurality of rollers (122), a cage (114) including a plurality of slots (118) for positioning the plurality of rollers, an outer race (134) positioned radially outside the plurality of rollers and the cage, and means (126, 130, 138) for retaining axial alignment between the cage and the outer race provided integrally with at least one of the cage and the outer race.

Abstract: A follower mechanism movable along an axis within a bore including an alignment groove. The follower mechanism includes a bucket with a cylindrical inner surface and a cylindrical outer surface, and a yoke positioned at least partially within the bucket, the yoke including a bottom wall and two opposed sidewalls depending upwardly therefrom, each sidewall defining a shaft aperture. A shaft with first and second ends is received in the shaft apertures, and a roller follower is rotatably received on the shaft such that a portion of the roller follower extends axially outwardly beyond the bucket.