Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm John C. Bigler
  • Patent number: 5405201
    Abstract: A split outer ring has a raceway on a radially inwardly directed surface and a circumferential groove with tapered side walls on a radially outwardly directed surface and comprises a first arcuate portion and a second arcuate portion. An alignment ring engages the circumferential-groove of the split outer ring, forming an interference fit with the tapered side walls of the circumferential groove such that alignment of the first arcuate portion with respect to the second arcuate portion is maintained. A method of assembling a housed bearing, utilizing opposing jaws engaging a similar circumferential groove in the split outer ring, is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventor: Christopher G. Senger
  • Patent number: 5395171
    Abstract: A one-piece body portion injection molded of polysulfone or similar polymer has mounting portions for securing the bearing housing to a support surface and a transverse bore having a spherically concave annular bearing seat for tiltably supporting a convex outer ring of a bearing. Diametrically opposed axially extending recesses within the bearing seat facilitate insertion of the outer race ring after molding of the body portion. The bearing housing has significantly improved stiffness and resistance to moisture, creep, thermal deflection, chipping and corrosion, making the bearing housing particularly suited for use in the food processing industry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventor: Walter P. Waskiewicz
  • Patent number: 5391005
    Abstract: A flat strip of metal is formed to provide a depressed center relief portion between two edge portions. Depressions are formed in the two edge portions and center slots are pierced across the center relief portion such that roller receiving slots are formed with slot end depressions at both ends of the roller receiving slots. The partially formed bearing cage is then formed into a circular hoop such that the edge portions form rings at the axial ends of the circular hoop. The resulting roller bearing cage of the present invention may also be formed by other methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventor: Richard L. Alling
  • Patent number: 5388918
    Abstract: A split bearing cage assembly comprising two cage parts assembled and held together by means of components in the form of dowels (3) extending through and located in apertures through both cage parts. The apertures are located and aligned such that, when the dowels are inserted into the apertures, the relative alignment between the dowels is such as to present resistance to the separation of the two cage parts so assembled. The apertures can be straight drilled holes and the dowels can be aligned so as to lie on the surface of a cone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventor: Reginald Williams
  • Patent number: 5385413
    Abstract: A double-walled bearing cup has an inner cup portion and an outer cup portion fixed over the inner cup portion. Abutment portions of the bearing cup are engageable with a retaining washer, which is positioned within the bearing cup and adapted to be fixed over a shaft, to limit axial movement of the bearing cup relative to the shaft. Rolling members positioned within the bearing cup are engageable directly with the shaft such that the bearing cup may freely rotate with respect to the shaft. The bearing cup may have an open, closed, or tapered end to facilitate use of the bearing assembly in various applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1995
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventors: Richard F. Murphy, James Van Horne, Walter R. Gist, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5335416
    Abstract: A strip of metal is pierced intermediate the edges thereof to form slots for rollers and is bent adjacent the edges to form flanges. Each bend intersects the slots such that the slots wrap around the bends into the flanges. The strip of metal is then formed into a circular hoop such that the flanges form axially spaced end rims to retain the rollers axially. Crossbars between the slots are offset radially in a sigma configuration to retain the rollers radially. Edges of the slots may be specially formed to facilitate flow of lubricant through a roller bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventor: Richard L. Alling
  • Patent number: 5336013
    Abstract: Two shaft sections have a common axis and overlapping end portions. Connecting pins on the end portions extend through sleeves on the end portions. A snap ring or similar device is releasably attached to the connecting pins to hold the connecting pins within the sleeves and to release the connecting pins when a predetermined force is applied. Alternatively, a deformable strap holds flanges on the end portions together and releases the flanges when a predetermined force is applied. Also disclosed is a sequential connecting device having a second mechanism to hold the two end portions together after the initial release and to provide a second release when a second predetermined force is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventors: Paul E. Duffy, John Hanson, Robert Lugosi, Spencer H. Guptill, Matthew Kackowski
  • Patent number: 5329891
    Abstract: A bearing support member has two support arms extending in opposite directions along an axis and is adapted for mounting about a stud means. A bearing cup is fixed to the rocker arm, extending over each support arm. Rolling members are provided within an annulus formed between the support member and the bearing cups such that the rocker arm is free to oscillate rotatably with respect to the bearing support member. The bearing cups have a bottom surface forming an interference fit, axially, with an end surface of the bearing support member such that a preload is applied to the bearing support arm to reduce and control axial play. A protrusion and cutouts facilitating the preload and a method of assembly are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventors: Richard F. Murphy, John A. DiLauro, Matthew G. Urmaza
  • Patent number: 5328277
    Abstract: A bearing cage for a roller bearing. The bearing cage comprising first and second annular end rims axially spaced along a common axis and cross bars connecting the end rims such that pockets are formed between the end rims and the cross bars for retaining the rollers. Axially outward surfaces of the end rims define the axial length of the bearing cage and include at least one recess for facilitating passage of lubricant to the rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventor: David R. Moulton
  • Patent number: 5313916
    Abstract: Two support arms of a bearing support member extend in opposite directions, each support arm having an overlying bearing cup engageable with the rocker arm. Rolling members within an annulus formed between the bearing support member and the bearing cups provide free rotary oscillation of the rocker arm with respect to the bearing support member. At least one support arm has a crowned surface such that radial load is distributed along the length of the rolling members when misalignment of elements of the rocker arm assembly occurs. A bearing assembly for mounting within a rocker arm is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1994
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventor: Richard F. Murphy
  • Patent number: 5313182
    Abstract: Two magnetic circuits are separated by an air gap and are made up respectively of a series of permanent magnets which are attached and rigidly held together by flux return yokes. One side of the magnetic circuits is turned towards the air gap. The directions of magnetization of the opposing magnets and of the attached magnets are antiparallel and the length of each magnet is approximately two times larger than the width of the air gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventor: Claire Blache
  • Patent number: 5310266
    Abstract: A packing is mounted on a fixed ring of a rolling-contact bearing with rolling elements in contact with the fixed ring and a rotating ring. A sensor is supported by the packing and an encoder is mounted on the rotating ring. A protective casing for the sensor and its connection with a feed cable has a chamber extending axially, between a recess receiving the fixed ring and a bottom wall of the casing, for holding the cable. The resulting rolling-contact bearing assembly may include a winding cylinder and may include features permitting assembling together of a number of casings for different bearing assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventors: Isabelle Coux, Claude Sonnerat, Roger Dumas, Roger Chalansonnet
  • Patent number: 5307013
    Abstract: A sensor system for detecting gear modes of an automobile transmission is disposed about a detent lever internally within the transmission case. The system includes an encoder capable of generating a magnetic field disposed on or about a detent lever, and at least one sensor, such as a Hall-effect sensor, disposed opposite the encoder. The encoder is a magnetic strip having at least one track encoded thereon, wherein the sensor is juxtaposed with the encoded track such that it produces a digital signal representative of the position of the encoder means and the corresponding gear mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1994
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventors: Alfred J. Santos, Michael C. Brauer
  • Patent number: 5297509
    Abstract: Two bearing cups are rigidly mounted on side portions of a rocker arm and extend over respective arms of a bearing support member. Rolling members within an annulus formed between the bearing cups and the bearing support member permit the rocker arm to oscillate rotatably with respect to the bearing support member. Each bearing cup has a stepped bottom surface with a first bottom portion engageable with ends of the rolling members to limit axial movement of the rolling members and a second bottom portion, offset axially with respect to the first bottom portion, engageable with stop surfaces to limit axial movement of the rocker arm with respect to the support member. A bearing assembly for mounting within a rocker arm is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1994
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventor: Richard F. Murphy
  • Patent number: 5291655
    Abstract: Material is first formed into a flat ring. Ball receiving pockets are formed in the flat ring leaving bridge material between adjacent pockets. Bridge material between adjacent pockets is flattened such that the bridge material spreads to meet the adjacent bearing balls, thereby locking the retainer within a ball bearing assembly. The resulting substantially flat bridge between adjacent reconfigured ball pockets is then crimped such that ends of the bridge are moved slightly toward each other and pressure of the reconfigured ball pockets against the bearing balls is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1994
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey P. Benson, Richard L. Alling
  • Patent number: 5290374
    Abstract: A pin type retainer for roller bearings is stamped in one piece from flat metal stock. The flat metal is first drawn into a cup shape having a broad flange around an open first end and a closed second end. The closed end provides solid support and alignment while stamping pins from the broad flange. The pins are then final shaped by swaging or machining into cross sectional forms for a variety of applications. The second end is then opened to form a ring. The pin type retainer can be modified for use with a retaining ring or a seal against contaminants. The pin type retainer can be formed from a variety of materials, including steel. An embodiment using plastic resin is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1994
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventors: James R. Holtz, Stephen M. Mondak
  • Patent number: 5287738
    Abstract: A target carrier is clamped between a constant velocity joint and a spindle bearing inner race such that an encoded target mounted on the target carrier rotates with a wheel spindle over which the spindle bearing inner race is mounted. A sensor probe is mounted on a steering knuckle within which the constant velocity joint is mounted for the encoded target and for generating a signal indicative of rotation of the wheel spindle. The target carrier may be held by a capturing cup before installation of the constant velocity joint and may serve as a pilot during installation of the constant velocity joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1994
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventors: Mark A. Polinsky, James A. Hilby, Michael C. Brauer
  • Patent number: 5287623
    Abstract: A bearing split outer ring for mounting in a bearing housing, the split outer ring having a first portion subtending somewhat more than 185 degrees of arc and a second portion subtending somewhat less than 185 degrees of arc. The first and second portions of the split outer ring being sized with respect the bearing housing to provide an interference fit therein. In another aspect of the present invention, this is accomplished by providing a method of assembly of a housed bearing. The assembly steps comprise providing a split outer ring with two unequal portions, retaining the split outer ring over an inner raceway with rolling elements therebetween to form a subassembly, positioning the subassembly in a housing base such that the ends of the outer ring are all contained within the housing base, and thereafter, mounting a housing cover over the subassembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1994
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventors: Thomas M. Francis, Gary T. Schick
  • Patent number: 5281036
    Abstract: A bearing retainer subassembly for use between inner and outer bearing races of a rolling element bearing comprises rolling elements, a bearing retainer, and biasing elements within the bearing retainer for biasing the rolling elements toward one of the inner and outer bearing races to extend a zone of contact between the rolling elements and said one bearing race. The biasing elements may be compression springs, finger springs or similar devices and spacers for applying force on the rolling elements or on aligning pins penetrating the rolling elements to move the rolling elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1994
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventor: Jerry P. Rhodes
  • Patent number: RE34565
    Abstract: Axially spaced cams and bearing rings mounted on a tube are permanently secured to the tube by circumferentially spaced projections on the tube extending into grooves formed on the inside surfaces of the cams and bearing rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1994
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Hartnett, Robert Lugosi, James Rollins, John P. Cook, Jeffrey A. Clark