Abstract: A hub bearing assembly includes a housing with a vertical bore, a bearing outer ring disposed within the bore and coupled with the housing and a bearing inner ring disposed within the bearing outer ring and having a central bore configured to receive a portion of the shaft. A set of rolling elements are disposed between the bearing outer and inner rings. An upper seal is disposed within the housing bore externally of the outer ring and includes an annular elastomeric seal body and a garter spring biasing a seal lip radially inwardly. A lower seal is disposed between the bearing outer and inner rings. Either the bearing inner ring is sized such that upper seal is disposed about the bearing inner ring or the hub bearing assembly further comprises an annular spacer disposed within the upper seal and adjacent to the upper axial end of the bearing inner ring.

Abstract: A sealing assembly for a rolling-element bearing includes a first seal element and a second seal element, the first seal element including a first support member mounted on a first bearing ring, a first seal body extending radially from the first support member and having an oblique side surface, and at least one first seal lip extending radially from the first seal body to the second ring to form a first seal and the second seal element including a second support portion mounted on the second ring, a second seal body projecting from the second support portion and at least one second seal lip extending from the second seal body to the oblique side surface to form a second seal. A buffer member extends from the first seal element toward the second seal element and has first and second radially spaced annular ribs that extend toward the second seal element.

Abstract: An inner ring assembly for a bearing includes a bearing annular body disposable about the shaft and having a bearing inner race and a plurality of slotted openings defining a plurality of arcuate mounting tabs, the slotted openings each having a curved inner end and each tab including a substantial recess to reduce stress concentration. An annular locking collar is disposed about and clamps the mounting tabs against the outer surface of the shaft to retain the inner ring. The collar is retained on the ring body by a retainer projection(s) extending outwardly from the mounting tabs and engaging with the collar or a retainer member projecting inwardly from the collar and engaging with one of the mounting tabs. The collar has a gap and a flat outer surface section spaced from the gap to increase the dynamic balance and the flexibility of the collar.

Abstract: A caster hub is provided that includes a housing having a wall with internal and external surfaces and an axial bore defined by the wall. First and second bearings are disposed coaxially in the bore of the housing. Each bearing has a cylindrical inner race and a cylindrical outer race, with the races separated by rolling elements, and the races defining interior and exterior radial end faces of the bearings. A seat is disposed in the bore that is connected to the internal surface of the wall between the first and second bearings. The seat is engageable with the outer races of the bearings at the confronting interior end faces of the bearings. An inner spacer is disposed in the bore between the first and second bearings, the inner spacer being engageable with the inner races of the bearings at the confronting interior end faces of the bearings.

Abstract: A contamination-resistant bearing assembly includes an outer ring mounted within a housing and an inner ring rotatably supported from the outer ring. Inboard and outboard seal structures are disposed within a bearing space defined between the rings and prevent contaminants from entering a rolling element lubrication zone. A surface seal may also be included to protect the spherical interface between the housing and outer ring. The improved structure allows dynamic alignment of the bearing assembly when acted on by outside forces and also allows for extended operation under maintenance free conditions with no need for relubrication.

Abstract: A contamination-resistant bearing assembly includes an outer ring mounted within a housing and an inner ring rotatably supported from the outer ring. Inboard and outboard seal structures are disposed within a bearing space defined between the rings and prevent contaminants from entering a rolling element lubrication zone. A surface seal may also be included to protect the spherical interface between the housing and outer ring. The improved structure allows dynamic alignment of the bearing assembly when acted on by outside forces and also allows for extended operation under maintenance free conditions with no need for relubrication.

Abstract: A bearing assembly for a shaft including an inner ring that mounts on the shaft and an outer ring disposed concentrically about the inner ring. Ball bearings are interposed between the inner and outer rings. Fingers are formed on one side of the inner ring and they extend axially with adjacent fingers defining longitudinally extending slots. An outwardly opening notch is formed in each of the fingers to create an outwardly opening circumferential groove around the inner ring. A compressible annular locking collar is positioned circumferentially around the fingers. A fastener screw is operable to compress the fingers into locking engagement with the shaft. A first elongated locking rod extends through the locking collar and into an outwardly opening notch in one of the fingers to secure the locking collar against axial movement relative to the fingers.

Abstract: A contaminant-resistant bearing assembly includes a multi-lip seal with an extended shroud supported from the outer ring and projecting adjacent a stepped inner ring shoulder. A steel slinger supported from the inner ring is offset outwardly adjacent the shroud and includes a radially outer edge terminating closely adjacent the connection of the seal shroud to the outer ring. The slinger includes an outer portion angled inwardly from the radial direction and supporting a lip seal which contacts an angled portion of the seal shroud at a central location between the rings. A primary step machined on the inner ring prevents the slinger from being pushed into the seal.

Abstract: A bearing assembly comprising an inner ring for mounting on a shaft, an outer ring disposed concentrically about the inner ring, a plurality of roller elements interposed between the inner and outer rings. The inner ring includes fingers which extend axially from a side thereof and terminate in outer annular end walls. A compressible annular locking collar is positioned circumferentially about the fingers. The locking collar has a larger inside diameter and a smaller inside diameter. The larger inside diameter has an axial length not greater than the axial length of the fingers. The larger inside diameter is sized to fit over and engage the fingers. The smaller inside diameter is sized to define an annular radially extending wall which engages the outer annular end walls of the fingers. The locking collar has a fastener screw for causing the larger diameter of the locking collar to compress the fingers into locking engagement with the shaft.