Abstract: A self-aligning miniature ball bearing assembly is disclosed for being pressed into an opening formed in a substrate such as a sheet, a pillar block, a mounting flange, or a shaft. In one embodiment, the assembly is self-clinching when pressed into the opening and in an alternate embodiment the assembly is press-fittable into the opening and held with a friction fit. The miniature ball bearing of the assembly is mounted within a retainer and held against an angled bearing seat by a elastomeric compression ring. This allows the axis of the ball bearing to assume any orientation within a cone having a half angle of about 5 degrees with respect to an axis of the retainer. The ball bearing is thereby self-aligning upon receiving a shaft to be rotationally mounted in the assembly.

Abstract: A self-aligning miniature ball bearing assembly is disclosed for being pressed into an opening formed in a substrate such as a sheet, a pillar block, a mounting flange, or a shaft. In one embodiment, the assembly is self-clinching when pressed into the opening and in an alternate embodiment the assembly is press-fitable into the opening and held with a friction fit. The miniature ball bearing of the assembly is mounted within a retainer and held against an angled bearing seat by a elastomeric compression ring. This allows the axis of the ball bearing to assume any orientation within a cone having a half angle of about 5 degrees with respect to an axis of the retainer. The ball bearing is thereby self-aligning upon receiving a shaft to be rotationally mounted in the assembly.