Abstract: A fitting assembly for installation in an opening in a tub shell wall of a bathing installation tub. A resilient grommet is sized to be inserted into the opening and has an interior peripheral recess defined in a wall portion, having a recess cross-sectional configuration. A fitting body has a protruding external rib having a rib cross-sectional configuration complimentary to the recess cross-sectional configuration, the rib positioned on the fitting body so that when the fitting body is inserted into the grommet, the rib is received into the recess on the grommet. The grommet and fitting are configured such that the recess and the rib are positioned behind the back surface of the shell wall when installed in the opening, and the grommet is compressed by the edge of the shell opening and pushed outwardly by the rib to lock the fitting into the shell opening.

Abstract: A clutch actuator (1) for actuating a vehicle clutch includes a cylinder (3) filled with pressure medium. An annular piston (4) is axially displaceably arranged in the cylinder. The annular piston (4) is fixedly operatively connected to a sliding sleeve (5) slidably mounted on a guide sleeve (6). A radially inner casing surface (16) of the annular piston (4) has an inner radius (Ri) and is arranged radially next to the guide sleeve (6). A sliding ring (18; 19) supports the sliding sleeve (5) on the guide sleeve (6). The sliding ring (18; 19; 18a) is inserted into a groove (27; 28) in the radially inner casing surface (16). In order to be able to mount undivided sliding rings, the groove (27; 28) has a single radially extending groove wall (29; 32) and is open toward an axially outer or inner end face (30; 33) of the annular piston (4).

Abstract: A method for attaching a bearing carrier having an opening to an outer ring of a bearing includes placing the bearing carrier against a first body that is not the outer ring of the bearing, pressing the first body against a first location on the bearing carrier with a force having a radial component to increase a width of the opening of the bearing carrier, placing the opening of the bearing carrier on the outer ring of the bearing while maintaining the force, and releasing the force after placing the bearing carrier on the outer ring.

Abstract: A height-adjustable steering column for motor vehicles may include an outer sleeve that receives a steering spindle and is connected to an actuating unit. The actuating unit can be mounted pivotably by way of two pivot bearings on a retaining unit, which can be fixedly connected to a vehicle chassis. The two pivot bearings may be disposed at a horizontal distance to one another on a pivot axis and may each comprise a dihedron projection and a recess that engages with the dihedron projection. Each recess may comprise an introduction region for introduction of the respective dihedron projection in a radial direction with respect to the pivot axis.

Abstract: A sintered bearing comprises: a bearing sleeve that is formed of a sintered material and has a shaft hole; an annular ring-shaped seal member that is disposed such that one surface thereof comes into contact with the bearing sleeve; and a washer member that comes into contact with the other surface of the seal member on a side opposite to the one surface and is configured for the seal member to engage with the bearing sleeve. The washer member is fixed to the bearing sleeve.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tilting pad bearing (1) for mounting a shaft, which bearing comprises a housing (10) with an inner side (8) and a housing longitudinal axis (L) and at least one tilting pad (2) with a rear side (6) which faces the inner side (8) of the housing (10), wherein an elevation (22) arranged on the rear side (6) of the at least one tilting pad (2) is arranged in a depression (12), which is arranged in the inner side (8) of the housing (10), in such a way that a first contact face (26) present on the elevation (22) bears against a second contact face (20) on a bottom of the depression (22).

Abstract: An improved sealing system for a poppet valve rotating sleeve internal combustion engine with rotating liners. A hydrodynamic face seal assembly includes a spring pre-load assembly provides a uniform loading to a primary sealing ring. A secondary seal is provided between the primary sealing ring and the cylinder head. Hydrodynamic face seal features are provided either on the mating face of the primary sealing ring or on the annular face of the rotating liner. The hydrodynamic face seal features include an inner sealing zone, and an outer loading zone with a plurality of hydrodynamic lift pads, and dam features which create converging surfaces. A lubricant is provided to the annular face of the rotating liner, so that a lubricant layer can be maintained between the primary sealing ring mating face and the rotating liner.

Abstract: A synthetic resin-made sliding bearing 1 includes a synthetic resin-made upper casing 3 having a cylindrical outer peripheral side surface 2; a synthetic resin-made lower casing 6 which has a cylindrical inner peripheral side surface 5 opposed to the outer peripheral side surface 2 on an outer side in a radial direction A so as to surround the outer peripheral side surface 2 with a cylindrical fitting clearance 4 extending in a vertical direction B intersecting the radial direction A, and on which the upper casing 3 is mounted as the upper casing 3 is fitted thereto such that the displacement of the lower casing 6 with respect to the upper casing 3 in the radial direction A is made possible with a width a as a minimum width of the fitting clearance 4 in the radial direction A by being restricted by the contact of the inner peripheral side surface 5 with the outer peripheral side surface 2; and a synthetic resin-made thrust sliding bearing 9 disposed in an annular space 7 between the upper casing 3 and the low

Abstract: A tapered land thrust bearing device with a land surface having a substantially reduced area without changing the contour shape of the land surface even if the area of the land surface is small, and high mechanical efficiency, as well as a turbocharger provided with the bearing device. A tapered land thrust bearing device includes: a flange portion fitted onto a rotary shaft and including a first thrust portion; and a thrust member including a second thrust portion which is disposed around a through hole and which faces the first thrust portion of the flange portion.

Abstract: An oil-lubricated, tapered-land thrust bearing assembly (60) for automotive turbochargers (10) including a thrust bearing (30). The thrust bearing (30) includes an assembly of a base (62) with at least one insert (64 or 66), which is designed to control the oil film as a purposefully compliant structure based on applied force to optimize performance at low and high power operation. The ramp angle is relatively large at a low load and decreases to a smaller ramp angle at higher loads. On one side of the turbocharger (10), the thrust bearing assembly (60) may operate with a flinger sleeve (34) and a thrust washer (24) within a complementary bearing housing cover (32).

Abstract: A conductive fastener assembly, system, and method, wherein the fastener assembly includes a fastener, a fastener sleeve, a nut, and a lubricant coating. The lubricant coating is deposited on a distal portion of a fastener shank and is omitted from the rest of the fastener. To overcome the stresses placed on the fastener sleeve by the insertion of the fastener shank largely devoid of a lubricant coating, the fastener sleeve is reinforced by one or more of an increased thickness, a high-strength alloy, and a soft metal coating.

Abstract: A pin joint assembly for an aircraft landing gear having an elongate joint pin; at least one first lug through which the joint pin passes; and at least one second lug through which the joint pin passes. The joint pin assembly includes first and second retaining elements located at opposite ends of the joint pin and arranged to maintain the location of the joint pin relative to the first and second lugs. At least portion of the pin joint assembly is elastically deformable.

Abstract: A sliding bearing 4 includes a bearing base portion 9 having a notched portion 8, a bearing portion 12 having an outer peripheral surface 10 adapted to be brought into contact with an inner peripheral surface 3 of a gear case 2, a pair of bearing portions 14 sandwiching the bearing portion 12 through each of a pair of slits 13 in a direction R about an axis O, and a pair of circular arc portions 17 sandwiching the pair of bearing portions 14 through each of a pair of slits 15 in the direction R about the axis.

Abstract: A fan device with oil-retaining bearing includes a base seat and an oil-retaining bearing. The base seat has a central tubular section and a bearing cup extending from the central tubular section to one side. The bearing cup has an internal bearing hole. The central tubular section has at least one mating section in adjacency to the bearing hole. The oil-retaining bearing is disposed in the bearing hole. The oil-retaining bearing has at least one connection section mated with the mating section. The connection section and the mating section are mated with each other so that the oil-retaining bearing is securely disposed in the bearing hole. In addition, the operation of the shaft will not be affected due to the press fit and the difficulty in controlling the glue dispensing process.

Abstract: An anti-vibration rubber member includes: a rubber elastic body that is made of a self-lubricating rubber containing an elastomer and a bleeding lubricant; a coating film that covers at least a portion of a sliding inner surface that is a surface of the rubber elastic body disposed on an inner side of a sliding surface, contains a resin having a mercapto group and a solid lubricant containing polytetrafluoroethylene particles and ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene particles, and is deformable to follow up deformation of the rubber elastic body; and a lubricating film that covers at least a portion of a surface of the coating film, is formed by including the bleeding lubricant having penetrated the coating film from the rubber elastic body and oozing onto the surface of the coating film, and forms at least a portion of the sliding surface.

Abstract: A synthetic resin-made sliding bearing 1 includes a synthetic resin-made upper casing 2 which is fixed to a mounting member on a vehicle body side through a mounting member; a synthetic resin-made lower casing 3 which is superposed on the upper casing 2 so as to be rotatable about an axis O in a circumferential direction R relative to the upper casing 2; and a synthetic resin-made sliding bearing piece 5 disposed in a space 4 between the upper casing 2 and the lower casing 3.

Abstract: A synthetic resin-made sliding bearing 1 includes a synthetic resin-made upper casing 2 which is fixed to a vehicle body side through a mounting member; a synthetic resin-made lower casing 3 which is superposed on the upper casing 2 so as to be rotatable about an axis O in a circumferential direction R relative to the upper casing 2; and a synthetic resin-made sliding bearing piece 5 disposed in a space 4 between the upper casing 2 and the lower casing 3.

Abstract: A tubular vibration-damping device including an outer tube member made of synthetic resin, which includes a locking part having a locking projection. An abutting part is provided on an inner circumference side of the locking part across a recess. An axial tip end of the abutting part is aligned with or outward beyond an axial tip end of the locking part in an axial direction. A distance between facing surfaces of the locking part and the abutting part is set to not less than a projecting height of the locking projection. A restricting mechanism to prevent the locking projection from being displaced circumferentially inward beyond the outer tube member is provided by, through abutment of the locking part against the abutting part, restricting an amount of deformation of the locking part due to an external force exerted on the locking projection.

Abstract: A method for operating a rotary machine with a rotor that is mounted in a bearing is provided. The rotor is subjected to a thrust that acts substantially in only an axial direction during the operating time. The thrust is received and dissipated by a first thrust bearing of the bearing via sliding means, the bearing having a second thrust bearing. The axial vibrations of the rotor are damped or completely prevented by means of the second thrust bearing generating a force that acts on the first thrust bearing in the direction of the thrust at least temporarily at the same time as the thrust occurs.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate a bearing assembly, which may be operated at least partially hydrodynamically, and includes a support ring having reduced-thickness portions configured to elastically flex for promoting hydrodynamic fluid flow between opposing bearings of the bearing apparatus incorporated in a bearing apparatus. The disclosed bearing assemblies and apparatuses may be employed in downhole motors of a subterranean drilling system or other mechanical systems.

Abstract: An electrical submersible pump assembly includes a centrifugal pump having impellers and diffusers. A thrust runner is coupled to a motor shaft for rotation along with the impellers. The runner receives thrust from at least one of the impellers and transfers the thrust to a bushing non rotatably mounted in one of the diffusers. The bushing has a thrust transferring end adjacent a thrust receiving shoulder in the diffuser. The bushing is axially movable in the receptacle. An annular spring located between the thrust receiving shoulder in the receptacle and the thrust transferring end of the bushing urges the bushing away from the thrust receiving shoulder.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bearing part as well as to a spray method for manufacturing a layer system on a bearing part, such as, in particular, a connecting rod eye of a connecting rod for a reciprocating piston combustion engine, with a layer system containing at least tin being provided on a surface of the bearing part. In accordance with the invention, an outer, thermally sprayed, top layer of the layer system is composed only of tin with the exception of contaminants.

Abstract: A cushion insert includes a body having a slot. A first cushion half and a second cushion half extend in an arc in opposite directions from the slot and have ends spaced apart to form a gap in a location opposite the slot. A passageway extends axially through the cushion insert and is defined by the first cushion half and the second cushion half. A spacer extends axially along a top of the body and has a passage. A tab extends axially along a bottom of the body.

Abstract: A bearing assembly can include a top retainer; a middle retainer having a first concave spherical surface; a bottom retainer having a second concave spherical surface; a spherical ball member; and an elastomeric member coupled to the first concave spherical surface, the second concave spherical surface, and an outer surface of the spherical ball member.

Abstract: An agricultural tillage implement includes a frame member and at least one rolling basket assembly coupled to the frame member. The rolling basket assembly has at least one bearing hanger, at least one rolling basket and at least one bearing assembly rotationally coupling the rolling basket to the bearing hanger. The bearing assembly has a bearing with an inner ring and a spindle holding the inner ring. The spindle is coupled to the bearing hanger. The spindle being configured to accommodate dynamic misalignment of the bearing.

Abstract: A pitch bearing for connecting first and second articles is provided. The first article includes a first curved outer surface and the second article includes a second curved outer surface opposite the first curved outer surface. The pitch bearing includes an axisymmetric structure interposed between the first and second curved outer surfaces. The axisymmetric structure includes compliant layers and stabilizing layers interleaved between the compliant layers. The compliant layers and the stabilizing layers proximate to the first article haves a curvature matching that of the first curved outer surface. The compliant layers and the stabilizing layers proximate to the second article have a curvature matching that of the second curved outer surface. A shear stiffness of each of the stabilizing layers is greater than a shear stiffness of each of the compliant layers.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a torsion beam axle for a vehicle. The torsion beam axle comprises two longitudinal swing arms connected by a torsion profile and two bearing arrangements. Each bearing arrangement is configured to attach a respective longitudinal swing arm to a body of the vehicle. Each bearing arrangement has a rotational axis, and the rotational axes of the bearing arrangements run in parallel to or are aligned with one another. Each of the bearing arrangements has a bearing core, which is connected to one of the longitudinal swing arms, and at least one bearing arm which is coupled to the bearing core. The bearing arm comprises a supporting section, which is coupled to the bearing core, and an elastic bending section with a connecting region, via which the bearing arm can be at least indirectly attached to the body of the vehicle.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a bearing device used for a connecting part of a construction machine. The bearing device has: a boom having a boss part; an arm having left and right brackets that sandwich the boss part from the left and right sides thereof; a bush that is retained by an inner peripheral side of the boss part; a sealing that is disposed between the bush and the left and right brackets and that prevents a lubricant from leaking out of the bush; a thrust plate inserted between the left and right brackets and the boss part; and a coupling pin that penetrates and is inserted through the left and right brackets and the bush. The thrust plate has a partially cut out annular shape and an angle of a cut-out portion in the circumferential direction is less than 180° at an inner peripheral portion.

Abstract: A damper film bearing assembly for supporting a rotatable shaft includes a bearing housing having a longitudinal opening passing therethrough for receiving the rotatable shaft. The bearing housing also has at least one radial recess formed in an outer surface thereof. At least one resilient element is disposed within the recess in the bearing housing above the floor of the recess, the resilient element biasing the support piston away from the axis of the rotatable shaft. The resilient element in accordance with the disclosure may be a bridge spring or a rod spring as appropriate.

Abstract: The invention provides a rolling bearing assembly device having an inner race, an outer race, at least one row of rolling elements between the inner race and the outer race, and a sleeve mounted in the bore of the inner race. An annular elastic element is mounted axially between a radial bearing flange of the sleeve and the inner race, the elastic element having an inner bore that is able to bear against an outer surface of the sleeve so as to transmit a force having a radial component in the direction of the interior of the device. The sleeve includes at least one slot extending axially towards the inner race from a lower edge of the radial bearing flange, the lower edge being disposed on the opposite side from the inner race.

Abstract: A bearing assembly comprises a bearing, a shim disposed within the bearing, and a component disposed within the shim. The shim comprises a first material, the component comprises a second material, and the first material has an elastic modulus value that is lower than an elastic modulus value of the second material. An apparatus comprises an elastomeric bearing, a fiberglass shim, and a steel spindle that is connected to the elastomeric bearing through the shim. A method for reducing strain in an adhesive layer that connects a bearing to a component comprises selecting a shim material having an elastic modulus value that is less than an elastic modulus value of the component and providing instructions to connect the component to the shim by placing the adhesive layer between an outer surface of the component and an inner surface of the shim.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to two-bladed turbine nacelles and associated teetering hinges. In certain embodiments, the invention provides a hinge assembly encompassing a hub and two double elastomeric teeter bearings. In some aspects, the bearings are self-contained elements that can be preloaded in a controlled manner prior to their incorporation into the larger assembly.

Abstract: An idler arm bracket bearing includes a plurality of inwardly extending fingers to contact the bracket. The fingers deflect toward the bearing body as the fingers contact the bracket, thereby ensuring a full contact fit that provides a tighter joint assembly. Rib members are located between the fingers to center the bracket and limit the resilient deflection of the fingers.

Abstract: The invention concerns a bearing assembly (2) of a steering column lever on a steering column part (1) of a motor vehicle, wherein the steering column lever is mounted on the steering column part (1) pivotably at least indirectly via a bearing (5, 9) having a main bearing point (26, 28) which is formed by a main bearing journal (4, 10) and a corresponding main bearing sleeve (20, 21). The bearing (5, 9) has an additional bearing journal (7, 11) which is arranged concentrically in relation to the main bearing journal (4, 10) and in particular has a smaller diameter than the main bearing journal (4, 10), wherein the additional bearing journal (7, 11) and a corresponding additional bearing sleeve (17, 23) form an additional bearing point (27, 29) of the bearing (5, 9), and wherein the main bearing point (26, 28) is formed with play and the additional bearing point (27, 29) without play.

Abstract: A timepiece bearing has a bearing member of unitary construction that is provided at least at one end portion of a shaft member for undergoing rotation around an axis and that regulates movement of the shaft member in axial and radial directions of the shaft member. An elastic member applies an urging force in an axial direction of the bearing member to hold the bearing member in contact with the shaft member. A frame member supported by and fixed to a support member contains the bearing member. The elastic member is provided so as to establish connection between the bearing member and the frame member. The shaft member is configured to undergo rotation around the rotational axis while the shaft member and the bearing member are held in contact with each other by the elastic member.

Abstract: A support device for a rotary drum having at least one roller capable of cooperating with the drum. At least two bearings permit the rotation of the roller about its axis of rotation. The support device has a chassis into which the bearings are secured. The chassis is mounted for pivoting about a pivotal axis substantially perpendicular to the plane passing through the axis of rotation of the roller and perpendicular to a block onto which the support device is placed. The device also includes a connector which is flexible in a given direction and rigid in the directions orthogonal to the direction of flexibility. The connector maintains the bearings on the block while permitting free pivotal movement of the chassis in such a way to permit alignment of the roller on the drum in the event of pivoting.

Abstract: An elastomeric bearing can be incorporated into a bearing joint assembly of an undercarriage of a track-type machine. The elastomeric bearing can include a plurality of alternating elastomeric layers and metal plies that are configured to allow at least three degrees of relative rotational movement and can allow the relative rotation of roll, pitch, and yaw. The elastomeric bearing can be generally cylindrical with the elastomeric layers and metal plies being generally barrel-shaped such that the cross-section of the elastomeric layers and metal plies define an annular arc that follows an axis of revolution that coincides with a central longitudinal axis thereof.

Abstract: An elastomeric spherical bearing includes a multiple of shims, at least two of which have different thicknesses. In one exemplary embodiment, each of the shims has a different thickness with a generally equivalent stress on each shim.

Abstract: A bearing is provided for a vehicle having a receptacle element, which has an oval external contour for a connection to a vehicle body section of the vehicle and a passage for the accommodation of a piston rod of a spring strut of the wheel mount of the vehicle.

Abstract: A damper film bearing assembly for supporting a rotatable shaft includes a bearing housing having a longitudinal opening passing therethrough for receiving the rotatable shaft. The bearing housing also has at least one radial recess formed in an outer surface thereof. At least one resilient element is disposed within the recess in the bearing housing above the floor of the recess, the resilient element biasing the support piston away from the axis of the rotatable shaft. The resilient element in accordance with the disclosure may be a bridge spring or a rod spring as appropriate.

Abstract: Centrifugally decoupling mechanical bearing systems provide thin tensioned metallic ribbons contained in a support structure. This assembly rotates around a stationary shaft being centered at low speeds by the action of the metal ribbons. Tension springs are connected on one end to the ribbons and on the other end to the support structure. The ribbons pass through slots in the inner ring of the support structure. The spring preloading thus insures contact (or near-contact) between the ribbons and the shaft at rotation speeds below the transition speed. Above this speed, however, the centrifugal force on the ribbons produces a tensile force on them that exceeds the spring tensile force so that the ribbons curve outward, effectively decoupling them from mechanical contact with the shaft. They still remain, however, in position to act as a touchdown bearing in case of abnormally high transverse accelerations.

Abstract: A bearing arrangement having first and second components located for relative operational movement by a respective bearing. The bearing has a bearing element including a pack of resiliently flexible bristles or leaves for transmitting force between the components thereby locally to provide a relative kinematic constraint on at least one degree of freedom of the components during the relative operational movement.

Abstract: A stabilizer bushing wherein there is low friction resistance between the stabilizer bushing and a stabilizer bar, and a coating film is not prone to separation from a rubber elastic body. Stabilizer bushings include: a rubber elastic body that is made of a self-lubricating rubber containing an elastomer and a bleeding lubricant, that includes a holding hole that holds a stabilizer bar on a radial inner side, and that is shaped as a cylinder attached to a body of a vehicle by brackets, a coating film that covers an inner circumferential surface of the holding hole, that contains a resin having a mercapto group, and that is deformable to follow up deformation of the rubber elastic body; and a lubricating film that is formed on a surface of the coating film by the bleeding lubricant of the rubber elastic body penetrating the coating film and oozing onto the surface of the coating film, and that is in relative sliding contact with an outer circumferential surface of the stabilizer bar.

Abstract: A bearing or tolerance ring has multiple functional layers including an annular metallic band and an elastomeric layer. The tolerance ring also includes a low friction layer that is bonded to the other layers.

Abstract: Bearing arrangement for a rotatable shaft comprising an inner bearing part for coupling to an end of the shaft, an outer bearing part for coupling to a mounting structure, and an axis of rotation, wherein at least one of the inner bearing part and the outer bearing part, at least in certain areas, possesses elastic deformability, at least in part, perpendicular to the axis of rotation, and an arrangement comprising the bearing arrangement and a shaft, as well as an oscillator comprising the latter.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a reaction rod arrangement for a vehicle including a bushing. The bushing comprises a rigid core member having a bearing portion and defining a longitudinal axis. An elastomer body is arranged on at least a portion of a radially outer surface of the bearing portion. The bearing portion comprises a first tapering portion tapering towards one axial end of the bearing portion and a second tapering portion tapering towards an opposite axial end of the bearing portion. An axial extension of the bearing portion is larger than a maximal radial extension with respect to the longitudinal axis. The elastomer body is movably arranged on the bearing portion to perform a rotational movement about the longitudinal axis relative to the rigid core member and a tilting movement about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis relative to the rigid core member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rotary slide bearing (25a), especially for an output shaft (19) of an axial piston engine (1), comprising an inner rotary bearing part and an outer rotary bearing part (31, 32) having coaxially arranged sleeve-type sliding surfaces (31a, 32a) and mounted in such a way that they can be relatively rotated and slide over each other. In order to improve the rotary slide bearing (25c), the sliding surface (31a) of one (31) of the rotary bearing parts has an axially convex embodiment (31b), and the other rotary bearing part (32) has an elastic embodiment (32b) radially opposing the convex embodiment (32b).

Abstract: A multi-link hinge for a door includes a fastening element that is securable to a furniture body. A pivotable door bearing is movable with respect to the fastening element. The pivotable door bearing defines an opened position, a closed position, and a pivot range between the opened position and the closed position. Several levers are connected to one another in a scissored arrangement. The levers connect the fastening element to the pivotable door bearing. A spring is operably disposed between the fastening element and the pivotable door bearing. The spring is pre-tensioned to bias the pivotable door bearing into the closed position. A linear damper is operably disposed between the fastening element and the pivotable door bearing. The linear damper dampens a closing movement of the door bearing. The multi-link hinge may be employed to prevent slamming of refrigerator doors, for example.

Abstract: An actuator mounting assembly includes an actuator and a bearing removably attached to the actuator. A bearing plate includes a hole formed therein for receiving the bearing. A bearing mounting plate includes a hole formed therein for receiving the bearing. First and second bearing inserts are removably disposed about the holes formed in the bearing plate and bearing mounting plate. The bearing mounting plate and bearing plate are coupled to retain the bearing and bearing inserts therebetween firming a seal wherein the actuator is angularly movable about the bearing.

Abstract: An operator suitable for opening and closing casement windows includes a housing (e.g., a base and a cover), and an operator arm subassembly driven by a worm. The operator arm subassembly may include at least one operator arm pivotally disposed in the housing via a flanged bearing. The operator arm may define a gear. If a plurality of operator arms are present, a sun gear may be used. The flanged bearing properly aligns the components to reduce stresses encountered during use. The flanged bearing may have a base portion, a middle portion, and an upper portion in a stepped configuration. The base may engage the base of the housing. The upper portion of the bearing may engage a cover of the housing. A middle portion of the bearing pivotally joins the arm and/or sun gear. The instant flanged bearing provides a smoother, more efficient operation and increases the useful life of the operator.