Abstract: Provided is a two-way clutch capable of making a size in an axial direction thereof compact. A first engaging element and a second engaging element are arranged in a first wedge-shaped space and a second wedge-shaped space between an outer member and an inner member. The first engaging element is held by the first retainer and the first retainer is enabled to swing to the outer member. The second engaging element is held by the second retainer and the second retainer is enabled to swing to the outer member. In a side view orthogonal to an axial direction of the first engaging element and the second engaging element, at least a part of the first engaging element and at least a part of the second engaging element overlap in the axial direction.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a steering column disposed in a steering apparatus including a housing cover connected to a drive unit housing and a bearing disposed in the housing cover, the steering column including: a main body elongated in one direction and having one side inserted into and supported by the housing cover; an enlarged diameter portion formed as one side of the main body expands in diameter; and a through-hole penetratively formed in an outer periphery of the enlarged diameter portion so as to be coupled to the housing cover.

Abstract: There is provided a ball bearing having a cage and balls held in the cage, the balls arranged one behind the other at a distance from one another in a circumferential direction about an axis of rotation of the ball bearing. The cage assembled from at least two cage parts joined to one another in a bonded manner and completely enclose the balls in a circumferential surface extending around the axis of rotation. A first cage part designed as a snap cage having axial webs projecting in the direction of the axis of rotation from a closed base ring and form ball pockets therebetween them, the first cage part encloses the balls along their outer circumference by more than 180°, holds the balls positively while forming an undercut and limits displacement of the balls within the circumferential surface in the direction of the at least one other second cage part.

Abstract: A bi-directional overrunning clutch differential is configured to transmit power from an input shaft to a first output shaft and a second output shaft in a vehicle. The differential includes a differential housing having a first bearing seat and a second bearing seat. A first bearing is carried by the differential housing in the first bearing seat, and a second bearing is carried by the differential housing in the second bearing seat. A first retaining ring secures the first bearing in the first bearing seat, and a second retaining ring secures the second bearing in the second bearing seat. A first output hub is carried by the first bearing for rotation relative to the differential housing, and a second output hub is carried by the second bearing for rotation relative to the differential housing.

Abstract: A roller retainer cage for a roller thrust bearing, including a first cage half with an annular portion, a first flange extending axially from an inner peripheral edge of the annular portion and a second flange extending axially from an outer peripheral edge of the annular portion, a second cage half including an annular portion, a first flange extending axially from an inner peripheral edge of the annular portion and a second flange extending axially from an outer peripheral edge of the annular portion, wherein the first flange of the first cage half is disposed radially-outwardly of the first flange of the second cage half, the second flange of the first cage half is disposed radially-inwardly of the second flange of the second cage half, and the first cage half is comprised of a through-hardened metal.

Abstract: A bearing cage assembly is disclosed. The assembly includes a stiffening ring formed from a first material, and a cage formed from a second material that is different than the first material. The cage includes a plurality of arms extending axially away from a base rim. The plurality of arms define a plurality of rolling element pockets therebetween. Each of the plurality of arms defines a slot dimensioned to receive a portion of the stiffening ring, such that the stiffening ring is secured to the cage via engagement within the slots of the plurality of arms.

Abstract: A snap-fit ball bearing cage, including: a first ring-half supported for rotation around an axis of rotation and including a plurality of first curved surfaces; a second ring-half including a plurality of second curved surfaces and a plurality of first protrusions non-rotatably connecting the second ring-half to the first ring-half, each first protrusion forming a portion of a radially outer perimeter of the second ring-half, or each first protrusion forming a portion of a radially inner perimeter of the second ring-half; and a plurality of balls. The plurality of first curved surfaces and the plurality of second curved surfaces define a plurality of openings; the plurality of balls is disposed in the plurality of openings. Each first curved surface, included in the plurality of first curved surfaces, is a mirror image of a second curved surface included in the plurality of second curved surfaces.

Abstract: A bearing cage assembly including two different cage halves formed from different materials is disclosed. The first cage half includes a first rim and a first plurality of arms extending from the first rim. The second cage half includes a second rim and a second plurality of arms extending from the second rim. The first cage half and the second cage half are fastened to each other via engagement between a plurality of first retainers of the first cage half with the plurality of second retainers of the second cage half.

Abstract: A bearing cage assembly is disclosed that includes two sub-assemblies. Both cage sub-assemblies include a shell half formed from plastic, and defining a plurality of rolling element pockets and openings. Each sub-assembly also includes a frame half formed from metal, and including a rim and a plurality of crossbars. The shell halves are overmolded with the frame halves. The first cage sub-assembly and the second cage sub-assembly are connected to each other via insertion of the crossbars into the openings of the other sub-assembly, such that free ends of the crossbars engage the other rim.

Abstract: A combination (2290) of an annular rotary knife blade (2300) and blade housing assembly (2400) for a power operated dermatome (2000). The rotary knife blade includes an inner wall (2310) defining an interior region (2301) and including a lower tissue-directing surface (2370) adjacent a cutting edge (2360) and a radially recessed upper portion (2380). The blade housing assembly includes a blade housing (2410) having a first end (2412) and an axially spaced apart second end (2414) and an inner wall (2416) and a radially spaced apart outer wall (2418). The blade housing includes a blade housing cover (2450) extending from the inner wall into the blade interior region. The blade housing cover includes a shield (2470) extending along the recessed upper portion of the rotary knife blade inner wall and having an inner surface (2472) adjacent and continuing the lower tissue-directing surface of the rotary knife blade inner wall.

Abstract: A bearing assembly includes an outer ring having an outer raceway and an inner ring having an inner raceway and a flange defining an outer diameter of the inner ring. A plurality of rolling elements is retained between the outer and inner rings on the outer and inner raceways. A cage has first and second side rings interconnected by a plurality of bridges to form a plurality of windows, each window receiving a respective rolling element to maintain relative spacing between adjacent rolling elements. At least some of the bridges include a projection on a radially inner side such that the plurality of proj ections together define an inner diameter of the cage, the inner diameter of the cage being smaller than the outer diameter of the inner ring to create interference and deformation of the cage as the cage is installed over the flange of the inner ring.

Abstract: A retainer for a bearing is entirely formed into an annular shape and has a crown shape. The retainer includes pockets which are formed at a plurality of locations in a circumferential direction of the retainer and are each opened on a radially outer side and a radially inner side. The pockets retain balls being rolling elements so that the balls are rollable. A grease flow-in passage is provided between an inner surface of each of the plurality of pockets and each of the balls.

Abstract: A rolling bearing includes a cage constructed by coupling a pair of split members that are split into halves in an axial direction of the rolling bearing. At least one of the split members has an engagement portion that protrudes in the axial direction toward the other one of the split members. The other one of the split members has an engagement groove that extends along the axial direction and houses the engagement portion. The engagement groove has an insertion port through which the engagement portion is inserted in the axial direction. The insertion port is formed at an end of the engagement groove that is closer to the one of the split members. At least one circumferential face of the engagement groove includes a first inclined surface that increases a circumferential width of the insertion port toward the one of the split members.

Abstract: A synthetic resin retainer includes two annular members having opposed surfaces opposed to each other and each formed with a plurality of pockets which are circumferentially spaced apart from each other, and in which the balls are received. Each annular member includes axially concave, arc-shaped pocket wall portions defining the inner surfaces of the pockets, and flat plate-shaped coupling plate portions coupling together the adjacent pairs of the pocket wall portions. The coupling plate portions have axial thicknesses of 30% or less of the diameters of the balls, and the pocket wall portions have, at deepest points of the pockets, thicknesses of 10% or less of the diameters of the balls.

Abstract: A two-part bearing cage for a rolling-element bearing includes first and second identical cage halves each including an annular base body, a plurality of pins extending axially from the annular base body, and a plurality of pin receptacles, each of the plurality of pin receptacles having a shape complementary to a shape of a pin. Each of the pins on one cage half engages into one of the receptacles of the other cage half to form bearing cage bridges and pockets between the bridges, and each of the receptacles includes a radially outwardly disposed, axially extending ring wall section that radially outwardly supports the pin received in that receptacle.

Abstract: A tapered roller bearing (31a) has a plurality of retainer segments (11a, 11d) each having a pocket to house a tapered roller (34a), and arranged so as to be continuously lined with each other in a circumferential direction between an outer ring (32a) and an inner ring (33a). The retainer segment (11a, 11d) is formed of a resin containing a filler material to lower a thermal linear expansion coefficient. In addition, a clearance (39a) is provided between the first retainer segment (11a) and the last retainer segment (11d) after the plurality of retainer segments (11a, 11d) have been arranged in the circumferential direction without providing any clearance. Here a circumferential range (R) of the clearance (39a) is larger than 0.075% of a circumference of a circle passing through a center of the retainer segment (11a, 11d) and smaller than 0.12% thereof at room temperature.

Abstract: A cage for a rolling bearing formed from two axial halves and a rolling bearing cage assembly including a cage formed from two axial halves, include passages formed through the web separating adjacent rolling element pockets when the two halves are in an abutting relationship. A rigid element is inserted in at least one passage with radial ends extending into the adjacent rolling element pockets.

Abstract: A two-part bearing cage for a ball bearing, including a first and a second annular body (1a, 1b) having a plurality of retaining claws (2) on their opposing end faces. The two annular bodies (1a, 1b) have an identical design and can be mounted opposite each other in such a way that cut-out sections (3) receive the retaining claws (2), thereby forming pockets (4) for receiving and guiding rolling bodies (5). The number of pockets (4) corresponds to the number of rolling bodies (5). According to the invention, the individual pockets (4) are arranged at a distance from one another in the circumferential direction in such a way that a free area (6) for receiving lubricant is formed between two pockets (4). At least two pairs of retaining claws (2), at least two individual retaining claws (2), and the base of a pocket combine to form one pocket (4). The invention also relates to a ball bearing comprising a two-part bearing cage of this type.

Abstract: A rolling bearing is provided that includes an outer ring, an inner ring, and a plurality of rollers disposed between the outer and inner rings to engage a radially outer lateral surface of the inner ring and a radially inner lateral surface of the outer ring and being laterally held, in a direction parallel to a relative rotation axis (A) between the rings, by respective axial shoulders. The axial shoulders each consist of an annular element made of synthetic plastic material as an independent element from the rings that engages in a snapping manner either the inner ring or the outer ring; the inner and outer rings being provided, at their respective radially outer and inner lateral surfaces and at opposite axial ends thereof, with snapping locking seats for the annular elements made of synthetic plastic material each including a continuous annular groove.

Abstract: A retainer for a ball bearing includes two annular members that face each other in an axial direction thereof. The two annular members include opposed surfaces each having hemispherical pockets that are formed at positions in a circumferential direction of each of the two annular members and configured to receive balls. The opposed surfaces are snap-fitted to each other to couple together the two annular members. The hemispherical pockets each have an inner peripheral surface provided with ball contact and ball non-contact surfaces. The ball contact surface is formed at a central portion in a pocket circumferential direction and at least at a central portion in a pocket axial direction of the inner peripheral surface. The ball non-contact surface includes a recess recessed to an opposite side to a corresponding ball across the ball contact surface and is opened in at least one of pocket axial ends.

Abstract: A prong type resin cage includes: an annular portion; and multiple cage bars. Each cage bar has a roller guide face formed in each opposed face thereof, the opposed face being opposed to an outer peripheral face of a corresponding one of rollers. The roller guide face is used for roller guide by the outer peripheral face at a rotational speed equal to or lower than a prescribed rotational speed. A cage outer face including an outer peripheral face of the annular portion and radially outer faces of the cage bars has outer ring guide faces of which diameter is increased radially outward by a centrifugal force to decrease a radial clearance between the outer ring guide faces and an inner peripheral face of the outer ring, so that outer ring guide by the inner peripheral face is carried out, at a rotational speed higher than the prescribed rotational speed.

Abstract: An eccentric bearing for an electrohydraulic piston pump assembly of a vehicle brake system includes a shaft configured to be driven in rotation about its axis, a bearing ring which is eccentric relative to the shaft, and rolling bodies between the bearing ring and the shaft. The rolling bodies have different diameters corresponding to a varying width of a gap between the bearing ring and the shaft. When the shaft is driven in rotation, an eccentricity of the bearing ring revolves around the shaft at half of the rotational speed of the shaft and drives pump pistons to perform a reciprocating movement. A rolling body cage is open between the two largest rolling bodies. The rolling body cage loads the rolling bodies into the tapering gap and ensures that the rolling bodies revolve on the shaft when the shaft is driven.

Abstract: A cage for a ball bearing unit comprises two half-cages (51, 52) which are connected to each other and are symmetrical about a mid-plane (P) of the bearing. Each half-cage has an annular body (53) providing two concentric and circumferentially continuous radial ridges (56, 57) extending radially in opposite directions, of which the first ridge (56) extends in a radially outward direction for sealingly engaging a groove (25) formed in the outer ring of the bearing unit, and the second ridge (57) extends in a radially inward direction for sealingly engaging a groove (35) formed in the inner ring of the bearing unit.

Abstract: A rolling bearing cage, which has two annular elements and cage crossbars connecting the annular elements to each other so as to form pockets for receiving rolling elements arranged between every two adjacent cage crossbars and the annular elements. The cage crossbars have an elastic configuration. Also, a rolling bearing is disclosed that has a rolling bearing cage.

Abstract: A ball roller bearing, which has an outer and inner bearing ring with a groove-shaped raceways and ball rollers, which roll between the bearing rings in the raceways. The rollers are held at distances from each other in the circumferential direction by a bearing cage and which have a width that is dimensioned larger than the radial distance between the inside and the outside of the bearing rings. The raceways are divided into two segments by an axially centered annular groove such that a first ball roller rolls on two first diagonally opposed track segments and a second ball roller rolls on two second diagonally opposed track segments of the bearing rings. Both bearing rings are single-piece components, and the bearing cage is formed by two identical double prong-type cages acting independently of each other. The bearing is filled with the ball rollers by an axial tilt cam assembly method.

Abstract: A retainer portion of a cage of a bearing has a plurality of spokes and web sections extending between an outer ring section and an inner ring section with a plurality of cavities formed on an annular side face of the retainer portion. The cavities communicate with socket portions formed in the retainer portion to provide lubrication to rotational elements of the bearing. A latch and catch mechanism secures like retainer portions together to form a cage of the bearing.

Abstract: Double row angular contact ball bearing (10) has split inner rings (18, 24) and two plastic comb snap cages (32, 44). The comb cage has retaining tabs (38, 50) which mate with retaining grooves (22, 28) in the split inner rings. These retaining tabs hold the inner rings into the bearing.

Abstract: A ball bearing has an inner ring fitted on a rotational shaft and including an inner ring raceway on an outer circumferential surface thereof, an outer ring including an outer ring raceway on an inner circumferential surface thereof, a plurality of balls rotatably provided between the inner ring raceway and the outer ring raceway and a crown resin cage for retaining the balls at equal intervals in a circumferential direction. A bore diameter of the inner ring is 100 mm or more, and a radial clearance resulting in a state that the inner ring is assembled to the rotational shaft is 20 ?n or more.

Abstract: In a synthetic resin retainer formed by joining together two annular members by engaging claws of each annular member in engaging holes of the annular member, each of the two annular members 1 has a plurality of hemispherical pockets 4 formed in a side surface thereof to be brought into abutment with the side surface of the other annular member at circumferentially equal intervals. Joint portions are provided between the adjacent pockets 4, and each is provided with an engaging hole 5 and an engaging claw 6. The engaging claws 6 and engaging holes 5 are configured such that gaps are present between the engaging claws 6 and the engaging holes 5 in the initial stage of assembly of the retainer, and the gaps decrease to zero or less upon completion of the assembly of the retainer, thereby preventing wear of the engaging portions of the engaging claws for joining the annular members together.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cage for inclined ball bearings with adjacent ball pockets arranged on the circumferential side around a rotational axis of the cage, comprising ribs between lateral walls. Each rib extends in the axial direction from one of the lands and connects two of the lateral walls together on the circumferential side.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cage for tapered ball bearings. Said cage comprises adjacent ball bearing pockets that are arranged over the periphery about a rotational axis of the cage, in addition to elastically deformable retaining lugs that are located on one of the lateral walls. In said cage, the flanks of the retaining lugs run obliquely in relation to one another.

Abstract: A radial angular-contact ball bearing comprises two annular raceways with balls 24 placed between them, the centres of which are distributed around a pitch circle of the bearing, the points of contact between the balls and the two raceways being distributed on a contact cone. A cage holds the balls and comprises a plurality of cavities 32 for housing the balls. Each cavity comprises two opposing concave walls 36A, 36B forming spherical caps with a radius R, the centres 40A, 40B of the two caps being in the same radial plane at a distance from one another along an axis 42 that is tilted in relation to the axis of rotation of the bearing. The oblong shape of the cavities reduces the friction between them and the balls.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention prevent trouble caused by an increase in viscosity of grease generated when a ball bearing operates at a low temperature, and fretting that an inner ring and/or an outer ring comes in contact with balls to produce wear when vibration is applied thereto. In one embodiment, a ball bearing is configured such that a plurality of balls are arranged between an outer ring and an inner ring. Grease is filled between the balls, the inner ring and the outer ring. A holder is provided with a spring plate, and an extreme end thereof is always in contact with the balls. The spring plate is formed of a sufficiently softer material than the balls so as not to damage the balls. The mounted direction is one along the direction in which the balls are desired to be rotated. Appropriate spring pressurization can be applied to the balls at an angle defined by the holder and the spring plate in the root at which the holder is attached to the spring plate.

Abstract: To provide a roller bearing assembly that can provide a high load bearing capacity and in which the strength of roller retainers can be increased, the roller bearing assembly includes inner and outer roller retainers (13, 23) each having a plurality of circumferentially arranged pockets (4), and a circular row of rollers (2) received in part within the pockets in the inner roller (13) and in part within the pockets in the outer roller (23). The inner roller retainer (13) has pillars (5) each left between the neighboring pockets to retain the circular row of the rollers from radially inwardly and having an outer diameter smaller than the diameter of the pitch circle PCD of the circular row of the rollers. The outer roller retainer (23) has pillars (5) each left between the neighboring pockets to retain the circular row of the rollers from radially outwardly and having an inner diameter greater than the pitch circle diameter PCD.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for reducing vibration in bearings. There are provided first and second bearing rings with races, rotating members rollingly engaging both first and second bearing races, a cage for aligning the rotating members between the first and second bearing races, and vibration reduction means coupled to the cage. The vibration reduction means preferably comprises one or more resonant spring-mass combinations mounted in or on the cage. Damping means is preferably included with the resonant spring-mass combinations. The resonant frequencies of the unmodified bearing cage are first determined and then the spring-mass combinations tuned so that the spring-mass combinations when attached to the cage absorb vibrational energy that would otherwise excite cage vibrations. By selecting the type of spring-mass combination different vibrational modes can be suppressed and/or controlled.

Abstract: The churning type of grease of a viscosity of 15–20 mm2/s and a worked penetration of 200˜230 is disposed at the rolling surface of the race portions and the channeling type of grease of 25˜35 mm2/s and a worked penetration of 240˜270 is disposed at the retainer. By constituting as such, at rotation of the ball bearing, maintaining the lubricant oil film in the bearing the lubrication can be continued, and at non-rotation of the ball bearing the lubricant oil film is protected by the grease to prevent fretting.

Abstract: In a double-row angular contact ball bearing comprising an outer ring (1), an inner ring (2) and two ball crown rings (3, 4) formed by bearing balls (3.1, 4.1) guided in two separate cages (3.2, 4.2) and supported on shoulders (1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2) of said inner and outer rings, ball raceways of the bearing having different diameters, the cages (3.2, 4.2) are made of plastic and configured as window-type cages comprising pockets for receiving the bearing balls (3.1, 4.1), and one of the cages (3.2, 4.2) comprises on an axially inward oriented end, a plurality of spacers (3.5, 4.5) uniformly spaced from one another in peripheral direction, said one cage further comprises a plurality of retaining lugs (3.4, 4.4) uniformly spaced from one another in peripheral direction, which retaining lugs engage a corresponding groove (2.3, 1.3) of one of the inner (2) and the outer ring (1), and the spacers (3.5, 4.5) of the one cage (3.2, 4.2) prevent an axial displacement of the other cage (4.2, 3.2).

Abstract: A retainer for a ball bearing formed in a generally annular shape and having a plurality of pockets arranged in a circumferential direction, respectively, to rollably hold a plurality of balls along a pitch circle, respectively, the pockets each having an inner peripheral surface comprising a radially inner section which is located inward of the pitch circle of the balls in the radial direction of the retainer, and has an inner diameter larger than the diameter of the balls, such that the gap between the radially inner section of the inner peripheral surface of the pockets and the rolling surface of the balls gradually increases toward the opening of the pockets on the inner side in the radial direction of the retainer, and that the maximum inscribing circle of the opening of the pockets on the outer side in the radial direction of the retainer has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the balls.

Abstract: A spring assembly for biasing rolls in a roll cage of a bi-directional overrunning clutch. The spring assembly adapted to bias two adjacent rolls in opposite directions. The spring assembly includes a bridge having two ends. A first spring attached to one end of the bridge. The first spring having arms extending in opposite directions from the bridge, each arm having an end adapted to contact a roll. A second spring attached to the other end of the bridge. The second spring having arms extending in opposite directions from the bridge, each arm having an end adapted to contact a second roll.

Abstract: An interconnector for rolling balls in a ball screw or a linear guide way is composed of a spacer, a direction guiding member with two wings, and to linking chains. The adjacent rolling balls are isolated by the spacer so as to prevent mutual collision. The two adjacent spacers are connected with two elastically meandering linking chains able to be configurated in various forms so as to freely elongate and shrink. With this structure the guide way track is able to be formed into any shape which contributes to minimizing the size of apparatus and production cost, and allow the rolling ball to travel in a three dimensional course.

Abstract: A cage for a ball bearing, having a front face with cells adapted to hold a row of balls, and a rear face including a ring-shaped body with slots. The slots are adapted to interlock with slots of a second cage. The slots have teeth that extend towards the front face and separate the cells, and the teeth have sides with semispherical bearing surfaces oriented towards a center of a respective cell. The front face includes a closing ring linking the teeth, were the closing ring is adapted to be recessed in relation to an axial extremity of the balls. Additionally, a bearing is provided that includes an outer bushing, an inner bushing, a row of balls, and a cage configured to receive the row of balls, where the cage and the row of balls are received between the outer and inner bushings.

Abstract: In an electric power steering apparatus, a bearing of a drive shaft provided with a worm gear is connected to the drive shaft in an axial direction. It installs an elastic body (a holding device) which elastically deforms so as to move the drive shaft in an axial direction at a time of load input when tooth faces of the worm gear and the worm wheel are brought into contact with each other.

Abstract: A bearing supports a rotating element. The bearing comprises an inner annular body and an outer annular body about the inner annular body. A bearing surface, which is located between the inner annular body and the outer annular body, supports the outer annular body for rotation about the inner annular body. A cage supports the bearing surface during rotation of the outer annular body about the inner annular body. The cage includes a material that imparts increased flexural modulus that resists deformation during rotation.

Abstract: The ball rolling surfaces 11 and 12 of the pocket 7 holding the ball 5 are set in the two spherical surfaces which have a radius larger than the one of the ball 5 and the centers of which are deflected at an equal space from the center of the pocket on the pitch circle of the pocket disposing, and on the inside portions from the edge 9a of the width direction of the pocket and the edge 9b of the height direction of the pocket the contact portions 14 and 15 where the rolling surfaces of the balls and the balls which are positioned at the displacing end contact to form the gaps 16 and 17 on the area determined from the contact portions 14 and 15 to the edge side and make the lubricant G entered through the gaps 16 and 17 into the ball rolling surfaces 11 and 12.

Abstract: A bi-directional one-way clutch mechanism with a compliant cage member. The clutch mechanism has a plurality of roller members positioned between inner and outer race members. A compliant cage member is also positioned between the race members and acts to hold the roller members in place and also to reduce the magnitude of loads applied to the roller members when the clutch mechanism is engaged. The roller members are positioned in windows in the cage members and integral spring-like leaf segments are positioned in each of the windows on either side of the roller members. One or two spring-like members, together with one or more recesses between each of the windows and roller members provide resiliency for the cage mechanism. The compliant cage device reduces the magnitude of the loads applied to the clutch mechanism and prevent fatigue fracture and premature failure of the cage device.

Abstract: An expandable bearing retainer includes a retainer body for supporting a plurality of balls, and an expanding mechanism for allowing the bearing body to elastically expand in the circumferential direction so as to increase the inner diameter of the retainer. In a more specific embodiment, the retainer body includes a plurality of circumferentially disposed rolling element retaining openings formed on a first side of the retainer body. A plurality of slits are formed on the an opposite second side of the retainer body for forming the expanding mechanism. Each of the plurality of slits may be disposed between an adjacent pair of the plurality of rolling element retaining holes so as to form an undulating overall shape for the retainer.

Abstract: A separator or cage for an antifriction bearing, particularly a ball bearing, wherein the separator starts as a flat strip with an edge strip on one side, and webs projecting laterally from the edge strip and defining pockets for balls between neighboring webs. The strip is bendable at reduced thickness areas along its length to form a ring for installation of the separator between the annular bearing rings. Radially projecting elastic holding noses defined on the surface of the strip at the webs engage at a race of one of the bearing rings and particularly behind a shoulder at one of the races for preventing axial emergence of the separator from between the bearing rings.

Abstract: A cage for a rolling element bearing, comprising elastically deformable prongs, each pair of prongs defining a cage pocket in which a rolling element can be accommodated by snapping-in. The thickness dimension of each prong, perpendicular with respect to its surface facing the corresponding cage pocket, is gradually diminishing, in the direction towards the free end of the prong. Preferably, the thickness dimension of each prong is diminishing, in general, according to a parabolic function. Thereby, the highest possible retaining force for the rolling elements is obtained, and yet the strains in the prongs upon assembly of the rolling elements are as low as possible.

Abstract: A design for a plastic bearing ball separator is moldable by a true, axial draw technique, which provides no resistance to mold parting, but which also provides complete, gripping ball pockets without limiting the degree to which the ball row can be closely packed. Each ball is gripped between a pair of hook shaped fingers which have ball contact zones facing in one direction, and a ball seat between them that faces in the opposite direction. The ball contact zones touch one side of the ball, and since the fingers wrap around the ball in such a way as to miss the centers of the balls, the ball packing or spacing is not restricted. The ball seats touch the other side of the balls, and have no circumferential overlap with the ball contact zones, so the cage may be molded by molds that form the oppositely axially facing surfaces without conflict, and without restriction as the molds are parted.

Abstract: An anti-friction bearing assembly including coaxial inner and outer bearing race members, a plurality of cylindrical roller bearing elements between the inner and outer bearing race members, and a snap-in bearing cage for appropriately spacing the bearing elements apart. The bearing cage includes a pair of identically constructed, axially spaced apart bearing cage members each including an annular body portion, a plurality of axially extending and circumferentially spaced apart webs defining therebetween a plurality of bearing element receiving pockets, and a plurality of tab members each extending radially from one of the webs. The tab members are radially flexible to permit insertion of the corresponding cage member into the bearing assembly and thereafter snap back to an unflexed position to retain the corresponding bearing cage in the bearing assembly.