Wedge Means Patents (Class 384/538)
  • Publication number: 20040062464
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for setting the roller clearance of a multi-row tapered roller bearing assembly via a clearance adjustment assembly and an outer retaining sleeve. The bearing assembly has multiple rows of tapered rollers disposed circumferentially between an inner sleeve and the clearance adjustment assembly, which is secured by the outer retaining sleeve. The clearance adjustment assembly has at least one clearance adjustment ring disposed adjacent multiple tapered support rings, which extend circumferentially about the multiple rows of tapered rollers. In the bearing assembly, the at least one clearance adjustment ring forces the multiple tapered support rings against the multiple rows of tapered rollers to set the desired roller clearance. The bearing assembly also may have seals disposed between the inner sleeve and the outer retaining sleeve at opposite sides of the multiple rows of tapered rollers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Ryan N. DeWachter, Donald L. Nisley
  • Publication number: 20040062463
    Abstract: A system and method is provided to accommodate positional variations in a bearing assembly, which has a clearance adjustment assembly for setting the roller clearance therein. The bearing assembly has multiple rows of tapered rollers disposed circumferentially between an inner sleeve and the clearance adjustment assembly, which is secured by an outer retaining sleeve. The clearance adjustment assembly has at least one clearance adjustment ring disposed adjacent multiple tapered support rings, which extend circumferentially about the multiple rows of tapered rollers. In the bearing assembly, the at least one clearance adjustment ring forces the multiple tapered support rings against the multiple rows of tapered rollers to set the desired roller clearance. The bearing assembly also may have seals disposed between the inner sleeve and the outer retaining sleeve at opposite sides of the multiple rows of tapered rollers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Ryan N. DeWachter, Donald L. Nisley
  • Patent number: 6707198
    Abstract: An armature shaft for a motor of a power tool has a shaft with two ends. A commutator is on the shaft. At least one bearing is on the shaft adjacent the commutator end of the shaft. The bearing has a central bore sized to balance the shaft during rotation. Also, a central bore in the bearing has an enlarged diameter portion. A retainer is fixed on the shaft to retain the bearing on the shaft. The retainer is positioned within the enlarged bore portion of the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen A. Debelius
  • Publication number: 20030099418
    Abstract: Attachment means for arresting a machine member (3) having a cylindrical bore on a shaft (1), wherein a pair of elements having mating, co-operating taper surfaces facing each other is inserted between member and shaft, and intended at mutual displacement to increase a clamping force between the machine member and the shaft, wherein the means incorporates a first thin-walled sleeve member (5) having a cylindrical inner surface arranged to enclose a portion of the shaft (1), and a second, thin-walled sleeve member (6) having a cylindrical outer surface arranged to engage the bore of the machine member (3), said second sleeve member (6) enclosing the first sleeve member (5), whereby the first and second sleeve members (5, 6) have a plurality of co-operating saw-tooth-shaped, axially tapering sections, and a ring member (7) is provided about the shaft (1), and has in its hole has circumferential groove (8), spaced apart from the side faces of the ring member (7), the first sleeve member (5) projecting outside th
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2001
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Inventors: Sture Ostling, Uno Axelsson
  • Patent number: 6497425
    Abstract: A head bowl set of a bicycle and the like comprises a head tube, a front fork tube put through the head tube for connecting a handlebar support tube with the top end, a locking device disposed at the top end of the front fork tube to press against the handlebar support tube, a lower bowl set and an upper bowl set which are respectively disposed at the top end and the bottom end of the head tube, and a tightening member disposed between the cover member of the upper bowl set and the bearing for providing a pivoting and sliding effect between the front fork tube and the head tube. The tightening member is annular in shape and has a tapered portion, a straight wall and a hooked portion. The head bowl set has advantages of structural stability and easy assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Inventor: Satoshi Tange
  • Publication number: 20020181819
    Abstract: A pair of pre-loaded ball bearings 1, 2 are fixed to a shaft 3 having a flange 3a to be a reference surface Q formed on one end, and where a clearance C is secured between the surface 1c on the flange side of the inner race 1b of the bearing 1 on the side of the flange 3a and the flange surface 3b.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventors: Hiromitsu Muraki, Kenji Takei
  • Patent number: 6450693
    Abstract: A bearing arrangement for a shaft supporting a rotating tool is provided, with the shaft being rotatable on both sides of the tool at least indirectly in roller bearings, one of which can be removed for purposes of tool replacement together with an associated bearing sleeve slidable onto the free shaft end. The seating of the bearing sleeve, which is borne at least indirectly by the shaft, is formed by a conical outer surface tapering toward the shaft end. The bearing sleeve exhibit a conical borehole corresponding to the conical outer surface, and the bearing sleeve is radially expanded via a stop-limited axial shifting with respect to the conical outer surface by an amount to produce a specific level of reduced roller-bearing play.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Ringspann GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Fuchs, Ruprecht Maurer, Karlheinz Timtner
  • Patent number: 6425690
    Abstract: A bearing subassembly includes an improved arrangement for securing the bearing subassembly to a shaft. An adjusting nut is axially locked to a bearing inner ring by sliding the adjusting nut over the inner ring so that a groove in the adjusting nut and recesses, for example, pockets, on the inner ring align. Securement elements, for example, balls, are inserted into the groove and seated in the recesses through a bore from the outer diameter of the adjusting nut to the groove. The inner ring is rotated to allow the securement elements to fall into the recesses and are enclosed between the groove and recesses by inserting, for example, a set screw after the securement elements are loaded. The securement arrangement then prevents the bearing subassembly adjusting nut and inner ring from separating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: Reliance Electric Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Ryan N. DeWachter
  • Patent number: 6413008
    Abstract: A connecting assembly at a driveshaft between the driveshaft and a wheel hub, having end toothing of an outer joint part of a constant velocity joint of the driveshaft, which outer joint part is at the wheel hub end, and having end toothing of the wheel hub, wherein the end toothings are axially inserted into one another and circumferentially engage one another in a play-free way and wherein the teeth of the end toothings each comprise radially outwardly opening circumferential grooves which are delimited by two flanks and which, jointly, form a circumferentially extending annular groove in which, on the outside, there is arranged a securing ring; as well as a connecting assembly at a driveshaft between the driveshaft and a shaft flange, having end toothing of an outer joint part of a constant velocity joint of the driveshaft, which outer joint part is at the shaft flange end, and having end toothing of the shaft flange, wherein the end toothings are axially inserted into one another and circumferentially eng
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: GKN Automotive AG
    Inventors: Jean-Claude van Dest, Werner Krude
  • Patent number: 6394692
    Abstract: A head lock ring assembly includes a ball bearing mounted on the head tube of a bicycle at a top and holding a set of steel balls outside the head tube, and a cover shell assembly formed of a cover shell, a first split ring, a second split ring, a rubber ring, and a locating cap, the cover shell assembly being covered on the ball bearing to lock the handlebar stem and the front fork of the bicycle for enabling the handlebar stem and the front fork to be rotated relative to the head tube, wherein the locating cap has a bottom flange inserted into the cover shell to hold down the first split ring and the second split ring in a receiving chamber in the cover shell around the handlebar stem and the front fork; the rubber ring is mounted around the locating cap above the bottom flange, and peripherally partially engaged into an inside annular groove in the cover shell to secure the cover shell, the first split ring, the second split ring and the locating cap together for quick installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Inventor: Wen-Hwa Lin
  • Patent number: 6375360
    Abstract: An angular contact ball bearing of a steering shaft (27) of an automotive vehicle, said bearing comprising an inner bearing ring (11), an outer bearing ring (1) and bearing balls (7) arranged between the inner and outer bearing rings in rolling contact with raceways (14, 5) formed on the inner and outer bearing rings, the inner bearing ring (11) being received by an elastic tolerance ring (15) of a polymeric material, said bearing further comprising an inseparable assembly, wherein, a retaining ring (20) is arranged between the steering shaft (27) and the tolerance ring (15), the retaining ring (20) comprises circumferentially equi-spaced retaining elements (19) that project therefrom in axial direction and comprise radially outward directed retaining lugs (22) that overlap the outer bearing ring (1), the tolerance ring (15) comprises circumferentially equi-spaced clearances (18) for receiving the retaining elements (19), and the tolerance ring (15) extends in axial direction up to the end of a generally radi
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: INA
    Inventors: Ulrike Weisskopf, Rainer Lutz
  • Patent number: 6179473
    Abstract: A rolling bearing, in particular for motor vehicle steering column comprising an external ring (4) provided with a bearing raceway, an internal ring (6) provided with a bearing raceway, a row of rolling elements (8) arranged between the bearing raceways of said rings, tolerance ring (9) linking the internal ring with the shaft (3), and a spring washer (11) for blocking the bearing on the shaft (3). The external ring (4) comprises bosses (12) for axially maintaining the spring washer (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: SKF France
    Inventors: Frederic Ponson, Thierry Poulle, Beno{circumflex over (i)}t Arnault, Bertrand Collignon, Christophe Houdayer, Filippo Zingariello
  • Patent number: 6152604
    Abstract: A bearing unit having a sealed single-row deep-groove ball bearing. The sealed single-row deep-groove ball bearing includes an outer race ring with a sphered outer envelope surface, a housing with a sphered bore for accommodating the bearing, an inner race ring with a taper bore, and a correspondingly tapered clamping sleeve provided in the bore of the inner race ring and having a flange provided on at least one side of the bearing. The flange has at least one bore, and at least one tightening device for causing a force on the bearing inner race ring for displacing the inner race ring along the clamping sleeve thereby causing a clamping effect between the inner race ring and the sleeve and between the sleeve and a shaft on which the bearing unit is mounted. The bore of the flange includes a threaded through-bore extending at an acute angle with respect to an axial direction of an inner envelope surface of the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: SKF Mekan AB
    Inventors: Sture Ostling, Krister Hornfeldt, Uno Axelsson
  • Patent number: 6106155
    Abstract: A bearing plate formed from sheet metal to hold at least two rolling bearings in closely adjoining relation includes a pair of seat surfaces between which is located a ridge. The ridge is positioned in the area of the narrowest point between the outside rings of the rolling bearings and is pulled from the seat surfaces generally in the axial direction. The ridge axially increases in width with curved transition areas that merge with the seat surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: SKF GmbH
    Inventors: Berthold Beyfuss, Burkhard Buchheim, Hans-Jurgen Friedrich, Peter Horling, Manfred Karl, Jurgen Storzenberger
  • Patent number: 6106156
    Abstract: For seating a rolling contact bearing ring in a housing or on a shaft, first and second grooves are formed in the cooperating periphery of either the rolling contact bearing ring or the housing or shaft. The first groove extends axially and is followed by the second groove that is inclined to form a conical surface at the rolling contact bearing ring. An intermediate ring is installed from the lateral entrance side of the bearing in the first groove and is plastically deformed, inclined into the second groove. A recess in the housing or shaft receives the deformed part of the intermediate ring. The remaining axial part of the bearing includes the diameter of the rolling contact bearing ring and of the cooperating housing or shaft that are the same diameter. The intermediate ring may include a flange that engages the entrance side of the bearing to position the intermediate ring. The intermediate ring may be the peripheral region of a pot-shaped cover over the entrance side of the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: FAG Automobiltechnik AG
    Inventors: Peter Niebling, Roland Langer, Rainer Breitenbach, Heinrich Hofmann
  • Patent number: 6086493
    Abstract: In a continuously variable transmission, a hydraulic actuator for axially moving a movable sheave has an outer cylinder which includes a radial portion extending radially from a boss on the stationary sheave. A bearing is disposed abutting the surface of the radial portion. The inner race of the bearing has a large diameter so that the inner race contacts at least a predetermined area of the surface of the radial portion, preferably, the entire area of that surface. One side of the inner race has a recess in which a nut for axially fixing the outer cylinder, the bearing and the like is disposed, thereby reducing the axial dimension of the continuously variable transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroki Goshima, Yoshihisa Ito
  • Patent number: 6019017
    Abstract: An upper headset assembly for a bicycle includes a race member having an annular groove defined in the top thereof for receiving a bearing therein. A ring member is mounted to the bearing on the outer periphery thereof and has a first tapered surface defined in the inner periphery thereof. A pressing ring device has a second tapered surface contacting the first tapered surface of the ring member and a third tapered surface. A collar is mounted to the pressing ring device and a plurality of bolts extend through the collar and contact against the third tapered surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Inventor: King-Chen Lin
  • Patent number: 5980116
    Abstract: An improved crank axle for bicycle in which the tapered sleeve and the tapered bearing is provided with a retaining ring such that the tapered sleeve and the tapered bearing are integrally interconnected. The overall rigidity is enhanced and the service life is prolonged. A water-proof effect can be also attained and the crank axle can be quickly manufactured and assembled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Inventor: Douglas Chiang
  • Patent number: 5975766
    Abstract: A shaft (12) rotatively mounted in a support (14) by rolling elements comprising at least one first rolling bearing (18) providing an oblique contact surface axially biased in one direction by an elastic return force and in a direction opposed to the preceding direction by a thrust block (28) carried by the shaft (12). The block (28) is axially movable between a first position and a second position of application of a force opposed to the return force. The magnitude of the opposing force is greater in the second position of the block (28) than in the first position of this block (28). The block (28) is connected to the shaft by a connection (32) which is cooperative by the effect of friction with the shaft (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Nadella
    Inventor: Jose Paul Cau
  • Patent number: 5947613
    Abstract: A bearing and wheel hub retention system adapted for use in a wheel end assembly includes a spindle, a wheel hub adapted to be supported and connected to the spindle for rotation therewith, a bearing assembly adapted to rotatably support the spindle and the wheel hub relative thereto, and a collar. The spindle is provided with an annular groove formed in an outer surface thereof. The groove includes a pair of opposed side walls and a base wall. At least one of the side walls of the groove is an angled side wall. The collar is disposed in the groove of the spindle, and includes at least one angled side wall which cooperates with the angled side wall of the groove so as to produce a ramp like action which is operative to secure the spindle and the wheel hub together and also to preload the bearing assembly to a predetermined preload.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Kelsey-Hayes Company
    Inventor: Paul L. Cormier
  • Patent number: 5896971
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) for controlling the transmission of rotational forces between first (14) and second (66) members through an axially shiftable friction element (56) that rotates in unison with the first member (14) and can be selectively brought into engagement with the second member (66) is provided with a forced air cooling system that functions to cool the interface between the friction element (56) and the second member (66), as well as a first bearing (54) allowing relative rotation between the friction element (56) and an actuation member (38). A flow of cooling air is developed during operation of the apparatus by fins (172,174) formed about an outer radial surface portion of the friction element (56) and the air is caused to flow through enlarged lobe cut-out sections (156) in the second member (66) along the interface and through holes (164) formed in the friction element (56) which are arranged opposite the first bearing (54).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: Horton, Inc.
    Inventor: Dave W. Hein
  • Patent number: 5897214
    Abstract: A structure for mounting a rotating machine element, such as a drum pulley, idler, roller or the like includes first and second bearing sets secured to first and second end disks of the rotating member. The first bearing set is secured to a stationary shaft by means of a locking assembly. The locking assembly includes a wedge-shaped sleeve or adapter which is secured between the inner race of the first bearing set and the stationary shaft. During installation of the locking assembly, the second bearing set remains slidable along the shaft, thereby avoiding pre-loads or stresses in either bearing assembly or the components of the rotating member. Once the rotating member has been fixed in a desired position along the shaft by means of the locking assembly, a retaining element may be placed adjacent to the second bearing set. The structure may be easily disassembled by the reverse process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: Reliance Electric Industrial Company
    Inventor: Donald L. Nisley
  • Patent number: 5876127
    Abstract: A bearing assembly adapted to be mounted on a shaft, the assembly including a sleeve having a frustoconical outer surface and a bore adapted to be placed on the shaft; and an inner ring defining a second bore, the second bore having a first portion which is engageable with the outer surface of the sleeve and the second bore having a second portion adjacent the first portion and extending at an angle radially outwardly from the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Rexnord Corporation
    Inventor: Marlon R. Casey
  • Patent number: 5800071
    Abstract: A journal for a head tube of a bicycle includes a lower race fitted on an upper end of the head tube through which a steerer tube extends, the lower race having a first annular recess defined therein for receiving a plurality of balls. An upper race is securely mounted on the steerer tube and an annular element is securely disposed between the balls and the lower race. The annular element has a skirt portion extending radially outwardly from an outer periphery thereof which extends above the lower race and a track portion formed on an inner periphery thereof for rotatably receiving the balls therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Inventor: Yi-Chen Chi
  • Patent number: 5782564
    Abstract: A clutch release bearing with a control member made of synthetic material and having a thin bearing plate (30) secured to the thrust surface (7) thereof opposite a fixed raceway (11) of a ball bearing (3), by means of tabs (32) which are provided at the outer periphery of the plate and are flexible enough to be able to bend and lockingly engage the control member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: Valeo
    Inventors: Jean-Michel Kromwel, Laurent Dequesnes
  • Patent number: 5775709
    Abstract: A headset assembly includes a race mounted on a ball bearing rotatably mounted in an upper bowl. A compression member has two semi-annular urging elements each mounted between a steerer tube and the race and each having an outer tapered surface engaged on an inner tapered surface of the race. A cap is mounted around the steerer tube and supported on the upper bowl. A biasing member is mounted between the two semi-annular urging elements and the cap. A sleeve is fixedly mounted around the steerer tube and urged on the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Inventor: Chiung-yao Chen
  • Patent number: 5746517
    Abstract: A ring assembly for retaining a roller bearing and shaft. A split ring fits in a groove in the shaft and is surrounded by a lock ring to secure it in the groove. The split ring has a beveled surface which the lock ring acts against to force the split ring into the groove as the lock ring is pressed onto the split ring. An inclined surface on the split ring interacts with a ramp surface bounding the groove to press the split ring against the bearing as it moves into the groove. This applies a preload thrust to the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Eskridge, Inc.
    Inventors: Darrell Lee Durham, Mark Anthony Johnson, David Wayne O'Reilly
  • Patent number: 5709483
    Abstract: A bearing assembly including an improved clamping arrangement for effecting securement to a rotating shaft. The bearing assembly includes a bearing inner ring member and a bearing outer ring member having a plurality of bearing elements located therebetween. A second extension portion extends from the greater diameter end of a tapered inner surface defined in the inner ring member, the second extension portion defining a circumferential receiving groove. A tapered adapter having a tapered outer surface, generally complementary to the tapered inner surface, is received in the inner ring member. The tapered adapter includes a first extension portion extending from the greater diameter end of the tapered outer surface and defining outer threads thereabout. A nut is provided having a first axial portion defining inner threads for engaging the outer threads of the first extension portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Assignee: Reliance Electric Industrial Company
    Inventor: Howard M. Martinie
  • Patent number: 5685650
    Abstract: A bearing assembly includes an improved clamping arrangement for securement to a shaft. The inner ring of the bearing assembly includes a tapered inner surface generally complementary to a tapered outer surface of a tapered adapter. Each of the tapered adapter and the inner ring member include an axial extension portion which are situated to be proximate one another during use. A nut is provided interconnecting the extension portions such that relative axial movement may be effected between the inner ring member and the tapered adapter. As a result, the bearing assembly may be secured to or removed from the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Assignee: Allen-Bradley Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Howard M. Martinie, Roman M. Wajda
  • Patent number: 5681118
    Abstract: A retainer for preventing dislodgment of a shaft from a bearing including a radially expandable retaining ring, a circumferential groove in the shaft having a frustoconical side, and a frustoconical sidewall on an inner race of the bearing facing the frustoconical side of the groove in the shaft and cooperating therewith in defining an annular V-shaped retaining ring groove. In a seated position of the retaining ring in the retaining ring groove, the retaining ring is wedged between the frustoconical sidewall of the bearing inner race and the frustoconical side of the groove in the shaft to eliminate lash between the shaft and the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Ray Garnet Armstrong, Richard Kremer Riefe
  • Patent number: 5660484
    Abstract: To locate a bearing axially and concentrically on a shaft, a resiliently compressible assembly is slid along the shaft until its leading edge is restrained (e.g. by contacting a yoke at the end of the shaft), the bearing is slid along the shaft until it abuts the assembly, and a sleeve is slid along the shaft to abut the bearing. Further movement of the sleeve compresses assembly, whereupon three internally sprung fingers of the sleeve snap into corresponding detents in the shaft. Releasing the sleeve permits the assembly to exert a contrary force whereupon the finger ends engage the ends of the detents and provide axial location of the bearing. Internal cone surfaces of the bearing contact a split cone of assembly and an external cone surface of sleeve. The shaft may be part of a vehicle steering column with reach and rake adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Assignee: Nastech Europe Limited
    Inventor: Richard James Peel
  • Patent number: 5609423
    Abstract: A lower bearing assembly for supporting a steering shaft within a tubular jacket of an automotive steering column. The steering shaft is of double-D configuration having two diametrically opposite, arcuate side walls and two diametrically opposite parallel flats. A cup is fitted within the jacket having a hole in the bottom wall through which the steering shaft extends. A bearing within the cup supports the steering shaft for rotation. A wedge is sleeved on the steering shaft and has a tapered nose wedged between the bearing and the steering shaft. The wedge has an inner double-D configuration matching that of the steering shaft. A compression coil spring encircles the wedge and bears on a flange on the wedge to hold the nose of the wedge wedged tightly between the bearing and the steering shaft. A retaining ring is sleeved on the steering shaft and holds the spring under compression. The inner edge of the retaining ring has the same double-D configuration as the steering shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: Chrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Mirjana Jurik, Thomas Dziegielewski, Thomas Grzybowski
  • Patent number: 5597242
    Abstract: A bicycle wheel or pedal crank hub with a bearing preload device in which an axle end cap that is attached to the end of an axle extending through the hub and supported on a bearing assembly is used for preloading the hub bearing assembly together with a split compression ring. For adjusting the preload on the hub bearing assembly, the compression ring is expanded or contracted causing a beveled surface of the compression ring to act on a bevel of either an annular circumferential flange of the axle end cap or a spacer disposed between the compression ring and the circumferential flange of the axle end cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1997
    Assignee: Dia-Compe, U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas C. Beeler
  • Patent number: 5582482
    Abstract: A split housing pillow block bearing assembly for use with a roll having a shaft. A bearing assembly including a bearing housing split along a parting line passing through the axis of the shaft into an upper housing and a lower housing, the lower housing having a foot portion extending therefrom, the foot portion being offset towards the roll whereby a portion of the bearing housing projects axially outward from the foot portion away from the roll, the lower housing and the upper housing each having an arcuate bearing receiving aperture; a spherical roller bearing positioned within the arcuate bearing receiving apertures, the spherical roller bearing having a inner bore extending therethrough, the inner bore being tapered; and a tapered sleeve mounted on the shaft, the tapered sleeve being received within the bearing inner bore, the foot portion of the bearing being attached to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: California Pellet Mill Company
    Inventors: Kelsey C. Thom, Jr., William S. Olson
  • Patent number: 5544905
    Abstract: An adjusting device assembly for making, a manual adjustment of a bicycle head bowl bearing comprises a front fork upright tube inserted into a head tube in which a bearing bowl is received. A bearing is received in the bearing bowl and can be located securely by an inner ring, which can be forced to move downwards by a locating ring which is in turn caused to move downwards by a clamping ring capable of being caused to move downwards by an adjustment bolt which can be fastened manually.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: Dia-Compe, Taiwan Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sheng-Luen Chen
  • Patent number: 5489156
    Abstract: A bearing assembly includes an improved clamping arrangement for securement to a shaft. The inner ring of the bearing assembly includes a tapered inner surface generally complementary to a tapered outer surface of a tapered adapter. Each of the tapered adapter and the inner ring member include an axial extension portion which are situated to be proximate one another during use. A nut is provided interconnecting the extension portions such that relative axial movement may be effected between the inner ring member and the tapered adapter. As a result, the bearing assembly may be secured to or removed from the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1996
    Assignee: Reliance Electric Industrial Co.
    Inventor: Howard M. Martinie
  • Patent number: 5462369
    Abstract: A locking mechanism for attaching the inner race of a bearing assembly to a shaft is provided. A locating shoulder and an annular groove of constant depth are positioned on opposite sides of the bearing assembly when mounted on the shaft. An eccentric split ring is placed in the groove and is bodily positioned in a recess formed diametrically across the inner race. One of two opposed stops on opposite sides of the recess engages and cams against an enlarged portion of the ring upon initial relative rotation between the inner race and the shaft. The recess is formed by milling a gap across the end of the inner race.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Assignee: Span Tech Corporation
    Inventors: James L. Layne, Mark T. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5437510
    Abstract: A fixing device of a bicycle pedal axle comprises an axle tube, an inner sleeve and a threaded casing. The axle tube is fitted into the inner sleeve and provided peripherally at the front end thereof with a bevel tapered surface. The threaded casing is fitted into the axle tube such that an outer threaded portion of the threaded casing engages a threaded end of the axle tube. The threaded casing is provided additionally with a plurality of tangent slots and an inner come engageable with the bevel tapered surface of the inner sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1995
    Inventor: Jin-Chyr Jeng
  • Patent number: 5279498
    Abstract: A bearing journal for a paper guide roller has a blind bore extending inwardly from an axial outer end. The blind bore carries cooperating clamping wedges which are slidable with respect to each other to thereby radially expand an annular clamping area of the bearing journal into engagement with a side wall of the printing press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Kubert, Erhard H. Glockner
  • Patent number: 5269607
    Abstract: A locking collar concentric with an inner ring and outer ring of a bearing assembly is advanced axially by threads or other mechanism on an axial extension of the inner ring. A wedge ring provides a wedge between the axial extension and a rotatable shaft upon advancement of the locking collar and grips the shaft. Preferably, conical washers between the axial extension and the locking collar are abutted by the wedge ring to provide further gripping of the shaft upon advancement of the locking collar. The wedge ring may be used alone or in combination with the conical washers to lock the bearing assembly to the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventor: James L. Lawson
  • Patent number: 5246296
    Abstract: A journal includes a lower cap engaged on a head tube, a bearing engaged on the lower cap, a ring engaged on the bearing and having a tapered surface formed in an inner peripheral portion, a upper cap having an annular groove formed in the lower portion, a tapered surface formed in the annular groove of the upper cap and engaged with the tapered surface of the ring. The upper cap applies a downward and radially outward force against the ring when the upper cap moves toward the lower cap such that lower cap, the bearing, the ring and the upper cap can be stably retained in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1993
    Inventor: Yi-Chen Chi
  • Patent number: 5223756
    Abstract: A self-aligning motor assembly wherein the bearings between the rotor and stator subassemblies, and their seats, are tapered to remove concentricity differences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Assignee: GEC-Marconi Electronic Systems Corp.
    Inventor: Peter Bello
  • Patent number: 5222817
    Abstract: A prestressed roller bearing and method of assembly whereby the inner race, plurality of roller elements, and outer first assembled in an unprestressed manner. Then a tapered collar is inserted into the inner race, stretching the inner race to prestress the roller elements. This final assembly can be tested in the factory. Then the bearing is shipped and installed onto a conventional supported shaft outside of the factory, in the manner of an unprestressed bearing without special installation procedures or shafts or equipment. This provides a ready-to-mount prestressed roller bearing, factory tested and standardized, without damage from press-fit assembly of the inner race into the roller elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Inventor: Stephen C. Glazier
  • Patent number: 5211488
    Abstract: A shaft-mounted bushing for connecting a rotating member to a shaft. The bushing includes a frame receiving a hub rotatably mounted therein. The hub includes an opening at one end thereof for receiving a shaft from the one end thereof. The hub includes a tapered portion which converges inwardly from the one end of the hub and toward the other end thereof. A sleeve is mounted into the hub from the one end of the hub and between the tapered portion of the hub and the cylindrical shaft. The outer portion of the sleeve converges inwardly from the one end of the hub and engages the hub. The sleeve presents an inward portion which is coaxial with and parallel to the cylindrical shaft for engaging the shaft in force transmitting relation ship therewith. The bushing assembly is completed by drawing the sleeve into the hub by way of a fastener located at the other end of the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1993
    Assignee: Regal Beloit Corporation
    Inventors: Byron M. Patz, Glenn R. Schwartz
  • Patent number: 5197809
    Abstract: A journal for a frame fork of a bicycle including a sleeve engaged on the frame fork and a bearing engaged in an upper portion and a lower portion respectively, the frame fork including an outer thread formed on an upper end, a member threadedly engaged on the upper end of the frame fork and pressing against one of the bearings, and a cut laterally formed in the member such that the member is separated into two portions, a bolt engaged in an aperture formed in the member and perpendicular to the cut for coupling the two portions together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Inventor: Yi-Chen Chi
  • Patent number: 5174661
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for mounting a rotating part between two bearings designed to transmit radial and axial forces without axial and radial play. Each bearing includes a rolling element positioned between an outer part and an inner race surrounding the shaft end. Each bearing also includes a conical sleeve in contact with an inclined surface of the inner race. A nut is threaded to the outer end of the conical sleeve such that rotation of the nut causes the centering of the shaft end within the bearing. The outer part includes a chamfer surface into which extends a shim. A screw is rotted to cause the shim to compress the outer part downwardly toward the inner race. The method for mounting the rotating part also includes the use of a stepped shoulder at one end of the housing to prevent axial movement of one of the bearing members. The opposite end of the housing does not include a stepped shoulder so as to allow easy insertion of the second bearing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1992
    Assignee: R.K.S.
    Inventors: Michel Nicolas, Pierre Bourgeois-Jacquet
  • Patent number: 5102241
    Abstract: A radial ball bearing comprising two race rings bent round from sheet strip, in which rings, ball raceways are formed and balls preferably arranged spaced apart in a cage roll, characterized in that in continuation of the ball raceways in both axial directions, the race rings are provided with integrally formed cylindrical prolongations, stiffening rims are formed at least on the outer race ring and the outer race ring has a smaller outer diameter in the region of the ball raceway than in the region of the stiffening rims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1992
    Assignee: INA Walzlager Schaeffler KG
    Inventor: Wolfgang Pflungner
  • Patent number: 5018898
    Abstract: For an assembly comprising a shaft (106) and an article (104) mounted on the shaft, a device (116) mounted on the shaft prevents movement of the article (104) along the shaft towards the device. The device preferably comprises a ring (116).To protect the ring from accidential blows which may dislodge it, the assembly includes a cap (120).To simplify manufacture of the ring, the projections of "noses" (118) are provided separately, preferably as part of the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1991
    Assignee: SKF (UK) Limited
    Inventors: Keith W. Woodbridge, Daniel J. Doncaster, Ronald F. Hamblin
  • Patent number: 5011306
    Abstract: An assembly and method is provided for properly securing a device such as a bearing, pulley, sheave or the like to a shaft wherein a split tapered adapter is received about the shaft, the adapter having a first end of lesser diameter, a second end of greater diameter, and a tapered surface therebetween, and threads defined about the first end of the adapter, a locknut is in threaded engagement with the first end of the adapter and a device received about the adapter. The locknut has a set of set screws carried therethrough and spaced therearound which are controlled such that the force developed thereby is adequate to clamp the adapter to the shaft and seat the device on the adapter yet is inadequate to move the device toward the second end of the adapter. A second plurality of set screws may be received through said locknut which generate adequate force to move the device up the adapter to achieve a predetermined location of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1991
    Assignee: Reliance Electric Industrial Company
    Inventor: Howard M. Martinie
  • Patent number: 4979834
    Abstract: A shaft has rolling member bearings, a compression spring acting to urge the bearings toward the shallow groove in one end of the shaft and a ring fitting round said end, with a portion extending into the groove so that the spring force acts on the ring to assist in retaining the ring in the groove. In order to assist the retention of the ring in the groove, the ring may be provided with a chamfered surface on the outside of the ring at its end which is fitted to the groove. The groove may be axially longer than the ring portion extending into the groove so that the ring can move relative to the shaft. This is advantageous when, for example, tightening a steering wheel onto the shaft against the ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1990
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventor: Gerald A. Speich