Belleville spring supports

Claim 2

Belleville spring supports comprising two sets of antifriction bearings contained in annular races for engagement with the I.D. and O.D. edges of a Belleville spring on opposite sides thereof, said races having sufficient radial clearance for said bearings to permit said bearings to roll in a radial direction on said races as the I.D. and O.D. edges of the Belleville spring move radially in and out during deflection to reduce friction.

Claim 3

The Belleville spring supports of claim 1 wherein said antifriction bearings are relatively small ball bearings closely packed around the entire periphery of said bearing support members to provide a great many points of support for the Belleville spring.

Claim 4

In combination, a Belleville spring and supports therefor, said supports comprising two sets of antifriction bearings contained in annular races for engagement with the I.D. and O.D. edges of said Belleville spring on opposite sides thereof, each of said races comprising an annular bearing support member having a radial shoulder adjacent an axial end for engagement by said bearings, and a retainer sleeve extending axially outwardly beyond said shoulder having an axial outer end radially overlying a portion of the periphery of said bearings for retaining said bearings in place, and means for securing said retainer sleeve to said bearing support member.

Claim 5

In combination, a Belleville spring and supports therefor, said supports comprising two sets of antifriction bearings contained in annular races for engagement with the I.D. and O.D. edges of said Belleville spring on opposite sides thereof, each of said races comprising an annular bearing support member having a radial shoulder adjacent an axial end for engagement by said bearings, and a retainer sleeve extending axially outwardly beyond said shoulder having an axial outer end radially overlying a portion of the periphery of said bearings for retaining said bearings in place, and means for securing said retainer sleeve to said bearing support member.

Claim 6

The combination of claim 3 wherein said races have sufficient radial clearance for said bearings to permit said bearings to roll in a radial direction as the I.D. and O.D. edges of the Belleville spring move axially in and out during deflection.

Claim 7

The combination of claim 3 wherein the axial outer ends of said ball support members extend axially beyond the associated retainer sleeves for receipt of the edges of the Belleville spring to provide a guide therefor.

Claim 8

The combination of claim 3 further comprising means for preloading said Belleville spring.

Claim 9

The combination of claim 3 wherein one of said races is attached to a movable element and the other race is supported by a relatively fixed element.

Claim 10

Belleville spring supports comprising two sets of antifriction bearings contained in annular races for engagement with the I.D. and O.D. edges of a Belleville spring on opposite sides thereof, said races having sufficient radial clearance for said bearings to permit said bearings to roll as the I.D. and O.D. edges of the Belleville spring move radially in and out during deflection to reduce friction, each of said races comprising an annular bearing support member having a radial shoulder adjacent one end for engagement by said bearings, and a retainer sleeve extending axially outwardly beyond said shoulder and having an axial outer end radially overlying a portion of the periphery of said bearings for retaining said bearings in place, and means for securing said retainer sleeve to said bearing support member.

Claim 11

Belleville spring supports comprising two sets of antifriction bearings contained in annular races for engagement with the I.D. and O.D. edges of a Belleville spring on opposite sides thereof, said races having sufficient radial clearance for said bearings to permit said bearings to roll as the I.D. and O.D. edges of the Belleville spring move radially in and out during deflection to reduce friction, each of said races comprising an annular bearing support member having a radial shoulder adjacent one end for engagement by said bearings, and a retainer sleeve extending axially outwardly beyond said shoulder and having an axial outer end radially overlying a portion of the periphery of said bearings for retaining said bearings in place, and means for securing said retainer sleeve to said bearing support member.

Claim 12

The Belleville spring supports of claim 8 wherein the axial outer ends of said bearing support members extend axially beyond the associated retainer sleeves for receipt of the edges of the Belleville spring to provide a guide therefor.