Seal and bearing assembly

Claim 2

A bearing assembly comprising: inner and outer race members and a plurality of antifriction members located therebetween, a generally cup-shaped, plastic seal, with the cup shape being inwardly directed towards said antifriction members, said plastic seal comprising a radially extending support portion and a ring portion extending axially from one extremity of said support portion, first and second surfaces associated with said inner and outer members said support portion engageable with said first surface said first surface being on said inner race member and said ring portion having its terminating end engageable with said second surface whereby a seal is provided for the confines of the bearing assembly, said support portion and said ring portion having their sealing surfaces constructed such that the assembly includes a means for defining an interference fit between said first and second surfaces whereby said sealing surfaces are resiliently held against said first and second surfaces, said terminating end as engaged with said second surface having substantially no clearance at its radially outer extremity, said outer radial surfaces of said ring portion being inclined radially inwardly, axially away from said bearing assembly, said seal being constructed of a hard, wear resistant plastic having the property of providing high lubricity, said assembly further comprising a second, inner seal located between said inner and outer races, said inner seal including means for providing a seal between said inner and outer races to maintain lubricant within the confines of the bearing assembly.

Claim 3

A bearing assembly comprising: inner and outer race members and a plurality of antifriction members located therebetween, a generally cup-shaped, plastic seal, with the cup shape being inwardly directed towards said antifriction members, said plastic seal comprising a radially extending support portion and a ring portion extending axially from one extremity of said support portion, first and second surfaces associated with said inner and outer members said support portion engageable with said first surface and said ring portion having its terminating end engageable with said second surface whereby a seal is provided for the confines of the bearing assembly, said support portion and said ring portion having their sealing surfaces constructed such that the assembly includes means for defining an interference fit between said first and second surfaces whereby said sealing surfaces are resiliently held against said first and second surfaces, said terminating end as engaged with said second surface having substantially no clearance at its radially outer extremity, said outer radial surfaces of said ring portion being inclined radially inwardly, axially away from said bearing assembly, said seal being constructed of a hard, wear resistant plastic having the property of providing high lubricity, said assembly further comprising a second, inner seal located between said inner and outer races, said second inner seal including means for providing a seal between said inner and outer races to maintain lubricant within the confines of the bearing assembly, and, said inner seal comprising a resilient sealing member and a stiff support member, said second surface being defined by a surface on said support member.

Claim 4

A bearing assembly comprising: inner and outer race members and a plurality of antifriction members located therebetween, a generally cup-shaped, plastic seal, with the cup shape being inwardly directed towards said antifriction members, said plastic seal comprising a radially extending support portion and a ring portion extending axially from one extremity of said support portion, first and second surfaces associated with said inner and outer members said support portion engageable with said first surface and said ring portion having its terminating end engageable with said second surface whereby a seal is provided for the confines of the bearing assembly, said support portion and said ring portion having their sealing surfaces constructed such that the assembly includes means for defining an interference fit between said first and second surfaces whereby said sealing surfaces are resiliently held against said first and second surfaces, said terminating end as engaged with said second surface having substantially no clearance at its radially outer extremity, said outer radial surfaces of said ring portion being inclined radially inwardly, axially away from said bearing assembly, said seal being constructed of a hard, wear resistant plastic having the property of providing high lubricity, said assembly further comprising a second, inner seal located between said inner and outer races, said second inner seal including means for providing a seal between said inner and outer races to maintain lubricant within the confines of the bearing assembly, and, said inner seal comprising a resilient sealing member and a stiff support member, said second surface being defined by a surface on said support member.

Claim 5

The assembly of claim 2 with part of the support portion being located in an annular groove in that one of said inner and outer races with which it is associated, said first surface being a part of said groove,

Claim 6

The assembly of claim 3 with the outer radial surfaces of said ring portion being inclined radially inwardly, axially away from said bearing assembly.

Claim 7

The bearing assembly of claim 4 with said antifriction members being ball members and with said support member supported on said outer race and with said groove being in said inner race.