Abstract The invention contemplates fabrication of a resilient selflocking structure in the bore of a ring to be mounted on a shaft. The structure involves an annulus of elastomeric material bonded to the bore and having a bore of diameter to encounter interference with a given shaft diameter, on which the resiliently lined ring is to be mounted. Plural angularly spaced metal feet are embedded in the elastomeric material, the feet being in radial clearance relation with the bearing ring bore and having inner surfaces exposed at the bore of the elastomeric material. Thus, the interference encountered upon shaft insertion develops resiliently loaded radially outward displacement of the clamping feet.
A resilient self-locking bearing ring, comprising an inner bearing ring having a cylindrical bore, a ring of elastomeric material bonded to said bore and having a bore of diameter to have slight interference with a given shaft diameter, and plural angularly spaced metal feet embedded in said elastomeric material, said feet being in radial-clearance relation with the bearing-ring bore and having inner surfaces exposed at the bore of said elastomeric material, the inner surface of each foot being defined at least in part by an arc of radius less than that of the given shaft, whereby upon shaft-insertion each foot will be resiliently displaced radially outwardly so as to establish two angularly spaced points of resiliently loaded contact with the shaft.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
121 words
A resilient self-locking bearing ring, comprising an inner bearing ring having a cylindrical bore, a ring of elastomeric material bonded to said bore and having a bore of diameter to have slight interference with a given shaft diameter, and plural angularly spaced metal feet embedded in said elastomeric material, said feet being in radial-clearance relation with the bearing-ring bore and having inner surfaces exposed at the bore of said elastomeric material, the inner surface of each foot being defined at least in part by an arc of radius less than that of the given shaft, whereby upon shaft-insertion each foot will be resiliently displaced radially outwardly so as to establish two angularly spaced points of resiliently loaded contact with the shaft.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The bearing ring of claim 1, in which said feet are three in number, of equal and relatively arcuate extent, and relatively narrowly angularly spaced from each other.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The bearing ring of claim 2, in which said feet are each U-shaped cusps, with the trough of each U-shape facing radially inwardly, the inner arcuate surface of each foot being defined at the arm extremities of each U-shape.