Antiskew device for drill bit bearings

Claim 2

In a drill bit roller bearing structure of the type in which a load is normally applied in a given direction and which includes an outer raceway, an inner raceway, one of said raceways being fixed relative to the other raceway, and roller bearings between the raceways, the load normally being substantially borne by one quadrant of the fixed raceway, the improvement comprising: means associated with the fixed raceway for aligning the roller bearings as they enter the load bearing quadrant such that the axes of the roller bearings are substantially parallel to the axes of the raceways thereby causing the load to be borne substantially equally along the entire longitudinal surface of the roller bearings.

Claim 3

The improved drill as described in claim 1 wherein the aligning means comprises means associated with the fixed raceway extending into the space between the raceways proximate the edge of the load bearing quadrant for engaging the roller bearings as they approach the load bearing quadrant and for aligning the axes of the roller bearings.

Claim 4

The improved drill as defined in claim 2 wherein the aligning means comprises an elongate resilient member for engaging the roller bearings and aligning them.

Claim 5

The improved drill as defined in claim 3 wherein the aligning means comprises a cylindrical resilient member.

Claim 6

The improved drill as defined in claim 3 wherein the aligning means comprises an elastomeric member.

Claim 7

The improved drill as defined in claim 5 wherein the aligning member is cylindrical in form.

Claim 8

The improved drill as defined in claim 6 wherein the cylindrical aligning member is a rubber cylinder.

Claim 9

The improved drill as defined in claim 3 wherein the aligning means comprises a spring.

Claim 10

The improved drill as defined in claim 8 wherein the aligning means is a roll spring.

Claim 11

An improved drill bit roller bearing structure which includes the combination of: an inner raceway, an outer raceway annularly spaced from the inner raceway for rotation relative to the inner raceway, a plurality of roller bearings received between the raceways, the drill bit being of the type wherein maximum force is normally applied to one area of the inner raceway, and, means constructed and positioned for aligning the roller bearings entering the area of maximum applied force such that the axes of the roller bearings entering the force area are substantially parallel to the axis of the inner raceway.

Claim 12

An improved drill bit roller bearing structure which includes the combination of: an inner raceway, an outer raceway annularly spaced from the inner raceway for rotation relative to the inner raceway, a plurality of roller bearings received between the raceways, the drill bit being of the type wherein maximum force is normally applied to one area of the inner raceway, and, means constructed and positioned for aligning the roller bearings entering the area of maximum applied force such that the axes of the roller bearings entering the force area are substantially parallel to the axis of the inner raceway.

Claim 13

The improved drill bit structure as defined in claim 10 wherein the aligning means comprises a resilient member so positioned and constructed as to engage and align the roller bearings as such bearings approach the area of maximum force application.

Claim 14

The improved drill bit structure as defined in claim 11 wherein the aligning member is in the form of a resilient cylinder.

Claim 15

The iMproved drill bit structure as defined in claim 11 wherein the aligning member is an elastomeric cylinder.

Claim 16

The improved drill bit structure as defined in claim 11 wherein the aligning means is a roll spring.

Claim 17

The improved drill bit structure as defined in claim 10 wherein the aligning means constitutes a wiper constructed and mounted to contact and align the roller bearings as they enter the area of maximum force application.

Claim 18

The improved drill bit structure as defined in claim 15 wherein the aligning wiper is so constructed and positioned as to resiliently contact the roller bearings for aligning such bearings.

Claim 19

An improved roller bearing structure for use in environments wherein force is applied unequally to the roller bearing structure with maximum force being applied substantially in one quadrant of the roller bearing structure, said structure comprising: a stationary inner raceway, an outer raceway spaced from the inner raceway for rotation thereabout, a plurality of roller bearings received in the space between the inner raceway and the outer raceway, and a resilient wiper so disposed and constructed as to engage the roller bearings proximate the point of entry of such roller bearings into the load bearing quadrant for aligning the roller bearings such that the axes of the roller bearings entering the load bearing quadrant are substantially parallel to the axis of the inner raceway.

Claim 20

An improved roller bearing structure for use in environments wherein force is applied unequally to the roller bearing structure with maximum force being applied substantially in one quadrant of the roller bearing structure, said structure comprising: a stationary inner raceway, an outer raceway spaced from the inner raceway for rotation thereabout, a plurality of roller bearings received in the space between the inner raceway and the outer raceway, and a resilient wiper so disposed and constructed as to engage the roller bearings proximate the point of entry of such roller bearings into the load bearing quadrant for aligning the roller bearings such that the axes of the roller bearings entering the load bearing quadrant are substantially parallel to the axis of the inner raceway.