Abstract There is disclosed a method and apparatus for manufacturing a ball bearing in which the inner and outer race members are made of sheet metal so as to provide a precision bearing of very low cost. The sheet metal ball bearing of this invention is contemplated to be made with three different styles of internal inner race members disposed to be attached to or used with office furniture, home appliances, conveyors, automotive devices and the like by three different means. Attachment of the bearings may be by spot welding, staking, spinning, bolting, riveting, in press fit seats and other conventional means. These ball bearings are commonly designated as unground cageless bearings wherein the balls are arranged in the raceway with the balls in substantially tangential circumferential engagement with each other so as to provide a bearing having a determined amount of play after the bearing is assembled. The apparatus for assembling these ball bearings contemplates that the manufacture of the ball bearings is with an ''''in line'''' assembly system or by a rotary table system. In either system the bearing components are carried through several stations for assembly to a determined configuration. These bearings are contemplated as having an outer flange drawn to a determined diameter which is merely a matter of selection. Size change of this diameter is accomplished by changing of the dies for the production of an outer blank diameter and for drawing the flange to a determined outer diameter. These bearings have inner and outer members which are of sheet metal and after assembly the bearings may be case hardened.
A ball bearing comprising: (a) an outer member of sheet metal of determined thickness and having a planer wall whose central portion is pierced and drawn to form an annular ring providing an inner raceway having a curvilinear surface adapted to conform to the diameter of the balls to be used in the bearing; (b) an inner member of sheet metal of determined thickness and drawn to a cupshaped configuration with an annular wall extending from an end wall, said annular wall formed with a smaller and larger diameter portions and with the inner surface of the larger portion having a curvilinear shape providing substantially one-half of an outer raceway of the bearing before the balls are assembled in the bearing; (c) a plurality of balls arranged within the inner raceway of the outer member and with the outer raceway of the inner member positioned To form a complementary rolling surface for the balls while enclosing one portion of the balls, and (d) an inwardly turned outer lip portion provided on the planar wall of the outer member and encircling the larger portion of the annular wall of the inner member, said outer lip portion being formed inwardly after the balls have been placed within the raceway of the outer member and the raceway of the inner member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
218 words
A ball bearing comprising: (a) an outer member of sheet metal of determined thickness and having a planer wall whose central portion is pierced and drawn to form an annular ring providing an inner raceway having a curvilinear surface adapted to conform to the diameter of the balls to be used in the bearing; (b) an inner member of sheet metal of determined thickness and drawn to a cupshaped configuration with an annular wall extending from an end wall, said annular wall formed with a smaller and larger diameter portions and with the inner surface of the larger portion having a curvilinear shape providing substantially one-half of an outer raceway of the bearing before the balls are assembled in the bearing; (c) a plurality of balls arranged within the inner raceway of the outer member and with the outer raceway of the inner member positioned To form a complementary rolling surface for the balls while enclosing one portion of the balls, and (d) an inwardly turned outer lip portion provided on the planar wall of the outer member and encircling the larger portion of the annular wall of the inner member, said outer lip portion being formed inwardly after the balls have been placed within the raceway of the outer member and the raceway of the inner member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A ball bearing as in claim 1 in which the outer member is formed from a disc with the outer portion formed into an annular flange portion providing the outer periphery of the bearing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
A ball bearing as in claim 1 in which the end wall of the inner member has an aperture formed therein providing means for mounting the bearing by a bolt, screw, rivet and the like.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
A ball bearing as in claim 1 in which the end wall of the inner member is drawn to form a center support in the manner of a stem projecting outwardly from the end wall and from the side opposite the drawn annular wall.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A ball bearing as in claim 1 in which the inner and outer members and the balls retained therein are case hardened with the balls in said bearing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
A ball bearing as in claim 1 in which the balls and raceways of the assembled bearing are sized so that the balls are disposed in a circle with the balls substantially in tangential contact and absent a cage retainer.