US3663849A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Snap-on retainer for motor rotor shaft
Assignee: Howard Industries Inc
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Filing: 1970-12-31
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Granted: 1972-05-16
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Expires: 1990-12-31
Abstract
Abstract Retaining and positioning mechanism for the rotor of an electric motor. The rotor axle is provided with a groove and the rotor assembly is provided with a snap-on thrust retainer with prongs which will bend axially to snap into the axle groove, thus to key the rotor to the stator and contain end play of the rotor in both axial directions. End play control is unitized at the retainer. The invention makes it possible to preassemble the rotor with its retaining and positioning mechanism prior to final assembly of the rotor with the stator. Final assembly consists simply of snapping the rotor into place on its axle.
Inventors
- 👤 Norvel J Heob
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 12:21
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02K; H02K5/00; H02K5/04; H02K5/16; H02K5/167; H02K5/1675
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
In an electric motor having a stator, a rotor, a rotor axle fixed with respect to the stator and along which the rotor is axially movable, and retainer means to hold the rotor on the axle against such axial movement, the improvement in which said retainer means comprises a thrust ring having radially projecting axially yieldable prongs, said axle having a groove into which said prongs snap in the course of assembling the rotor and stator, said prongs resisting axial movement of the rotor in both axial directions to unitize end play control at said thrust ring.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
97 words
In an electric motor having a stator, a rotor, a rotor axle fixed with respect to the stator and along which the rotor is axially movable, and retainer means to hold the rotor on the axle against such axial movement, the improvement in which said retainer means comprises a thrust ring having radially projecting axially yieldable prongs, said axle having a groove into which said prongs snap in the course of assembling the rotor and stator, said prongs resisting axial movement of the rotor in both axial directions to unitize end play control at said thrust ring.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The invention of claim 1 in which the shaft has a beveled portion adjacent said groove to promote gradual yielding of the thrust ring prongs in the course of assembling the rotor and stator and before the prongs snap into the groove.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
155 words
In an electric motor having a stator, a rotor, a rotor axle, and retainer means to hold the rotor against axial movement, the improvement in which said retainer means comprises a thrust ring having radially projecting axially yieldable prongs, said axle having a groove into which said prongs snap in the course of assembling the rotor and stator, said prongs resisting axial movement of the rotor in both axial directions, said motor being of the unit bearing type in which the stator has a frame and the axle comprises a shaft cantilevered out from said frame and having a free end, said groove being disposed in said shaft proximate the free end of the shaft, said rotor having a sleeve telescopically received about said shaft, and means fixing the thrust ring to said sleeve for interlocking engagement of the ring prongs with the shaft groove in the course of telescoping the sleeve over said shaft.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
155 words
In an electric motor having a stator, a rotor, a rotor axle, and retainer means to hold the rotor against axial movement, the improvement in which said retainer means comprises a thrust ring having radially projecting axially yieldable prongs, said axle having a groove into which said prongs snap in the course of assembling the rotor and stator, said prongs resisting axial movement of the rotor in both axial directions, said motor being of the unit bearing type in which the stator has a frame and the axle comprises a shaft cantilevered out from said frame and having a free end, said groove being disposed in said shaft proximate the free end of the shaft, said rotor having a sleeve telescopically received about said shaft, and means fixing the thrust ring to said sleeve for interlocking engagement of the ring prongs with the shaft groove in the course of telescoping the sleeve over said shaft.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The invention of claim 3 in which the free end of the shaft is beveled to promote gradual yielding of the thrust ring prongs in the last stages of telescopic movement of the sleeve with respect to the shaft.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention of claim 4 in which the groove has abrupt non-camming side walls to retain the prongs therein.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
The inventions of claim 4 in which the end of the sleeve proximate the beveled end of the shaft is provided with a closure cap spaced from the end of the shaft when the ring prongs are engaged in said shaft groove.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The invention of claim 6 in which the sleeve has a rabbet groove, an O-ring in said groove to retain the thrust ring, said closure cap confining said O-ring in said rabbet groove.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-05-16 | 1975-11-15 | 1976-05-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-16 | 1979-11-15 | 1980-05-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-16 | 1983-11-15 | 1984-05-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |