Shaft locking device

Claim 2

In combination, a bearing or the like ring having a bore and a locking element carried within the bore for locking said ring to a shaft; said ring having a first relatively gently tapered elongated conical bore portion concentric with the ring axis and a relatively steeply tapered conical counterbore at one end of said bore portion, said counterbore being eccentric to the ring axis, and said tapers being inclined in opposite directions with respect to a radial plane between said surfaces; said locking element comprising a split sleeve having a cylindrical bore sized for fit with an intended mounting-shaft size, said sleeve having an outer contour characterized by a first gently tapered elongated conical surface portion concentric with the sleeve bore and in substantial coaxial registry with said first bore portion, said outer contour being further characterized by a second and relatively steeply tapered surface portion in substantial registry with and facing said counterbore.

Claim 3

The combination of claim 1, in which the inclination of said tapers is such as to converge both tapers in directions away from said radial plane.

Claim 4

The combination of claim 1, in which the inclination of said tapers is such aS to expand both tapers in directions away from said radial plane.

Claim 5

The combination of claim 1, in which said relatively gentle tapers are substantially the same and are at least no greater than substantially 10*.

Claim 6

The combination of claim 4, in which said relatively gentle tapers are in the range of 2* to 5*.

Claim 7

The combination of claim 1, in which said relatively steep tapers are substantially the same and are at least no less than substantially 40*.

Claim 8

The combination of claim 6, in which said relatively steep tapers are substantially 45*.

Claim 9

In combination, a bearing inner ring comprising having an outwardly facing circumferentially continuous antifriction-element raceway in a first axial region, said ring having a bore characterized by a relatively gently tapered elongated conical bore portion coaxial with said raceway and in substantial overlap with said first axial region, a sleeve having a cylindrical bore sized for fit with an intended mounting-shaft size, said sleeve having an outer conical surface concentric with said cylindrical bore and of substantially the same taper as said gently tapered bore portion, said bore portion and outer conical surface having circumferential and axially extensive interference when overlapped in said first axial region, and axially-operative cam means including coacting eccentric similarly tapered portions of said ring and sleeve in a second axial region of their overlap, said cam means being operative upon relative rotation of said ring and sleeve to axially cam said ring and sleeve in the direction to engage said gently tapered bore portion with said conical surface.

Claim 10

In combination, a bearing inner ring comprising having an outwardly facing circumferentially continuous antifriction-element raceway in a first axial region, said ring having a bore characterized by a relatively gently tapered elongated conical bore portion coaxial with said raceway and in substantial overlap with said first axial region, a sleeve having a cylindrical bore sized for fit with an intended mounting-shaft size, said sleeve having an outer conical surface concentric with said cylindrical bore and of substantially the same taper as said gently tapered bore portion, said bore portion and outer conical surface having circumferential and axially extensive interference when overlapped in said first axial region, and axially-operative cam means including coacting eccentric similarly tapered portions of said ring and sleeve in a second axial region of their overlap, said cam means being operative upon relative rotation of said ring and sleeve to axially cam said ring and sleeve in the direction to engage said gently tapered bore portion with said conical surface.

Claim 11

The combination of claim 8, in which said first axial region is of greater axial extent than said raceway and fully overlaps the same, whereby antifriction element support is directly and uniformly radial with respect to the ring axis.

Claim 12

The combination of claim 8, in which said second axial region is axially offset from said first axial region, where any asymmetry of axial camming force development is substantially local to a region removed from that of antifriction-element support.

Claim 13

The combination of claim 8, in which said sleeve is characterized by a degree of radially compliant expandable action.

Claim 14

The combination of claim 11, in which said sleeve is of metal.

Claim 15

The combination of claim 11, in which said sleeve is of plastic material.

Claim 16

In combination, a bearing inner ring comprising having an outwardly facing circumferentially continuous antifriction-element raceway in a first axial region, said ring having a bore characterized by a relatively gently tapered elongated conical bore portion coaxial with said raceway and in substantial overlap with said first axial region, a sleeve having a cylindrical bore sized for fit with an intended mounting-shaft size, said sleeve having an outer conical surface concentric with said cylindrical bore and of substantially the same taper as said gently tapered bore portion, said bore portion and outer conical surface having circumferential and axially extensive interference when overlapped in said first axial region, and axially-operative cam means including coacting portions of said ring and sleeve in a second axial region of their overlap, said cam means comprising relatively steeply inclined eccentric tapered surfaces on said ring and sleeve and being operative upon relative rotation of said ring and sleeve to axially cam said ring and sleeve in the direction to engage said gently tapered bore portion with said conical surface.

Claim 17

In combination, a bearing inner ring comprising having an outwardly facing circumferentially continuous antifriction-element raceway in a first axial region, said ring having a bore characterized by a relatively gently tapered elongated conical bore portion coaxial with said raceway and in substantial overlap with said first axial region, a sleeve having a cylindrical bore sized for fit with an intended mounting-shaft size, said sleeve having an outer conical surface concentric with said cylindrical bore and of substantially the same taper as said gently tapered bore portion, said bore portion and outer conical surface having circumferential and axially extensive interference when overlapped in said first axial region, and axially-operative cam means including coacting portions of said ring and sleeve in a second axial region of their overlap, said cam means comprising relatively steeply inclined eccentric tapered surfaces on said ring and sleeve and being operative upon relative rotation of said ring and sleeve to axially cam said ring and sleeve in the direction to engage said gently tapered bore portion with said conical surface.

Claim 18

The combination of claim 14, in which said sleeve is split.

Claim 19

The combination of claim 14, in which the tapering directions of said relatively gentle taper and of said relative steep taper are axially opposed, both tapers of said ring having a region of radial overlap with both tapers of said sleeve, whereby axial retention of an assembled ring and sleeve is inherent, said sleeve being split and stiffly compliantly deformable, the angular extent of the split being such in relation to the extent of said region of radial overlap for at least one axial direction of inserted assembly of said sleeve into said ring that said sleeve may be transiently radially compressed to permit such assembly.

Claim 20

The combination of claim 16, in which said ring includes an externally accessible tool-engaging discontinuity for torque application to said ring; whereby to install said combination on a shaft of said size, the assembly is first axially applied to desired position on the shaft, with interference-fit frictional engagement of said sleeve to the shaft, and then the ring is rotated to establish eccentrically cammed locking of the raceway in concentric relation to the shaft, with optional provision for tool-applied torque to set the lock.

Claim 21

In combination, a bearing inner ring comprising having an outwardly facing circumferentially continuous antifriction-element raceway in a first axial region, said ring having a bore characterized by a relatively gently tapered elongated conical bore portion coaxial with said raceway and in substantial overlap with said first axial region, a sleeve having a cylindrical bore sized for fit with an intended mounting-shaft size, said sleeve having an outer conical surface concentric with said cylindrical bore and of substantially the same taper as said gently tapered bore portion, said bore portion and outer conical surface having circumferential and axially extensive interference when overlapped in said first axial region, and axially-operative cam means including coacting portions of said ring and sleeve in a second axial region of their overlap, said cam means being operative upon relative rotation of said ring and sleeve to axially cam said ring and sleeve in the direction to engage said gently tapered bore portion with said conical surface, said sleeve and ring having integral circumferentially extending and radially overlapping portions which axially retain assembly of said sleeve and ring, in readiness for shaft mounting.

Claim 22

In combination, a bearing inner ring comprising having an outwardly facing circumferentially continuous antifriction-element raceway in a first axial region, said ring having a bore characterized by a relatively gently tapered elongated conical bore portion coaxial with said raceway and in substantial overlap with said first axial region, a sleeve having a cylindrical bore sized for fit with an intended mounting-shaft size, said sleeve having an outer conical surface concentric with said cylindrical bore and of substantially the same taper as said gently tapered bore portion, said bore portion and outer conical surface having circumferential and axially extensive interference when overlapped in said first axial region, and axially-operative cam means including coacting portions of said ring and sleeve in a second axial region of their overlap, said cam means being operative upon relative rotation of said ring and sleeve to axially cam said ring and sleeve in the direction to engage said gently tapered bore portion with said conical surface, said sleeve and ring having integral circumferentially extending and radially overlapping portions which axially retain assembly of said sleeve and ring, in readiness for shaft mounting.

Claim 23

The combination of claim 8, wherein said similarly tapered eccentric portions are sufficiently steep to develop both a substantial axial-displacement force reaction and a substantial radially-compressive clamping action in axially offset elation to said first axial region.