Adjustable self-aligning pivot bearing, and pin and socket employing same

Claim 1

In an articulated vehicle having first and second sections pivotally connected together via a pivot connection, said pivot connection employing at least one pin and socket, the improvement comprising: a. a shaft; b. a first support member having a first bore conformingly receiving said shaft and connected with said first section of said vehicle; c. a retainer plate means carried by said first support member and connected with one end of said shaft and with said first support member; d. pivot means disposed about said shaft adjacent its other end, and having a second bore conformingly receiving said shaft; said pivot means having an exterior portion of spherical configuration; e. a second support member mounted for pivotal movement with respect to said first support member and defining a cavity about said pivot means; said second support member being connected with said second section of said vehicle; f. bearing means disposed in said cavity and engaging said pivot means; said bearing means comprising a plurality of sections covering substantially the entire spherical exterior portion of said pivot means so as to allow only a few degrees of misalignment and to sustain maximum radial and thrust forces; said plurality of sections having a small clearance adjacent the equator of said spherical exterior portion for being adjustably fitted to said spherical exterior portion through respective adjusting movement longitudinally of said shaft to compensate for wear; g. thrust plate means engaging one of said sections of said bearing means; h. adjustable connection means removably and adjustably connecting said thrust plate means with said second support member for retaining said bearing means fittingly engaging said spherical exterior portion of said pivot means; i. at least one shim disposed intermediate said thrust plate means and said second support member, said shim being removable so as to allow said one section of said bearing means to be moved toward said first support member to compensate for wear; and j. retention means holding said pivot means emplaced on said shaft; said second bore and said shaft having uniform conforming dimensions such that said shaft can be slid out of said second bore of said pivot means without disassembling said pivot means and said bearing means with their proper wear-adjusted fit.