Bearing seal case mounting

Claim 2

A seal case carried by a supporting structure having a bore defined by a circumferential wall surface and a relief opening into the bore; said seal case comprising a first metal portion frictionally engaged with the circumferential wall surface of the supporting structure, the normal fit between the first portion and the circumferential wall surface being an interference fit; a second metal portion connected rigidly to the first portion and spaced from the cylindrical wall surface of the supporting structure, the second metal portion being imperforate and being located deeper in the bore than the first portion; an elastomeric material interposed between the second portion and the supporting structure, the elastomeric material having at least one projection thereon which engages the circumferential wall surface of the supporting structure and is distorted inwardly thereby so that the elastomeric material will remain engaged with the supporting structure as the supporting structure and seal case expand and contract relative to each other; whereby no slippage between the seal case and supporting structure occurs when the interference fit momentarily diminishes or disappears; and a rigid locking bead on the second metal portion at the end thereof remote from the first metal portion, the locking bead projecting outwardly from the second metal portion so that it will lead and protect the elastomeric material as the sal case is inserted axially into the bore, whereby the elastomeric material is not subjected to excessive shear forces, the locking bead normally projecting into the relief so as to retain the seal case in the bore.

Claim 3

In a bearing assembly including a bearing and a wear surface positioned beyond the bearing, the bearing having an outer race provided with a generalLy cylindrical socket opening outwardly toward the wear surface and inwardly terminating at an annular relief which opens toward the axis of rotation for the bearing; an improved seal assembly for closing the end of the bearing and comprising: a seal case including a circumferential wall fitted snugly in the cylindrical socket of the outer race and a locking projection on one end of the circumferential wall and extended outwardly beyond the wall and into the relief to retain the seal case in the socket, the circumferential wall having an enlarged portion which prior to insertion into the cylindrical socket has a diameter greater than the diameter of the cylindrical socket so that when the circumferential wall is inserted into the socket the enlarged portion thereof will frictionally engage the surface defining the generally cylindrical socket, the circumferential wall further having an imperforate reduced portion joined to the enlarged portion and being smaller in diameter than the enlarged portion so that the reduced portion is spaced from the surface defining the cylindrical socket when the enlarged portion is frictionally engaged with that surface; an elastomeric material bonded to the imperforate reduced portion and engaging the surface of the cylindrical socket such that it is normally distorted inwardly by that surface so that when the frictional engagement between the socket surface and the enlarged portion diminishes, the elastomeric material will expand outwardly and prevent the seal case from slipping relative to the outer race, the elastomeric material being further located adjacent to the locking projection so that the projection will lead the elastomeric material as the seal case is inserted into the socket, whereby the locking projection protects the elastomeric material from excessive shear forces; and a seal carried by the seal case and engaging the wear surface.

Claim 4

In a bearing assembly including a bearing and a wear surface positioned beyond the bearing, the bearing having an outer race provided with a generalLy cylindrical socket opening outwardly toward the wear surface and inwardly terminating at an annular relief which opens toward the axis of rotation for the bearing; an improved seal assembly for closing the end of the bearing and comprising: a seal case including a circumferential wall fitted snugly in the cylindrical socket of the outer race and a locking projection on one end of the circumferential wall and extended outwardly beyond the wall and into the relief to retain the seal case in the socket, the circumferential wall having an enlarged portion which prior to insertion into the cylindrical socket has a diameter greater than the diameter of the cylindrical socket so that when the circumferential wall is inserted into the socket the enlarged portion thereof will frictionally engage the surface defining the generally cylindrical socket, the circumferential wall further having an imperforate reduced portion joined to the enlarged portion and being smaller in diameter than the enlarged portion so that the reduced portion is spaced from the surface defining the cylindrical socket when the enlarged portion is frictionally engaged with that surface; an elastomeric material bonded to the imperforate reduced portion and engaging the surface of the cylindrical socket such that it is normally distorted inwardly by that surface so that when the frictional engagement between the socket surface and the enlarged portion diminishes, the elastomeric material will expand outwardly and prevent the seal case from slipping relative to the outer race, the elastomeric material being further located adjacent to the locking projection so that the projection will lead the elastomeric material as the seal case is inserted into the socket, whereby the locking projection protects the elastomeric material from excessive shear forces; and a seal carried by the seal case and engaging the wear surface.

Claim 5

The structure according to claim 2 wherein the reduced portion tapers inwardly from the enlarged portion.