US3746415A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self lubricating sleeve bearing
Assignee: TGA North America Holdings III Inc
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Filing: 1971-08-05
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Granted: 1973-07-17
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Expires: 1991-08-05
Abstract
Abstract A self-lubricating sleeve bearing is formed from a moldable plastic material as a thin-walled cylindrical member hasing a bearing surface on the inside bore thereof and a plurality of circumferentially extending thin-walled fins located along the outside surface thereof. A plurality of separate lubrication distribution openings provided in the cylindrical member between the circumferentially extending fins or, alternatively, a plurality of axially-extending slots interconnecting two or more of the fins, meter the lubricant to the bearing surface. Lubricant equalization apertures provided in the circumferentially extending fins interconnect the lubricantcarrying annular spaces therebetween throughout the length of the bearing. The bearing may be assembled from sections or modular segments. Integral and/or separate sealing can be incorporated with the bearing. The bearing also may be manufactured with a longitudinally extending compensation gap to permit circumferential expansion of the bearing under operating conditions.
Inventors
- 👤 J Thomson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 01:36
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16C; F16C33/00; F16C33/02; F16C33/04; F16C33/06; F16C33/10; F16C33/1025; F16C33/103; F16C17/00; F16C17/02; F16C27/00; F16C27/02; F16C33/102; F16C33/20; F16C33/72; F16C33/74; F16C2208/00; F16C2208/20; F16C2208/60
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
A self-lubricating bearing comprising: a thin-walled member having a bearing surface; a plurality of thin-walled radially extending fins supporting the bearing surface said radially extending fins defining a plurality of annular spaces therebetween for containing a lubricant; and a plurality of openings extending through said member communicating said spaces between said fins with said bearing surface; whereby, lubricant contained in said spaces may flow from said spaces through said openings to said bearing surface of said thin-walled member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
78 words
A self-lubricating bearing comprising: a thin-walled member having a bearing surface; a plurality of thin-walled radially extending fins supporting the bearing surface said radially extending fins defining a plurality of annular spaces therebetween for containing a lubricant; and a plurality of openings extending through said member communicating said spaces between said fins with said bearing surface; whereby, lubricant contained in said spaces may flow from said spaces through said openings to said bearing surface of said thin-walled member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The self-lubricating bearing of claim 1, wherein; a plurality of apertures extend through said fins communicating said annular spaces with one another; whereby lubricant contained in said spaces may flow between said annular spaces.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
The self-lubricating bearing of claim 1, formed from a moldable material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The self-lubricating bearing of claim 1, formed into a single unit from two or more sections.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
82 words
A self-lubricating sleeve bearing comprising: a thin-walled member having a bearing surface on the inner surface thereof; a plurality of thin-walled radially extending fins supporting the bearing surface of said member, said radially extending fins defining a plurality of annular spaces therebetween for containing a lubricant; a plurality of openings extending through said member communicating said spaces between said fins with said bearing surface; whereby, lubricant contained in said spaces may flow from said spaces through said openings to said bearing surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
82 words
A self-lubricating sleeve bearing comprising: a thin-walled member having a bearing surface on the inner surface thereof; a plurality of thin-walled radially extending fins supporting the bearing surface of said member, said radially extending fins defining a plurality of annular spaces therebetween for containing a lubricant; a plurality of openings extending through said member communicating said spaces between said fins with said bearing surface; whereby, lubricant contained in said spaces may flow from said spaces through said openings to said bearing surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
The self-lubricating sleeve bearing of claim 5, wherein: a plurality of apertures extend through said fins communicating said annular spaces with one another; whereby, lubricant contained in said spaces may flow between said annular spaces and from said spaces to said bearing surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
107 words
A self-lubricating bearing comprising: a thin-walled member having a bearing surface on the inner surface thereof; a plurality of thin-walled radially extending fins spaced on the outer surface of said member to support the bearing surface of said member, said radially extending fins defining a plurality of spaces therebetween for containing a lubricant; a plurality of openings extending through said member communicating said spaces between said fins with said bearing surface; a plurality of apertures extending through each of said fins communicating said annular spaces with one another; whereby, lubricant contained in said spaces may flow between said spaces and from said spaces to said bearing surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
107 words
A self-lubricating bearing comprising: a thin-walled member having a bearing surface on the inner surface thereof; a plurality of thin-walled radially extending fins spaced on the outer surface of said member to support the bearing surface of said member, said radially extending fins defining a plurality of spaces therebetween for containing a lubricant; a plurality of openings extending through said member communicating said spaces between said fins with said bearing surface; a plurality of apertures extending through each of said fins communicating said annular spaces with one another; whereby, lubricant contained in said spaces may flow between said spaces and from said spaces to said bearing surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
A self-lubricant sleeve bearing in accordance with claim 7, in which the thin-walled member is cylindrical and in which the bearing surface comprises the inner surface thereof; and said spaces between the radially extending fins are annular spaces.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
42 words
A bearing as claimed in claim 8, wherein said openings extending through said cylindrical member are of a predetermined dimension so as to meter the flow of lubricant from said annular spaces to said bearing surface as desired under normal operating temperatures.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
A bearing aS claimed in claim 8, formed into a single unit from two or more sections.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
A bearing as claimed in claim 8, formed into a single unit of desired length from two or more modular segments.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
A bearing as claimed in claim 8, including a flange formed on at least one end thereof.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
44 words
A bearing as claimed in claim 8, wherein said cylindrical member includes an integrally formed, circumferentially extending, inwardly tapered, flexible rim on at least one end thereof so as to integrally seal said bearing about a rotating shaft extending through the inside bore thereof.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
A bearing as claimed in claim 8, wherein said openings extending through said cylindrical member comprise a plurality of axially extending slots interconnecting a plurality of said annular spaces with said bearing surface.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
A bearing as claimed in claim 8, including a longitudinally extending compensation gap of sufficient width to permit free circumferential expansion of said sleeve in use.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
A bearing as claimed in claim 3, wherein said moldable material is a resilient or rigid plastic.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
A bearing as claimed in claim 13, including means for sealing said bearing about a rotating shaft separately from said integral sealing rim.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-16 | 1977-01-15 | 1977-07-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-16 | 1981-01-15 | 1981-07-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-16 | 1985-01-15 | 1985-07-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |