US3752544A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sealed bearing with axially undulating seal lip
Assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
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Filing: 1972-05-15
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Granted: 1973-08-14
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Expires: 1992-05-15
Abstract
Abstract A sealed ball bearing for sealing the annular space between the inner and outer races includes a flexible elastomeric washer that is held in place by a retaining ring mounted in a groove on the outer race. The retaining ring has a plurality of radially inwardly directed spring fingers which urge local segments of the washer axially into contact with the ribbon separator of the bearing thereby causing the washer to assume an axially undulating contact pattern with the inner race. When the bearing is rotated, the separator acts in a camming fashion to axially displace the local segments to establish a traveling wave motion in the washer which prevents contaminant buildup.
Inventors
- 👤 C Hay
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 19:01
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16C; F16C33/00; F16C33/72; F16C33/76; F16C33/78; F16C33/784; F16C33/7843; F16C33/30; F16C33/38; F16C33/42; F16C33/422; F16C33/427; F16C19/00; F16C19/02; F16C19/04; F16C19/06; F16C33/3831
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
A sealed bearing comprising: a pair of relatively rotatable race means; rolling elements between said race means; a separator for spacing said rolling elements, said separator including a pair of annular members having circumferentially alternating lands and outwardly projecting curved portions, said curved portions defining therebetween pockets for guidingly retaining said rolling elements; a seal member carried by one of said race means having an annular sealing surface engaging the other of said race means; biasing means operatively associated with said seal member for locally urging sections thereof against and between said curved portions such that said sealing surface assumes a circumferentially undulating ocntact pattern with said other of said race means whereby relatively rotating said race means causes said curved portions of the separator to axially displace said sections in a traveling wave motion to displace materials away from said sealing surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
143 words
A sealed bearing comprising: a pair of relatively rotatable race means; rolling elements between said race means; a separator for spacing said rolling elements, said separator including a pair of annular members having circumferentially alternating lands and outwardly projecting curved portions, said curved portions defining therebetween pockets for guidingly retaining said rolling elements; a seal member carried by one of said race means having an annular sealing surface engaging the other of said race means; biasing means operatively associated with said seal member for locally urging sections thereof against and between said curved portions such that said sealing surface assumes a circumferentially undulating ocntact pattern with said other of said race means whereby relatively rotating said race means causes said curved portions of the separator to axially displace said sections in a traveling wave motion to displace materials away from said sealing surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
172 words
A sealed ball bearing comprising: an inner race and an outer race relatively rotatable about an axis; a plurality of balls engaging said races for providing anti-friction rotation between the races; a separator for circumferentially spacing said balls, said separator having a pair of annular rings having mutually facing outwardly projecting arcuate portions defining pockets for guidingly retaining said balls, said arcuate portions being separated by axially recessed flat lands; an elastomeric seal member carried by said outer race having an annular seal lip engaging said inner race; a spring member carried on the outer race, said spring member having a plurality of radially inwardly extending fingers for locally urging portions of said seal member against said arcuate portions whereby saiD seal lip assumes a circumferentially undulating contact pattern with said inner race whereby rotating said race means causes a camming action of said arcuate portions against the biasing of the spring fingers to axially displace the seal lip in a traveling wave motion and prevent contaminant buildup at the sealing surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
172 words
A sealed ball bearing comprising: an inner race and an outer race relatively rotatable about an axis; a plurality of balls engaging said races for providing anti-friction rotation between the races; a separator for circumferentially spacing said balls, said separator having a pair of annular rings having mutually facing outwardly projecting arcuate portions defining pockets for guidingly retaining said balls, said arcuate portions being separated by axially recessed flat lands; an elastomeric seal member carried by said outer race having an annular seal lip engaging said inner race; a spring member carried on the outer race, said spring member having a plurality of radially inwardly extending fingers for locally urging portions of said seal member against said arcuate portions whereby saiD seal lip assumes a circumferentially undulating contact pattern with said inner race whereby rotating said race means causes a camming action of said arcuate portions against the biasing of the spring fingers to axially displace the seal lip in a traveling wave motion and prevent contaminant buildup at the sealing surface.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3226168A
Cited
US3314735A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-08-13 | 1977-02-12 | 1977-08-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-08-13 | 1981-02-12 | 1981-08-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-08-13 | 1985-02-12 | 1985-08-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |