US3754802A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-aligning bearing assembly
Assignee: MPB Corp
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Filing: 1972-01-25
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Granted: 1973-08-28
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Expires: 1992-01-25
Abstract
Abstract A self-aligning bearing assembly having a single piece, stamped housing of general cup-shaped configuration, an opening in the bottom of the housing for seating a spherical bearing ball and spring fingers extending from the bottom of the housing for engaging the diametrically opposite side of the ball and retaining it in the housing.
Inventors
- 👤 J Keller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 00:29
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16C; F16C23/00; F16C23/02; F16C23/04; F16C23/043; F16C23/045; F16C27/00; F16C27/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
A bearing housing for holding a bearing ball, having an outer surface with bearing sections defining segments of a sphere, on diametrically opposite sides of said ball, said housing comprising: a. a mounting section having: 1. first fixed bearing means for engaging said ball along said sections on one diametric side and holding it against lateral movement in said housing, and 2. means for mounting said housing on a support; and b. second bearing means comprising a plurality of bearing fingers integral with said mounting section at one of their ends and having their other ends free from said mounting section and spaced from said first bearing means for engaging said ball along said sections on the diametrically opposite side thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
121 words
A bearing housing for holding a bearing ball, having an outer surface with bearing sections defining segments of a sphere, on diametrically opposite sides of said ball, said housing comprising: a. a mounting section having: 1. first fixed bearing means for engaging said ball along said sections on one diametric side and holding it against lateral movement in said housing, and 2. means for mounting said housing on a support; and b. second bearing means comprising a plurality of bearing fingers integral with said mounting section at one of their ends and having their other ends free from said mounting section and spaced from said first bearing means for engaging said ball along said sections on the diametrically opposite side thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
a cylindrical surface on the diametrically opposite side; and b. the bearing sections on the side of the ball having the cylindrical surface are defined by grooves in said surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
a cylindrical surface on the diametrically opposite side; and b. the bearing sections on the side of the ball having the cylindrical surface are defined by grooves in said surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
59 words
means for mounting said housing on a support; and b. second bearing means comprising a plurality of bearing fingers integral with said mounting section at one of their ends and having their other ends free from said mounting section and spaced from said first bearing means for engaging said ball along said sections on the diametrically opposite side thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
59 words
means for mounting said housing on a support; and b. second bearing means comprising a plurality of bearing fingers integral with said mounting section at one of their ends and having their other ends free from said mounting section and spaced from said first bearing means for engaging said ball along said sections on the diametrically opposite side thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A bearing housing for holding a bearing ball having an outer spherical shape comprising: a. a mounting section having:
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A bearing housing for holding a bearing ball having an outer spherical shape comprising: a. a mounting section having:
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
61 words
means for mounting said housing on a support; and b. second bearing means comprising a plurality of bearing fingers integral with said mounting section at one of their ends and having their other ends free from said mounting section and spaced from said first bearing means for engaging said ball along a second small circle diametrically opposite said first small circle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
61 words
means for mounting said housing on a support; and b. second bearing means comprising a plurality of bearing fingers integral with said mounting section at one of their ends and having their other ends free from said mounting section and spaced from said first bearing means for engaging said ball along a second small circle diametrically opposite said first small circle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
54 words
means for mounting said housing on a support; and b. second bearing means compriSing a plurality of bearing fingers integral with said mounting section at said one end thereof, said bearing fingers extending toward the other end of said mounting section and engaging said ball along said sections on the diametrically opposite side thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
54 words
means for mounting said housing on a support; and b. second bearing means compriSing a plurality of bearing fingers integral with said mounting section at said one end thereof, said bearing fingers extending toward the other end of said mounting section and engaging said ball along said sections on the diametrically opposite side thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
60 words
In a bearing assembly having a housing and a bearing ball held within the housing, said ball having an outer surface with bearing sections defining segments of a sphere on diametrically opposite sides of said ball, the improvement wherein said housing comprises: a. a generally cup-shaped mounting section with an open end and a bottom end, said mounting section having:
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
60 words
In a bearing assembly having a housing and a bearing ball held within the housing, said ball having an outer surface with bearing sections defining segments of a sphere on diametrically opposite sides of said ball, the improvement wherein said housing comprises: a. a generally cup-shaped mounting section with an open end and a bottom end, said mounting section having:
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
A bearing assembly according to claim 3 wherein: a. said first bearing means engages said ball along a first small circle; and b. said second bearing means engages said ball along a second small circle.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
A bearing assembly according to claim 4 wherein: a. said mounting section is cylindrical in its periphery.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
75 words
A bearing assembly according to claim 5 wherein: a. said mounting section has a continuous outer periphery; b. said mounting section includes a circular opening in the bottom end thereof; c. said first bearing means includes bearing fingers extending radially inwardly of said opening for engaging said ball along said first small circle; and d. the bearing fingers of said second bearing means are located radially inwardly of the outer periphery of the mounting section.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
A bearing assembly according to claim 6 further including: a. oil impregnated wicking means disposed between the outer periphery of said mounting section and said bearing fingers of said second bearing means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
53 words
A bearing assembly according to claim 4 wherein: a. said mounting section includes a plurality of supporting fingers extending from the bottom end thereof toward the open end, said supporting fingers having free ends spaced from each other at the open end and defining the means for mounting the housing on a support.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
A bearing assembly according to claim 8 wherein: a. the supporting fingers define a generally circular periphery for said housing.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
A bearing assembly according to claim 9 wherein: a. the free ends of said mounting fingers extend laterally outwardly relative to said circular periphery.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
A bearing assembly according to claim 9 wherein: a. the bearing fingers and mounting fingers are disposed alternately about the periphery of said housing.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
A bearing assembly according to claim 11 wherein: a. there are three bearing fingers and three mounting fingers.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
53 words
A bearing assembly according to claim 11 wherein: a. said housing is constructed of stamped spring steel; b. the free ends of said bearing fingers where they engage the ball along the second small circle define a circle smaller than said second small circle when no ball is in place within said housing.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
42 words
A bearing assembly according to claim 13 wherein: a. the housing is shaped with the portions defining the sides of the cup shape spaced from said ball and with the first and second bearing means defining the sole contact with the ball.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
28 words
A bearing assembly according to claim 14 further comprising: a. an oil wicking means disposed in the space between the side portions of the housing and said ball.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
19 words
A bearing assembly according to claim 15 wherein: a. said wicking means is a polymer matrix impregnated with oil.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
37 words
A bearing assembly according to claim 13 wherein: a. the free ends of the bearing fingers extend radially inwardly of the periphery of the housing and then radially outwardly thereof with the innermost surfaces engaging said ball.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
40 words
A bearing assembly according to claim 17 wherein: a. said ball includes at least one groove in its outer surface; and b. said housing includes means received within said groove for holding the ball against rotation relative to said housing.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
13 words
A bearing assembly according to claim 13 wherein: a. said bearing ball has:
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
60 words
A bearing assembly according to claim 13 wherein: a. saiD bearing ball has an outer spherical surface; and b. said ball includes at least one groove aligned with one of said bearing fingers for receiving said bearing finger and holding the ball against appreciable rotation relative to said housing, said grooves being slightly larger in size than said bearing fingers.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
43 words
A bearing assembly according to claim 20 wherein: a. said ball includes a bore extending therethrough; and b. said ball includes separate grooves aligned with and receiving each of said bearing fingers, said grooves being duplicated adjacent each axial end of said bore.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
26 words
A bearing assembly according to claim 13 wherein: a. the three mounting fingers extend in a diverging pattern toward the open end of said mounting section.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
41 words
A bearing assembly according to claim 13 wherein: a. said mounting section includes a circular opening at the bottom end thereof; and b. said first bearing means is comprised of the mounting section structure immediately surrounding and defining said circular opening.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
29 words
A bearing assembly according to claim 23 wherein: a. said first bearing means extends radially inwardly of said opening and away from the open end of the mounting section.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
45 words
A bearing assembly according to claim 24 wherein: a. said mounting section, at the bottom end thereof, extends radially inwardly of said opening, first in a direction toward the open end of the mounting section and then in a direction away from the open end.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
BE505973A
Cited
US1352204A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-08-27 | 1977-02-26 | 1977-08-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-08-27 | 1981-02-26 | 1981-08-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-08-27 | 1985-02-26 | 1985-08-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |