Memory disc drive spindle

Claim 2

In a spindle assembly, a shaft member having one end equipped to receive rotative power from a drive assembly and the other end equipped to distribute the driving power, said shaft intermediate its ends being provided with at least two, spaced apart ball bearing raceways, a housing including a chamber having a generally cylindrical inside wall co-axially arranged with respect to said shaft, at least two, spaced apart ball bearing assemblies arranged along the inside wall of said chamber so that the bearing balls operatively engage the ball raceways on said shaft, spacer means disposed intermediate said ball bearing assemblies and including a circumferentially extending slot arranged in a portion of said inside wall, a ring member disposed in said slot, said slot and ring member being provided with complimentary portions arranged at an acute angle so that said ring member cams into said slot, said ring member providing an axially facing, radially inwardly extending, locational surface serving to position accurately one of said bearing assemblies with respect to said housing, and the other end of said spacer means engaging the other of said bearing assemblies serving to support through said bearing assembly said shaft axially with respect to said housing.

Claim 3

The spindle assembly of claim 1 wherein said spacer means includes spring means acting between said abutment means and said other one of said bearing assemblies.

Claim 4

The spindle assembly of claim 1 wherein at least one of said bearing assemblies includes a rotatable ball retainer having axially extending portions, and sealing means serving to maintain a reservoir of lubricant with respect to said bearing assembly, said sealing means comprising an annular body of resilient material disposed axially to one side of said ball bearings, and including a radially inwardly disposed cylindrical wall mounted at one end thereof to said body, the free end of said cylindrical wall having an inwardly projecting annular sealing lip engaging said shaft, an axially opening, annular recess formed within said seal radially outwardly of said wall serving as a lubricant reservoir, said axially extending portions of said ball retainer projecting axially into said recess for engagement with lubricant therein.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said ball retainer is formed from a lubricant pervious material affording by wicking action lubricant transfer from said seal reservoir to said bearing balls.

Claim 6

In a drive spindle assembly the combination comprising, a housing, a ball bearing and seal assembly arranged in said housing and including a rotatable member having a ball inner raceway extending around an outer surface of said member, an outer member generally stationary with respect to said housing and having a ball outer raceway extending around an inner surface of said member, a ball retainer disposed in a space between said members, a row of ball bearings in said ball retainer and cooperably arranged with respect to said members and operatively disposed in said raceways, sealing means serving to maintain a reservoir of lubricant with respect to said ball bearings and providing impedance to air movement across said bearings, said sealing means comprising an annular body of resilient material disposed axially on one side of said raceways, and including a radially inwardly disposed cylindrical wall mounted at one end thereof on said body, the free end of said cylindrical wall having an inwardly projecting, annular sealing lip engaging said rotatable member, said cylindrical wall and said seal body being radially spaced apart to define an axially opening, annular recess serving as a lubricant reservoir, said ball retainer having portions projecting axially into said recess for engagement with lubricant therein, portions of said seal body and said stationary member defining an annular space, and, resilient, annular sealing means disposed in said annular space and biasing said sealing means radially inwardly towards said rotatable member.

Claim 7

In a drive spindle assembly the combination comprising, a housing, a ball bearing and seal assembly arranged in said housing and including a rotatable member having a ball inner raceway extending around an outer surface of said member, an outer member generally stationary with respect to said housing and having a ball outer raceway extending around an inner surface of said member, a ball retainer disposed in a space between said members, a row of ball bearings in said ball retainer and cooperably arranged with respect to said members and operatively disposed in said raceways, sealing means serving to maintain a reservoir of lubricant with respect to said ball bearings and providing impedance to air movement across said bearings, said sealing means comprising an annular body of resilient material disposed axially on one side of said raceways, and including a radially inwardly disposed cylindrical wall mounted at one end thereof on said body, the free end of said cylindrical wall having an inwardly projecting, annular sealing lip engaging said rotatable member, said cylindrical wall and said seal body being radially spaced apart to define an axially opening, annular recess serving as a lubricant reservoir, said ball retainer having portions projecting axially into said recess for engagement with lubricant therein, portions of said seal body and said stationary member defining an annular space, and, resilient, annular sealing means disposed in said annular space and biasing said sealing means radially inwardly towards said rotatable member.

Claim 8

ThE apparatus of claim 5 wherein said ball retainer is formed from a lubricant pervious material affording by wicking action lubricant transfer from said seal reservoir to said bearing balls.