Multiple lip outer land riding seal

Claim 2

An anti-friction bearing assembly comrpising: a mounting member, said mounting member being ring shaped and having an Lshaped cross section with a short radially directed leg and a longer axially directed leg, an elastomeric sealing element, said elastomeric sealing element being ring shaped and having an axial length with a radially thicker portion adjacent one end thereof, said radially thicker portion terminating in its outer diameter in a pair of circumferential radially outwardly extending sealing lips, the said lips axially spaced from one another, the said lips projecting at a common angle to the radius, the said elastomeric member having its inner diameter bonded to the outer diameter of the mounting member to provide a combined assembly, the radially thicker portion positioned radially out from the axially directed leg and attached thereto axially spaced from the radially directed leg, the lips projecting from The combined assembly adjacent an axial end of the combined assembly remote from the radially directed leg, the radially directed leg extending radially inward from the axially directed leg, and the said combined assembly being attached to a rotating shaft at the inner diameter of the radially short leg, the lips contacting the inner diameter of an outer race ring surrounding the shaft whereby the lips project adjacent one axial end of the combined assembly and the radially directed leg projects in a direction opposite the lips, adjacent the other axial end of the assembly.

Claim 3

The assembly of claim 1 wherein the lips normally project at an angle of approximately 15* to the radius and are deformed to a greater angle of projection in contact with the race ring inner diameter.

Claim 4

An anti-friction bearing assembly comprising: a shaft, said shaft having race grooves in its surface, an outer race ring, said outer race ring having race grooves in the inner diameter thereof, said race grooves circumferentially aligned, anti-friction rolling elements received in said grooves, said outer race ring having a circumferential portion projecting axially beyond the said grooves, said circumferential portion terminating in an open axial end, said open axial end having a counterbore therein, said counterbore having an inner diameter axially extending surface, a seal element for said bearing assembly, said seal element comprising a backing member being ring shaped and L-shaped in cross section with a short radially directed leg integral with an axially directed leg at one end thereof, said seal assembly including an elastomeric member, said elastomeric member being ring shaped and having an axial length, said elastomeric member having a radial thickness, said radial thickness being increased adjacent one axial end, said increased radial thickness terminating in its outer diameter with a pair of radially projecting axially spaced apart, circumferential sealing lips, said lips projecting at an angle to the radius, said elastomeric element bonded to the outer diameter of the said metallic element, means attaching the said seal to the said shaft adjacent the said open axial end of the said outer ring, said means effective to space the said seal element from the said axial end such that the said radially thickened portion of the elastomer element underlies the said inner diameter surfaces of said counterbore, said lips contacting the said inner diameter surface of said counterbore, the said contact deforming the said lips to a greater angle to the radius, the said angle projecting away from the said grooves, and the said lips being circumferentially expansible under centrifugal force caused by the rotation of the said shaft with respect to the said outer ring.

Claim 5

An anti-friction bearing assembly comprising: a shaft, said shaft having race grooves in its surface, an outer race ring, said outer race ring having race grooves in the inner diameter thereof, said race grooves circumferentially aligned, anti-friction rolling elements received in said grooves, said outer race ring having a circumferential portion projecting axially beyond the said grooves, said circumferential portion terminating in an open axial end, said open axial end having a counterbore therein, said counterbore having an inner diameter axially extending surface, a seal element for said bearing assembly, said seal element comprising a backing member being ring shaped and L-shaped in cross section with a short radially directed leg integral with an axially directed leg at one end thereof, said seal assembly including an elastomeric member, said elastomeric member being ring shaped and having an axial length, said elastomeric member having a radial thickness, said radial thickness being increased adjacent one axial end, said increased radial thickness terminating in its outer diameter with a pair of radially projecting axially spaced apart, circumferential sealing lips, said lips projecting at an angle to the radius, said elastomeric element bonded to the outer diameter of the said metallic element, means attaching the said seal to the said shaft adjacent the said open axial end of the said outer ring, said means effective to space the said seal element from the said axial end such that the said radially thickened portion of the elastomer element underlies the said inner diameter surfaces of said counterbore, said lips contacting the said inner diameter surface of said counterbore, the said contact deforming the said lips to a greater angle to the radius, the said angle projecting away from the said grooves, and the said lips being circumferentially expansible under centrifugal force caused by the rotation of the said shaft with respect to the said outer ring.