Method for manufacturing spherical bearing assemblies

Claim 1

Method of manufacturing a spherical bearing assembly comprising the steps of expanding an outer race member into mechanical interlocking engagement with a machine element or apparatus, inserting a spherical ball centrally within the so mechanically interlocked outer race member, deforming by use of the die means a portion of said outer race member around said ball to form an integral spherical bearing assembly, said outer race member is provided with a central cylindrical bore in which said spherical ball is centrally inserted therein, said outer race member is provided with at least two annular lips spaced equidistant from the end of said outer race member adapted to be brought into mechanical, interlocking engagement with machine element or apparatus, said die means are dies adapted to uniformly deform selected portions of the outer race member around said ball, said inner surface of said outer race member is concave and generally conforms to the convex outer surface of said spherical ball, whereby said spherical bearing assembly is interlocked with said machine element in a symmetrical fashion.