Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
In an anti-friction ball-bearing system for facilitating the coaxial relative rotation of one member having at least an external cylindrical surface with respect to another member having at least an internal cylindrical surface, the combination of a generAlly cylindrical retainer disposed between and facing said internal and said external cylindrical surfaces rotatable relative thereto, a plurality of balls held in symmetrical array by said retainer between said cylindrical surfaces, said balls being of a predetermined diameter, and three lands formed upon and extending radially from points on said retainer between certain of said balls toward one of said cylindrical surfaces, the thickness of said retainer at said points at which said lands are formed being less than said predetermined diameter and spaced from said cylindrical surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
126 words
In an anti-friction ball-bearing system for facilitating the coaxial relative rotation of one member having at least an external cylindrical surface with respect to another member having at least an internal cylindrical surface, the combination of a generAlly cylindrical retainer disposed between and facing said internal and said external cylindrical surfaces rotatable relative thereto, a plurality of balls held in symmetrical array by said retainer between said cylindrical surfaces, said balls being of a predetermined diameter, and three lands formed upon and extending radially from points on said retainer between certain of said balls toward one of said cylindrical surfaces, the thickness of said retainer at said points at which said lands are formed being less than said predetermined diameter and spaced from said cylindrical surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
In an anti-friction ball-bearing system as defined in claim 1, the combination wherein each said land being of a width subtending an angle of less than approximately 30*.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
In an anti-friction system as defined in claim 2, the combination wherein the center point of each said land is spaced 120* from the center point of lands adjacent thereto.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
101 words
In a ball-bearing retainer for insertion between first and second relatively rotating members having confronting coaxial cylindrical surfaces, said retainer having a generally cylindrical shape and having pockets formed therein to accommodate a plurality of balls, the improvement which comprises three lands formed upon said retainer and extending radially toward one of said confronting coaxial cylindrical surfaces, said lands being symmetrically disposed about the periphery of said retainer, the edges of adjacent lands being a minimum of 90* apart and the radial spacing between said lands and the cylindrical surface toward which they extend being approximately 0.0001 inches to 0.002 inch.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
101 words
In a ball-bearing retainer for insertion between first and second relatively rotating members having confronting coaxial cylindrical surfaces, said retainer having a generally cylindrical shape and having pockets formed therein to accommodate a plurality of balls, the improvement which comprises three lands formed upon said retainer and extending radially toward one of said confronting coaxial cylindrical surfaces, said lands being symmetrically disposed about the periphery of said retainer, the edges of adjacent lands being a minimum of 90* apart and the radial spacing between said lands and the cylindrical surface toward which they extend being approximately 0.0001 inches to 0.002 inch.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
66 words
In a ball-bearing retainer as defined in claim 4, the combination in which said first member is an internal member having an outer cylindrical surface disposed coaxially within said retainer and said second member is an external member having an inner cylindrical surface disposed coaxially about said retainer, said lands being formed upon the outer periphery of said retainer and extending toward said inner cylindrical surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
66 words
In a ball-bearing retainer as defined in claim 4, the combination of which said first member is an internal member having an outer cylindrical surface disposed coaxially within said retainer and said second member is an external member having an inner cylindrical surface disposed coaxially about said retainer, said lands being formed upon the inner periphery of said retainer and extending toward said outer cylindrical surface.