US3874749A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Gas suspended bearing
Assignee: Pillsbury Co
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Filing: 1973-12-03
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Granted: 1975-04-01
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Expires: 1993-12-03
Abstract
Abstract A gas suspended caged ball caster is described which consists of a ball within a round socket having about the same radius as the ball. Air is supplied to the socket through a duct to support the ball a slight distance above the surface of the socket and provide a load supporting air film between the socket and the ball to support a load applied to the exposed part of the ball. A ball retainer is provided to prevent the ball from coming out of the socket and to define a chamber containing air above atmospheric pressure on the upper side of the ball. A hole is provided in the retaining means through which a portion of the ball projects.
Inventors
- 👤 Dominic J Maniak
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 22:51
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16C; F16C29/00; F16C29/04; F16C29/045; F16C29/046; B; B65; B65G; B65G39/00; B65G39/02; B65G39/025; B65G51/00; B65G51/02; B65G51/03; F16C39/00; F16C39/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
222 words
A gas suspended caged ball bearing comprising a load supporting ball housing formed from a ductile material having a pressure formed recess therein conforming to the shape of the portion of a sphere, said ductile material being displaced by the pressure application of the form of said ball thereagainst to define said recess and provide a smooth surface therein, said ball being located in the recess with substantially the same radius as the recess, a gas supply duct means communicating with the recess for supplying gas thereto to provide a load supporting gas film between the ball and the recess on the lower side of the ball, a ball retaining means connected to the housing and enclosing the top side of the ball to prevent the ball from falling out, said retaining means exposing the top of the ball whereby the top portion of the ball projects upwardly and is adapted to contact a load and at least one gas releasing passage communicating between the interior of the housing and the exterior thereof around the portion of the ball in the retaining means for releasing gas supplied to the housing through the duct under all conditions including times when the ball is pressed against the retaining means to prevent the ball from sealing the retaining means against the escape of the gas.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
222 words
A gas suspended caged ball bearing comprising a load supporting ball housing formed from a ductile material having a pressure formed recess therein conforming to the shape of the portion of a sphere, said ductile material being displaced by the pressure application of the form of said ball thereagainst to define said recess and provide a smooth surface therein, said ball being located in the recess with substantially the same radius as the recess, a gas supply duct means communicating with the recess for supplying gas thereto to provide a load supporting gas film between the ball and the recess on the lower side of the ball, a ball retaining means connected to the housing and enclosing the top side of the ball to prevent the ball from falling out, said retaining means exposing the top of the ball whereby the top portion of the ball projects upwardly and is adapted to contact a load and at least one gas releasing passage communicating between the interior of the housing and the exterior thereof around the portion of the ball in the retaining means for releasing gas supplied to the housing through the duct under all conditions including times when the ball is pressed against the retaining means to prevent the ball from sealing the retaining means against the escape of the gas.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the gas release passage means comprises a plurality of grooves in the inside surface of the ball retaining means, said grooves extend longitudinally of the ball and are spaced circumferentially around the inside surface of the retaining means to thereby allow the escape of air around the upper aspect of the ball.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a supplemental gas release vent is provided to allow the escape of gas before the gas passes around the portion of the ball in the retaining means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the gas release passage means comprises a plurality of grooves in the inside surface of the retaining means spaced an equal distance from one another on the inside surface of the ball retaining means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-31 | 1978-09-30 | 1979-04-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-31 | 1982-09-30 | 1983-04-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-31 | 1986-09-30 | 1987-04-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |