Bearing assembly

Claim 2

A roller bearing assembly comprising, in combination: an inner and outer race; bearing means between said races; sealing means to retain lubrication at said bearing means, said sealing means having an outer sealing ring fixed to one of said races, said outer sealing ring having a radial edge thereof extending to or in close proximity to the other of said races, an inner sealing ring fixed to said other race and having a radial edge thereof extending toward said one race, said radially extending portions of said sealing rings being spaced axially from each other said sealing rings forming at least one trough for collecting particles or the like and drain means to drain such particles or the like from said trough; and lubricating injection means comprising an adapter having a lubricating passageway formed axially therethrough, said adapter being positioned axially through said outer sealing ring whereby lubricating fluid is introduced through said adapter directly into said bearing means intermediate said outer and inner race through said axial sealing means.

Claim 3

The roller bearing assembly according to claim 1 wherein said outer sealing ring includes means defining an opening, said adapter being generally cylindrical and positioned through said opening having an inlet portion externally of said outer ring and an outlet portion internally of said outer ring, said outlet portion having a reduced outer diameter forming a shoulder abutting the exterior surface of said outer ring to index said adapter rElative said sealing rings.

Claim 4

The roller bearing assembly according to claim 2 wherein said outlet portion is partially deformed to form an annular flange firmly abutting the interior surface of said outer ring to anchor said adapter to said inner ring.

Claim 5

The roller bearing assembly according to claim 1 wherein said sealing means further includes an intermediate sealing ring fixed to said one of said races and axially spaced intermediate said inner and outer sealing rings, said outer ring and intermediate ring having means defining axially aligned openings, said adapter being generally cylindrical and positioned through said openings, said adapter having an annular flange forming an annular shoulder abutting said outer sealing ring when said adapter is positioned through said openings to index said adapter relative said rings.

Claim 6

The roller bearing assembly according to claim 4 wherein one of said intermediate and outer sealing rings is deformed at the locus of said opening of said one ring whereby said intermediate and outer rings abut at the locus of said openings, the portion of said adapter projecting inwardly beyond said inner ring being deformed to form an annular flange firmly abutting the interior surface of said intermediate ring to anchor said adapter and rings together.

Claim 7

The roller bearing assembly according to claim 5 wherein said outer ring is deformed at the locus of said outer ring opening to bring said outer ring locus into abutment with said inner ring.

Claim 8

The roller bearing assembly according to claim 1 wherein said adapter includes an inlet portion and outlet portion, the inlet portion having a restricted passageway relative the outlet portion.

Claim 9

The roller bearing assembly according to claim 7 wherein the transition between said restricted passageway portion and the remainder thereof defines a valve seat for receipt of a ball check valve.

Claim 10

A roller bearing assembly comprising, in combination: an inner and outer race; bearing means between said races; axial sealing means to retain lubrication at said bearing means, said sealing means having an outer sealing ring fixed to one of said races, said outer sealing ring having a radial edge thereof extending to or in close proximity to the other of said races, an inner sealing ring fixed to said other race and having a radial edge thereof extending toward said one race, said sealing rings being spaced from each other; said axial sealing means further including an intermediate sealing ring fixed to said one of said races and axially spaced intermediate said inner and outer sealing rings, said outer ring and intermediate ring having means defining axially aligned openings and lubricating injection means comprising an adapter having a lubricating passageway formed axially therethrough, said adapter being positioned axially through said openings whereby lubricating fluid is introduced through said adapter directly into said bearing means intermediate said outer and inner race through said axial sealing means, said adapter being anchored to at least one of said outer and intermediate rings.

Claim 11

A roller bearing assembly comprising, in combination: an inner and outer race; bearing means between said races; axial sealing means to retain lubrication at said bearing means, said sealing means having an outer sealing ring fixed to one of said races, said outer sealing ring having a radial edge thereof extending to or in close proximity to the other of said races, an inner sealing ring fixed to said other race and having a radial edge thereof extending toward said one race, said sealing rings being spaced from each other; said axial sealing means further including an intermediate sealing ring fixed to said one of said races and axially spaced intermediate said inner and outer sealing rings, said outer ring and intermediate ring having means defining axially aligned openings and lubricating injection means comprising an adapter having a lubricating passageway formed axially therethrough, said adapter being positioned axially through said openings whereby lubricating fluid is introduced through said adapter directly into said bearing means intermediate said outer and inner race through said axial sealing means, said adapter being anchored to at least one of said outer and intermediate rings.

Claim 12

The combination according to claim 9 wherein said adapter includes a shoulder formed circumferentially on the outer surface of said adapter, said shoulder abutting one of said outer and intermediate rings to index said adapter relative said rings.

Claim 13

The combination according to claim 10 wherein said adapter includes an inlet and outlet portion, said outlet portion being partially deformed to form an annular flange clamping at least one of said outer and intermediate sealing rings between said flange and shoulder.

Claim 14

The roller bearing assembly according to claim 9 wherein said adapter is generally cylindrical having an inlet portion externally of said outer ring and an outlet portion internally of said intermediate ring, said outlet portion having a reduced outer diameter forming a shoulder abutting the exterior surface of said outer ring to index said adapter relative said sealing rings.

Claim 15

The roller bearing assembly according to claim 12 wherein said outlet portion is partially deformed to form an annular flange firmly abutting the interior surface of said outer ring to anchor said adapter to said outer ring.

Claim 16

The roller bearing assembly according to claim 9 wherein one of said intermediate and outer sealing rings is deformed at the locus of said openings of said one ring whereby said intermediate and outer rings abut at the locus of said openings, the portion of said adapter projecting inwardly beyond said intermediate ring being deformed to form an annular flange firmly abutting the interior surface of said intermediate ring to anchor said adapter and rings together.

Claim 17

The roller bearing assembly according to claim 14 wherein said outer sealing ring is deformed at the locus of said outer ring opening to bring said outer ring locus into abutment with said inner ring.