US3986753A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rolling-element bearing
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1976-01-20
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Granted: 1976-10-19
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Expires: 1996-01-20
Abstract
Abstract A rolling-element bearing has concentrically arranged, radially spaced first and second race surfaces rotating with respect to one another during operation of the bearing and a rolling element which is in rolling contact with the first and second race surfaces. The rolling element is constituted by at least one rolling ring surrounding the rotary axis of the bearing and having radially inner and radially outer rolling surfaces of circular course. The rolling surfaces of the rolling ring are eccentric with respect to one another; the maximum radial distance between the rolling surfaces of the rolling ring corresponds to the radial distance between the first and second race surfaces. The radially inner rolling surface of the rolling ring is in continuous rolling engagement with one of the race surfaces, whereas the radially outer rolling surface of the rolling ring is in continuous rolling engagement with the other of the race surfaces.
Inventors
- 👤 Wolfram Lindner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 16:25
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16C; F16C33/00; F16C33/30; F16C33/58; F16C19/00; F16C19/50; F16C2300/00; F16C2300/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
In a rolling-element bearing having a rotary axis; concentrically arranged, radially spaced first and second race surfaces rotating with respect to one another during operation of the bearing; and a rolling element being in rolling contact with the first and second race surfaces; the improvement wherein said rolling element is constituted by at least one rolling ring surrounding said rotary axis and having radially inner and radially outer rolling surfaces of circular course; said rolling surfaces of said rolling ring are eccentric with respect to one another; the maximum radial distance between said rolling surfaces of said rolling ring corresponding to the radial distance between said first and second race surfaces; said radially inner rolling surface of said rolling ring being in continuous rolling engagement with one of said race surfaces and said radially outer rolling surface of said rolling ring being in continuous rolling engagement with the other of said race surfaces.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
153 words
In a rolling-element bearing having a rotary axis; concentrically arranged, radially spaced first and second race surfaces rotating with respect to one another during operation of the bearing; and a rolling element being in rolling contact with the first and second race surfaces; the improvement wherein said rolling element is constituted by at least one rolling ring surrounding said rotary axis and having radially inner and radially outer rolling surfaces of circular course; said rolling surfaces of said rolling ring are eccentric with respect to one another; the maximum radial distance between said rolling surfaces of said rolling ring corresponding to the radial distance between said first and second race surfaces; said radially inner rolling surface of said rolling ring being in continuous rolling engagement with one of said race surfaces and said radially outer rolling surface of said rolling ring being in continuous rolling engagement with the other of said race surfaces.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
94 words
A rolling-element bearing as defined in claim 1, wherein said rolling ring has inner and outer perimeters; said radially inner rolling surface being arranged at said inner perimeter and said radially outer rolling surface being arranged at said outer perimeter; the location of rolling engagement between said radially inner rolling surface of said rolling ring and one of said race surfaces and the location of rolling engagement between said radially outer rolling surface of said rolling ring and the other of said race surfaces being positioned on the same side of said rotary axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
63 words
A rolling-element bearing as defined in claim 2, comprising a first race structure containing said first race surface and a second race structure containing said second race surface; high-friction rings affixed to either side of said rolling rings at least at one of the perimeters thereof; and means carried by at least one of said race structures for axially contacting said high-friction rings.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
75 words
A rolling-element bearing as defined in claim 2, wherein said rolling ring comprises means defining a cavity extending radially inwardly from the outer periphery of said rolling ring; discrete particles accommodated in said cavity; and a radially resilient closure closing off said cavity and having an outer face constituting part of said outer rolling surface; said resilient closure being urged against said other of said race surfaces by centrifugal forces exerted on said discrete particles.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
80 words
A rolling-element bearing as defined in claim 2, wherein said radially inner rolling surface has oppositely located, radially inwardly tapering surface portions and an intermediate surface portion interconnecting the radially inwardly tapering surface portions; and said radially outer rolling surface has oppositely located, radially outwardly tapering surface portions and an intermediate surface portion interconnecting the radially outwardly tapering surface portions; said first and second race surfaces being constituted by grooves complemental to the cross-sectional outline of the associated rolling surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A rolling-element bearing as defined in claim 5, wherein said intermediate surface portions of said radially inner and radially outer rolling surfaces are cylindrical.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A rolling-element bearing as defined in claim 5, wherein said intermediate surface portions of said radially inner and radially outer rolling surfaces are frustoconical.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
A rolling-element bearing as defined in claim 2, wherein there are provided a plurality of rolling rings disposed in an axially spaced relationship between said first and second race surfaces; said rolling rings being angularly offset with respect to one another.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
A rolling-element bearing as defined in claim 8, wherein the angle of offset of the rolling rings with respect to one another is uniform.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
A rolling-element bearing as defined in claim 9, wherein the magnitude of the angle is 360° divided by the number of said rolling rings.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
86 words
A rolling-element bearing as defined in claim 1, wherein said rolling ring has inner and outer perimeters; said radially inner and said radially outer rolling surfaces being arranged at said inner perimeter; the location of rolling engagement between said radially inner rolling surface of said rolling ring and one of said race surfaces and the location of rolling engagement between said radially outer rolling surface of said rolling ring and the other of said race surfaces being positioned on diametrically opposite sides of said rotary axis.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
173 words
A rolling-element bearing as defined in claim 11, wherein there are provided first and second rolling rings; said first rolling ring being positioned radially inwardly of said second rolling ring; said first and said second rolling rings each having radially inner and radially outer rolling surfaces at their inner perimeter; a first race structure having radially inner and radially outer race surfaces constituting said first race surface; a second race structure having radially inner and radially outer race surfaces constituting said second race surface; said radially outer rolling surface of said first rolling ring cooperating with said radially inner race surface of said first race structure; said radially inner rolling surface of said first rolling ring cooperating with said radially inner race surface of said second race structure; said radially outer rolling surface of said second rolling ring cooperating with said radially outer race surface of said first race structure; and said radially inner rolling surface of said second rolling ring cooperating with said radially outer race surface of said second race structure.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
56 words
A rolling-element bearing as defined in claim 12, wherein said first rolling ring, said second rolling ring and said first race structure are formed of identical, axially spaced halves arranged symmetrically and as a mirror-image of each other with respect to a central plane perpendicular to said rotary axis and passing through said second race structure.
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) | 1979-10-19 | 1980-04-19 | 1980-10-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-10-19 | 1984-04-19 | 1984-10-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-10-19 | 1988-04-19 | 1988-10-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |