Patent US3993371A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3993371A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Thin rubber surfaced bearings
Assignee: Goodrich Corp
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Filing: 1974-07-22
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Granted: 1976-11-23
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Expires: 1994-07-22
Abstract
Abstract An improved water-lubricated bearing consists of longitudinal strips of rubber bonded to a rigid backing. The strips are either flat or have a concave surface of less curvature than the journal, and are so thin that the width of each strip is at least 6 and preferably 10 or more times its thickness. The backing may be polyethylene bonded to the rubber during vulcanization.
Inventors
- 👤 Roy L. Orndorff, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 05:32
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16C; F16C33/00; F16C33/02; F16C33/04; F16C33/22; B; B63; B63H; B63H23/00; B63H23/32; B63H23/321; B63H23/326; F16C33/26; F16C2300/00; F16C2300/10; F16C2300/14; F16C2326/00; F16C2326/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
A journal bearing having a plurality of journal-supporting longitudinal faces of elastomeric material separated by longitudinal lubricant passages, with the elastomeric material attached to an essentially rigid external backing, characterized in that each journal-supporting face has: a. a surface shape between the limits of the curvature of the journal and a plane, and for a major part of its width has a radius of curvature substantially greater than the radius of the journal; b. a circumferential width which is at most half of the diameter of the journal; and c. a thickness, between the journal-supporting surface and the rigid external backing, which is at most one-sixth of the width of the face.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
A journal bearing having a plurality of journal-supporting longitudinal faces of elastomeric material separated by longitudinal lubricant passages, with the elastomeric material attached to an essentially rigid external backing, characterized in that each journal-supporting face has: a. a surface shape between the limits of the curvature of the journal and a plane, and for a major part of its width has a radius of curvature substantially greater than the radius of the journal; b. a circumferential width which is at most half of the diameter of the journal; and c. a thickness, between the journal-supporting surface and the rigid external backing, which is at most one-sixth of the width of the face.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A journal bearing as in claim 1 in which the number of faces is at least eight.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A journal bearing as in claim 1 in which the number of faces is at least twelve.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
A journal bearing as in claim 1 in which the faces are essentially flat.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A journal bearing as in claim 1 in which the faces are tranversely curved with a radius of curvature intermediate between infinity and the radius of the journal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
A journal bearing as in claim 1 in which the faces are transversely curved with a curvature in their centers approximating the curvature of the journal and with the transverse edges essentially flat and tangential to the center.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A journal bearing as in claim 1 in which the backing is a nonmetallic noncorrodible plastic.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
A journal bearing as in claim 7 in which the plastic backing is a thermoplastic.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
A journal bearing as in claim 8 in which the backing contains an inert mineral filler.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
A journal bearing as in claim 1 in which the faces are of a vulcanized elastomer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
A journal bearing as in claim 10 in which the faces are a nitrile rubber.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
A journal bearing as in claim 1 in which the elastomeric material is essentially uniform in thickness.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
A journal bearing as in claim 1 in which the elastomeric material is thinnest in the center.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
A journal bearing as in claim 1 in which the elastomeric material is thinnest at the transverse edges.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
A journal bearing as in claim 1 in which the thickness of the faces is at most about 1/10 of their width.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
A journal bearing as in claim 1 in which the thickness of the faces is at most about 1/20 of their width.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
A journal bearing as in claim 1 in which the faces are the inwardly turned surfaces of separate strips mounted in a supporting shell.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
A journal bearing as in claim 17 in which the strips are mechanically held in position in the shell.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
A journal bearing as in claim 18 in which the strips are held by spacer elements more distant from the bearing axis than the bearing faces to provide lubricant passages.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
A journal bearing as in claim 18 in which there are at least 12 strips and the thickness of elastomer is at most 1/12 of their width.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
A journal bearing as in claim 20 in which the backing is a noncorrodible thermoplastic and the faces are of a vulcanized elastomer.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
A journal bearing as in claim 21 in which the backing contains an inert mineral filler.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-11-23 | 1980-05-24 | 1980-11-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-11-23 | 1984-05-24 | 1984-11-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-11-23 | 1988-05-24 | 1988-11-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |