Abstract A ball bearing assembly has an inner and an outer race ring. One of the race rings, preferably the inner race ring, is formed with one side wall relieved, i.e., a somewhat cylindrical surface is formed that is tangent to the torus surface forming the ball race surface. The somewhat cylindrical surface is made to extend to a slightly tapered surface with its apical adjacent to the end of the race ring. At the region where the tapered surface joins with the cylindrical surface, the tapered surface has a slightly greater diameter, forming a radially directed shoulder. The bearing is assembled by placing the balls within the outer race and the inner race is snapped into position. The taper is so designed that the metal at the shoulder yields to allow the balls to pass into the race surface; however, if any of the metal should deform, a circumferential groove is formed just inside the shoulder into which the deformed metal flows where it does not degrade the hardened polished ball race surface. To further insure a unitized assembly, a cylindrical land surface is formed between the groove and tapered surfaces.
A ball bearing assembly comprising: an outer race ring and an inner race ring having opposing ball race surfaces; balls disposed within said raceway surfaces supporting said rings in a radially spaced relation; one of said race rings having a substantially cylindrical surface extending axially from one side of said respective race surface and tangent thereto, said one of said race rings having a conical surface disposed between said cylindrical surface and the respective axial end of said one race ring; said conical surface having a diameter of such a size at its inner end to cause an interference between said conical surface and said balls; said one race ring having a circumferential groove formed between said cylindrical surface and said conical surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
123 words
A ball bearing assembly comprising: an outer race ring and an inner race ring having opposing ball race surfaces; balls disposed within said raceway surfaces supporting said rings in a radially spaced relation; one of said race rings having a substantially cylindrical surface extending axially from one side of said respective race surface and tangent thereto, said one of said race rings having a conical surface disposed between said cylindrical surface and the respective axial end of said one race ring; said conical surface having a diameter of such a size at its inner end to cause an interference between said conical surface and said balls; said one race ring having a circumferential groove formed between said cylindrical surface and said conical surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein: said one race ring has a cylindrical land surface formed between said conical surface and said circumferential groove.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein: said one race ring is the inner race ring.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The assembly of claim 3 wherein: said conical surface has a larger diameter at its inner end than the diameter of said cylindrical surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The assembly of claim 4 wherein: said inner race ring has a circumferential groove formed between said cylindrical surface and said conical surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The assembly of claim 5 wherein: said inner race ring has a cylindrical land surface formed between said conical surface and said circumferential groove.