US4040687A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ball retainer for ball bearings
Assignee: SKF USA Inc
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Filing: 1975-05-22
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Granted: 1977-08-09
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Expires: 1995-05-22
Abstract
Abstract A ball retainer for ball bearings comprises a one-piece generally cylindrical member molded of reinforced plastic material. A plurality of ball receiving pockets are circumferentially-spaced substantially equidistantly from one another around one axial side of the cylindrical member. The ball receiving pockets have pocket entrance openings which open outwardly generally axially of the cylindrical member. A first plurality of the pockets have first entrance openings narrower than the diameter of spherical balls received in such pockets and the first entrance openings for the first plurality of pockets are defined between outwardly yieldable opposed fingers. The fingers yield to allow balls to move into the pockets and then close around the balls when they move past the fingers into the pockets. The first pockets are separated from one another by at least one of a second plurality of pockets having second entrance openings characterized by the absence of outwardly yieldable fingers and being of a width not less than the diameter of the balls received therein.
Inventors
- 👤 Wilford P. Rogers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 08:39
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16C; F16C33/00; F16C33/30; F16C33/38; F16C33/41; F16C33/412; F16C33/414; F16C33/416
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
211 words
Apparatus comprising a generally cylindrical ball bearing retainer member having a longitudinal axis, a plurality of ball receiving pockets circumferentially-spaced substantially equidistantly around one axial side of said cylindrical member and having pocket entrance openings which open axially outwardly generally parallel to said axis, said pockets including a plurality of first pockets having first entrance openings defined between opposite outwardly yieldable fingers having finger tips spaced apart a distance less than the maximum width of each said first pocket, a plurality of second pockets having second entrance openings, said second entrance openings being defined by portions of said cylindrical member other than yieldable fingers and being of greater width than said first entrance openings, said first pockets being separated from one another by at least one of said second pockets, said pockets having centers and said first entrance openings being spaced outwardly from said centers of said first pockets a substantially greater distance than the spacing of said second entrance openings from said centers of said second pockets, adjacent pockets having common walls, and said yieldable fingers each having a thickness over a major portion of their length which is greater than one-half the thickness of each said common wall measured on a line extending between the centers of adjacent pockets.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
211 words
Apparatus comprising a generally cylindrical ball bearing retainer member having a longitudinal axis, a plurality of ball receiving pockets circumferentially-spaced substantially equidistantly around one axial side of said cylindrical member and having pocket entrance openings which open axially outwardly generally parallel to said axis, said pockets including a plurality of first pockets having first entrance openings defined between opposite outwardly yieldable fingers having finger tips spaced apart a distance less than the maximum width of each said first pocket, a plurality of second pockets having second entrance openings, said second entrance openings being defined by portions of said cylindrical member other than yieldable fingers and being of greater width than said first entrance openings, said first pockets being separated from one another by at least one of said second pockets, said pockets having centers and said first entrance openings being spaced outwardly from said centers of said first pockets a substantially greater distance than the spacing of said second entrance openings from said centers of said second pockets, adjacent pockets having common walls, and said yieldable fingers each having a thickness over a major portion of their length which is greater than one-half the thickness of each said common wall measured on a line extending between the centers of adjacent pockets.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said retainer is usable in a ball bearing assembly including an outer ring having an outer diameter and an inner ring having an inner diameter, each said common wall having a circumferential thickness measured between said centers which is less than 6 percent times the sum of said outer and inner diameters.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said cylindrical member has a side opposite said one axial side and adjacent pockets are separated by common walls, and a plurality of circumferentially-spaced recesses in said opposite side aligned with said common walls.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said common walls have flat end surfaces on opposite sides of said second entrance openings and said fingers extend outwardly of said flat end surfaces on opposite sides of said first entrance openings.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3285099A
Cited
US3788714A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-08-08 | 1981-02-07 | 1981-08-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-08-08 | 1985-02-07 | 1985-08-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-08-08 | 1989-02-07 | 1989-08-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |