Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
214 words
In an axially movable bearing including a cage having a plurality of circumferentially distributed guideways for rolling elements, each guideway including first and second axially extending channels interconnected at their ends, rolling elements in said guideways, said first channels being open radially inwardly to permit rolling elements therein to engage a shaft, and a thin-walled metal bearing housing fitted over said cage, said housing comprising (i) bridge sections aligned with said first channels, each bridge section defining a race portion engaging the rolling elements in a first channel and end portions axially beyond said race portions, (ii) slotted sections between said bridge sections through which said second channels extend radially outwardly, and (iii) means at said end portions joining said bridge sections, the improvement wherein the race portion of each bridge section has hardness substantially greater than the end portions thereof, and said end portions define a generally straight bore except for projections extending radially inward from said bore surface, said projections defining an inner diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of said cage, and said cage includes recesses corresponding to said projections and extending radially inward for receiving said projections, said unhardened end portions being resiliently deformable to engage said cage and recesses, whereby said housing is removably secured into said cage.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
214 words
In an axially movable bearing including a cage having a plurality of circumferentially distributed guideways for rolling elements, each guideway including first and second axially extending channels interconnected at their ends, rolling elements in said guideways, said first channels being open radially inwardly to permit rolling elements therein to engage a shaft, and a thin-walled metal bearing housing fitted over said cage, said housing comprising (i) bridge sections aligned with said first channels, each bridge section defining a race portion engaging the rolling elements in a first channel and end portions axially beyond said race portions, (ii) slotted sections between said bridge sections through which said second channels extend radially outwardly, and (iii) means at said end portions joining said bridge sections, the improvement wherein the race portion of each bridge section has hardness substantially greater than the end portions thereof, and said end portions define a generally straight bore except for projections extending radially inward from said bore surface, said projections defining an inner diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of said cage, and said cage includes recesses corresponding to said projections and extending radially inward for receiving said projections, said unhardened end portions being resiliently deformable to engage said cage and recesses, whereby said housing is removably secured into said cage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A bearing according to clam 1 wherein said means joining said end portions of the bridge sections comprises a ring at each end of the bearing circumscribing and engaging said end portions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A bearing according to clam 1 wherein said means joining said end portions of the bridge sections comprises a ring at each end of the bearing circumscribing and engaging said end portions.