US4415166A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bearing seal assembly with dual annular support rings
Assignee: PAR INDUSTRIES LLC
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Filing: 1983-01-31
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Granted: 1983-11-15
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Expires: 2003-01-31
Abstract
Abstract A bearing seal assembly, especially adapted for use between an automotive body and a steering wheel shaft is formed from identical molded annular rings (18) and (20) which snap-fit together through slots (38) and projections (42) and an annular gasket race (22) with a frusto-conical sealing lip (24). The annular rings (18, 20) form a T-shaped cavity (46, 48) in which the annular gasket race (22) is retained.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas S. Beia
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 23:46
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16J; F16J15/00; F16J15/16; F16J15/32; F16J15/3268; B; B62; B62D; B62D1/00; B62D1/02; B62D1/16; F16J15/3248; F16J15/44; F16J15/441; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S277/00; Y10S277/905; Y10S277/925
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
A bearing seal assembly comprising: first and second annular rings of substantially identical construction, each having: an outer face; an inner face; an outer circumferential surface; an inner circumferential surface; a cavity formed in the inner face of the inner circumferential surface; and means formed in the inner face to snap-fit together two of said substantially identical annular rings with said inner faces thereof in juxtaposed facing relationship; an annular gasket member having an annular portion and an inwardly-extending flange of relatively flexible nature to seal against a shaft, the annular portion of said gasket member being shaped to fit snugly within the cavities formed in the first and second rings which are joined together at inner faces thereof; and said first and second annular rings being joined together at the inner faces thereof with said annular gasket member therebetween.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
140 words
A bearing seal assembly comprising: first and second annular rings of substantially identical construction, each having: an outer face; an inner face; an outer circumferential surface; an inner circumferential surface; a cavity formed in the inner face of the inner circumferential surface; and means formed in the inner face to snap-fit together two of said substantially identical annular rings with said inner faces thereof in juxtaposed facing relationship; an annular gasket member having an annular portion and an inwardly-extending flange of relatively flexible nature to seal against a shaft, the annular portion of said gasket member being shaped to fit snugly within the cavities formed in the first and second rings which are joined together at inner faces thereof; and said first and second annular rings being joined together at the inner faces thereof with said annular gasket member therebetween.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A bearing seal assembly according to claim 1 wherein said interengaging means include projections extending from said inner face and slots in said inner face, said slots adapted and shaped to receive and retain said projections.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A bearing seal assembly according to claim 2 wherein said slots include a ledge at said inner face and said projections have a shoulder which is received in interferring relationship with said ledge.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A bearing seal assembly according to claim 3 wherein said projections include a tapered leading surface to cam the projection into the slots and over the ledges.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A bearing seal assembly according to claim 4 wherein said projections and slots are equally annularly spaced about the inner faces of said annular ring.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A bearing seal assembly according to claim 4 wherein said first and second rings are molded of a resilient plastic material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
A bearing seal assembly according to claim 6 and further comprising slots formed in said first and second rings in registry with the shoulders on said projections.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
A bearing seal assembly according to claim 4 and further comprising slots formed in said first and second rings in registry with shoulders on said projections.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
A bearing seal assembly according to claim 6 wherein said first and second rings and said annular gasket member are formed from low-friction plastic material so that said annular gasket member rotates relatively frictionless within said first and second annular rings.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
A bearing seal assembly according to claim 9 wherein said inwardly-extending flange is frusto-conically shaped to ease the assembly of the bearing seal assembly to a shaft and to facilitate conformity of the end of the inwardly-extending flange to the shaft.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
55 words
A bearing seal assembly according to claim 10 and further comprising an annular undercut between the inwardly-extending flange and the annular portion at the side at which the inwardly-extending flange makes an acute angle with the inner surface of the annular portion to facilitate flexing of the inwardly-extending flange with respect to the annular portion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
A bearing seal assembly according to claim 11 wherein said inwardly-extending flange has an annular end portion extending inwardly perpendicular to the axis of the annular rings.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
A bearing seal assembly according to claim 10 wherein said inwardly-extending flange has an annular end portion extending inwardly perpendicular to the axis of the annular rings.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
41 words
A bearing seal assembly according to claim 1 wherein said inwardly-extending flange is frusto-conically shaped to ease the assembly of the bearing seal assembly to a shaft and to facilitate conformity of the end of the inwardly-extending flange to the shaft.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
55 words
A bearing seal assembly according to claim 14 and further comprising an annular undercut between the inwardly-extending flange and the annular portion at the side at which the inwardly-extending flange makes an acute angle to the inner surface of the annular portion to facilitate flexing of the inwardly-extending flange with respect to the annular portion.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
A bearing seal assembly according to claim 15 wherein said inwardly-extending flange has an annular end portion extending inwardly perpendicular to the axis of the annular rings.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
42 words
A bearing seal assembly according to claim 1 wherein said first and second rings and said annular gasket member are formed from a low-friction plastic material so that said annular gasket member rotates relatively frictionless within said first and second annular rings.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
81 words
A bearing seal assembly comprising first and second rings which are snap-fit together at adjoining faces thereof, said first and second annular rings forming a cavity therebetween at a radial inward portion thereof; an annular gasket member having an annular portion fitting snugly within the cavity formed between the first and second annular rings and having a radially inwardly directed frusto-conical flange formed of a relatively flexible material to form a sealing lip with a shaft extending through the annular rings.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
81 words
A bearing seal assembly comprising first and second rings which are snap-fit together at adjoining faces thereof, said first and second annular rings forming a cavity therebetween at a radial inward portion thereof; an annular gasket member having an annular portion fitting snugly within the cavity formed between the first and second annular rings and having a radially inwardly directed frusto-conical flange formed of a relatively flexible material to form a sealing lip with a shaft extending through the annular rings.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
42 words
A bearing seal assembly according to claim 18 wherein the first and second rings and the annular gasket member are formed from a low-friction plastic material so that said annular gasket member rotates relatively frictionless within said first and second annular rings.
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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) | 1986-11-14 | 1987-05-16 | 1987-11-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-11-14 | 1991-05-16 | 1991-11-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-11-14 | 1995-05-16 | 1995-11-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |