US5178472A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bearing for mounting on a multi-sided shaft
Assignee: Torrington Co Ltd
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Filing: 1991-12-11
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Granted: 1993-01-12
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Expires: 2011-12-11
Abstract
Abstract A bearing has an inner ring coaxial to and rotatable relative to an outer ring. A central bore of the inner ring accommodates a multi-sided shaft in at least two positions that are angularly offset relative to each other. Each position provides a different fit between the inner ring and the shaft. A preferred embodiment has a 12-pointed star-shaped bore defined by the superposition of two hexagons of slightly different scale, to accommodate a hexagonal shaft in either of two positions. The second position provides a tighter fit between the bearing and the shaft without requiring tighter manufacturing tolerances.
Inventors
- 👤 James L. Lawson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 15:48
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16C; F16C35/00; F16C35/04; F16C35/06; F16C35/063; F16C35/0635; F16C33/00; F16C33/30; F16C33/58; F16C33/583; F16C33/586; F16D; F16D1/00; F16D1/06; F16C19/00; F16C19/02; F16C19/04; F16C19/06; F16C2240/00; F16C2240/40; F16C2240/46; F16C2310/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
65 words
A bearing for mounting on a multi-sided shaft, the bearing comprising: an outer ring; and an inner ring coaxial with and rotatable relative to the outer ring, the inner ring formed with a central bore which accommodates the multi-sided shaft in at least two positions with different fit between the inner ring and the multi-sided shaft, the positions being angularly offset relative to each other.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
65 words
A bearing for mounting on a multi-sided shaft, the bearing comprising: an outer ring; and an inner ring coaxial with and rotatable relative to the outer ring, the inner ring formed with a central bore which accommodates the multi-sided shaft in at least two positions with different fit between the inner ring and the multi-sided shaft, the positions being angularly offset relative to each other.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
A bearing in accordance with claim 1, wherein the central bore of the inner ring has a star-shaped configuration defined by the superposition of at least two figures approximating the cross-section of the multi-sided shaft, said figures being of slightly different scale.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
63 words
A bearing in accordance with claim 2, wherein a first of said figures is scaled to provide a clearance fit between the inner ring and the multi-sided shaft throughout a range of dimensional tolerance, and wherein a second of said figures is smaller than said first figure and is scaled to provide a tighter fit between the inner ring and the multi-sided shaft.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A bearing in accordance with claim 1, wherein the multisided shaft is hexagonal in cross-section and said positions are off-set by an angle of thirty degrees.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A bearing in accordance with claim 4, wherein the central bore of the inner ring has star-shaped configuration defined by the superposition of at least two hexagons of slightly different scale.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A bearing in accordance with claim 5, wherein the central bore of the inner ring has a star-shaped configuration defined by the superposition of at least two squares of slightly different scale.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A bearing in accordance with claim 1, wherein the multi-sided shaft is square in cross-section and said positions are offset by an angle of forty-five degrees.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A bearing in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a plurality of roller elements between the outer ring and the inner ring.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
66 words
A bearing for mounting on a hexagonal shaft, the bearing comprising: an outer ring; and an inner ring coaxial with and rotatable relative to the outer ring, the inner ring formed with a central bore which accommodates the hexagonal shaft in at least two positions with a different fit between the inner ring and the hexagonal shaft, the positions being angularly offset relative to each other.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
66 words
A bearing for mounting on a hexagonal shaft, the bearing comprising: an outer ring; and an inner ring coaxial with and rotatable relative to the outer ring, the inner ring formed with a central bore which accommodates the hexagonal shaft in at least two positions with a different fit between the inner ring and the hexagonal shaft, the positions being angularly offset relative to each other.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
42 words
A bearing in accordance with claim 9, wherein the central bore of the inner ring has a 12-pointed star-shaped configuration defined by the superposition of two hexagons of slightly different scale, the two hexagons being offset thirty degrees relative to each other.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
57 words
A bearing in accordance with claim 10, wherein one of said two hexagons is scaled to provide a clearance fit between the inner ring and the hexagonal shaft throughout a range of dimensional tolerance, and wherein the second of said two hexagons is scaled to provide a tighter fit between the inner ring and the hexagonal shaft.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
A bearing in accordance with claim 9 further comprising a plurality of roller elements between the outer ring and the inner ring.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-01-12 | 1996-07-13 | 1997-01-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-01-12 | 2000-07-13 | 2001-01-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-01-12 | 2004-07-13 | 2005-01-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |