Composite ball and socket bearing with convex outer surface

Claim 1

A composite ball and a socket bearing comprising: an outer pillow block including an axis, an axially extending bore, axially spaced sides, a concave mounting socket facing into said bore and having a circumferential region of maximum diameter, and an insertion slot means extending axially from one of said sides into said bore and terminating adjacent said circumferential region; and a spherical bearing subassembly removably mounted in said concave mounting socket including a one-piece annular intermediate socket member having axially spaced ends, an axis, an axially extending bore, a convex outer surface dimensioned complementary to said concave mounting socket in said pillow block, a concave inner raceway, and an installation axis extending transversely to said pillow block and socket member axes, said intermediate socket member having an axial width slightly less than the width of said insertion slot means to permit said intermediate socket member to be orientated about said installation axis and inserted into said insertion slot means and then turned about said installation axis to seat said convex outer surface of said intermediate socket member in said pillow block mounting socket, and a spherical bearing mounted in said concave inner raceway of said intermediate socket member.