Cutlery
Patent
1982-03-29
1983-11-29
Levy, Stuart S.
Cutlery
308 3B, 187 95, F16C 2904
Patent
active
044177690
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
DESCRIPTION
1. Technical Field
This invention relates to a self adjusting bearing arrangement for a pair of relatively movable members and more particularly to a self adjusting bearing arrangement for a lift mast assembly having a bearing for guiding a first member of the lift mast for movement relative to a second member of the lift mast, a support assembly movable connecting the bearing to the first member and an adjustment device for automatically applying predetermined force to the bearing to move the bearing, in response to movement thereof, into contact with the second member, and for maintaining the bearing in contact with the second member.
2. Background Art
Bearing arrangements provided for guiding one member for movement relative to another member, for example such as used in lift mast assembly, usually consist of either rollers, wear strips, blocks or a combination thereof. In a lift mast these bearing arrangements are normally used as fore-aft load bearings or side thrust load bearings which maintains proper relationships between the associated members guided thereby and provides relatively smooth operation thereof.
Typically these bearing arrangements are subjected to extensive cyclical operation and abuse which results in wear not only of the bearing arrangements themselves but the associated members also. This wear usually results in improper fit up between the members being guided which is reflected by excessive play therebetween. If not corrected the efficiency of operation diminishes drastically which is observed as binding, noise and often failure of the bearings result.
To correct this problem the bearing arrangements often include a provision for adjustment, such as by manually shimming, or manually rotating an eccentric shaft upon which the bearing is mounted. U.S. Pat. No. 3,999,675 dated Dec. 28, 1976 to Forry et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 4,060,151 dated Nov. 29, 1977 to Chelin et al. each show an adjustable side thrust bearing for a lift mast assembly in which shims are added to or deleted therefrom for adjustment purposes. U.S. Pat. No. 4,019,786 dated Apr. 26, 1977 to Yarris teaches a side thrust roller assembly for a lift mast wherein the roller is adjustable through rotation of an eccentric roller shaft. Although these patents provide a solution to correct the adjustment problem the actual use thereof by the mechanic or operator is questionable.
Usually, the mechanic or operators thereof do not maintain proper adjustment until absolutely necessary thereby giving way to unnecessary wear and inefficient operation of the apparatus. Further, adjustment of manually adjustable bearing arrangements requires substantial time and are often improperly adjusted, either too tight or too loose. This serves to promote premature wear of the bearings, flaking or galling of the associated members against which the bearings bear and potential failure thereof.
The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems as set forth above.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, a self adjusting bearing arrangement for a pair of relatively movable members is provided. The self adjusting bearing arrangement has a bearing for guiding a first member of the pair for movement relative to a second member of the pair, a support assembly for connecting the bearing to the first member and guiding the bearing for movement between a first position at which the bearing is spaced from contact with the second member and a second position at which the bearing is contactable with the second member, and an adjustment apparatus for applying a predetermined force to the bearing and move the bearing to the second position and maintain the bearing at the second position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic isometric view of a self adjusting bearing assembly and associated relatively movable members; and
FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic side sectional view taken along lines II--II of FIG. 1 showing a bearing and thrust member in solid lines
REFERENCES:
patent: 131897 (1872-10-01), Otis
patent: 1916365 (1933-07-01), Dunlop
patent: 2772596 (1956-12-01), Trussell
patent: 3425516 (1969-02-01), Minejiro et al.
patent: 3554327 (1971-01-01), Takamura
patent: 4047597 (1977-09-01), Okura et al.
patent: 4056170 (1977-11-01), Chelin
Hannon Thomas R.
Hickman Alan J.
Levy Stuart S.
Towmotor Corporation
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