Bearings – Rotary bearing – Antifriction bearing
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-08
2001-02-13
Lorence, Richard M. (Department: 3681)
Bearings
Rotary bearing
Antifriction bearing
C384S582000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06186668
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to bearing assemblies having a flexible annular bushing and, more particularly, to a bearing assembly suitable for the mounting of steering columns and similar applications.
In such applications, a bearing assembly is required that isolates a shaft, for example a steering column, with respect to noise and vibration. In addition, a “zero clearance” bearing may be desired in those applications to further improve noise and vibration characteristics and maintain a “tight” feel. A needle bearing, for example, may have a split outer race and split bearing cage forced against the shaft by a rubber bushing. The rubber bushing requires an undercut to receive the needle bearing and lip seals that are difficult to manufacture and limit design options.
The foregoing illustrates limitations known to exist in present devices and methods. Thus, it is apparent that it would be advantageous to provide an alternative directed to overcoming one or more of the limitations set forth above. Accordingly, a suitable alternative is provided including features more fully disclosed hereinafter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect of the invention, this is accomplished by providing a bearing assembly comprising an outer race made of metal and a plurality of rolling elements in rolling contact with the outer race and retained within a bearing cage. An annular bushing partially encloses the outer race, the annular bushing being split along a radial plane into two bushing halves molded of an engineered thermoplastic elastomer. The bushing halves are retained axially together by a retention means such that axial movement of the outer race is limited.
The foregoing and other aspects will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures.
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patent: 4708498 (1987-11-01), Ladedan et al.
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patent: 5048980 (1991-09-01), Dickinson
patent: 5468074 (1995-11-01), Godec et al.
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Bigler John C.
Lorence Richard M.
The Torrington Company
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