Bearings – Rotary bearing – Antifriction bearing
Reexamination Certificate
1997-07-11
2001-10-30
Footland, Lenard A. (Department: 3682)
Bearings
Rotary bearing
Antifriction bearing
Reexamination Certificate
active
06309108
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates generally to improved spacers for the bearing assemblies for mounting the wheels of in-line roller skates.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In-line roller skates have seen great popularity. This popularity is due in part to constant improvements to decrease the effort to propel oneself and make the sport more enjoyable.
Known bearing assemblies include a pair of axially spaced ball bearings concentrically mounted within an annular wheel hub and mounted on a generally cylindrical annular bearing spacer or axle sheath. Each ball bearing typically includes a plurality of bearing balls mounted between inner and outer bearing races. Known bearing spacers conventionally comprise an enlarged center portion and reduced end portions. The inner races of the two ball bearings are commonly mounted on the respective reduced end portions in abutment with the respective opposite radial shoulders of the enlarged center portion so that the two ball bearings are axially spaced from each other.
Wheel bearing quality and condition significantly affect the amount of effort required to propel oneself on a pair of in-line skates. However, even high quality bearings that are in top condition will degrade in performance as friction between the bearing balls and the bearing races causes heat to build up within those structures. Heat build-up in the wheel bearings and bearing races of a typical ball bearing assembly causes those parts to expand in size and increases rolling friction. Increased rolling friction requires that a skater exert greater effort to maintain a given speed.
What are needed are improvements to wheel bearing assembly design that reduce rolling friction by reducing heat build-up.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with this invention a bearing spacer is provided for an in-line skate wheel bearing assembly. The spacer includes a generally cylindrical center portion with discontinuities formed in its outer surface to improve airflow within the bearing assembly. The center portion has a central longitudinal axis that extends between first and second center portion ends. A pair of radial shoulders are disposed at the first and second center portion ends to abut and axially space the individual ball bearings within a hub of the skate wheel. A central bore extends coaxially through the center portion to receive an axle pin for mounting the skate wheel to a skate.
According to another aspect of the present invention the discontinuity includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced longitudinal grooves.
According to another aspect of the present invention at least one groove extends from the first end to the second end of the center portion.
According to another aspect of the present invention the discontinuity includes at least one radial hole.
According to another aspect of the present invention at least one radial hole extends completely through the center portion.
According to another aspect of the present invention first and second reduced end portions integrally extending axially outward from the respective first and second center portion ends. The reduced end portions are generally cylindrical in shape. The center bore extends coaxially through the first and second reduced end portions.
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patent: 4883370 (1989-11-01), Nakanishi
patent: 4896975 (1990-01-01), Bescoby et al.
patent: 5425585 (1995-06-01), Hoffmann et al.
patent: 5527050 (1996-06-01), Szendel
Footland Lenard A.
Reising Ethington Barnes Kisselle Learman & McCulloch PC
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