Bearings – Rotary bearing – Antifriction bearing
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-22
2001-10-16
Lorence, Richard M. (Department: 3681)
Bearings
Rotary bearing
Antifriction bearing
C384S452000, C280S279000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06302589
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a bearing, and more particularly to a steering bearing assembly for wheeled vehicle.
2. Description of the Prior Art
U.S. Pat. No. 4,068,858 to Harrison et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 4,341,394 to Cabeza, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,095,770 to Rader, III, disclose the typical steering bearings for rotatably securing the handlebars to the forks of the cycles. The typical steering bearings each includes a ball bearing provided between the bottom of the head tube and the fork member and/or the steerer tube. The ball bearing may not resist thrust and shocks and vibrations transmitted from the fork member and/or the steerer tube to the head tube and may be easily broken after use. In addition, a gap or a peripheral groove is formed in the ball bearing and/or formed between the fork member and/or the steerer tube and the head tube such that dirt or contaminant or liquid, particularly the rain or the water may enter into the ball bearing and may rust and damage the ball bearing.
The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the afore-described disadvantages of the conventional steering bearings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a steering bearing assembly for wheeled vehicle including a bearing for anti-thrust purposes, and including a structure for preventing water or contaminant from entering into the bearing assembly.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a steering bearing assembly comprising a head tube including an upper portion and a lower portion, a steerer tube rotatably received in the head tube and including a race provided thereon, and a first bearing disposed between the upper portion of the head tube and the steerer tube. a second bearing provided between the lower portion of the head tube and the race. The steering bearing assembly further includes a second bearing and a third bearing disposed between the lower portion of the head tube and the race for anti-thrust purposes and for absorbing shocks and vibrations from the steerer tube.
The race includes an annular chamber formed therein for receiving the third bearing, and includes an inner peripheral portion having a peripheral fence extended upward therefrom and includes an outer peripheral portion having a peripheral wall extended upward therefrom for defining the annular chamber between the peripheral fence and the peripheral wall. The peripheral wall includes a height greater than that of the peripheral fence.
The third bearing is preferably a roller bearing. A first washer is disposed between the third bearing and the race and a second washer is disposed between the third bearing and the second bearing.
A cup includes a peripheral board engaged on the third bearing and includes an annular shoulder formed therein for receiving the second bearing. A cover is further engaged on the second bearing and includes an inner peripheral portion engaged between the head tube and the cup and including an outer peripheral portion.
The race includes an upper annular shoulder formed in the outer peripheral wall thereof. The cover includes an outer peripheral and annular protrusion extended downward therefrom and engaged into the annular shoulder of the race for preventing water or dirt from entering into the bearing assembly.
Further objectives and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a careful reading of a detailed description provided hereinbelow, with appropriate reference to accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 420805 (1890-02-01), Keating
patent: 4068858 (1978-01-01), Harrison et al.
patent: 4341394 (1982-07-01), Cabeza
patent: 5095770 (1992-03-01), Rader, III
patent: 5272936 (1993-12-01), Nagano
patent: 5405202 (1995-04-01), Chi
patent: 5681119 (1997-10-01), Marui
patent: 5-32188 (A) (1993-02-01), None
Baxley Charles E.
Lorence Richard M.
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