Elastomeric bearing component with wedge-shaped shims

A laminated bearing assembly for movably coupling a central inner member with an outer member, the inner member having a central axis and the outer member having a bore, the bearing assembly comprising:

• at least two laminated bearing components each being disposeable at least partially within the outer member bore and having an inner radial end connectable with the inner member so as to be spaced apart about the central axis and an outer radial end connectable with the outer member, each bearing component including a laminated body formed of a plurality of alternating, generally arcuate elastomeric and metallic laminae nested generally about a central axis, each one of the elastomeric and metallic laminae having opposing first and second arcuate ends spaced apart circumferentially about the central axis and inner and outer circumferential surfaces extending circumferentially between the first and second arcuate ends, each metallic lamina being generally wedge-shaped and having a radial thickness varying circumferentially between a first value at the first, radially-widest arcuate end and a second, lesser value at the second, radially-narrowest arcuate end.

A mechanical assembly comprising:

• an inner member having a central axis;
• an outer member having a bore, at least one of the inner and outer members being angularly displaceable about the central axis;
• at least one laminated body disposed within the outer member bore and having an inner radial end connected with the inner member and an outer radial end connected with the outer member, the body being formed of a plurality of alternating, generally arcuate elastomeric and metallic laminae nested generally coaxially about a central axis, each one of the elastomeric and metallic laminae having opposing first and second arcuate ends spaced apart circumferentially about the central axis and inner and outer circumferential surfaces extending circumferentially between the first and second arcuate ends, each metallic lamina is generally wedge-shaped and has a radial thickness varying circumferentially between a first value at the first, radially-widest arcuate end and a second, lesser value at the second, radially-narrowest arcuate end.