Bearing retention for vacuum tank linkage
AssigneeThe Charles Machine Works, Inc.
InventorLance D. Littlewood
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A bearing assembly for a door linkage. The bearing assembly is placed about a shaft which runs through a central opening in an arm, and the arm rotates about the shaft. The bearing assembly comprises a central composition bushing, a boss which is rotationally locked with the arm, and a plate. The central opening is large enough such that all the elements of the bearing assembly can be removed without disassembling the arm. The plate retains the elements of the bearing assembly in place when the arm is in use. The plate may also provide torque transmission between the boss and the arm.
Claims22
A bearing assembly disposed about a shaft, comprising:
- a boss disposed about the shaft and having opposed first and second ends, wherein at least one of the first end and the second end is torque-transmitting;
- an outer bushing disposed about the boss;
- and
- a bushing access plate defined by first and second adjoining layers, wherein:
- the first layer is defined by an opening complementary with the first end of the boss;
- and
- the second layer is configured to restrict longitudinal movement of the first end in the direction of the second layer.
A rotary support mechanism for a linkage assembly, comprising:
- a central shaft extending along a longitudinal axis;
- a sleeve surrounding the central shaft, the sleeve having an outer surface with at least one torque-transmitting end;
- a connection plate having an aperture sized to receive the sleeve and a retaining structure configured to limit movement of the sleeve relative to the connection plate along the longitudinal axis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.