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OwnerRichard J. Connell, Anthony S. Royer +2inventors
InventorsRichard J. Connell, Anthony S. Royer, Mark D. Beeck, Kyan A. Hackert
Estimating the term…
A bearing assembly (20) with a self-lubricated liner interface (70) supported between a spherical outside surface (72) of a sealed agricultural bearing (20b) and a steel containment housing (60,62). The interface (70) includes a lubrication-impregnated plastic interposed between the housing (60,62) and the spherical surface (72) to relieve the bearing from the high forces of shaft misalignment. The plastic liner includes a compressible portion such as radially projecting protrusions (82), O-rings (82a) or other resilient band, or compressible molded plastic (H2) to accommodate varying tolerances between the outside spherical surface (72) and housing cavity surfaces (68) and liner (70) and to bias the liner (70) against the spherical surface (72) to prevent bearing rotation. The plastic liner halves (70a,70b) fit firmly over the outside bearing surface to reduce entry of dirt and contaminants into the housing and onto the spherical bearing surface (74). The sealed bearing (20b) and self-lubricated interface (70) eliminate need for external grease ports.
In a self-aligning bearing assembly for supporting an implement shaft for rotation about a shaft axis in a harsh operating environment, the shaft axis moveable a limited amount from a first aligned position, the assembly including a bearing with an outer race and an outer spherical surface, a bearing inner race supported within the outer race for rotation about an inner race axis, and a containment housing with housing surfaces defining a containment cavity supporting the outer spherical surface and facilitating movement of the inner race for self-alignment of the inner race axis with the shaft axis as the shaft axis moves from the first aligned position, connecting structure for securing the bearing within the containment housing, the improvement comprising;
In a self-aligning bearing assembly for supporting an implement shaft for rotation about a shaft axis in a harsh operating environment, the shaft axis moveable a limited amount from a first aligned position, the assembly including a bearing with an outer race and an outer spherical surface, a bearing inner race supported within the outer race for rotation about an inner race axis, and a containment housing defining a containment cavity supporting the outer spherical surface and facilitating movement of the inner race for self-alignment of the inner race axis with the shaft axis as the shaft axis moves from the first aligned position, structure for securing the bearing within the containment housing, the improvement comprising;
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.