# US 2017/0284472 A1 · Retaining element, assembly and method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2017/0284472 A1 - Document ID: US20170284472A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/471,407 - Filed: 2017-03-28 - Published: 2017-10-05 - Earliest claimed: 2016-04-05 - Assignees: ROLLS-ROYCE plc - Applicants: ROLLS-ROYCE plc - Inventors: Toby E. UNNA - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170284472A1 ## CPC - F16C 35/067: Fixing them in a housing (with interposition of an element F16C35/07) - F16C 35/00: Rigid support of bearing units; Housings, e.g. caps, covers (F16C23/00 takes precedence) - F16C 35/077: between housing and outer race ring - F16C 2226/00: Joining parts; Fastening; Assembling or mounting parts - F16C 2226/10: Force connections, e.g. clamping - F16C 2226/52: with plastic deformation, e.g. caulking or staking - F16C 2226/70: with complementary interlocking parts - F16C 2226/76: with tongue and groove or key and slot - F16C 2240/60: Thickness, e.g. thickness of coatings - F16C 2326/43: Aeroplanes; Helicopters - F16C: SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS ## Abstract A retaining element for retaining a component within a receiving part, the retaining element including: a neck portion to be received within a notch formed in the receiving part; a first head portion coupled to the neck portion end and defining a first shoulder; a second head portion coupled to another neck portion end and defining a second shoulder, wherein the first and second shoulders oppose one another and are to abut first and second surfaces of the receiving part so as to engage the retaining element with the receiving part; wherein the first and/or second head portions include a retaining tab having a retaining surface, wherein the retaining tab has a receiving position for receiving the component and retaining position for retaining the component; wherein, in the retaining position, the retaining tab extends beyond the neck portion so the retaining surface abuts the component surface to retain the component. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A retaining element for retaining a bearing within a receiving part, the retaining element comprising: a neck portion configured to be received within a notch formed in the receiving part; a first head portion coupled to an end of the neck portion and defining a first shoulder; a second head portion coupled to another end of the neck portion and defining a second shoulder, wherein the first and second shoulders oppose one another and are configured to abut first and second surfaces of the receiving part so as to engage the retaining element with the receiving part; wherein the first and/or second head portions comprise a retaining tab having a retaining surface, wherein the retaining tab has a receiving position for receiving the bearing and a retaining position for retaining the bearing; wherein, in the retaining position, the retaining tab extends beyond the neck portion such that the retaining surface abuts a surface of the bearing to retain the bearing. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A retaining element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the retaining surface of the first and/or second head portion is aligned with the corresponding shoulder. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A retaining element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the retaining surface of the first and/or second head portion is offset from the corresponding shoulder. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A retaining element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the or each retaining tab is deformable between the receiving position and the retaining position. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A retaining element as claimed in claim 4, wherein the or each retaining tab is rotatable relative to the neck portion. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) A retaining element as claimed in claim 5, wherein the or each retaining tab is twistable relative to the neck portion. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) A retaining element as claimed in claim 5, wherein the head portion is rotatable relative to the neck portion to move the retaining tab between the receiving position and the retaining position. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A retaining element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second head portions comprise retaining tabs, wherein the retaining tabs extend in opposite lateral directions when in the receiving position. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A retaining element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second shoulders each comprise a pair of shoulder portions which project laterally beyond either side of the neck portion. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) A retaining element as claimed in claim 9, wherein one of the shoulder portions is formed by the retaining tab when in the receiving position. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A retaining element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the retaining element is planar when the retaining tabs are in the receiving position and wherein the retaining tabs extend out of the plane when in the retaining position. ### Claim 12 A retaining assembly comprising: a plurality of retaining elements each retaining element having: a neck portion configured to be received within a notch formed in the receiving part; a first head portion coupled to an end of the neck portion and defining a first shoulder; a second head portion coupled to another end of the neck portion and defining a second shoulder, wherein the first and second shoulders oppose one another and are configured to abut first and second surfaces of the receiving part so as to engage the retaining element with the receiving part; wherein the first and/or second head portions comprise a retaining tab having a retaining surface, wherein the retaining tab has a receiving position for receiving the bearing and a retaining position for retaining the bearing; wherein, in the retaining position, the retaining tab extends beyond the neck portion such that the retaining surface abuts a surface of the bearing to retain the bearing; and a receiving part comprising an aperture for receiving a bearing; wherein a plurality of notches are formed in the aperture for receiving the retaining elements such that the retaining elements are disposed between the bearing and the receiving part so as to retain the bearing within the receiving part. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) A retaining assembly as claimed in claim 12, wherein the notches in the receiving part have dimensions which correspond to dimensions of the neck portion. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) A retaining element as claimed in claim 12, wherein the retaining surface of the first and/or second head portion is aligned with the corresponding shoulder. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) A retaining element as claimed in claim 12, wherein the or each retaining tab is deformable between the receiving position and the retaining position. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) A retaining element as claimed in claim 12, wherein the first and second head portions comprise retaining tabs, wherein the retaining tabs extend in opposite lateral directions when in the receiving position. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) A retaining element as claimed in claim 12, wherein the first and second shoulders each comprise a pair of shoulder portions which project laterally beyond either side of the neck portion. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) A retaining element as claimed in claim 12, wherein the retaining element is planar when the retaining tabs are in the receiving position and wherein the retaining tabs extend out of the plane when in the retaining position. ### Claim 19 A retaining element for retaining a component within a receiving part, the retaining element comprising: a neck portion configured to be received within a notch formed in the receiving part; a first head portion coupled to an end of the neck portion and defining a first shoulder; a second head portion coupled to another end of the neck portion and defining a second shoulder, wherein the first and second shoulders oppose one another and are configured to abut first and second surfaces of the receiving part so as to engage the retaining element with the receiving part; wherein the first and/or second head portions comprise a retaining tab having a retaining surface, wherein the retaining tab has a receiving position for receiving the component and a retaining position for retaining the component; wherein, in the retaining position, the retaining tab extends beyond the neck portion such that the retaining surface abuts a surface of the component to retain the component.