Shock absorber bearing assembly

Abstract

A shock absorber bearing assembly is disclosed which includes a shaft having a pivot end portion with a pivot end, a bearing housing having an opening therein through which the pivot end portion of the shaft extends; and a bearing mounted on the housing and having an aperture formed therein for receiving the end pivot section of the shaft. An enlargement is formed on the shaft below the end pivot section and is located in the housing opening. The latter has a first cylindrical section and a second tapered section between the cylindrical section and the bearing so that side play of the shaft between the enlargement and the housing opening decreases as the end pivot section moves out of the bearing during a shock load in order to automatically keep the shaft end centered with the bearing. In addition the shaft enlargement and housing opening are dimensioned to prevent the shaft end from engaging the bearing when the shaft end moves outwardly of the bearing, thereby to prevent damage to both the bearing and the shaft.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.