Thrust bearing

#This invention is directed to a novel bearing, and more particularly to a novel thrust bearing for use in automated livestock feeding equipment.

#Thrust bearings for livestock feeding equipment generally are required to operate at low to moderate shaft speeds. In many applications, thrust bearings are required which will carry thrust in both directions and have some capacity for radial loading as well as thrust. Moreover, such bearings must be capable of operating in dusty, abrasive environments.

#In this latter regard, livestock feeding equipment generally is required to operate in dusty, dirty areas where livestock is present. In addition, the feed and other materials carried in the lines operated by the shafts on which the thrust bearings are used tend to fill the surrounding atmosphere with dust and small, hard abrasive particles. Accordingly, thrust bearings utilized in such applications must be relatively impervious to damage from such dust and/or abrasive particles.

#The foregoing as well as other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be more readily understood upon reading the following detailed description of the illustrated embodiment, together with reference to the drawings, wherein:

#FIG. 1 is a side elevation, partially in section of an assembled thrust bearing, in accordance with the invention, mounted to a rotating shaft;

#FIG. 2 is a front elevation of a bearing seat member of the bearing of FIG. 1;

#Referring now to the drawings and initially to FIG. 1, a shaft 10 has mounted thereon an assembled bearing constructed in accordance with the present invention and designated generally by the reference numeral 12.

#This thrust bearing 12 comprises a first bearing member 14, a second bearing member 16 and an intermediate seat member 18. Each of the bearing members 14, 16 includes a through groove or slot 20, 22 which receives a pin 24, 26. These pins 24, 26 extend through respective through-apertures 28, 30 of the shaft 10, for joining their respective bearing members 14, 16 for rotation in unison with the shaft 10. Thses pins 24, 26 also serve to hold the thrust bearing 12 in assembled condition upon the shaft 10.

#Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the bearing seat member 18 is illustrated in additional detail. This seat member 18 is preferably of a metallic material and includes a spherical wall portion 32 having a central through opening 34 for receiving the shaft 10. The diameter of the through opening 34 is greater than the diameter of the shaft 10 to permit the shaft 10 to rotate freely therein. The bearing seat member 18 also includes a radially outward, axially extending flange portion 36, which in the illustrated embodiment is of sufficient axial extent to surround the bearing member 16, but is radially spaced apart therefrom (see FIG. 1). The spherical or curved wall portion 32 provides a concave spherical surface 38 to one side thereof and a convex sperical surface 40 at the other side thereof.