# US 4,395,142 A · Self-adjusting angular contact spherical bearing

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- Number: US 4,395,142 A
- Document ID: US4395142A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 06/245,180
- Filed: 1981-03-18
- Granted: 1983-07-26
- Earliest claimed: 1981-03-18
- Assignees: The Torrington Company
- Inventors: John H. Lobeck
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4395142A

## CPC

- F16C 23/043: {with spherical surfaces, e.g. spherical plain bearings}
- F16C 17/10: for both radial and axial load
- F16C: SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS

## Abstract

The spherical bearing has an outer race with a curved indented inner surface. An inner race support is provided with an annular channel having a bottom surface tapering toward the axis of the support from one side of the channel to the other side of the channel. The inner race is fitted within the channel. The inner race has an inner surface complementary with the bottom surface of the channel and an outer surface complementary with the curved indented inner surface of the outer race.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A spherical bearing comprising: an outer race having a curved, indented inner surface generally tapering inwardly from one axial end of the outer race toward the other end; a one piece support having an annular channel, the bottom surface of the annular channel tapering toward the axis of the support from one side of the annular channel to the other side of the annular channel and in the same direction as the curved, indented inner surface of the outer race; and a single removable annular plastic liner snap fitted within said annular channel, and having an inner surface complementary with the bottom surface of the annular channel and an outer surface complementary with the curved, indented inner surface of the outer race.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A spherical bearing in accordance with claim 1 wherein: the plastic liner is made of self-lubricating material.