# US 4,398,329 A · Roller skate bearing > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 4,398,329 A - Document ID: US4398329A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 06/282,447 - Filed: 1981-07-13 - Granted: 1983-08-16 - Earliest claimed: 1981-07-13 - Assignees: Virginia Industries, Inc. - Inventors: John A. Hitchner; Henry A. Klipp - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4398329A ## CPC - F16C 19/163: {with angular contact} - A63C 17/22: Wheels for roller skates - F16C 33/588: {Races of sheet metal} - F16C 33/64: Special methods of manufacture - F16C 2316/30: Articles for sports, games and amusement, e.g. roller skates, toys - Y10T 29/49684: with race making - F16C: SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS - A63C: SKATES; SKIS; ROLLER SKATES; DESIGN OR LAYOUT OF COURTS, RINKS OR THE LIKE (water skis B63B32/00, B63B34/00) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract An unground ball bearing is manufactured by forming a straight-sided cup shaped outer race having an aperture in the base and a radially inwardly extending flange about the periphery of the cup rim. The outer and inner races are heat treated and subjected to a surface finishing step and the ball bearing is subsequently assembled by inserting the balls within the outer race and then snapping the inner race into position within the outer race by forcing it past the flange on the outer race. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of manufacturing a ball bearing comprising the steps of: forming a round cup-shaped member having a flat side wall portion and a base portion from metal stock, the base portion being partly transversely oriented with respect to said flat side wall portion; scoring the inner surface of the formed cup-shaped member adjacent the upper periphery thereof to define a groove therein; bending the peripheral portion of the cup-shaped member inwardly along the groove to form a radially inwardly extending flange, said flange defining a circular opening; forming an opening in the base of the cup-shaped member, said opening being coaxial with said flange-defined opening, the axis of said opening being parallel to the straight portion of the side wall of said cup-shaped member, said cup-shaped member with coaxial openings comprising an outer race defining member; producing an inner race defining member having a flat circular body of a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of the flange defined opening in the outer race defining member, said inner race defining member further having a tubular projection extending from the central region of said flat body, said tubular projection being open at the end disposed away from said flat body and being coaxial with said flat body; heat treating the inner and outer race defining members; finishing the surfaces of the inner and outer race defining members supporting the outer race defining member; temporarily inserting a post within the outer race defining member, said post being coaxial with the outer race defining member; positioning a discreet number of balls within the outer race defining member about the post; inserting the tubular projection of the inner race defining member into said outer race defining member whereby said tubular projection contacts the balls and prevents travel thereof in the radially inward direction; and exerting pressure upon said inner race defining member to cause said inner race defining member flat body to snap through said flange defined opening of said outer race defining member. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the step of producing the outer race defining member further comprises: punching a circular disc from malleable metal stock and subsequently forming a cup therefrom. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the step of scoring the inner surface of the cup-shaped member comprises: producing a V-shaped 60 degree cut. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the step of producing the inner race defining member comprises: piercing a strip of metal of sufficient width to allow the production of the inner race; drawing the strip about the aperture formed in the piercing step to produce the tubular projection; and blanking a circular disc from the strip, the circular disc being coaxial with the tubular projection. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3 wherein the step of producing the inner race defining member comprises: piercing a strip of metal of sufficient width to allow the production of inner race; drawing the strip about the aperture formed in the piercing step to produce the tubular projection; and blanking a circular disc from the strip, the circular disc being coaxial with the tubular projection. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5 whereby the step of drawing to produce the tubular projection of the inner race defining member comprises: subjecting the strip to a first drawing operation to form a generally cup-shaped projection with the pierced hole at the base of the cup; redrawing to flatten the side wall of the cup while enlarging the hole in the base thereof; and burnishing and qualifying the inner race defining member while still a part of the strip. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the step of supporting the outer race defining member comprises: placing the outer race defining member within a recess in a fixture. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5 wherein the step of supporting the outer race defining member comprises: placing the outer race defining member within a recess in a fixture.