Seal device for rolling bearing

A seal device for use in a rolling bearing comprising an outer ring formed with an inner peripheral surface having axial end sections and a mid section between the axial end sections, the mid section formed with an outer raceway, an inner ring formed with an outer peripheral surface having axial end sections and a mid section between the axial end sections, the mid section formed with an inner raceway, the axial end sections of the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring being opposed to the axial end sections of the outer peripheral surface of the inner ring to form an opening, respectively, and a plurality of rolling elements rotatably provided in a space between the outer raceway and the inner raceway, the seal device comprising a retaining groove formed generally in a circumferential direction on at least one of the axial end sections of the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring, and a shield plate having an outer peripheral edge retained in the retaining groove and an inner peripheral edge placed adjacent to the opposed end section of the outer peripheral surface of the inner ring,

• the retaining groove being defined by a step portion formed closer to the outer raceway and having a relatively larger height and a projection formed closer to the opening and having a relatively smaller height,
• the shield plate made of an annular metal plate and comprised of radially inner and outer halves, the radially outer half formed with a flat portion and a bent tail portion folded radially inwards to cooperate with the flat portion to form the outer peripheral edge of the shield plate, so that the bent tail portion is capable of being elastically deformed, and
• the shield plate fitted into the outer ring with the outer peripheral edge abutted to the step portion and to the projection, so that the outer peripheral edge of the shield plate is retained by the retaining groove, whereby the space where the rolling elements are provided is shielded from outside.