Idler roller and method of making
AssigneeJason, Inc.
InventorThomas F. Burke
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A composite idler roller has an integral internal bearing surface which interfits with the outer or tread portion of the roller. Flange seals or internal lubricant retaining grooves may be incorporated in the bearing surface. The outer or tread portion of the roller is inserted in a mold concentric with a core pin. The bearing material is injected into the space between the outer portion and the core pin. The centering of the outer portion may be by external contact with the mold or internal shoulder contact with the core pin. The core pin may be wholly or partly collapsible. The roller may have a wide variety of tread styles and may be stud or yoke mounted. In another form, the entire roller is formed of the bearing material.
Claims27
A method of making an idler roller assembly comprising the steps of forming an annular outer tread mold surface radially spaced from and concentric with a polished core pin forming an annular space, closing said space between the tread mold surface and core pin at each axial end of the tread mold surface to enclose said annular space, injecting a plastic material having sleeve bearing characteristics into said space completely to fill said space, curing such material to form a roller, opening said space, removing the roller, and mounting the roller on a pintle with the surface formed by the core pin being the internal bearing surface of the roller on the pintle.
A method of making a composite idler roller assembly comprising the steps for forming a roller insert having an outer tread and a hollow interior, preparing the surface of the hollow interior, placing the roller insert in a mold having a polished core so that said core projects through said hollow interior and concentric with said outer tread to form an annular space, closing the mold and said space between said core and outer tread, at each axial end of said space, injecting into said space a plastic material having bearing characteristics when cured to form an internal bearing surface, curing such material, opening the mold and, removing the composite idler roller assembly from said core.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.