# US 5,707,156 A · Casting

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- Number: US 5,707,156 A
- Document ID: US5707156A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/676,160
- Filed: 1996-07-15
- Granted: 1998-01-13
- Earliest claimed: 1994-01-15
- Assignees: ITT Automotive Europe GmbH
- Inventors: Dieter Losch; Christof Heuberger
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5707156A

## CPC

- B29C 45/26: Moulds
- F16C 17/035: {the segments being integrally formed with, or rigidly fixed to, a support-element}
- F16C 33/14: Special methods of manufacture; Running-in
- F16C 33/208: {Methods of manufacture, e.g. shaping, applying coatings}
- F16C 2300/02: General use or purpose, i.e. no use, purpose, special adaptation or modification indicated or a wide variety of uses mentioned
- B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00)
- F16C: SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS

## Abstract

A cast element comprises an elongated cast body having an axial opening in a direction of its axis thereof, and first and second friction bearings at ends of the axial opening. The friction bearings are formed as a single piece with the cast body, and each friction bearing consists of several slide elements with a space between them. Each of the slide elements has a cross section shaped like a cylindrical ring segment, and the slide elements of the first bearing are circumferentially alternate with the slide elements of the second bearing.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A cast element, comprising: an elongated cast body having an axial opening in a direction of an axis thereof, and
first and second friction bearings at ends of the axial opening, the friction bearings being formed as a single piece with the cast body, wherein each friction bearing consists of several slide elements with a space therebetween, each of the slide element having a base and an end and a cross section shaped like a cylindrical ring segment, the slide elements of said first bearing being circumferentially offset with respect to the slide elements of said second bearing.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The cast element according to claim 1, wherein the opening is divided circumferentially in a transition region between the first and second bearings into perimeter sectors corresponding to an angular arrangement of the slide elements of each of the bearings, and each perimeter sector runs in the axial direction, each of the slide elements of said first and second friction bearings being located in a respective perimeter sector in such a way that the slide elements of the first bearing are circumferentially alternate with respect to the slide elements of the second bearing.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The cast element according to claim 2, wherein a distance between the slide element and the axis in the transition region is greater than a distance between the same slide element and the axis at the base of the slide element.