# US 5,707,157 A · Bearing retention mechanism

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- Number: US 5,707,157 A
- Document ID: US5707157A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/693,734
- Filed: 1996-08-07
- Granted: 1998-01-13
- Earliest claimed: 1996-08-07
- Assignees: New Venture Gear, Inc.
- Inventors: Larry A. Pritchard; John R. Forsyth
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5707157A

## CPC

- F16C 35/067: Fixing them in a housing (with interposition of an element F16C35/07)
- F16C 19/06: with a single row or balls
- F16C 2226/50: Positive connections
- F16C 2226/60: with threaded parts, e.g. bolt and nut connections
- F16C 2300/02: General use or purpose, i.e. no use, purpose, special adaptation or modification indicated or a wide variety of uses mentioned
- F16C: SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS

## Abstract

A bearing retention system for use in mounting a bearing assembly. The bearing retention system includes a retainer stud having an elongated head that is used to axially restrain a race of the bearing assembly and a locknut that is used to tighten the retainer stud.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A bearing retention mechanism comprising:
a first component;
a second component;
a bearing assembly arranged to permit relative rotation between said first and second components, said bearing assembly including an inner race fixed to said first component, an outer race, and a plurality of rolling contact elements rollingly disposed between said inner and outer races; and
a retainer stud having a shank extending through a bore in said second component and an elongated head for engaging said outer race so as to fix said outer race to said second component.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The bearing retention mechanism of claim 1 wherein said first component is a shaft and said second component is a housing with said bearing assembly arranged to support said shaft for rotation in said housing.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The bearing retention mechanism of claim 1 wherein said shank of said retainer stud has a threaded segment extending partially out of said bore, and said bearing retention mechanism further comprises a locknut for engaging said threaded segment of said shank to tighten said retainer stud relative to said second component.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The bearing retention mechanism of claim 1 wherein said shank of said retainer stud includes a circumferential groove that receives an O-ring seal therein for sealing against said bore.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The bearing retention mechanism of claim 1 wherein said head of said retainer stud is movable between a first position disengaged from said outer race and a second position overlying and engaging said outer race.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The bearing retention mechanism of claim 5 further comprising a post extending from said second component for locating said head of said retainer stud in said second position.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The bearing retention mechanism of claim 1 wherein said outer race has a first lateral surface located adjacent a shoulder formed in said second component and a second lateral surface engaged by said head of said retainer stud.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The bearing retention mechanism of claim 1, wherein said elongated head includes at least one radially extending end segment.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The bearing retention mechanism of claim 8, wherein said retainer stud includes a slot formed in a terminal end of said shank for verifying correct location of said elongated head in a post-assembly position.