Bearing apparatus having improved end cover
AssigneeReliance Electric Industrial Company
InventorsRobert E. Ward, Howard M. Martinie
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A bearing apparatus is provided including an improved end cover. The end cover has a cup element for receipt over the end of a shaft supported by the bearing apparatus. An arm element extends from the cup element and may define a slot for receipt of a suitable threaded member, such as the bearing's lubricant fitting. When the lubricant fitting is tightened, the end cover will be maintained in the desired position on the bearing housing.
Claims21
A bearing apparatus for supporting a rotatable shaft, said bearing apparatus comprising;
- a bearing housing defining a shaft bore for receipt of said rotatable shaft therethrough;
- a bearing assembly located in said bearing housing, said bearing assembly including a rotatable ring operatively attached to said shaft;
- and
- a cover device including a cup element configured to be received over said shaft bore on one side of said bearing housing, said cover device further comprising an arm element extending radially outward from said cup element and adapted to be connected to said bearing housing such that such cup element will be maintained in position;
- and
- wherein said bearing housing includes a threaded lubricant fitting mounted thereon and said arm element is configured to be received about said lubricant fitting such that said cover device will be connected to said bearing housing.
A method of covering an end of a rotatable shaft supported by a bearing apparatus, said method comprising steps of:
- (a) providing an article having a cup element defining an open end and a closed end;
- (b) placing said article adjacent one side of a bearing housing of said bearing apparatus such that said open end receives said end of said shaft therein;
- and
- (c) connecting an arm element extending from said cup element to an element radially protruding from said bearing housing such that said arm element and said cup element are maintained in position.
A bearing end cover for use with a bearing housing defining a shaft bore and further having a radially extending threaded member thereon, said end cover comprising:
- a cup element configured to be received over said shaft bore on one side of said bearing housing, said cup element comprising a cylindrical member having a first axial end and a second axial end, said first axial end being open and said second axial end having a radial web extending thereacross, wherein said radial web defines a knock-out portion removable to define a circular hole therein, said circular hole being located to permit a shaft to extend therethrough;
- and
- an arm element extending from said cup element and adapted to be received about said threaded member such that said end cover will be connected to said bearing housing, and
- wherein said cup element and said arm element are constructed as a unitary body.
A bearing end cover for use with a bearing housing defining a shaft bore and further having a radially extending threaded lubricant fitting thereon, said end cover comprising:
- a cup element configured to be received over said shaft bore on one side of said bearing housing;
- and
- an arm element extending from said cup element and adapted to be received about said threaded lubricant fitting such that said end cover will be connected to said bearing housing, said arm element including a first portion extending from a proximal location at said cup element to a distal location radially spaced therefrom, said arm element further comprising a second portion extending from said distal location to said lubricant fitting, said second portion of said arm element defining a slot for receipt about said lubricant fitting.
A bearing end cover for use with a bearing housing defining a shaft bore and further having a radially extending threaded member thereon, said end cover comprising:
- a cup element configured to be received over said shaft bore on one side of said bearing housing, said cup element comprising a cylindrical member having a first axial end and a second axial end, said first axial end being open and said second axial end having a radial web extending thereacross;
- an arm element extending from said cup element and adapted to be received about said threaded member such that said end cover will be connected to said bearing housing, said arm element including a first portion extending from a proximal location at said cup element to a distal location radially spaced therefrom, said arm element further comprising a second portion extending from said distal location to said threaded member, said first portion of said arm element tangentially tapering from an outer surface of said cylindrical member to said distal location;
- and
- wherein said cup element and said arm element are constructed as a unitary body.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.