US 5,871,286 A · Molded wheel and bearing assembly

Abstract

A molded bearing assembly for a molded wheel includes a synthetic resin outer bearing race element embedded in the hub of the molded wheel and having a cylindrical inner sliding, journal type bearing surface. An inner bearing assembly includes two molded synthetic resin bearing halves having continuous cylindrical outer bearing surfaces disposed within the outer bearing race in sliding engagement with the inner bearing surface of the outer race. The bearing halves of the inner bearing assembly abut each other at their inner ends and may include interlocking structural features at their inner ends that enable securing of the bearing halves together at their inner ends while presenting a continuous outer cylindrical bearing sliding surface that cooperates with the adjacent surface of the outer race. A wheel axle extends through the inner bearing assembly and supports the wheel and bearing assembly for rotation relative to a wheel support. The molded wheel and bearing assembly is adapted for use with a shopping cart.

Claims27

Dependent claims

A wheel and bearing assembly comprising:

a wheel including a central hub having an axially extending axle receiving bore and formed of moldable material;
an outer bearing race having opposed axial ends and formed of moldable synthetic resin having a cylindrical inner bearing sliding surface disposed in said bore over its length, said outer bearing race having an outer peripheral surface and means on the outer peripheral surface for securing the outer bearing race in the adjacent wheel hub material such that the outer bearing race is locked against motion relative to the wheel;
an inner bearing assembly formed of moldable synthetic resin and comprising two inner bearing halves, each half having a central axial bore extending between inner and outer ends of the respective bearing half and an outer cylindrical bearing sliding surface;
said inner bearing assembly disposed in said outer bearing race with the inner and outer bearing sliding surfaces thereof in sliding contact with each other, and with the inner ends of the inner bearing halves abutted against each other so as to provide a continuous outer cylindrical bearing sliding surface, with the outer ends of the inner bearing halves located adjacent the axial ends of the outer bearing race.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Molded wheel and bearing assembly

Life of this patent

Molded wheel and bearing assembly

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims27