US 5,897,107 A · Roller bushing assembly

Abstract

A roller bushing assembly (21d, 21e, 21f) designed to enable a low tolerance, frictional fit within an out-of-round or otherwise distorted support member (5, 9) includes a bushing member (29a, 216) having an outer surface (102) machined to provide various axially spaced, annular grooves (127-130, 132 and 242-250). Between or directly adjacent respective ones of the annular grooves (127-130, 132 and 242-250) are defined a plurality of axially spaced and radially extending ribs (113-122 and 232-240). The axial outermost ribs (113, 122 and 240) are preferably elongated relative to the remaining ribs (114-121 and 232-239) and have annularly chamfered portions (124, 125 and 252). The ribs (113-122 and 232-240) are adapted to shear upon mounting of the bushing member (29a, 216) within an out-of-round or otherwise distorted support. By providing the shearable ribs (113-122 and 232-240), the bushing assembly (21d, 21e, 21f) can be effectively mounted within a greater range of varying sized support members. In accordance with a first embodiment, the bushing member constitutes a sleeve (29a) within which is mounted at least one bearing unit (33, 34). The shearing of the ribs (113-122) assures that the bearing unit (33, 34) will not be excessively pre-loaded in a radial direction.

Claims44

Dependent claims

An assembly for rotatably mounting a suspension member, having first and second ends each formed with an internal bore, to a vehicle body through first and second support members adapted to extend between the vehicle body and the suspension member, comprising, in combination:

a first roller bushing assembly including a first bushing member adapted to be non-rotatably mounted within the internal bore formed in the first end of the suspension member, a first roller bearing unit mounted within the first bushing member, and an elongated bushing member being rotatably mounted within the first bushing member through the first roller bearing unit, with the elongated bushing member having opposing terminal ends projecting from the first bushing member that are adapted to be fixedly secured to the first support member;
a pair of shackle links each having first and second end portions, with the first end portion of each shackle link being adapted to be rotatably attached to the second support member and the second end portion of each shackle link being formed with a bearing pocket;
and a second roller bushing assembly including a second bushing member adapted to be non-rotatably mounted within the internal bore formed in the second end of the suspension member and second roller bearing units each of which is mounted in a respective one of the bearing pockets, with the second bushing member including first and second end portions projecting out of the internal bore formed in the second end of the suspension member and being rotatably attached to the shackle links, within the bearing pockets, through the second roller bearing units.

A combination shackle and bushing assembly for rotatably attaching a first member having an internal bore to a support comprising, in combination:

a shackle assembly including a pair of shackle links each having first and second end portions, with the first end portion of each shackle link being adapted to rotate relative to the support and the second end portion of each shackle link being formed with a bearing pocket;
a bearing unit mounted in each of the bearing pockets;
a bushing assembly including a bushing member in the form of a pin having a central body portion and first and second axially spaced stub shafts;
a first flange between the central body portion and the first stub shaft;
and an internally threaded cap member including a second flange, with the second stub shaft being externally threaded for threaded receipt of the internally threaded cap member, with the central body portion of the bushing member being adapted to be non-rotatably mounted within the internal bore of the first member with the first member being clamped between the first and second flanges, with the stub shafts projecting out respective axial ends of the internal bore and being rotatably mounted within a respective one of the bearing pockets through a respective bearing unit.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Roller bushing assembly

Life of this patent

Roller bushing assembly

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims44