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US 6,186,668 B1Granted
Bearing assembly
AssigneeThe Torrington Company
InventorMichael D. Beaman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A plurality of rolling elements is in rolling contact with a metal outer race and is retained within a bearing cage. An annular bushing partially encloses the outer race, the annular bushing being split along a radial plane into two bushing halves molded of an engineered thermoplastic elastomer. The bushing halves are retained axially together such that axial movement of the outer race is limited. The annular bushing may incorporate integral annular seals and may have a rounded radially outward surface to facilitate self-alignment of the bearing assembly.
Claims12
A bearing assembly comprising:
- an outer race made of metal;
- a plurality of rolling elements in rolling contact with the outer race and retained within a bearing cage;
- an annular bushing partially enclosing the outer race, the annular bushing being split along a radial plane into two bushing halves, the bushing halves being molded of an engineered thermoplastic elastomer;
- and
- retention means for retaining the bushing halves axially together such that axial movement of the outer race is limited.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.