Adjustable preload shim for tapered bearings

Abstract

An assembly by which to effect incremental adjustments to the end play, or preloading, to a bearing set. Relatively rotatable first and second thrust rings have contiguously juxtaposed and interacting ramp surfaces. Interposed between the first and second thrust rings is an indexing spring that provides incremental adjustment of the first thrust ring with respect to the second thrust ring. A plurality of indexing pawls formed on the indexing spring interacts with a plurality of indexing teeth formed on one of the thrust rings. The second thrust ring is selectively rotatable with respect to the first thrust ring to effect axial translation of the first thrust ring by virtue of the interaction between said opposed, contiguously juxtaposed ramp surfaces. The indexing pawls preclude reverse relative rotation of the thrust plates.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.