Combination lock washer and spindle bearing assembly
AssigneeDana Corporation
InventorsSteve Slesinski, Jeff Moreau, Dave Moses, Tom Lyon
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a connection between a spindle and a bearing assembly to retain the bearing assembly on the spindle. A combination lock washer and spindle bearing assembly is provided to include a spindle, thrust washer, lock washer and nut in which the lock washer simultaneously locks the inner thrust washer and an outer spindle nut. According to the present invention, the thrust washer, lock washer and nut may be oriented at any angle relative to one another allowing for infinite bearing adjustment positions.
Claims15
A combination thrust washer, lock washer and nut assembly, comprising:
- a thrust washer having at least one outer retaining feature;
- a nut disposed adjacent the thrust washer, having:
- a nut body with at least one nut retaining feature;
- and
- an inner circumferential shoulder extending from the nut body in direct contact with the thrust washer forming a pocket between the thrust washer and nut body;
- and
- a lock washer disposed about the inner circumferential shoulder and retained within the pocket between the thrust washer and nut body, and having:
- at least one washer tab corresponding to and engaging each outer retaining feature, and
- at least one nut tang corresponding to and engaging each nut retaining feature;
- and
- wherein the lock washer is suitable for preventing relative movement between the thrust washer, lock washer, and nut.
A combination lock washer and spindle bearing assembly, comprising:
- a spindle having:
- a spindle shoulder;
- and
- a spindle end extending outward from the spindle shoulder with an uninterrupted thread configuration;
- a thrust washer disposed about the spindle shoulder and having at least one outer retaining feature;
- a nut disposed about the uninterrupted thread configuration, having:
- a nut body with at least one nut retaining feature;
- and
- an inner circumferential shoulder extending from the nut body in direct contact with the thrust washer forming a pocket between the thrust washer and nut body;
- and
- a lock washer disposed about the inner circumferential shoulder and retained within the pocket between the thrust washer and nut body, and having:
- at least one washer extension corresponding to and engaging each outer retaining feature of the thrust washer, and
- at least one nut extension corresponding to and engaging each nut retaining feature of the nut;
- and
- wherein the thrust washer, lock washer, and nut may be at any angle relative to one another allowing for infinite adjustment positions and the lock washer prevents relative rotation between the spindle, thrust washer, lock washer, and nut.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.