Split bearing cage for rolling element bearing

A bearing cage for a rolling-element bearing comprising:

• a first side ring and a second side ring being axially spaced-apart from the first side ring, the first and second side rings extending in a circumferential direction, each of the first and second side rings being split along a radial line of separation which extends through one portion of the circumference, thereby defining first mutually-opposable surfaces on a first and a second bearing cage section, ends of the first and second bearing cage sections located generally opposite from the radial line of separation being integrally connected without a seam therebetween,
• at least one pair of a first projection and a corresponding first opening disposed on or in the first mutually-opposable surfaces of the first and second bearing cage sections, the first projection and first opening being configured, when engaged, to fix the bearing cage sections to each other in at least a first direction,
• at least one pair of a second projection and a corresponding second opening disposed on or in second mutually-opposable surfaces of the first projection and first opening, the pair of the second projection and second opening being configured, when engaged, to fix the bearing cage sections to each other in at least two additional directions, which are each perpendicular to the first direction,
• the at least one second projection of the first bearing cage section is oversized relative to the at least one second opening of the second bearing cage section, so that, upon insertion of the at least one said second projection into the at least one second opening, a snap-fit or press-fit connection of the bearing cage sections is formed, to fix the bearing cage sections to each other along the line of separation to prevent relative movement in at least a circumferential direction, such that a diameter of the bearing cage is constant,
• wherein the first projection is insertable into the corresponding first opening in the circumferential direction, the first projection has a rectangular cross section in directions both perpendicular and parallel to the rotational axis of the bearing cage, and
• the first opening corresponding to the first projection also has a rectangular cross section in the directions both perpendicular and parallel to the rotational axis of the bearing cage, such that the first opening has a shape that is complementary to the first projection and prevents rotation therebetween, the rectangular cross section of the first projection is oversized in the axial direction relative to the rectangular cross section of the corresponding first opening, so that, upon insertion of the first projection into the first opening, axial pressure is increased between the first projection and the first opening and between the at least one second projection and the at least one second opening, and wherein
• a plurality of pockets are formed in the bearing cage configured for receiving rolling elements, the plurality of pockets being the only through-holes formed in the circumference of the bearing cage.