Interlocking bearing
AssigneeGGB, Inc.
InventorsBernd Astner, Andreas Keilbach, Herbert Sautter, Adrian John Hardgrave
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A modular plain bearing is provided. The modular plain bearing includes a first end portion having a terminal edge with a plurality of first fingers and a second end portion having a terminal edge with a plurality of second fingers. The plurality of fingers cooperatively engage to provide a snap fit connection between the parts. For longer plain bearings, a bearing extender is provided. The bearing extender includes at least a first connector having a plurality of first connector fingers. The bearing extender may include either a second connector opposite the first connector having a plurality of second connector fingers.
Claims17
A flanged modular plain bearing, comprising:
- a first end portion having a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis, the first end portion comprising a radially extending flange with an external surface and an internal surface and a bearing wall that extends from the internal surface to a first end portion edge, the first end portion having a plurality of first fingers proximate the first end portion edge;
- a second end portion releasably coupled to the first end portion, the second end portion having a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis, the second end portion comprising a bearing wall that extends from a first end to a second end portion edge, the second end portion having a plurality of second fingers proximate the second end portion edge;
- and
- one or more bearing extenders disposed between the first and second portions, each bearing extender comprising a first connector portion and a second connector portion opposite the first connector portion, the first and second connector portions comprising a plurality of first and second connector fingers that cooperatively engage the plurality of first and second fingers of the first and second end portions in a snap fit;
- wherein
- the plurality of first and second fingers extend along the longitudinal axis and are chamfered at the first and second end portion edges, such that when pushed together during assembly, the first and second fingers are flexed and move over one another in a transverse direction to cooperatively engage in a snap fit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.