US3844631A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Unitized thrust bearing and interlocking seal assembly therefor
Assignee: Timken Co
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Filing: 1973-06-25
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Granted: 1974-10-29
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Expires: 1993-06-25
Abstract
Abstract A thrust bearing is encapsulated in a seal assembly including a wear ring, in which one of the bearing races fits, and a seal case, in which the other bearing race fits. An eleastomeric seal element is bonded to the seal case and has a lip which engages a circumferential wall on the wear ring to form a seal for excluding contaminants from the interior of the bearing. The seal element interlocks with the wear ring to prevent the seal case and wear ring from being withdrawn from one another, and this unitizes the bearing. The wear ring and seal case have end walls provided with axially directed sealing fins for sealing against members between which the bearing assembly is fitted.
Inventors
- 👤 D Otto
- 👤 A Vito
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 05:08
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16C; F16C33/00; F16C33/72; F16C33/76; F16C33/761; F16C19/00; F16C19/22; F16C19/30; F16C41/00; F16C41/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
172 words
A bearing assembly comprising: a thrust bearing having spaced apart first and second races provided with opposed raceways, and rolling elements interposed between and engageable with the raceways to enable one of the bearing races to rotate freely with respect to the other bearing race; a circumferential wall mounted generally coaxially with respect to the axis of rotation for the bearing and having a portion which is offset in the radial direction; an annular seal element mounted generally coaxially with respect to the axis of rotation for the bearing and extending past the radial offset on the circumferential wall, the seal element having a shoulder thereon which extends inwardly past the radial offset on the circumferential wall so that the radial offset and the shoulder will interfere when the circumferential wall and seal element are pulled apart, the seal element further engaging the circumferential wall and establishing a seal therewith, the seal element and the circumferential wall cooperating to seal the spaces between the two bearing races and to exclude contaminants therefrom.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
172 words
A bearing assembly comprising: a thrust bearing having spaced apart first and second races provided with opposed raceways, and rolling elements interposed between and engageable with the raceways to enable one of the bearing races to rotate freely with respect to the other bearing race; a circumferential wall mounted generally coaxially with respect to the axis of rotation for the bearing and having a portion which is offset in the radial direction; an annular seal element mounted generally coaxially with respect to the axis of rotation for the bearing and extending past the radial offset on the circumferential wall, the seal element having a shoulder thereon which extends inwardly past the radial offset on the circumferential wall so that the radial offset and the shoulder will interfere when the circumferential wall and seal element are pulled apart, the seal element further engaging the circumferential wall and establishing a seal therewith, the seal element and the circumferential wall cooperating to seal the spaces between the two bearing races and to exclude contaminants therefrom.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A bearing assembly according to claim 1 wherein the circumferential wall surrounds the first race and the seal element surrounds the second race.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A bearing assembly according to claim 2 wherein the seal element is formed from an elastomeric material and encircles the circumfeRential wall, engaging the outwardly presented surface thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A bearing assembly according to claim 3 wherein the radial offset on the circumferential wall projects outwardly from the circumferential wall.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
A bearing assembly according to claim 3 wherein the circumferential wall forms part of a wear ring which receives the first bearing race and has an end wall which extends across the end of the first bearing race.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
A bearing assembly according to claim 5 wherein the seal element is bonded to a seal case which receives the second bearing race and has an end wall extended across the end of the second race.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
A bearing assembly according to claim 6 wherein at least one of the end walls has an elastomeric sealing element provided with generally axially extending fins which project beyond the end wall for engagement with a surface against which the bearing assembly is fitted.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
A bearing assembly according to claim 7 wherein the end wall has axially offset portion and the sealing element is fitted into the offset portion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
A bearing assembly according to claim 6 wherein the seal case has an end wall provided with an axially offset portion; and wherein sealing fins project generally axially from the axially offset portion beyond the end wall for engagement with a surface against which the bearing assembly is fitted.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
51 words
A bearing assembly according to claim 6 wherein the wear ring has an end wall to which the circumferential wall is connected and the end wall has an axially offset portion; and wherein the elastomeric sealing fins project generally axially from the axially offset portion beyond the wear ring end wall.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
A bearing assembly according to claim 6 and further characterized by a sleeve extending through at least one of the bearing races and axially beyond the raceways of the race through which it extends.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
A bearing assembly according to claim 11 wherein the sleeve is attached to one of the end walls.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
FR1341765A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-10-28 | 1978-04-29 | 1978-10-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-28 | 1982-04-29 | 1982-10-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-28 | 1986-04-29 | 1986-10-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |