SELF-CONTAINED BEARING AND MATING SURFACE ASSEMBLY

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the invention.

The present invention relates to bearing systems, and, more

particularly, to a multi-piece bearing assembly suitable for

application environments such as static, rotational, or

reciprocating uses .

2. Description of the related art .

Bearing devices typically include an arrangement or roller

or ball bearings disposed in a race structure to provide bearing

support . The ball bearings require regular maintenance in the

form of lubrication to minimize deterioration due to friction.

Additionally, when installed in moist or liquid environments,

the ball bearings must be enclosed in a permanent seal to

prevent rust and corrosion due to liquid exposure. The ball

bearings are also susceptible to wear and degradation as

contaminants enter the race area and become trapped between

adjacent bearings, causing damage as the roller elements grind

against the contaminant particles.

Bearings that employ roller elements cannot be practicably

serviced since it is difficult and inefficient to pinpoint the

individual ball bearings that require replacement . In sealed

units, access to the ball bearings is typically not possible.

Accordingly, the servicing of ball bearing units normally

requires a unit-for-unit replacement of the bearing device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention there is provided a

bearing assembly that includes a sleeve bearing and a pair of 0-

ring components annularly disposed about the bearing. The 0-

rings are provided with a set of paired mating latchable

features having complementary constructions, such as a male-

female tandem, that allows the 0-rings to be automatically

fastened together in a self-latching or self-locking mechanism

as the latchable features are mated, engaged, or interfit

together. As fastened, the 0-rings encase and retain the

bearing in fixed position relative to the 0-rings .

The 0-rings are provided with aligned vents slots that

permit fluid flow therethrough. The bearing outer diameter

surface has a set of recessed axial grooves that are covered in

part by the 0-rings annularly disposed thereabout. The axial

grooves likewise permit fluid flow therethrough from one end or

side of the bearing assembly to the other.

In one form, the latching mechanism includes a male latch

element that projects axially inward from one ring and is

received within a corresponding and mating female slot formed in

the other ring. The male latch element includes a ridge or

raised lip at its distal end that is latchably caught by or

around a mating lip or shoulder formed in a corresponding slot

in the other ring, so as to form a snap-fit, for example. A

plurality of such male-female or matable pairings is arranged in

the bearing unit to provide multiple fastening locations at

various circumferential positions .

The outer surface of the sleeve bearing is provided with a

plurality of projections against which the O-rings slidingly

abut to axially locate the O-rings about the sleeve bearing.

One advantage of the invention is that the latching

mechanism is automatically self-actuating as the O-rings are

positioned into place about the sleeve bearing.

Another advantage of the invention is that the bearing unit

is provided with various vent channels or passageways that

permit the bearing unit to self-clean as contaminants are

removed from the vicinity of the bearing via transport through

the vent channels.

Another advantage of the invention is that the housing

formed by the fastened joining of the 0-rings entirely self-

contains and encases the sleeve bearing in a stable arrangement .

Another advantage of the invention is that the 0-rings are

selectively detachably fastened to one another so that the

components can be readily removed from their interfit

attachment, enabling full and complete reversible disassembly

and reassembly of the bearing unit, if needed.

Another advantage of the invention is that the detachable

fastening of the 0-rings to one another about the sleeve bearing

enables the 0-rings to firmly secure and retain the bearing

between the 0-rings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of

this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become

more apparent and the invention will be better understood by

reference to the following description of an embodiment of the

invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,

wherein:

Fig. 1 is an exploded lateral perspective view of the

bearing assembly of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a lateral perspective view of the bearing

assembly of Fig. 1 in its assembled, installation-ready

configuration; and

Fig. 3 is an upper planar view of the assembled

configuration of Fig. 2 taken along lines A-A' .

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding

parts throughout the several views. The exemplification set out

herein illustrates one preferred embodiment of the invention, in

one form, and such exemplification is not to be construed as

limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to Fig. 1,

there is shown a bearing assembly 10 including, in combination, a

bearing component 12, a first ring component 14, and a second

ring component 16, according to one form of the invention. In

the fully assembled or packaged form of assembly 10, ring 14 and

ring 16 are disposed annularly about bearing 12 in facing

abutting relationship to one another so as to encase or house

bearing 12, as shown in Fig. 2. Rings 14 and 16 have

complementary latchable mating features that form an automatic

self-locking mechanism that detachably fastens rings 14 and 16 to

one another. In this manner, the fastened arrangement of rings

14 and 16 serves to reliably secure and retain bearing 12 in a

stable, centered location extending through the receiving

apertures formed in rings 14 and 16. Assembly 10 may be

considered to form a kit having a collection of discrete,

individual, separable pieces that can be detachably connected or

organized into a pre-packaged bearing unit ready for

installation.

Referring to Fig. 1, the illustrated bearing component 12 is

provided in the form of a generally cylindrical sleeve having an

inner surface and an outer surface 20. The inner surface has a

conventional bore-like construction suitable to serve as a

bearing surface within which a shaft or other like structure may

be disposed in journaled relationship.

The outer surface 20 is provided with a plurality of spaced-

apart flanges, abutments, protuberances, or radial projections 22

disposed circumferentially about surface 20 and extending

radially and circumferentially from surface 20. The projections

22 serve as stops or curbs against which rings 14 and 16 abut in

the assembled arrangement of Fig. 2. In particular, the outer

surface of the sleeve bearing is provided with a plurality of

projections against which the 0-rings slidingly abut to axially

locate the 0-rings about the sleeve bearing.

The projections 22 are disposed at proper axial locations so

that both rings 14 and 16 have sufficient annular clearance to be

fully seated about outer surface 20. The projections 22 may be

provided in any suitable form, construction, or material

composition adapted to serve the above purposes. The projections

22 may be formed integrally with the sleeve structure or affixed

thereto as a separate piece.

The outer surface 20 is further provided with a plurality of

spaced-apart , open-ended and recessed grooves, trenches, or

channels 24 formed in surface 20 and disposed circumferentially

about surface 20. The grooves 24 extend axially from one edge of

outer surface 20 to the other. As shown, the grooves 24

partition the outer surface 20 into a set of surface segments or

sectors each having a respective projection 22 centrally located

therein.

Bearing 12 may be provided with an incut, recess, indent,

notch, or slotted keyway 26 formed at the peripheral edge of

bearing 12 and extending radially through the bearing body, i.e.,

between the exterior environment to the interior space of the

bearing. The keyway 26 may serve to locate the assembled bearing

unit in its installation arrangement by facilitating registration

with a complementary guide key. For example, keyway 26 may be

interfit or aligned with an elevated guide key that projects from

the outer surface of a shaft journaled within the bore of bearing

12. In this manner, the bearing assembly 10 may be fixedly

located or positioned, both axially and angularly, about the

journal member.

Referring to the housing or encasement structure of assembly

10, rings 14 and 16 are provided in a form adapted to retain

bearing 12 in a central location (extending through the ring

bores or passageways) while being latched or fastened together in

a selectively detachable manner.

The illustrated rings 14 and 16 are provided in the form of

annular structures (e.g., O-rings) having inner peripheral

surfaces suitably sized and dimensioned (e.g., radially) to

permit rings 14 and 16 to be annularly disposed about bearing 12

at respective ends or sides of bearing 12. In one form, the

inner diameters of rings 14 and 16 are chosen so that rings 14

and 16 fit about the sleeve of bearing 12 (at outer surface 20)

by a press-fit or interference-type engagement. Such a press-fit

connection fosters firm and stable seating of rings 14 and 16

about bearing 12.

Ring 14 is provided with a plurality of spaced-apart and

axially-extending male members, tabs, projections or flanges 30

that extend from an inner side 32 of ring 14 facing towards ring

16. As discussed further, flanges 30 are constituted with a

latch, hook, or raised lip feature that grips, interfits, or

catches on a corresponding mating feature in ring 16 to fasten

rings 14 and 16 together. The latch elements 30 extend

circumferentially along, and axially inward, from inner side 32.

The latch element 30 has a body 36 that is provided at its

free distal end 34 with the profile shown in Fig. 3, which

includes a raised or elevated edge section, head wall, lip, or

ridge 38 that runs along a circumferential edge of body 36 (at a

radially inner surface thereof) and extends radially inward. The

raised lip or ridge 38 includes an inner generally planar surface

40 that abuts against an opposed and facing lip or shoulder piece

50 formed in ring 16 (discussed below) to facilitate a

cooperative catching or latching action.

In alternate forms, the latch elements 30 may be formed

integrally with ring 14 or constituted as discrete pieces affixed

to the side of ring 14. Additionally, the latch elements 30 may

be provided as separate pieces that are individually threaded

through corresponding slots formed axially through the body of

ring 14, with each latch element 30 having a pedestal or base (at

the end opposite the latching tip) that is larger than the mouth

of its corresponding slot, so that advancement of the latch

element 30 is stopped by abutment of its base against the slot

mouth .

For purposes of latchably fastening and/or interfitting ring

14 with ring 16, and specifically to fasten latch elements 30 of

ring 14 to mating (complementary) features in ring 16, ring 16 is

provided with a complementary arrangement of spaced-apart female

members, receiving slots or channels 60 formed completely through

the annular body of ring 16 from side to side. As shown, the

slots 60 extend circumferentially within (and axially through)

the annular body of ring 16. Preferably, each latch element 30

of ring 14 has a corresponding registration (alignment) with a

respective slot 60 formed in ring 16.

For purposes of catching or latching to ridge 38 of latch

element 30, the leading edge of slot 60 has a radially-extending

shoulder piece 50 that is adapted so that ridge 38 rides over

shoulder 50 and then snaps into place once the inner surface 40

of ridge 38 advances past the rearward edge of shoulder 50. The

shoulder 50 extends circumferentially (along its respective slot)

in a manner similar to ridge 38 (of latch element 30) , so that

the interfit, snap-lock, or snap-fit between ring 14 and ring 16

occurs over the entire extent of ridge 30 and shoulder 50 (at

each cooperative pairing of latch element 30 to slot 60) .

As shown in Fig. 3, there is a radial overlap between the

opposing and facing surfaces of shoulder 50 (in slot 60 of ring

16) and ridge 38 of latch element 30 (surface 40) , which assists

in maintaining the axial arrangement of the interfit rings and

acts to resist relative axial displacement of the rings. Any of

various materials may be used to form latch elements 30. For

example, a resilient elastomeric material may be used to make

latch element 30 so that latch element 30 (at ridge 38) is

capable of flexing outward while it rides over shoulder 50, then

subsequently snapping back into position once it clears shoulder

50. This riding action may be facilitated with a curved or

arcuate outer edge for ridge 38. The shoulder 50 may be formed

by appropriate machining of slot 60.

Although the mating arrangement between rings 14 and 16 is

shown in conjunction with latch elements 30 and slots 60, this

illustration is provided for exemplary purposes only and should

not be considered in limitation of the invention. Rather, the

practice of the invention may include any arrangement of matable

parts that facilitate removable, detachable, or disconnectable

fastening or interlocking between rings 14 and 16. One

beneficial arrangement would allow the mating parts to

cooperatively self-latch or self-lock as the rings 14 and 16 are

joined to bearing 12, i.e., the latching would occur

automatically as rings 14 and 16 are slid into position over the

bearing outer surface. All that would be required is that each

latch element 30 be aligned with its corresponding slot 60. In

particular, it would only be necessary to ensure the alignment of

a single pairing of latch element 30 and slot 60, since the other

pairings would then be simultaneously aligned as well.

In another form of the invention, the arrangement for

holding, gripping, or fastening the rings 14, 16 together may be

provided in the form of a detent mechanism that employs

complementary, mating, cooperative parts. An advantage of the

invention is that the mechanism for detachably joining the rings

together employs matable features that are carried by the

respective rings and therefore does not require any external

fastening devices, such as bolts or screws. Once assembled, the

combination of bearing 12 and annular rings 14, 16 is in its

fastened state and ready for installation, without the need for

any further retrofitting or modifications .

Ring 14 is further provided with a plurality of spaced-apart

slots 70 formed axially through ring 14. As shown, the slots 60

extend circumferentially within (and axially through) the annular

body of ring 14. Likewise, ring 16 is further provided with a

similar plurality of spaced-apart slots 72 each paired in

corresponding registration with a respective slot 70 formed in

ring 14. During assembly (Fig. 2), each slot 70 in ring 14 is

aligned with a corresponding slot 72 in ring 16 to provide a vent

channel or passageway 74 defined therethrough. In applications

where bearing assembly 10 is installed in a fluid environment,

e.g., submerged in a fluid containment area, the vent 74 allows

fluid to pass through so that excessive pressure does not build

up against bearing 10 and dislodge it, especially if the fluid is

continuously circulated.

As shown in Fig. 1, the slots 70 in ring 14 are alternated

with latch elements 30. Likewise, slots 72 in ring 16 are

alternated with female slots 60.

During the assembled condition shown in Fig. 2, each of

rings 14 and 16 rides/slides along (axially translated over) the

outer surface 20 of bearings 12 until each ring abuts against a

respective radial side (80, 82) of projection 22, as shown in

Fig. 3. This abutment occurs between rings 14, 16 and each

projection 22 that is circumferentially disposed about bearing

12. As shown in Fig. 2, the bearing 12 extends or fits through

the central apertures formed by the 0-ring constructions of rings

14, 16.

The rings 14, 16 are appropriately sized and constructed so

that when the rings 14, 16 are abutting against projections 22,

the latch mechanism is simultaneously engaged or activated, i.e.,

ridge 38 (of latch element 30 of ring 14) has worked past

shoulder 50 (of ring 16) and snapped or locked into place in

fastening relationship.

The rings 14, 16 are properly aligned so that each latch

element 30 (ring 14) is received in a respective corresponding

slot 60 (ring 16) to provide the releasable latch-type fastening.

The bearing unit 10 is preferably constructed so that rings 14,

16 are joined or abutted in complete surface-to-surface

contacting engagement along their opposing faces, leaving a seal-

tight joint, interface, or seam 84 (Fig. 3) essentially free of

any clearance that might allow contaminants or fluid to enter

between the rings .

If projections or latch elements 30 are formed of an

elastomeric or resilient material that permits flexing, the rings

14, 16 may be disconnected from one another and released from

their latched relationship by axially displacing one or both

rings 14, 16 from one another, so that ridge 38 reverses past

shoulder 50 to release the latch or catch therebetween.

As shown further in the assembled form of Fig. 2, the

installed location of rings 14, 16 about bearings 12 leaves an

unexposed annular portion of outer surface 20 adjacent both

rings. Additionally, rings 14, 16 overlie a section of each axial

groove 24 formed in the outer surface 20 of bearing 12. As noted

before, bearing 10 may find utility in a fluid environment.

Under these conditions, the axial grooves 24 - along with the

head coverage provided by the inner diameter surfaces of rings

14, 16 - facilitate passage of fluid through groove 24 from one

side of bearing unit 10 to another. In this manner, for example,

grooves 24 help to prevent excessive accumulation of contaminant

particles against and around the side areas of bearing assembly

10, especially at the seam or joint areas where the parts are

joined or mated together, since any circulating fluid flow can

carry contaminants through grooves 24.

Due to fluid movement, any contaminant particles "trapped"

or lodged against the sides of bearing assembly 10 (e.g., at the

outer sides of rings 14, 16) will eventually migrate into and

through vent groove 24 and effectively discharged from the

bearing environment. Grooves 24 may also be considered to act as

vent or relief ports to help stabilize and/or control the fluid

pressure exerted against bearing unit 10.

If needed, the construction of vent grooves 24 (bearing 12)

and paired vents slots 70, 72 (rings 14, 16) may also provide a

collective surface area that promotes cooling of bearing unit 10

as fluid circulates and flows through and along grooves 24 and

slots 70, 72.

The bearing assembly 10 disclosed herein employs, in one

form, a polymer bearing that internally creates both a bearing

surface and a running surface inside the unit. The design, in

one form, supports a journal/sliding motion and can be

constructed as a consumable bearing that does not wear on the

surrounding hardware. The material construction may be selected

to provide bearing properties that exhibit extremely low

friction, leading to use of the bearing unit as a replacement for

roller element bearings in low speed and load environments.

The application environments for installing the bearing unit

may include, but are not limited to, water (fluid) and/or

submerged environments that can supply continuous cooling and

lubrication from the water. Additionally, the bearing unit can

function in service areas other than water, i.e., air, oil,

and/or solvents.

The design can support both radial and axial loading.

However, the design of the bearing unit can be adjusted to

support more radial or axial load through design modifications

known to those skilled in the art, such as increased bearing

contact area in the axial and radial load direction.

Any suitable materials known to those skilled in the art may

be used to fabricate bearing 12 and rings 14, 16. For example,

the components may be made from polymer and readily processed

according to conventional manufacturing and fabrication

techniques known to skilled in the art. In addition to polymers,

for example, the bearing components can be constructed as metal

pieces that can be readily mated together.

Among the various advantageous features of bearing assembly

10, the design contains features that allow it to be self-

cleaning, especially when exposed to a contaminated working

environment. The features (e.g., axial grooves 24 in bearing 12

and slots 70, 72 in rings 14, 16) help expel/remove contamination

that might otherwise abrade the bearing and/or mating surface.

Additionally, the installation-ready and essentially

maintenance-free design does not require the operator of a system

that implements the bearing assembly 10 to maintain or service

hardware finish and mating materials to the requirements and

specifications normally associated with such service, since the

integrity of bearing assembly 10 remains relatively intact and

allows effective durable use.

The bearing system can also function in both dry and wet

service environments.

The bearing assembly also beneficially integrates simple

snap mechanisms/features to reduce cost and to allow for ease of

integration in the hardware assembly.

The bearing assembly supports a variety of applications,

such as a journal or sliding motion. As such, the bearing

assembly can replace and improve upon the conventional use of

roller element motion, like that utilized in ball bearing

arrangements. The bearing assembly can achieve low friction and

long life through the use of bearing grade polymers and

engineered mating surfaces .

While this invention has been described as having a

preferred design, the present invention can be further modified

within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application

is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or

adaptations of the invention using its general principles.

Further, this application is intended to cover such departures

from the present disclosure as come within known or customary-

practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which

fall within the limits of the appended claims.