Hollow roller bearing assembly for both radial and axial loads
First Claim
1. A roller bearing assembly for both radial and axial loads comprising a plurality of hollow roller bearings and associated inner and outer annular bearing races, each bearing race having at least one integral annular end flange which projects generally radially from the body of the race in a direction toward the opposite race and which defines an axially inwardly facing generally radially extending annular thrust surface, said flanges being arranged at axially opposite diagonal locations on the races so that said annular thrust surfaces on said two flanges face toward and generally diagonally oppose each other in the axial direction, and said roller bearings being arranged in an annular series in assembly with and within said races with individual bearings substantially equally preloaded throughout the annular series in the radial direction and with individual bearings also substantially equally preloaded generally diagonally axially throughout the annular series by engagement of end surfaces thereof with said annular thrust surfaces.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A roller bearing assembly for both radial and axial loads comprises an annular series of hollow roller bearings within associated inner and outer annular bearing races. Each race has an integral end flange which projects generally radially toward the opposite race and which defines an axially inwardly facing parti-circular annular thrust surface. The flanges are arranged at axially opposite diagonal locations so that the thrust surfaces diagonally oppose each other in the axial direction. The roller bearings have parti-circular rim surfaces which engage the thrust surfaces and with the bearings preloaded both radially and axially enhanced stiffness and running accuracy is achieved. In a second form, annular recesses provide opposite end flanges on the roller bearings with enhanced axial flexibility. Bearing assemblies may be employed in axially adjacent pairs in machine tool spindles and the like.
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Citations
37 Claims
- 1. A roller bearing assembly for both radial and axial loads comprising a plurality of hollow roller bearings and associated inner and outer annular bearing races, each bearing race having at least one integral annular end flange which projects generally radially from the body of the race in a direction toward the opposite race and which defines an axially inwardly facing generally radially extending annular thrust surface, said flanges being arranged at axially opposite diagonal locations on the races so that said annular thrust surfaces on said two flanges face toward and generally diagonally oppose each other in the axial direction, and said roller bearings being arranged in an annular series in assembly with and within said races with individual bearings substantially equally preloaded throughout the annular series in the radial direction and with individual bearings also substantially equally preloaded generally diagonally axially throughout the annular series by engagement of end surfaces thereof with said annular thrust surfaces.
Specification