Constant velocity joint and wheel hub assembly
First Claim
1. An assembly comprising:
- an internal member having annular flange, the flange including an external annular groove, and a slot extending axially and opening circumferentially from said external groove to an open end of the internal member to define an angled surface;
an external member having a tubular neck portion including an internal annular groove, the neck portion adapted to telescopically surround the flange; and
a spring ring engaged in said internal annular groove and said external annular groove for preventing relative axial displacement between said telescoping internal and external members, the spring ring having an arm at one end which extends generally radially inward through said slot and approximately through a center of said spring ring.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An assembly including an outer race of a constant velocity joint and part of a vehicle wheel bearing. The outer race has a first bore with an internal groove. The wheel bearing part has a second bore with an open end, an external groove, and a slot extending axially between the external groove and the open end. The slot also opens circumferentially along its axial length towards the open end forming an angular surface. The wheel bearing part and the outer race are held in an assembled position by a spring ring engaged in the internal groove and the external groove. The spring ring includes, adjacent one end, an arm which extends generally radially inward through the slot. When twisted, the arm engages the angular surface of the slot, and contracts within the external groove.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An assembly comprising:
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an internal member having annular flange, the flange including an external annular groove, and a slot extending axially and opening circumferentially from said external groove to an open end of the internal member to define an angled surface; an external member having a tubular neck portion including an internal annular groove, the neck portion adapted to telescopically surround the flange; and a spring ring engaged in said internal annular groove and said external annular groove for preventing relative axial displacement between said telescoping internal and external members, the spring ring having an arm at one end which extends generally radially inward through said slot and approximately through a center of said spring ring. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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- 6. An assembly comprising an outer race of a constant velocity joint and part of a vehicle wheel bearing, wherein the outer race has a first bore and an internal annular groove in the bore, and wherein the wheel bearing part has a second bore with an open end, an external annular groove, and a slot extending radially from an inner surface of the second bore to an external surface of the bearing part, the slot extending axially and opening circumferentially from said external groove to said open end, the wheel bearing part and the outer race being held in an assembled position by a spring ring engaged in said internal annular groove and said external annular groove, the spring ring having an arm at one end which extends generally radially inward through said slot and approximately through a center of said spring ring.
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16. In an assembly comprising an external member having a first bore and an internal annular groove in the first bore, an internal member having an external annular groove, a second bore and a radial slot extending axially and opening circumferentially from said external groove to an open end of the internal member to define an angled surface, and a spring ring having an arm at one end which extends generally radially inward and approximately through a center of said spring ring, a method of securing together the external member in telescopic relationship with the internal member by the spring ring comprising:
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mounting the spring ring in the external groove of the internal member so that the arm extends inwardly through said slot into the second bore and the other end of said spring ring is within said external groove; engaging said arm with a tool and rotating said arm towards said other end of said spring ring to releasably hold the spring ring in a contracted state so that it lies substantially within the external groove; telescoping the internal member into the external member while the arm is engaged and rotated towards the other end of the spring ring until the internal and external grooves are mutually aligned; and releasing the arm of the spring ring so that the spring ring expands to engage both of the mutually aligned internal and external grooves. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification