Formable bearings and bearing devices

• US 7,150,563 B2
• Filed: 05/14/2004
• Issued: 12/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: PHD Incorporated
• Original Assignee: PHD Incorporated
• Inventors: McIntosh, Bruce D., Steele, Kenneth A., Alexander, Clinton L., Davenport, William E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hannon, Thomas R.
• Application Number:
  US10/845,696
• Publication Number:
  US 20040252922A1
• Time in Patent Office: 949 Days
• Field of Search: 384/7, 384/10, 384/26, 384/37, 384/41, 384/42, 271/245, 271/246, 271220-222, 198/345.1, 198/345.2
• US Class Current: 384/42
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 15/1471 Guiding means other than in the end cap F15B15/1466 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 29/02 Sliding-contact bearings
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 33/201 Composition of the plastic

Abstract

A formed bearing assembly and a method of making the bearing is provided. The bearing assembly includes a housing and a bearing space formed therein. A slide is disposed within the bearing space and is movable along its longitudinal extent. A bearing is formed in the bearing space between the housing and the slide. The bearing is a solid, formed in the bearing space while in liquid state. At least a portion of the bearing forms the shape of at least a portion of the slide.

Claims

1. A formed slide bearing assembly comprising:

a housing having a longitudinal extent and having a bearing space formed along the longitudinal extent;

a slide disposed within the bearing space of the housing and movable along its longitudinal extent; and

a bearing formed in the bearing space between the housing and the slide;

wherein at least a portion of the bearing forms the contour of at least a portion of the slide which is movable there along;

wherein the bearing is a solid, formed in the bearing space while in liquid state; and

an actuator assembly spaced apart from the bearing;

wherein the actuator assembly moves the slide between first and second positions.

2. The formed slide bearing assembly of claim 1, further comprising an impact member attached to the slide.

3. The formed slide bearing assembly of claim 2, wherein the impact member comprises an impact surface configured to receive an impact force.

4. The formed slide bearing assembly of claim 3, wherein the impact surface is oriented in tandem with at least a portion of the bearing and wherein the bearing is configured to receive the impact force.

5. The formed slide bearing assembly of claim 3, wherein the impact surface is oriented askew to at least a portion of the bearing and wherein the bearing is configured to receive the impact force.

6. The formed slide bearing assembly of claim 1, wherein the bearing is configured to receive an impact force external of the housing.

7. The formed slide bearing assembly of claim 1, wherein the bearing is a resilient bearing.

8. The formed slide bearing assembly of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises at least one opening to receive a portion of the bearing when in liquid state to assist securing the bearing to the housing.

9. The formed slide bearing assembly of claim 1, further comprising an impact member oriented in tandem with at least a portion of the slide and at least a portion of the bearing wherein the force of the impact is directed to the bearing.

10. A formed slide bearing assembly comprising:

a housing having a longitudinal extent and having a bearing space formed along the longitudinal extent;

a slide disposed within the bearing space of the housing and movable along its longitudinal extent; and

a bearing formed in the bearing space between the housing and the slide;

wherein at least a portion of the bearing forms the contour of at least a portion of the slide which is movable there along;

wherein the bearing is a resilient material and configured to mitigate effects from an impact force exerted on the slide; and

an actuator assembly coupled to the slide to move the slide between first and second positions;

wherein the bearing absorbs any impact force applied to the slide rather than the actuator.

11. The formed slide bearing assembly of claim 10, further comprising an impact member attached to the slide.

12. The formed slide bearing assembly of claim 11, wherein the impact member comprises an impact surface configured to receive an impact force.

13. The formed slide bearing assembly of claim 12, wherein the impact surface is oriented in tandem with at least a portion of the bearing and wherein the bearing is configured to receive the impact force.

14. The formed slide bearing assembly of claim 12, wherein the impact surface is oriented askew to at least a portion of the bearing and wherein the bearing is configured to receive the impact force.

15. An impact assembly comprising:

a housing having a longitudinal extent and having a bearing space formed along the longitudinal extent;

a slide disposed within the bearing space of the housing and movable along its longitudinal extent;

a bearing formed in the bearing space between the housing and the slide; and

an impact plate coupled to the slide and configured to receive an impact member;

wherein an impact against the impact member causes the slide to exert a force against the bearing; and

wherein the bearing is configured to absorb the force from the slide.

16. The impact assembly of claim 15, wherein the impact member is oriented askew to at least a portion of the bearing.

17. The impact assembly of claim 15, wherein the impact plate is oriented in tandem with at least a portion of the bearing.

18. The impact assembly of claim 15, wherein the impact member is oriented in tandem with at least a portion of the slide.

19. The impact assembly of claim 18, wherein the impact member is attached to the slide.

20. The impact assembly of claim 19, wherein the impact member is formed integral with the slide.