GB2194601A - Rolling bearing assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A rolling bearing assembly comprises inner and outer sleeves (1, 3) respectively having outer and inner surfaces (2, 4) defining an annular space 5. A bearing is housed within the space (5) with inner and outer races (7, 8) respectively press-fitted to the surface (2, 4). A sealing assembly comprises an annular member (10) press-fitted to the surface (2) and having an annular recess (11) opening towards the bearing and the surface (4). An annular seal (13) is housed within the recess (11), press-fitted to the surface (4) and in rubbing contact with a surface (17) of the recess (11). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Rolling bearing assembly This invention relates to a rolling bearing assembly.

According to the invention there is provided a rolling bearing assembly comprising a radially inner sleeve having an outer cylindrical surface, a radially outer sleeve having an inner cylindrical surface coaxial with the outer cylindrical surface of the inner sleeve, the two cylindrical surfaces defining an annular space therebetween, a rolling bearing housed within the space and comprising an inner race pressfitted on the outer cylindrical surface of the inner sleeve, an outer race press-fitted within the inner cylindrical surface of the outer sleeve, and rolling elements between the races, and, alongside the rolling bearing within the space, a sealing assembly comprising an anular member press-fitted to one of the cylindrical surfaces, having an annular recess opening towards the bearing and towards the other cylindrical surface, and an annular seal within the recess, the seal being press-fitted to the said other cylindrical surface and being in rubbing contact with a surface of the recess.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing of a rolling bearing assembly in a half-section.

In the drawing, a rolling bearing assembly comprises a radially inner sleeve 1 having an outer cylindrical surface 2. A radially outer sleeve 3 has an inner cylindrical surface 4.

Thus, an annular space 5 is defined between the surfaces 2 and 4 and is reduced at 6 where the surface 4 is stepped inwards.

A rolling bearing, in the form of a ball bearing, is housed with the space 5. The bearing comprises an inner race 7 press-fitted on the surface 2, an outer race 8 press-fitted within the surface 4 and abutting the step 6, and rolling elements, in the form of balls 9, between the races 7 and 8.

Alongside the bearing within the space 5 at the ends of the sleeve 1 and the roller 3 there is a sealing assembly comprising an annular member 10 of a wear-resistant low-friction synthetic resin, eg. nylon. The member 10 is press-fitted on the surface 2 and has an anular recess 11 opening towards the bearing and towards the surface 4. The member 10 also has an annular knife-edge 12 in rubbing contact with the surface 4, an annular seal 13 within the recess 11. The seal 13, as shown, is of a type commonly available comprising an outer skirt 14 reinforced with a steel band which is press-fitted within the surface 4. The seal 13 also comprises an inner skirt 15 which is thickened and recessed where a garter spring 16 urges the skirt 15 into sealing and rubbing contact with cylindrical surface 17 of the recess 11. The skirts 14 and 15 are joined by an annular web 18.

In a typical application of the rolling bearing assembly, as shown in the drawing, a rod 19 extends through the sleeve 1. Each end of the rod 19 is externally screw-threaded as at 20 and projects through a bracket 21. A washer 22 and a nut 23 are applied to each threaded end 20 of the rod 19, the member 10 abutting against the bracket 21 to resist end thrust.

The annular knife-edge 12 need not be provided although it improves the sealing qualities of the bearing assembly particularly when the member 10 is made of a synthetic resin such as nylon. Where sealing is not of paramount importance the member 10 may be made of steel, aluminium, brass or even wood.

1. A rolling bearing assembly comprising a radially inner sleeve having an outer cylindrical surface, a radially outer sleeve having an inner cylindrical surface coaxial with the outer cyiindrical surface of the inner sleeve, the two cylindrical surfaces defining an annular space therebetween, a rolling bearing housed within the space and comprising an inner race pressfitted on the outer cylindrical surface of the inner sleeve, an outer race press-fitted within the inner cylindrical surface of the outer sleeve, and rolling elements between the races, and, alongside the rolling bearing within the space, a sealing assembly comprising an annular member press-fitted to one of the cylindrical surfaces, having an annular recess opening towards the bearing and towards the other cylindrical surface, and an annular seal within the recess, the seal being press-fitted to the said other cylindrical surface and being in rubbing contact with a surface of the recess.

2. A rolling bearing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the annular member is pressfitted to the outer cylindrical surface of the inner sleeve.

3. A rolling bearing assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (3)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Rolling bearing assembly This invention relates to a rolling bearing assembly. According to the invention there is provided a rolling bearing assembly comprising a radially inner sleeve having an outer cylindrical surface, a radially outer sleeve having an inner cylindrical surface coaxial with the outer cylindrical surface of the inner sleeve, the two cylindrical surfaces defining an annular space therebetween, a rolling bearing housed within the space and comprising an inner race pressfitted on the outer cylindrical surface of the inner sleeve, an outer race press-fitted within the inner cylindrical surface of the outer sleeve, and rolling elements between the races, and, alongside the rolling bearing within the space, a sealing assembly comprising an anular member press-fitted to one of the cylindrical surfaces, having an annular recess opening towards the bearing and towards the other cylindrical surface, and an annular seal within the recess, the seal being press-fitted to the said other cylindrical surface and being in rubbing contact with a surface of the recess. An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing of a rolling bearing assembly in a half-section. In the drawing, a rolling bearing assembly comprises a radially inner sleeve 1 having an outer cylindrical surface 2. A radially outer sleeve 3 has an inner cylindrical surface 4. Thus, an annular space 5 is defined between the surfaces 2 and 4 and is reduced at 6 where the surface 4 is stepped inwards. A rolling bearing, in the form of a ball bearing, is housed with the space 5. The bearing comprises an inner race 7 press-fitted on the surface 2, an outer race 8 press-fitted within the surface 4 and abutting the step 6, and rolling elements, in the form of balls 9, between the races 7 and 8. Alongside the bearing within the space 5 at the ends of the sleeve 1 and the roller 3 there is a sealing assembly comprising an annular member 10 of a wear-resistant low-friction synthetic resin, eg. nylon. The member 10 is press-fitted on the surface 2 and has an anular recess 11 opening towards the bearing and towards the surface 4. The member 10 also has an annular knife-edge 12 in rubbing contact with the surface 4, an annular seal 13 within the recess 11. The seal 13, as shown, is of a type commonly available comprising an outer skirt 14 reinforced with a steel band which is press-fitted within the surface 4. The seal 13 also comprises an inner skirt 15 which is thickened and recessed where a garter spring 16 urges the skirt 15 into sealing and rubbing contact with cylindrical surface 17 of the recess 11. The skirts 14 and 15 are joined by an annular web 18. In a typical application of the rolling bearing assembly, as shown in the drawing, a rod 19 extends through the sleeve 1. Each end of the rod 19 is externally screw-threaded as at 20 and projects through a bracket 21. A washer 22 and a nut 23 are applied to each threaded end 20 of the rod 19, the member 10 abutting against the bracket 21 to resist end thrust. The annular knife-edge 12 need not be provided although it improves the sealing qualities of the bearing assembly particularly when the member 10 is made of a synthetic resin such as nylon. Where sealing is not of paramount importance the member 10 may be made of steel, aluminium, brass or even wood. CLAIMS

1. A rolling bearing assembly comprising a radially inner sleeve having an outer cylindrical surface, a radially outer sleeve having an inner cylindrical surface coaxial with the outer cyiindrical surface of the inner sleeve, the two cylindrical surfaces defining an annular space therebetween, a rolling bearing housed within the space and comprising an inner race pressfitted on the outer cylindrical surface of the inner sleeve, an outer race press-fitted within the inner cylindrical surface of the outer sleeve, and rolling elements between the races, and, alongside the rolling bearing within the space, a sealing assembly comprising an annular member press-fitted to one of the cylindrical surfaces, having an annular recess opening towards the bearing and towards the other cylindrical surface, and an annular seal within the recess, the seal being press-fitted to the said other cylindrical surface and being in rubbing contact with a surface of the recess.

2. A rolling bearing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the annular member is pressfitted to the outer cylindrical surface of the inner sleeve.

3. A rolling bearing assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.