MXPA96003253A - Contact bearing l - Google Patents

Abstract

A bearing including an inner bearing means (1) having a peripheral, annular bearing surface (2), an outer bearing means (6) coaxial with the inner bearing means (1) and having a bearing surface (8) annular, interior and at least one set of intermediate bearing means (9) including a bearing ring (10) having an inner, annular bearing surface, an outer, annular bearing surface (11, 12). ) and a bearing sheave means (13, 16) rotatably mounted around the inner bearing means (1) and rotatable with respect to the bearing ring (10) and the outer bearing means (6), the pulley means ( 13, 16) which provides a bearing surface (15) adjacent to the bearing surface of the bearing ring (11) and which provides a bearing surface (17) adjacent to the bearing outer bearing surface (12) ( 10) of cushion

Description

SMOOTH CONTACT BEARING DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to bearings and bearing assemblies. Conventional roller bearings consist of an inner race ring member, an outer race ring member and roller balls held between the inner and outer race rings by a case or projections. Several types of smooth contact bearings are also known in which the roller elements are replaced by a plastic sheave. Some smooth contact bearings of this type are capable of operating without a lubricant, however smooth contact bearings generally suffer from the limitation that the bearing members become fused at high speed and / or under high loads. Despite improvements in smooth contact bearings, there is a need for such a bearing, which has a longer service life and / or is capable of operating under more severe conditions, such as high loads or at high speeds for extended periods. In accordance with the present invention, a bearing is provided which includes an inner bearing means having a peripheral, annular bearing surface, an outer bearing means having an annular, inner bearing surface and at least one set of means intermediate bearing including a bearing ring having an inner, annular bearing surface, and an outer, annular bearing surface and a bearing sheave means rotatably mounted around the inner bearing means and rotatable with respect to the bearing ring and the outer bearing means, the roller means provides a bearing surface adjacent to the bearing surface inside the bearing ring and provides a bearing surface adjacent to the bearing outer surface of the bearing ring. The intermediate bearing means of the bearing of the invention includes at least one bearing ring and a sheave means. The sheave means may be in the form of a single sheave member comprising two sheave rings, one inner and one outer ring of the bearing ring and connected by a band extending adjacent to the end of the bearing ring. However, it is particularly preferred that the bearing pulley means includes an inner roller member rotatably mounted around the inner bearing means and rotatable with respect to the bearing ring having a peripheral bearing surface, adjacent to the inner bearing surface of a bearing ring and an outer bearing sheave rotatably mounted around the bearing ring and having an inner bearing surface adjacent to the outer bearing surface of the bearing ring. The bearing ring can be formed integrally with the inner or outer bearing means, however it is preferred that it be rotatable with respect to each of the inner and outer bearing means. In a preferred form of the bearing of the invention, one of the inner and outer bearing means includes an annular location projection and a radial bearing surface, placed on each side of the locating projection and the other of the bearing means inner and outer, includes a pair of collars, a collar extending on each side of the projection and the bearing includes two sets of intermediate bearing means placed between the surface sides of the collars and the locating shoulder an assembly at each side of the ledge. Preferably, one of the collars, referred to as the thrust collar, is removable from the bearing means, which comprises the pair of collars in such a way that the other components of the bearing can be removed and reassembled as required. It is preferred that the thrust collar be detachable from the raceway provided with a collar at one end of the raceway, a bearing surface and a portion for receiving the thrust collar at the other end of the raceway. The portion to receive the push collar can be slotted; the slotted portion is on the inner surface, when the outer bearing means includes the collars and on the outer surface, when the inner bearing means includes the collars. The portion that receives the thrust collar can also be provided with a radial groove to allow the end of the portion receiving the thrust collar to be deformed to retain the collar. Alternatively, the thrust collar and the collar receiving portion may consist of corresponding threaded portions. The locating projection, which is preferably present on the inner surface of the outer bearing means, can be continuous or discontinuous and in the form of circumferentially spaced tabs or the like. The location protrusion may be in a variety of sections or shapes, such as square, rectangular, curved, dovetail, beveled or the like. Preferably, the projection has essentially parallel sides and is positioned at right angles to the axis.

In this preferred form of the invention, each set of intermediate bearing means is located in a recess or chamber defined between the bearing surfaces of the inner and outer bearing means and the surface sides of each collar and the projection. There may be two or more recesses separated by a locating projection projecting from either the first or second bearing means and two or more sheave members and / or bearing ring may be located in each of the slots. For example, two bearing rings can be arranged coaxially and spaced apart from each other and from the inner bearing means by rollers. The inner bearing means of the present invention, more preferably includes an annular bearing surface and a pair of collars one at each end of the raceway. The inner bearing means is preferably located within the outer bearing means, such that the collars of the inner bearing means are in a face-to-face relationship with a projection positioned inwardly on the outer bearing means. One of the collars is preferably a thrust collar adapted to be removably connected to the inner bearing means to allow an outer, annular bearing means, annular bearing ring and bearing shells to have been removed from and assembled around the bearing surface of the inner bearing means. The inner bearing means may include a hole for receiving a shaft or the like. The hole can be of any suitable shape, for example it can be circular, oval, triangular, square, hexagonal, rectangular or other configuration. Further, where the inner bearing means includes a hole, the hole may be tapered between one end and the other may include a spline, gear teeth, may be sawtooth or include other means for coupling a motor shaft or the like. Where the inner bearing means includes a hole for receiving a shaft or the like, the inner bearing means may be in the form of a sleeve and includes an axially extending portion, which includes a means for securing the bearing to the shaft. The axially extending portion may include one or more orifices, for receiving set screws or may be tightened and provided with a tightening means adapted to push the squeeze portion in a clamping engagement with the shaft. The inner race portion of the inner bearing means may be provided with a threaded portion for coupling a correspondingly threaded thrust collar. In this form, the thrust collar may also include an additional annular projection having a hole corresponding to an inner pilot hole and having through it a radial, threaded opening for receiving a set screw or the like. Alternatively, the thrust collar can be provided with means for coupling an annular eccentric collar, having an opening capable of receiving a set screw or the like, to fix the bearing to a shaft located in the hole. In another alternative form, the inner bearing means comprises an extended portion in the form of an annular axial projection. This axial projection may also have an opening therein, suitable for receiving a pressure screw or the like, to secure the bearing to a shaft or the like. The sheave members and the bearing ring of the intermediate bearing means are typically coaxial and preferably there are two coaxial sets of intermediate bearing means, each assembly comprising at least one intermediate member and at least two bearing sheaves and an assembly is located in each of two grooves defined by the inner and outer bearing means. It is preferred that the bearing ring be of axial width smaller than at least one and preferably two of the bearing sheaves. further, it has been found that the operation of the bearing is significantly improved where at least one of the bearing sheaves in each set of intermediate bearing means, includes one or more flanges, which cooperate with the bearing ring to retain the separate ring from the surface sides of the projection and collar. The sheaves may have a flange adjacent an edge thereof and extending adjacent to an edge of the bearing ring, thereby preventing the bearing ring from being coupled directly to the inner or outer bearing members. Preferably, each of the bearing sheaves has a flange and the bearing sheaves adjacent to the inner and outer circumference of the bearing ring, cooperate in such a manner that the respective shoulders are located at opposite, adjacent ends of the bearing ring intermediate. In the most preferred embodiment, one of the flanges extends from the adjacent side of the inner bearing sheave and the other shoulder is positioned internally adjacent to the opposite side of the outer bearing sheave and the projections coact to provide alignment of the ring and for providing axial bearing surfaces, between the bearing ring and the inner and outer bearing means. The circumferentially extending grooves, spaced apart on the outer surface of the flanges of the sheave, are also preferred and inclined to assist in heat dissipation and improve bearing performance. The bearing of the present invention can be used as wheel bearings for any type of vehicle, such as motor cars, engine cycles, tractors, bicycles and trucks or the like and also tractors, bicycles and trucks or the like and also trailers of any type such as caravans and boat trailers or cars or the like. The bearing of the present invention can also be used directly as a wheel, as a leveling surface or a finishing roller or as any other form of a roller member carrying a direct load on a vehicle, an agricultural implement or the like . In another embodiment, the bearing of the invention is in the form of a follower cam, wherein the first bearing means comprises a short pin of the inner raceway together with a thrust collar. The short pin of the inner raceway can be similar to a conventional screw having a head, a shaft portion that is located axially adjacent, providing a peripheral bearing surface and a shaft portion axially threaded adjacent to the location of the shaft . The head, if the screw can define the inner rolling collar and the threaded shaft can receive a thrust collar, which can include a co-operating thread on its inner circumference or the thrust collar can be secured by a threaded fastening nut. The thrust collar can take the form of an annular washer or the like. The bearing of the invention may further comprise a housing for receiving the outer bearing means such as a support block housing two or more projections of the housing bore. It should also be understood by a person skilled in the art that the outer surface of the outer bearing means can be of any cross section. The surface may be cylindrical, convex or concave, tapered, conical or frustoconical or any combination of shapes, depending on the specific requirements and intended use. For example, the bearing means may be substantially rectangular, such that the bearing itself can be rigidly secured to another member when required. The outer bearing means may have a convex outer surface, particularly a spherical section to allow the outer bearing means to be received within a housing having a corresponding concave inner surface, so that the outer bearing means can pivot inside the housing to allow alignment with a shaft or the like. Such housing may be a support block housing, a housing of 2 or more orifice projections, a support to allow the bearing to be used in a conveyor system for articles suspended from a transportation line or may consist of sprockets or gears around its periphery. The outer bearing means may also consist of projections such as sprocket wheels, gear teeth or tabs or the outer bearing means may have an annular, peripheral slot to allow a belt or pulley to engage. An outer bearing means including an outer surface having one or more V-shaped grooves may also be used. The outer bearing means may include a means for securing the bearing for operation. For example, where the bearing is to be used as a wheel hub, it may include a radial projection with axial holes circumferentially spaced around the radial shoulder to hold the bearing to a wheel. The outer cushion means may also be shaped to act as a support block housing or a housing of two or more projections of the hole or the like. One or more of the inner bearing means, the outer bearing means, the pulley members and the bearing ring can be radially divided to form two annular portions with abutting contact surfaces or they can be axially divided to form semicircular portions of butt contact, which together form the annular bearing component. The divided components may include coupling portions, such as corresponding projections and recesses or where the bearing is a self-aligning bearing, may be transferred to use a split housing to allow portions of the housing to be assembled around the bearing. Alternatively a housing comprises a convex inner surface and a pair of diametrically opposed grooves that can be used to allow the bearing to be inserted or removed from the housing, when aligned with the grooves and at right angles to the housing and to be pivoted into the housing. accommodation to align with a tree or similar. In the bearing of the invention, the bearing shells during operation will normally oscillate between a condition in which they are stationary with respect to the surface of the smaller circumferential bearing and rotate with respect to the bearing surface of greater circumference and a condition in which they are stationary with respect to the bearing surface of greater circumference and rotatable with respect to the bearing surface of the smaller circumference. This oscillating action during the operation, particularly when at least two sheaves are present an inner and an outer one in the bearing ring, significantly improve the bearing operating life and reduce wear of the bearing surfaces even at high speeds and under light load. The adjacent bearing surfaces of the bearing of the invention are typically formed from different materials. In this way, the bearing surface of the inner and outer bearing means and the bearing ring can be formed of a material while the bearing surfaces of the sheaves are formed of a different material. Therefore, it is particularly preferred to provide a prolonged service life and more effective operation, that the bearing washer means be constructed of a material other than the lower and outer bearing means and the bearing ring. Preferably one of the group of components selected from a first group consisting of the inner bearing means, the outer bearing means and the bearing ring and a second group consisting of the bearing rollers, are formed of a plastic material and the other of the first and second groups of components is formed of metal. More preferably, each of the inner bearing means, the outer bearing means and the bearing ring are formed of metal and the bearing shells are formed of plastic material. The sheave members of the present invention are preferably made of a thermoplastic polyester resin and the inner and outer bearing means are preferably made of a corrosion resistant metal, such as stainless steel, aluminum or the like (although they can other metals may be used) may be coated with a hard material such as titanium nitride or ceramic coating or the like. Additionally, all the components can be made of plastic material, for example, the outer bearing means, the bearing ring and the inner bearing means can be of a plastic composition, while the bearing sheaves are made of a plastic material different. However, the outer and inner bearing means and the bearing ring can be made of a synthetic polymer material and the sheave members can be made of a corrosion resistant metal or other metals which can be coated as above. The sheave members may be manufactured or molded from a synthetic polymeric material or materials, such as PTFE, CTFE, PEEK, ACETAL, polyimide, uninformed poly (amide / imide) or a partially crystalline, thermoplastic polyester, for example polyethylene terephthalate . The materials from which the components of the present invention may be manufactured include plastic, ceramics, glass, pure carbons, carbon fibers, materials impregnated with graphite, kevlar, phosphorus, bronze or the like and may include combinations thereof. It will be understood by a person skilled in the art that the selection of the optimum material will depend on the particular application required of the bearing. For example, where the bearing is being used in a corrosive atmosphere due to the presence of a particular type of chemical agent, a material could be selected that is resistant to that type of corrosion. Similarly, if the metals are used in the bearing, then the same considerations might apply. For example, if oxidation is not perceived to be a problem, mild steel can be used. Alternatively, 316 stainless steel may be used or 410 stainless steel may be used. Aluminum may also be used and the metals may be impregnated with a polymer such as PTFE. As described above, the inner bearing means may include a sleeve adapted to receive a shaft and the sleeve may be provided with means for securing the bearing to a shaft.

It was found that the alignment of the bearing and operation of the bearing on a shaft can be improved if the sleeve has a squeezable portion. In another aspect, the invention provides a bearing for a shaft, comprising an inner bearing means including a sleeve for receiving the shaft and having a peripheral bearing surface, annular and outer bearing means, having a bearing surface inner, rotatable mounted around the sleeve, wherein the sleeve comprises a squeezable, annular portion and a tightening means for providing the annular tightening to force the squeezable portion into engagement with the shaft. The squeezable, preferably annular portion comprises a series of slots spaced circumferentially around the sleeve and generally aligned with the shaft in the sleeve, such that the sleeve portion between the slots is easily deformed radially inward in response to a force of tightening from the tightening means. The tightening means typically comprises a hole adapted to be received in the sleeve and the sleeve and clamping means, preferably comprise corresponding coupling means, such as threaded portions, for pushing the clamping means along the sleeve, such that the inner circumference of the tightening means hits the squeezable portion of the sleeve to cause tightening thereof. The tightening means is preferably a nut or a threaded collar. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the bearing sleeve extends beyond the running ring and the annularly squeezable portion is located adjacent a projecting end of the sleeve. In this embodiment, it is preferred that the grooves extend from the end of the sleeve in alignment with its axis and are circumferentially spaced apart to form a multiplicity of radially inwardly deformable segments. The tightening means is received at the slotted end of the sleeve and the inner circumference of the tightening means provides an inward force to the segments as it is pushed along the sleeve, whereby it fixes the sleeve on a shaft. The squeezable portion of the sleeve preferably has an outer surface tapering inward towards the slotted end of the sleeve and the clamping means is adapted to be received on and cooperate with the sleeve to strike the tapered portion of the sleeve for force the squeezable portion inward. Alternatively or in addition to tapering the squeeze portion of the inner surface of the clamping means may be tapering inward to provide a clamping force to the squeeze portion of the sleeve as it is pushed over the sleeve. The clamping force can alternatively be provided by a projection on the inner surface of an annular clamping means. Preferably, the sleeve and the tightening means comprise threaded portions, which cooperate in such a way that the relative rotation of the cooperating threaded portions pushes the annular tightening means along the sleeve and against the tapered surface of the squeezable portion. The slotted end of the squeezable, annular portion can be used closely and be threaded such that the tightening means collides on the tapered sides of the squeezable portion during relative rotation of the tightening means and the squeezable portion during relative rotation of the tightening means. half tightening and the squeeze portion. Alternatively, the sleeve may be threaded between the slotted squeeze portion and the bearing race and the annular tightening means may consist of a threaded portion and a portion which strikes the squeezed, tapered portion. The squeezable sleeve is particularly useful in bearing including intermediate bearing means. The sleeve of and intermediate bearing means of the invention, may consist of an annular projection and mutually abutting butt rings, respectively as described in U.S. Patent 5,219,231. The sleeve comprises an annular projection and an outer means comprising a pair of mutually abutting contact rings, which together define a recess or slot for receiving the annular projection to allow relative rotation between the raceway and the sleeve and wherein the mutually abutting contact surfaces of the rings, include an annular projection extending axially from one of the rings and a slot in the other ring, the axially extending projection and the corresponding slot, cooperating to retain the mutual alignment of the rings. The squeezable portion, preferably elastic, such that the sleeve is movable on the shaft when the clamping force of the clamping means is removed. Some examples of practical arrangements of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it will be understood that the following description in a form limits the generality of the invention, as described in the foregoing. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a bearing of the invention.

Figure 2 is a partial perspective view of the bearing components of Figure 1. Figures 3a to 3e are partial perspective views of alternative constructions of the inner bearing means of Figure 1. Figure 4 is another embodiment of the bearing of the invention. Figure 5a is a partial cross-sectional view of an alternative outer bearing means of the bearing of Figure 1. Figure 5b shows a partial cross-sectional view of another example of an alternative outer bearing means for the bearing of Figure 1. Figure 5c is an internal perspective view of an alternative thrust collar of the bearing of Figure 1. Figure 5d is an axial cross section of another embodiment of an outer bearing means and a means of intermediate bearing of the invention. Figure 5e is an axial cross section of another embodiment of an inner bearing means and an intermediate bearing means of the invention. Figure 6a is a perspective, partial view of an inner bearing means of the invention, which includes a means for securing the bearing to a shaft.

Figure 6b is a cross section of the inner bearing means of Figure 6a, which is fixed on a shaft. Figure 6c is a perspective, partial view of an inner bearing means. Figure 6d is a cross-sectional view of the inner bearing means of Figure 6c, which is fixed on a shaft. Figure 6e and 6f show another embodiment of an inner bearing means, which can be fixed in position in which it is movable (6e) and fixed (6f) in a shaft. Figures 7a to 7c show cross sections of the alternative inner bearing means for the bearing of the invention. Figures 8a to 8g show the cross section of alternative shapes of the outer circumference portion of the outer bearing means of the bearing of the invention. Figure 8h shows a drawing of the bearing of the invention in the form of a cam. Figures 9 to 9f are a perspective view of the housings within which the embodiments of the bearing of the invention can be received.

Illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 are the bearing components shown assembled in Figure 1 and with the components separated in Figure 2. An annular, inner bearing means (1) in the form of a sleeve for receiving a shaft is illustrated. and having a peripheral bearing surface (2), which forms the inner, annular raceway. The inner bearing means further comprises a pair of flanges or collars (3) and (4). One of the collars (3) is fixed adjacent to the bearing surface and the other collar (4) mentioned as a thrust collar, can be removed to allow assembly and disassembly of the bearing and is received by a slotted, annular portion ( 5) of the inner bearing means (1) on the side of the bearing surface (2) removed from the fixed collar (3). The outer bearing means (6) is an outer rolling ring, having a location projection (7) placed inwardly, which separates two inner radial bearing surfaces (8) in the outer bearing means. The projection has parallel sides which, when the bearing is assembled, are in a face-to-face relationship with the inner sides of the collars (3,4). The inner bearing surface (2) and the collars (3,4) of the inner bearing means (1), together with the outer bearing surface (8) and the sides of the projection positioned inwards (7) in the outer bearing means, define two annular chambers or slots in each of the grooves is located a set of intermediate bearing members (9) including a bearing ring (10) having bearing surfaces (11, 12) on its inner circumference (11) and its outer circumference (12) , an inner bearing sheave (13) having bearing surfaces (14), 15) on its inner circumference (14) and outer circumference (15) placed between the bearing ring (10) and the bearing surface (2) of the inner bearing means (1) and an outer bearing sheave (16). ) having bearing surfaces (17,18) on its inner circumference (17) and its outer circumference (18) located between the bearing ring (10) and the bearing surface (8) of the outer bearing means (6) . The inner bearing means (1), the outer bearing means (6) and the bearing ring (10) are formed of a metal, such as aluminum which may be impregnated with a plastic coating such as PTFE. The bearing sheaves (13,16) are formed of a plastic material such as a polyimide. The inner bearing surface (14) of the inner bearing sheave is positioned adjacent to the bearing surface (2) of the inner bearing means (1). The bearing ring (10), the inner and outer bearing surfaces (11, 12) are placed adjacent to the outer surface (15) of the inner sheave member and the inner bearing surface (17) of the outer bearing sheave (16), respectively. The outer bearing surface (18) of the outer sheave (16) is placed adjacent and is rotatable with respect to the bearing surface (8) of the outer bearing means (6). Although each of the annular bearing components (1, 6, 9, 13, 16) is rotatable with respect to any other of the annular bearing components (1, 6, 9, 13, 16) it has been found that the rotation of the inner bearing means (1) with respect to the outer bearing means (6) cause the rollers to oscillate between a condition in which they are stationary with respect to the adjacent bearing surface of the smallest and rotating circumference with respect to the bearing surface of the larger circumference and a condition in which the bearing sheave is stationary with respect to the adjacent bearing surface of greater circumference and rotatable with respect to the adjacent bearing surface of smaller circumference. In particular, during operation the inner bearing sheave (13) (in each slot) in operation, oscillates between a condition in which it is stationary with respect to the inner bearing means (1) and rotatable with respect to the intermediate bearing ring (10) and rotatable with respect to the inner bearing means (1). The outer bearing sheave (16) oscillates between a condition in which it is stationary with respect to the intermediate bearing ring (10) and rotatable with respect to the outer bearing means (6) and the condition in which it is stationary with respect to the outer bearing means (6) and rotatable with respect to the intermediate bearing ring (10). As a result, the rollers seem to float between these conditions and the bearing ring also floats, rotating intermittently under the influence of either the inner or outer bearing means. Each of the bearing sheaves (13 and 16) has a flange (19, 20) adjacent to its edge. The flanges (19, 20) of the inner and outer bearing shells (13, 16) are each positioned on opposite opposite ends of the intermediate bearing ring (10) in such a manner as to retain alignment with the intermediate bearing ring ( 10) and prevent the intermediate bearing ring (10) from engaging directly from the first or second bearing members (1,6) by providing an axial bearing surface between the ends of the bearing ring (10) and the surface sides of the bearing. the location protrusion (7) and the collar (3 or 4). The flange (19, 20) on each bearing sheave (13, 16) has grooves (21) extending circumferentially spaced on its outer surface. The slots reduce friction effects and help in heat dissipation during operation. The slots can also be provided in the another end of each sheave. The bearing of the invention can be assembled by placing a set of intermediate bearing means (9) on the bearing surface (2) of the inner bearing means (1) in a way that the flange (19) of the inner sheave (13) ) is adjacent to the inner side of the fixed collar (3). The outer bearing means can then be located around the bearing surface (2) of the inner bearing means (1) and the intermediate bearing means (9) in a way that the flange (20) of the outer sheave (16) ) is adjacent to the side of the projection (7) facing the collar (3). The second set of intermediate bearing means (9) is mounted between the bearing surfaces (1),) (8) in such a way that the flange (20), if the outer sheave is adjacent to the protrusion (7) and the thrust collar (4) is fastened on the slotted end (5) adjacent to the bearing surface (2), in such a way that its inner side is adjacent to the flange (19) of the outer sheave (13). The intermediate bearing means retains the spacing between the inner and outer bearing means (1,6). The outer bearing means extends around the collars (3,4) and the end level with the outside of the collar. The intermediate bearing means retains the spacing between the outer bearing means (6) and the periphery of the collars (3,4) and the outer sheave (16) can extend between the outer bearing means and the periphery of the collars ( 23.3) to provide a seal between the inner and outer bearing means (1,6). The inner circumference of the projection (7) is also separated from the bearing surface (2) of the inner bearing means (1) by the intermediate bearing means (9). The outer peripheral surface of the outer bearing means (6) may be provided with a means for fixing a bearing. In Figure 1, the outer bearing member comprises a radial fixing projection (23) on its outer circumference (22). The holes circumferentially separated (23a) are located around the fixing projection 23, which allows the bearing to be fixed to a wheel, in such a way that it has been used as the bearing hub of the wheel. With reference to Figures 3a to 3e, the inner bearing means of the invention can include a means for attaching the thrust collar to a shaft. The inner bearing means (1) is provided with an annular groove (5) adjacent to one end. The thrust collar (4) is annular and its inner circumference is receivable on the grooved portion (5) of the inner bearing means (1), whereby it provides two collars (3,4) spaced from either end of the bearing surface. inner bearing (2) between which collars (3,4), the intermediate bearing means (9) and the location projection (7) of the outer bearing means (6) are received. As shown in Figure 3a, the means for attaching the thrust collar (4) can be by an annular groove (24) (6) inner around the slotted portion (5) to allow the end of the slotted portion (5) to be deformed or flared on the outer surface of the thrust collar (4). The outer surface of the thrust collar may have a chamfer (25) adjacent to the inner edge of the outer side wall, to facilitate flapping of the end of the slot portion (5). The inner bearing means (1) further includes an extended axial portion (26) provided with a radial hole for receiving a set screw to allow the inner bearing means (1) to be removably fixed on a shaft. Figure 3b shows an inner bearing means (1) in the form of a short pin in the inner race. The inner bearing means (1) has a solid shaft provided with a collar (3) at one end, an adjacent peripheral bearing surface (2) and a slotted portion (5) for receiving the thrust collar (4) adjacent to the another end of the bearing surface (2). The slotted portion is threaded (29) to receive a nut, which can retain the thrust collar (4) adjacent to the bearing surface (2). Alternatively, the collar (4) itself can be threaded on its inner circumference to engage and allow it to be held on the threaded, slotted portion (29). Figure 3 (c) and 3 (d) shows an inner bearing means in the form of a sleeve for receiving an axle and the slotted portion (5) and the inner circumference of the thrust collar (4) have co-operating threaded portions, in such a way that the collar (4) can be fastened on the grooved portion (5) adjacent to the bearing surface (2). The thrust collar (4) is provided with an additional annular projection (30) on its outer side and the projection has an inner circumference smaller than the threaded portion of the collar, such that it is positioned adjacent one end of the sleeve of the collar. inner bearing means (32) when the collar is held in the slotted portion (5) and can provide a retainer to determine the spacing between the collars (3,4). In Figure 3c, the additional annular projection (30) is provided with a radial hole (27) for receiving a set screw to allow the inner bearing means to be held on a shaft. In Figure 3d, the additional projection (30) is engageable with a collar (33) which has a hole (27) for receiving a set screw. As shown in Figure 3e, the inner bearing means may include two sleeve portions (34,35) each provided with a collar (3,4) and a portion of the bearing surface (2) and the sleeve portions are engageable in such a way that the bearing surfaces (2) are adjacent and located between the separated collars (3,4). Figure 4 shows another embodiment of the invention, in which the outer bearing means (6) has an internally located locating projection (36), which extends through substantially all of its axial width. The inner bearing means (1) includes a peripheral bearing surface (2) and two collars (3,4), which extend one on each side of the projection (7) of the outer bearing means (6). One of the collars (4) can be removable as shown in Figure 2. The intermediate bearing means includes a bearing ring (10), the inner bearing sheave (13) in the form of a sleeve having a surface of inner bearing adjacent to the bearing surface of the inner bearing means (13) and an outer bearing surface adjacent to the inner bearing surface of the bearing ring (10). The outer bearing sheave member (16) includes axial bearing surfaces on its inner and outer circumference, the inner bearing surface is adjacent to the bearing ring (10) and the outer bearing surface that is adjacent to the bearing surface on the inner circumference of the projection of the outer bearing means (6). The outer bearing sheave also includes two pairs of flanges (37, 38) a pair (37) placed on the outer circumference at each end of the outer bearing sheave (16) and a pair (38) positioned on the inner circumference at each end. The pair of flanges (37) on the outer circumference extend between the surface sides of the protrusion (38) and the collars (3,4) and the pair of flanges on the inner circumference (38) extending one over any side of the bearing ring (10) to provide a surface that is radial between the bearing ring (10) and the collars (3,4). Figures 5a and 5b show an outer bearing means (6), which includes an internally disposed positioning projection (7). The bearing rings (10) are fixed one on each side of the projection (7) for rotation with the outer bearing means (6) in such a way that the bearing sheave means is receivable adjacent to each inner and outer circumference of the bearing ring. The collars of an inner bearing means (not shown) will be spaced apart from the distal ends of the bearing rings. In Figure 5b, the outer bearing means of the inner circumference (8) is provided with slotted, annular portions (38) at each end for receiving the peripheral end of the collars (3,4) from the inner bearing means (1). ) in such a way that the collars (3,4) are separated from the distal ends of the bearing rings (10). The bearing means may also include channels or holes (39) to transfer heat or to allow the passage of a lubricant or a cooling liquid. Figure 5c shows the inner side of a thrust collar (4) from an inner bearing means (1), the thrust collar can be provided with a helical groove (40) on its inner surface to facilitate the removal of any of the particles which can get stuck in the bearing by the entry of foreign matter or by wear. The helical groove transports particulate matter to the peripheral end of the collar. The collar can also or alternatively includes holes (41) to allow a liquid to enter the bearing. The holes can be used to facilitate the washing of the bearing and preferably will be located in each of the collars, and can be present in any of the components of the bearing for the holes that are parallel to or at an angle to the shaft. Figure 5d shows an outer bearing means (6) having an internal projection (7) and a bearing ring (10) fused on one side. The bearing sheave means includes the rings (13,16) one (13) positioned adjacent to the inner circumference of the bearing ring (10) and another (16) adjacent to the outer circumference of the bearing ring (10) and the sheave rings are joined by a band (42) extending adjacent to the distal end of the bearing ring. The band (42) provides an axial bearing surface between the distal end of the bearing ring (7) and the collar (not shown). The pulley means extends to be leveled with the ends of the outer bearing means (6) to provide a seal to inhibit the passage of foreign particles into the bearing. The other side of the projection is provided with a bearing sheave (16) having a flange (20) on its inner circumference adjacent to the projection (7) in accordance with the outer bearing sheave (16) of Figures 1 and 2, except that the sheave extends to the end of the outer bearing means (6) and between the inner circumference of the outer bearing means (6) and the end of the collar (3) to provide a seal. Figure 5e shows an arrangement in which the inner bearing means (1) includes a radially located projection (7) on its outer circumference, which is provided with a fused bearing ring (10). The ends of the inner bearing means also include annular recesses (43) for receiving the periphery of a collar attached to an outer bearing means. Roller means including inner and outer rings (13,16) are joined by a band (42) at a distal end of the bearing ring (10). The other side of the projection is provided with an inner bearing sheave (13) with a flange on its outer circumference positioned adjacent to the side of the projection (7). The slotted portions (43) are provided at each end of the inner bearing means for receiving collars of the outer bearing means, which are rotatable about the slotted portions (43). Figures 6a to 6f show an inner bearing means (1), which is in the form of a sleeve having a hole for receiving a shaft. Figures 6a and 6b show an inner bearing means having a collar (3). A bearing surface (2) is located on one side of the collar (3) with a thrust collar (4) that is received on a slotted portion (5) on the other side of the bearing surface (2) to receive a projection and intermediate bearing means between the collars for rotation around them. The bearing surface (2) of the sleeve is preferably cylindrical. The sleeve includes a squeezable annular portion (44), which comprises a multiplicity of slots (45) extending through the sleeve at one end. The slots (45) are circumferentially spaced to provide a multiplicity of deformable portions (46). The sleeve tapering closely towards the slotted end and the inner bearing means is provided with a tightening means in the form of a locating nut (47). The inner circumference (48) of the clamping nut and the outer circumference of the squeezable portion of the sleeve have threaded coacting portions (48,49). To clamp the bearing in a shaft located in the sleeve of the clamping nut (47) is tightened by the squeeze, threaded portion (44) and therefore pushed along the sleeve. The inner circumference (48) of the nut (47) provides an inward force on the tapered surface of the squeeze portion (44) causing an inward deformation force, uniform on the segments (46) between the slots for clamping the sleeve on the shaft (48) as shown in 6b. In an alternative embodiment, the inner surface of the clamping nut (47) s tapers closely to provide a clamping force to the squeezable portion (44) of the sleeve, which may or may not include a tapered portion. In the embodiment shown in Figures 6c to 6d, the sleeve comprises a projection (7) and the bearing surface (2) on either side of the projection (7). The sleeve includes a squeezable portion (44) including a multiplicity of slots (45) which extend through the sleeve and provide deformable sections (46) there, between which are the inwardly tapered surface and / or have an outer surface tapering inward. The sleeve has a threaded portion (49) adjacent to the squeezable portion (44) and a fastening nut (47) comprises a threaded coacting portion (48) adjacent the end received in the sleeve and the threaded coacting portions push the the nut (47) located on the sleeve. The fastening nut (47) includes an inner, annular projection (50) which in tightening the fastening nut (47) on the sleeve pushes the squeezable portion (46) inward to fix on the shaft (51) as It is shown in 6d. Figure 6e and 6f show another arrangement in which the fixing nut (47) is provided with a thrust collar (4) which can be over the bearing assembly providing the thrust collar positioned on one side of a shoulder towards inside (7) on the outer bearing member (8). During assembly of the bearing, a set of intermediate bearing means is located on the bearing surface. The outer bearing means (6) then slides on the bearing surface (2) followed by the second set of intermediate bearing means (9) and the thrust collar (4) is engaged with the thread of the sleeve (49) and it can be tightened as shown in Figure 6f to hold the bearing on the shaft. Figures 7a and 7b show a portion of an inner bearing means, comprising a tapered or truncated cone sleeve (52) having a bearing surface (2) and an axial collar (3) at the large diameter end of the sleeve (2). A thrust collar (not shown) can be received over the smaller diameter end. The inner circumference of the sleeve can be provided with a groove or saw teeth (53) or other means for coupling a motor shaft or the like. Figure 7c shows a portion of the raceway of an inner bearing means, which includes a sleeve (52) with a cylindrical bearing surface (2) and a collar (3) at one end. A thrust collar (not shown) is receivable at the other end of the sleeve. The orifice of the sleeve is provided with a groove or saw teeth (53) to receive a drive shaft or the like. Figures 8a to 8h show the alternative configurations of the outer circumference of the outer bearing means (6). The outer circumference may be cylindrical as shown in 8a, convex as shown in 8b particularly of spherical section as shown in 8f. The outer bearing means may include a radial projection or radial projections (54) spaced around its outer circumference as shown in 8c. Slots such as concave grooves or V-shaped grooves may be present as shown in 8d and 8e. A peripheral tapered projection (55) adjacent to an edge may be useful in a roller for a conveyor belt or an outer bearing means may be a cam as shown in 8h. The outer bearing means may be in the form of a housing as shown in Figures 9a to 9d such as a support block housing (Figure 9a), a housing with two projections (Figure 9b) or a housing of four projections (Figure 9c) having holes (56) for filling the housing. The outer bearing means may also be in the form of a sprocket or geared wheel when it is as shown in Figures 9c and 9f.

In an alternative embodiment, the outer bearing means is receivable in a housing in one of the forms shown in Figures 9a to 9f. The average outer bearing may be admitted to the housing using a split housing and the means of outer bearing can have an outer circumference convex or be spherical section (see Figure 8f) and the housing may have a concave inner circumference corresponding section, to allow the outer bearing means to pivot inside the housing to align with a shaft or the like. A pendant type housing is illustrated in Figure 9d and includes a means for attaching an article (57) to be suspended from a transportation line to be coupled by the outer bearing means. A particular advantage of the preferred bearing of the invention, shown in Figures 1 and 2 is that each of the intermediate bearing components including the bearing shells and the bearing ring, are rotatable with respect to each other, which reduces significantly wear and minimizes the formation of heat. Between the inner and outer bearing means, there are at least four pairs of radial bearing surfaces and at any time, during the operation of the bearing, there may be relative rotation in any one or more of these pairs of surfaces. Each of the components of the intermediate bearing means can rotate at different speeds for the inner or outer bearing means and other components. Furthermore, during the formation of the fraction and heat between a portion of the bearing surfaces, they tend to stick together and the presence of a multiplicity of pairs of bearing surfaces allows the bearing rings to rotate intermittently and / or at different speeds between yes. The bearing ring and the sheaves therefore seem to float. The bearing component and in particular the bearing ring and the inner and outer sheaves uniformly distribute friction and wear and provide more effective dissipation effectively removing heat, the incidence of unemployment at a high speed and under large loads. The presence of load forces on the bearing shaft generally increases wear and tear problems in a smooth contact bearing. In the present invention, the presence of flanges on the rollers, which extend between the bearing ring and the collar and the locating protrusion and the bearing ring, to provide four pairs of bearing surfaces on each side of the protrusion of location. The bearing of the invention therefore provides excellent resistance to wear by axial loads. The use of a bearing as the hub of a wheel of a heavy vehicle, provides a severe test of its operation and despite the existence of smooth contact bearings for many years, the bearings used in the wheels of vehicles are usually bearings that They contain roller balls. A bearing according to Figure 1 and Figure 2 above is constructed using an inner bearing means, an outer bearing means and a bearing ring constructed of aluminum impregnated with PTFE. The bearing sheaves were prepared from polyimide. The bearing is used in the hub of a wheel of a 1 1/2 ton road vehicle, which is driven at speeds of 30 miles per hour in swampy terrain, often submerged in seawater.

The bearing is also used in the hub of a wheel of a trailer with a total weight of 3 tons. In each case, the bearing worked excellently showing little or no signs of wear after prolonged use. The vehicle wheels of the present invention are suitable for use in vehicles used to detect mines and explosives, since they do not generate static electricity. This feature also makes the bearing of the invention advantageous for use in scientific instruments in underground mining drilling operations or in other circumstances, where it is advantageous to protect against static electricity and / or the use of ferrous metals or their alloys. Having described the invention as above, property is claimed as contained in the following:

Claims (17)

1. A bearing characterized in that it includes an inner bearing means having a peripheral, annular bearing surface, an outer bearing means coaxial with the inner bearing means and having an annular, inner bearing surface, and at least one set of intermediate bearing means including a bearing ring having an inner, annular bearing surface, an outer, annular bearing surface and a bearing sheave means rotatably mounted around the inner bearing means and rotatable with respect to the bearing ring and the outer bearing means, the roller means provides a bearing surface adjacent to the bearing surface inside the bearing ring and provides a bearing surface adjacent to the bearing outer surface of the bearing ring.

2. The bearing in accordance with the claim 1, characterized in that the pulley means includes an inner bearing sheave member, rotatably mounted about the bearing means inside and rotatably with respect to the bearing ring and having a peripheral bearing surface adjacent to the bearing inner surface of the ring of bearing and an outer bearing sheave, rotatably mounted around the bearing ring and having an inner bearing surface adjacent to the bearing outer surface of the bearing ring.

3. The bearing according to claim 1, characterized in that one of the inner and outer bearing means, includes a locating projection and a radial bearing surface on each side of the projection and the other of the inner and outer bearing means, includes a bearing surface and a pair of collars, a collar extends on each side of the projection and the bearing includes two sets of intermediate bearing means, placed between the surface sides of the locating protrusion and the collars, a set in each side of the ledge.

4. The bearing in accordance with the claim 1, characterized in that the bearing ring is rotatable with respect to each of the inner and outer bearing means.

5. The bearing in accordance with the claim 2, characterized in that in the operation or operation, each of the bearing sheaves oscillates between a condition, in which it is stationary with respect to the bearing surface of the smallest circumference and rotates with respect to the bearing surface of circumference and a condition in which it is stationary with respect to the bearing surface of the largest and rotating circumference with respect to the bearing surface of the smallest circumference.

6. The bearing according to claim 3, characterized in that at least one of the sheaves in each set is wider than the bearing ring and includes one or more flanges, which cooperate with the bearing ring to retain the bearing ring separated from the surface sides of the projection and the flange.

7. The bearing in accordance with the claim 6, characterized in that the bearing sheaves in each assembly, together, include two or more flanges, one flange placed between the bearing ring and the locating protrusion and another flange placed between the bearing ring and the surface collars.

8. The bearing in accordance with the claim 7, characterized in that one of the flanges extends adjacent from the side of the inner bearing sheave and the outer flange is located internally adjacent to the side of the outer bearing sheave and the flange coactuates to provide alignment of the ring and to provide the surfaces of axial bearing between the bearing ring and an inner and outer bearing means.

9. The bearing according to claim 8, characterized in that the flanges of the bearing sheave, include a plurality of grooves extending, circumferentially spaced on the outer surface thereof.

10. The bearing according to claim 1, characterized in that one of the groups of components selected from a first group consists of the pulley means and a second group consists of the inner bearing means, the outer bearing means and the bearing ring It is formed of a plastic material and the other group of components is formed of metal.

11. The bearing according to claim 10, characterized in that each of the inner and outer bearing means and the bearing ring, is formed of metal and the roller means is formed of plastic materials.

12. The bearing according to claim 3, characterized in that the bearing ring includes the intermediate bearing means, which includes a proximal end fused to one of the surface sides of the collar and the locating projection and a distal end spaced from the other end of the collar. the surface sides.

13. The bearing according to claim 12, characterized in that the pulley means includes two annular sheave rings, a ring placed adjacent to the outer circumference of the bearing ring and one adjacent to the inner bearing surface of the bearing ring and in the that the sheave rings are joined by a band extending adjacent the distal end of the bearing ring.

14. The bearing for a shaft or shaft including an inner bearing means characterized in that it includes a sleeve for receiving the shaft and having a peripheral, annular bearing surface and an outer bearing means rotatably mounted around the sleeve and in which the sleeve it includes a squeezable, annular portion and means for tightening to provide an annular tightening force to the squeezable portion for holding the sleeve on the shaft.

15. The bearing according to claim 14, characterized in that the annular squeezable portion includes a series of circumferentially spaced slots on the sleeve and generally aligned with the shaft on the sleeve and the tightening means, includes an annular inner surface adapted to be received on the sleeve and the sleeve and the tightening means comprise a coupling means for pushing the tightening means along the sleeve, in such a way that the inner circumference of the tightening means exerts an annularly tightening force of the squeezable portion of the sleeve to hold the sleeve on the tree.

16. The bearing according to claim 15, characterized in that the squeezable portion tapers closely on one end of the sleeve and the sleeve and the tightening means comprise co-operating threaded portions in such a manner that the relative rotation of the tightening means and the sleeve, pushes the clamping means along the sleeve and against the tapered surface of the squeezable portion, thereby causing the squeezing of the squeeze portion.

17. The bearing according to claim 14, characterized in that the inner bearing means has a peripheral, annular bearing surface and the outer bearing means is coaxial with the inner bearing means and has an annular bearing surface on its inner circumference and the bearing includes at least a set of intermediate bearing means, including a bearing ring having an annular bearing surface on each of its inner and outer circumference and a bearing sheave means rotatably mounted around the inner ring and the outer rolling ring, the pulley means provides a bearing surface adjacent to the inner bearing surface of the bearing ring and provides a bearing surface adjacent to the bearing outer surface of the bearing ring.