USRE18843E

USRE18843E - Newton sktxlman

Info

Publication number: USRE18843E
Authority: US
Publication date: 1933-05-30

Description

. N. SKILLMAN SELF ALIGNING SELF LUBHIC ATING BEARING AND METHOD OF FORMING THE SAME May 30, 1933.

Original Filed April 19, 1928,

Reisaued May 30, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE NEWTON SELL-HAN, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO 0. & S. IBIIIARING- 60., O1 DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN SELF-ALIGNING SELF-LUBRICATING BEARING AND METHOD OF FORMING THE SAME Original No. 1,798,874, dated February 24, 1931, Serial No. 271,879, filed April 19, 1928. Application for reissue filed February 28, 1832. Serial No. 658,046.

This invention relates to a self-ali ing self-lubricating bearing and method of orming the same. It has to do particularly with an extremely simple and compact bearing for supporting and automatically aligning cross brake shafts for automobile chassis frames although it is not in any way restricted thereto.

In the past, considerable difiiculty has been' experienced in aligning the bearings and cross brake shafts for automobile frames or the like due to inaccuracies in initial fabrication and assembly. Attempts have been made to design bearings to take care of this inaccuracy of alignment, but such attempts have involved complicated and expensive bearing supports, and particularly so with hearing supports of the self-aligning self-lubricating type.

It is the object of the present invention to provide an extremely compact, adjustable, self-alinging bearing member for rotatable shafts comprising an inner bearing member of substantial spherical shape and having a self-lubricating bushing directly receivlng and'supporting a rotatable shaft, and a second spherical bearing member alsohaving a self-lubricating bushing for resiliently and adjustably supporting the main spherical bearing member, the said outer spherical bearing member being preferably formed integrally with a supporting plate for the entire unit.

Another important feature of the present invention relates to the method of fabricating and forming this complete unit, wherein the outer spherical bearin member is initially formed from av cylin rical tubing, the inner spherical bearing member, the lubricant impregnated fibrous material between the two bearing members, and the support ing plate all being positioned centrally of th1s tubing, and said tubing stamped or formed into a substantial spherical shape locking said central bearing member in posi-' tion and being integrally secured to said supporting plate in one operation. Other. important features as to structure and method will be brought out in the specification and claims.

In the drawing: Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view, partly in .section, illustrating the first step in the pre- Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 1 and illustrating a modified method novel bearing structure.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 2 illustrating the final step of forming this modified bearing structure.

The present invention relates primarily to the forming of a self-lubricating self-adjusting bearing member in a single integral unit whereby it may be directly mounted and as sembled upon an automobile chassis frame or other place with a minimum of time and expense. It is believed that the invention and the article may be best illustrated by first describing the method of fabrication and assembly.

The main bearing art in my complete bearing assembly pre erably consists of a spherical bearing which may be designated 1 and which is preferably spherical in shape and formed from a piece of straight cylindrical tubing. This spherical bearing member is provided on the interior thereof with compressed lubricant im regnated fibrous material 2 which is rigidly expended and compressed into shape with the formingof the bearing member 1, whereby to directly receive and support a rotatable shaft or other element. This bushing 2 being resilient and of lubricant impregnated fibrous material will thoroughly and continuously lubricate the shaft being supported and will also, due to its resiliency, wear for an unusuall long time.

n assembling a completed bearing, I preferably utilize .a piece of straight cylindrical metallic tubing 3, which is of predeterof forming my mined diameter and length, and also of comparatively thin walls. Within this tubing 3, as shown in Fig. 1, I place a str p of woven fabric 4 impregnated with a suitable lubricant. This strip 4 is formed from a flat straight strip cut to length. Inside of this strip 4 I next place the spherical bearing member 2 so that the strip 4 and the member 2 are preferably centrally positioned of the tube 3.

On the outside of the tubing 3 and approximately centrally thereof, as shown in ig. 1, I position a supporting plate 5, such plate being provided with a suitable aperture for receiving the member 3. This entire assembly, as shown in Fig. 1, is compressed by suitable dies and formed into the shape shown in Fig. 2 in one operation. The tube 3 is formed into an outer bearing substantially spherical in shape or of longitudinally varying contour, and is distorted as at 6 to lock the plate 5 into fixed central position. This complete fabrication and assembly of the unit in one operation may be accomplished in many different ways and in Figs. 1 and 2, I have diagrammatically illustrated one method of accomplishing the same.

In the particular embodiment shown. the bearing 1, the bushing 4, and the plate 5, are held centrally of the outer tubing 3 by means of a pilot 7 and locating pins 8. The upper and lower die members are then brought together to distort the tubingB into a substantially spherical shape, corresponding to the walls of the die members and to also collapse the same as at 6, whereby to positively secure the plate 5 centrally of the bearing.

In Fig. 6 I have illustrated a somewhat modified form of self-aligning bearing, in that the outer casing 9 is collapsed as at 10 to form a central annular flange around the periphery of the spherical outer casing 9, instead of securing a plate in place as shown in Fig. 2. Otherwise this hearing member shown in Fig. 6 is identical with that shown in Fig. 2 and is fabricated and formed in substantially the same manner.

In Fig. 5 I have diagrammatically illustrated one form of die structure for forming this bearing and the same is provided with a locating and positioning pilot 11 and the upper and lower diameter thereof is sub stantially the same as that shown in Fig. 1, with the exception that the recessed portions 12 are of less depth.

It will thus be seen that I have provided a novel self-lubricating, self-aligning hearing structure which is very compact and simple in construction and which maybe directly secured as a single unit to thef'rame of an automobile chassis or the like. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the attaching plate forms a part of the bearing unit while in the embodiment shown in Fig. 6 the bear ing unit is provided with an annular flange by which it may be readily secured and located in a suitable groove or by other attaching means. There are no split members or no other adjusting or attaching means necessary for securing this'unitary aligning bearing in position.

It will further be obvious that the bearing is formed of materials which are extremely inexpensive and that such bearing is assembled and formed by a novel method in a single operation. The cylindrical tubing is stamped into shape and not only forms a substantially spherical outer unit but also locks the bearing member in adjustable position, compresses and positions the second layer of lubricant impre nated fibrous material around the inner caring and either rigidly secures the supporting plate to the bearing or forms an annular flange to take the place thereof.

It will further be obvious that by my novel method of forming and assembling thls bearing that I am able to initially use a flatwoven strip of impregnated fibrous material which is automatically compressed into shape with the distorting of the outer shell or tubing.

What I claim is:

1. The method of forming self-lubricating, self-aligning bearings, which comprises inserting an inner spherical bearing member and an outer strip of lubricant impregnated compressible material within a cylindrical metallic member of predetermined len th, and applying pressure to said cylindrical member to compress and shape said strip of material and form the member into substantially spherical shape in one operation.

2. The method of forming self-lubricating, self-aligning bearings, which comprises inserting an outer strip of lubricant impregnated fibrous material and an inner integral spherical bearing member within a cylindrical metallic member of predetermined length, then applying pressure to both ends of said member tocompress and shape said strip into a substantially spherical bushing and collapse and form said cylindrical unit into a substantially spherical shape in one operation, and at the same time positively and adjustably locate said fibrous material and said spherical bearing memb r by said distorting action.

3. The method of forming self-lubricating, self-aligning bearings, which comprises in serting a spherical bearing member within a predetermined length of metallic tubing of uniform wall thickness, inserting a flat strip of lubricant impregnated fibrous material-be tween said spherical member and said tubing, and then distorting the walls of said'tubing into a substantially spherical shape to compress and shape the fabric around said spherical member and to positively locate and position said spherical member.

action and to distort a portion of the walls of said member to rigidly secure the said plate in position.

5. The method of forming self-lubricating, self-aligning bearings, which comprises inserting a bearing member and a strip of lubricant impregnated fibrous material within .a substantially cylindrical metallic member of predetermined length, then applying pressure to both ends of said member to distort said member into a shape to lock and adjustably hold said bearing member in position therein, and to distort a portion of a wall of said member to form an annular ridge around the periphery thereof.

6. A self-lubricating, self-aligning bearing, comprising a substantially spherical bearing member, an integral bearing member substantially spherical in shape and partly enclosing said first bearing member, and an annular layer of lubricant impregnated material compressed between the'said two bearing members whereby to adj ustably hold and locate said first spherical bearing member within said second integral bearing member.

7 A self-lubricating, self-aligning bearing member, comprising as a single unit a spherical inner bearing member, a'second bearing member of uniform wall thickness and also substantially spherical in shape partly enclosing said first bearing member, a strip of compressed lubricant impregnated fibrous material between the two members for resiliently and adjustably holding said first bearing member in position, said outer hearing member having a portion of its wall dis.- torted to clamp and secure a supporting plate thereto.

8. A self-lubricating, self-aligning bearing member, a comprising as a single unit a spherical inner bearing member, a second bearing member of uniform wall thickness and also substantially spherical in shape partly enclosing said first bearing member, a strip of compressed lubricant impregnated fibrous material between the two members for resiliently and adjustably holding said first bearing member in position, said outer bear ing member having a portion of its wall dis-- torted to form an annular flange to assist in securing the entire bearing member as a unit to its support.

9. A self-lubricating, self-aligning bearing, comprising a substantially spherical inner bearing member adapted to be held in fixed longitudinal position, an integral, stamped sheet metal bearing member substantially spherical in shape and partly enclosing said first bearing member, and a layer of lubricant impregnated material substantially surroundin said inner bearing member and compressed etween said two bearing members, said integral outer bearing member being shaped and positioned whereby to permanently lock and adjustably locate said first spherical bearin member in said second integral bearing mem ben- 10. A self-lubricating, self-aligning bearing, comprising a substantially spherical inner bearing member adapted to be held in fixed longitudinal position, an integral bearing member substantially spherical in shape and partly enclosing said first bearing member, and an annular layer of lubricant impregnated fibrous material compressed between said two bearing members, said integral outer bearing member being shaped and positioned whereby to permanently lock and adjustably locate said first spherical bearing member in said second inte al bea'ring, said outer. bearing member having a portion of its wall distorted to form an annular flange to assist in securing the entire bearing member as aunit to its support.

11. The method of forming self-lubricating, self-aligning bearings, which comprises inserting a bushing of compressible material within an outer bearing having a portion of its length substantially cylindrical in shape, inserting a non-cylindrical bearing member within said bushing whereby said bushing is spaced between the inner bearing member and the outer bearing member and then distorting the cylindrical walls oi said outer member to form an outer bearing substantially spherical in shape, said distorting of said cylindrical portion of the outer member serving to compressand shape the bushing around the inner non-cylindrical member and to positively locate and position said inner member.

12. The method of forming self-lubricating, self-aligning bearings, which comprises positioning a bearing unit having a substantially spherical outer surface and a lining of compressible material within a sheet metal outer bearing member, and then distorting the walls of said sheet metal outer member to shape the same and to simultaneously shape and compress the material around the spherical surfaces of said inner bearing unit, the distorting of the outer sheet metal shell serving to lock the inner bearing in position, and said compressed bushing acting expansively against the outer bearing shell and the'inner bearing unit.-

13. The method of forming self-lubricating, self-aligning bearings, which comprises inserting a bearing unit having substantially spherica outer bearing surfaces and an outer lining of lubricant impre nated fibrous material within a substantia ly cylindrical metallic member of predetermined length, and then distorting the walls of said outer mem-- ber whereby to positively shape said fibrous material and compress the same around the spherical walls of the inner bearing unit whereby the said inner bearing unit and the fibrous bushing are positively and permanent ly located within the distorted outer member and whereby said compressed fibrous material acts expansively against the inner unit and outer member.

14. A self-lubricating, self-aligning bearing, comprising an inner bearing unit having a lining for receiving a relatively movable member, the outer surface of said inner unit being substantially spherical in shape,

upon the surfaces of said two bearing members, said outer bearing member being shaped to confine and maintain said material under compression and having a portion of its surface permanently distorted whereby to ad- 'ustably but permanently lock the inner earing member in position and to maintain said fibrous material under compression.

18. A self-lubricating, self-aligning bearing, comprising an inner bearing member having a surface of longitudinally varying contour, an outer bearing member of longitudinally varying contour, a bushing of Inbricant impregnated compressible material surrounding said inner member and compressed between and acting expansively upon the surfaces of said two bearing members, said outer bearing member substantially enclosing said bushin and inner member and being shaped and ormed to maintain said an .i a1 bearing member havin g bushing under compression and permanently i i y g Q j and P Y 611C105" but adjustably lock the inner bearing in posi- 1ng sard first bearing unit, and an annular ti layer of lubricant impregnated fibrous material compressed between the surfaces of said inner unit and outer member, said integral outer bearing member being so shaped as to permanently lock and position said inner bearing unit within said integral outer member.

15. A self-lubricating, self-aligning bearing, comprising an inner bearing member having a surface of longitudinally varying contour, a sheet metal oute'r bearing member substantially spherical in shape, and an annular layer of lubricant impregnated material compressed between the surfaces of said two bearing members, said outer sheet metal bearing member having a portion of its surface permanently distorted whereby to ad justably but permanently lock the inner bearing member in position and to maintain said fibrous material under compression.

16. A self-lubricating, self-aligning bearing, comprising an inner bearing member having a surface of longitudinally varying contour, a metal outer bearing member having a longitudinally varying contour, a bushing of compressible material substantially surrounding said inner member and compressed between the surfaces of said two bearing members, said outer metal bearing member being integrally formed and permanently shaped whereby to maintain said bushing under compression and permanently but adjustably member imposition.

17. A self-lubricating, self-aligning bearing comprising an inner bearing member having a surface of longitudinally varying contour, an outer bearing member having a longitudinally varying contour, and a layer of lubricant impregnated material substantially surrounding said inner member and lock the inner bearing 19. A self-lubricating, self-aligning bearing, comprising an inner bearing member having a surface of longitudinally varying contour, an outer bearing member of longitudinally varying contour, an annular bushing of lubricant impregnated compressible material surrounding said inner member and compressed between and actin expansively upon the surfaces of said two aring members, said outer bearing member substantially enclosing said bushing and inner bearing member and being shaped relative to the ends of said compressed bushing to confine said annular bushing between said two bearing members and to maintain said bushing under compression and permanently but adj ustably lock the inner bearing in position.

20. A self-lubricatm self-aligning bearing, comprising a su stantially spherical bearing member, an integral bearing member of longitudinally varying contour including inturned end portions and partly enclosing said first bearing member, and an annular layer of lubricant impregnated material compressed and confined between the said two bearing members whereby to adjustably hold and locate said first spherical bearing member within said second integral bearing member.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

NEWTON SKILLMAN.

compressed between and acting expansively