The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 28, 1989
Filed:
Oct. 17, 1988
Brent E Rieke, Aurora, IL (US);
Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US);
Abstract
In a drive mechanism where there are relatively rotating components, it is common practice to use roller bearings to accommodate relative rotation between various components. In order to properly maintain the position of the bearing assembly with respect to the components, some form of locking mechanism is commonly employed. Normally, the locking mechanism requires additional components, such as a locking washer, to be used in conjunction with those used to mount the bearing assembly. This results in an increase in the size and complexity of the drive mechanism. In addition, when a locking washer is utilized, sufficient space must be available to properly 'set' the locking washer with respect to the bearing assembly after it has been properly adjusted. Many times use of such locking components requires the machining of adjacent components which serves to anchor the locking mechanism. The additional machining requires the components to be of a larger size to obtain proper fatigue lift. This, coupled with the cost of the additional machining, greatly increases the expense of the unit. The present invention overcomes these drawbacks by providing a locking mechanism that utilizes a nut member 72 that is threaded on a shaft 36 to position a bearing assembly 42 on the shaft 36. A planet carrier 80 is splined to the shaft 36 adjacent the nut member 72 to prevent it from rotation with respect to the shaft 36. The configuration of the spline arrangement 76,82 permits easy installation of a bearing assembly 40,42 in areas that are inaccessible with very little adjustment required to achieve proper assembly.