Bearing retainer with bearing retaining projection

Abstract

A structure for retaining a plurality of roller bearings within a bearing cup prior to being assembled on a trunnion of a universal joint assembly is disclosed. The bearing cup is generally hollow and cylindrical in shape, including a side wall defining an inner circumferential surface and a closed end defining an inner end surface. A plurality of roller bearings is disposed within the bearing cup adjacent to the inner cylindrical surface thereof. A first roller bearing retainer is disposed adjacent to the open end of the bearing cup, while a second roller bearing retainer is disposed adjacent to the closed end of the bearing cup. Each of the roller bearing retainers includes a generally flat annular plate having a plurality of relatively short projections extending therefrom. Preferably, the projections are formed integrally with the annular plate and extend from the inner peripheral edge generally perpendicular to the plane defined by the upper surface thereof. The projections formed on the first roller bearing retainer extend upwardly from the annular plate between each adjacent pair of the roller bearings. Similarly, the projections formed on the second roller bearing retainer extend downwardly from the annular plate between each adjacent pair of the roller bearings. The lower ends of the roller bearings are retained adjacent to the inner surface of the bearing cup by the projections formed on the first roller bearing retainer, while the upper ends of the roller bearings are retained adjacent to the inner surface of the bearing cup by the projections formed on the second roller bearing retainer. Consequently, the roller bearings are prevented from moving radially inwardly away from the inner surface of the bearing cup prior to installment on a trunnion of a universal joint.