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:
Apr. 27, 1999
Filed:
Feb. 24, 1997
Dean Zierden, Maple Grove, MN (US);
James P LeClaire, St. Paul, MN (US);
Horton, Inc., Minneapolis, MN (US);
Abstract
A roller bushing assembly (21d, 21e, 21f) designed to enable a low tolerance, frictional fit within an out-of-round or otherwise distorted support member (5, 9) includes a bushing member (29a, 216) having an outer surface (102) machined to provide various axially spaced, annular grooves (127-130, 132 and 242-250). Between or directly adjacent respective ones of the annular grooves (127-130, 132 and 242-250) are defined a plurality of axially spaced and radially extending ribs (113-122 and 232-240). The axial outermost ribs (113, 122 and 240) are preferably elongated relative to the remaining ribs (114-121 and 232-239) and have annularly chamfered portions (124, 125 and 252). The ribs (113-122 and 232-240) are adapted to shear upon mounting of the bushing member (29a, 216) within an out-of-round or otherwise distorted support. By providing the shearable ribs (113-122 and 232-240), the bushing assembly (21d, 21e, 21f) can be effectively mounted within a greater range of varying sized support members. In accordance with a first embodiment, the bushing member constitutes a sleeve (29a) within which is mounted at least one bearing unit (33, 34). The shearing of the ribs (113-122) assures that the bearing unit (33, 34) will not be excessively pre-loaded in a radial direction.