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:
Jun. 18, 2002
Filed:
Dec. 21, 2000
Daniel W. Gibson, Maumee, OH (US);
Spicer Driveshaft, Inc., Holland, OH (US);
Abstract
A structure positively retains the bearing cups on the trunnions of a universal joint cross prior to assembly into a vehicle. The cross includes a body portion having a plurality of trunnions extending outwardly therefrom. Each of the trunnions may have an annular ridge formed thereon defining an increased outer diameter. A bearing cup is rotatably mounted on each of the trunnions. Each of the bearing cups has a rigid dust guard attached thereto. Each of the dust guards has an inwardly extending portion that defines an inner diameter. The inwardly extending portion of each of the dust guards extends at an angle that is less than ninety degrees relative to an axis defined by the associated trunnion and relative to the sides of the bearing cups. The inner diameters defined by the inwardly extending portions of the dust guards are smaller than the outer diameters defined by the annular ridges. Thus, during installation, the inwardly extending portions. of the dust guards snap over the outwardly extending ridges formed on the trunnions. In this manner, the bearing cups are positively retained on the trunnions during shipment.