Wheel spindle retention for a non-driven vehicle wheel
US4381874A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 10, 1980 |
| Grant date | May 3, 1983 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 10, 2000 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16C2326/02
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
In a wheel mounting arrangement which comprises a wheel-attachment spindle rotatably carried by roller bearings within a bearing hub and clamped thereto by a nut received on a threaded end of a spindle shaft, a locking device for preventing removal of the nut from the spindle shaft and consequent detachment of the spindle and spindle-attached wheel from the bearing hub and vehicle. The device comprises a locking snap ring received in a circumferential groove in the threaded spindle end so as to block removal of the nut. In accordance with a particular and critical feature of the invention, the groove and locking ring are axially spaced from the opposing surface of the nut in assembly and in normal operation so that the ring cooperates with the nut opposing surface to permit limited loosening of the nut. This feature permits limited axial movement of the spindle shaft with respect to the bearing and bearing hub causing an audible rattling sound which will warn the vehicle operator that the associated spindle nut should be retightened or otherwise serviced.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.