Method of making a one-piece ball bearing retainer
US5291655A · kind A · utility
6Cited by
10References
22Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 29, 1993 |
| Grant date | Mar 8, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 29, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49691
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Material is first formed into a flat ring. Ball receiving pockets are formed in the flat ring leaving bridge material between adjacent pockets. Bridge material between adjacent pockets is flattened such that the bridge material spreads to meet the adjacent bearing balls, thereby locking the retainer within a ball bearing assembly. The resulting substantially flat bridge between adjacent reconfigured ball pockets is then crimped such that ends of the bridge are moved slightly toward each other and pressure of the reconfigured ball pockets against the bearing balls is reduced.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.