Patent ID: 11933354
Assignee: ROLLER BEARING COMPANY OF AMERICA, INC.
Field: Mechanical elements (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC F | IPC F

Claim 17:
18. A rod end comprising:
a loader slot bearing comprising:
an annular housing having a first axial housing-surface, a second axial housing-surface and an interior area extending between the first axial housing-surface and the second axial housing-surface, the interior area being defined by an inner bearing surface that extends between the first axial housing-surface and the second axial housing-surface, the inner bearing surface having a concave contour defining a surface area and a circumference measured proximate to the first axial housing-surface, a single slot extending axially partway into the inner bearing surface from the first axial housing-surface, the slot having a slot arc section area extending axially inward from the first axial housing-surface, the slot arc section area having a first circumferential slot-end, a second circumferential slot-end, and a slot arc length A1 measured between the first circumferential slot-end and the second circumferential slot-end;
a ratio of the slot arc length A1 to the circumference of the interior area being about 0.20 to about 0.35; and
a truncated ball having a convex spherical exterior surface extending between a first axial ball-surface and a second axial ball-surface, the truncated ball being positioned in the slot and rotated so that the truncated ball is rotatably retained by the inner bearing surface, the truncated ball being angularly misalignable relative to the annular housing; and

a shaft having a longitudinal axis, the shaft extending from and being integral with the annular housing; and
the slot being centrally located along the longitudinal axis.