Patent ID: 9316257
Filing Date: 2016-04-19
CPC Classification: F16C

Claim Text:
1. A sealed spherical bearing comprising: a race defining an inner surface, a first annular groove, the first annular groove being open in an axial direction and having a first groove radially inward facing surface and a first groove axially outward facing surface; a ball defining an outer surface configured to engage the race inner surface, the ball disposed in the race, the ball and the race being rotatable relative to each other; a first area of engagement defined by a contoured portion of the ball outer surface and a correspondingly contoured portion of the race inner surface; an annular seal having a first end, a second end, and a midsection, the seal first end defining a seal first leg extending radially outwardly from the midsection a first distance and defining a seal first leg axially outward facing surface, a seal first leg axially inward facing surface and a seal first leg radially outward facing surface, the annular seal extending between the race and the ball, the seal second end engaging the ball; and an annular retainer having retainer first leg, a retainer transition portion, and a retainer second leg, the retainer first leg extends radially inward from the retainer transition portion a second distance and defines a retainer first leg axially inward facing surface and a retainer first leg axially outward facing surface, the retainer second leg extends axially outward from the transition portion and defines a retainer second leg radially outward facing surface and a retainer second leg radially inward facing surface, the retainer first leg axially outward facing surface secured to the seal first leg axially inward facing surface, the retainer second leg radially inward facing surface secured to the seal first leg radially outward facing surface, the retainer and the annular seal being separately formed elements; the retainer having a tapered configuration defined by the retainer second leg radially outward facing surface, the retainer second leg radially outward facing surface defining a taper angle of up to 15° relative to the retainer second leg radially inward facing surface; wherein the retainer is press-fit into the first annular groove such that the first groove radially inward facing surface engages the retainer second leg radially outward facing surface press-fit therein, the first groove axially outward facing surface engages the retainer first leg axially inward facing surface, and the retainer is fixed relative to the race.