Patent ID: 6457871
Filing Date: 2002-10-01
Classification: A63C,F16C

Abstract:
A bearing mechanism, comprising:two substantially identical ball bearings, each having a longitudinal axis and an inner and an outer race with grooved surfaces facing each other in the races, and each bearing having nine bearing balls located within the grooved surfaces and held therein between the inner and outer races, said bearings being placed in a substantially parallel configuration once assembled in the resultant bearing mechanism such that inner and outside surfaces of the bearings and their respective inner and outer races become defined; an inner tubular sleeve having a longitudinal axis and extending between and against the two substantially parallel ball bearings, said inner sleeve having a thickness and an outer diameter that substantially matches the dimensions of the inner races of the ball bearings, whereby the inner sleeve exerts forces substantially parallel to the longitudinal axes of the bearings once assembled, and said forces are being exerted by the inner sleeve between and against the inside surfaces of the inner races of the two ball bearings after they are assembled; two bearing caps to be inserted through the two ball bearings, said bearing caps having a substantially tubular shape, each with a flange extending outwardly from one end of the tubular shaped bearing cap, said flanges having thicknesses matching the dimensions of the inner race such that, once assembled, the flanges contact the outside surfaces of the inner races of the substantially parallel ball bearings, exerting a force on the outside surface of the inner race in a substantially parallel direction with respect to the longitudinal axes of the ball bearings; and said bearing mechanism adapted to receive a substantially cylindrical fastener having an outer diameter, said fastener to extend through the two ball bearings, the inner sleeve and the two bearing caps, said fastener adapted to hold the bearing mechanism together such that the two ball bearings are held in a substantially parallel fashion, the longitudinal axis of the inner sleeve being substantially parallel to the longitudinal axes of the two ball bearings, and the two bearing caps being inserted through the ball bearings and the inner sleeve; whereby forces exerted by the fastener once assembled pull the flanges against the outside surfaces of both of the inner races of the substantially parallel ball bearings and the inside surfaces of both of the inner races into tight contact with the inner sleeve, resulting in substantially equal forces against either side of the inner races to keep them in constant alignment with respect to one another.