Patent ID: 6149337
Filing Date: 2000-11-21
Classification: B63H,F16C,Y10T

Abstract:
A self-aligning ball and socket bearing assembly adapted to receive a rotatable shaft or post extending along a nominal axis; said assembly comprising:A. a preformed bearing provided with a bulbous section and a bore extending axially therethrough having a diameter substantially matching that of the post, said bearing being fabricated of a low-coefficient of friction synthetic plastic ultra-high molecular weight material possessing non-stick properties; andB. a single-piece journal box attachable to a platform to maintain the box at a fixed position molded of resin about the bulbous section of the bearing to define a cavity conforming to the section but not bonded thereto because of its non-stick properties, whereby the bearing is nested in the journal box and is rotatable therein to align the bearing with the post regardless of the degree to which the post deviates from the nominal axis.