Patent ID: 6883970
Filing Date: 2005-04-26
Classification: F16C

Abstract:
1. A thrust bearing, comprising: an annular first retainer having a circular first outer sidewall extending without interruption for 360 degrees, a concentric circular first inner sidewall extending without interruption for 360 degrees, and a first web that extends between the first outer sidewall and the first inner sidewall, the first web having a first planar interior surface with a plurality of first openings adapted to accommodate a radiused portion of a roller; an annular second retainer having a circular second outer sidewall extending without interruption for 360 degrees, a concentric circular second inner sidewall extending without interruption for 360 degrees, and a second web that extends between the second outer sidewall and the second inner sidewall, the second web having a second planar interior surface with a plurality of second openings adapted to accommodate a radiused portion of a roller, each one of the plurality of second openings being paired with a corresponding one of the plurality of first openings, the first retainer and the second retainer being secured together to form a cage; and a roller positioned in each of the pairs of the first openings and the second openings, with a radiused portion of the roller protruding through the first web and the second web. wherein the first outer sidewall and the first inner sidewall of the first retainer each have a 360 degree, circumferential, outwardly oriented, first interlocking engagement profile; the second outer sidewall and the second inner sidewall of the second retainer each have a 360 degree, circumferential, inwardly oriented, second interlocking engagement profile; and the first interlocking engagement profile and the second interlocking engagement profile engage in a snap fit positive locking engagement to secure the first retainer to the second retainer.