Patent ID: 7344313
Filing Date: 2008-03-18
Classification: F16C

Abstract:
1. A bearing assembly lockable onto a shaft, the bearing assembly comprising: a first tapered adapter defining a first axial bore for the receipt of the shaft, and having an outer, annular tapered surface tapered from a greater diameter outer end to a lesser diameter inner end with a sleeve portion extending axially from the lesser diameter inner end of the adapter; a second tapered adapter defining a second axial bore for receipt of the sleeve portion of the first adapter; and having an outer, annular tapered surface tapered from a greater diameter outer end to a lesser diameter inner end at a taper angle opposite to that of the first tapered adapter such that the first and second tapered adapters co-operate to define an outer annular surface having a generally V-shaped configuration that tapers from greater diameter outer ends to adjacent lesser diameter inner ends; a bearing inner ring member defining an inner raceway about an outer surface and having an inner bore having an inner surface for engagement with the outer annular surface defined by the first and second tapered adapters; a bearing outer race member defining an outer raceway about an inner surface and positionable radially outwardly of the inner raceway and in substantially axial alignment therewith; a plurality of bearing elements disposed between said bearing inner raceway and said bearing outer raceway to guide relative motion of the bearing outer raceway with respect to the bearing inner raceway; and a locking member having a first axial portion for engaging the sleeve portion of the first tapered adapter and second axial portion for engaging the second tapered adapter to join the first and second tapered adapters to effect relative axial movement therebetween in order to establish a locking interference fit between the shaft, the first and second adapters and the inner surface of the bearing inner ring member.