Washer with step

There is described herein an apparatus comprising a shoulder washer that comprises a shank, a shoulder coupled with the shank, a bore passing through the shank and the shoulder, and a step. The step is coupled with the shoulder and at least partially encircles the shank where the shank meets the shoulder. In other embodiments, the apparatus is employed with a bearing, where the step is selected to provide a gap that allows the bearing to freely rotate while engaged with the aforementioned apparatus. In yet other embodiments, flat washers may have employed shoulder bearings that do not have steps for engaging a bearing and providing a gap that is allows the bearing to freely rotate while engaged with the shoulder washers.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to bearing protection.

BACKGROUND

Bearing, such as ball bearings, roller bearings, needle bearings or thrust bearings, are used to help reduce friction. Some bearings may be sealed with rubber seals between the outer ring and inner ring to protect the bearing from dust and any possible contamination.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In accordance with an example embodiment, there is disclosed herein an apparatus comprising a shoulder washer. The shoulder washer comprises a shank, a shoulder coupled with the shank, a bore passing through the shank and the shoulder, and a step. The step is coupled with the shoulder and at least partially encircles the shank where the shank meets the shoulder.

In accordance with an example embodiment, there is disclosed herein an apparatus comprising a first shoulder washer with a step, a bearing having an inner ring and an outer ring, and first and second sides, and a second shoulder washer with step. The first shoulder washer engages the first side of the bearing and the second shoulder washer engages the second side of the bearing. The step of the first shoulder washer engages the inner ring of the bearing on the first side, and the step of the second shoulder washer engages the inner ring of the bearing on the second side.

In accordance with an example embodiment, there is disclosed herein an apparatus comprising a shoulder washer, a first flat washer, a bearing, a second shoulder washer, and a second flat washer. The first shoulder washer comprises a first shank, a first shoulder coupled with the first shank, and a bore passing through the first shank and the shoulder. The first flat washer having an inner diameter greater an outer diameter of the first shank, allowing the first flat washer to be mounted on the first shank. The bearing having an inner ring and an outer ring, and first and second sides. The second shoulder washer comprises a second shank, a second shoulder coupled with the second shank, and a second bore passing through the second shank and the second shoulder. The second flat washer having an inner diameter greater than an outer diameter of the second shank, allowing the second flat washer to be mounted onto the second shank. The first shoulder washer and second shoulder washer are coupled with the bearing at the first and second sides of the bearing respectively. The first flat washer is disposed on the first shank and engages the inner ring of the bearing on the first side, and the second flat washer is disposed on the second shank and engages the inner ring of the bearing on the second side.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

This description provides examples not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims. The figures generally indicate the features of the examples, where it is understood and appreciated that like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements. Reference in the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” or “an example embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described is included in at least one embodiment described herein and does not imply that the feature, structure, or characteristic is present in all embodiments described herein.

Referring toFIGS. 1-3, there is illustrated a shoulder washer with a step10. The shoulder washer with a step10, comprises shoulder12and a shank14. A bore16passes through the shoulder12and shank14. A step18, protrudes a height20from the inner surface22of the shoulder12. The step has an outer diameter, or width,24. In the illustrated example the step fully encircles the shank14, however, in other example embodiments, the step18may only partially encircle the shank14. The shank14has an outer diameter28and a length26that is measured from step18. The shoulder12has a diameter30.

FIG. 4is an exploded view of a bearing40coupled with a pair of shoulder washers with steps10,60. The bearing has an inner ring42and an outer ring44, first and second sides46,48and a width50. The bearing40may be any suitable type of bearing, such as, including but not limited to a ball bearing, a roller bearing, a needle bearing a thrust bearing, or any type of rolling bearing.

The second shoulder washer with step60, has a bore66, a step68and a shank64. In an example embodiment, the bore66is the same size as bore16, however, in other embodiments the bores66,16may be different sizes. In an example embodiment, the steps18,68are the same size, however, in other embodiments the steps18,68may differ in height, width, or both. In the illustrated example, shanks14and64have different lengths; however, those skilled in the art should readily appreciate that shanks14and64may also have the same length. The first washer with step10engages the bearing40on a first side46while the second washer with step60engages the bearing on a second side48. In an example embodiment, the combined lengths of shanks14and64are equal to the width50of the bearing40.

In an example embodiment, the step18of the first washer10engages the inner ring42of the bearing40on the first side46. The step68of the second washer60engages the inner ring42of the bearing40on the second side48.

FIG. 5is a cutaway view of a bearing40mounted on a washer with step10. The bearing is cutaway at line A-A where the bearing is removed in the area to the left of line A-A to reveal the components underneath the first washer10. The bearing40may optionally comprise a seal52, which may be present on one or both sides46,48(e.g., the seal on the side46may be referred to as a first seal and a seal48on the second side may be referred to as a second seal) of the bearing40. In the illustrated example, the seal has a groove54.

In an example embodiment, the diameter30of the shoulder12is between the inner diameter45of the outer ring44and the outer diameter47of the outer ring44. In particular embodiments, the diameter30of the shoulder12is closer to the outer diameter47of the outer ring44than the inner diameter45of the outer ring44. Similarly, the diameter of the shoulder62of the second washer66is between the inner diameter45of the outer ring44and the outer diameter47of the outer ring44, and in particular embodiments, the diameter of the shoulder62is closer to the diameter47than the diameter45.

In an example embodiment, the step18rests upon the inner ring42of the bearing40. In an example embodiment, the width of the step18extends beyond groove54. This can prevent dirt, dust, or other contaminants from reaching the groove54and thus can prevent any of the aforementioned contaminants from reaching the interior of the bearing40. In particular embodiments, the shoulder washers10,60further comprises a labyrinth seal56. The labyrinth seal56may suitable comprise one or more grooves that can be configured into any desired shape. The labyrinth seal56can be employed to prevent dirt and other contaminants from entering gaps70,72described inFIG. 6infra.

FIG. 6is a side view of a bearing40coupled with a pair of shoulder washers with steps10,60. The step18causes a first gap70to be formed between the shoulder of the first washer10and the bearing40. The step68causes a second gap72to be formed between the second shoulder62of the second washer60. In an example embodiment, first and second gaps70,72are equal, however, in other embodiments first and second gaps70,72may be unequal.

In an example embodiment the height (see e.g., ref.20inFIG. 1) of the step18is selected so achieve a minimum gap (for the first gap70) between the shoulder12and the bearing40that allows the bearing40to rotate freely. Similarly, the height of the step68is selected to achieve a minimum gap (for the second gap72between the shoulder62and the bearing40that allows the bearing40to rotate freely. For example, a gap of 0.008 inches can be sufficient to achieve rotation in rotation.

In an example embodiment, along with selecting step heights to achieve minimum gaps for gaps70,72, the diameter of the shoulders12,62may be selected in order to minimize containments from reaching the bearing40via gaps70,72. For example, the diameters of the shoulders12,62may be selected to extend beyond a bearing seal (see e.g., ref.52inFIG. 5). For example, the diameters of the shoulders12,62may be at least the diameter of the inner side46(FIG. 5) of the outer ring44(FIG. 5).

FIG. 7is a side view of a bearing coupled with a pair of shoulder washers with steps fastened by a fastener. In the illustrated example, the fastener comprises a bolt74coupled with a nut76. However, those skilled in the art should readily appreciate that any suitable fastener may be employed. For example, the shoulder washers10,60and bearing40may be mounted on a shaft which may have threaded end allowing a nut76to hold the shoulder washers10,60and bearing40in place, or as another example, the shaft may employ a cotter pin to hold the shoulder washers10,60and bearing40in place.

FIG. 8is an exploded view of a bearing40coupled with shoulder washers80,90having bores82,92, and shanks84,94respectively that are coupled with flat washers86,96respectively. The bearing40has an inner ring42and an outer ring44, and first and second sides46,48. The first shoulder washer80and second shoulder washer90are coupled with the bearing40at the first46and second48sides of the bearing respectively. The first flat washer86is disposed on the first shank84and engages the inner ring42of the bearing40on the first side46. The second flat washer96is disposed on the second shank94and engages the inner ring42of the bearing40on the second side48.

In an example embodiment, the bearing40comprises a seal (see e.g., ref.52inFIG. 5). In particular embodiments, the seal has a groove (see e.g., ref.54inFIG. 5). The flat washers86,88have a width, or outer diameter, the is sufficient to cover or extend beyond the groove in the seal. This can prevent contaminants from entering the bearing via the inner ring42.

FIG. 9is a side view of a bearing40coupled with a pair of shoulder washers80,90and flat washers84,94. As those skilled in the art can readily appreciate, flat washer84causes a gap88to be formed between shoulder washer80and the bearing40. The height, (see e.g., ref.20inFIG. 1), or thickness, of the flat washer84determines the size of the gap88. Similarly, flat washer94causes a gap98to be formed between shoulder washer90and the bearing40. The height (see e.g., ref.20inFIG. 1) of the flat washer94determines the size of the gap98. In an example embodiment, gaps88,98are equal, however, in other embodiments gaps88,98may be unequal.

In an example embodiment the height (see e.g., ref.20inFIG. 1) of the flat washer84is selected so achieve a minimum gap (for gap88) between the shoulder of shoulder washer80and the bearing40that allows the bearing40to rotate freely. Similarly, the height of the flat washer94is selected to achieve a minimum gap (for gap98between the shoulder of shoulder washer90and the bearing40that allows the bearing40to rotate freely.

In an example embodiment, along with selecting flat washer heights to achieve minimum gaps for gaps88,98, the diameter of the shoulders of shoulder washers80,90may be selected in order to minimize containments from reaching the bearing40via gaps88,98. For example, the diameters of the shoulders of shoulder washers80,90may be selected to extend beyond a bearing seal (see e.g., ref.52inFIG. 5). For example, the diameters of the shoulders of shoulder washers80,90may be at least the diameter of the inner side45(FIG. 5) of the outer ring44(FIG. 5) of the bearing40.

In particular embodiments, the shoulder washers80,90further comprises a labyrinth seal56. The labyrinth seal56may suitable comprise one or more grooves and be configured into any desired shape. The labyrinth seal56can be employed to prevent dirt and other contaminants from entering gaps88and98.

FIG. 10is a side view of a bearing40coupled with a pair of shoulder washers80,90and flat washers84,94. In the illustrated example, the fastener comprises a bolt74coupled with a nut76. However, those skilled in the art should readily appreciate that any suitable fastener may be employed. For example, the shoulder washers80,90and the bearing40may be mounted on a shaft which may have threaded end allowing a nut76to hold the shoulder washers80,90and the bearing40in place, or as another example, the shaft may employ a cotter pin to hold the washers80,90and bearing40in place.

FIG. 11is a side view illustrating an example of a bearing40coupled with a pair of shoulder washers with steps10,60and a pulley104. This configuration can be employed for implementing a belt tensioner. When installed, the pulley104world engage a belt106. As mentioned previously, the height of steps18,68determine the size of gaps70,72respectively. The heights may be selected which are the minimum heights to allow the bearing40to rotate freely. The widths of the steps18,68may be selected to cover grooves (see e.g., ref.54inFIG. 5) to prevent contaminants from entering the bearing via inner ring42. Similarly, the height of steps18,68and the diameter of shoulders12,62may be selected to minimize the size of gaps70,72to prevent contaminants from entering the bearing via gaps70,72while still allowing the bearing to rotate freely.

Described above are example embodiments. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies, but one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the example embodiments are possible. Accordingly, this application is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally and equitably entitled.