Abstract:
A pin assembly for providing a stable anchor on multiple ends has an axle having a pair of end members formed on each end of the axle. The axle is placed in a first opening in a first mounting end of a component part and extends to a second opening in a second mounting end of the component part. A bearing is mounted on a central section of the axle. A spacer is positioned between the bearing and one of the first or second mounting ends. A pair of expansion sleeves is provided wherein one of the pair of expansion sleeves is positioned over each of the end members of the axle. A pair of locking devices is provided wherein one of the pair of locking devices is coupled to each of the end members. When tightened, the locking devices cause the expansion sleeves to press against interior walls of the first and second openings to anchor the axle.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates generally to an arrangement for an axle which is anchored at two points situated at the ends of the axle and, more specifically, to an arrangement for an axle for a bearing-mounted hinge by means of which very stable fixing of the inner race of the bearing can be obtained. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The conventional way to achieve pivotability in a connection between two machine parts is to use a hinge journalled in bearings, comprising one or more bearings arranged on an axle which is fixed in between a pair of mounting cheeks or the like on one of the machine parts. The inner race of the bearing or bearings is disposed on the axle and, possibly with the aid of distancing rings, bridges the distance between the fixing cheeks, while the outer race of the bearing or bearings is effectively connected to the second machine part. Since relative movement between the inner bearing race and the axle produces progressively increasing wear resulting in excessive play and perhaps fracture of the axle, the race has to be fixed relative to the axle by means of nuts screwed onto the respective axle ends. It is important that the nuts are tightened just the right amount, since excessive tightening may jeopardize the attachment of the mounting cheeks, and excessive play may arise as a result of insufficient tightening, with the results mentioned above 
         [0003]    Therefore, a need existed to provide a system and method to overcome the above problem. The system and method would provide an arrangement for an axle for a bearing-mounted hinge by means of which very stable fixing of the inner race of the bearing can be obtained, thereby preventing the disadvantages described above. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    A pin assembly for providing a stable anchor on multiple ends has an axle having a pair of end members formed on each end of the axle. The axle is placed in a first opening in a first mounting end of a component part and extends to a second opening in a second mounting end of the component part. A bearing is mounted on a central section of the axle. A spacer is positioned between the bearing and one of the first or second mounting ends. A pair of expansion sleeves is provided wherein one of the pair of expansion sleeves is positioned over each of the end members of the axle. A pair of locking devices is provided wherein one of the pair of locking devices is coupled to each of the end members. When tightened, the locking devices cause the expansion sleeves to press against interior walls of the first and second openings to anchor the axle 
         [0005]    A method of installing a pin assembly for providing a stable anchor on multiple ends comprises: providing a pin assembly comprising: an axle having a first and second end members formed on the axle; a bearing mounted on a central section of the axle; a spacer; a pair of expansion sleeves, wherein one of the pair of expansion sleeves is positioned over each of the end members of the axle; and a pair of locking devices; positioning the spacer between the bearing and one of the first or second mounting ends; positioning the axle so that the axle is placed in a first opening in a first mounting end of a component part and extends to a second opening in a second mounting end of the component part, the axle passing through the bearing and the spacer element and through the second opening; attaching one of the pair of fastening element to the second end member to eliminate axial play; placing one of the pair of expansion sleeves over the first end member of the axle; and attaching a second of the pair of fastening elements to the first end member and tightening so that the one of the pair of expansion sleeves expands and press against an interior wall of the first opening. 
         [0006]    The present invention is best understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the stepped pin assembly used to connect two machine parts; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the stepped pin assembly; and 
           [0009]      FIG. 3A-3D  shows a method of installing the stepped pin of the present invention. 
       
    
    
       [0010]    Common reference numerals are used throughout the drawings and detailed description to indicate like elements. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0011]    The present invention provides an arrangement for an axle for a bearing-mounted hinge for which a very stable fixing of the inner race of the bearing can be obtained. Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a stepped pin assembly  100  is shown. The stepped pin assembly  100  is used to pivotally couple two component parts  102  and  104  of a machine together. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the stepped pin assembly  100  is positioned between two mounting cheeks  106  of the component part  102 . A spacer element  108  is generally positioned between the lower component part  104  and the mounting cheeks  106 . 
         [0012]    The pin assembly  102  will have an axle  110 . A pair of end members  112  is formed on each end of the axle  110 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the end members  112  are tapered so that the distal end of the end members  112  is narrower than the proximal end. However, this is just shown as an example. The end members may be cylindrical in shape as will be discussed below. 
         [0013]    The axle  110  is passed through through-bores  114  and  116  formed in the mounting cheeks  106  and fixed relative to them by means of a pair of fastening devices  118  coupled to each end member  112 . In the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , each end member has a threaded channel formed down a portion of the length of the end member  112 . The fastening elements  118  are rotateably coupled to each end member  112  of the pin assembly  102  outside of the mounting cheeks  106 . On a central section of the axle  110  is bearing  120  is mounted. The space between the bearing  120  and the mounting cheeks  106  is bridged by the spacer element  108 . 
         [0014]    In the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a pair of expansion sleeves  122  is inserted in the through-bores  114  and  116 . Each expansion sleeve  122  has a housing  122 A. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the housing  122 A is cylindrical in shape while the end member  112  of the pin assembly  102  is conical. However, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the housing  122 A is conical in shape while the end member  112  of the pin assembly  102  is cylindrical. 
         [0015]    Each housing  122 A is hollow and has a pair of open ends. A plurality of slots  122 B is formed in the housing  122 A and goes through the housing  120  into the hollow section of the housing  122 A. The slots  122 B generally run along a length of the housing  122 A. At least one of the plurality of slots  122 B will run an entire length of the housing  122 A. The slots  122 B act as annular wedges, with the apex pointing towards the central section of the axle  110 . The number of slots  122 B formed in the housing  122  is based on the diameter of the housing  122 . The larger the diameter of the housing  122  the more slots  122 B are generally needed. In general, four to six slots  122 B are formed in each housing  122 . The slots  122 B will run vertically down the side of the housing  122 . One slot  122 B may run the length of the housing  122 . The housing  122  is generally made of a sturdy metallic material. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a treated yellow chrome oxide is used to form the housing  122 . 
         [0016]    The expansion sleeves  122  are used for anchoring of the axle  110  in the respective mounting cheeks  106 . This is accomplished by causing the respective expansion sleeves  122  to expand over the end members  112  of the axle  110  by means of the fastening elements  118  and a pair of washer elements  124 A and  124 B so that the expansion sleeves  122  are pressed against the interior walls of the through-bores  114  and  116  respectively. When the fastening element  118  is tightened, the spacer element  108  presses the inner race of the bearing  120 . The slots  122 B allow the expansion sleeves  122  to expand and press against the interior walls of the through-bores  116  thus securing the inner race to be fixed properly without risk of deformation. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the fastening elements  118  are a pair of locking screws rotateably coupled to the end members  112  of the axle  110 . Each locking screw would engage the threaded channel formed down a portion of the length of each of the end member  112 . 
         [0017]    After the fastening element  118  is tightened to a proper level, a lock nut  126  is attached. The lock nut  126  is used to further secure the pin assembly  102  in position and eliminate any possibility of axial movement. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a threaded washer  124 A and a torque lock nut  126  is used. The torque lock nut  126  will engage threads formed on the threaded washer  124 A. By tightening the torque lock nut  126  onto the threaded washer  124 A, this will further secure the pin assembly  102  in position and eliminate any possibility of axial movement. 
         [0018]    Referring to  FIGS. 3A-3D , a method of installing the stepped pin assembly  100  will be disclosed. As shown in  FIG. 3A , two component parts  102  and  104  need to be coupled together with the stepped pin assembly  100 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3A , a component part  104  is positioned between two mounting cheeks  114  and  116 . A spacer element  108  should be positioned between the component part  104  and the lower mounting cheek  106 . The spacer element  108  should be positioned between the component part  104  and the lower mounting cheek  106  so that a bevel side  108 A is facing the bearing  120  on the axle  110  when the stepped pin assembly  100  is installed. 
         [0019]    As shown in  FIG. 3B , the axle  110  of the stepped pin assembly  100  is passed through the through-bores  114  and  116  in the mounting cheeks  106 . After the axle  110  has been passed through the through-bore  116 , the bearing  120  and the spacer element  108  in that order are threaded over the axle  110 , after which the axle  110  is passed through the through-bore  114  so that it is finally located outside the lower mounting cheek  106 . It will be appreciated that one prerequisite for the axle  110  being able to be pushed through the through bore  114  is that the inner diameter of the fixed spacer element  108  should be less than the diameter of the through-bore  116 . A fastening element  118 , a threaded washer element  124 A, and the torque lock nut  126  are then rotateably coupled to the lower end member  112  of the pin assembly  102  outside of the mounting cheek  106  to eliminate any axial play. 
         [0020]    An expansion sleeve  122  is first placed over an upper end member  112  of the axle  110 . One of the fastening elements  118  and the washer elements  124 B is rotateably coupled to the upper end member  112  and tightened. The expansion sleeve  122  has an internal diameter such that the expansion sleeve  122  is not influenced when the fastening element  118  is tightened. When the fastening element  118  is tightened, the spacer element  108  presses the inner race of the bearing  120 . The slots  122 B allow the expansion sleeves  122  to expand and press against the interior walls of the through-bores  116  thus securing the inner race to be fixed properly without risk of deformation. In order to achieve secure mounting of the axle  110  relative to the mounting cheeks  102 , the expansion sleeve  122  is first put on the axle end which is situated furthest away from the spacer element  108  which is rigidly fixed on the axle  10 . 
         [0021]    As shown in  FIG. 3D , an expansion sleeve  122  then needs to be placed over the lower end member  112  of the axle  110 . The fastening element  118  and the washer element  124 A are then rotateably removed from the lower end member  112  of the pin assembly  102 . An expansion sleeve  122  is then placed over the lower end member  112  of the axle  110 . The fastening element  118  and the washer elements  124 A are then again rotateably coupled to the lower end member  112  and tightened. The slots  122 B allow the expansion sleeves  122  to expand and press against the interior walls of the through-bores  114  thus securing the inner race to be fixed properly without risk of deformation. 
         [0022]    The pin assembly  102  provides for an arrangement for an axle  110  which is anchored at two points situated at the end  112  of the axle  110 , generally in mounting cheeks  106  or the like provided with through-bores  114  and  116  for the axle  110 . Anchoring is accomplished by means of fastening elements  118  which can be rotateably coupled on outside the fixing points. On a central cylindrical part of the axle  110  is designed to have a bearing  120  mounted thereon which is fixed by means of a spacer element  108  disposed on the axle  110  and bridging the distance between the respective fixing points and the bearing  120 . Two expanding sleeves  122  can be inserted in the through-bores  114  and  116  over the respective fixing points onto the ends  112  of the axle  110 . The expansion sleeves  122  act as annular wedges with their apex pointing towards the cylindrical part of the axle  110  so that by means of the fastening elements  118  the respective expansion sleeves  122  can be caused to expand against or be pressed in by the wall of the through-bores  114  and  116  thereby accomplishing the anchoring of the axle  110 . 
         [0023]    After the fastening element  118  is tightened to a proper level, a lock nut  126  is attached. The lock nut  126  is used to further secure the pin assembly  102  in position and eliminate any possibility of axial movement. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a threaded washer  124 A and a torque lock nut  126  is used. The torque lock nut  126  will engage threads formed on the threaded washer  124 A. By tightening the threaded torque lock nut  126  onto the washer  124 A, this will further secure the pin assembly  102  in position and eliminate any possibility of axial movement. 
         [0024]    This disclosure provides exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is not limited by these exemplary embodiments. Numerous variations, whether explicitly provided for by the specification or implied by the specification, such as variations in structure, dimension, type of material and manufacturing process may be implemented by one of skill in the art in view of this disclosure.