Abstract:
A taper bore bearing assembly permits variability in diameter of the rotating shaft. An annular cylinder is mechanically coupled to the rotatable shaft and a bearing element is in turn mechanically coupled to the annular cylinder, which includes a tapered bore so that an interior diameter of the annular cylinder decreases from one end to the other. An inner race of the bearing element includes accepts the annular cylinder. The interior diameter of the inner race decreases from one end to the other. A locking ring locks the annular cylinder to the bearing element. Holes extend radially through the locking ring. A screw thread mechanically couples with the bearing assembly, which screw thread is inscribed on an interior surface of the locking ring. Cutout sections in the screw thread are formed by the holes. Setscrews disposed in the holes hold the locking ring in place. The setscrews include a foot to mechanically couple with the bearing assembly, which foot includes a portion of a screw thread that matches one of the cutout sections or holes of the screw thread.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to bearing assemblies and, in particular, to a bearing assembly for mechanically coupling to a rotary shaft or axle. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Rotary shafts are generally mounted such that their ends are rotatably mounted in respective rotary bearings, such as ball bearings, roller bearings, etc. For example, with reference to  FIG. 4 , a bearing  18  is mounted in an opening  14  of a bearing housing  10  of a conventional pillow block. A shaft end (not shown) would project through the bearing. 
         [0003]    Two problems exist with this configuration. First, the rotary shaft must be properly dimensioned to mechanically couple with the opening. However, the existing design does not permit deviations from set tolerances, as such deviations would prevent proper mechanical coupling. 
         [0004]    Moreover, the rotating shaft is preferably easily removed to permit maintenance on the apparatus. However, the present configuration requires a tight mechanical fit, which can make removal difficult, especially after significant hours of operation in a potentially dirty or non-clean environment. In certain applications, such as go-carts, a mechanic would prefer to clean the bearing assembly after use; however, in the existing configuration this is not possible without damaging the bearing assembly. 
         [0005]    The present invention is therefore directed to the problem of developing a bearing assembly that permits a wide range of rotating shafts to be mechanically coupled to the bearing while simultaneously permitting ease of assembly and removal. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention solves these and other problems by providing a taper bore bearing assembly that permits a wide range of variation in size of the rotating shaft in combination with a locking ring that permits easy removal and/or cleaning of the bearing. 
         [0007]    According to one aspect of the present invention, an exemplary embodiment of a bearing assembly for mechanically coupling to a rotatable shaft includes an annular cylinder to mechanically couple to the rotatable shaft and a bearing element mechanically coupled to the annular cylinder. The annular cylinder includes a tapered bore defining an interior surface of the annular cylinder so that an interior diameter of the annular cylinder decreases from one end to the other. The bearing element includes an inner race to accept the annular cylinder. The bearing element also includes a tapered bore defining an interior surface of the inner race so that an interior diameter of the inner race decreases from one end to the other. The assembly includes a locking ring mechanically coupled with the annular cylinder to lock the annular cylinder to the bearing element. 
         [0008]    According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the annular cylinder in the exemplary embodiments herein may include an axial cutout disposed in parallel with a length of the rotatable shaft. 
         [0009]    According to still another aspect of the present invention, the bearing assembly of the exemplary embodiments herein may include a screw thread disposed on an exterior surface of at least a portion of one end of the annular cylinder and extending in length multiple helical revolutions around the annular cylinder. 
         [0010]    According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the bearing element of the exemplary embodiments herein may include one or bearings. 
         [0011]    According to still another aspect of the present invention, in the exemplary embodiments herein that include a locking ring, the locking ring may include a screw thread to mechanically couple with a screw thread of the annular cylinder, which the screw thread of the locking ring is inscribed on the interior surface of the locking ring. 
         [0012]    According to yet another aspect of the present invention, in the exemplary embodiments herein that include a locking ring, the locking ring may include one or more holes extending radially from an exterior surface of the locking ring to an interior surface of the locking ring, in which case a screw thread inscribed on the interior surface of the locking ring includes one or more holes or cutout sections formed by the one or more holes. 
         [0013]    According to still another aspect of the present invention, in the exemplary embodiments herein that include a locking ring, the locking ring may include one or more set screws, one disposed in each of the one or more holes. In these exemplary embodiments, each of the one or more setscrews may include a head that is mechanically couplable with a set tool. Moreover, in these exemplary embodiments, each of the one or more setscrews may include a foot to mechanically couple with a screw thread of the annular cylinder. 
         [0014]    According to yet another aspect of the present invention, in the exemplary embodiments herein that include one or more set screws, a foot of each of the one or more set screws may include a portion of a screw thread disposed thereon that matches one of the cutout sections or holes of the screw thread inscribed on the interior surface of the locking ring. In this case, when each of the portions of the screw thread of each of the one or more set screws is combined with the screw thread with the one or more cutout sections inscribed on the interior surface of the locking ring a substantially complete screw thread is formed on the interior surface of the locking ring. 
         [0015]    According to still another aspect of the present invention, the locking ring includes a first interior surface having a first interior diameter, a second interior surface having a second interior diameter, and a second screw thread inscribed on the first interior surface to mechanically couple with the first screw thread of the annular cylinder. 
         [0016]    According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the exterior surface of the annular cylinder has a diameter that matches the first interior diameter of the first interior surface of the locking ring and the second interior diameter of the second interior surface of the locking ring is larger than the diameter of the first interior surface. 
         [0017]    According to still another aspect of the present invention, the locking ring includes a flat surface facing the bearing element having a width larger than an opening of the bearing element to form a seal against the bearing element opening when screwed in place against the bearing element. 
         [0018]    According to yet another aspect of the present invention, an exemplary embodiment of a bearing assembling includes an annular cylinder for mechanically coupling a rotatable shaft to a bearing assembly includes a tapered bore defining an interior surface of the annular cylinder, a diameter of which decreases from the one end to the other. The bearing assembling also includes a bearing element mechanically coupled to the annular cylinder and a locking ring mechanically coupled with the annular cylinder to lock the annular cylinder to the bearing element. 
         [0019]    According to still another aspect of the present invention, in the exemplary embodiment of the bearing assembling the annular cylinder may include an axial cutout disposed in parallel with a length of the rotatable shaft. 
         [0020]    According to yet another aspect of the present invention, in the exemplary embodiment of the bearing assembling the annular cylinder may include a screw thread disposed on an exterior surface of at least a portion of one end of the annular cylinder and extending in length multiple helical revolutions around the annular cylinder. 
         [0021]    According to still another aspect of the present invention, an exemplary embodiment of a bearing element includes an inner race to mechanically couple to a rotatable shaft. The inner race includes a tapered bore defining an interior surface of the inner race so that a diameter of the interior surface of the inner race decreases from one end to the other. The bearing element includes a locking ring to lock the bearing assembly to the rotatable shaft and to act as a seal for the open side of the bearing element. 
         [0022]    According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a locking ring for use in a bearing assembly includes one or more holes extending radially through the locking ring from an exterior surface of the locking ring to an interior surface of the locking ring, a screw thread to mechanically couple with the bearing assembly, which screw thread is inscribed on an interior surface of the locking ring and one or more cutout sections formed by the one or more holes. The exemplary embodiment of the locking ring includes one or more set screws, each disposed in one of the one or more holes. Each of the one or more setscrews includes a foot to mechanically couple with the bearing assembly. The foot of the setscrew includes a portion of a screw thread disposed thereon that matches one of the cutout sections or holes of the screw thread. In this exemplary embodiment of the locking ring, when each of the portions of the screw thread on each foot of each of the one or more set screws is combined with the screw thread with the one or more cutout sections inscribed on the interior surface of the locking ring a substantially complete screw thread is formed on the interior surface of the locking ring. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0023]      FIG. 1  depicts an exemplary embodiment of a tapered bore bearing assembly according to one aspect of the present invention in an exploded perspective view. 
           [0024]      FIG. 2  depicts a section of the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 1  when assembled according to another aspect of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 3  depicts a perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 1  when assembled according to still another aspect of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 4  depicts an exemplary embodiment of a locking ring for use in the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 1  according to yet another aspect of the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 5  depicts a top view of an exemplary embodiment of the inner surface of a locking ring for use in the above bearing assembly according to still another aspect of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0028]    It is worthy to note that any reference herein to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , shown therein is an exemplary embodiment  10  of the taper bore bearing assembly  10  of the present invention, which includes essentially three main components: an annular cylinder or ring  16 , a rolling element bearing  15  and a locking ring  14 . The taper bore bearing assembly  10  is designed to accept or be mechanically coupled to a rotatable shaft (not shown). Thus, the rotatable shaft rotates about a central axis of the taper bore bearing assembly  10 . The rotatable shaft would be disposed in the hole  13  of the taper bore bearing assembly  10 . 
       Annular Cylinder 
       [0030]    For ease of explanation, the annular cylinder or ring  16  will be defined to have a first end  16   c  and a second end  16   d . The annular cylinder  16  also has an exterior surface  16   a  (i.e., the outside of the cylinder) and an interior surface  16   b  (i.e., the inside of the cylinder). The interior surface  16   b  of the annular cylinder  16  is designed to be in mechanical contact with the rotatable shaft (not shown). As such, the inside wall is essentially smooth. 
         [0031]    The exterior surface  16   a  of the annular cylinder  16  includes two sections  16   f ,  16   g . Line  16   e  in  FIG. 1  demarks the two sections  16   f ,  16   g . A first section  16   f  disposed on the first end  16   c  has a first diameter. A first thread (not shown, e.g., male thread) is disposed in the first section  16   f . While a male thread is described herein as an example, a female thread could be employed, in which case the opposite threading would be used on the mating piece (e.g., the locking ring  14 ) as will be described below. Moreover, the direction of threading is not important to the present invention; hence any direction can be employed without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
         [0032]    A second section  16   g  is disposed on the second end  16   d  of the annular cylinder  16 . The second section  16   g  has a smooth exterior surface that is tapered so that a diameter of the exterior of the annular cylinder  16  in the second section  16   g  begins at a maximum at the second end  16   d  and reaches its minimum in the second section  16   g  at line  16   e.    
         [0033]    The diameter of the exterior in the first section  16   f : may remain constant at or about the minimum exterior diameter of the second section  16   g ; may be tapered from the minimum exterior diameter of the second section  16   g  to another smaller value; or may employ an abrupt change in diameter from the minimum exterior diameter in the second section  16   g  to a somewhat smaller value that then remains constant or tapers to yet a smaller value. In all cases, the diameter of the exterior of the first section  16   f  has its smallest value at the first end  16   c.    
         [0034]    The tapered exterior surface  16   a  of the annular cylinder  16  is designed to mechanically couple with the interior surface of the inner race  15   b  of the rolling element bearing  15 . The interior surface of the inner race  15   b  is also tapered in diameter, as will be discussed below. The second section  16   g  of the exterior surface  16   a  of the annular cylinder  16  is the portion of the annular cylinder  16  that is mechanically coupled to the inner race  15   b  of the rolling element bearing  15 . As such, the surfaces are designed to be essentially of similar tapered construction. Moreover, the maximum value of the exterior surface  16   a  of the annular cylinder  16  is designed so that the second end  16   d  of the annular cylinder  16  will be essentially flush with the end  15   e  of the inner race  15   b  of the rolling element bearing  15  that faces the first end  16   c  in  FIG. 1 . This is accomplished by selecting the exterior diameter of the second section  16   g  at the second end  16   d  to be slightly larger than the maximum interior diameter of the inner race  15   b  at the end of the inner race  15   e  that faces the first end  16   c  in  FIG. 1 . By selecting the exterior diameter of the second section in this manner, the tapering acts as a stop to prevent the annular cylinder  16  from passing through the rolling element bearing  15  and inner race  15   b . Most or all of the second section  16   f  of the annular cylinder  16  extends through the inner race  15   b  so that the screw thread on the exterior of the second section  16   f  can mate with the screw thread on the interior surface of the locking ring  14 . 
         [0035]    The interior surface  16   b  of the annular cylinder  16  is designed to mechanically couple with the rotatable shaft (not shown). The interior surface  16   b  is also tapered in diameter so that varying diameters of rotatable shafts can be accepted by the taper bore bearing assembly  10 . The diameter of the interior surface  16   b  reaches it maximum at the second end  16   d  of the annular cylinder  16  and its minimum at the first end  16   c  of the annular cylinder  16  and gradually varies between these two extremes in a tapered manner. 
         [0036]    To accommodate the varying sizes of the rotatable shafts, the annular cylinder  16  employs an axial cutout  17  that runs the length of the annular cylinder  16 . The axial cutout  17  enables the annular cylinder  16  to be slightly circumferentially (and thereby radially) compressed to form a stronger mechanical contact with rotatable shafts of varying diameters. 
       Rolling Element Bearing 
       [0037]    The rolling bearing assembly  15  used in the exemplary embodiment includes an inner race  15   b , an outer race  15   a , a cage  15   c  and a plurality of balls inside the cage  15   c  (not shown). While a caged ball bearing assembly is used for discussion purposes herein, any rolling element bearing or radial rolling element bearing could be employed without departing from the present invention. 
         [0038]    The inner race  15   b  employs a tapered inner diameter that begins at its maximum at the end  15   e  that faces the first end  16   c  of the annular cylinder in  FIG. 1 . As was discussed above, the interior diameter of the inner race  1   b  is slightly smaller at the end  15   e  of the inner race  15  that faces the second end of the annular cylinder  16  than the maximum diameter of the exterior of the second section  16   g  at the second end  16   d.    
         [0039]    By selecting the relative diameters in this manner, the tapering acts as a stop to prevent the annular cylinder  16  from passing through the rolling element bearing  15  and inner race  15   b.    
       Locking Ring 
       [0040]    Locking ring  14  serves to lock the annular cylinder  16  in place in the inner race  15   b  of the rolling element bearing  15 . To do so, the locking ring  14  employs a screw thread (see  FIG. 5 ) that mates with the screw thread (not shown) disposed in the first section  16   f  of the exterior  16   a  of the annular cylinder  16 . 
         [0041]    The locking ring  14  also serves as an end cap on the bearing element. This enables rapid removal of the end cap so that one can easily clean the bearing element without destroying the bearing element, as would be the case in a bearing element with a fixed end cap. This aspect of the bearing assembly of the present invention enables easy cleaning and re-lubrication of the bearing. The standard bearing has a seal and a slinger that is completely fixed to the outer ring or inner ring, therefore without breaking these apart, one cannot clean the inside of the bearing. In a racing implementation, a mechanic may wish to clean up the bearing after a first race, but, cannot in the standard and regular bearing, however, this is now possible with the bearing assembly of the present invention by simply un-screwing of the nut to open one side, and clean up and re-lubricate. This is applicable in a go-cart bearing assembly. 
         [0042]    Additionally, the locking ring is slightly tapered in the same direction as the tapering in the annular cylinder  16  and the inner race  15   b , i.e., the diameter of the interior  14   b  of the end  14   d  of the locking ring  14  is largest and then tapers to the point where the diameter of the interior  14   b  at the end  14   c  of the locking ring  14  is smallest. 
         [0043]    Once screwed in place, the locking ring  14  slightly compresses the circumference of the annular cylinder  16  due to the cutout section  17  and the tapering of the interior surface  14   b  of the locking ring  14 . 
         [0044]    To maintain the locking ring  14  in place over time, the locking ring  14  employs one or more set screws  11 ,  12 . For example, one exemplary embodiment could employ three setscrews  11 ,  12  disposed in a radially symmetric pattern about the center of the locking ring  14 . However, any number of setscrews from one to many could be employed without departing from the scope of the present invention. In  FIG. 1 , two  11 ,  12  of the three setscrews are visible. By tightening the set screws  11 ,  12  using a set tool, such as a screwdriver or the like, one end (termed “the foot”) of the set screws  11 ,  12  becomes mechanically coupled to the first section  16   f  of the exterior surface  16   a  of the annular cylinder  16 . The other end of the set screw  11 ,  12  that couples to a set tool is termed “the head.” 
         [0045]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , one exemplary embodiment of the mechanical coupling between the setscrews  11 ,  12  and the exterior surface  16   a  of the annular cylinder  16  employs a screw thread pattern on the foot of the setscrew  11 ,  12 . The foot of each set screw  11 ,  12  employs a portion of the screw thread  51  on the interior surface  14   b  of the locking ring  14  that is removed as a result of a hole in which the set screw is disposed. Once the setscrews  11 ,  12  are in place the screw thread on the interior surface  14   b  of the locking ring  14  becomes essentially complete. When tightened, the grooves of the thread portion on the feet of the set screws  11 ,  12  become mechanically coupled or engaged with the ridges of the thread on the exterior  16   a  of the annular cylinder  16  and the grooves of the thread on the exterior  16   a  of the annular cylinder  16  become mechanically coupled or engaged with the ridges of the portion of the thread on the feet of the set screws  11 ,  12 , thereby locking the locking ring  14  in place on the annular cylinder  16 . As can be seen in  FIG. 5 , the screw thread  51  runs across the foot of set screw  11  several times. While the thread  51  in  FIG. 5  appears to be multiple threads, in actuality this thread  51  is a single helically inscribed pattern, which in the view of  FIG. 5  appears a separate threads. 
         [0046]    In one implementation of the set screws, at least the feet of the set screws  11 ,  12  are made of a different material, such as copper, than the rest of the locking ring, which can be made of steel, or aluminum or the like. The opposite side of the copper foot is threaded and a set screw is disposed inside to push against the top of the copper foot. 
         [0047]    Turning to  FIG. 2 , shown therein is a section of the exemplary embodiment  10  when assembled. The annular cylinder  16  is in contact or mechanically coupled with the rotatable shaft (not shown). The end  16   c  of the annular cylinder  16  is flush with the end  14   c  of the locking ring  14 . The end  16   d  of the annular cylinder  16  is flush with the end  15   e  of the rolling bearing element  15 , which houses the bearing. 
         [0048]    Turning to  FIG. 3 , shown therein is a perspective view of the exemplary embodiment  10  of the bearing element assembly when assembled. A lip  14   e  on the locking  14  helps form a seal when the locking ring is locked in place against the bearing element, as will be seen in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0049]    Turning to  FIG. 4 , shown therein is an exemplary embodiment  14  of a locking ring of the present invention. As mentioned above, holes extend through the locking ring  14 , in which holes set screws  11 ,  12  are mounted. On the inner surface of the locking ring  14  a screw thread is inscribed. The foot of each set screw  11 ,  12  includes a portion of the entire screw thread inscribed on the interior surface  14   b  of the locking ring  14 . Flat surface  14   h  of the locking ring is flush against the rolling bearing element  15 , and forms a seal of the bearing. Lip  14   e  ensures a sufficient seal. A diameter of the inner surface  14   g  of the locking ring is larger than the diameter of the interior surface  14   b , on which is inscribed the screw thread. A step increase in diameter of interior surface  14   b  to interior surface  14   g  creates flat surface  14   f . The diameter of the inner surface  14   g  is not necessarily tapered from end  14   j  to end  14   i.    
         [0050]    Although various embodiments are specifically illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated that modifications and variations of the invention are covered by the above teachings and are within the purview of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and intended scope of the invention. For example, a certain type of rolling element bearing is shown in the drawings and discussed herein, however, other types of rolling element bearings are possible without departing from the scope f of the present invention. Moreover, some embodiments may not employ the set screws shown above, while others may. Furthermore, these examples should not be interpreted to limit the modifications and variations of the invention covered by the claims but are merely illustrative of possible variations.