Patent ID: 7258491

Claim:
A contaminant resistant bearing assembly comprising: an axially extending outer ring; an axially extending inner ring rotatably supported from the outer ring for rotation about an axis; a multi-lip seal supported adjacent an end of the outer ring and providing a primary sealing barrier between the inner and outer rings, the seal including a metal seal shroud extending between an inner circumference of the outer ring and an outer circumference of the inner ring, the shroud having a radially extending portion axially fixed with respect to the inner and outer rings and a diagonally extending central portion supporting seal lips bearing against the inner ring axially inwardly of the metal shroud; a slinger connected to the inner ring for rotation with the inner ring outwardly adjacent the seal shroud; a lip seal located between the seal shroud and the slinger and providing secondary sealing between the slinger and the diagonally extending portion; wherein the inner ring includes a stepped portion, and the shroud is connected to the outer ring and includes an end portion projecting closely adjacent the stepped portion, wherein the slinger is connected to the inner ring and abuts the stepped portion; and wherein the shroud end portion projects radially inwardly of an outer circumference of the inner ring to provide a tortuous path between the slinger and the multi-lip seal.