Patent ID: 8517429

Claim:
A bearing structure apparatus for a pivoting irrigation system, the bearing structure apparatus comprising: a rotatable vertical section of a water-carrying conduit; a non-rotatable vertical section of the water-carrying conduit substantially housing and securing the rotatable vertical section in an upright position; a first annular assembly mounted on an upper end of the rotatable vertical section; and a second annular assembly mounted on a lower end of the rotatable vertical section, wherein the first and second annular assemblies include a plurality of races that are rotatable and non-rotatable with respect to the rotatable vertical section, wherein the races include an upper inner race secured to the non-rotatable vertical section and an upper outer race secured to and rotatable with the rotatable vertical section about the upper inner race, wherein the upper outer race includes an upper engagement ring about an inner perimeter of the upper outer race, the upper engagement ring having a top wall and a depending sidewall operable to slid along the upper inner race, the top wall extending over the upper inner race and from the rotatable vertical section.