Patent ID: 8727630

Claim:
A self-aligning ball bearing assembly comprising: a generally annular retainer having a central axis, an outside wall, and a generally conical inside wall, the inside wall defining a bearing seat; a ball bearing having an outer race and an inner race, the outer race having an arcuate outside wall; the ball bearing being disposed in the retainer with its arcuate outside wall resting against the bearing seat of the inside wall of the retainer, the arcuate outside wall of the outer race has a diameter between a smallest diameter and a largest diameter of the generally conical inside wall of the retainer; an elastomeric compression ring mounted within the retainer and bearing against the arcuate outside wall of the outer race of the ball bearing, the elastomeric compression ring being positioned to apply force to the outer race to hold the outer race against the bearing seat; and the elastomeric compression ring permitting spherical movement of outer race of the ball bearing within the retainer to provide self alignment while preventing rotational movement of the outer race as the inner race rotates in response to a shaft rotation.