Patent ID: 7231878

Claim:
A bearing adapter apparatus for connecting a pedestal to a wheel-set, the apparatus comprising: a. an outer race, at least one resilient member, a ball bearing cage assembly, and an inner race; b. said outer race having a spherical and first interlocking interface for providing vertical centering alignment and for movably attaching to a second interlocking interface of one end of a pedestal; c. said ball bearing cage assembly having a top spacer, a bottom spacer, a cage, a plurality of ball bearings, and at least one assembly fastener, the at least one assembly fastener connecting the top and bottom spacers thereby sealing the cage and the plurality of bearings within the top and bottom spacers and from the outside environment; d. said ball bearing cage assembly being located between the outer race and inner race, said at least one resilient member attaching the outer race to the inner race, thereby allowing yaw and roll freedom while holding the bearing adapter together; and e. said inner race providing a conical interface with the axle bearing, thereby allowing the pedestal to pivotably attach to the axle bearing while allowing for yaw and roll freedom which provides a normal force on the axle bearing for lateral and longitudinal loads and eliminates moment on the axle bearing.