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A tapered roller thrust bearing assembly with an internal seal and slotted closure cup. The seal is affixed to the inner surface of the closure cup and is totally enclosed thereby. A flexible flange portion on the seal prevents entry of debris into the bearing assembly, yet permits grease to exit th

A tapered roller thrust bearing assembly with an internal seal and slotted closure cup. The seal is affixed to the inner surface of the closure cup and is totally enclosed thereby. A flexible flange portion on the seal prevents entry of debris into the bearing assembly, yet permits grease to exit the assembly. Because it is totally contained within the closure cup, the seal is protected from injury and wear. Moreover, production of the bearing assembly is simplified. The closure cup has a side wall with a number of slots which extend from the open end of the closure cup to an intermediate point of the side wall. The slots increase the area for the escape of grease during lubrication of the bearing assembly. The slots also allow for improved consistency in crimping or bending of the side wall of the closure cup during assembly.

대표청구항 ▼

A thrust bearing assembly comprising: a first annular race having a peripheral surface, an upper surface, an inner surface which partially defines a central bore, and a lower surface which partially defines a roller receiving recess; a second annular race having a peripheral surface, an upper surfac

A thrust bearing assembly comprising: a first annular race having a peripheral surface, an upper surface, an inner surface which partially defines a central bore, and a lower surface which partially defines a roller receiving recess; a second annular race having a peripheral surface, an upper surface which is spaced a distance from the lower surface of the first annular race to form an annular chamber therebetween and which partially defines a roller receiving recess, a lower surface, and an inner surface which partially defines a central bore; a plurality of rollers positioned between the first and second annular races in the roller receiving recesses; a closure cup for containing the first and second races and the rollers in operative relationship; wherein the closure cup has a top wall which encloses the upper surface of the first annular race and a side wall extending down from the top wall which side wall encloses the peripheral surface of the first and second annular races, wherein the side wall of the closure cup has a first portion which encloses the peripheral surface of the first race, a lip portion which encloses the peripheral surface of the second race and is spaced a distance therefrom to form an annular space continuous with the annular chamber, and a central portion between the upper portion and the lip portion enclosing the annular chamber; and an annular seal attached to the inner surface of the central portion of the side wall of the closure cup, the seal having a flexible flange with a tip that contacts the upper surface of the second annular race so as to divide the annular space and the annular chamber, whereby entry of debris through the annular space into the bearing assembly is prevented and whereby escape of grease from inside the bearing assembly through the annular space is permitted; wherein the side wall of the closure cup has at least one slot therethrough communicating with the annular chamber.