대표
청구항
▼
1. A backing ring assembly for a railcar axle assembly, the axle assembly including a shaft with a central axis and a bearing mounted on the shaft, the shaft having an enlarged section with a generally cylindrical outer circumferential surface and a curved fillet section connecting the enlarged section with a remainder of the shaft, the backing ring assembly comprising: a generally annular backing ring disposeable upon the shaft between the bearing and the shaft enlarged section and having a central axis, an inner circumferential surface extending about ...
1. A backing ring assembly for a railcar axle assembly, the axle assembly including a shaft with a central axis and a bearing mounted on the shaft, the shaft having an enlarged section with a generally cylindrical outer circumferential surface and a curved fillet section connecting the enlarged section with a remainder of the shaft, the backing ring assembly comprising: a generally annular backing ring disposeable upon the shaft between the bearing and the shaft enlarged section and having a central axis, an inner circumferential surface extending about the axis and defining a central bore for receiving a portion of the shaft and a retention surface facing generally away from the shaft enlarged section when the backing ring is disposed upon the shaft; anda retainer including a generally annular body disposeable about the shaft enlarged section, the annular body having an inner circumferential surface sized to frictionally engage with the shaft enlarged section cylindrical surface, an outer circumferential surface and a radial thickness defined between the inner and outer surfaces, and at least one coupler connected with the annular body and configured to engage with the backing ring retention surface to releasably connect the retainer annular body with the backing ring so as to retain the ring at a substantially fixed axial position on the shaft;wherein the retainer coupler includes a generally tubular body having a first end connected with the retainer annular body, a second end engageable with the backing ring retention surface, an inner circumferential surface disposeable about the ring outer circumferential surface, an opposing outer circumferential surface and a radial thickness defined between the inner and outer surfaces, the coupler tubular body radial thickness being substantially lesser than the retainer annular body radial thickness such that the tubular body inner surface is spaced radially-outwardly with respect to the retainer annular body inner surface. 2. The backing ring assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein the inner circumferential surface of the retainer annular body defines a central bore and at least the annular body of the retainer is formed of a substantially expansible material such that the central bore is adapted to separately receive one of a plurality of shafts, each shaft including an enlarged section with an outside diameter having a value different than a value of the outside diameter of the enlarged section of each other one of the plurality of shafts. 3. The backing ring assembly as recited in claim 2 wherein the retainer annular body is formed of one of a polymeric material and a metallic material. 4. The backing ring assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein the retainer annular body inner surface is configured to sealingly engage with the shaft enlarged section outer surface. 5. The backing ring assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein the at least one retainer coupler is integrally formed with the retainer annular body. 6. The backing ring assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein the backing ring has first and second axial ends and an outer circumferential surface extending generally axially between the first and second ends, the retention surface extending generally radially-inwardly from the ring outer surface proximal to the ring second axial end. 7. The backing ring assembly as recited in claim 6 wherein: the backing ring outer circumferential surface is generally frustoconical and extends generally axially between a first, diametrically-smaller axial edge proximal to the backing ring first axial end and a second, diametrically-larger axial edge proximal to the backing ring second axial end; andthe retainer coupler includes a generally frustoconical tubular body sized to be disposed about the backing ring outer surface, the coupler body having a first, diametrically-smaller end connected with the retainer main body and a second, diametrically-larger end, the retainer body second end being located at least generally proximal to the backing ring second axial end when the retainer is installed about the body and configured to engage with the retention surface. 8. The backing ring as recited in claim 6 wherein the retainer coupler includes a generally tubular body having a first end connected with the retainer annular body, a second end engageable with the backing ring retention surface and an inner circumferential surface disposeable about the ring outer circumferential surface. 9. The backing ring as recited in claim 8 wherein at least a portion of the retainer coupler tubular body is configured to deflect generally radially when installing the retainer onto the backing ring and alternatively when removing the retainer from the backing ring. 10. The backing ring assembly as recited in claim 8 wherein the retainer coupler tubular body includes at least one generally arcuate lip extending radially inwardly from the tubular body second end and disposeable against the backing ring retention surface. 11. The backing ring assembly as recited in claim 10 wherein the at least one retainer coupler lip includes a plurality of the lips spaced circumferentially apart about the ring central axis. 12. The backing ring as recited in claim 10 wherein the at least one lip has opposing circumferential ends and the retainer coupler tubular body has at least two, generally parallel slotted openings each disposed adjacent to a separate one of the lip circumferential ends and extending axially from the tubular body second end and toward the tubular body first end, the two slotted openings defining a generally arcuate tab, the tab being generally radially displaceable with respect to a remainder of tubular body to displace the arcuate lip in generally radial directions. 13. The backing ring assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein the retainer annular body includes outer and inner axial ends, the retainer coupler being connected with the body inner end, and a substantially radially-extending demount surface on the outer axial end, the demount surface being engageable by a removal tool to axially displace the retainer body off of the shaft enlarged section and the backing ring along the shaft. 14. The backing ring assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein the retainer coupler includes a generally tubular body having a first end connected with the retainer annular body, a second end engageable with the backing ring retention surface and an inner circumferential surface disposeable about the ring outer circumferential surface. 15. The backing ring assembly as recited in claim 14 wherein the retainer coupler tubular body includes at least one generally arcuate lip extending radially inwardly from the tubular body second end and disposeable against the backing ring retention surface. 16. The backing ring assembly as recited in claim 15 wherein the at least one lip has opposing circumferential ends and the retainer coupler tubular body further has at least two, generally parallel slotted openings each disposed adjacent to a separate one of the lip circumferential ends and extending axially from the tubular body second end and toward the tubular body first end, the two slotted openings defining a generally arcuate tab, the tab being generally radially displaceable with respect to a remainder of tubular body to displace the arcuate lip in generally radial directions. 17. The backing ring assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein the retainer coupler has a first end connected with the retainer annular body, a second, opposing end proximal to the backing ring retention surface and at least one generally arcuate lip extending generally radially inwardly from the coupler second end and disposeable against with the backing ring retention surface. 18. The backing ring assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein the backing ring has an outer axial end and an opposing inner axial end, the inner axial end being disposed adjacent to an intersection of the shaft fillet and the shaft enlarged section such that the backing ring is spaced axially from the cylindrical surface of the shaft enlarged section, and the backing ring inner surface including a curved surface section juxtaposeable against the shaft fillet section when the backing ring is disposed on the shaft. 19. A backing ring assembly for a railcar axle assembly, the axle assembly including a shaft with a central axis and a bearing mounted on the shaft, the shaft having an enlarged section with a generally cylindrical outer circumferential surface and a curved fillet section connecting the enlarged section with a remainder of the shaft, the backing ring assembly comprising: a generally annular backing ring disposeable upon the shaft between the bearing and the shaft enlarged section and having a central axis, an inner circumferential surface extending about the axis and defining a central bore for receiving a portion of the shaft and a retention surface facing generally away from the shaft enlarged section when the backing ring is disposed upon the shaft; anda retainer including a generally annular body disposeable about the shaft enlarged section, the annular body having an inner circumferential surface sized to frictionally engage with the shaft enlarged section cylindrical surface, and at least one coupler connected with the annular body and configured to engage with the backing ring retention surface to releasably connect the retainer annular body with the backing ring so as to retain the ring at a substantially fixed axial position on the shaft;wherein the backing ring has first and second axial ends and an outer circumferential surface extending generally axially between the first and second ends, the retention surface extending generally radially-inwardly from the ring outer surface proximal to the ring second axial end, the backing ring outer circumferential surface is generally frustoconical and extends generally axially between a first, diametrically-smaller axial edge proximal to the backing ring first axial end and a second, diametrically-larger axial edge proximal to the backing ring second axial end; andwherein the retainer coupler includes a generally frustoconical tubular body sized to be disposed about the backing ring outer surface, the coupler body having a first, diametrically-smaller end connected with the retainer main body and a second, diametrically-larger end, the retainer body second end being located at least generally proximal to the backing ring second axial end when the retainer is installed about the body and configured to engage with the retention surface. 20. A backing ring assembly for a railcar axle assembly, the axle assembly including a shaft with a central axis and a bearing mounted on the shaft, the shaft having an enlarged section with a generally cylindrical outer circumferential surface and a curved fillet section connecting the enlarged section with a remainder of the shaft, the backing ring assembly comprising: a generally annular backing ring disposeable upon the shaft between the bearing and the shaft enlarged section and having a central axis, an inner circumferential surface extending about the axis and defining a central bore for receiving a portion of the shaft and a retention surface facing generally away from the shaft enlarged section when the backing ring is disposed upon the shaft; anda retainer including a generally annular body disposeable about the shaft enlarged section, the annular body having an inner circumferential surface sized to frictionally engage with the shaft enlarged section cylindrical surface, and at least one coupler connected with the annular body and configured to engage with the backing ring retention surface to releasably connect the retainer annular body with the backing ring so as to retain the ring at a substantially fixed axial position on the shaft;wherein the backing ring has first and second axial ends and an outer circumferential surface extending generally axially between the first and second ends, the retention surface extending generally radially-inwardly from the ring outer surface proximal to the ring second axial end; andwherein the retainer coupler includes a generally tubular body having a first end connected with the retainer annular body, a second end engageable with the backing ring retention surface and an inner circumferential surface disposeable about the ring outer circumferential surface, at least a portion of the retainer coupler tubular body being configured to deflect generally radially when installing the retainer onto the backing ring and alternatively when removing the retainer from the backing ring. 21. A backing ring assembly for a railcar axle assembly, the axle assembly including a shaft with a central axis and a bearing mounted on the shaft, the shaft having an enlarged section with a generally cylindrical outer circumferential surface and a curved fillet section connecting the enlarged section with a remainder of the shaft, the backing ring assembly comprising: a generally annular backing ring disposeable upon the shaft between the bearing and the shaft enlarged section and having a central axis, an inner circumferential surface extending about the axis and defining a central bore for receiving a portion of the shaft and a retention surface facing generally away from the shaft enlarged section when the backing ring is disposed upon the shaft; anda retainer including a generally annular body disposeable about the shaft enlarged section, the annular body having an inner circumferential surface sized to frictionally engage with the shaft enlarged section cylindrical surface, and at least one coupler connected with the annular body and configured to engage with the backing ring retention surface to releasably connect the retainer annular body with the backing ring so as to retain the ring at a substantially fixed axial position on the shaft;wherein the backing ring has first and second axial ends and an outer circumferential surface extending generally axially between the first and second ends, the retention surface extending generally radially-inwardly from the ring outer surface proximal to the ring second axial end; andwherein the retainer coupler includes a generally tubular body having a first end connected with the retainer annular body, a second end engageable with the backing ring retention surface, an inner circumferential surface disposeable about the ring outer circumferential surface, and a plurality of generally arcuate lips spaced circumferentially apart about the ring central axis, each lip extending radially inwardly from the tubular body second end and disposeable against the backing ring retention surface. 22. A backing ring assembly for a railcar axle assembly, the axle assembly including a shaft with a central axis and a bearing mounted on the shaft, the shaft having an enlarged section with a generally cylindrical outer circumferential surface and a curved fillet section connecting the enlarged section with a remainder of the shaft, the backing ring assembly comprising: a generally annular backing ring disposeable upon the shaft between the bearing and the shaft enlarged section and having a central axis, an inner circumferential surface extending about the axis and defining a central bore for receiving a portion of the shaft and a retention surface facing generally away from the shaft enlarged section when the backing ring is disposed upon the shaft; anda retainer including a generally annular body disposeable about the shaft enlarged section, the annular body having an inner circumferential surface sized to frictionally engage with the shaft enlarged section cylindrical surface, and at least one coupler connected with the annular body and configured to engage with the backing ring retention surface to releasably connect the retainer annular body with the backing ring so as to retain the ring at a substantially fixed axial position on the shaft;wherein the backing ring has first and second axial ends and an outer circumferential surface extending generally axially between the first and second ends, the retention surface extending generally radially-inwardly from the ring outer surface proximal to the ring second axial end; andwherein the retainer coupler includes a generally tubular body having a first end connected with the retainer annular body, a second end engageable with the backing ring retention surface, an inner circumferential surface disposeable about the ring outer circumferential surface, at least one generally arcuate lip extending radially inwardly from the tubular body second end and disposeable against the backing ring retention surface, the at least one lip having opposing circumferential ends, and at least two, generally parallel slotted openings each disposed adjacent to a separate one of the lip circumferential ends and extending axially from the tubular body second end and toward the tubular body first end, the two slotted openings defining a generally arcuate tab, the tab being generally radially displaceable with respect to a remainder of tubular body to displace the arcuate lip in generally radial directions.
