Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Background of the Invention
This invention relates generally to a mount
for spherical bearings and more particularly to a one-
piece strong metal flange mount.
Present designs for flange mounts are generally
of two types. One-piece machined cast flanges; and
two-piece pressed steel flanges. The flange mounts
include two, three and four or more holes for moun~ing
the flange plate to an associated support.
The cast type machined are relatively expen-
sive to process and machine to meet the typical heavy
duty service for which they are intended. The surface
to which they are attached must be relatively flat for ~
if it is uneven, the units may fracture when secured -
to the attachment surface.
Pressed metal flange units are relatively
economical. However, they are intended for light-
duty applications. They generally do not support or
accommodate heavy or large radial, thrust and moment
loads. Generally, the flange mounts include central
portions which project past the mounting face. This
requires the user to provide an opening for accommodat-
ing the projection. Pressed metal flange units are
generally made of two or more mating pieces with atten-
dant adaptations and assembly expenses. Those including
lubrication fittin~s require means for preventing
escape of the lubricant. Their most serious drawback
is their inclination to bind the bearing they are
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intended to support because of radial mismatch of the separable
mating halves that are clamped together and to a support.
Summary of the Invention
According to the present invention there is provided
a flange mount for a spherical bearing having a spherical outer
surface including a flange plate and a bearing receiving flange
formed from a single sheet metal piece of predetermined thick-
ness and each of which has substantially the same thickness as
said sheet metal with said bearing receiving flange extending
outwardly from only one face of said flange plate and adapted
to receive and hold a bearing therein, said bearing receiving
flange having spherical inner and outer surface portions
spaced from the one face of the flange plate, said spherical
inner surface defining a re-entrant surface adapted to receive
and conformably contact substantially the entire outer surface
of said spherical bearing to support the bearing so that it
cannot move radially or axially in either direction within the
bearing receiving flange and yet permits the bearing axis to
rotate to align with an associated shaft, the other face of
said flange plate defining a mounting surface substantially
perpendicular to the axis of said bearing receiving flange for
mounting the flange on a supporting surface.
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Brief Description of the Drawings
In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate
exemplary embodiments of the present invention:
Figure 1 is a front plan view of a two-hole flange
mount for spherical bearings in accordance with the present
invention.
Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the flange
mount shown in Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a rear plan view of the flange mount.
Figure 4 is a sectional view taken generally along
the lines 4-4 of Figure 3.
Figure 5 is a sectional view taken generally along ;
the line 5-5 Figure 3 showing an installed bearing.
Figure 6 is an enlarged view showing in detail the
lubrication fitting and lubrication groove.
Figure 7 is a side elevational view of a three-hold
flange mount in accordance with another embodiment of the
invention.
Figure 8 is a rear elevational view of the flange
mount of Figure 7.
Figure 9 is a sectional view taken along the line 9-9
of Figure 8.
- Figure 10 is a rear elevational view of a four-hole
flange mount in accordance with still another embodiment of the
invention.
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Figure 11 is a side elevational view of the
flange mount of Figure 10.
Figure 12 is a sectional view taken generally
along the line 12-12 of the Figure 10.
Figure 13 is a rear plan view of a three-
hole flange mount in accordance with the invention.
Figure 14 is a front plan view of the flange
mount of Figure 13.
Figure 15 is a side-elevational view of the
flange mount of Figure 13.
Figure 16 is a sectional view taken along the
lines 16-16 of Figure 14.
Description of Preferred Embodiment
Referring to the figures, which show spherical
bearing mounts in accordance with the invention, it is
seen that the mounts are formed from a single sheet metal
piece, as for example, by multistage forming in a press
with appropriate dies and mechanisms.
Referring now specifically to Figure 1 through 6,
; 20 there is shown a two-hole bearing mount for spherical
bearings. The mount includes a bearing mounting flange 11
whose inner surface 12 is substantially a surface of revo-
lution to accommodate and hold an associated bearing. ;~
Furthermore, the surface 12 is of spherical configuration
between the portions 13 and 14 to define a re-entrant
bearing mount which, as will be presently described, serves
to prevent movement of the associated bearing in the
axial direction under axial thrust loads and in the
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radial direction under radial loads but will permit
misalignment under substantial moment loads.
The flange 11 is formed by causing the center
of a sheet of metal to extend outwardly from the face
16 opposite the mounting face 17. A bearing is mounted
in the spherical surface by inserting the bearing, with
its axis perpendicular to the axis of the flange, into
the bearing receiving flange through a mounting or
insertion groove 18 formed at the rear of the flange.
The groove has a width which will accommodate the outer
bearing race 19. After insertion, the bearing is
rotated so that its axis is substantially coaxial Wi~l
the flange axis and perpendicular to the mounting
face 17. As is well known, the spherical bearing seat
provides means whereby the bearing can be aligned
with respect to the axis of the shaft.
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Preferably, the bearing mounting flange is
provided with a circumferential grease receiving groove
21 which communicates with a grease fitting 22. The
grease fitting 22 may be retained within the flange by
threading or force fitting and communicate with the
groove 21 by means of the recess 23 formed adjacent its
end. In accordance with the present invention, the
spherical seat which extends between the ends 13 and 14
has the end 14 spaced from the front face 17 such that
, the end 15 of the bearing inner face 20 do not extend
beyond the face of the flange 17. The ~lange therefore
may be flush mounted to an associated supporting surface.
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It is seen that the thickness of the material at the
flange mount surface 17 is substantially equal to the
thickness of the flange mount 11 whereby to provide
strength.
In those applications where additional
strength may be required, the edges of the mounting
plate may be bent along the same axis as the mounting
flange 11. Referring to Figures 7 through 9, the flange
plate is shown with bent edges 26. The edges are bent
0 in the same direction as the mounting flange 11 to add
strength to the periphery of the flange plate when the
mounting bolts are in place. The mounting member 9hOWn
in Figures 7 through 9 is a three-hole mount in contrast
to the two-hole mount previously described.
Referring to Figures 10 through 12, there is
shown a four-hole bearing mount which includes the
mounting flange 11 extending outwardly from the face
17. ~owever, in the embodiment shown in these figures,
the upper end of the flange includes a rim 31 which adds
strength to the end of the flange. In other respects
the flange is of the type previously described and like
reference numerals have been applied to like parts.
In certain applications it is desirable to
provide additional regidity or strength to the mounting
~5 flange 11. For this purpose the flange is constructed
with a portion of the flange plate extending adjacent
to and engaging the end of the mounting flange 11.
Such an embodiment is shown in Figures 13 - 16
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in connection with a three-hole bearing mounting
flange. The flange includes a bearing mounting flange
11 whose inner surface 12 is substantially a surface
of revolution to accommodate and hold an associated
bearing. The bearing is mounted in the spherical sur-
face by inserting the bearing into the bearing receiving
flange through a mounting slot or groove 18. The
bearing is then rotated so that its axis is perpendi-
cular to the mounting face 17. As is well known, the
spherical bearing seat provides means whereby the bear-
inq can be aligned with an associated shaft even when
the axis of the bearing flange 11 is not accurately
aligned with respect to the axis of the associated
shaft. The bearing mounting flange may be provided
with a grease lubrication fitting and a grease groove
as previously described.
` After the flange is formed, the outer portions
of the sheet or plate of material are formed or bent
in the same direction as the bearing mounting flange
substantially as shown in t~e drawings. When the outer
portions are bent, the resulting flange will include the
mounting face portion 17 and sides 27 extending between
the mounting face portion substantially in the same
direction and spaced adjacent to and substantially
` 25 parallel to the bearing receiving flange 11. The ends
of the sides are bent inwardly to engage the bearing
flange thereby providing a rigid support for the flange.
The sides 27 are bent inwardly by pressing areas such
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as 25 on the ends of the sides whereby the end portion
of the bearing mounting flange is engaged as shown at
29, Figure 16. The webs or beams formed by the sides
27 effectively gusset or support between the bearing
flange and the back side of the flange plate. This
supports the bearing receiving flange against radial
and thrust loads and twisting moment. The mounting
face 17 may be provided with holes 31 to receive means,
such as bolts or the like, for securing the flange to
associated equipment. The edges 32 of the mounting
face are bent in the same direction as the bearing
mounting flange and provide rigidity to the mounting
feet or surfaces. In vi~w of the fact that it is made
out of plate or sheet material rather than bolted or
otherwise secured, the flange may be welded to associ-
ated equipment. The mounting slot permits insertion
of the bearing after welding and easy replacement of
worn bearings.
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; It is apparent that the invention is
applicable to two-hole, three-hole, four-hole or
multiple hole mounts. The essential features of the
invention are the fact that there is provided a
substantially spherical mounting surface which engages
the outer spherical bearing surface and prevents
axial and lateral movement of the bearing to thereby
minimize wear and deflection, yet facilitate controlled
misalignment of the bearing insert. The plate material
forming the mount is of substantially uniform thickness
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throughout. The mount may be secured to an associated
mounting surface by welding.
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