Bearing assembly and method

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9599153-B2
Application number	US-201514955612-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 1, 2015
Priority date	Dec 3, 2014
Publication date	Mar 21, 2017
Grant date	Mar 21, 2017

Abstract

A bearing assembly can comprise: a base member including at least one base ramp; a carriage member including: a first surface defining a bearing channel, the bearing channel configured to receive a plurality of ball bearings and allow recirculating movement of the ball bearings, the bearing channel having a variable depth, wherein the bearing channel having a variable depth is configured to allow the plurality of ball bearings to extend beyond the first surface at a first portion of the bearing channel and extend below the first surface at a second portion of the bearing channel; a second surface opposing the first surface, the second surface including at least one carriage ramp, the carriage ramp configured to engage the at least one base ramp; and a retaining member configured to cover a least a portion of the first surface and retain the ball bearings in the carriage member.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A bearing assembly comprising:
a base member including at least one base ramp;
a carriage member including:
a first surface defining a first bearing channel, the first bearing channel configured to receive a first plurality of ball bearings and allow recirculating movement of the plurality of ball bearings around the first bearing channel, the first bearing channel having a variable depth, wherein the first bearing channel having a variable depth is configured to allow the first plurality of ball bearings to extend beyond the first surface at a first portion of the first bearing channel and extend below the first surface at a second portion of the first bearing channel;
a second surface opposing the first surface, the second surface including at least one carriage ramp, the carriage ramp configured to engage the at least one base ramp; and
a retaining member configured to cover a least a portion of the first surface and retain the first plurality of ball bearings in the carriage member.

2. The bearing assembly of claim 1 , wherein the retaining member defines an opening that extends about only a portion of the length of the first bearing channel, the opening configured to allow a portion each of the first plurality of ball bearings to extend through the opening.

3. The bearing assembly of claim 2 , wherein the opening includes a first tapered end configured to force a recirculating ball in a direction towards the second surface.

4. The bearing assembly of claim 1 , wherein the retaining member is a flexible film configured to allow the first plurality of ball bearings to be disposed in the a first bearing channel after the retaining member is attached to the first surface.

5. The bearing assembly of claim 1 , wherein the base member includes:
an adjustment member configured to move the base member relative to the carriage member; and
a receiving channel configured to receive the adjustment member.

6. The bearing assembly of claim 1 , wherein the carriage member includes a second bearing channel configured to receive a second plurality of ball bearings and allow recirculating movement of the second plurality of ball bearings, the second bearing channel having a variable depth, wherein the second bearing channel having a variable depth is configured to allow the second plurality of ball bearings to extend beyond the first surface at a first portion of the second bearing channel and extend below the first surface at a second portion of the second bearing channel.

7. The bearing assembly of claim 1 , wherein the retaining member is planar.

8. The bearing assembly of claim 1 , wherein the carriage member is formed of a material consisting of one of a plastic, a polycarbonate, a resin, a polymer.

9. A bearing assembly comprising:
a carriage member including:
a first surface defining a first bearing channel, the first bearing channel configured to receive a first plurality of ball bearings and allow recirculating movement of the plurality of ball bearings, the first bearing channel having a variable depth, wherein the first bearing channel having a variable depth is configured to allow the first plurality of ball bearings to extend beyond the first surface at a first portion of the first bearing channel and extend below the first surface at a second portion of the first bearing channel;
a second surface opposing the first surface, the second surface including a first carriage ramp and a second carriage ramp;

a base member including a first base ramp and a second base ramp and a receiving channel, the base member configured such that the first base ramp engages the first carriage ramp and the second base ramp engages the second carriage ramp; and
an adjustment member engaging the receiving channel and configured to move the base member relative to the carriage member.

10. The bearing assembly of claim 9 , wherein the carriage member includes a second bearing channel configured to receive a second plurality of ball bearings and allow recirculating movement of the second plurality of ball bearings, the second bearing channel having a variable depth, wherein the second bearing channel having a variable depth is configured to allow the second plurality of ball bearings to extend beyond the first surface at a first portion of the second bearing channel and extend below the first surface at a second portion of the second bearing channel.

11. The bearing assembly of claim 10 , wherein the second surface includes a third carriage ramp and a fourth carriage ramp, and wherein the base member includes a third base ramp and a fourth base ramp.

12. The bearing assembly of claim 9 , comprising a retaining member configured to cover a least a portion of the first surface and retain the first plurality of ball bearings in the carriage member.

13. The bearing assembly of claim 12 , wherein the retaining member defines an opening that extends about only a portion of the length of the first bearing channel, the opening configured to allow a portion each of the first plurality of ball bearings to extend through the opening.

14. A lift assembly comprising:
a telescoping leg including a movable member and a stationary member;
an energy storage member connected to the movable member and the stationary member;
a first bearing assembly disposed between the stationary member and the movable member, the bearing assembly comprising:
a carriage member including:
a first surface defining a first bearing channel, the first bearing channel configured to receive a first plurality of ball bearings and allow recirculating movement of the plurality of ball bearings around the first bearing channel, the first bearing channel having a variable depth, wherein the first bearing channel having a variable depth is configured to allow the first plurality of ball bearings to extend beyond the first surface at a first portion of the first bearing channel and extend below the first surface at a second portion of the first bearing channel;
a second surface opposing the first surface, the second surface including a first carriage ramp and a second carriage ramp;

a base member including a first base ramp and a second base ramp and a receiving channel; the base member configured such that the first base ramp engages the first carriage ramp and the second base ramp engages the second carriage ramp; and
an adjustment member engaging the receiving channel and configured to move the base member relative to the carriage member.

15. The lift assembly of claim 14 , wherein the movable member is triangular in cross section and is coupled to the first bearing assembly, a second bearing assembly and a third bearing assembly.

16. The lift assembly of claim 14 , wherein the movable member is rectangular in cross section and is coupled to the first bearing assembly, a second bearing assembly, a third bearing assembly, and a fourth bearing assembly.

17. The lift assembly of claim 14 , wherein the carriage member includes a second bearing channel configured to receive a second plurality of ball bearings and allow recirculating movement of the second plurality of ball bearings, the second bearing channel having a variable depth, wherein the second bearing channel having a variable depth is configured to allow the second plurality of ball bearings to extend beyond the first surface at a first portion of the second bearing channel and extend below the first surface at a second portion of the second bearing channel.

18. The lift assembly of claim 14 , wherein the second surface includes

Assignees

• Ergotron Inc

Inventors

• Aldrich Stuart Ripley

Classifications

• F16C29/126

  using tapered surfaces or wedges · CPC title

• F16C29/0616

  for supporting load essentially in a single direction · CPC title

• F16C29/0607

  of parts or members for retaining the rolling elements, i.e. members to prevent the rolling elements from falling out of the bearing body or carriage · CPC title

• F16C29/0633 Primary

  with a bearing body defining a U-shaped carriage, i.e. surrounding a guide rail or track on three sides · CPC title

• F16C29/0602

  Details of the bearing body or carriage or parts thereof, e.g. methods for manufacturing or assembly · CPC title