Bearing

Abstract

In one embodiment, a bearing comprises a cylindrical bearing surface supporting a spherical journal surface. In another embodiment, a device comprises a shaft having a spherical journal surface supported inside and rotatable against a cylindrical bearing surface. In another embodiment, a sheet media feed mechanism comprise: a chassis; a motor mounted to the chassis; a rotatable shaft operatively coupled to the motor; a roller affixed to the shaft; an idler disposed opposite the roller, the idler and the roller engagable with one another to form a nip therebetween; bearings mounted to the chassis and supporting the shaft, each bearing having a cylindrical inner bearing surface; and the shaft having a spherical journal surface inside and rotatable against each bearing surface.

1 . A bearing, comprising a cylindrical bearing surface supporting a spherical journal surface.  
     
     
         2 . A bearing, comprising a spherical surface inside and rotatable against a cylindrical surface.  
     
     
         3 . A bearing, comprising at least part of a sphere inside and rotatable against a cylinder.  
     
     
         4 . A bearing, comprising a bearing surface supporting a journal surface along a line.  
     
     
         5 . The bearing of  claim 4 , wherein the bearing surface comprises a cylindrical bearing surface and the journal surface comprises a spherical journal surface.  
     
     
         6 . A device, comprising a shaft having a spherical journal surface supported inside and rotatable against a cylindrical bearing surface.  
     
     
         7 . A device, comprising a cylindrical bearing supporting a spherical journal.  
     
     
         8 . A device, comprising a shaft, a first spherical journal on a first part of the shaft, a second spherical journal on a second part of the shaft, a first cylindrical bearing supporting the first journal and a second cylindrical bearing supporting the second journal.  
     
     
         9 - 14 . (canceled)  
     
     
         15 . A device, comprising: 
 a motor;    a rotatable shaft operatively coupled to the motor, the shaft having a spherical journal surface supported inside and rotatable against a cylindrical bearing surface; and    a roller affixed to the shaft.    
     
     
         16 . A device, comprising: 
 a motor;    a rotatable shaft operatively coupled to the motor;    a first spherical journal on a first part of the shaft, a second spherical journal on a second part of the shaft, a first cylindrical bearing supporting the first journal and a second cylindrical bearing supporting the second journal; and    a roller affixed to the shaft between the journals.