Roller Bearing Assembly

Abstract

A bearing assembly includes an inner race having a first inner race half and a second inner race half, and an outer race having a first outer race half and a second outer race. The first inner race half and the second inner race half cooperate to define an inner annular groove, and the first outer race half and the second outer race half cooperate to define an outer annular groove. A plurality of rollers is disposed within the inner annular groove and the outer annular groove in rolling engagement with the inner race and the outer race. An inner coupling mechanism couples the first inner race and the second inner race together, and an outer coupling mechanism couples the first outer race and the second outer race together.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bearing assembly comprising:
 an inner race including a first inner race half and a second inner race half cooperating with said first inner race half to define an inner annular groove;   an outer race concentric with said inner race about a longitudinal axis and including a first outer race half radially offset from said first inner race half and a second outer race half radially offset from said second inner race half with said first outer race half and said second outer race half cooperating together to define an outer annular groove radially offset from said inner annular groove about said longitudinal axis;   a plurality of rollers disposed within and between said inner annular groove and said outer annular groove for rolling engagement between said inner race and said outer race; and   an inner coupling mechanism coupling said first inner race half and said second inner race half together.   
     
     
         2 . A bearing assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said inner coupling mechanism includes a plurality of extensions disposed on each of said first inner race half and said second inner race half and engaging the other of said first inner race half and said second inner race half in interlocking engagement. 
     
     
         3 . A bearing assembly as set forth in  claim 2  wherein each of said first inner race half and said second inner race half include a ledge and wherein each of said plurality of extensions include a lip engaging said ledge on the other of said first inner race half and said second inner race half. 
     
     
         4 . A bearing assembly as set forth in  claim 3  wherein said plurality of extensions are evenly spaced radially about said longitudinal axis on both said first inner race half and said second inner race half. 
     
     
         5 . A bearing assembly as set forth in  claim 4  wherein each of said first inner race half and said second inner race half define an inner circumference and wherein said plurality of extensions are disposed on said inner circumference of said first inner race half and said second inner race half. 
     
     
         6 . A bearing assembly as set forth in  claim 5  wherein said first inner race half and said second inner race half are symmetrical about a plane perpendicular to said longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         7 . A bearing assembly as set forth in claim further comprising an outer coupling mechanism coupling said first outer race half and said second outer race half together. 
     
     
         8 . A bearing assembly as set forth in  claim 7  wherein said first outer race half and said second outer race half are symmetrical about a plane perpendicular to said longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         9 . A bearing assembly as set forth in  claim 7  wherein said outer coupling mechanism includes an annular sleeve disposed about an outer periphery of both said first outer race half and said second outer race half in axial clamping engagement with both said first outer race half and said second outer race half along said longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         10 . A bearing assembly as set forth in  claim 9  wherein said annular sleeve includes a first annular portion and a second annular portion attached to said first annular portion. 
     
     
         11 . A bearing assembly as set forth in  claim 10  wherein said first annular portion and said second annular portion are disposed in at least partial overlapping engagement with each other along said longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         12 . A bearing assembly as set forth in  claim 9  further comprising a spring disposed between said outer race and said annular sleeve for biasing said first outer race half and said second outer race half together. 
     
     
         13 . A bearing assembly as set forth in  claim 9  wherein said annular sleeve includes a first edge and an annular shoulder extending radially inward toward said longitudinal axis from said first edge to abut one of said first outer race half and said second outer race half. 
     
     
         14 . A bearing assembly as set forth in  claim 13  wherein said annular sleeve includes a second edge axially spaced from said first edge along said longitudinal axis and further includes a detent disposed adjacent to said second edge for grasping one of said first outer race half and said second outer race half and restraining the first outer race half and the second outer race half against said annular shoulder. 
     
     
         15 . A bearing assembly as set forth in  claim 7  wherein said outer coupling mechanism includes each of said first outer race half and said second outer race half cooperating together to define a plurality of apertures extending through said first outer race half and said second outer race half along said longitudinal axis and radially spaced about and from said longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         16 . A bearing assembly as set forth in  claim 15  wherein said outer coupling mechanism includes a plurality of locks with one of said plurality of locks disposed within each of said plurality of apertures in interlocking engagement with said first outer race half and said second outer race half 
     
     
         17 . A bearing assembly as set forth in  claim 7  wherein said first outer race half includes a ring portion and said outer coupling mechanism includes a plurality of finger portions extending outward away from said ring portion along said longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         18 . A bearing assembly as set forth in  claim 17  wherein said plurality of finger portions are evenly spaced radially about said longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         19 . A bearing assembly as set forth in  claim 17  wherein each of said plurality of finger portions include a follower surface disposed transverse to said longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         20 . A bearing assembly as set forth in  claim 19  wherein said second outer race half includes a body portion and said outer coupling mechanism includes a plurality of ramps extending axially outward from said body portion along said longitudinal axis with said follower surface of one of said plurality of finger portions engaging one of said plurality of ramps for camming movement along said longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         21 . A bearing assembly as set forth in  claim 20  wherein each of said plurality of finger portions include serrations extending between said ring portion and said follower surface. 
     
     
         22 . A bearing assembly as set forth in  claim 21  wherein said plurality of ramps each include a plurality of ridges in interlocking engagement with said serrations on said first outer race half to restrict rotation between said first outer race half and said second outer race half about said longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         23 . A bearing assembly as set forth in  claim 20  wherein each of said plurality of ramps include a stop to prevent over rotation between said first outer race half and said second outer race half about said longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         24 . A bearing assembly as set forth in  claim 20  wherein said body portion defines a plurality of notches extending axially along the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         25 . A bearing assembly as set forth in claim further comprising an annular cage disposed between said inner race and said outer race and supporting said plurality of rollers. 
     
     
         26 . A bearing assembly as set forth in  claim 25  wherein said annular cage defines a plurality of openings with one of said plurality of rollers disposed within each  20  of said plurality of openings.