Appeal No. 1996-3903 Page 2
Application No. 08/305,225
We AFFIRM-IN-PART.
BACKGROUND
The appellants’ invention relates to a member seal secured to inner and outer
oscillating bearing members for small angle oscillations within a confined axial space. An
understanding of the invention can be derived from a reading of exemplary claim 33, which
is reproduced below.
33. A bearing seal assembly adapted for fitting within a confined axial space of not
more than one tenth the outer radius thereof for enabling small angle oscillations of an
oscillating arm, said seal assembly comprising:
an outer bearing raceway defining one boundary of said confined space;
an inner bearing raceway mounted concentric with said outer raceway;
an annular elastic membrane having structure and configuration excluding bellows
structure and configuration, said membrane having an inner peripheral edge sealingly
secured to said inner raceway, and an outer peripheral edge sealingly secured to said
outer raceway, said membrane having a maximum axial length to occupy an axial space of
not more than one tenth the outer radius thereof, said membrane having no torsional strain
at a neutral position of said inner raceway and said outer raceway, and said membrane
having a structure and configuration for enabling predetermined limited relative oscillation
between said inner raceway and said outer raceway with minimum torque and with
minimum axial distortion of said membrane within said axial space.
Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Next
Last modified: November 3, 2007