System for mounting a first member in a hollow second member

Abstract

A system is provided for securing a rotating member with respect to a non-rotating member. A hollow member, such as an inner ring of a bearing assembly, includes an extension having an annular outer groove. A tapered sleeve serves to lock the hollow member about a mechanical component, such as a shaft. A nut engageable on the sleeve includes an eccentric front aperture adjacent to a concentric groove, thereby forming a lip of varying depth. The system is engaged by rotation of the nut on the sleeve in one direction, and disassembled by counterrotation of the nut such that a portion of the varying depth lip co-acts with a lip formed by the groove of the hollow member.

1 . A system for securing a shaft within a hollow member, the system comprising: 
 a sleeve having an outer surface configured to interface with an inner surface of the hollow member, an inner surface configured to interface with the shaft, and a threaded extension; and    a locking member having a threaded inner section configured to mate with the threaded extension of the sleeve, and an eccentric aperture forming a varying depth inner groove.    
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the eccentric aperture is configured to mate with a concentric lip of the hollow outer member.  
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the locking member is configured to abut a distal face of the hollow outer member for engagement with the threaded extension of the sleeve for drawing the sleeve into engagement between the hollow outer member and the shaft.  
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve has a tapered outer surface configured to mate with a tapered inner surface of the hollow outer member.  
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the the varying depth groove has a depth varying around an inner periphery of the locking member from a depth of substantially zero at a first circumferential location to a maximum depth at a second location generally diametrically opposite the first location.  
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve comprises a slit permitting radial contraction of the sleeve.  
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the groove formed by the eccentric aperture of the locking member varies in depth from a maximal depth to substantially flush with the central aperture.  
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the locking member is centered with respect to the hollow outer member by threaded engagement with the sleeve.  
     
     
         9 - 24 . (canceled)  
     
     
         25 . A system for securing a first member within a second, hollow member, the system comprising: 
 a locking member having a threaded inner section configured to mate with the threaded extension of an inner member, and an eccentric aperture forming a varying depth inner groove.    
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the varying depth groove has a depth varying around an inner periphery of the locking member from a depth of substantially zero at a first circumferential location to a maximum depth at a second location generally diametrically opposite the first location.  
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the groove formed by the eccentric aperture of the locking member varies in depth from a maximal depth to substantially flush with the central aperture.  
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 25 , further comprising an inner member having a threaded extension configured to mate with the threaded inner section of the locking member.  
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 28 , wherein the locking member is configured to abut a distal face of the hollow member for engagement with the threaded extension of the sleeve for drawing the sleeve into engagement between the hollow outer member and the shaft.  
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 28 , wherein the sleeve has a tapered outer surface configured to mate with a tapered inner surface of the hollow outer member.  
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 28 , wherein the sleeve comprises a slit permitting radial contraction of the sleeve.  
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 28 , wherein the locking member is centered with respect to the hollow member by threaded engagement with the sleeve.  
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the eccentric aperture is configured to mate with a concentric lip of the hollow member.  
     
     
         34 . A system for securing a first member within a second, hollow member, the system comprising: 
 means for interfacing an outer surface of the first member and an inner surface of the second, hollow member, the means for interfacing having a threaded extension; and    means for locking the means for interfacing in engagement between the first member and the second, hollow member, the means for locking having a threaded inner section configured to mate with the threaded extension of the means for interfacing, and an eccentric aperture forming a varying depth inner groove.    
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein the groove formed by the eccentric aperture of the locking member varies in depth from a maximal depth to substantially flush with the central aperture.  
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein the means for interfacing comprises a sleeve having an inner surface configured to interface with the outer surface of the first member tapered outer surface configured to interface with a tapered inner surface of the second, hollow member.