Rod end assembly

Abstract

A rod end assembly includes a rod having a shank thereon, the shank comprising an intermediate journal portion and a threaded end portion. There are one or more roller bearings mounted on the journal portion of the shank. The bearings each have an inner ring and an outer ring, and include an endmost bearing. A nut is mounted on the threaded portion of the shank to engage the endmost bearing. There is a rod end body secured to the rod end. The rod end body has a mounting portion that is configured to rest on the roller bearings and to engage the outer ring of the endmost bearing. In addition, the rod end body has a coupling portion for connecting to another device.

1 . A rod end assembly comprising:
 a rod comprising a rod end having a shank thereon, the shank comprising an intermediate journal portion and a threaded end portion;   one or more roller bearings mounted on the shank, including an endmost bearing, the one or more roller bearings each comprising an inner ring and an outer ring, and;   a bearing retainer nut that is mounted on the threaded portion of the shank and that engages the inner ring of the endmost bearing;   a rod end body secured to the rod end, the rod end body comprising a mounting portion that is configured to rest on the roller bearings, and comprising an internal shoulder to engage the outer ring of the endmost bearing;   the rod end body further having a coupling portion for connecting to another device.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , comprising two angular contact ball bearings on the shank. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the two angular contact ball bearings are in a face-to-face arrangement. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 1 , comprising a bearing mounted in the coupling portion. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising an outer nut on the rod, wherein the rod end body is threaded onto the outer nut. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the rod is part of a ball screw assembly, the ball screw assembly further comprising a ball screw nut on the rod.