External device for selectively converting a pillow block between free and held positions

摘要

A pillow block assembly including a housing having an internal seat for a bearing and retaining means in the form of snap rings on both sides of the outer ring for limiting axial displacement of the outer ring of the bearing in the seat. The pillow block is convertible between free and held units. One form of conversion device comprises a screw member including a conical tip which engages in an annular groove in the outer ring having tapered circumferential sidewalls complementing the tip of the screw member. The screw member is actuatable between a first position permitting movement of the outer ring relative to the housing and a second position preventing axial movement of the outer ring in the pillow block housing. The screw member has a port extending therethrough and a head portion with a lubricant fitting and at least one radial port is provided in the outer ring connecting the annular groove to the interior of the bearing. This arrangement permits lubrication of the bearing through the screw member. In another embodiment, the conversion device includes another groove in the pillow block seat outboard of an enlarged groove for one of the pair of retaining rings and a third retaining ring mounted in the other outboard groove. The third retaining ring is spaced in a manner to eliminate play between the pair of spaced retaining rings and the outer bearing ring. The outboard ring locks the outboard seal plate of the labyrinth seal at opposite ends of the bearing against the floating retaining ring to confine the outer ring tightly between the retaining rings.