This disclosure relates to a segmented retainer for rollers of a roller bearing. The retainer includes a pair of end rings having circumferentially spaced separator bars extending therebetween. The separator bars are fixedly secured to the end rings against displacement and rotation. Each separator bar has a configuration wherein at each side thereof there are two radially spaced bearing surfaces separated by a lubricant pocket. The convex shape of the bearing surfaces, in conjunction with the convex rolling surfaces of associated rollers provide for suitable lubricant pockets and lubricant flow thereby providing adequate lubrication between the roller and the separator bars. The bars are secured to the end rings by a plurality of different means including welding and interfitting mechanical interlocks. Primarily, each bar is provided at each end thereof with a projection which is of a stepped configuration wherein the interlock between each bar and each side ring is of a greater than normal radial extent thereby preventing twisting or rotation of the bar with respect to its associated side rings.
A spherical roller thrust bearing comprises two bearing rings rotatably guided by spherical roller elements for rotation about an axis. The roller elements are spaced circumferentially apart by a segmented retainer comprising separate retainer segments spaced apart in the circumferential direction. Each retainer segment includes opposite circumferentially facing surfaces engaging adjacent roller elements. Each surface includes at least one projection making point contact with a peripheral surface of a roller at a location whereby the force transmitted between the roller elements by the segments excludes a radially inward force component. The projections are located relative to the roller elements such that the segments tend to hang upon the roller elements.
A rotary storage structure (10) has a supporting frame (12) provided with circular tracks (29, 35) provided with rollers (31) which support independently rotatable sub-frames (15, 16). Each sub-frame (15, 16) is provided with pairs of co-axial rings (36) which support self-righting storage platforms (37) for items (e.g. motor vehicles) loaded into, or from, the structure (10) from loading platforms or ramps (44). A cable drive (42) is provided to rotate each sub-frame (15, 16) to enable the storage platforms (37) to be positioned adjacent the loading platforms or ramps (44).
