05/484100

11/11/1975

06/28/1974

Download PDF 3918510       PDF help

Click for automatic bibliography generation

Fawn Hollow Corporation (Loveland, CO)

160/45

135/119, 135/140, 160/68, 135/88.120, 160/22

B60P3/34; E04F10/06; B60P3/32; E04F10/00; E04F10/00; E06B7/00

160/68,22,24 135/5AT 308/173,177,182,21U

Gilliam, Paul H.

Sakran, Victor N.

Drake, Hugh H.

I claim

1. An awning assembly comprising:

2. An awning assembly as defined in claim 1 in which the wall of said pipe is formed to include a plurality of longitudinally extending indented cylindrical slots the respective ends of which constitute said recesses.

3. An awning assembly as defined in claim 2 in which said opposite edge portion of said awning is folded into one of said slots, and an element is disposed inside the fold within said one slot to secure said opposite edge portion to said pipe.

4. An awning assembly as defined in claim 1 in which each of said bearings includes a shaft received into a respective one of said recesses and an integral enlarged head the external perimeter of which engages the interior perimeter of the respective one of said hubs.

5. An awning assembly as defined in claim 4 in which said shaft is of a diameter to be slidably received within said one recess for rotation therein.

6. An awning assembly as defined in claim 4 in which the surface of said head, opposite said shaft and facing said hub, is of semi-conical shape.

7. An awning assembly as defined in claim 1 in which each of said bearings includes a shaft, of a diameter to be grippingly received within a respective one of said recesses, and in which said shaft integrally terminates in a radially extending collar integrally beyond which is a spindle, and a cylindrical roller rotationally mounted on said spindle with the external perimeter of said roller engaging the internal perimeter of the respective one of said hubs.

8. An awning assembly as defined in claim 1 in which a rod extends lengthwise through said pipe and is connected at one end to a respective one of said hubs, a spider is disposed on said rod intermediate the ends of said pipe, and a spring is coiled around said rod and connected at its opposite ends between said spider and said one of said hubs.

9. An awning assembly as defined in claim 8 in which first and second sleeves are carried on said rod and individually affixed respectively to said one hub and said spider, and in which opposing end portions of said spring are individually threaded upon respective ones of said sleeves.

10. An awning assembly as defined in claim 8 in which the wall of said pipe is formed to include a plurality of longitudinally extending indentations, and in which the periphery of said spider is shaped to include a corresponding plurality of relieved areas respectively received by said indentations.

11. An awning assembly as defined in claim 1 in which each of said struts includes a pair of mutually telescoping members adjustably interconnectible in determination of strut length.

12. An awning assembly as defined in claim 1 and which further includes a pair of arms individually extending between said bar and the regions of the respective ends of said pipe, each arm being fixed at one end with respect to said bar and at the other end with respect to the end portion of the respective one of said struts near to said pipe.

13. An awning assembly as defined in claim 12 in which all of said arms and struts are selectively adjustable in length.

14. An awning assembly as defined in claim 12 in which said arms are hingedly fixed at both ends thereof, said struts are hingedly securable at said other ends thereof, and all of said arms and struts are selectively adjustable in length.

15. An awning assembly as defined in claim 12 which includes a first pair of first fastener parts individually disposed at respective ones of said one ends of said struts, a second pair of first fastener parts individually disposed adjacent to respective ones of said other ends of said struts, and a pair of second fastener parts, lockingly matable respectively with either of said first or second pairs of said first fastener parts, disposed individually at respective ones of said other ends of said arms.

16. An awning assembly as defined in claim 15 in which each of said arms is of tubular cross-section, each of said second fastener parts includes a space-opposed pair of slits having inwardly enlarged portions and extending in the walls of said arms from said other ends of said arms, each of said first fastener parts includes a pin having necked-down portions to accept entrance into said slits and increased-diameter portions to accept said enlarged portions, and spring means on said pin for biasing said increased-diameter portions into alignment with said slits.

17. An awning assembly as defined in claim 16 in which one of said increased-diameter portions tapers gradually into the adjacent one of said necked-down portions.

18. An awning assembly as defined in claim 16 in which one end of each of said pins extends individually through one of a corresponding other end of a respective one of said struts as a hinge-pin therefor.

19. An awning assembly as defined in claim 1 which further includes locking means disposed at one of said hubs for automatically preventing rotation of said pipe upon positioning of said pipe adjacent to said bar.

20. An awning assembly as defined in claim 19 in which said locking means includes an opening in said one hub, a stub receivable in said opening and insertable therethrough in the path of said bearings, a member pivoted to swing said stub into said path upon abuttment against the region of said bar, and a spring for biasing the inner end of said stub out of the path of said bearings.

21. An awning assembly comprising:

22. An awning assembly as defined in claim 21 in which each of said arms is of tubular cross-section, each of said second fastener parts includes a space-opposed pair of slits having inwardly enlarged portions and extending in the walls of said arms from said other ends of said arms, each of said first fastener parts includes a pin having necked-down portions to accept entrance of said slits and increased-diameter portions to accept said enlarged portions, and spring means on said pin for biasing said increased-diameter portions into alignment with said slits.

23. An awning assembly as defined in claim 22 in which one of said increased-diameter portions tapers gradually into the adjacent one of said necked-down portions

24. An awning assembly as defined in claim 22 in which one end of each of said pins extends individually through one of a corresponding other end of a respective one of said struts as a hinge-pin therefor.

25. An awning assembly as defined in claim 21 which further includes locking means disposed at one of said hubs for automatically preventing rotation of said pipe upon positioning of said pipe adjacent to said bar.

26. An awning assembly as defined in claim 25 in which said locking means includes an opening in said one hub, a stub receivable in said opening and insertable therethrough in a position to block rotation of said pipe, a member pivoted to swing said stub into said opening upon abuttment against the region of said bar, and a spring for biasing the inner end of said stub out of said position.

The present invention pertains to awning assemblies. More particularly, it relates to a retractable awning assembly suited for use on the side of either a recreational vehicle or a building.

Highways and campsites now abound with a variety of types of recreational vehicles that afford many comforts in living away from home. Such vehicles, of course, include both those of a trailer type and others, often referred to as "campers," that mount in the beds of pickups. Such units, however, are necessarily confined in living space and subject to uncomfortable interior temperatures during periods of hot weather. For those and other reasons, users have been attracted to the addition of some kind of exterior awning under which they can situate themselves when the vehicle is parked.

Most simply, such an awning might take the form of a mere piece of canvas fastened along one edge to the side of the vehicle and supported at its outer corners by upright poles in the manner of a tent. Apparently, however, such an approach, involving the need for disassembling and storing the awning at the end of each different stop, is considered by many users to be inconvenient. Thus, a number of different awning assemblies have heretofore been proposed that mount more or less permanently on the side of the unit and are retractable for storage during traveling between stops. Some of these prior approaches involve a roll-up mechanism for the awning fabric, somewhat like a window shade. Included may be posts or struts that extend from the outer corners of the awning either to the ground or back to a lower point on the side of a trailer or the like. Struts of that kind may include a feature of selectively adjustable length, so that the awning may be arranged in a taut position and varied as to the height of its outer edge.

There is no doubt that many such prior approaches have led to enjoyment by their users. At the same time, however, difficulties have been encountered. A first necessity is that any awning of this type ought to be able to withstand extremely high wind, either when stored for travel or when extended for use. Many responsive efforts to supply the desired ruggedness have, unfortunately, led to designs which are both expensive and cumbersome. In fact, some awning assemblies, that are indeed quite rugged, require at least two persons of significant strength in order to achieve their erection for use. Other approaches necessitate the inclusion of parts which must be detached during storage and stored elsewhere such as in the crowded trailer.

It is, accordingly, a general object of the present invention to provide a new and improved awning assembly which achieves the desired objectives heretofore noted while avoiding the deficiencies already mentioned.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved awning assembly that is entirely self storing when not in use.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved awning assembly which may be set up by a single individual having no more than average strength.

It is a specific object of the present invention to provide a new and improved awning assembly that is capable of withstanding high winds whether in its extended or in its stored position.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved awning assembly which exhibits high strength while yet being comparatively inexpensive to manufacture and easy to use.

An awning assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention includes horizontal bar means for securing one edge portion of an awning formed of flexible sheet material. A cylindrical pipe has means disposed longitudinally thereof for securing an opposite edge portion of the awning. A pair of sets of cylindrical recesses are individually disposed in respective opposite ends of the pipe with the recesses of each of the sets being distributed around the respective end peripheries of the pipe. Disposed in respective different ones of the recesses are a plurality of roller bearings. A pair of hubs are individually receptive of respective ends of the pipe, with each hub having an inner diameter of a size to journal the bearings. A pair of struts are individually secured at one end to respective ones of the hubs and are individually securable at the other end to respective horizontally spaced points displaced below the bar means.

Other features include a pair of arms that individually extend on respective sides of the awning from the bar means to the respective upper ends of the struts. Desirably, these arms are releasably fastenable to the upper ends of the struts during extension of the awning and also at the lower ends of the struts for purposes of storage. Easing use of the assembly is a clevis-type fastener of special construction.

The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The organization and manner of operation of the invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in the several figures of which like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a camping trailer having affixed thereto an awning assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side-elevational view of the awning assembly shown in FIG. 1 as in its extended position;

FIG. 3 is a side-elevational view of the same awning assembly of FIG. 1 but in the closed or stored position;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 4--4 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 5--5 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 6--6 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary front-elevational view taken as indicated by the arrow 7 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary front-elevational view taken as indicated by the arrow 8 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 9a is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 9--9 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 9b is a fragmentary side-elevational view of an outer end of an arm member shown in FIGS. 2 and 9a;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 10--10 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 11--11 in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 12--12 in FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 13--13 in FIG. 10;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the apparatus as shown particularly in FIGS. 10 and 12;

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along the line 15--15 in FIG. 12;

FIG. 15a is an exploded perspective view of an alternative for a bearing shown particularly in FIGS. 14 and 15; and

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary perspective view of a modification of a portion of the awning assembly.

While the awning assembly to be described may be used on the side of a permanent house, it is particularly adaptable to a recreational vehicle such as trailer 20 shown in FIG. 1. As will there be observed, an awning assembly 22 projects outwardly from one wall or side 24 of the trailer.

Secured to side 24 along the upper edge thereof is a horizontal bar 26 that securingly engages one edge portion of an awning 28 which is formed of a flexible sheet material. While awning 28 may be secured to bar 26 by various means, the now-conventional and preferred approach is to welt the awning fabric into a cylindrical recess extending the length of bar 26. To that end, the awning material is folded into the recess and held therein by a cord threaded through the length of the recess.

At the outer end of awning 28 is a cylindrical pipe 30. As depicted particularly in FIG. 11, pipe 31 has three equally-spaced (around its periphery) longitudinally extending cylindrical recesses 32, 33 and 34. An outer edge portion of awning 28 is welted into recess 32 by means of a longitudinally threaded cord 36. As shown in FIG. 1, the balance of the outer edge portion of awning 28 preferably is allowed to hang over pipe 30 as a valance 38. In a manner known as such, longitudinally extending recess 32 is formed integrally as part of the same aluminum extrusion as constitutes pipe 30. Similarly, recesses 33 and 34 are also integrally formed as part of the extrusion of the pipe.

As herein embodied, cylindrical recesses 32-34 extend the entire length of pipe 30 so as to be present at and distributed around the respective end peripheries of the pipe. Inserted in the ends of the respective different recesses are a corresponding plurality of roller bearings 40 each of which has a shaft 42 receivable for rolling contact within its respective one of recesses 32-34 and also including an integral enlarged head 44. Inwardly projecting flanges 46 of hubs 48 and 49 have an inner diameter of a size to journal heads 44 of bearings 40. Thus, hubs 48 and 49 serve to journal bearings 40 and thereby support the opposing ends of pipe 30 for rotation. Moreover, flanges 46 accept the respective ends of pipe 30 as well as accommodating and forming a bearing race for roller bearings 40. As shown, the outer face of heads 44 preferably is semi-conical so as to reduce drag between bearings 40 and the inwardly facing surface of the associated one of hubs 48 and 49.

A pair of struts 50 and 52 are individually secured at their upper ends to respective ones of hubs 48 and 49 and also are individually securable at their other ends to respective horizontally spaced points 54 and 56, on side wall 24, that are displaced below bar 26. A pair of arms 58 and 59 individually extend between bar 26 and the upper ends of respective ones of struts 50 and 52.

Each of struts 50 and 52 includes a respective pair of mutually telescoping strut members 60, 61 and 62, 63. All of strut members 60-63 preferably are formed from tubular metal stock of rectangular cross-section. Spaced longitudinally along one wall of each of strut members 61 and 63, near their respective lower ends, are a plurality of apertures 64. Projecting outwardly through the mating wall of inner strut members 60 and 62 are spring-loaded pins 66. Depression of one of pins 66 permits telescoping movement between its associated arm members so as to enable selective adjustment of the total length of the respective overall strut and, thus, the height of the outer end of the awning above the ground when in the extended position.

As best shown in FIG. 7 with respect to strut 50, the upper end portions of strut members 61 and 63 are secured by respective nut and bolt combinations 68 to flanges 70 that project endwise from the corresponding ones of hubs 48 and 49. The lower ends of each of strut members 60 and 62 are hingedly affixed by means of respective pins 72 to respective brackets 74 individually secured to wall 24 at respective points 54 and 56 (see FIG. 6). Brackets 74 include outwardly projecting ears 76 each of which includes a horizontally-oriented opening sized to receive pin 72 slidably. Inside each of strut members 60 and 62, the associated pin 72 is slidable within a transverse sleeve 77 extending between corresponding apertures in the opposing walls of the strut members.

Each of arms 58 and 59 are somewhat similarly composed of a respective pair of mutually telescoping arm members 78 and 79. Again, arm members 78 and 79 preferably are formed of telescopingly matable tubular stock having a rectangular cross-section. As best shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, each of arm members 78 is hingedly affixed by a pin 80 to a bracket 82 which is affixed to wall 24 over or in the vicinity of horizontal bar 26. Bracket 82 includes a pair of outwardly projecting ears 84 in which horizontally aligned holes are formed so as to receive pin 80 slidably.

Analogous to apertures 64 and pin 66, each of arm members 78 has a series of longitudinally spaced apertures that face inwardly as viewed in FIG. 1. Projecting toward and through the mating wall of each arm member 79 is a spring-loaded pin 85. As before, depression of one of pins 85 permits telescoping movement of its associated arm members so as to enable selective adjustment of the total length of the respective overall arm and, thus, the amount by which the outer end of the awning extends away from wall 24.

At the lower end of each of arm members 79 is a part of a releasable fastener which generally is of the clevis type. To that end, a pair of inwardly-enlarged slits 86 extend inwardly from the lower end of each arm member 79 and are disposed in horizontally aligned space-opposed relationship of the tubular walls of the arm member. Affixed near the upper end of each of strut members 61 and 63 is a bracket 88 that includes a spaced pair of ears 90 which project toward the corresponding one of brackets 82. Horizontally aligned in each of ears 90 are respective holes of a size to receive slidingly a locking pin 92. Affixed on one end of pin 92 is a button 94 biased outwardly, together with pin 92, by a compression spring 96 coiled around the pin and spaced between the button 94 and the adjacent one of ears 90. Proceeding away from button 94, pin 92 has a first necked-down portion 98, an increased-diameter portion 100, a second necked-down portion 102 and a final increased-diameter portion 104. Necked-down portions 98 and 102 have a diameter such as to be accepted within the beginning and narrower respective portions of slits 86, while enlarged portions 100 and 104 have a diameter so as to fit within the respective inward enlargements of slits 86 while being too large to enter or exit through the more narrow entrance and exit portions of slits 86. To engage or disengage the lower end of arm member 79 from bracket 88, the user simply depresses button 94 so as to align necked-down portions 98 and 102 with the corresponding ones of slits 86 and thereby be able to move arm member 79 toward or away from strut member 61 or 63. Preferably, the transistion between necked-down portion 102 and enlarged portion 104 of pin 92 is somewhat gradually tapered as illustrated. That tapered section facilitates alignment of pin 92 within the inward enlargements of slits 86.

A similar fastener 106 is incorporated at each of points 54 and 56. As best shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, pin 72 is integrally extended through an additional one of ears 76 with respective ones of those ears being spaced apart to receive the lower end of arm member 79. Analogous to fastener 88, the extension of pin 72 includes, in succession from one end, a necked-down portion 108, an increased-diameter portion 110, another necked-down portion 112 and a final increased-diameter portion 114. Again, necked-down portions 108 and 112 are spaced apart and sized to be accepted within the more narrow portion of the respective ones of slits 86, while increased-diameter portions 110 and 114 are sized so as to be accepted within the inward enlargements in slits 86 but too large to pass through the more narrow portions of those slits. At one end of pin 72 is a button 116 shaped so as to be conveniently grasped by the user. A compression spring 118 is coiled around pin 72 between the adjacent one of ears 76 and button 116. In the form as shown, the user merely depresses button 116 in order to align necked-down portions 108 and 112 with slits 86 so as to permit engagement or disengagement of the lower end of arm member 79 from bracket 74. Facilitating that operation is a tapered section joining necked-down portion 112 and increased-diameter portion 114.

Turning now particularly to FIGS. 10, 12 and 13, it will be observed that pipe or roller-tube 30 includes a roller-shade type of spring assembly. Thus, each of hubs 48 and 49 integrally includes an inwardly projecting cup 122 that is staked by a pin 124 to a respective opposite end portion of a rod 126 which extends longitudinally through tube 30 and connects hubs 48 and 49. Intermediate the ends of rod 26 and carried on the rod is a spider 128 staked by a pin 130 to rod 126 and secured around its periphery to the inner wall surface of pipe 30. The spider periphery includes relieved areas to receive the corresponding walls of recesses 32-34.

Wrapped around rod 126 and individually secured at its respective opposite ends to spider 128 and the facing one of cups 122 is a coil spring 132. To eliminate slippage or breakage under stress, the respective end portions of spring 132 are threaded onto corresponding sleeves 133 carried upon the respective portions of rod 126 and also staked in place by pins 124 and 130. Of course, the direction of winding of the turns of spring 132 is such that, as pipe 30 rotates while the awning is being extended, spring 132 is tightened. During installation of the awning assembly, spring 132 desirably is pre-set with an initial degree of tighting when the awning is in its rolled-up position. This helps to assure that the awning is retained against wall 24 when in its stored position. The overall resilience and length of spring 132 is selected, in view of the weight of the other components in the awning assembly, to be such that, when released from its stored position, pipe 30 will rotate and permit the awning material to be unrolled to the fully extended position of the awning.

As detailed in FIG. 10, only one such spring assembly is shown. While that may be satisfactory in the case of smaller awnings, a wider awning (and, thus, longer roll tube or pipe 30) preferably is equipped with a pair of the spring assemblies. That is, a second coil spring 132 and spider 128 are identically associated with hub 49 so as to be a mirror image of the spring assembly illustrated in FIG. 10. In that case, rod 126 need not extend between the pair of spiders 128.

Beginning with the awning assembly in its extended position as shown in FIG. 1, it will be observed that it is but a simple matter to cause the awning material to be rolled up and the entire assembly placed in the storage position suitable for travel. The user need only unfasten the lower ends of arm members 79 from brakets 88 and, for secure storage purposes, refasten those lower ends at fasteners 106. Assuming pin 66 to be positioned in other than the uppermost ones of holes 64, he then depresses that pin and telescopes the struts together until pin 66 is engaged within the upper one of holes 64. At this point, assisted by the action of coil spring 132, he depresses pins 85 and swings the corresponding ones of struts 50 and 52 toward the trailer wall while, at the same time, spring 132 causes the awning to be rolled up. When the rolled-up awning abuts the side of trailer wall 24 at horizontal bar 26, he preferably ties the corresponding struts and arms together by means of a buckled strap 134 secured, as by riveting, to each of arm members 78. Since, at this point, arms 58 and 59 are effectively pinned at both ends to trailer wall 24, the use of strap 134 serves effectively to tie struts 50 and 52 also to the trailer wall. An additional strap 136, secured to horizontal bar 26 at its center, then preferably is wrapped around the rolled-up awning and buckled down. All components of the awning assembly are then securely stored so as to permit travel of the vehicle unit.

On subsequently parking the vehicle unit and desiring to use the awning, the user need only unbuckle straps 134 and 136, swing the awning assembly outwardly to the extended position, raise the outer edge of the awning to its desired height by means of depression of each pin 66 until inserted into the selected one of openings 64, and unfastening the lower end of arm members 79 from brackets 74 and then refastening those lower ends to the corresponding brackets 88. By depressing pins 85, the arms then are adjusted to the desired amount of extension. The resultant assembly is extremely rugged. For example, a large adult may swing from pipe 30, with the awning assembly unit in its extended position, without causing collapse or otherwise damaging the assembly. By virtue of its mode of construction, the awning assembly is both extremely durable and, yet, quite easy to manipulate. When in the extended position, the arm and strut arrangement permits the assembly to withstand the effects from substantial winds. When the awning is in its stored position, it is even more resistant against the possibility of damage arising from the effects of winds, whether caused by nature or high-speed travel of the vehicle unit.

Notwithstanding the use of straps 134 and 136, it has been found that the ends of pipe 30, when the awning assembly is in its stored position, tend to deflect outwardly away from trailer wall 24 under some conditions of wind resistance as the associated vehicle unit is traveling at higher speeds. To limit such deflection, an arrangement as particularly illustrated in FIG. 16 preferably is additionally included. That is, an aperture 138 is formed through hub 48 (and identically in hub 49) so as slidably to receive a stub 140 the inner end of which is positionable so as to be in the path of recesses 32-34 and thereby in the path of roller bearings 40. A coil spring 142 is tensioned between an external surface of hub 48 and an arm, adjacent to stub 140, of a bell crank 146 pivoted on a pin 148. Pin 148 is staked into an ear on flange 70, and spring 142 is arranged so that stub 140 is normally urged outwardly to a position in which its inner end is not in the path of recesses 32-34. Secured at the end 144 of bell crank 146, opposite stub 140, is a downwardly depending leg 150. Upon movement of the awning assembly to its stored position, leg 150 engages the external surface of bar 26 or some other suitable abuttment in the vicinity of bar 26 on the side of trailer wall 24. In operation, then, movement of pipe 30 to its storage position causes abuttment of leg 150 effectively against the side of the trailer so that stub 140 is driven inwardly of hub 48 and thus disposed between successive ones of recesses 32, 33 or 34. Accordingly, pipe 30 is then able to rotate only somewhat less than 120° for the embodied case of three equally spaced ones of the recesses. In turn, that limits any outward movement of the ends of pipe 30 to a rather minimal extent. It should be observed that the arrangement of the assembly including bell crank 146 and the ears on flange 70 is such that the same parts may be used at either end of pipe or roll tube 30.

Further in resistance to wind effects, FIGS. 2 and 3 depict the addition to the awning assembly of a semi-enclosed housing 152 which receives the rolled-up awning when in the storage position. Housing 152 is in the form of an elongated U-shaped channel 154 that is affixed to wall 24 with its bite portion disposed under bar 26 so that its legs project outwardly to receive and embrace the stored awning roll. To facilitate receipt of the awning roll within housing 152, the outer ends of the legs of channel 154 may flare apart as indicated at 156. Such a housing has been particularly successful in overcoming wind effects in a situation in which the awning is mounted on a building wall under an overhanging eave that tends to captivate the wind.

As shown in detail in FIGS. 14 and 15, one-piece bearings 40 turn in the respective ones of recesses 32-34. To minimize wear and reduce friction, the bearing depicted in FIG. 15a preferably is substituted for each of bearings 40. This revised bearing features a shank 160 that terminates in a radially projecting integral collar 162 followed by an integral spindle 164. A cylindrical roller 166 has a central aperture 168 that is slidingly received on spindle 164. Roller 166 preferably is formed of a self-lubricating plastic and has the same outer diameter as head 44 of roller 40 so as to be received within the hub flanges as previously described. In this case, however, shank 160 is assigned a diameter such that it must be forced into the respective one of recesses 32-34.

While a particular embodiment of the invention and a possibly desired modification thereof have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects, and therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.