During the last five years, Gregory G. Coates has worked closely with his father, inventor George Coates, in efforts dedicated to improving every aspect of the automobile. Through these focused efforts, Gregory has created a new design for wheel bearings that will dramatically improve the long-term performance of an automobile. This brief informational memorandum introduces this innovation, the Coates Infinitely Self Adjusting Wheel Bearing and its inventor, Gregory G. Coates.
The front wheels of an automobile are normally mounted on a spindle with the wheel bearing supported in the spindle. The wheel is supported by an inner and outer wheel bearing, allowing the wheel to rotate freely. During the installation or replacement of the bearing the mechanic must position the locking nut so that the wheel rotates freely without any wobble or play. It is virtually impossible to know when the bearings are adjusted so that they are exactly right and not too loose or tight. This has always been a guess.
The invention has two major objectives for improving the wheel bearing. They are:
• To provide a wheel bearing that self adjusts the pressure on the outer bearing during operation of the vehicle.
• To provide a wheel bearing assembly that ensures the proper positioning of the wheel bearings during assembly. In effect, this turns the assembly process into an exact science.
CURRENT WHEEL BEARINGS
As illustrated in Figure 1 of the US Patent attachment, a standard wheel bearing consists of an inner and outer bearing. These wheel bearings support the spindle which is mounted by the wheel of an automobile. The outer bearing, the one that is replaced by the Coates invention, is threaded onto the spindle or axle and is secured by an adjustable nut. Between the nut and the bearing is a non-rotating washer. The nut is secured by the insertion of a pin through the locking nut.
The process for determining the bearing's pressure is simplistic and unscientific. The mechanic’s tightening of the locking nut places what s/he feels to be the appropriate amount of tension. The insertion of the pin secures the locking nut and bearing. However, the bearing through normal road use erodes, loosening the fit between the nut and bearing. Eventually the erosion process causes the wheel to fall out of balance, resulting in excessive tire wear and the destruction of a smooth ride.
The resulting repair process includes the replacement of the outer bearing, non-rotating washer and the threaded nut. If tire erosion was severe, the tires will need replacing and the wheel will need to be realigned. Only continued vigilance will prevent a similar repair scenario from occurring within a year or two.
