A split bearing cage for a rolling-element bearing assembly includes a first bearing cage segment and a second bearing cage segment each having two side ring sections axially spaced apart by a plurality of bridges. Adjacent pairs of the bridges define rolling-element receiving pockets for receiving rolling elements of the rolling-element bearing assembly and for holding the rolling elements spaced apart from each other and for guiding the rolling elements. The first bearing cage segment is connected to the second bearing cage segment via a swivel joint that may be formed of a bolt element on a first end of the first bearing cage segment and an at least partial eyelet on the first end of the second bearing cage segment.

A bearing retainer for use in a bearing is provided. The bearing includes an inner ring, rolling elements and an outer ring. The bearing retainer has a body. The body defines an inner periphery and an outer periphery of the body. The body further defines a plurality of openings extending from the inner periphery to the outer periphery of the body. The plurality of openings are adapted to retain the rolling elements in a spaced apart relationship. The body further defines opposed faces extending from the inner periphery to the outer periphery of the body. The body further defines a plurality of face pockets formed in at least one of the faces of the body. The face pockets are adapted to storing lubrication. The body further includes a pathway from at least one face pocket of the body to the inner periphery of the body.

A rolling bearing includes a cage formed by coupling a first and a second division pieces into which the cage is divided in an axial direction. At least the first division piece is provided with a protruding portion extending in an axial direction toward the second division piece and having a locking portion formed at a tip of the protruding portion with the locking portion protruding toward a radially outer side. The second division piece is provided with a locked recessed portion in which the locking portion is locked. On an inner peripheral surface of the first division piece, an avoiding recessed portion is formed which allows avoidance of interference of the inner peripheral surface of the first division piece with an inner ring when the first division piece is tilted toward a radially inner side in order to lock the locking portion in the locked recessed portion.

A rolling-element bearing cage having a central axis of rotation includes a first cage ring having an axial extension and at least one snap arm disposed directly on the extension, and a second cage ring having an attachment region to which the at least one snap arm is snapped. The attachment region is located at a first distance from the central axis of rotation. A portion of each of the at least one each snap arm of the first cage ring is located at a second distance from the central axis of rotation, the second distance being less than the first distance.

A synthetic resin retainer includes two annular members having opposed surfaces opposed to each other and each formed with a plurality of pockets which are circumferentially spaced apart from each other, and in which the balls are received. Each annular member includes axially concave, arc-shaped pocket wall portions defining the inner surfaces of the pockets, and flat plate-shaped coupling plate portions coupling together the adjacent pairs of the pocket wall portions. The coupling plate portions have axial thicknesses of 30% or less of the diameters of the balls, and the pocket wall portions have, at deepest points of the pockets, thicknesses of 10% or less of the diameters of the balls.

A bearing retainer for use in a bearing is provided. The bearing includes an inner ring, rolling elements and an outer ring. The bearing retainer includes a body. The body defines an inner periphery and an outer periphery of the body. The body further defines a plurality of inner walls. Each inner wall defines an opening extending from the inner periphery to the outer periphery of the body. The plurality of openings are adapted to receive one of the rolling elements. The inner walls are adapted to keep the rolling elements in a spaced apart relationship. At least one of the inner walls defines a aperture through the body. The aperture is adapted for storing lubrication therein.

A two-part bearing cage for a rolling-element bearing includes first and second identical cage halves each including an annular base body, a plurality of pins extending axially from the annular base body, and a plurality of pin receptacles, each of the plurality of pin receptacles having a shape complementary to a shape of a pin. Each of the pins on one cage half engages into one of the receptacles of the other cage half to form bearing cage bridges and pockets between the bridges, and each of the receptacles includes a radially outwardly disposed, axially extending ring wall section that radially outwardly supports the pin received in that receptacle.

A rolling bearing unit (6) includes a rolling bearing (3) and an annular cage (1) formed by two half-cages (10) connected together by pins (16) and holes (18) formed alternately in a row on each half-cage (10). The pins (16) of a half-cage being snap-coupling with the holes (18) of the opposing half-cage. Rigid blocks (21) alternate with recesses (22). The rigid blocks (21) of a half-cage (10) coupling with the recesses (22) of the opposing half-cage (10). The projecting rigid blocks (21) bearing the projecting pins (16). The holes (18) being formed at the back of the recesses (22), so that the half-cages (10) are connected by a first coupling and a second coupling in series (14, 15), designed to separately absorb tangential and axial stresses. The half-cages (10) are provided with a radial annular ridge (34) acting as a screen.

A retainer includes two annular retaining plates combined with each other, and each having semispherical bulging portions arranged at predetermined intervals along a circumferential direction of the retainer. The semispherical bulging portions, which face each other, form a pocket having a ring-like shape, for retaining a ball. The pocket includes a ball non-contact portion formed in a ball facing surface of the pocket at a center portion in a pocket axial direction, the ball non-contact portion being defined by a recess extending in a pocket circumferential direction. The following relationship is set: A/(B+C)=0.70 to 0.90, where A represents a pocket circumferential length of the ball non-contact portion, B represents a diameter of the ball, and C represents a gap formed between the ball and the ball facing surface of the pocket.

A convertible bearing cage is provided including a first cage part having a first rim with a plurality of first projections extending axially therefrom that form open, snap-in pockets for receiving bearing balls. Connection holes are located in the projections. A second cage part having a second rim with a plurality of second projections extending axially therefrom that form partial pockets is also provided. The plurality of second projections are aligned with the first projections. A ring guide extends circumferentially around the second rim. The second cage part is connectable to the first cage part with the second plurality of projections contacting the first priority of projections using connection elements that engage in or through the connection holes to form closed pockets. The first cage part is used alone as an open pocket, ball guided cage, or connected to the second cage part as a closed pocket, ring guided cage.