A rotary milking platform 1 has a deck 2, a circular upper beam 4 connected to and supporting the deck, a circular lower beam 6 and a series of carriages 5 connected end to end to form a ring between the beams. The platform is formed such that the upper beam 4 is arranged to rest and rotate on the ring of carriages 5 to rotate the deck 2. Each carriage has at least one carriage roller 10, and each roller 10 arranged to rotate on the lower beam 4. Each roller 10 also has a retention flange 11 at only one side. The flanges 11 of some of the rollers 10 are at or adjacent an inner side of the ring, and the flanges 11 of others of the rollers are at or adjacent an outer side of the ring. The rollers 10 of the ring are arranged such that at least one roller is oriented with its flange 11 on an opposite side to another of the flanged rollers immediately adjacent to it. The flanges prevent the carriages from moving off the lower beam 4 when the platform 1 is in use. Further, at least some of the carriages can be disconnected from the ring and swung laterally to be moved free of the beams 4, 6 for maintenance, repair or replacement.

A cage segment defines a single pocket of a multipart rolling-element bearing cage and includes first and second circumferentially spaced side walls connected by first and second end walls. The first and second side walls and the first and second end walls are formed by at least one sheet metal segment connected at at least one joint.

A cage segment defines a single pocket of a multipart rolling-element bearing cage and includes first and second circumferentially spaced side walls connected by first and second end walls. The first and second side walls and the first and second end walls are formed by at least one sheet metal segment connected at at least one joint.

A bearing cage segment for a rolling-element bearing includes at least one sliding surface on which a surface of at least one rolling element of the rolling-element bearing is rotatable, a first support element, such as an axial projection on an axial side of the cage segment having a radially open radially facing channel, at a first radial position for supporting a first band section of a band clamp during an assembling of the rolling-element bearing, and at least one second support element at a second radial position different from the first radial position for supporting a second band section of the band clamp.

A cage segment for a rolling-element bearing having a plurality of rolling elements includes at least one bridge and first and second plates extending from axial ends of the bridge, sides of the bridge being configured to guide rolling elements. Radially inner or outer edges of each of the bridges include at least one axial channel having channel walls projecting radially and circumferentially from the radial inner or outer edge.

A cage segment for a rolling-element bearing having a plurality of rolling elements includes at least one bridge and first and second plates extending from axial ends of the bridge, sides of the bridge being configured to guide rolling elements. Radially inner or outer edges of each of the bridges include at least one axial channel having channel walls projecting radially and circumferentially from the radial inner or outer edge.

A cage segment is for a rolling-element bearing cage, particularly for large rolling-element bearings. The cage segment includes a first side element and a second side element that are connected by a first bridge and a second bridge. At least one pocket is formed between the first and second bridges which is suitable for receiving at least one rolling element. The cage segment is manufactured from sheet metal.

A method for assembling a tapered roller bearing includes providing a first rolled-on surface element having a raceway and an axial end surface and mounting a plurality of tapered rollers separated by a plurality of bearing cage segments or by a plurality of roller spacers on the raceway, where each of the plurality of tapered rollers has a frustoconical rolling surface and a circular end surface meeting at a junction. Also placing at least one assembly ring around the plurality of tapered rollers to hold the plurality of tapered rollers against the first rolled-on surface element, and moving a second rolled-on surface element coaxially toward the first rolled-on surface element such that a portion of the second rolled-on surface element contacts the at least one assembly ring and pushes the at least one assembly ring axially off the plurality of tapered rollers.

A method for assembling a tapered roller bearing includes providing a first rolled-on surface element having a raceway and an axial end surface and mounting a plurality of tapered rollers separated by a plurality of bearing cage segments or by a plurality of roller spacers on the raceway, where each of the plurality of tapered rollers has a frustoconical rolling surface and a circular end surface meeting at a junction. Also placing at least one assembly ring around the plurality of tapered rollers to hold the plurality of tapered rollers against the first rolled-on surface element, and moving a second rolled-on surface element coaxially toward the first rolled-on surface element such that a portion of the second rolled-on surface element contacts the at least one assembly ring and pushes the at least one assembly ring axially off the plurality of tapered rollers.

A cage segment for a rolling-element bearing includes at least two pockets each configured to receive at least one first roller, and two circumferentially opposite end portions delimiting the cage segment in a circumferential direction, where each end portion has a concave cylindrical abutment face configured to guide a second roller. Also a rolling element bearing including a plurality of the cage segments.