A bearing assembly lockable onto a shaft. The bearing assembly comprises a
first tapered adapter defining a first axial bore for the receipt of the
shaft which has an outer, annular tapered surface. There is a second
tapered adapter defining a second axial bore for receipt of a sleeve
portion of the first adapter. The second tapered adapter has an outer,
annular tapered surface tapered at a taper angle opposite to that of the
first tapered adapter such that the first and second tapered adapters
co-operate to define an outer annular surface having a generally V-shaped
configuration that tapers from spaced greater diameter outer ends to
adjacent lesser diameter inner ends. The opposed tapered surfaces have a
fixed limit in their axial travel toward each other along the shaft
defined by engagement of the lesser diameter inner ends. When the tapered
surfaces reach the end of their travel, the bearing supported on the
tapered surfaces is tightened on the shaft with the correct clearances.