The key elements of Adapter Sleeves include the tapered adapter bush, lock nut, lock washer or retainer. Adapter sleeves feature axially slotted sleeves with cylindrical bores, a tapered outside surface, and male screw threads at the narrow ends used with lock nuts and lock washers for the mounting of bearings with tapered bores on cylindrical outside surfaces of shafts. Adapter Sleeves are also called Pull-type sleeves.

Adapter sleeves are the most commonly used components for placing bearings with a tapered bore onto a cylindrical seat as they can be used on smooth or stepped shafts. They are easy to mount and require no additional location on the shaft. When adapter sleeves are used on smooth shafts, the bearing can be located at any position on the shaft. When used on stepped shafts, together with an abutment ring, bearings can be accurately positioned axially, and the bearing dismounting will be facilitated.