Abstract: A generally U-shaped guide carriage is linearly guided on a longitudinally-extending rail track by at least one circuit of roller balls carried by each of the depending flanges of the U-shaped guide carriage. Each ball circuit includes a linear load-bearing row and a linear return row of roller balls. The load-bearing balls bear against facing ball rolling tracks carried by the opposite sides of the rail track. A cross member is connected adjacent one end of the rail track and carries rolling track engagement faces for engaging the ball rolling tracks on the rail track. An entraining unit is connected to the guide carriage, and a linear drive is coupled between the cross member and entraining unit for driving the guide carriage along the rail track. In another embodiment, a common steel insert is carried by each depending flange of the U-shaped guide carriage and supports the load-bearing row or rows of the associated ball circuits.

Abstract: A guide carriage is guided on a rail track. At the two ends of the rail track, cross-members are mounted. Between the cross-members there extends a drive device. A drive element of the drive device is drivingly connected with the guide carriage. The resultant driving force of the drive device lies outside the longitudinal axis of the rail track. For achieving better acceptance of tilting moments, the guide carriage is guided on the rail track by ball circuits. The rows of supporting balls of the ball circuits bear against rolling tracks, which are formed symmetrically on either side of the longitudinally central plane of the rail track on this track. The force transmission planes of the supporting rows of balls diverge towards the longitudinal plane of symmetry and each make an angle with this plane of approximately 45.degree.. The drive device may, in particular, be mounted laterally of one flange of the U-shaped guide carriage, or above the web of this guide carriage.