Recirculating Patents (Class 384/43)
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Patent number: 7008107Abstract: A linear motion guide unit has a guide rail made of a thin plate, and a stopper construction installed detachably to the guide rail to prevent a slider from becoming untethered while on a sliding movement relative to the guide rail. A linear motion guide unit is disclosed in which a slider fits for linearly sliding movement in a guide rail made of a thin steel material formed in an U-shape in cross section, and there is provided a stopper construction to keep the slider against getting out of the guide rail. The stopper construction is comprised of a stopper pin installed detachably to the guide rail at any lengthwise end thereof to cause the stopper pin to bear against any fore-and-aft end of widthwise opposing side walls of the slider, whereby the slider comes to rest to prevent it from becoming untethered from the guide rail.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2003Date of Patent: March 7, 2006Assignee: Nippon Thompson Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hideki Kuwabara
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Patent number: 7001072Abstract: A linear guideway with damping is provided mainly comprising a guide rail and a slider module, said slider module comprising a slider body, a plurality of roller balls, caps for roller balls to circulate and a damping block. The slider module is provided with said damping block inside to damp said linear guideway without adding extra components to reduce vibration. Furthermore, a Damping adjustment device is provided to adjust a damping effect formed by contacting said damping block with said slider body and said guide rail in order to provide optimal vibration absorption.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2003Date of Patent: February 21, 2006Assignee: Hiwin Technologies Corp.Inventor: Yung-Tsai Chuo
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Patent number: 6984068Abstract: A linear guide apparatus has a guide rail including rolling element rolling grooves formed in the side surfaces thereof so as to extend in the axial direction thereof; a slider including rolling element rolling grooves respectively opposed to the rolling element rolling grooves of the guide rail and mounted on the guide rail so as to be movable in the axial direction with respect to the guide rail; and, a plurality of rolling elements rollably interposed between the rolling element rolling grooves of the guide rail and the rolling element rolling grooves of the slider, wherein each of the portions, where the groove surfaces of the rolling element rolling grooves of either the guide rail or the slider and the outer surfaces thereof cross each other, is formed as a curved surface, whereby the groove surface and the outer surface are allowed to continue smoothly with each other.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2002Date of Patent: January 10, 2006Assignee: NSK Ltd.Inventors: Soichiro Kato, Nobushide Kurachi
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Patent number: 6957488Abstract: A process of manufacturing a rail of a linear guide is described. The process includes preparing a material for a rail wherein the material has a surface formed in a convex shap and two side surface. The method includes a rolling process of forming raceway grooves in the side surfaces of the material and a process for making a mounting hole after the rolling process in such a manner that the mounting hole opens to at least either surface.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2004Date of Patent: October 25, 2005Assignee: NSK Ltd.Inventors: Kunio Kawashima, Hidenori Kawai, Masaru Akiyama
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Patent number: 6918330Abstract: A miter saw includes a tool adjustment unit having a joint pivotable about an axis, a guide rail spaced from and coupled to the joint so as to pivot about the axis, a saw housing mounted on the guide rail and a linear motion bearing assembly, which is positioned between the guide rail and the saw housing. The guide rail and the linear motion bearing are so shaped and dimensioned that the saw housing and the guide rail rotationally engage one another in a substantially play free manner to displace a saw blade between a plurality of angled positions.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2002Date of Patent: July 19, 2005Assignee: Thomson Industries, Inc.Inventors: Alison Ng, Eric Kim, Frank Dalessandro
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Patent number: 6908228Abstract: A linear motion bearing assembly (20) as provided for movement along a splined shaft (10). The rolling element retainer of the bearing assembly (20) is assembled from a plurality of arcuate interengageable self-contained rolling element retainer segments (22). Each of the rolling element retainer segments (22) includes at least one rolling element track (30) having a load bearing portion (34) and a return portion (36). At least one load bearing plate (44) is axially positioned in each segment and serves to receive and transmit loads from the bearing rolling elements (32) in the load bearing portion (34) of the ball tracks (30). An extended housing retainer structure encloses all of the exposed exterior surfaces of the rolling element retainer segments (22) and is configured and dimensioned to maintain the rolling element retainer segments (22) in position and to receive a load either directly or indirectly from the load bearing plates (44).Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2001Date of Patent: June 21, 2005Assignee: Danaher MotionInventors: Frank Dalessandro, Scott Carlson, Alison Ng
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Patent number: 6880975Abstract: A linear motion guide unit has a track rail of a pair of side walls on which raceway grooves are formed. In the depths or bottom of the raceway grooves there are cut deeply relief flutes, one to each raceway groove, where retainer bands to keep rolling elements against coming apart are allowed to step aside therein. The raceway groove is made in so specific form as to make it possible to produce the raceway groove and do the relief flute at the same time. The retainer band is installed in the slider, with stepping aside in the relief flute for linear movement relative to the track rail as the slider travels along the track rail. The relief flute is cut in a fashion at least one lengthwise flank thereof on the side nearer the upward opening between the side walls of the track rail is made slantwise to provide a tapered flank because of which the relief flute can be produced together with the associated raceway groove at a single process.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2003Date of Patent: April 19, 2005Assignee: Nippon Thompson Co., Ltd.Inventors: Toyohisa Ishihara, Yoshiharu Miyata
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Patent number: 6869220Abstract: Disclosed is a linear guide device in which a rate of change expressed as “Dmax?Dmin”, becomes extremely small where Dmax and Dmin are respectively a local maximum and a local minimum of D, expressed as (dx2?dx1)/dx, which is produced when a steel ball B moves a distance corresponding to a rolling element-to-rolling element span, dx1 is a minute movement quantity of a steel ball B when it moves from one space defined between rolling element rolling grooves 3 and 31 of an element endless circulating raceway 7, to one of curved element circulating R parts 6, and dx2 is a minute movement quantity of another steel ball B when it moves from the other curved element circulating R part 6 to the space while the former steel ball is moved by the minute movement quantity dx1.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2003Date of Patent: March 22, 2005Assignee: NSK Ltd.Inventors: Hiroki Yamaguchi, Ryoichi Sato, Shinichi Kasuga, Kenji Kano, Soichiro Kato, Nobuaki Fujimura
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Patent number: 6848326Abstract: The linear guide apparatus includes a guide rail 3 including a rolling body rolling groove 8 and a friction apply unit 6 assembled to the guide rail 3. The friction apply unit 6 includes a unit main body 15, a brake member 16, an oil pressure cylinder 17 and a plate spring 32. The brake member 16 is disposed so as to face the side surface 3a of the guide rail 3 and can be contacted with the other portions of the side surface 3a than the rolling body rolling groove 8 thereof. The oil pressure cylinder 17 includes a piston member 20 which is structured to be driven in a positive direction to thereby press the brake member 16 against the side surface 3a of the guide rail 3 and also the piston member 20 can be driven in the opposite direction to thereby remove the pressure of the brake member 16 from the side surface 3a.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2003Date of Patent: February 1, 2005Assignee: NSK Ltd.Inventors: Masaru Akiyama, Soichiro Kato, Shinya Nakamura, Shiroji Yabe
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Patent number: 6821604Abstract: In a retaining piece interposed between the adjacent rolling balls, a concave surface of each of both side surfaces of the retaining piece where it contacts with the spherical surfaces of the balls is configured to partly contact with the spherical surface of the ball. The concave surface includes a linear contact portion to be in contact with the ball and an approximate curved surface having the radius of curvature approximate to that of the ball, which is located on the inner side of the linear contact portion. In addition, recesses which are joined to the gate portion and the ejector pin in a molding process are formed in the concave surfaces. A recess is formed at the joining portion or near a parting line. Fins formed in the molding process are capable to be put into the recess.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2002Date of Patent: November 23, 2004Assignee: NSK Ltd.Inventors: Shinichi Kasuga, Ryoichi Sato, Hiroki Yamaguchi
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Patent number: 6813968Abstract: In a ball screw device comprising a screw shaft and a nut which make relative movement to each other through a multiplicity of balls, as well as in a linear motion device comprising an outer member and an inner member which make the relative movements to each other through the multiplicity of balls, a spacer having two concave surfaces facing respectively to balls, is disposed between the balls adjacent to each other. A section of each of the concave surfaces of the spacer is formed of two circular arcs of which central positions deviate from each other to form a Gothic arch. The spacer has such a configuration that the balls adjacent to each other come into contact with outer edges thereof or portions vicinal to the outer edges. The spacer also has such a configuration that the balls adjacent to each other come into contact with at least three or more outer edge portions thereof or portions vicinal to the outer edges. The spacer may have a through-hole formed in a thinnest portion thereof.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2002Date of Patent: November 9, 2004Assignee: NSK Ltd.Inventors: Kazuo Miyaguchi, Tsutomu Ohkubo, Takeshi Nakazawa, Shirouji Yabe, Soichiro Kato, Nobumitsu Takahashi, Ryouichi Sato, Hiroki Yamaguchi, Yoshinori Mizumura
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Patent number: 6805019Abstract: In a ball screw device comprising a screw shaft and a nut which make relative movement to each other through a multiplicity of balls, as well as in a linear motion device comprising an outer member and an inner member which make the relative movements to each other through the multiplicity of balls, a spacer having two concave surfaces facing respectively to balls, is disposed between the balls adjacent to each other. A section of each of the concave surfaces of the spacer is formed of two circular arcs of which central positions deviate from each other to form a Gothic arch. The spacer has such a configuration that the balls adjacent to each other come into contact with outer edges thereof or portions vicinal to the outer edges. The spacer also has such a configuration that the balls adjacent to each other come into contact with at least three or more outer edge portions thereof or portions vicinal to the outer edges. The spacer may have a through-hole formed in a thinnest portion thereof.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2002Date of Patent: October 19, 2004Assignee: NSK Ltd.Inventors: Kazuo Miyaguchi, Takeshi Nakazawa, Yoshinori Mizumura
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Patent number: 6776063Abstract: In the ball screw, a ball circulation tube 20 is formed to have such a shape that the movable amount of balls 15 in a first direction (X) intersecting at right angles to the axis of the tube 20 is larger than the movable amount of the balls 15 in a second direction (Y) intersecting at right angles to the first direction (X), and the ball circulation tube 20 is fixed to a nut 13 in such a manner that the outer surface 20a of the tube 20 extending in parallel with the first direction (X) is opposed to the outer surface of the nut 13. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a ball screw which can restrict variations in the torque of the ball screw caused by the mutual sliding movements of balls occurring within a ball circulation tube.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2002Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Assignee: NSK Ltd.Inventor: Yasumi Watanabe
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Publication number: 20040151406Abstract: Operability, low noise characteristic and endurance are further improved at a reduced cost and easily by suppressing the fluctuation of a pitch between rolling elements due to the effects of swelling caused by oil and fats such as lubricants also in a case of using the elastomer for the material of the retaining piece.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2003Publication date: August 5, 2004Inventor: Hiroki Yamaguchi
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Publication number: 20040076349Abstract: A slider is formed by a metallic main body, a synthetic resin-made frame, and a pair of end caps. The frame is detachably fitted to outer sides of the main body. Ball rolling grooves are provided in the main body. Return paths and inside grooves of a direction changing path are provided in the frame. An outside groove of the direction changing path are provided in each end cap. A paste-like filler is applied to a boundary portion between the main body and the frame and a boundary portion between the frame and the end cap, and is allowed to cure.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2003Publication date: April 22, 2004Applicant: NSK LTD.Inventor: Nobuaki Fujimura
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Publication number: 20040076348Abstract: A linear motion bearing assembly (20) as provided for movement along a splined shaft (10). The rolling element retainer of the bearing assembly (20) is assembled from a plurality of arcuate interengageable self-contained rolling element retainer segments (22). Each of the rolling element retainer segments (22) includes at least one rolling element track (30) having a load bearing portion (34) and a return portion (36). At least one load bearing plate (44) is axially positioned in each segment and serves to receive and transmit loads from the bearing rolling elements (32) in the load bearing portion (34) of the ball tracks (30). An extended housing retainer structure encloses all of the exposed exterior surfaces of the rolling element retainer segments (22) and is configured and dimensioned to maintain the rolling element retainer segments (22) in position and to receive a load either directly or indirectly from the load bearing plates (44).Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2003Publication date: April 22, 2004Inventors: Frank Dalessandro, Scott Carlson, Alison Ng
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Publication number: 20040057640Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a method of manufacturing a rolling element string wherein a smaller rolling element string can be manufactured easily at low cost, and a rolling element string being superior in the tensile strength and the flexural strength even after downsizing can be manufactured.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2003Publication date: March 25, 2004Applicant: THK CO., LTDInventors: Hidekazu Michioka, Yasuhiro Matsumoto, Hiroshi Nakabayashi, Katsuya Iida, Daisuke Yatsushiro
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Patent number: 6676295Abstract: In the present linear guide bearing, the center of curvature O′ of a ball reversing passage 27 is shifted to a return side ball passage 25 side by a given amount m when compared with the center of curvature O′ of a conventional guide bearing. Due to this, not only the radius of curvature of a concave-arc-shaped groove 29 formed in each end cap 9 is reduced by a given amount m but also the concave-arc-shaped groove 29 is shifted to the return side ball passage 25 side by a given amount m, when compared with the conventional guide bearing. Thus, an angle &agr; formed between a line connecting the leading end of a tongue portion 31 to the center of curvature O′ of a ball reversing passage 27 and the moving-direction end face of a bearing main body 7, can be reduced significantly when compared with the conventional bearing.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2003Date of Patent: January 13, 2004Assignee: NSK Ltd.Inventors: Shinichi Kasuga, Ryoichi Sato, Hiroki Yamaguchi
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Patent number: 6637941Abstract: In a linear rolling bearing comprising a shaft (1) acting as a guide rail and having a profiled or round, particularly circular cross-section, an outer peripheral surface of the shaft forming raceways (6) extending in longitudinal direction for rolling elements, for example, balls, cylindrical rollers or convex rollers, the linear rolling bearing further comprising a cup (2) surrounding the shaft (1) and the rolling elements (3), said cup comprising on an inner surface opposing raceways (7) for the rolling elements (3) while being arranged in a reception or a bore (10) of a connecting structure (11), the cup (2) has a divided configuration in longitudinal direction and is composed of a plurality of segments that comprise the opposing raceways (7) and further comprise support surfaces extending parallel to the opposing raceways (7), through which support surfaces, the segments are supported on one another in peripheral direction of the cup (2).Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2001Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: Ina Walzlager Schaeffler oHGInventor: Heinz Greiner
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Publication number: 20030194161Abstract: In a roller retainer assembly, a roller retainer 15 is thinned to retain individual one of plural rollers 7 circulating in a roller circulation path inclusive of linear and curved races and to hold opposite side surfaces of the roller 7 and front and rear surfaces thereof in the roller moving direction. A combination of linear and curve guide portions 16a and 16b different in inclination angle and a combination of linear and curve guide portion 17a and 17b different in inclination angle are formed respectively in opposite end surfaces of the roller retainer 15 in a retainer moving direction. In a linear race, the linear guide portions 16a and 17a come into contact with adjacent roller retainers 15 respectively. In a curved race, the curve guide portions 16b and 17b come into contact with adjacent roller retainers 15 respectively.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2003Publication date: October 16, 2003Applicant: THK Co., Ltd.Inventor: Tomozumi Murata
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Publication number: 20030194160Abstract: A linear guide device includes: a plurality of rolling elements; a guide rail extending in an axial direction thereof and including a plurality of rolling element rolling grooves in two side portions thereof, said rolling groove extending in an axial direction of the guide rail; a slider including a plurality of rolling element rolling grooves respectively opposed to said rolling element rolling grooves of said guide rail, said slider being supported on said guide rail in such a manner that said slider is movable along the axial direction of said guide rail through the rolling movements of said rolling elements respectively inserted between said rolling element rolling grooves of said guide rail and said rolling element rolling grooves of said slider, said slider including a rolling element endless circulation track along which said rolling elements are allowed to circulate endlessly; and a plurality of separators, each interposed between said adjoining rolling elements in the circulation direction of said roType: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2003Publication date: October 16, 2003Applicant: NSK LTD.Inventors: Shiroji Yabe, Soichiro Kato, Nobumitsu Takahashi, Ryoichi Sato, Yoshinori Mizumura, Hiroki Yamaguchi
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Patent number: 6619846Abstract: A guide mechanism is provided with first guide rails each having a circular arc-shaped cross section to be installed to first long grooves each having a circular arc-shaped cross section formed on an inner wall surface of a frame, and second guide rails each having a circular arc-shaped cross section to be installed to second long grooves each having a circular arc-shaped cross section formed on side surfaces of a slider opposed to the inner wall surface of the frame. Accordingly, the arrangement of ball-rolling grooves in the slider can be performed more freely, and it is possible to mitigate the concentration of stress exerted by external force.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2001Date of Patent: September 16, 2003Assignee: SMC Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shigekazu Nagai, Akio Saitoh, Masaru Saitoh
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Patent number: 6619844Abstract: In a linear rolling bearing, a plurality of ball circuits are arranged behind one another in peripheral direction around a guide rail. At least one ball circuit comprising a load-bearing section, a returning section and two deflecting sections which connect these load-bearing and returning sections to each other are retained in a segmental cage housing. This is formed by an inner cage part (11) and an outer cage part (12) and comprises a load-bearing raceway element (9) that is fitted into a through-aperture of the outer cage part (12). The balls (8) of the load-bearing section are supported on one side on a raceway of the load-bearing raceway element (9) and project through a slot (14) of the inner cage part (11) to be supported on another side on the guide rail for rolling in the longitudinal direction thereof. According to the invention, each segmental cage housing can be separately inserted and removed in radial direction from a recess of a cage bushing (1) surrounding the guide rail.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2002Date of Patent: September 16, 2003Assignee: INA-Schaeffler KGInventors: Klaus Baalmann, Uwe Danneck, Kai Jelinek, Udo Klein, Frank Scheib, Thomas Winkler
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Publication number: 20030167865Abstract: An angle adjusting device includes a pedestal, a pair of guide members having an arcuate track, an oscillation body moved along the track of the guide members, and a moving member for moving the oscillation body to adjust the angular position of the oscillation body around an oscillation axis. The moving member has a motor provided in the pedestal, a linkage shaft provided in the oscillation body, and a linkage mechanism interposed between the motor and the linkage shaft. A principal linkage member of the linkage mechanism is linked to a top end portion of an output shaft rotatably around an axis parallel to the oscillation axis, and linked to the linkage shaft to be linearly movable in its axial direction. The guide members have two flat reference planes, and fixed in a state where those reference planes are contact with two flat setting planes of the pedestal.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2003Publication date: September 11, 2003Applicant: BELDEX CORPORATIONInventors: Hirokazu Ishikawa, Yoichi Nakazato
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Publication number: 20030164054Abstract: The present invention relates to a new guide actuator with high radial direction load capability, which has the purpose of providing a directional force bearing way to common loading method to make the actuator can bear load and transmit with higher accuracy. On design, the present invention has grooves bearing load at the center of the bottom of the U-shape guide structure, and a table is set between two inner side walls of the U-shape guide structure, grooves corresponding to the grooves of the U-shape guide structure being set at the bottom of the table, rollers being set between grooves and grooves to make the table and the U-shape guide structure slide respect to each other with very low friction due to rolling motion of the rollers with high radial load capability.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2002Publication date: September 4, 2003Inventors: Chang-Hsin Kuo, Tung-Hsing Chen
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Patent number: 6588289Abstract: A contamination resistant lead screw or ball screw-driven linear actuator has the lead screw and drive nut enclosed within a specially constructed guide chassis. A carriage is slidably mounted on parallel rails attached to the guide chassis. The carriage is attached to the drive nut through a slot in the guide chassis. An enclosure surrounds the guide chassis. The enclosure and the guide chassis create a labyrinth seal that effectively contains internally generated debris and contamination and excludes environmental dirt, debris and contamination.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2001Date of Patent: July 8, 2003Assignee: Danaher Motion Technology, LLCInventors: Tom Thang Ung, Robert Alexander Lipsett
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Patent number: 6575630Abstract: A rolling element chain (10) comprises a plurality of rolling elements (14) arranged in close succession and a longitudinal supporting band (12). The supporting band (12) in turn comprises a plurality of recesses (16) for the accommodation of the rolling elements (14), a plurality of retaining elements (20) for retaining the rolling elements accommodated in the recesses (16), where each rolling element (14) is assigned at least one retaining element (20), and at least one longitudinal flexible element (18) for interconnection of the retaining elements (20). Each rolling element (14) is retained, by the at least one retaining element (20) assigned to it, in the longitudinal direction (L) of the supporting band (12) either at its leading side only or at its following side only.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2002Date of Patent: June 10, 2003Assignee: Rexroth Star GmbHInventors: Günter Blaurock, Rudolf Schlereth, Hans-Georg Stender
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Patent number: 6561056Abstract: A linear handling unit is provided with a first body (11), which carries opposite linear bearings (16) in the front and a fluid-type linear actuator (19). A second body carries, longitudinally, two lateral studs (29) for guiding and for coupling with the linear bearings for the movements of one body on the other. The linear actuator is connected to the second body. The studs (29) are arranged in two parallel, flexible-expandable flanges (26) integral with the second body carrying the studs. An adjusting bar (31) is arranged between the studs.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2000Date of Patent: May 13, 2003Assignee: Gimatic S.P.A.Inventor: Giuseppe Maffeis
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Patent number: 6513977Abstract: In the present linear guide bearing, the center of curvature O′ of a ball reversing passage 27 is shifted to a return side ball passage 25 side by a given amount m when compared with the center of curvature, O′ of a conventional guide bearing. Due to this, not only the radius of curvature of a concave-arc-shaped groove 29 formed in each end cap 9 is reduced by a given amount m but also the concave-arc-shaped groove 29 is shifted to the return side ball passage 25 side by a given amount m, when compared with the conventional guide bearing. Thus, an angle &agr; formed between a line connecting the leading end of a tongue portion 31 to the center of curvature O′ of a ball reversing passage 27 and the moving-direction end face of a bearing main body 7, can be reduced significantly when compared with the conventional bearing.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2000Date of Patent: February 4, 2003Assignee: NSK Ltd.Inventors: Shinichi Kasuga, Ryoichi Sato, Hiroki Yamaguchi
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Publication number: 20020178852Abstract: A rolling element series is formed with a plurality of spherical rolling elements and four kinds of retainer pieces. The element-to-element thicknesses TA, TB, TC, and TD of the retainer pieces are different: TA>TB>TC>TD.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2002Publication date: December 5, 2002Applicant: NSK LTD.Inventor: Hiroki Yamaguchi
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Patent number: 6488411Abstract: The present invention offers a universal guide device capable of using the sliders of conventional straight guide devices intact. The universal guide device does not need a different slider for each different radius of track rail. The universal guide device can be manufactured at lower cost than heretofore. This universal guide device in accordance with the invention comprises a track rail and sliders mounted to the rail via balls circulating through endless circular paths. The rail has at least one straight region and at least one curved region shaped in an arc with a given radius of curvature. Each of the sliders is of saddlelike cross section. The sliders span the rail. The sliders have ball-rolling surfaces shaped linearly. The curved region of the rail is set narrower than the straight region of the rail.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2001Date of Patent: December 3, 2002Assignee: THK Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hidekazu Michioka, Hiroaki Mochizuki, Kaoru Hoshide, Minoru Kouchi
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Patent number: 6481892Abstract: A remote control cable (C) comprising a central core that moves axially while being guided in a sheath (5) by rolling and sliding members between first and second diametrically opposite rails, and an outlet rod (A) connected to each of the ends of said core and sliding inside a respective sheath endpiece (B). The cable is characterized in that the sheath endpiece (B) includes between its inner face and the outer surface of the outlet rod (A), axial guidance (20) for guiding said rod and for reducing radial friction between the rod (A) and the endpiece (B); the axial guidance (20) for the outlet rod (A) including at least one ring (20) of length that is sufficient to provide axial guidance of the rod relative to the endpiece (B).Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2000Date of Patent: November 19, 2002Assignee: Construction Brevetees d'Alfortville - CBAInventor: Jacques Agostini
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Patent number: 6481893Abstract: A linear rolling bearing comprises a guide carriage (46) that is slidably supported through balls (3) on a guide rail (41). The balls (45) are retained in two guide members (47) that are detachably secured to a base body of the guide carriage (46) covering the upper side of the guide rail (41) and are arranged on longitudinal sides of the guide rail (41) that comprise raceways (50). For each endless circuit of balls, the guide members (47) comprise one raceway (51) for load-bearing balls (45), one return channel (48) for returning balls (45) and two deflecting channels that connect the regions of the load-bearing and returning balls (45) to each other. The guide members (47) are made of an elastic material, and the return channel (48) of each guide member (47) comprises an opening (49) that extends over its entire length and has a width that is smaller than the diameter of the inserted balls (45).Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2001Date of Patent: November 19, 2002Assignee: Ina Walzlager Schaeffler oHGInventor: Heinz Greiner
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Publication number: 20020118898Abstract: A rolling element chain (10) comprises a plurality of rolling elements (14) arranged in close succession and a longitudinal supporting band (12). The supporting band (12) in turn comprises a plurality of recesses (16) for the accommodation of the rolling elements (14), a plurality of retaining elements (20) for retaining the rolling elements accommodated in the recesses (16), where each rolling element (14) is assigned at least one retaining element (20), and at least one longitudinal flexible element (18) for interconnection of the retaining elements (20). Each rolling element (14) is retained, by the at least one retaining element (20) assigned to it, in the longitudinal direction (L) of the supporting band (12) either at its leading side only or at its following side only.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2002Publication date: August 29, 2002Applicant: Rexroth Star GmbHInventors: Gunter Blaurock, Rudolf Schlereth, Hans-Georg Stender
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Patent number: 6439072Abstract: A ball nut 30 has a dowel 60 for circulating balls 50. A cage type retainer 40 is disposed between a screw shaft 20 and the ball nut 30 which engages with the screw shaft 20 through the ball 50. The retainer 40 is provided with a plurality of elongated holes 42 at a peripheral surface thereof to extend to an axial direction thereof so as to separate the balls 50 from one another in a peripheral direction thereof and to hold the balls therein to be free to roll. The distance of a space between the screw shaft 20 and the cage type retainer 40 is set to be smaller than that of a space between the dowel 60 and the cage type retainer 40 n the radial direction of the screw shaft.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 1999Date of Patent: August 27, 2002Assignee: nNSK Ltd.Inventors: Toshiharu Kajita, Takayuki Yabe, Hideyuki Sato
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Patent number: 6435720Abstract: A linear guide device is provided with a plurality of rolling elements. A guide rail extending in an axial direction thereof and including a plurality of rolling element rolling grooves in two side portions thereof is provided in the device, wherein the rolling grooves extend in an axial direction of the guide rail. A slider includes a plurality of rolling element rolling grooves respectively opposed to the rolling element rolling grooves of the guide rail, wherein the slider is supported on the guide rail in such a manner that the slider is movable along the axial direction of the guide rail through the rolling movements of the rolling elements respectively inserted between the rolling element rolling grooves of the slider. The slider includes a rolling element endless circulation track along which the rolling elements are allowed to circulate endlessly; and a plurality of separators, each interposed between the adjoining rolling elements in the circulation direction of the rolling elements.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2000Date of Patent: August 20, 2002Assignee: NSK Ltd.Inventors: Shiroji Yabe, Soichiro Kato, Nobumitsu Takahashi, Ryoichi Sato, Yoshinori Mizumura, Hiroki Yamaguchi
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Patent number: 6409387Abstract: In a ball bushing having a retainer for retaining a plurality of balls for rolling and an outer tube fitted on an outer face of the retainer, tapered portions inclined such that their diameters reduce as they extend outward are respectively formed at axial opposite end portions of an outer peripheral face of the outer tube, fixed portions formed of circumferential faces with uniform outer diameters are respectively provided on insides of the tapered portions, and a smaller-diameter portion with an outer diameter smaller than that of the fixed portions is formed at a tube intermediate portion positioned between the two fixed portions.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2000Date of Patent: June 25, 2002Assignee: SMC CorporationInventor: Isao Yokohari
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Publication number: 20020067868Abstract: A bearing assembly is disclosed that 410 includes at least one ball track having a load bearing portion, a return portion and a turnaround portion interconnecting the load bearing and return portions. A plurality of bearing balls are disposed in the ball tracks. At least a portion of the ball tracks are configured for unguided recirculation of the bearing balls. The bearing assembly may include a pair of ball tracks separated by a center rib. In an alternate embodiment, the bearing assembly includes at least one island disposed in at least a portion of the ball tracks. The islands facilitate recirculation of the bearing balls in the ball tracks. In another alternate embodiment, a bearing assembly is provided that includes a rail. A bearing carriage is configured to move along the rail. At least one ball track is disposed adjacent the rail and the bearing carriage. The ball tracks include a load bearing portion, a return portion and a turnaround portion interconnecting the load bearing and return portions.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2001Publication date: June 6, 2002Inventors: Gregory S. Lyon, Alison Ng, Eric Kim
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Publication number: 20020048417Abstract: In a linear rolling bearing comprising a shaft (1) acting as a guide rail and having a profiled or round, particularly circular cross-section, an outer peripheral surface of the shaft forming raceways (6) extending in longitudinal direction for rolling elements, for example, balls, cylindrical rollers or convex rollers, the linear rolling bearing further comprising a cup (2) surrounding the shaft (1) and the rolling elements (3), said cup comprising on an inner surface opposing raceways (7) for the rolling elements (3) while being arranged in a reception or a bore (10) of a connecting structure (11), the cup (2) has a divided configuration in longitudinal direction and is composed of a plurality of segments that comprise the opposing raceways (7) and further comprise support surfaces extending parallel to the opposing raceways (7), through which support surfaces, the segments are supported on one another in peripheral direction of the cup (2).Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2001Publication date: April 25, 2002Inventor: Heinz Greiner
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Patent number: 6347558Abstract: In a ball screw device comprising a screw shaft and a nut which make relative movement to each other through a multiplicity of balls, as well as in a linear motion device comprising an outer member and an inner member which make the relative movements to each other through the multiplicity of balls, a spacer having two concave surfaces facing respectively to balls, is disposed between the balls adjacent to each other. A section of each of the concave surfaces of the spacer is formed of two circular arcs of which central positions deviate from each other to from a Gothic. The spacer has such a configuration that the balls adjacent to each other come into contact with outer edges thereof or portions vicinal to the outer edges. The spacer also has such a configuration that the balls adjacent to each other come into contact with at least three or more outer portions thereof or portions vicinal to the outer edges. The spacer may have a through-hole formed in a thinnest portion thereof.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 1999Date of Patent: February 19, 2002Assignee: NSK Ltd.Inventors: Kazuo Miyaguchi, Tsutomu Ohkubo, Takeshi Nakazawa, Shirouji Yabe, Soichiro Kato, Nobumitsu Takahashi, Ryouichi Sato, Hiroki Yamaguchi, Yoshinori Mizumura
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Patent number: 6338573Abstract: The present invention offers a universal guide device capable of using the sliders of conventional straight guide devices intact. The universal guide device does not need a different slider for each different radius of track rail. The universal guide device can be manufactured at lower cost than normal. This universal guide device in accordance with the invention comprises a track rail and sliders mounted to the rail via balls circulating through endless circular paths. The rail has at least one straight region and at least one curved region shaped in an arc with a given radius of curvature. Each of the sliders is of saddlelike cross section. The sliders span the rail. The sliders have ball-rolling surfaces shaped linearly. The curved region of the rail is set narrower than the straight region of the rail.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2000Date of Patent: January 15, 2002Assignee: THK Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hidekazu Michioka, Hiroaki Mochizuki, Kaoru Hoshide, Minoru Kouchi
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Patent number: 6332714Abstract: An induction-hardened rolling bearing device used by disposing rolling elements in a raceway track member, with excellent cold drawability and improved wear resistance and extended service life, in which ingredients of an alloy for the raceway track member contain, from 0.40 to 0.90% of C, from 0.05 to 0.80% of Si, from 0.10 to 2.0% of Mn, from 0.05 to 0.50% of Ti and 0.03% or less of N, on the weight basis, induction hardening is applied at least to the raceway surface of the raceway track member, and Ti carbide and Ti carbonitride each having an average particle diameter of from 5 to 100 nm are dispersed on the surface and in the steels of the raceway track member to make the hardness of the raceway surface to HRC 59 or more.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 1999Date of Patent: December 25, 2001Assignees: NSK Ltd., Sanyo Special Steel Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiromichi Takemura, Nobuaki Mitamura, Yasuo Murakami, Tomonobu Yoshikawa, Shuhei Kitano, Kazuhiko Hiraoka
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Patent number: 6327778Abstract: To provide a method for mounting an outer sleeve onto a housing at low cost and with high precision in a linear sliding apparatus. The linear sliding apparatus has a shaft, and the outer sleeve is fitted around the shaft and slidable in a linear manner relative to the shaft. The method includes the steps of: engaging an outer circumference of the outer sleeve with a stationary member; and fixing the stationary member to the housing by a fastening member, thereby mounting the outer sleeve on the housing.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 1998Date of Patent: December 11, 2001Assignee: Nippon Bearing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Mitsuru Yamazaki, Toyoshi Kazama
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Patent number: 6210039Abstract: An object of this invention is to provide a linear motion guide device and a table guide device having an automatic controllability and to realize a load bearing structure having a high rigidity. The device is characterized in that a movable block (4) is formed to provide an L-shape in section, rolling ball rows (B1-B4) are disposed to be rollable between ball rolling grooves formed to an upper surface of a track rail (1) and a horizontal portion of the movable block (4) and between ball rolling grooves formed to a side surface of the track rail (1) and a suspending portion (3), wherein each of the ball rolling grooves has a circular-arc-shape in section having a deep-groove shape having a groove depth of approximately ⅓ to ½ of a diameter of the rolling ball.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 1999Date of Patent: April 3, 2001Assignee: THK Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hiroshi Teramachi
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Patent number: 6190046Abstract: A linear motion guide unit in which lubricating plate assemblies may be mounted and demounted with no needs of modification in the basic specifications. The linear motion guide unit comprises a round track shaft and a slider surrounding around the track shaft for sliding movement along the track shaft. Lubricating plate assemblies are each composed of a lubricant-containing member of the sintered resinous component having a porous structure impregnated with lubricant, and a core metal fixed to the lubricant-containing member. The lubricant-containing member is attached to a casing, with interposed between the end face of the end cap and the core metal.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 1999Date of Patent: February 20, 2001Assignee: Nippon Thompson Co., Ltd.Inventor: Norimasa Agari
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Patent number: 6186664Abstract: A bearing device is provided in which a contact portion between centering plates of an outer sleeve and a housing would neither be abraded nor deformed and which is superior in practicality, reduction of weight, durability and mass production even if the housing is made of synthetic resin and light in weight. The bearing device includes the housing (2) into which an outer sleeve (1) is inserted and a shaft (3) inserted into the outer sleeve (1). The housing (2) with the outer sleeve (1) is slidable in a linear relative to the shaft (3). The outer sleeve (1) has a ball endless recirculation path defined by a loading portion and a non-loading portion. Balls (5) are arranged in the ball endless recirculation path by a retainer (4). Centering plates (6) which may move finely are provided in the outer sleeve (1).Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 1999Date of Patent: February 13, 2001Assignee: Nippon Bearing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Mitsuru Yamazaki, Kazuei Hoshino, Hisashi Nozawa, Hiroshi Yoshii
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Patent number: 6174084Abstract: A linear motion bearing assembly is provided including a carriage, a rail, and a bearing assembly. The linear motion bearing assembly includes deflectable structure formed in at least one of the carriage, rail and bearing assembly. The deflectable structure is configured to deflect under a predetermined force to affect load bearing characteristics of the linear motion bearing assembly. Pressure transducer structure is disposed adjacent to and configured for engaging the deflectable structure to apply the predetermined force to affect load bearing characteristics. The deflectable structure may include portions of the rail defining a cavity. The pressure transducer structure is disposed within the cavity. In another embodiment, the carriage includes a sidewall depending therefrom whereby the deflectable structure includes the sidewall. In yet another embodiment, the bearing assembly includes a ball retainer having a load bearing plate aperture.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 1999Date of Patent: January 16, 2001Assignee: Thomson Industries, Inc.Inventors: William A. Pauwels, Gregory S. Lyon
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Patent number: 6168313Abstract: A bearing unit includes a housing provided with a cylindrical bore and a linear bearing positioned within the cylindrical bore. The linear bearing includes a cage in which are arranged a plurality of endless ball rows each defined by a longitudinally extending ball track for load-bearing balls, a longitudinally extending return track for non-load-bearing balls, and deflection tracks connecting ends of the longitudinally extending ball track and the longitudinally extending return track. Each longitudinally extending ball track opens radially outwardly with a track plate being arranged to cover the longitudinally extending ball track for the load-bearing balls. The cylindrical bore of the housing is provided with a plurality of recesses each located in an area of the cylindrical bore facing one axial end of one of the track plates to permit radial deflection of the one axial end of the track plate.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 1999Date of Patent: January 2, 2001Assignee: SKF Linearsysteme GmbHInventors: Ludwig Edelmann, Andreas Geyer, Hermann Glöckner, Georg Hierl, Holger Kristandt, Uwe Mayer, Henryk Velde, Lothar Walter
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Patent number: 6135638Abstract: A linear motion guide unit comprises a round track shaft and a slider surrounding around the track shaft for sliding movement along the track shaft. A lubricating plate assembly for self-lubrication may be simply installed in most prior linear motion guide units, with no need of modification in the basic specification of a slider. Both the lubricating plate assembly and the slider are held by a retaining ring in a radially enlarged bore in the housing of the instrument in such a manner as to be kept from falling off the bore. The lubricating plate assembly includes a case accommodating therein an end seal and a lubricant plate, which is composed of a lubricant- containing member, made of a sintered resinous component having a porous structure impregnated with lubricant. As the slider moves along the track shaft, the lubricant-containing member may apply incessantly the lubricant to the track shaft.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 1999Date of Patent: October 24, 2000Assignee: Nippon Thompson Co., Ltd.Inventor: Norimasa Agari
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Patent number: 6132092Abstract: A ball bearing for permitting linear movements includes a cage having an inner surface that is adapted to surround a shaft, a plurality of axial guide tracks for receiving load-bearing balls and axial return tracks for receiving non-load-bearing balls. A cover is provided at each end of the cage, with each cover being provided a turn-around track that connect an end of one guide track with an end of an adjoining return track. The guide tracks and the return tracks have a slit extending along the length of the tracks and opening radially inwardly. To enable economical production of the bearing with relatively simple tools and universal use of a single cage for different ball bearings, the lateral guide walls of both the guide tracks and the return tracks possess the same cross-sectional configuration and, in the radial outer area of the cage, are provided with axially extending grooves.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 1998Date of Patent: October 17, 2000Assignee: SKF Linearsysteme GmbHInventors: Ludwig Edelmann, Hermann Glockner, Uwe Mayer, Henryk Velde, Lothar Walter