Patents Examined by M. D. Bednarek
  • Patent number: 4474073
    Abstract: A spindle drive assembly includes a spindle and a spindle nut defining a helical ball duct therebetween through which a plurality of recirculating balls may pass during relative rotation between the spindle and the spindle nut to effect transmission of axial forces therebetween. A helical internal ball guide formed on the spindle nut and defining one side of the helical ball duct is formed with at least one compensating slot which extends to the walls of the helical internal guide in order to effect circumferential division of the spindle nut to enable the spindle nut to radially adapt to compression forces applied by the clamping device extending about the spindle nut to provide radial compression maintaining the balls in operative load-bearing engagement within the helical duct. The slot is formed with a width taken circumferentially of the spindle nut which is not greater than 15% of the diameter of the recirculating balls, and preferably not greater than 10% of the ball diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1984
    Assignee: Deutsche Star Kugelhalter GmbH
    Inventors: Gunter Blaurock, Ernst Albert