Abstract: The reinforced lead screw has a hollow, elongate reinforcing rail surrounding a lead screw and a nut-bearing movable along the reinforcing rail. The nut-bearing has a portion projecting through a slot in the reinforcing rail and includes threads to engage the threads on the lead screw such that when the lead screw is rotated in either direction, the nut will translate along the rail. The rail may be provided with a sleeve-bearing which, in combination with the rail, serves not only as a guide for movement of the nut but lateral support for the lead screw.

Abstract: An anti-backlash nut, movable along a rotatable screw. The nut has internal threads complementary to the threads in the screw. The nut has two nut halves movable as a unit and also rotatable relative to each other on the screw. Means are connected to the nut halves to induce their relative rotation on the screw in opposite directions and there are elastomeric friction means between the two halves to limit their relative rotational movement.

Abstract: A centralizing bushing associated with a shaft for reducing noise and fluctuations between the bushing and the shaft when they are moving relative to each other. The bushing is mounted in the rider and includes a bearing engagable with the shaft. There are high friction, elastomeric means engagable with the bearing for limiting movement of the bearing away from the shaft and the rider is under unbalanced radial load conditions. The coefficient of thermal expansion of the bearing is essentially the same as the coefficient of thermal expansion of the shaft. The bearing is made of a thermoplastic resin mixed with carbon fiber and having a coefficient of thermal expansion which is essentially the same as that of the shaft such that the shaft and bearing will expand and contract essentially at the same rate in response to the temperature changes.

Abstract: An anti-backlash nut has flexure members which are continuously biased inwardly against a lead screw by a force applying sleeve which acts on ramps on the flexure member. The spline means include means on the longitudinal flexure members and the force applying sleeve to impart rigidity to the longitudinal flexure members in a direction tangential to the longitudinal direction of movement of the nut.

Abstract: A motorized anti-backlash actuator having an externally threaded rod (18) movable linearly while in rotational engagement with an inwardly threaded anti-backlash nut portion (10) and an armature (8) fixed to the nut and rotatable therewith. A field coil (4) (6) surrounds the armature (8) to excite it to impart anti-backlash linear motion to the rod.

Abstract: A tool carrier assembly comprising a carrier (2) which supports a tool (6) for reciprocating motion along guide rails (8). There are bearings (14) on the carrier engageable with the guide rails in which assembly the guide rails and the bearing are fabricated from dissimilar plastics.

Abstract: An anti-backlash nut assembly is disclosed of the type which undergoes translational movement longitudinally along a screw in response to relative rotational movement between the nut and screw. The assembly includes a nut which is split into first and second portions, both of which have an internal thread complementary to the external thread of the screw. The two portions of the nut are retained in the radial direction by a coaxial cylinder. A spacer means is mounted on the retainer means intermediate opposing surfaces of the nut portions and biased against at least one of said surfaces such that any gap which may occur between the thread of the screw and the thread of the nut will be closed by movement of the spacer.

Abstract: An anti-backlash nut having one or more longitudinal flexural members with one end fixed and one end free-floating is disclosed which undergoes translational movement along a shaft. This anti-backlash nut is improved by providing ramps at the free-floating ends of the flexural members and means to apply axial forces on the ramps to thereby create radial force vectors which maintain the ramps in contact with the shaft even after the nut has become worn.

Abstract: An anti-backlash nut is disclosed of the type which undergoes translational movement along a screw in response to relative rotational movement between the nut and screw. This anti-backlash nut has oppositely-directed longitudinal flexure members radially biased towards the screw to provide equal drag torque and minimum relative deflection for travel of the nut in either direction.

Abstract: An anti-backlash nut assembly is disclosed of the type which undergoes translational movement along a screw in response to relative rotational movement between the nut and screw. The assembly includes a nut which is axially-split into first and second portions, both of which have an internal thread complementary to the external thread of the screw. The two portions of the axially-split nut are retained in the radial direction by a spacer, and a spring is used to apply biasing in the longitudinal direction to minimize backlash.

Abstract: An anti-backlash nut assembly is disclosed of the type which undergoes translational movement longitudinally along a screw in response to relative rotational movement between the nut and screw. The assembly includes a nut which is split into first and second portions, both of which have an internal thread complementary to the external thread of the screw. The two portions of the nut are retained in the radial direction by a coaxial cylinder. A spacer means is mounted on the retainer means intermediate opposing surfaces of the nut portions and biased against at least one of said surfaces such that any gap which may occur between the thread of the screw and the thread of the nut will be closed by movement of the spacer.

Abstract: An anti-backlash nut having one or more longitudinal flexural members with one end fixed and one end free-floating is disclosed which undergoes translational movement along a shaft. This anti-backlash nut is improved by providing ramps at the free-floating ends of the flexural members and means to apply axial forces on the ramps to thereby create radial force vectors which maintain the ramps in contact with the shaft even after the nut has become worn.