Abstract: The present invention provides a protective device for a working member, such as the piston rod of a piston and cylinder actuator, which is arranged at least partly in a receiving member and is able to be moved and more especially slid, along a curved or straight path so that it projects to a greater or lesser extent out of the receiving member. The device is provided with a plurality of sleeve-like guard sections which surround the working member projecting out of the receiving member along the full length of the working member so that whatever the position of the latter any two adjacent guard sections overlap each other and are able to be slid in relation to each other, one of said guard sections being stationarily arranged on the receiving member and another guard section being arranged on the working member so as to move therewith so that in accordance with the actual axial extent of the part of the member to be protected the sections are telescoped into each other to a greater or lesser extent.

Abstract: The invention proposes a linear guidance unit in which a guide rail is mounted at the bottom of a U-shaped guide housing, a traveller being guided by means of endless ball races to move on this guide rail.

Abstract: A linear bearing installation in which a plurality of linear bearings (20) are mounted in a series of recesses (18) formed in a structure (12) to be supported on a way surface (38), the position of each of the bearings (20) in the respective recess (18) adjustable lengthwise by an adjustment mechanism (58). A lubrication system is provided to direct lubricant to each bearing (20) by an injector assembly (60) mounted in an endwalls (88) of the structure (12) adjacent each bearing (20) and having an injector tube (96) telescoped into a receptor (98) on the bearing to accommodate the lengthwise adjustment. A wiper cover (36a) is formed with a supply channel (108) feeding lubricant from a single quick connect fitting (114) to all of the lubricant injector assemblies (60).

Abstract: Each of the pair of under seals which are respectively attached to the lower surfaces of the side walls of a slider includes an elongate core metallic plate and a rubber member secured to the core metallic plate and having a lip portion protruding inwardly from the inner edge of the core metallic plate. Each of the end caps attached to opposite ends of a slider main body is formed with an under seal holding groove in a joining surface of each leg portion of the end cap. The slider main body is formed with a stepped recess portion to accommodate the under seal in the lower surface of each side wall. The opposite ends of the under seal are fitted into and held in the under seal holding grooves of the end caps and the remainder of the under seal is accommodated in the stepped recess portion of the slider main body. The lip portion os the under seal is slidingly in contact with the lateral side of the guide rail to prevent dust from entering into the inside of the slider.

Abstract: A dust seal attached to each end of a slider of a linear guide apparatus includes a side seal member which has semicircular seal protrusions protruding inwardly to wipe dust from the ball rolling grooves of a guide rail, formed at both sides thereof. The side seal member has a void portion at a position corresponding to the opening of a bolt inserting hole in the bottom surface of a recessed groove formed in the upper surface of the guide rail to allow dust deposited on the recessed groove to pass through the inside of the slider. The dust seal further includes an axially extending upper seal member made of a spring steel plate attached to the upper inner surface of the slider so as to oppose the upper surface of the guide rail. The upper seal member having a cross section which provides a resilient property, and seal plates secured to the lower surfaces of both sides of wing portions of the upper seal member.

Abstract: A carriage and housing for a position sensing device of the type having a carriage for carrying a reader for reading the position of the carriage with respect to the housing along a position line of the device. The improvements include a carriage with five bearings to restrict the carriage to motion parallel to the position line. The carriage and housing are isolated in a frame of reference by the housing having first and second planar reference surfaces on which the bearings ride and first and second springs which urge the carriage toward the first and second reference surfaces by contact with first and second spring supports which form part of the housing and extend parallel to the first and second reference surfaces and the position line. A yoke moves the carriage but is isolated from the carriage by a five degree of freedom of movement connection. The yoke has arms with facing bearings which contact but float on planar bearing surfaces on the carriage which extend perpendicular to the position line.

Abstract: A dust-proof seal has a metal plate attached to a slider and a rubber member adhered to the metal plate. The metal plate has an opening to allow a guide rail to pass therethrough, and the rubber member has protrusion protruding inwardly beyond the inner edge of the opening of the metal plate. A pressing member defined by a wire spring is mounted in a channel formed in the rubber member at the periphery of the lip portions and exerts a spring force to press the lip portions against the surface of the guide rail to thereby bring the lip portions elastically in contact with the guide surface to wipe out any dust deposited thereon.

Abstract: A dust-proof cover for preventing foreign particles from attaching or depositing on the surface of a guide rail of a linear guide apparatus includes, for example, four hollow-square cover elements connected telescopically. The dust-proof cover has an open bottom portion with edge portions extending axially and extending inwardly from both lower edges of the side walls of the dust-proof cover. Two of the cover elements respectively have pairs of sphere members held rollably in the inside of both side edge portions so that the pairs of sphere members protrude inwardly into ball rolling grooves formed in both sides of the guide rail. The dust-proof cover can be extended and contracted smoothly by being guided by the pairs of sphere members rolling in the ball rolling grooves.

Abstract: A dust-free linear motion rolling contact bearing assembly includes a U-shaped bed of a length, a table and a plurality of rolling members interposed between the bed and the table to provide a rolling contact between the bed and the table. A take-up/supply roller is rotatably mounted at each end of the table and a shield palte has its base end fixedly attached to the take-up/supply roller and has its forward end fixedly attached to the corresponding end of the bed. Thus, as the table moves linearly relative to the bed, the shield plate is either supplied as unwound from the take-up/supply roller or taken up as wound around the take-up/supply roller to keep the opening of the bed covered by the shield plate. Thus, the interior space of the bearing assembly is kept shielded at all times without any scrubbing action between the shield plate and the bed.

Abstract: A protective device for the top surface of a slotted milling machine table preferably comprises a rubber cover sized to overlay a desired length of the table at one end thereof, the surfaces of the cover each having a raised peripheral lip and longitudinally extending beads and ribs. The downwardly directed beads fit within the slots of the milling table to hold the cover in place while the downwardly directed ribs provide air space between the placed cover and the table, thereby inhibiting rust. The upwardly directed raised lip prevents coolant spillage from the top of the cover while the coolant return holes enable excess coolant to be returned to the slots residing therebeneath. To provide protection for a reduced length table, the cover is made reversible by providing a transverse lip portion on one of the surfaces, located inboard of the coolant return holes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a scraping arrangement for a telescopic cover, in which a buffer which is made from a different material from that of the scraper is arranged on the rear face of the scraping arrangement. With such a construction the choice of material for the individual elements can be thoroughly optimized.

Abstract: A seal device has a generally cylindrical body forming a seating for a bearing and encloses that bearing, there being a rectangular front part which bears an orifice of shape in the embodiment of V-shape in transverse cross-section to receive a complementary edge of a member supported by the bearing so that the bearing and member can co-operate while the seal device seals the bearing against entrance of dirt, debris etc., and lubricates it as it is packed with lubricant, there being lubricant-charged felt pads in housings which wipe the member in use.

Abstract: A linear guide apparatus includes end caps respectively joined to opposite ends of a slider main body. In each of the end caps, a feed oil channel is formed in the joining end surface thereof to feed lubricating oil to balls rolling in ball rolling paths from a feed oil nipple. Band-shaped protrusions are formed on lands at both sides of the feed channel integrally with the end cap at the time of injection molding of the end cap of synthetic resin. When the end cap is fixed to the slider main body by clamping a screw, the band-shaped protrusions are deformed elastically to fill up a minute gap existing between both end surfaces of the end cap and the slider main body to prevent leakage of the lubricating oil.

Abstract: A dust proof device used with a linear guide apparatus includes a strap-shaped plate fixed to the upper surface of a guide rail throughout the whole length of the guide rail to cover the openings of through holes used for inserting bolts which secure the guide rail to a base. The strap-shaped plate is fixed at opposite ends thereof to the guide rail by fixing screws together with hold-down square blocks placed on the strap-shaped plate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for continuous introduction and exit of workpieces into and out of a vacuum. A first seal is provided between the atmosphere and a first pumping station. This seal comprises compliant members positioned within cavities in a plate so that the pressure differential causes the members to push against the workpiece and the cavity wall to establish a rotating seal. A second seal may also be provided between the first pumping station and the vacuum chabmer. This seal includes compliant members mounted within a series of differentially pumped cavities and providing a low friction seal with the workpiece.

Abstract: The invention relates to the production of a guidance system (9, 14) for two machine parts (1, 2) which are movable relative to each other and are interconnected through this guidance system. To protect this guide track (9) disposed on the first machine part (1) from the track dust, grease, oil and the like, it is disposed in an almost completely closed guide channel. This guide channel is accessible only from the top through a slot engaged by guide elements (14) of the other machine part (2). The slot is covered on the one hand by the housing of machine part (2), and in the area outside of this housing it is closed by a belt (4). The guide track (9) is thus closed to the outside in any position of the machine part (2). If a toothed belt drive (3) is used, the toothed belt (4) acts as driving and covering element at the same time.

Abstract: At least two telescopically interengaging cover members (20, 22 or 30, 32, 34) are associated with each of two or more parallel guide means (12, 14). They are displaceable with respect to each other irrespective of the cover members of the or each other guide means. The cover members (20, 22) of a first one (12) of two adjacent guide means (12, 14) each comprise an elastic apron (26) along their respective edge facing the second one (14) of these guide means. The apron lies in sliding contact on the cover members (30, 32, 34) of the second guide means (14). In this manner the or each space between guide means (12, 14) is covered in addition to the guide means themselves. And yet the cover members (20, 22 or 30, 32, 34) associated with the different guide means (12, 14) remain movable independently.

Abstract: An improved system for guiding one part relative another in an accurately defined path, both planar and linear, is disclosed. The improved system eliminates friction associated with heretofore moving parts, is characterized by simplicity and cost effectiveness, and comprises a first part having a primary reference surface prepared to close tolerances and accurately defining a predetermined path and an opposed parallel secondary surface, and a second part designed for guidance by the primary surface. A fixed air pad is adjustably mounted on the second part adjacent the primary surface. A second air pad is resiliently mounted on the second part adjacent the opposed secondary surface. The resilient mounting includes a bellows.

Abstract: A dust-free linear motion rolling-contact bearing assembly includes a track rail having a generally U-shaped cross section, a table having a generally inverted U-shaped cross section and received in the track rail and a plurality of rolling members interposed between the table and the track rail such that the table can move along the track rail freely. The present assembly also includes a pair of shielding plates each extending between one end of the table and the corresponding end of the track rail so that, as the table moves along the track rail, the shield plates keep the track rail covered at all times thereby preventing any undesired foreign matter, such as debris and dust, from getting into the assembly.

Abstract: A linear bearing capable of withstanding the load acting thereon in all of upward, downward, and opposite transverse directions as it rolls along a T-sectioned guide rail. Included is a body of inverted-U-shaped cross section having two opposed pairs of ball raceways formed longitudinally on its inner surfaces, with each pair of raceways vertically spaced from and angled toward each other. A ball return passageway extends longitudinally through the body in the adjacency of each raceway. A pair of end covers fastened to the opposite ends of the body are each segmented into a pair of lateral halves. Each half of each end cover has two hairpin passageways formed in its inside face, each for intercommunicating one raceway and one adjacent return passageway to allow recirculation of a group of antifriction balls therethrough. A pair of cages of W- or Z-shaped cross section extend along the respective pairs of raceways on the body for rollably holding the antifriction balls thereon.