Combined Plain And Antifriction Patents (Class 384/25)
  • Patent number: 10690183
    Abstract: In this motion guide device (10), a track member (20) has a recess or protrusion (51) that is formed in a longitudinal direction, and a moving member (30) has a holding protrusion or holding recess (53) that corresponds to the recess or protrusion (51) formed in the track member (20). When force is applied in a direction that would cause relative separation of the moving member (30) and the track member (20), the holding protrusion or holding recess (53) holds onto the recess or protrusion (51) such that the moving member (30) and the track member (20) are unable to be separated. With this configuration, a motion guide device that is both compact and capable of withstanding a strong external load can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: THK CO., LTD
    Inventors: Hiroaki Mochizuki, Eiji Hosaka, Hiroomi Kuribayashi, Toshiro Minami, Akito Kaneko
  • Patent number: 9933013
    Abstract: An alignment meter for a rail system includes a housing defining a cavity, a flexible member connected to the housing, and at least one strain measuring element provided on the flexible member. The strain measuring element may be configured to measure the strain experienced by the flexible member. At least one strain measuring element may be positioned to measure strain in a horizontal direction relative to the flexible member. The at least one strain measuring element may be positioned to measure strain in a vertical direction relative to the flexible member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Aesynt Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert Jaynes, Lester Whiteman, Robert Eckert
  • Publication number: 20140318422
    Abstract: A linear guide (1) having at least two rail elements (2, 2?) which are movable counter to each other in the longitudinal direction, wherein each rail element (2, 2?) has running surfaces (3, 3?) which, together with running surfaces (3, 3?) of a rail element (2, 2?) moveable counter thereto, form tracks (4) for receiving rolling bodies (10) and sliding bodies (11) between the two rail elements which are moveable counter to each other, characterized in that at least one sliding body (11) and at least two rolling bodies (10) are provided in each track (4) between two rail elements (2, 2?), wherein at least one rolling body (10) is arranged in each case on both sides of a sliding body (11) in the longitudinal direction of the track (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: ACCURIDE INTERNATIONAL GMBH
    Inventors: Christoph Neuhaus, Thomas Quirein
  • Patent number: 8579508
    Abstract: A relative sliding rail structure using a pivoting mechanism mainly includes a pivot shaft, a main frame, a sliding-guided member and a pivoting seat. The main frame is connected to the pivot shaft via the pivoting seat. The sliding-guided member includes at least one sliding-guided portion engaged to a sliding seat of the main frame, so that the main frame and the sliding-guided member are relatively moved when the main frame is moved along the sliding-guided member. The main frame includes a hollow portion disposed on the sliding seat, and the pivoting seat is combined with at least one roller, wherein the roller is appropriately passed through the hollow portion to enter the sliding seat of the main frame to abut against the sliding-guided portion of the sliding-guided member, so that the main frame and the sliding-guided member are connected to each other to form a stable mutual sliding combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: First Dome Corporation
    Inventors: Chien Cheng Mai, Way Han Dai
  • Patent number: 8435124
    Abstract: A variable length steering spindle for a steering mechanism of a motor vehicle includes an outer sleeve, an inner member, a slide sleeve having recesses, and rolling bodies. The recesses and the rolling bodies are configured such that the rolling bodies project from the slide sleeve in a no-load state of the slide sleeve, and in an assembled state of the steering spindle the rolling bodies are prestressed against a raceway face and are displaced in a direction away from the raceway face against a reset force. The slide sleeve contacts the other of the outer sleeve and the inner member when a limit value of torque is exceeded. The rolling bodies are non-displaceable in the longitudinal direction with respect to the slide sleeve or are finitely displaceable between stops formed at distal ends of the recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Thyssenkrupp Presta Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Christoph Klukowski
  • Publication number: 20120025042
    Abstract: An apparatus for mounting solar panels to a rail. The apparatus has a body configured to be attached to a solar panel support structure, and arms on opposite sides of the body configured to engage the rail. The arms hold the apparatus on the rail and allows the support structure to move along the length of the rail. The support structure can be in the form of a carrier which holds one or more solar panels, or may be formed as part of a backside of a solar panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: John Bellacicco, John Hartelius, Henry Cabuhay, Tom Kuster, Michael Monaco
  • Patent number: 7168725
    Abstract: Displacement bearing, in particular for fork pipes of motorcycle forks, having an inside part which has raceways extending in the direction of fork displacement on its outside part, an outside part which extends around the inside part and is displaceable in relation to the inside part, at least two roller bodies which are arranged in the interior of the outside part and which are mounted so that each can rotate about a respective axis of rotation situated in the interior of the outside part, so that the roller bodies roll on the raceways when there is a displacement of the inside part in the outside part. The roller bodies have a convex shape and the raceways each have a concave shape for transferring forces acting perpendicularly and/or transversely on the raceways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Gerd Vilsmeier
  • Patent number: 6955467
    Abstract: A seismic isolation bearing assembly includes a frame unit including upper and lower frames and defining a plurality of upper and lower sub-frames, and a plurality of bearing units, each of which is mounted in a mounting cell defined by a respective one of the upper sub-frames and a respective one of the lower sub-frames, and each of which includes spaced apart upper and lower load plates and a bearing interposed between and in sliding contact with the upper and lower load plates. The upper load plate is secured to the respective one of the upper sub-frames. The lower load plate is secured to the respective one of the lower sub-frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: National Applied Research Laboratories
    Inventors: Kuo-Chun Chang, Jenn-Shin Hwang, George C. Lee, Sen-Nan Lee
  • Patent number: 6375356
    Abstract: The invention concerns a linear drive consisting of a primary part (1) which can be arranged on a slider (90), where the slider (90) can be moved on a guide system, and a fixed secondary part (2) which interacts with the primary part (1) such that the slider (90) can be moved on the guide system. The primary part (1) can be separated from the slider (90) and moved on a bearing (3) relative to the slider (90).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Grob-Werke Dr. h.c. mult. Dipl.-Ing. Burkhart Grob e.K
    Inventors: Karl Rehm, Friedrich Windel
  • Patent number: 6086254
    Abstract: A linear motion bearing assembly includes a carriage having a bearing track, a fluid inlet port and a fluid supply passage interconnecting the fluid inlet port and the bearing track. The bearing track has a load bearing portion, a return portion and a pair of turnarounds interconnecting the load bearing portion and the return portion. The carriage is supported for linear movement on a rail. A plurality of rolling elements are positioned in the bearing track and a pressurized hydrostatic fluid supply is connected to the fluid inlet port for supplying hydrostatic fluid under pressure to the bearing track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Thomson Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory S. Lyon
  • Patent number: 5492414
    Abstract: A male slide member, which is mounted to reciprocate in a rectangular recess formed in the face of a base member, is supported at one side thereof by a plurality of ball bearings for substantially friction-free movement with respect to one side of the recess, and is supported at its opposite side by an elongate bearing rod carried by the male slide member to have frictional, sliding movement with respect to a pair of spaced, parallel bearing surfaces that extend longitudinally of the other side of the recess in the base member. The bearing rod has formed in its periphery longitudinally spaced gear teeth which mesh with the teeth of a pinion gear mounted on the base member to rotate adjacent the bearing rod, and selectively to drive the rod and its attached slide member in opposite directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1996
    Assignee: Automation Gages, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven J. Gilbert
  • Patent number: 5380098
    Abstract: A sliding unit includes a load-receiving device for permitting a load to be received thereon, a guiding device slidably mounting thereon the load-receiving device for permitting a direct relative sliding motion therebetween, and a load-sharing device mounted between the load-receiving device and the guiding device and capable of being in a rolling motion therebetween for resulting in a rolling contact effect therebetween. Such sliding unit can meet the demand of a high positioning precision/a high movement stability/a smaller friction coefficient/a better rigidity/a better vibration-resistivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Rong-Hong Huang, Kun-Lung Tsai, Hsi-Yen Chen, Chuck Chen, Tju-Yin Chang
  • Patent number: 5314254
    Abstract: A stiffener assembly which provides for improved performance of a movable stage arrangement. Often, it is desired to provide a movable stage arrangement in which a stage moves linearly with respect to a stationary base. In many applications, it is necessary for the stage to move to successive rest positions, with movement of the stage inhibited at each of the reset positions. The stiffener of the present invention allows for controlled movement of a stage along its direction of travel, with the stiffener inhibiting undesired movement when the stage is at a rest position. In one form, a stiffener extends in the direction of travel of the stage, with one end of the stiffener assembly mounted to the stationary base, and the other end urged into frictional contact with the movable stage by a force applicator. As a result, the stiffener is placed in frictional contact with the movable stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1994
    Assignee: Digital Instruments
    Inventors: Frank D. Yashar, Charles R. Meyer, John A. Gurley
  • Patent number: 5294201
    Abstract: A linear motion rolling contact guide unit having a rod rail having a substantially circular cross section is provided. The guide unit also includes a slider slidably mounted on the rod rail and a plurality of rolling members interposed between the rod rail and the slider to thereby provide a rolling contact therebetween. The slider is so structured that it surrounds only a part the circumference of the rod rail and thus the slider has a generally U-shaped cross sectional shape. Since the rod rail is not surrounded completely, it may be placed in a V-shaped groove of a bed substantially over its entire stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1994
    Assignee: Nippon Thompson Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Norimasa Agari
  • Patent number: 5292164
    Abstract: A power seat adjuster includes first and second spaced track assemblies, each formed of an upper track slidably mounted on a lower track anchored to a vehicle floor. A drive block disposed in each upper track rotatably engages a lead screw bi-directionally rotated by a drive transmission coupled to the output shaft of a horizontal drive motor mounted between the track assemblies. A drive block mounting bracket supports each drive block and has a leg extending through an elongated slot in the upper track and an aperture in the lower tracks to a fixed connection to the lower track. A seat support plate is disposed adjacent each upper track and is connected to a seat. A pair of vertical drive motors are each coupled through a lead screw, a rotatable shaft and pivot links to opposite ends of the seat support plates for selectively varying the vertical position of the ends of the seat support plates with respect to the track assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1994
    Assignee: ITT Corporation
    Inventor: Richard W. A. Rees
  • Patent number: 5273367
    Abstract: A linear motion rolling guide unit and a damper apparatus used in this unit are described. Vibrations in both the direction of movement of the slider and vibrations in planes perpendicular to this direction of movement are effectively suppressed, and moreover, damping characteristics can be set as desired. This linear motion rolling guide unit includes a damping device with a plurality of damping apparatuses provided on a slider so as to be juxtaposed around a track rail, where the damping apparatuses include a liquid which is allowed to flow between sealed chambers to provide a damping effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Assignee: Nippon Thompson Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Tanaka
  • Patent number: 5267796
    Abstract: A linear motion guide unit includes a rail having a top surface, a bottom surface and a pair of side surfaces, a thin plate member fixedly attached to the top surface of the rail and a slider slidably mounted on the rail with a predetermined gap between the thin plate member and the slider such that a film of oil may be formed for damping or absorbing any vibration. The thin plate member is preferably formed with an oil groove for storing therein a quantity of oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1993
    Assignee: Nippon Thompson Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihiko Nonaka, Toshiaki Shimizu, Yukio Yoshioka
  • Patent number: 5268970
    Abstract: An anti-vibration linear motion rolling contact guide unit includes a rail, a slider assembly, a plurality of rolling members interposed between the rail and the slider assembly to thereby provide a rolling contact between the rail and the slider assembly, and at least one anti-vibration block fixedly attached to one end of the slider assembly. The rail has a sliding guide surface and the anti-vibration block includes an anti-vibration mechanism which includes a friction member which is preferably provided with a contact sheet at its forward end and slidably fitted in a hole formed in the anti-vibration block. The friction member is biased toward the sliding guide surface of the rail by means of a biasing means which is also fitted in the hole. An adjusting screw is screwed into a threaded portion of the hole so as to adjust the location of the biasing means which is in contact with and thus applies a force to the friction member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1993
    Assignee: Nippon Thompson Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Tanaka
  • Patent number: 5145262
    Abstract: A ball spline bearing assembly includes a spline shaft having a peripheral surface formed with a spline groove, an outer sleeve fitted onto the spline shaft with a predetermined gap therebetween and a plurality of balls interposed between the spline shaft and the outer sleeve. A ball holder is provided in a radial hole formed in the outer sleeve and a ball is rotatably held in position and in engagement with the spline groove by the ball holder. A fluid line is formed in the outer sleeve and the ball holder so that a pressurized fluid may be supplied to establish a fluidic cushion between the ball holder and the ball. Also provided is a plurality of solid lubricants which are normaly pressed against the spiral groove to keep the groove lubricated at all times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1992
    Assignee: Nippon Thompson Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kunihiko Morita
  • Patent number: 5011300
    Abstract: A linear sliding bearing which is composed of a ball-and-roller bearing mechanism and a sliding bearing mechanism. The gap between a track base and a sliding bed is adjusted by gap adjusting bolt, to adjust the pressure of contact between the two faces constituting the sliding bearing mechanism thereby to adjust the sliding resistance of the sliding bed to the track base at will. As a result, a rigidity can be given even in the axial direction of the track base so that the machining precision of a workpiece can be improved when a machine apparatus such as a machine tool is to be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1991
    Assignee: THK Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Teramachi
  • Patent number: 4995275
    Abstract: A device for supporting an overhang type slidable pinion shaft of an electric motor for starting an engine comprises a bearing for supporting the pinion shaft, the bearing including an inner ring having a groove provided in its inner peripheral surface. Accordingly, it is possible to secure grease or oil in the groove provided in the inner peripheral surface of the inner ring of the bearing and it is therefore possible to minimize the boundary friction occurring between the inner peripheral surface of the inner ring of the bearing and the sliding surface of the pinion shaft and, at the same time, enable the pinion shaft to slide even more smoothly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1991
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kyoichi Okamoto, Kazuo Takami
  • Patent number: 4972282
    Abstract: A head carriage mechanism of a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus including a single guide rod fixed on a frame of the apparatus, a head carriage having a first side in which the guide rod is passed through, a rack of teeth provided on the head carriage at a second side opposing the first side side, a mounting member fixed on the frame, a stepping motor provided with a pinion gear and mounted on the mounting member such that the pinion gear is meshed with the rack teeth, a leaf spring configured to have a U-shaped cross section and mounted on the mounting member such that the leaf spring makes a slide engagement with a part of the head carriage so that the rack teeth and the pinion gear are pressed to each other, and a wear resistant slide member provided at the part of the head carriage in which the leaf spring makes the slide engagement with the head carriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Assignee: Teac Corporation
    Inventors: Yasushi Noda, Takao Akiba
  • Patent number: 4968155
    Abstract: A rolling-bearing-mounted linear guiding unit comprising a hardened and polished guide rail on which rolling element raceways are formed and a guide carriage longitudinally displaceably mounted on the guide rail and provided with a fixing surface turned away from the guide rail and an inner contour adapted in shape to the profile of the guide rail, rolling elements rolling in endless race canals between the rolling element raceways of the guide rail and surfaces situated opposite to these in the guide carriage and a damping element bveing provided next to the guide carriage and a damping element being provided next to the guide carriage and forming a damping gap with the guide rail, characterized in that the damping element is formed as a saddle engaging around the guide rail, which saddle in respect of the guide rail, has a fixing surface identical to that of the guide carriage, the inner contour of the saddle being adapted for the most part to the profile of the guide rail so that these delimit a damping ga
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1990
    Assignee: INA Walzlager Schaeffler KG
    Inventor: Helmut Bode
  • Patent number: 4940339
    Abstract: An endless rectilinear motion rolling guide unit is provided, consisting of a track rail, a slide unit straddling said track rail and a plurality of cylindrical rollers intervened between the two members, so that said slide unit can make a rectilinear movement on said track rail. A slide bearing holding member having an inwardly and gradually decreasing height toward its one end is provided in a recess having the complementary cavity configuration that is in turn provided on the bottom wall surface of said slide unit. A friction member is secured onto the bottom surface of said slide bearing holding member in slide contact relation with the underlying track rail and the friction member can be longitudinally displaceable in the recess of the slide unit so as to adjust the contact pressure between the friction member and the underlying surface of the track rail due to wedging action deriving from the particular configuration of the insert relative to that of the recess receiving it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1990
    Assignee: Nippon Thompson Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Juichi Amano
  • Patent number: 4895035
    Abstract: A device for supporting an overhang type slidable pinion shaft of an electric motor for starting an engine comprises a bearing for supporting the pinion shaft, the bearing including an inner ring having a groove provided in its inner peripheral surface. Accordingly, it is possible to secure grease or oil in the groove provided in the inner peripheral surface of the inner ring of the bearing and it is therefore possible to minimize the boundary friction occurring between the inner peripheral surface of the inner ring of the bearing and the sliding surface of the pinion shaft and, at the same time, enable the pinion shaft to slide even more smoothly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1990
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kyoichi Okamoto, Kazuo Takami
  • Patent number: 4863289
    Abstract: A seat track assembly is disclosed that comprises a fixed channel member and a sliding channel member disposed on the fixed channel member. The channel members are interfitted with generally U-shaped engagement members. A first ball bearing assembly is disposed at one vertical position between the two channels, and a second disc-shaped bearing is disposed at a lower vertical position between the U-shaped flanges of the two channels. The second bearing provides support in both the vertical and horizontal directions to prevent seizing between the two channels. The second bearing is resilient and acts to prevent seizing of the two channels by providing a resilient force vertically in opposition to the upward force created by the seat back when the seat is unoccupied and also provides resilient forces horizontally to prevent seizing due to twisting of the channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1989
    Assignee: Bertrand Faure Automobile
    Inventor: Olivier Lecerf
  • Patent number: 4861172
    Abstract: This anti-lead seal prevents the accumulation of torsional and tangential stresses on one and the same sealing element by way of an intermediate sleeve (6) which forms an axial seal gap (7) with one of the coordinated corrugated or housing-like machine parts (1, 2) and a radial seal gap (8) with the other. Since the intermediate sleeve (6) is firmly retained via a torsional safety (11) and an axial fixation (13), the sealing elements (9) for the radial seal gap (7) are stressed only by relative axial movements and the sealing elements (12) for the axial seal gap (8) are stressed only by rotational movements. Here simple elastomeric parts can be used that are easy to supply and can be quickly mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1989
    Assignee: Zahradfabrik Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Annast Rudolf, Max Schuster, Dieter Maurer, Jurgen Rauter
  • Patent number: 4809107
    Abstract: A guide mechanism of a positioning device for a magnetic head moving apparatus providing both improved guiding accuracy and reduced manufacturing cost. The mechanism includes a cylindrical bearing, a guide rod passing slidably through the bearing, a movable base, and grip pieces for holding the cylindrical bearing. Preferably, the cylindrical bearing is provided with one or more cylindrical recesses on its inner periphery to space portions of the bearing from the guide rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1989
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tadashi Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 4684266
    Abstract: A slide (20) having conveniently removable and replaceable bearing components (28-38) with the bearing components engaging seats (50) made of resilient, low friction material. The slide is supported on ways (24, 26) by way bearing pads (28-32) and opposed adjustable bearing assemblies (34-38). The seats (50) are formed by rough machining pockets (40, 42) into slide (20), positioning the slide (20) onto the ways (24, 26), positioning tooling blocks (60) at the locations normally occupied by the bearing components (28-36), and filling the spaces between the tooling blocks and pockets with a low friction, epoxy material, thereby forming the seats (50). Any one of the bearing components (28-38) may be removed and replaced without removing the slide (20) from the ways (24, 26). Further, each bearing assembly (34, 38) is mounted on one side of a respective way with a way bearing pad (28-32) being mounted on the opposite side of the way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1987
    Assignee: The Warner & Swasey Company
    Inventors: Robert A. Furmanek, Jyoti P. Mukherjee, Pasquale J. Lanese
  • Patent number: 4662762
    Abstract: The subject matter of the invention is an adjustable straight-line guide for, more particularly, machine tools, whose guide shoe, in order to obtain improved frictional properties while reducing the "stick-slip" effect with high vibration-damping characteristics, has roller circulation combined with a sliding surface and for automatic alignment in respect to the sliding surface of the guide path, and also for initial stressing which is simple to effect, is held by adjusting elements, acting multi-axially, at the guided machine part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1987
    Assignee: MAHO Werkzeugaschinenbau Babel & Company
    Inventor: Walter Schwarz
  • Patent number: 4648725
    Abstract: A device for guiding movement of a stage, carrying thereon a semiconductor wafer, for printing in a reduced scale an integrated circuit pattern of a mask onto different portions of the semiconductor wafer through a reduction production lens, includes linear roller bearings for supporting the stage for movement in a predetermined direction, a slider and a roller for pressing a portion of the stage against the slider to thereby constrain the displacement of the stage in a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction of movement, whereby higher accuracies of the stop position of the stage as well as higher speed of the stage movement are assured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1987
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuo Takahashi
  • Patent number: RE35126
    Abstract: A linear motion rolling contact guide unit having a rod rail having a substantially circular cross section is provided. The guide unit also includes a slider slidably mounted on the rod rail and a plurality of rolling members interposed between the rod rail and the slider to thereby provide a rolling contact therebetween. The slider is so structured that it surrounds only a part the circumference of the rod rail and thus the slider has a generally U-shaped cross sectional shape. Since the rod rail is not surrounded completely, it may be placed in a V-shaped groove of a bed substantially over its entire stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1995
    Assignee: Nippon Thompson Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Norimasa Agari