Abstract: An apparatus includes a panel, a fastener, and a cushion. The panel is coupled to a side of a railcar. The fastener engages the panel. A vertical position of the fastener on the panel is adjustable. The cushion is coupled to the fastener. The cushion extends from the side of the railcar towards an interior of the railcar and prevents the side of the railcar from contacting an object stored in the railcar.

Abstract: The present embodiments relate to a rack bar supporting device of a vehicle steering apparatus, which may include: a support yoke configured to be inserted into a cylinder of a gear box and configured to have a support recess famed on a front surface thereof to support a rack bar positioned in the lateral direction therein and a yoke hollow formed on a rear surface thereof so as to receive an elastic member; a yoke plug configured to have a plug hollow famed on a front surface thereof to receive the elastic member for supporting the support yoke toward the rack bar and configured to be connected to the cylinder of the gear box; and damping members configured to protrude from a rear surface of the support yoke so as to be supported by a front surface of the yoke plug when an impact load is reversely transferred from the road surface through the rack bar.

Abstract: A supporting apparatus for a steering gear box includes a pressing yoke part for supporting a side surface of a rack bar to be engaged with a steering input gear in a shape to wrap the side surface of the rack bar, a supporting yoke part provided in a mounting groove together with the pressing yoke part, an elastic link part formed of an elastic material and extending from the pressing yoke part to be inserted into the supporting yoke part, a cover part provided at a position opposite to the supporting yoke part and shielding an inlet of the mounting groove, and a pressing part located between the supporting yoke part and the cover part and pressing the supporting yoke part by a predetermined elastic force.

Abstract: The invention relates to a belt height adjustment device for fixed connection to a bearing structure (1) of a vehicle seat, having a lever (2) and a belt deflection fitting (3) which is rotatably movable relative thereto. The lever (2) is pivotably connected to the bearing structure (1) to provide an axis of rotation. The lever (2) further includes a fixing device which can be fixed with respect to its pivotal movement relative to the bearing structure (1). The fixing device is configured to prevent the pivoting of the lever (2) relative to the bearing structure (1), and in particular, in the downward direction, and is configured to engage automatically in prespecified lever angle positions on an upward movement of the lever (2).

Abstract: A pin cap comprising: (a) a central portion including one or more through holes; (b) one or more springing arms extending from the central portion; (c) one or more contact regions; and wherein the pin cap is configured to receive a pin from a brake system so that the one or more contact regions of the pin cap contact the pin and connect the pin cap to the pin, and the one or more through holes in the central portion assist the pin cap in expanding to receive a pin so that the central portion of the pin cap creates a gripping force on the pin; and wherein the one or more springing arms bias the pin so that the pin and pin cap are substantially centrally located within a pin bore of the brake system.

Abstract: A slide plate hinge comprises a fixed plate, and a slide plate. A slide plate sliding guide groove is respectively arranged on each of both sides of the fixed plate. The central section of the groove wall at one side of the sliding guide groove is of an elastic structure, and the elastic structure and the groove wall at the other side of the sliding guide groove clamps the slide plate. The slide plate hinge can implement the sliding guide and friction clamping on the slide plate by use of the sliding guide groove of an elastic structure, with high structural integration and concealability, thereby enabling the slide plate hinge to still have good hand feeling even without driving springs and enabling the slide plate to be stopped at any time amid the sliding process. The driving springs are not indispensable, so the thickness of the hinge can be reduced.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a leaf spring bearing for a vehicle with a transverse leaf spring. The leaf spring bearing comprises an upper bearing block and a lower bearing block. Each bearing block is formed at least partially of elastic material and comprises an upper support surface and a lower support surface between which a portion of the transverse leaf spring can be interposed. At least one of the upper and lower bearing blocks has a bearing core and an insert positioned in the elastic material between the upper and lower support surfaces so as to define three layers of the elastic material within the at least one bearing block. At least one of the upper and lower bearing blocks has two support plates arranged either outside the elastic material or at least partially surrounded by the elastic material in the area of the upper and lower support surfaces of the bearing block.

Abstract: A spring unit includes a composite spring and a metal wire. The composite spring is formed of resin, has a single beam structure, and includes a curved part between its end parts. The metal spring is formed of a metal wire, and includes a curved part between its end parts. The end parts of the composite spring are fixed to the corresponding end parts of the metal spring, so that the composite spring and the metal spring are fixed to be positioned in the same plane. The composite spring and the metal spring engage with each other in an engagement part formed in at least one position between the curved parts and the end parts. The composite spring and the metal spring are separated in a part other than the end parts and the engagement part.

Abstract: The disclosed seismic isolation bearing includes an upper base plate, a lower base plate, a disc bearing core, and at least one shear spring. The upper and lower base plates each have an upper surface and a lower surface. The disc bearing core is centrally positioned with respect to the planes of the upper and lower base plates and is in contact with the lower surface of the upper base plate and the upper surface of the lower base plate, where the disc bearing core allows the lower surface of the upper base plate to slide along the disc bearing core. The shear spring is coupled to the lower surface of the upper base plate and the upper surface of the lower base plate, deforms in shear upon lateral movement of the upper base plate relative to the lower base plate, and exerts a lateral return force on the upper base plate when laterally displaced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a spring unit whose spring constant can be easily changed. The spring unit includes a plurality of wire springs each including a bent part formed in the middle of wire by bending, extending parts extending from the bent part, and end parts formed at ends of the extending parts. The wire springs are arranged side by side, and a deformed part protruding in a direction of arrangement of the wire springs is formed in one or more of the extending parts.

Abstract: A sliding plate hinge of a portable electronic device terminal includes a fixed plate and a sliding plate. A sliding-guide groove for the sliding plate is disposed at either side of the fixed plate. A frictional component supported by an elastic component is also disposed at either side of the fixed plate respectively. The frictional components at the two sides form a compression fit with the side surface of the sliding plate or with the side surface of a component fixedly connected to the sliding plate, so as to generate side pressure against the sliding plate or the component fixedly connected to the sliding plate. The design utilizes the frictional components to generate side pressure against the sliding plate or the component fixedly connected to the sliding plate and thus generate frictional damping, ensuring that the sliding plate hinge has a comfortable hand-feel even in the absence of a drive spring.

Abstract: A slide plate hinge comprises a fixed plate, and a slide plate. A slide plate sliding guide groove is respectively arranged on each of both sides of the fixed plate. The central section of the groove wall at one side of the sliding guide groove is of an elastic structure, and the elastic structure and the groove wall at the other side of the sliding guide groove clamps the slide plate. The slide plate hinge can implement the sliding guide and friction clamping on the slide plate by use of the sliding guide groove of an elastic structure, with high structural integration and concealability, thereby enabling the slide plate hinge to still have good hand feeling even without driving springs and enabling the slide plate to be stopped at any time amid the sliding process. The driving springs are not indispensable, so the thickness of the hinge can be reduced.

Abstract: A sliding bearing 1 includes a cylindrical bearing body; slits provided in the bearing body; straight grooves provided on an inner side of the bearing body in such a manner as to extend in an axial direction A and respectively disposed between adjacent ones of the slits which are adjacent in a direction B about an axis; a sliding surface which is provided on the inner side of the bearing body and partially severed in the direction B about the axis by the slits to and the straight grooves; a fitting groove provided in an outer surface of the bearing body; and an elastic ring which is fitted in the fitting groove. Each of the straight grooves are closed on an end face side and is open on an end face side.

Abstract: A slide rail structure with stable movement and rotation is provided for an electronic device. The slide rail structure includes a base capable of being assembled with a fixed machine body, a tractor capable of being pivoted to a sliding module and movably disposed on the base, and an elastic body including a fixed end connected to the base and a pivot end connected to the tractor. The tractor, incorporated with the elastic body to assist in moving the sliding module, is capable of providing the sliding module with stable and smooth motion.

Abstract: A side pressure applying mechanism for a motor may include a rotation shaft of the motor rotatably supported through a support bearing, a side pressure bearing which is loosely fitted to the rotation shaft, an urging member which is abutted with the side pressure bearing to apply a side pressure to the rotation shaft, engaging parts which are formed in a frame and with which both end portions of the urging member are respectively engaged, and a restricting part for restricting movement of the urging member toward the axial direction of the rotation shaft. The restricting part is provided at a position nearer to an abutting position where the urging member is abutted with the side pressure bearing between an engaging position where the urging member is engaged with the engaging part and the abutting position of the urging member with the side pressure bearing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a rack bush and a rack pinion type steering apparatus having the rack bush for a vehicle, which can smoothly support a load in an axial direction and a vertical direction of a rack bar so that it is possible to reduce abnormal abrasion of the rack bush, reduce a rattle noise caused by external force transferred through the rack bar during movement of the rack bar, and prevent damage to the rack bar and a pinion through distribution of the load due to an external impact on the shaft.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a television apparatus includes a panel unit, a support base, and a plurality of slide support mechanisms. The panel unit includes a front panel arranged in front of a display panel. The support base supports the display panel. The slide support mechanisms are attached to the support base to slidably support the panel unit. The slide support mechanisms includes an elastic bush and a combined member. A through portion is formed in the elastic bush. The elastic bush has a circumference portion attached to one of the support base and the panel unit. The combined member is combined with the other of the panel unit and the support base via a combining portion passing through the through portion, and holds the elastic bush with the other of the panel unit and the support base.

Abstract: A slide unit mechanism includes a sliding plate including slide parts and rattle preventing mechanisms that engage the sliding plate to prevent the sliding plate from rattling. Each of the rattle preventing mechanisms includes a recess; an opening positioned on a moving path of the slide part; a locking torsion spring disposed in the recess, one end of which is attached to an engaging part protruding from the opening on the moving path of the slide part; and an engaging recess formed in the slide part and configured to engage the engaging part. When the sliding plate is slid to the open position or the closed position, the engaging part engages the engaging recess and is biased by elastic force of the locking torsion spring toward the engaging recess.

Abstract: An assembly structure includes a sliding element, a relative sliding element and an elastic element. The relative sliding element includes sliding-guided portions disposed at the two sides thereof, and the sliding element includes sliding jacket portions clamped to the two sliding-guided portions of the relative sliding element. The elastic element includes a coil winding portion formed with two ends, and a first swing arm and a second swing arm are respectively disposed on the two ends of the coil winding portion and respectively located in the vicinity of the sliding element and the relative sliding element. The first swing arm is pivoted to the relative sliding element, and the second swing arm is pivoted to the sliding element, so that the deformed portion of the coil winding portion limited by the first and second swing arms can be prevented from rubbing against the sliding element.

Abstract: A sliding bearing 1 includes a cylindrical bearing body 11; slits 14 to 18 provided in the bearing body 11; straight grooves 35 to 39 provided on an inner side of the bearing body 11 in such a manner as to extend in an axial direction A and respectively disposed between adjacent ones of the slits 14 to 18 which are adjacent in a direction B about an axis; a sliding surface 19 which is provided on the inner side of the bearing body 11 and partially severed in the direction B about the axis by the slits 14 to 18 and the straight grooves 35 to 39; a fitting groove 21 provided in an outer surface 20 of the bearing body 11; and an elastic ring 22 which is fitted in the fitting groove 21. Each of the straight grooves 35 to 39 is closed on an end face 12 side and is open on an end face 13 side.

Abstract: A rolling element retainer is provided with two through rolling element retaining spaces. Each of the rolling elements retaining spaces is provided for accommodation of one rolling element. The rolling element retainer is provided with a linking portion at each of two opposite sides thereof. The rolling element retainer is further provided with a rolling element rolling channel in each of two external end surfaces thereof. The angular difference between the respective rolling element rolling channels and the respective linking portions is 0 degree or 90 degrees. By such arrangements, the rolling channels at two ends of the rolling element retainer are provided for contact with the rolling elements therebetween, so as to guide the movement of such rolling elements.

Abstract: A sliding apparatus includes a first sliding member and a second sliding member slidable relative to the first sliding member. A first resilient member and a second resilient member are connected between the first and second sliding members. The first and second resilient members overlap with each other to provide the better sense of damping for operators.

Abstract: A bearing arrangement having first and second components located for relative operational movement by a respective bearing. The bearing has a bearing element including a pack of resiliently flexible bristles or leaves for transmitting force between the components thereby locally to provide a relative kinematic constraint on at least one degree of freedom of the components during the relative operational movement.

Abstract: A bearing (3), preferably elastomeric, which can be employed in machine construction (1), in particular for generators of wind turbines. The bearing (3), owing to its design, can be positioned both in the vertical and also in the horizontal direction under load at any time in such a way that any present drive/gear shafts are aligned with one another.

Abstract: A rack and pinion steering device has a pinion rotatable in the R-direction, a rack bar having rack teeth meshing with the pinion and rectilinearly movable in the A-direction, a housing for rotatably supporting the pinion, a rack guide for slidably supporting the rack bar, and an elastic means for pressing the rack guide toward the pinion.

Abstract: A sliding rail has a stationary base, a slider and two plugs. The stationary base is elongated and has two ends, two opposite edges and two channels defined respectively in the edges, and each channel having a top, a bottom and two open ends respectively at the ends of the stationary base. The slider is mounted slidably on the stationary base and has two edges respectively mounted slidably in the channels in the stationary base. Each edge of the slider has two resilient arms mounted on and protruding obliquely from the edge. Each arm has two ends abutting respectively with the top and the bottom of a corresponding channel in the stationary base. The plugs are mounted respectively on the ends of the stationary base to close the open ends of the channels.

Abstract: A slide hinge is mounted between a body and a cover of a remote control and has a base and a slide pin assembly. The base has two opposite rails and each rail has a rail slot being curved and defined through the rail. The slide pin has a slide pin, a spring and a guide. The slide pin is mounted slidably through the rail slots and capable of moving along a curved path. The spring is mounted around the slide pin. The guide is slidably mounted around the slide pin and selectively compresses the spring. The slide hinge allows the cover to move along a curved path relative to the body.

Abstract: The present invention relates a fiber optic transducer (FOT) and methods for measuring the pressure and temperature of a flowing fluid using such FOT, wherein such FOT contains a fiber optic having fiber Bragg gratings. The fiber Bragg gratings are measured during a flowing fluid to determine the difference in the change in wavelength exhibited by a reflected optical signal from the gratings.

Abstract: A rolling element retainer is provided with two through rolling element retaining spaces. Each of the rolling elements retaining spaces is provided for accommodation of one rolling element. The rolling element retainer is provided with a linking portion at each of two opposite sides thereof. The rolling element retainer is further provided with a rolling element rolling channel in each of two external end surfaces thereof. The angular difference between the respective rolling element rolling channels and the respective linking portions is 0 degree or 90 degrees. By such arrangements, the rolling channels at two ends of the rolling element retainer are provided for contact with the rolling elements therebetween, so as to guide the movement of such rolling elements.

Abstract: A yoke for use in a rack and pinion steering assembly is described. The yoke may include a bearing surface that provides a low coefficient of friction, allowing for a greater biasing force against the rack shaft. The materials and design of the yoke can provide for a quieter system with reduced vibration.

Abstract: The retaining plus is used for assembling or retaining an array of needle roller bearings in the center of a gear. The plug applies a spring force through a push ball and a wire retainer clip which separates a pair of the needle roller bearings and force the array of bearings together and against the inside diameter of the gear.

Abstract: A slider is displaceable in an axial direction on guide sections of a cylinder tube through a guide mechanism. A first elastic member is interposed between a first bearing support member of the guide mechanism and one retaining section of the slider. A bearing installed in the first bearing support member, is pressed continuously toward the guide section. A second bearing support member is installed via a second elastic member between the guide section and another retaining section of the slider. A bearing provided on the second bearing support member is pressed toward the guide section by means of a resilient force of the second elastic member.

Abstract: A flexible shoe assembly for use in a molding system. The clamp unit of a molding system includes a moving platen and a stationary platen supported by a frame. Tie bars interconnect the moving platen with the stationary platen. The tie bars are secured to the stationary platen and pass through respective openings in the moving platen. Each tie bar is supported and guided within their respective openings by a flexible shoe assembly and wear pad. The flexible shoe assembly has a force redirector for directing force away from a peripheral edge of the wear pad towards a central force area. The flexible shoe assembly also includes a load distributor to distribute the load across the wear pad surface. The flexible shoe assembly includes an upper support that is flexible about a lower support to keep the wear pad in operational contact with the tie bar.

Abstract: A linear sliding guide comprises a longitudinal guide rail with guide flanks that extend in a direction of sliding and a bearing block that lodges therein and has corresponding counterpart flanks. Compensation-for-play spring assemblies are provided between these two components; they are formed by a receptacle and a spring bushing that is inserted therein. The spring bushing acts on the corresponding guide flank of the longitudinal guide rail by way of a gap in the receptacle.

Abstract: A bearing outer shell encases a self-lubricating polymeric bearing pad material concentrically therein. A helical spring applies a force through from the outer shell, through the bearing pad material, and onto a shaft when the bearing is installed on a shaft. An elastomeric base material may be interposed between the outer shell and the bearing pad to provide additional resiliency. The shaft may be sized to create an interference fit, causing a radial preload that can be designed to exceed the expected external vibration or shock forces. Proper selection of the elastomeric base material affords damping of these environments. The bearing provides the necessary guidance with minimal loss in power consumption. Therefore, not only is the useful life of the shaft and housing extended, but the life of the associated gears, bearings, and components that require proper alignment to minimize wear the load concentrations is further extended.

Abstract: A submersible pump motor has rotor sections spaced apart from each other with bearings located between. The bearings support the shaft of the rotor within a stator. The bearing is stationary and has a cavity in its outer periphery. A metallic coiled member is positioned along the circumference of the bearing, and rests in the cavity on the outside diameter of the bearing. The coiled member engages the bearing and the inner wall of the stator to prevent rotation of the bearing.

Abstract: A slide mechanism includes first and second rails connected for relative sliding movement with respect to each other. A damper mechanism is secured to one of the rails and can be connected to and disconnected from the other of the rails to provide a damping effect for relative movement of the rails during at least a part of the movement thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a track rail mounting structure of a rectilinear guide apparatus comprising a track rail having a rotating/running surface where a plenty of rotating/running bodies rotate and run; an endless circulation route for guiding the plenty of rotating/running bodies; and a slider movably arranged with respect to the track rail via the rotating/running bodies; wherein a base where the track rail is mounted has a groove for inserting a bottom portion of the track rail, so that the bottom portion of the track rail is inserted into the groove, and a pressure member is provided for pressing at least one side surface of the track rail toward an inner side surface of the groove.

Abstract: A linear bushing attachable to a structural member is formed of a tubular body having a tail part and a lead part forward of said tail part, the tubular body defining a cylindrical wall about a central longitudinal axis and having inner and outer surfaces. First and second sets of resiliently bendable arms extend respectively from the lead part and from the tail part, the arms of each set being spaced apart circumferentially and extending generally forwardly and radially inwardly. The arms of each set have distal ends with inner surfaces which define a bore of first diameter, these arms of each set being deflectable radially outward to define between the inner surfaces of their distal ends a bore of greater diameter than the first diameter. Each of these arms when deflected radially outward applies a resilient opposite radially inward force.

Abstract: A rack and pinion steering gear (10). The rack and pinion steering gear (10) comprises a housing (12) having a chamber (18). A portion of the chamber (18) is a relief pocket (22). A pinion gear (26) is rotatably mounted in the chamber (18) of the housing (12). A rack bar (38) is movable relative to the pinion gear (26). The rack bar (38) is at least partially disposed in the chamber (18) of the housing (12) and has teeth (44) in meshing engagement with the pinion gear (26). A spring (60) is disposed in the chamber (18) of the housing (12) for supporting and guiding movement of the rack bar (38) relative to the pinion gear (26). The spring (60) extends across an opening to the relief pocket (22). The spring (60) extends into the relief pocket (22) as a load applied to the spring (60) from the rack bar (38) increases.

Abstract: When a guide block 20 is located on each of both ends of a guide rail 18, rollers 50 are situated at a position where they are supported by hard supporting members 28a and 28b of a rail member 36, so that the guide block 20 is positioned at a predetermined position precisely. On the other hand, when the guide block 20 is located at a position in the vicinity of a center of the guide rail 18, the rail member 36 is slightly bent by elasticity of an elastic supporting member 32 in spite of lowering of a position precision in the vicinity of the guide rail 18 due to a warp, a distortion, a bend and the like. Thus, an overload applied to the foregoing rail member 36 and the like is relieved.

Abstract: A hydrostatic guidance system for a moving carriage upon a lathe bed or other such machining has a plurality of fluid, preferably air bearings mounted on the carriage and a pressurized fluid manifold device for routing the pressurized fluid to the air bearings. The several air bearings are located and oriented on the carriage adjacent the rails or ways of the machine so that the carriage is made to float, contact free, over the ways for smooth, jerk free movement. At least one of the air bearings is mounted on the distal end of a bendable beam which, under pressure of the air, maintains the gap between the bearing and the way despite variations in the straightness or linearity of the way so as to maintain a uniform velocity profile.

Abstract: A preload hydrostatic bearing includes a pad, a diaphragm and an adjustable member. The pad has a bearing structure, an inlet manifold, and a plurality of orifices. The orifices direct a fluid, such as air, from the inlet manifold toward the bearing surface. The diaphragm is mounted on the pad, and the adjustable member, which extends in an axial direction, is coupled proximate one end to a center portion of the diaphragm. The diaphragm transfers a preload in the axial direction to the adjustable member. This preload hydrostatic bearing has a high repeatability of performance, because a single diaphragm replaces prior art mechanical coupling devices, such as ball bearings, conical seats and spring washers, which undesirably are sources of friction and hysteresis.

Abstract: A linear motor comprising a linearly-extensive stator (1) supporting a translator (2), the stator providing in operation a squeezing force across the translator in a direction approximately orthogonal to the line of the stator, and the translator either having along its movement direction a slightly tapered profile or being mounted on the stator by force-transmitting bearings (3) that when so squeezed deform to become slightly tapered, the effect being to produce a resultant force on the translator that is along the line of the stator. The utilisation of a resilient toroidal bearing member (103) fitted inside and co-axially with a tubular passageway (108) in an outer, sleeve-like bearing body (101) through which an inner bearing body (102) is free to slide. The inner body is then fitted through the toroid, all three components thus being co-axially aligned.

Abstract: A spring component for support bearings of helicopter tail rotors or for support structures for use in outer space encompasses at least two contact support components (11a, 11b) for connecting with the members that are to be supported (e.g. a belt and a control sleeve of a helicopter tail rotor), as well as a web plate (20), which extends between the contact support components (11a, 11b) and which includes a pair of lengthwise webs (21a, 21b) extending in a longitudinal direction. The lengthwise webs are connected to each other by first connecting webs (22a, 22b). Respectively, a further connecting web (23a, 23b) is arranged at a section of the two lengthwise webs (21a, 21b) positioned between the first connecting webs (22a, 22b), wherein each further connecting web extends outwardly toward one of the support components (11a, 11b). In connection with a transverse bending moment acting on the spring component, a twisting of the lengthwise webs (21a, 21b) takes place.

Abstract: A linear slide assembly which includes a pair of parallel stationary ways and a carriage. A pair of parallel traveling ways are mounted to the carriage. One traveling way is mounted to the carriage by a fixed mounting and the other is mounted to the carriage by a laterally-compliant mounting. The laterally-compliant mounting includes a compliant mounting bar mounted to the carriage with flexures that allow some lateral movement. The compliant mounting also includes a stop that limits the lateral movement of the compliant traveling way.

Abstract: A new and improved rack and pinion steering gear including a housing, a rack bar having a rack gear thereon, and pinion head having a pinion gear thereon. The pinion head is supported on the housing for rotation as a unit with a steering hand wheel. The rack bar is supported on the housing for back and forth linear translation by a sleeve bearing and by a thrust bearing behind the rack bar opposite the pinion gear. The rack and pinion gears cooperate in converting manual effort applied at the steering hand wheel into linear thrust on the rack bar.

Abstract: A yoke assembly for a rack and pinion steering system includes a bearing disc member having a pair of bearing surfaces for slidingly supporting and urging the rack toward the pinion. The bearing disc member is kinematically supported by elastomeric members along an adjustment axis. In the pitch direction elastomerically derived forces are applied toward an apex located well within the rack and away from the bearing surfaces. This results in the bearing disc member rotating slightly in a contra-pitch direction and forming a lubrication wedge whenever the rack moves along its axis of translation. Additionally along the adjustment axis, the bearing disc is supplementally supported in a stiffer manner in opposition to heavy shock loads. In the yaw direction, elastomerically derived forces are laterally directed to compliantly bias the bearing disc in a lateral direction orthogonal to a plane defined by the adjustment and translation axes toward a preferred central location.

Abstract: The invention is a linear guide system having a flexure that absorbs internal stresses in the system while still maintaining sufficient rigidity required for a precise linear guide system. These internal stresses may be caused by thermal expansion of components, misalignment of guide rails or vibration of components during operation. The guide system comprises at least two parallel extending guides supported by a base. Slidably attached to the guides are a plurality of pucks or sliders. In addition, the system includes at least one movable slide plate positioned above the pucks by two sets of vertical supports. The first set of vertical supports fix the slide plate to the pucks in both a horizontal and vertical direction while the second set of vertical supports fix the slide plate to the pucks in only the vertical direction. Finally, the guide system includes at least one flexure, consisting of a thin metal plate.

Abstract: A yoke apparatus for use with a rack and pinion steering system includes a bearing disc member having a bearing surface for supporting the rack and a pair of angled outer surfaces disposed beneath the bearing surface for receiving arms of a biasing member. The biasing member includes a relief spring forming the pair of arms which are encapsulated in resilient material. The biasing member has a bottom surface with at least one recess for receiving a block portion of a support member. The arms of the biasing member compliantly urge the bearing disc into position against the rack while constraining the disc in lateral directions with respect to the housing bore.