Abstract: The invention relates to a transfer device for generating a regular, linear transfer movement especially for reading an image plate used in X-raying. The transfer device comprises a fixed housing, a rotatable threaded bar (5), a slide (6) moving linearly on the bar, slide guides (9, 10) for controlling the linear movement of the slide, and members for transforming the rotational movement of the bar into the linear movement of the slide. In accordance with the invention, these members consist of two followers (8) elastically articulated in the slide (6) and placed on opposite sides of the threaded bar (5), each of which is provided with a tongue (15) elastically stressed in the threaded groove (7) of the bar, the stressing member consisting of a pull device (19, 21) fitted between the followers and interconnecting the followers elastically in the transverse direction of the threaded bar. The pull device may consist of a magnet (19) and its counterpart (21), or optionally of a draw-spring between the followers.

Abstract: A yoke (30) supports a rack (14) in a steering gear housing (12). The yoke (30) comprises a rolled and folded metal sheet (62) having a cylindrical configuration defining a side wall (50) and an end wall (52) of the yoke (30). The side wall (50) has a cylindrical contour which is complementary to a cylindrical inner surface (54) of the housing (12). The end wall (52) has a semi-cylindrical contour which is complementary to a semi-cylindrical surface portion (58) of the rack (14).

Abstract: A slide bearing including an assembly of slide pads compressively mounted within a housing. The bearing allows a pipe to be held such that it may slide through the bearing whilst still accommodating lateral and pitch variations.

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 an elastomeric member along an adjustment axis. The elastomeric forces are conically 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. In addition, elastomeric means for compliantly biasing the bearing disc in a lateral direction orthogonal to a plane defined by the adjustment and translation axes toward a preferred central location are disclosed.

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 an elastomeric member. The elastomeric forces are conically 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. The yoke assembly is of a compact design that can be substituted for the yoke assembly of any conventional rack and pinion steering system.

Abstract: An article carrier assembly for a vehicle body panel includes a pair of side rails adapted for attachment to the body panel, a pair of retainers engaging the side rails, and a cross rail extending between the retainers. Each of the pair of retainers includes a foot slidably disposed within the side rails, each foot forming a plurality of compression tubes therein for compressible engagement with the respective side rail to prevent rattles. The side rail assembly includes a roll-formed inner side rail for receiving the retainer and a roll-formed outer side rail secured to stand-off ribs extending from a side rail center support. An alternative side rail assembly provides a roll-formed side rail supported by a pad having an internal snap hook formed thereon, and an outer trim rail having a resilient snap tab for engagement with the snap hook for securing the trim rail to the pad in a manner to prevent rattles.

Abstract: To prevent elongation of a covering tape or ribbon (25) extending over an elongated opening (34) in an elongated base body (2) over which a movable element (3) can slide, the tape or ribbon is retained at preferably both of its ends, by a reverse motion, or one-way lock (50,52). In the simplest form, this reverse-motion lock (50,52) is formed by a leaf spring (63) extending at an acute angle with respect to the tape or ribbon; the tape or ribbon is backed up by bridge-like counter element (54) bridging over the elongated opening (34).

Abstract: A height adjustment system for a desk, workstation or the like is provided comprising a plurality of height adjustable legs each having a first part in the form of a hollow column and a second part movable relative to the first part in a vertical direction. The second part of each leg includes a gearbox housing containing a crown gear provided on a vertically extending rotatable shaft and at least one pinion gear engageable with said crown gear. The vertical shaft includes a screw-threaded portion engaged by nuts on a base plate of the column. A winding mechanism is provided for rotating a horizontally extending shaft on which the pinion gear is provided. Rotation of the horizontal shaft causes the vertical shaft to rotate thereby moving the second part relative to the column so adjust the height of a top member secured on the gearbox housing.

Abstract: A rack and pinion steering gear (10) includes a rack bar (22) and pinion gear (14) which are at least partially enclosed by a housing (12). Movement of the rack bar (22) relative to the housing (12) and pinion gear (14) is supported and guided by a yoke (30). The yoke (30) includes a metal base (38) and polymeric bearing material (40) molded over the metal base. The polymeric bearing material (40) has a bearing surface (42) which engages the rack bar (22). The metal base (38) is stamped as one piece from sheet material and includes a cylindrical side wall (50) and an end wall or panel (52).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an assembly, especially an assembly which provides precision guidance of a lighting member.

Abstract: The master cylinder of the present invention is provided with the bearing in which a bearing body includes the inner circumferencial seal groove which is formed with a L-shape in longitudinal section with one side surface thereof opened, and a set plate is secured to an end surface of the bearing body so as to close the opened side surface of the inner circumferencial seal groove, wherein the set plate has a plurality of engaging pawls formed thereon for resiliently to pressing the bearing body onto a stopper ring or pressing the bearing body onto a step portion between a cylinder hole and the bearing housing while elastically holding the bearing body, whereby the seal member can easily be fitted into an inner circumferencial seal groove, of a bearing while preventing the bearing from chattering and preventing the seal member from being deformed seriously.

Abstract: A damper assembly includes anti-rattle tracking devices or components for preventing rattling and play when a sliding tray is moved into and out from a stationary housing by a damper device. The damper device further includes a fail-safe locking device so as to maintain the assembly of the locking device for the sliding tray regardless of either a pushing or pulling motion.

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.

Abstract: A static pressure slide unit includes a guide rail, two-part slider slidably mounted on the guide rail and having a slider main body and a slider pressure member, and a mechanism interposed between the slider main body and the slider pressure member for constantly urging the slider pressure member against the guide rail. A pressurized fluid supplying system is also provided for supplying a gas or liquid under pressure to a sliding contact interface between the guide rail and the slider.

Abstract: A sliding contact type linear motion guide unit having at least one of desired anti-vibration and braking functions is provided. The unit includes a rail extending over a desired length, a slider movably mounted on the rail and a sliding member interposed between the rail and the slider. The sliding member includes an elastic member fixedly attached to the slider and a contact member fixedly attached to the elastic member and having a contact surface in sliding contact with the rail. In the preferred embodiment, the elastic member includes an elastic enclosure having therein a fill, such as a gas, liquid or gel, under pressure, so that the contact pressure between the contact member and the rail can be maintained substantially unchanged and uniformly. A control valve is preferably provided in communication with the interior of the enclosure.

Abstract: A railcar adapter for the side frame pedestal of the truck assembly for a railcar. The adapter creates a clearance with the inboard and outboard lugs of the pedestal side frame to permit lateral movement of the adapter relative to the side frame. Plugs of a solid lubricant are provided on the crown of the adapter to facilitate movement.

Abstract: A sliding assembly for a furniture drawer including a C-shaped metal slide in combination with a T-shaped wooden guide, the slide being equipped with an integral, depending detent while the guide is equipped with a spring clip in a top groove receiving the slide detent so as to provide an overcomeable stop against drawer removal from an associated dresser, the bottom of the slot being generally U-shaped.

Abstract: A sliding contact type linear motion guide unit having at least one of desired anti-vibration and braking functions is provided. The unit includes a rail extending over a desired length, a slider movably mounted on the rail and a sliding member interposed between the rail and the slider. The sliding member includes an elastic solid member fixedly attached to the slider and a contact member fixedly attached to the elastic solid member and having a contact surface in sliding contact with the rail. In the preferred embodiment, the elastic solid member is constructed by a corrugated spring, rubber, a synthetic resin or the like so that the contact pressure between the contact member and the rail can be maintained substantially unchanged and uniformly.

Abstract: In a co-ordinate measuring machine, a linear guideway comprises two tubular guides 14, 16 mounted on a column 10 in a parallel spaced apart relation and extending in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the column 10. The guides 14, 16 are mounted on the column 10 by a plurality of elongate bars 20 formed for example of carbon fibre. The bars 20 are so designed as to allow change in relative length between the guide 14 and the column 10 but to retain the guide 14 in a rigid relation to the column 10 in a direction along the axis of each of the bars 20. The guide 16 is mounted on the column 10 by a plurality of pairs of bars 50 similar to the bars 20. Each of the guides 14, 16 is anchored relative to the column 10 at one respective end. A carriage 12 is slidably mounted on the guides 14, 16 by suitable bearings and requires five degrees of restraint and one degree of freedom in the axial direction of the guides 14, 16.

Abstract: An impact motor comprises a housing (10) with a cylinder (11) therein, in which a reciprocating drive piston (40) via a gas cushion in a working chamber (44) of said cylinder (11) repeatedly drives a hammer piston (15) to impact on and to return from the neck (17) of a tool (20) carried by the machine housing (10). A piston groove (68) is provided adjacent to the front face (70) of the drive piston (40) and the peripheral part of said face (70) is rounded (71) towards said groove (68). A piston ring (41) is of steel having a temperature expansion coefficient substantially equal to the cylinder's (11) and is ground circumferentially to have a close sliding and sealing fit in the cylinder (11). The rounded (71) drive piston face (70) is adapted to the inner diameter of said ring (41) so as to permit the ring (41) to be forced into said groove (68) undeformed to ride on a elastically centering O-ring (69) of heat resistant rubber.

Abstract: A guided member is engaged with a guiding member and the guided member and guiding members are movable relative to each other. A pair of planar, parallel guide surfaces on the guide member are engaged by a pair of bearings mounted on the guided member. One of the bearings is resiliently biased into engagement with the guide surface which is less precisely formed so that irregularities in that guide surface or lack of parallelism between the guide surfaces is accommodated by displacement of the biased bearing. The bearings are mounted on bearing supports which depend from either side of a cross piece. The cross piece is secured to the guided member such that a portion of the cross piece is uncoupled from the guided member and is free to be deflected, thus providing the biasing for the biased bearing without transmitting stress to the guided member. Preferably, the apparatus is employed in a machine tool to guide the movement of a worktable.

Abstract: "A tilt telescope steering column assembly comprises a housing supported for tilting movement, a tubular member supported for axial movement in the housing, and a steering shaft supported for rotation in the tubular member. Axially spaced bearings engage the housing and the tubular memeber to take up clearance therebetween".

Abstract: A tilt telescope steering column comprises a bracket pivotably supporting a housing between first and second pivot limits. The first and second pivot limits may be changed. A pair of screws attach the housing to the bracket and clearance between the screws and the housing is taken up. A tubular member is located within the housing and is axially movable relative to the housing. Axially spaced bearings engage the housing and the tubular member to take up clearance therebetween. A tilt blocking mechanism includes a lock member carried by the housing and movable to a position blocking relative pivotal movement between the housing and the bracket. The lock member is moved against a surface of the housing when the lock member is in its blocking position to take up clearance between the lock member and the housing. A telescope blocking mechanism includes a lock pin which is movable to a position blocking relative axial movement of the tubular member and the housing.

Abstract: A plain bearing slide system has a carriage mounted on a slide by use of bearing pads. Each bearing pad is coated with a layer of polymeric material having a convex surface, and is arranged to ride on a counterface. The combined thickness of the layer and a layer providing the counterface is such that the difference between the static and dynamic coefficients of friction is substantially less than the difference associated with the material when used in bulk bearings. A slide system using PTFE, and with a combined thickness of the layers of 2 to 3 micrometers, operated as a measuring instrument under ambient conditions such that the PTFE is substantially non-eroding, has proved capable of providing measurements to an accuracy of 0.05 nanometers.

Abstract: The width of a pot bearing seal (8) is restricted to a minimum in such manner that it seals off the gap (18) between the internal pot wall (16) of a bearing pot (2) and a bearing cap (4) of a pot bearing (14) while providing a minimum overlapping between the pot bearing seal (8) and the bearing cap (4), whereas the height of the pot bearing seal (8) is such that the cylindrical surfaces (22) of the pot bearing seal (8) abuts the internal pot wall (16) even when the bearing cap (4) is inclined with respect to the horizontal line. Hereby the wear of the pot bearing seal is considerably reduced.

Abstract: Guide ring apparatus includes a shaft configured for insertion into a bore and annular bearing means disposed on the shaft for engaging the interior surface of the bore along with an annular spring having a preselected force-deflection characteristics in operative relationship with the bearing for causing the annular bearing means as well as the shaft to float within the bore. This particular bearing and spring arrangement accommodates for variations in the bore and shaft due to manufacturing tolerances, wear and other eccentricities of the shaft and bore.

Abstract: A cartridge bearing assembly includes a non-resilient tubular bearing element and a spring for causing the tubular bearing element to float with a shaft therethrough within a surrounding housing. Because loading between the bearing element and the shaft is eliminated, very close tolerances can be held therebetween and wear between the bearing and the shaft therethrough is substantially reduced. Seals may be incorporated into the bearing member in applications where a pressure drop is desired across the bearing shaft interface.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine comprising a combustion chamber having at least two rigidly fixed inner wall surfaces and at least three movable inner wall surfaces reciprocally mounted and adapted to reciprocate from a first position lessening the internal volume of the combustion chamber to a second position expanding the internal volume of the combustion chamber. The reciprocal linear movements of the movable, inner wall surfaces are operatively coupled to a crankshaft. A spark plug is secured in the combustion chamber and has the spark gap terminals thereof extending into the combustion chamber. A pair of inlet and exhaust valves disposed in the combustion chamber and opening inwardly thereunto complete the major components of the novel engine.

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.

Abstract: A toolholder guide for punch blocks and turrets and the like comprising a toolholder bore carrying about its circumference longitudinal protruding wear strips preventing contact between the toolholder body and the wall of the bore. The wear strips are preferably of plastic and are secured into dovetailed longitudinal keyways broached into the wall of the bore. The innermost surfaces are broached to the a close clearing radius with the body of the toolholder so that the toolholder is accurately centered and guided for reciprocal motion within the bore. Preferably, the broaching operations are carried out using a broaching fixture which secures an actuating hydraulic cylinder directly to the punch block or turret using adjacent toolholder bores for attachment purposes.

Abstract: A bearing arrangement for a feeding device for a drilling machine, comprising a feeding beam (1) provided with longitudinal guides (6), a carriage supporting a drilling machine (3) and provided with guide surfaces in slidable engagement with the guides, and displacing means for displacement of the carriage along the guides. At least one guide surfce (5a) of the carriage is formed by a spacer (5) supported by the carriage. For automatical eliminatin of the clearance between the feeding beam and the carriage, the spacer is pressed against a wedging surface (8) provided on the carriage and extending essentially in parallel with the guide. The carriage is provided by means (9) for displacement of the spacer in between the guide surface (6a) of the guide of the feeding beam and the wedging surface (8) of the carriage so that the growth of clearance caused by wearing of the spacer is avoided as the wearing increases.

Abstract: A structural bearing assembly in which a center plate is located upon a support 11. The support comprises an elastomeric core and a reinforcing outer layer 13 made up of a spirally wound cord of KEVLAR material embedded in a matrix of an elastomeric material which may or may not be the same as that of the core.

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.

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.