Abstract: A direct-acting bearing comprising a rail in the form of a shaft, a movable body fitted slidably to it, and a plurality of rolling bodies disposed between the rail and the movable body so as to roll and circulate with the relative sliding motions thereof, characterized in that a solid film of a fluorine-containing polyurethane high molecular compound is formed on at least the rolling and sliding portions of its components.

Abstract: A radial seal useful in linear ball bearings and designed to be secured during transportation as well as during operation of the bearing includes an arcuate disk portion having opposite sides. An arcuate projection is provided on each side of the disk portion, at least one of which is axially oriented. The projections are designed to have different diameters. This produces a stepped seating surface along the outside diameter of the radial seal that effects a reliable seating of the radial seal in the linear ball bearing. The radial seal can also be designed with two axially oriented projections disposed at different diameters on one side of the disk portion for projecting into an annular groove on the frontal face of the outer ring of the linear ball bearing. By constructing the projections with circumferential outer faces that slightly diverge in a cone-shaped manner, the projections further inhibit the seal from falling out of the groove.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a ball chain used by being integrated to, for example, a ball endless track of a linear guide device for endless sliding in which a number of balls are arranged in one row and rollably held, particularly to a ball chain which is most pertinent to a linear guide device having a ball rolling groove in a shape of a Gothic arch. According to the ball chain, the number of balls are arranged in one row and the balls are held rollably, each of the balls is pinched by a pair of spherical seats and the spherical seats are connected to each other by flange portions to thereby constitute a ball holding unit and a plurality of the ball holding units are connected in a shape of a rosary by a flexible connecting portion. Further, the spherical seats and the flange portions are molded by a resin material whereas the connecting portion is formed by a material having a tensile strength larger than that of the resin material.

Abstract: Spacers 10 of the same size are each disposed between adjacent ones of balls 6 which are loaded into each of endless circulation paths 8 formed in a carriage 3, and a spacer ball 12 having a diameter slightly smaller than a nominal diameter of each of the balls is disposed in a gap formed between the ball positioned at a start end as a start-end ball 6A and the ball positioned at a terminal end as a terminal-end ball 6B.Both axial end faces of each spacer 10 are formed as concave faces 20 conforming to the spherical surface of each ball 6 and thus there is no fear of disengagement of the spacers 10 and the balls 6 from each other during rolling of the balls.

Abstract: A ball bearing for permitting linear movements includes a cage having an inside surface that is adapted to surround a shaft. The cage also has ball tracks each defined by an axial guide track, an axial return track and two turn-around tracks which connect the ends of the guide track and the return track. The guide and return tracks have a radially inwardly open slit that extends along the lengths of the tracks. The guide tracks are covered by respective ball track plates provided with projections that project into grooves in the cage. To reduce tool and manufacturing costs, ball track plates having the same profile (i.e., identical outside diameters, ball track diameters, plate widths and plate thicknesses) are used for several ball bearing sizes with different bore and outside diameters.

Abstract: A linear motion guide unit is disclosed wherein separators are arranged between any adjoining rolling elements, or balls, running along endless-circulating passages and interconnected with each other through strings in such an individually replaceable manner. The separators are each interposed between any adjoining balls so as to space apart them from each other. The separators each have a separator column formed with ball-contacting surfaces for carrying the balls thereon at opposite faces in a running direction of the balls, and webs formed integrally with the column and extended fore-and-aft along the running direction of the balls over the balls, and the webs being each provided therein with channels. The separators are arranged between the adjacent balls in series and interconnected with each other by the strings that thread through the channels in the webs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacture of a slider of a rectilinear guide unit for guiding a movable body such as a work table of a machine tool, an industrial robot or the like by moving along an orbital rail arranged on a stationary section such as a bed, column or the like as it bears a load thereon. This method comprises a first step in which a metallic block main body as a core of the slider is machined to a predetermined shape and to form ball load rolling contact surfaces in the block main body and a second step in which the block main body machined in the previous step is inserted into a mold so as to allow a die-molding material to be padded thereon to thereby form an endless ball circulation path wherein in the first step, chamfered sections are formed on the corners of the block main body corresponding to a portion where the above-mentioned endless ball circulation path is formed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a slider of a linear guide device for guiding a movable body such as a work table or an industrial robot or the like of a machine tool under load which moves along a track rail arranged at a fixed portion such as a bed, or a column. The block main body is made of a metal which becomes a core part of the slider in a predetermined shape and forming load rolling faces of balls on the block main body by machine. The block main body is inserted into a mold and injection molding of a synthetic resin is performed by which ball retaining portions are built on both sides of the load rolling faces of block main body.

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: An endless sliding guide apparatus including a track rail, a sliding table having an endless track comprising a load rolling path, a no-load rolling path and a change direction path and rolling bodies wherein at least one of the no-load rolling path, the inner peripheral portion of the change direction path and a rolling body retaining section of the load rolling path is formed by synthetic resin rolling body guide members formed by insert molding using a bearing race as a core. The rolling body guide members are molded by a synthetic resin composition satisfying the relational expression of (a.times.b).div.c.gtoreq.700 Mpa with respect to the tensile strength a (MPa), tensile elongation b (%) and shrinkage c (%).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a ball connector in which a number of balls are arranged in one row and held rollably and which is used by being integrated, for example, into a linear guide device for endless sliding and a ball endless track of a ball screw device, particularly to a ball connector capable of being used by freely flexing or twisting the ball connector.

Abstract: This curve motion rolling guide unit comprises a spline shaft extending in the longitudinal direction curvilinearly with a predetermined curvature, and a slider fitted around and moved curvilinearly on the spline shaft. The slider comprises a casing, end caps fixed to both end surfaces of the casing, and end seals fixed to end surfaces of the end caps. The casing is provided with raceway grooves in an inner circumferential surface thereof on which rolling elements roll, and return passages. The casing being split into a pair of casing members in the longitudinal direction, and engaged with and fixed to each other at the dividing surfaces thereof.

Abstract: A linear recirculation path unit for a roller bearing includes a linear loading passage, a linear unloading passage, and two direction reversing passages connected to the ends of the linear passages. Instead of simply designing the reversing passages so that the slopes or tangents of the linear and reversing passages are continuous at the connecting points, the reversing passages are arranged so that not only the slopes but also the curvatures of the linear and reversing passages vary continuously throughout the recirculation path, thereby reducing centrifugal acceleration of the rolling elements in the path, with consequent reductions in impact forces on walls of the passages, sliding function, and vibration induced noises.

Abstract: The present invention provides a ball spline which enables the manufacturing of an outer cylinder to be done simply, the manufacturing cost to be reduced, and the loading of balls to be done easily. This ball spline comprises a slider fitted around a ball spline shaft so that the slider can be slid freely thereon, and so that rotational torque can be transmitted to the slider. In the slider, a retainer unit fitted in the outer cylinder is divided into two at the regions of direction changing passages, and rings provided with curved portions constituting guides for balls are fitted in the portions of the outer cylinder which are opposed to the regions of the direction changing passages. The rings are fitted between the outer cylinder and retainers.

Abstract: A rolling motion guide apparatus comprises a guide rail formed with a loaded rolling member rolling passage and a movable member disposed to be movable with respect to the guide rail through a number of rolling members, in which the rolling direction changing passage structure is composed of an end surface forming portion which is formed with a rolling direction changing passage inner periphery guide portion integrally formed with the movable member main body and an end plate which is formed with a rolling direction changing passage outer periphery guide portion separately formed from the end surface forming portion. The rolling direction changing passage outer periphery guide portion of the end plate and a rolling direction changing passage inner periphery guide portion thereof have peripheral portions respectively which are joined and welded so as to provide joining surfaces as a welding portion.

Abstract: A linear motion bearing assembly is provided and includes rolling element retainer structure, outer housing sleeves, a plurality of load bearing plates and plate retainer structure. The retainer structure of the bearing assembly can be either monolithically formed or, alternatively, assembled from multiple elements. At least a portion of axial tracks are formed in the outer radial faces of the retainer structure with each track having a load bearing portion providing access to a support shaft, rail or spline. An outer housing including a pair of sleeves are provided to encompass and protect the retainer structure and the rolling elements contained therein. One or more of these components is preferably formed of an engineering plastic or ceramic. A plurality of non-metallic load bearing plates, preferably of the self-aligning type, are positioned within the outer housing and serve to receive and transmit loads from the rolling elements in the load bearing portion of the tracks.

Abstract: A linear ball bearing mounting flange, which is provided on at least one end of an outer cylinder of a linear ball bearing and is used for mounting the linear ball bearing on a machine or apparatus. The flange includes a flange-shaped structure having a thick wall and provided separately from the outer cylinder. The flange-shaped structure has an annular recess extending from one end surface of the flange-shaped structure along the inner peripheral surface thereof; a peripheral wall on the inner peripheral side of the recess, which has a jagged structure in which projections and recesses are alternately arranged along the circumferential direction; and a claw projecting inward from the inner peripheral wall, which is formed at the leading end of each of the projecting portions of the jagged structure. When the flange is inserted around the outer cylinder of the linear ball bearing, the claws are locked in a claw insertion hole provided in the outer cylinder.

Abstract: A ball spline bearing having a detection device which detects the relative positions and so forth of a spline shaft and outer cylinder by forming a plurality of narrow grooves 21c in spline shaft 21 and arranging extremely narrow and linear scales 31 and 32 in these grooves.

Abstract: In this linear motion rolling guide unit apparatus, a movable track rail is moved relatively to a fixed track rail via a pair of sliders, and one slider is kept stopped with respect to the movement of the track rail, whereby a smooth and stable sliding movement of the track rail can be made. The two sliders are provided between the movable track rail and fixed track rail so that the sliders are moved independently of and relatively to each other. The two track rails are provided with connecting members on the portions thereof which correspond to the terminal ends of the movements of the sliders, and the two sliders members to be connected which are adapted to be detachably engaged with the connecting members.

Abstract: A linear ball bearing comprises a holder and an outer casing each made of a metallic material. A solid lubricating film is formed to cover both the inner surface of a ball guide groove formed in the holder and the inner surface of the outer casing. An oxalate film is formed to cover the surfaces of a plurality of balls each made of a metallic material to provide porous surface regions of the balls. While the balls are moved along the ball guide groove, the lubricant forming the solid lubricating film is transferred from the solid lubricating film onto the balls to achieve a desired lubrication.

Abstract: An enciphering system comprises a transmitter (1) and a receiver (2) communicatable with each other and incorporated in a keyless entry system. The transmitter (1) comprises a memory (11) for memorizing an ID code, a first micro processor (12) for enciphering the ID code outputted from the memory (11), and a transmitting section (13) for transmitting an enciphered ID code produced by the first micro processor (12). The receiver (2) comprises a receiving section (22) for receiving the enciphered ID code transmitted from the transmitter (1) and a second micro processor (21) for decoding the enciphered ID code.

Abstract: In a linear motion machine in which a number of rolling elements 8 are interposed between a linearly extending guide shaft 1 and a moving body 2 linearly moved while being guided by the guide shaft 1, and the elements 8 circulate along element rolling grooves 5 in the moving body 2 while rolling within the grooves 5, a lubricant supply member 14 made of lubricant-contained polymer is located near a load-receiving areal part of the element rolling grooves 5. The lubricant is oozed out of the lubricant supply member 14 and automatically supplied to the element rolling grooves 5 and the elements 8. A stable lubrication of the machine is ensured for a long time.

Abstract: A new ball circulating system for a linear ball bearing that greatly simplifies the manufacturing process of the ball bearing. The linear ball bearing includes an outer sleeve, a ball retainer, several ball tracks and two snap rings. Each ball track includes a linear loaded ball groove and a linear unloaded ball groove, and two semi-circular ball turning grooves which allow the steel balls to turn 180 degrees between the two linear ball grooves. The turning grooves include two-stage depth variations to simplify the geometry of the inner surface of the outer sleeve, to provide better manufacturability, and to increase the bearing's overall strength and longevity.

Abstract: A compound rolling guide unit in which a plurality of sliders are saddled on a track rail, in each of longitudinal surfaces of which raceway grooves are formed, in such a manner that the sliders can be slid relatively to the track rail, is provided with raceway grooves in each longitudinal surface of the track rail, a plurality of sliders being saddled on each surface of the single track rail so that the sliders are slid relatively to the track rail. The sliders can be slid independently of each other in the longitudinal direction of and relatively to the track rail.

Abstract: A linear motion bearing assembly as provided for movement along a shaft. The ball retainer of the bearing assembly is assembled from a plurality of arcuate interengageable self-contained ball retainer segments. Preferably, the plurality of segments are all identical and can be assembled to a variety of configurations for either open-type bearing assemblies or closed-type bearing assemblies. Each of the ball retainer segments includes at least one ball track having a load bearing portion and a return portion. These segments are preferably formed of an engineering polymer and are substantially self-contained to protect the bearing balls contained therein from ambient contamination. At least one load bearing plate is axially positioned in each segment and serves to receive and transmit loads from the bearing balls in the load bearing portion of the ball tracks. The load bearing plates are preferably retained in the segments to facilitate ease of assembly and to eliminate the need for an outer housing.

Abstract: In a linear guide apparatus, a uniform oil distributing valve is rotatably arranged on a supplying path of a fitting end surface of an end cap. The uniform oil distributing valve has a trifurcated path including one inflow path and two discharging paths and is such that the discharging paths are branched with respect to the inflow path at substantially the same angle. The uniform oil distributing valve is adjustable so that the discharging path communicates with a curved path out of both curved paths symmetrically arranged on the left and right sides and so that the other discharging path communicates with the other curved path by rotating the uniform oil distributing valve so as to correspond to an angle of inclination of the linear guide apparatus.

Abstract: A flanged linear ball bearing is provided with a linearly translocatable flange which can be secured to a flange support. A gap is formed between the flange and the ball bearing proper and an intermediate member is adapted to fit in the gap so as to secure the flange to the outside of the bearing proper. The flange is adapted to be secured to a flange support which extends around the bearing proper.

Abstract: A linear motion bearing assembly is provided and includes ball retainer structure, outer housing sleeves, a plurality of load bearing plates and plate retainer structure. The ball retainer structure of the bearing assembly can be either monolithically formed or, alternatively, assembled from multiple elements. At least a portion of axial ball tracks are formed in the outer radial faces of the ball retainer structure with each ball track having a load bearing portion providing access to a support shaft or spline. An outer housing including a pair of sleeves are provided to encompass and protect the ball retainer structure and the bearing balls contained therein. These sleeves are preferably formed of an engineering plastic. A plurality of load bearing plates, preferably of the self-aligning type, are positioned within the outer housing and serve to receive and transmit loads from the bearing balls in the load bearing portion of the ball tracks.

Abstract: This ball spline has a structure in which the raceway grooves can be made in a slider with ease and with a high accuracy by employing a raceway groove forming technique used in a linear rolling bearing. A casing in the slider has an opening extending over the full longitudinal length thereof and used for saddling the casing on a ball spline shaft. The outer surface of the casing is provided with a working reference plane which is used when the raceway grooves are formed in the inner surface of the opening. The casing can be fitted in a circular bore of a housing, and has arcuate surface portions on its outer surface which can support the inner circumferential surface of the circular bore of the housing. The axis of the ball spline shaft is offset from that of the circular bore of the housing.

Abstract: A spline bearing is described which contributes to reducing the size and cost of the apparatus, such as an industrial robot, in which it is incorporated, and moreover, has a high degree of reliability of relative positioning of a spline shaft and outer cylinder.The above-mentioned advantages are obtained by forming a detected portion along a track groove of the spline shaft, and providing a detection device which detects that detected portion on the outer cylinder.

Abstract: This ball spline is capable of omitting ball retaining claws on an outer cylinder, forming by grinding raceway grooves in an inner surface of the outer cylinder easily with a high precision, positioning and fixing retainers simply on the outer cylinder, and reducing the manufacturing cost. In this ball spline, each of the retainers is formed by a pair of ball retaining units, which are fastened to the outer cylinder by engaging outer projections formed on the ball retaining units with grooves formed in the outer cylinder. The locking bores in spacer rings are engaged with locking projections on the ball retaining units, whereby the spacer rings are fixed to the ball retaining units.

Abstract: In this ball spline, ball retaining claws need not be provided on an outer cylinder body, and a retainer can be positioned accurately in the axial and circumferential directions of the outer cylinder body. The retainer is provided with axial movement stopper portions and turning preventing portions. In order to assemble the ball spline, the retainer inserted in the outer cylinder body is turned until the axial movement stopper portions slidingly contact both of axial end surfaces of the outer cylinder body with the turning preventing portions contacting turning preventing surfaces of the outer cylinder body. Consequently, the positioning of the retainer in the axial and circumferential directions thereof with respect to the outer cylinder body is effected.

Abstract: This invention relates to a piston with its skirt being cut to locate four sets of bearing pads and circulating bearing balls. Each pad has been milled to have a doughnut shaped groove with half of a circle cross-section to hold the ball bearing in circulation during the piston reciprocating motion. Two lines of bearing balls on each side of a piston pin are in contact with the cylinder liner and share the piston thrust load. Lubrication of the ball bearings is ensured by oil slots through the piston skirt under the oil ring groove to the top of the grooves of the bearing pads and to the exposed bearing balls in rolling contact.

Abstract: An arm robot apparatus for removing workpieces such as injected molded articles includes a gripping device mounted on an arm and a race member mounted on the arm for circulating balls. The race member includes an inner part and an outer part. A ball race spindle is located inside the race member and extends along a longitudinal axis of the race member. A mounting block which is mounted on a supporting plate is attached to a first end of the ball race spindle. A second end of the ball race spindle has at least two semicircular ball races formed therein. The inner part and the outer part of the race members are interconnected in such a way that ball races of a circular cross-section are formed. The ball races are designed in such a manner that the balls arranged in the races contact the inner part and the outer part of the race member. The inner part of the race member also includes pre-tensioning channels in which balls are received for displacement and movement.

Abstract: The linear motion rolling guide unit has the under seals [13] mounted to the end seals [19] by fitting the engagement portions [30] formed at the longitudinal ends of the under seal [13] into the engagement holes [24] formed in the end seals [19]. The under seal [13] consists of an underside core member [27] having the engagement portions [30] and a resilient underside member [28] having lip portions [25,26]. Since the under seal [13] is not fixed to the casing [2] and the end caps [5], the under seal [13] will not easily deform or strain. Therefore, the under seals [13] attached to the end seals can seal the sliding surfaces very well.

Abstract: The present invention provides a drive apparatus comprising a track rail having a track formed along its axial direction, and a slider guided by the track. The slider has a rolling element circulating path, and a torque generating device, having an output shaft, is mounted on the slider. The apparatus also includes a plurality of drive rollers and at least one substantially spherical rolling element disposed in the rolling element circulating path. The torque generating device applies a torque to the drive rollers to cause the drive rollers to roll while engaging with the track rail to move the slider along the track, and the rolling elements contact the track rail and move along in the rolling element circulating path when the slider moves along the track. The apparatus further includes an oil film forming device which forms an oil film between the track rail and the drive rollers.

Abstract: A linear motion bearing assembly is provided and includes ball retainer structure, outer housing sleeves, a plurality of load bearing plates and plate retainer structure. The ball retainer structure of the bearing assembly can be either monolithically formed or, alternatively, assembled from multiple elements. At least a portion of axial ball tracks are formed in the outer radial faces of the ball retainer structure with each ball track having a load bearing portion providing access to a support shaft or spline. An outer housing including a pair of sleeves are provided to encompass and protect the ball retainer structure and the bearing balls contained therein. These sleeves are preferably formed of an engineering plastic. A plurality of load bearing plates, preferably of the self-aligning type, are positioned within the outer housing and serve to receive and transmit loads from the bearing balls in the load bearing portion of the ball tracks.

Abstract: A linear guide apparatus which can be applied to both straight rail and curved rail comprising a pair of upper and lower rolling grooves and for rolling members are formed in each side surfaces of a guide rail. A pair of upper and lower grooves for loaded rolling members, which respectively correspond to the rolling grooves, are formed in each inner surfaces of a slider which straddle the guide rail. One of the rolling grooves is a straight rolling groove which is formed to be parallel with the corresponding straight groove formed in the opposite inner surface of the slider. The other of the rolling grooves is a curved rolling groove in circular arc shape which has the same curvature as the corresponding curved rolling groove formed in the opposite inner surface of the slider.

Abstract: In a linear guide apparatus, a plurality of threaded holes (21) is formed in both side surfaces (1b) of a guide rail (1) in perpendicular to the side surfaces. The threaded holes are arranged coaxially and in a pair and are disposed symmetrically with respect to a longitudinal direction (axial direction) of the guide rail. Lateral pushing bolts (22) are threaded into the respective threaded holes. A plurality of threaded holes (25) are also formed in both side surfaces (41b) a slider body (41). These threaded holes (25) are also arranged coaxially and in a pair and are disposed symmetrically with respect to a shifting direction of a slider (2). Lateral pushing bolts (26) are also threaded into the respective threaded holes (25).

Abstract: Two shafts (20) of a linear motion guide unit (10) are clamped together on a support (12) with positive line locking by bolts (24) engaging tapped pocket holes (22) inclined an acute angle (.alpha. ) relative to each other, one screw-hole (42) in the support (12) being inclined relative to a neighboring hole or to a mirror-symmetrical pair of counter-holes (44). Rail bodies (14) of aluminium integral with flat bars (30) include a fillet (26) with an adjacent crest (16) and a recessed step (28). Abutting shaft ends (47) may be clamped, by bolting at a counter-hole pair (44), to a through-shaft fixed at a central hole (42) on a single support (12 or 31). A continuous rail body having spaced groups of screw holes (40, 41) may be part of a box-like hollow section (64). In a three-cavity profile (70), two outer hollow sections (64) join a center cavity (71).

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.

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.

Abstract: A structure is provided for a linear motion bearing to be widely used as an industrial machine element and especially for a small-sized linear motion bearing, to fix side covers simply and inexpensively on the bearing body. Each of paired side covers 30 and 30 to be fixed in abutment on the two end faces of the bearing body 20 is formed with at least two retaining portions 31 and 31, and at least two connecting plates 60 and 60 to be bridged over the paired side covers 30 and 30 across the bearing body 10 are formed with hook portions 61 to be retained by the retaining portions 31 of the side covers 30, whereby the bearing body 20 and the paired side covers 30 and 30 are integrally fixed by retaining the hook portions 61 of the two ends of the connecting plates 60 in the corresponding retaining portions 31 of the individual side covers 30.

Abstract: Herein disclosed is a flanged linear ball bearing, in which a ball cage for arraying balls between a bearing housing and a bearing shaft is formed with a flange to be fixed on a mounting member such as a bed or a table. Thus, the bearing housing can be formed into a cylindrical shape having no flange so that it can be easily worked to drop the production cost and improve the production efficiency remarkably.

Abstract: A linear motion ball bearing having a ball bearing portion provided with an outer sleeve, a ball retainer fitted in the outer sleeve, ball bearings retained in a circulating passage formed in the ball retainer, and a flange portion for fixing the ball bearing portion to a machine or an apparatus. The ball bearing portion has an annular collar having a spherical outer surface around an end section thereof, and the flange portion has a hollow space defined by a spherical inner surface concentric with the collar. The ball bearing portion is adapted to swivel with respect to the flange portion so that an angle of inclination of a shaft, which is held in the ball bearing portion, with respect to, for example, a plane at which the flange portion is fixed to a machine or an apparatus can be arbitrarily set, thereby enabling the linear motion ball bearing to be fixed to a machine or an apparatus simply, easily and accurately.

Abstract: A ball screw device has a ball screw nut and a ball spline nut, both mounted on a shaft. Both the nuts are supported on a housing with ball bearings interposed therebetween. Inner race grooves of the ball bearings are formed on outer peripheral walls of the nuts, while outer race grooves of the ball bearings are formed on an inner peripheral wall of the housing. In another embodiment, ball insertion holes are formed through the nuts so that the ball insertion holes extend from inner peripheral walls of the nuts to the inner race grooves, respectively. The insertion holes are closed by plugs which were fitted in the insertion holes subsequent to the insertion of balls of the ball bearings through the insertion holes. In a further embodiment, a ball screw nut and a ball spline nut, both mounted on a shaft, are supported on a common housing by way of ball bearings, thereby constructing a ball screw device with a closed small space surrounded by the housing, ball screw nut, ball spline nut and shaft.

Abstract: This linear bearing comprises travel circuits for balls (3) which are held by needles (2). Each circuit is formed of passages constituting the longitudinal portions of the circuit and developed in two adjacent modules, these passages being connected at their ends by curved portions. The adjacent modules have resting faces which make it possible to arrange them side by side. A protruding part (23) is introduced into a longitudinal window (6) dimensioned to receive also a needle (2) which is arranged in the cutouts (44 and 45). On the one hand, the needle maintains the balls in their travel circuit and, on the other hand, it holds the modules together.The modules are obtained by injection in a mold having a single slide operating in a single direction while the balls and needles are parts of known type.

Abstract: An antifriction linear ball bearing assembly comprises a trihedral cassette (10) with flats (24, 26, and 28), and a central opening for rigidly holding a cylindrical shaft. The cassette (10) has flats which each contain a closed raceway circuit (36) having an elliptical shape. The raceway circuit is filled with bearing balls (14), kept within their track by a ball retainer (12). When the bearing assembly and the shaft, mounted into it, are translated inside an outer sleeve, the bearing balls (14) circulate within the raceway circuits, thus allowing smooth longitudinal movement of the shaft and ensuring uniform wear of the contact surfaces. The linear ball bearing assembly can be applied to mechanisms, such as a motion transmitting device or a feedthrough apparatus, where a shaft supported by antifriction bearings must longitudinally translate inside a hollow outer housing.

Abstract: Apparatus for translating objects along a path is constructed in a manner which automatically conforms surfaces of a guideway with adjacent surfaces of a rail that extends along the guideway and thereby realizes very precise travel. A housing containing the guideway initially has a channel that is broader than the guideway. Plates are loosely disposed in the channel and strips of resilient material extend from the plates to the channel walls. The rail is emplaced between the plates and a cover plate is secured to the housing over the rail. This wedges the plates apart and compresses the resilient material while causing the top of the rail to be strictly parallel with the cover plate and while causing the plates to be strictly parallel with the rail side surfaces. Hardenable liquid adhesive is injected into the channel to unitize the plates with the housing.

Abstract: A outer bail gimbal bearing having a closed loop filled with circulating ls is disclosed. The balls circulate about an axis parallel to the bail's axis of rotation. A shallow region within the loop allows the balls to emerge from the loop and engage a race made in the outer edge of the outer bail.