Abstract: In the ball screw, a ball circulation tube 20 is formed to have such a shape that the movable amount of balls 15 in a first direction (X) intersecting at right angles to the axis of the tube 20 is larger than the movable amount of the balls 15 in a second direction (Y) intersecting at right angles to the first direction (X), and the ball circulation tube 20 is fixed to a nut 13 in such a manner that the outer surface 20a of the tube 20 extending in parallel with the first direction (X) is opposed to the outer surface of the nut 13. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a ball screw which can restrict variations in the torque of the ball screw caused by the mutual sliding movements of balls occurring within a ball circulation tube.

Abstract: An improved female splined member includes a female tubular member having an inner surface provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending grooves that are sized and spaced in accordance with a desired number and position of splines to be formed. A plurality of elongate rods is disposed in respective longitudinally extending grooves formed in the inner surface of the female tubular member. A quantity of positioning material is provided within spaces provided between the elongate rods and the longitudinally extending grooves. The positioning material is hardened to support the elongate rods in the longitudinally extending grooves to define a plurality of inwardly extending splines in the female splined member. An improved method for manufacturing a female splined member includes the initial step of providing a female tubular member having an inner surface provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced, longitudinally extending grooves.

Abstract: Between two mutually adjoining load balls 5, there is interposed a retaining piece 10 having two concave surfaces 11 which are respectively opposed to the two adjoining load balls 5. The retaining piece 10 has an outside diameter dimension equal to or more than 0.5 times the outside diameter dimension of the load ball 5. Further, the retaining piece 10 has an outside diameter dimension which, when the retaining piece 10 passes through a screw groove circulation passage and a tube circulation passage, prevents the retaining piece 10 from touching the inner walls of these screw groove circulation passage and tube circulation passage, or has an outside diameter dimension which is equal to or less than 0.9 times the outside diameter dimension of the load ball.

Abstract: A ball bearing rail assembly includes a first slide member (100), a second slide member (200), and a plurality of ball bearings (300) movably retained in the first slide member. The first slide member includes a plurality of spoon-like tabs (12), each tab forming a recessed portion (120) at a free end thereof. A plurality of slots (14) is defined in the first slide member, each slot having a generally oval end portion (140). The recessed portions of the tabs fittingly and resiliently press the ball bearings against the first slide member at the oval portions of the slots respectively. Each ball bearing is partially exposed out of the first slide member at a corresponding oval portion of the slot. The second slide member is slidably engaged with the exposed portions of the ball bearings. Thus the first slide member can be reliably moved relative to the second slide member.

Abstract: In a linear guide for transmitting a torque between a tubular housing, rotatable about a longitudinal axis, and a shaft, received in the housing and movable in the direction of the axis in relation to the housing, a plurality of axial rolling bearings are received in the housing in surrounding relationship to the shaft. The axial rolling bearings are disposed in two radial planes in axial spaced-apart relationship, wherein the axial rolling bearings in each of the two radial planes have each two bearing members and a set of rolling bodies disposed between the bearing members. One bearing member is constructed as bushing retained in the housing and defining a center axis which is shifted parallel at an offset to a normal upon a longitudinal shaft axis, while the other bearing member has a cup-shaped configuration to define a convex surface for support by a surface area of the shaft.

Abstract: A high precision torque motor, including a partial rotation drive suitable for use in a galvanometer scanner, where the rotor is supported within the stator and housing assembly on all ceramic ball bearings, including inner and outer races and bearing balls. The ceramic ball bearing assemblies and all structural support elements have substantially equal coefficients of expansion through the use of matched expansion, nickel-iron alloy for the rotor shaft, stator, housing and other structural components which contact, locate, and support the inner and outer bearing races. The non-conductive bearings permit exclusion of any grounding conductor strap as between the rotor shaft and the housing.

Abstract: An axial plunging unit for transmitting torque within a driveline, includes a profiled sleeve (11) with circumferentially distributed longitudinally extending first ball grooves (12), a profiled journal (13) with circumferentially distributed longitudinally extending second ball grooves (14), and balls (15) which are arranged in pairs of first and second ball grooves (12, 14) in groups (k) of balls, wherein the number of first ball grooves (11) corresponds to m times the number k of the groups of balls and wherein the longitudinal axes of the first, second, etc. to the mth of the first ball grooves 12, as counted circumferentially, are positioned on different pitch circle diameters.

Abstract: A linear motion guide for mounting and longitudinally guiding machine parts, in which a first guide element provided to be fixed to a machine part is guided by a plurality of rolling elements along a longitudinal movement axis with respect to a second guide element, likewise provided to be fixed to a machine part, for this purpose each guide element has a groove-like recess running parallel to the longitudinal movement axis, boundary surfaces of the recess in each guide element are provided as rolling surfaces for the rolling elements, the rolling elements are arranged one after another in one or more rows in at least one cage between the two guide elements, the cage is provided with at least one first positive guide, the cage with its first positive guide being guided by second positive guide fixed to the guide elements, each second positive guide being arranged only on one of the guide elements and being fixed in position relative to the latter.

Abstract: A direct drive bearing mechanism comprises guide plates which are installed to retaining recesses of a guide block and each of which has a plurality of hemispherical dimples, race members which are installed to a guide rail and each of which has a groove having a circular arc-shaped cross section, and a plurality of balls each of which rotates in each of the dimples and which slide along the grooves so that the balls do not circulate.

Abstract: A ball screw with ball retainer cage equipped between the screw bolt and the nut body is disclosed. The adjacent balls can move without squeezing each other and well protected in the retainer cage from dropping off therefrom when the retainer cage is disintegrated from the screw bolt and the nut body simultaneously. The total length of the ball screw assembly can be shortened to make the assembly compact in size. In addition, the specification of the product can be standardized to facilitate mass production with a reduced cost employing die casting process.

Abstract: In an adjustable-length shaft (1) for transmitting torques comprising a circular inner shaft component (2) that is mounted coaxially through a linear ball bearing for sliding telescopically in axial direction in a hollow outer shaft component (3), the inner shaft component (29 is mounted by two spaced-apart pre-stressed linear ball bearings (4) that are arranged on opposite end sections (6) of the inner shaft component (2) and are received in a reception bore (19) of the outer shaft component (3), a transmission of torque being achieved by a positive engagement of the inner and the outer shaft components (2, 3).

Abstract: A linear guide device in which a rate of change expressed as “Dmax−Dmin”, becomes extremely small where Dmax and Dmin are respectively a local maximum and a local minimum of D, expressed as (dx2−dx1)/dx, which is produced when a steel ball B moves a distance corresponding to a rolling element-to-rolling element span, dx1 is a minute movement quantity of a steel ball B when it moves from one space defined between rolling element rolling grooves 3 and 31 of an element endless circulating raceway 7, to one of curved element circulating R parts 6, and dx2 is a minute movement quantity of another steel ball B when it moves from the other curved element circulating R part 6 to the space while the former steel ball is moved by the minute movement quantity dx1.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension and bearing therefor providing improved slidability of members and torque resistance. The bearing includes a first member with at least one guide track, a second member with rolling element openings and a collar positioned within the second member to rotatably receive rolling elements positioned within the rolling element openings and guided by the at least one guide track. Another embodiment includes rolling element holders.

Abstract: A rolling ball separator structure of a linear drive member includes multiple separators mounted between the multiple rolling balls and each having a body and an outer ring structure. Thus, the body may be deformed elastically, thereby preventing the multiple separators from interfering with the return face of the rolling path during the returning process of the rolling balls, and thereby absorbing the gap variation of the uneven force during the returning process of the rolling balls, and the outer ring structure may maintain the relative position of the rolling balls, so that the rolling balls will not collide directly during the returning process.

Abstract: A ceramic bearing ball in which at least a portion of a constituent ceramic is formed of an electrically conductive inorganic compound phase, whereby a proper electrical conductivity is imparted to the ceramic. Thus, electrifying of a bearing ball is prevented or effectively suppressed. This prevents the problem involved in production of balls of small diameter wherein such balls adhere to an apparatus (e.g., a container) during production thereof, thus hindering smooth progress of the production process. In addition, when ceramic balls are used in precision electronic equipment, such as a hard disk drive of a computer, which is operated at high rotational speed, adhesion of foreign substance due to electrification of the balls, and resultant generation of abnormal noise or vibration can be prevented or effectively suppressed.

Abstract: A linear guide rail has: a rail body, straight-line ball rolling grooves being formed in surfaces of the rail body by form rolling, wherein curved corners are formed at joint portions between the surfaces of the rail body and the ball rolling grooves, the curved corners connecting smoothly the surface of the rail body to that of the ball rolling grooves.

Abstract: The invention relates to a plunging assembly for a driveshaft, especially for being used in the driveline of a motor vehicle. The plunging assembly comprises a tubular outer joint part (3) with a longitudinal axis and circumferentially distributed outer running grooves (5) extending parallel to the longitudinal axis; an inner part (1) with inner running grooves (10) extending parallel to the longitudinal axis, as well as a plunging unit (2) with a cage (16) and balls (15) provided for torque transmitting purposes. Furthermore, there are provided means for delimiting the path which can be covered by the inner part (1) relative to the outer part (3) during the moving-in and moving-out motion. The means being arranged between the inner part (1) and the plunging unit (2) as well as between the plunging unit (2) and the outer part (3). The length of the inner running grooves (10) differs from that of the outer running grooves (5).

Abstract: An interconnector for rolling balls in a ball screw or a linear guide way is composed of a spacer, a direction guiding member with two wings, and to linking chains. The adjacent rolling balls are isolated by the spacer so as to prevent mutual collision. The two adjacent spacers are connected with two elastically meandering linking chains able to be configurated in various forms so as to freely elongate and shrink. With this structure the guide way track is able to be formed into any shape which contributes to minimizing the size of apparatus and production cost, and allow the rolling ball to travel in a three dimensional course.

Abstract: Disclosed is a shift rod support assembly for a transmission gear shift mechanism comprising a housing fixed to a vehicle body and including a hole through which a shift rod passes; a ball case including a fixed unit that is fixedly mounted to the housing and has a hole through which the shift rod passes, and having a protrusion portion extending toward an inner area of the housing from the fixed unit and a plurality of ball insertion holes; a plurality of balls, each provided in one of the ball insertion holes in a state of contacting the shift rod, the balls rotating as the shift rod undergoes rectilinear and rotational motion; rollers provided in a space formed by the housing and the ball case, the rollers contacting and rotating together with the balls; and play adjustment members for adjusting play between the rollers and the balls by manipulating positioning of the rollers relative to the housing and the ball case.

Abstract: A support for use with a ball transfer unit associated, in use, with a double-skinned deck panel, the support being characterised by being elongate, rigid, and adapted at one end to receive the housing of a ball transfer unit and to seat beneath a peripheral shoulder of the housing which is presented in use towards the lower skin of the panel, the support further being shaped at its opposite end to present to the lower skin of the panel, in use, a “foot-print” which includes and exceeds the “foot-print” presented in use by the ball transfer unit housing to the lower skin of the panel, the length of the support being such that, in use, with the “foot-print” of the support engaging the lower skin of the panel, the ball of the ball transfer unit protrudes from the upper skin of the panel by a predetermined, desired amount. There is also disclosed a support and unit combination, a deck panel, and a method of repairing a deck panel.

Abstract: The linear guide apparatus includes a guide rail 3 including a rolling body rolling groove 8 and a friction apply unit 6 assembled to the guide rail 3. The friction apply unit 6 includes a unit main body 15, a brake member 16, an oil pressure cylinder 17 and a plate spring 32. The brake member 16 is disposed so as to face the side surface 3a of the guide rail 3 and can be contacted with the other portions of the side surface 3a than the rolling body rolling groove 8 thereof. The oil pressure cylinder 17 includes a piston member 20 which is structured to be driven in a positive direction to thereby press the brake member 16 against the side surface 3a of the guide rail 3 and also the piston member 20 can be driven in the opposite direction to thereby remove the pressure of the brake member 16 from the side surface 3a.

Abstract: When working a linear guide rail having one or more raceway grooves 2 on the side surfaces thereof, using rotary dies each including on the circumferential portion thereof a projection-shaped working portion matched in shape to the raceway groove 2, the raceway grooves 2 are rolled onto a rail blank work W. Since the raceway grooves 2 can be rolled with high accuracy by a single working step, the working time of the raceway grooves as well as the working cost thereof can be reduced.

Abstract: Essentially instead of a shaft reciprocating within a tube at close tolerances it rides on the radius of ball bearings creating surface area reduction.

Abstract: A sliding mechanism comprises a sleeve member, two balls in the sleeve member, and an elastic member biased between the balls for urging each ball to project above either opening of the sleeve member. When the sliding mechanism is mounted on a second member, a reduction of friction and a permanent contact between the first and second members are effected because the second member is slidable with respect to a first member with balls being in elastic contact with the first member. This may reduce friction and maintain a permanent contact when first and second members are relatively moving.

Abstract: A direct drive bearing mechanism comprises guide plates which are installed to retaining recesses of a guide block and each of which has a plurality of hemispherical dimples, race members which are installed to a guide rail and each of which has a groove having a circular arc-shaped cross section, and a plurality of balls each of which rotates in each of the dimples and which slide along the grooves so that the balls do not circulate.

Abstract: A roller bearing for longitudinal motion includes a sleeve part through which passes a guide rod, a plurality of preferably uniformly distributed race plates each disposed in a respective receptacle formed in either the sleeve part or the guide rod, and a plurality of roller bodies disposed between the race plates and the guide rod. To compensate in a simple way for production variations, a spring mechanism is operatively associated with at least one of the race plates.

Abstract: A structure is provided for mounting a member to be fixed, on a stationary member, while always accomplishing high position precision even in such cases of fastening of members that a tightening work of bolt is carried out several times, that the members are fixed after repetition of fine adjustment of the fixing position of the member to be fixed, and so on. A screw hole for fixing according to the present invention is shaped so that on a fixing surface of the stationary member provided with the screw hole a region of an annular recess is continuous from the screw hole and annular in the external edge part of the opening portion of the screw hole, and so that when an inside diameter of the through hole, in the fastened member is &phgr;a and a nominal diameter of the screw hole is b, a width c of the recess in the radial direction of the screw hole satisfies the relation of 0.5×(&phgr;a−b)<c≦2.0×(&phgr;a−b).

Abstract: This invention provides a multiple spiral bearing steel ball sleeve. The steel ball sleeve is a hollow tube. On the tube wall are multiple through holes evenly distributed. The holes closely spaced from each other and arranged in inclined surface and in spiral lines. Steel balls are placed inside the holes, so the entire set of steel ball sleeve can withstand a reduced pressure to extend its service life.

Abstract: A ball-type anti-friction device which has a housing, a ball cage mounted within the housing for movement relative to the housing between a lower inactive position and an upper active position. The ball cage contains a relatively large ball mounted on relatively small bearing balls so that when the ball cage is in the lower or inactive position, the large ball is below the top surface of the housing and when the ball cage is in the upper or active position, the ball extends above the top surface of the housing. In a first embodiment, the housing contains a double acting fluid drive system. The fluid drive system includes two fluid chambers and a piston connected to the ball cage. The piston is selectively actuated by selective pressurization of the two fluid chambers. In a second embodiment, the ball cage is actuated by a single acting fluid drive system. A piston is connected to the ball cage and is biased downwardly to normally maintain the ball cage and large ball in the lower or inactive position.

Abstract: A keyboard supporting member has a generally planar keyboard support surface whose orientation is adjustable. A keyboard engaging member defines aligned incline defining slots on opposite sides of a center section. A second, workstation engaging member allows the user to move the keyboard back and forth with respect to a workstation. This allows the user to move the keyboard between a storage position and an in use position. A linkage interconnects the two members for adjusting a relative position of the keyboard engaging member with respect to the workstation engaging member thereby allowing the keyboard position and orientation to be controlled by the user. The linkage includes a first elongated member having one end rotatably mounted to the workstation engaging member which has an arcuate slot at one end spaced from the end that is connected to the workstation engaging member.

Abstract: A ball nut 30 has a dowel 60 for circulating balls 50. A cage type retainer 40 is disposed between a screw shaft 20 and the ball nut 30 which engages with the screw shaft 20 through the ball 50. The retainer 40 is provided with a plurality of elongated holes 42 at a peripheral surface thereof to extend to an axial direction thereof so as to separate the balls 50 from one another in a peripheral direction thereof and to hold the balls therein to be free to roll. The distance of a space between the screw shaft 20 and the cage type retainer 40 is set to be smaller than that of a space between the dowel 60 and the cage type retainer 40 n the radial direction of the screw shaft.

Abstract: A linear guide device is provided with a plurality of rolling elements. A guide rail extending in an axial direction thereof and including a plurality of rolling element rolling grooves in two side portions thereof is provided in the device, wherein the rolling grooves extend in an axial direction of the guide rail. A slider includes a plurality of rolling element rolling grooves respectively opposed to the rolling element rolling grooves of the guide rail, wherein the slider is supported on the guide rail in such a manner that the slider is movable along the axial direction of the guide rail through the rolling movements of the rolling elements respectively inserted between the rolling element rolling grooves of the slider. The slider includes a rolling element endless circulation track along which the rolling elements are allowed to circulate endlessly; and a plurality of separators, each interposed between the adjoining rolling elements in the circulation direction of the rolling elements.

Abstract: A linear guide device comprises a guide rail (10) with a longitudinal axis (12) and at least one guideway (16), as well as a runner carriage (14) guided at the guideway (16), in the direction of the longitudinal axis. The guideway (16) is covered before and after the runner carriage (14) in the direction of the longitudinal axis (12) substantially over its entire length by a cover strip (56) which in one embodiment lies against two cover strip contact zones (58), disposed on both sides of the guideway (16), of the guide rail (10). The guideway (16) and the cover strip contact zones (58) are in particular formed at a rail body of the guide rail (10) which is of a uniform base material. The cover strip (56) protects the guideway (10) against contaminants which may cause damage to the guideway (16) and impair the smooth running and guide precision of the runner assembly (14) on the guide rail (10).

Abstract: A ball support includes a cup having a passage formed through the cup and communicating with the chamber of the cup, and having a peripheral flange for attaching to an object. A rotary member and a number of balls are received and retained in the chamber of the cup. The cup includes an outer cut-off portion communicating with the chamber and the passage of the cup for allowing a cleaning agent to flow into the chamber of the cup to clean the ball support. The peripheral flange includes a recess communicating with the passage and the cut-off portion of the cup.

Abstract: A ball support includes a cup having a passage formed through the cup and communicating with the chamber of the cup, and having a peripheral flange for attaching to an object. A rotary member and a number of balls are received and retained in the chamber of the cup. The cup includes an outer cut-off portion communicating with the chamber and the passage of the cup for allowing a cleaning agent to flow into the chamber of the cup. to clean the ball support. The peripheral flange includes a recess communicating with the passage and the cut-off portion of the cup.

Abstract: The inner casing (1) of a rollerbearing permitting longitudinal movement over a limited travel path and designed for longitudinally displaceable mounting or guiding of a rod (8) is provided with an inwardly directed projection (9) on each of at least two opposing lateral surfaces (1a, 1c).

Abstract: A system for coupling an inner shaft and an outer shaft which slide one within the other in the direction of a common axis, the system comprising balls disposed between the inner shaft and the outer shaft in axial grooves on the inner shaft and in axial grooves on the outer shaft. Thrust is applied to each row of balls by an axial coil spring which bears in the groove and which applies thrust to two races of the balls which come into contact with the groove.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a linear bearing, particularly a linear bearing used for a high load and/or an offset load, for example, in a guide of a press or a guide of a die set.

Abstract: The bearing arrangement includes an annular flange provided with a groove, a holder disposed on a fixed axis opposite the groove and a hollow shell-shaped sphere mounted between the holder and the groove in the annular flange. The sphere is elastically deformable so that loads imposed on the bearing arrangement, for example, by a reciprocating piston rod of an internal combustion engine, can be spread over a large area as the sphere elastically deforms.

Abstract: A roller bearing for longitudinal motion includes a sleeve part through which passes a guide rod, a plurality of preferably uniformly distributed race plates each disposed in a respective receptacle formed in either the sleeve part or the guide rod, and a plurality of roller bodies disposed between the race plates and the guide rod. To compensate in a simple way for production variations, a spring mechanism is operatively associated with at least one of the race plates.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension and bearing therefor providing improved slidability of members and torque resistance. The bearing includes a first member with at least one guide track, a second member with rolling element openings and a collar positioned within the second member to rotatably receive rolling elements positioned within the rolling element openings and guided by the at least one guide track.

Abstract: An object of this invention is to provide a linear motion guide device and a table guide device having an automatic controllability and to realize a load bearing structure having a high rigidity. The device is characterized in that a movable block (4) is formed to provide an L-shape in section, rolling ball rows (B1-B4) are disposed to be rollable between ball rolling grooves formed to an upper surface of a track rail (1) and a horizontal portion of the movable block (4) and between ball rolling grooves formed to a side surface of the track rail (1) and a suspending portion (3), wherein each of the ball rolling grooves has a circular-arc-shape in section having a deep-groove shape having a groove depth of approximately ⅓ to ½ of a diameter of the rolling ball.

Abstract: A shaft assembly (10) includes an outer shaft (12) having a plurality of grooves (64-72) which extend between opposite end portions of the outer shaft. An inner shaft (14) has a plurality of projections (82-90) which extend between opposite end portions of the inner shaft. A plurality of bearing assemblies (22-30) cooperate with the grooves (64-72) in the outer shaft (12) and the projections (82-90) on the inner shaft (14) to support the inner and outer shafts for axial movement relative to each other. The bearing assemblies (22-30) includes rotatable bearing members (42) which are disposed between longitudinally extending side surfaces of the grooves (64-72) in the outer (12) shaft and a longitudinally extending side surfaces of projections (82-90) on the inner shaft (14). The bearing members (42) are rotatably mounted in slots (108) disposed in retainer strips (100).

Abstract: A base beam for formation of a horizontal and vertical, rod-like framework for use in clamping workpieces to be measured, includes a main body defined by a substantially square cross section and having drawn-in flanks formed centrally with a rib, and a carriage detachably securable on the main body for displacement longitudinally in direction of the main body, with the carriage having at least one side formed with one or more precision bores.

Abstract: A relatively movable unit with rolling elements, or balls, adapted for use in a linear motion guide unit or a ball nut screw assembly. The relatively movable unit has lubricating rings disposed between any adjoining balls to thereby lubricate the balls. In the linear motion guide unit employing this relatively movable unit, the balls are confined in raceways at the interfaces between a track rail and a slider, while the lubricating ring is arranged between the adjoining balls. The lubricating ring is provided therein with spherical pockets opened to each other through a window at the center of the ring. The lubricating ring may be produced by forming a mixture of lubricant of turbine oil with resinous material of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene powder in a mold under pressure, and heating the molded mixture under pressure.

Abstract: A bearing arrangement is provided in which bearings (60) are held captive between opposing bearing surfaces of laces (24, 62). A closeable delivery hole (64) provides a route through which bearings can be inserted into or removed from the space between the races (24, 62). A ball rake (54) is moveable into engagement with the bearings (60) and is rotatable so as to sweep the bearings towards the delivery hole for removal.

Abstract: A ball-type anti-friction device which has a housing, a ball cage mounted within the housing for movement relative to the housing between a lower inactive position and an upper active position. The ball cage contains a relatively large ball mounted on relatively small bearing balls so that when the ball cage is in the lower or inactive position, the large ball is below the top surface of the housing and when the ball cage is in the upper or active position, the ball extends above the top surface of the housing. In a first embodiment, the housing contains a double acting fluid drive system. The fluid drive system includes two fluid chambers and a piston connected to the ball cage. The piston is selectively actuated by selective pressurization of the two fluid chambers. In a second embodiment, the ball cage is actuated by a single acting fluid drive system. A piston is connected to the ball cage and is biased downwardly to normally maintain the ball cage and large ball in the lower or inactive position.

Abstract: The guidance means (20) according to the invention is used for guiding the rolling or sliding movement of objects (10) along a predetermined or preset path or route, whose course is freely selectable within wide limits in space. The guidance means (20) has a guiding means extending without interruption over the predetermined path in the form of a cage-like arrangement of a plurality of at least limitedly bendable guide rails (21) and a plurality of support or carrying elements (22), which are arranged in mutually spaced manner along the predetermined path and which hold the guide rails (21) in parallel and in an at least partly spaced manner in the predetermined, cage-like arrangement. The guide rails (21) advantageously comprise a limited flexible, continuously manufacturable metal or plastic profile. The support elements (22) can be installed on a fixedly laid base element (23), e.g. in a position adjustable with respect to the base element (23).

Abstract: A ball connecting body in which a multiplicity of balls are arranged in a line at a predetermined interval and in a freely rotating manner. The ball connecting body is installed and used in a ball endless track of a ball screw apparatus in which a screw shaft and a nut member are meshed with each other through a multiplicity of balls. The ball connecting body is constituted by a multiplicity of balls circulating on a substantially circular ring-like ball endless track provided in a bearing apparatus, and a flexible connecting body belt arranging the balls in a line at a predetermined interval and holding each of the balls in a freely rotating manner.

Abstract: The ball spline for use in a troidal-type continuously variable transmission comprises a plurality of spline grooves and a plurality of balls which are arranged in series within spline gaps each constituted by a set of mutually opposing spline grooves, in which, while allowing the movement of the input disc in the direction of an input shaft by means of contact between the spline gaps and balls, the input shaft and input disc can be drivingly connected to each other. In the ball spline, the number of spline gaps is set different from integral multiples of the number of power rollers which are held by and between the input and output discs in contact with the two discs in order to transmit a rotation torque between the input and output discs.