Spacer for liner motion apparatus and liner motion apparatus provided with spacer
US6352367B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 28, 2000 |
| Grant date | Mar 5, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 28, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16C33/374
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A spacer for a linear motion apparatus is to be interposed alternately between balls arranged in an endless circulation passage of the linear motion apparatus. The spacer has a body portion comprising spherical retaining surface portions formed for supporting the balls on both end portions thereof in an advancing direction of the spacer when moving in the endless circulation passage and a circumferential surface portion constituting an outer peripheral portion of the spherical retaining surface portions. The spherical retaining surface portion has a radius of curvature smaller than a diameter of the ball and the circumferential surface portion is provided with a groove extending in the circumferential direction thereof so that one of the spherical retaining surface portions is elastically deformable towards another one thereof. The spacer is preferably applicable to various kinds of linear motion apparatus. Further, rollers as rolling members may be utilized in place of the balls.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.