Rolling element chain

US6575630B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Rexroth Star GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Gunter Blaurock · Niederwerrn, DE
• Rudolf Schlereth · Bad Kissingen, DE
• Hans-Georg Stender · Diez, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 30, 2002
• Grant date: Jun 10, 2003
• Expiry date: Jan 30, 2022

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F16C33/44
• WIPO field: Mechanical elements
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A rolling element chain (10) comprises a plurality of rolling elements (14) arranged in close succession and a longitudinal supporting band (12). The supporting band (12) in turn comprises a plurality of recesses (16) for the accommodation of the rolling elements (14), a plurality of retaining elements (20) for retaining the rolling elements accommodated in the recesses (16), where each rolling element (14) is assigned at least one retaining element (20), and at least one longitudinal flexible element (18) for interconnection of the retaining elements (20). Each rolling element (14) is retained, by the at least one retaining element (20) assigned to it, in the longitudinal direction (L) of the supporting band (12) either at its leading side only or at its following side only.