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US 10,539,181 B1Granted
Modular linear motion carriage assembly, for use on rails such as those with rectangular profiles
AssigneeTolen Engineering LLC
InventorGiles Medlicott
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An adjustable linear motion carriage assembly is configured to ride on a rail (34, 220) with generally parallel opposing faces in a linear motion of travel along the central axis of the rail. The carriage assembly includes at least one carriage member (32, 140, 160, 261) comprising a frame (40, 150, 170, 270) supporting a plurality of bearings (62). The carriage member can be used singularly or assembled together to provide control over desired degrees of freedom of the carriage assembly. The individual carriage member frames can flex by elastic displacement near the bearing location (122, 142, 162) to accommodate rails with minor variations in width.
Claims22
A carriage assembly comprising a first carriage frame, the first carriage frame having:
- a mounting face, the mounting face defining a carriage plane,
- a first bearing aperture row having at least one bearing aperture extending in the carriage frame substantially normal to the carriage plane and opening to a face of the carriage frame opposite the mounting face and arranged adjacent to a first side of the first carriage frame,
- a second bearing aperture row having at least one bearing aperture extending in the carriage frame substantially normal to the carriage plane and opening to a face of the carriage frame opposite the mounting face and arranged adjacent to a second side of the carriage frame opposite the first side,
- a first normal coupling aperture row having at least one normal coupling aperture extending through the carriage frame substantially normal to the carriage plane and arranged adjacent to the first side of the first carriage frame, with a coupling aperture at the end of the first normal coupling aperture row spaced a first distance from a first end of the first carriage frame,
- a second normal coupling aperture row having at least one normal coupling aperture extending through the carriage frame substantially normal to the carriage plane and arranged adjacent to the second side of the first carriage frame with a coupling aperture at the end of the second normal coupling aperture row spaced the first distance from the first end of the first carriage frame,
- a lateral coupling aperture row arranged adjacent the mounting face, having at least one lateral coupling aperture extending transversely through the first carriage frame between the first and second sides and parallel to the carriage plane,
- a first bearing clearance cavity row having at least one bearing clearance cavity extending in the carriage frame and opening to a face of the carriage frame opposite the mounting face and arranged adjacent to the first side of the first carriage frame,
- a second bearing clearance cavity row having at least one bearing clearance cavity extending in the carriage frame and opening to a face of the carriage frame opposite the mounting face and arranged adjacent to the second side of the carriage frame;
- and,
- a plurality of mounting apertures extending in the carriage frame and opening on the mounting face.
7 more elements
A carriage assembly comprising a first carriage frame, the first carriage frame having:
- a mounting face, the mounting face defining a carriage plane,
- a first bearing aperture row having at least one bearing aperture extending in the carriage frame substantially normal to the carriage plane and opening to a face of the carriage frame opposite the mounting face and arranged adjacent to a first side of the first carriage frame,
- a second bearing aperture row having at least one bearing aperture extending in the carriage frame substantially normal to the carriage plane and opening to a face of the carriage frame opposite the mounting face and arranged adjacent to a second side of the carriage frame opposite the first side,
- a plurality of cantilevered arms, each of the cantilevered arms with a corresponding one of the plurality of the bearing apertures formed therein, extending from the carriage frame on the corresponding side of the carriage frame, each of the cantilevered arms being configured to be displaceable by elastic frame deflection generally relative to corresponding side,
- a first normal coupling aperture row having at least one normal coupling aperture extending through the carriage frame substantially normal to the carriage plane and arranged adjacent to the first side of the first carriage frame,
- a second normal coupling aperture row having at least one normal coupling aperture extending through the carriage frame substantially normal to the carriage plane and arranged adjacent the second side of the first carriage frame,
- a lateral coupling aperture row arranged adjacent the mounting face, having at least one lateral coupling aperture extending transversely through the first carriage frame between the first and second sides and parallel to the carriage plane;
- and,
- a plurality of mounting apertures extending in the carriage frame and opening on the mounting face.
6 more elements
A linear motion apparatus, comprising:
- a rail, having a generally rectangular profile;
- and,
- a carriage assembly, comprising:
- a first carriage member, said member including:
- a carriage frame, said frame comprising:
- a mounting face, the mounting face defining a carriage plane,
- a first bearing aperture row having at least one bearing aperture extending in the carriage frame substantially normal to the carriage plane and opening to a face of the carriage frame opposite the mounting face and arranged adjacent to a first side of the first carriage frame,
- a second bearing aperture row having at least one bearing aperture extending in the carriage frame substantially normal to the carriage plane and opening to a face of the carriage frame opposite the mounting face and arranged adjacent to a second side of the carriage frame opposite the first side,
- a first normal coupling aperture row having at least one normal coupling aperture extending through the carriage frame substantially normal to the carriage plane and arranged adjacent to the first side of the first carriage frame the second side of the carriage frame,
- a second normal coupling aperture row having at least one normal coupling aperture extending through the carriage frame substantially normal to the carriage plane and arranged adjacent the second side of the first carriage frame,
- a lateral coupling aperture row arranged adjacent the mounting face, having at least one lateral coupling aperture extending transversely through the first carriage frame between the first and second sides and parallel to the carriage plane;
- and,
- a plurality of mounting apertures extending in the carriage frame and opening on the mounting face,
- a plurality of radial cartridge bearings, each of said bearings located adjacent a respective bearing aperture, said bearings contacting two generally parallel opposing faces of the extrusion;
- and,
- a plurality of threaded fasteners, each of said fasteners securing a respective bearing to a respective bearing aperture.
13 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.