Bearing support block system for telescoping tubes

A method of telescoping an appendage of a robotic device comprising:

• mounting a first bearing to a first bearing support portion of a first bearing plate;
• mounting a second bearing to a second bearing support portion of a second bearing plate;
• arranging an insert portion of the second bearing plate between the first bearing plate and a third plate, with the first bearing plate spaced apart and parallel with the third plate, and the second bearing plate oriented orthogonally to the first bearing plate and the third plate with the second bearing support portion positioned above the first bearing plate and the third plate;
• fastening a third tube insertion portion of a third bearing plate to a first tube insertion portion of a first plate to firmly clamp the insert portion of the second bearing plate therebetween to create a bearing support having a bearing support portion and a tube insertion portion;
• inserting the tube insertion portion of the bearing support into a first end of a first tube with the bearing supporting portion protruding from the first end;
• and
• inserting the first end of the first tube into a second tube so that the first bearing is in rolling engagement with a first wall of the second tube and the second bearing is in rolling engagement with a second wall of the second tube to create the appendage, the second wall orthogonal and adjacent to the first wall, to permit telescoping between the first tube and the second tube.

A bearing support comprising:

• a first bearing plate having a first outer planar face and a first inner planar face each arranged parallel to a first plane, the first bearing plate having a first bearing support portion having a first notch;
• a second plate having a second outer planar face and a second inner planar face arranged parallel to the first plane and space apart from the first bearing plate with the first inner planar face and the second inner planar face each arranged toward the other, the second plate further including a second notch;
• and
• a third bearing plate having a third outer planar face and third inner planar face each arranged parallel to a third plane that is perpendicular to the first plane, the third bearing plate having a third spacer portion extending from a third bearing support portion with a first shoulder portion extending oppositely from a second shoulder portion, the first shoulder configured to fit within the first notch and the second shoulder configured to fit within the second notch;
• wherein, in an assembly, the first bearing plate is fastened with the second plate with the third spacer portion positioned therebetween, the first inner planar face facing and parallel to the second inner planar face, the third spacer portion held within the assembly.