Rolling bearing including lengthwise convex race rails

In a rolling bearing for lengthwise movement between the rolling bearing and a shaft, wherein the rolling bearing is a housing with a boring, a plurality of endless rows of the rolling elements each having a portion with the rolling elements adapted to be radially loaded, a cage in said boring for guiding said rolling elements, and a plurality of race rails radially supported by said housing and positioned to radially outwardly support said rolling elements in said portion thereof;

• the improvement wherein said race rails have first sides with convex curvature in the lengthwise direction and second sides opposite said first sides that are straight in the lengthwise direction, said race rails further having axially extending guide grooves on said first and second sides respectively, and defining first and second races respectively, for receiving rolling elements, the outer portions of each of said sides, in the circumferential direction, each having convex curvature with a radius of curvature substantially equal to that of said boring, whereby the race rails may be positioned in said rolling bearing with either of said first and second sides facing radially outwardly.

In a rolling bearing for lengthwise movement between the rolling bearing and a shaft, wherein the rolling bearing has a housing with a boring, a plurality of endless rows of rolling elements each having a portion with the rolling elements adapted to be radially loaded, a cage in said boring for guiding said rolling elements, and a plurality of race rails supported by said housing and positioned to radially outwardly support said rolling elements in said portion thereof;

• the improvement wherein said race rails have first sides with convex curvature in the lengthwise direction and defining first races, second sides opposite said first sides that are straight in the lengthwise direction, said second sides defining second races, and first and second side edges joining said first and second sides, said edges shaped to hold said race rails radially in said rolling bearing while permitting assembly of said race rails in said rolling bearing with either of said first and second sides facing radially outwardly, the outer portions of said first and second sides each having convex curvature in transverse planes, with radii of curvature substantially equal to that of said boring, whereby said bearing may be assembled with either of said sides supported by said housing.