Alignment compensator for linear bearings
OwnerVincent Barkleyinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus which provides lateral compensation through angular deflection is primarily intended to correct a lack of parallelism between a pair of misaligned support shafts. The compensating apparatus is preferably formed of an elastically deformable fatigue resistant material and includes a rigid central region for resisting compressive and tensile loads without significant deflection. The compensator is particularly adapted for use with precision uniaxial movement devices such as positioning tables, wayslides and carriages commonly found in manual, automatic and numerically controlled machinery.
Claims17
An alignment compensator for use with a linear bearing mounted on a first support member aligned substantially parallel with a second support member, the first and second support members supporting a movable carriage, said compensator comprising:
- a body member formed of an elastically deformable material, said body member having angular deflection means for compensating for misalignment between said first and second support members via angular elastic deformation of said body member, said angular deflection means comprising substantially rigid support means for maintaining close tolerances between said carriage and said first and second support members.
An alignment compensator for use with a linear bearing mounted on a first support member aligned substantially parallel with a second support member, the first and second support members supporting a movable carriage, said compensator comprising:
- a first support element for attachment to said movable carriage;
- a second support element for attachment to an exterior portion of the linear bearing;
- and
- pivot means pivotally connecting said first and second support elements for providing lateral compensation between said first and second support members via pivotal movement about a pivot point spaced apart from said linear bearing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.