Integrally adjustable way bearings

A recirculating roller bearing installation of the type including a roller bearing assembly (30) and a housing structure (18), said roller bearing assembly (30) including a track member (66) having a surface (18) defining a circulation path about which a plurality of roller elements (70) are adapted to roll in a direction defining a bearing axis to enable relative motion of a bearing supported structure (10) on a way surface (34) of a supporting structure, (14) said roller bearing assembly (30) also including a bearing cover (72) enclosing said track member (66) so as to confine said roller elements (70) while allowing said roller elements (70) to protrude on one side of said roller bearing assembly (30) to be able to run on said way surface (34) of said supporting structure (14);

• said roller bearing installation housing structure formed with a recess (28) receiving said roller bearing assembly (30), said installation characterized by:
• an inclined surface (58) formed atop and extending along the length of said bearing cover (72) and a complementary inclined lengthwise surface (55) forming a portion of said recess (28) configured to be engaged by the inclined surface (58) of the bearing cover (72) to produce a bearing depth adjustment by a lengthwise position adjustment by a lengthwise position adjustment of said roller bearing assembly (30) in said recess (28);
• an adjustment element (60) mounted to said housing structure (18) extending parallel to the axis of said bearing assembly (30) and threadably engaging said bearing assembly (30) to cause said lengthwise position adjustment upon rotation thereof;
• and a guide surface (57) disposed in said recess (28) extending alongside said bearing cover inclined surface (58) but parallel to the bearing axis with said bearing assembly (30) in position against said inclined surface (55);
• and
• means (100) for urging said bearing assembly (30) sideways against said guide surface (57) comprising a spring loaded ball plunger embedded in a mass of molding material (104) in said recess (28) whereby said bearing assembly (30) is held in said housing structure (18) to be parallel to said bearing axis.

a recirculating roller bearing installation of the type including a roller bearing assembly (30) and a housing structure (18), said roller bearing assembly (30) including a track member (6) having a surface (18) defining a circulation path about which a plurality of roller elements (70) are adapted to roll in a direction defining a bearing axis to enable relative motion of a bearing supported structure (10) on a way surface (34) of a supporting structure, (14) said roller bearing assembly (30) also including a bearing cover (72) enclosing said track member (66) so as to confine said roller elements (70) while allowing said roller elements (70) to protrude on one side of said roller bearing assembly (30) to be able to run on said way surface (34) of said supporting structure (14);

• said roller bearing installation housing structure having a recess (28) comprised of a contoured cavity surface formed therein receiving said roller bearing assembly (30), said installation characterized by:
• an inclined surface (58) formed atop and extending along the length of said bearing cover (72) and a complementary inclined lengthwise surface (55) consisting of a planar section substantially flush with said cavity surface defining a portion of said recess (28) cavity surface and configured to be engaged by the inclined surface (58) of the bearing cover (72) to produce a bearing depth adjustment by a lengthwise position adjustment of said roller bearing assembly (30) in said recess (28);
• an adjustment element (60) mounted to said housing structure (18) extending parallel to the axis of said bearing assembly (30) and threadably engaging said bearing assembly (30) to cause said lengthwise position adjustment upon rotation thereof, whereby a height adjustment of said bearing assembly in said housing is enabled.