Retainer of a linear motion rolling-contact bearing and its manufacturing method

In combination, a one-piece retainer and a linear motion rolling-contact bearing including a linear-extending rail and a slider, said bearing including a plurality of rolling members provided to roll along a predetermined endless passage defined by a pair of straight load sections and a pair of curved connecting sections each connecting corresponding ends of said pair of straight load sections in said slider, said retainer comprising:

• a flat base portion extending between said rail and slider and being connectible to said slider, said flat base portion provided with an elongated straight slot which extends along a straight load section of said endless passage, said slot having a width which is larger than the maximum size of each of said rolling members, said slot including a pair of opposed end surfaces for limiting the lateral movement of said rolling members in said straight load section and in a direction generally in parallel with a plane defined by said flat base portion, such that a center of each of said rolling members when located in each of said pair of straight load sections is located at a side of said slider with respect to a plane defined by an outer surface of said flat base portion which is opposite to an inner surface of said flat base portion in contact with said slider;
• a central retaining portion which is integrally formed with said flat base portion and formed in the shape of a "U" with both ends connected to the ends of said slot, thereby providing a structural enclosure for retaining said rolling members in said straight load section when rolling therethrough;
• and
• mounting means for mounting said retainer, in said slider of said bearing, between said slider and said rail.