Apparatus and method of seat adjuster slide

A vehicle seat adjuster slide assembly, said assembly in combination comprising:

• a sheet metal formed lower rail for connection with said vehicle, said lower rail including;
• a channel floor;
• spaced apart generally upward extending legs forming a bay with said channel floor;
• projecting flanges extending from and generally transverse to said legs away from said bay and having an outward portion inclined downwardly and away from said bay and having a portion bent over into a double thickness;
• at least two upper bearing balls nested on top of each of said flanges in contact with said inclined outward portion;
• at least two lower bearing balls nested on the bottom of said bent over portion of each of said flanges;
• and
• an upper rail formed of sheet metal for connection to said seat, said upper rail including;
• a ceiling section covering said bay;
• and
• generally C-shaped side bellies laterally spaced from one another and joined to said ceiling, each said side belly surrounding and nesting in an interference fit said upper and lower bearing balls, and the end of said bellies extending under said flanges of said lower rail whereby said upper rail can slide on said lower rail without contact between said side bellies and said flanges except when an excessive vertical force is placed on said upper rail causing said side belly ends to contact said flanges to prevent separation of said upper rail from said lower rail.

A vehicle seat adjuster slide assembly, said assembly in combination comprising:

• a sheet metal formed lower rail for connection with said vehicle, said lower rail including:
• a channel floor;
• spaced apart generally upward extending legs forming a bay with said channel floor;
• projecting flanges extending from and generally transverse to said legs away from said bay and having an outward portion inclined downwardly and away from said bay and having a portion bent over into a double thickness;
• at least two upper bearing balls nested on top of each of said flanges in contact with said inclined outward portion;
• at least two lower bearing balls spaced laterally outward from said upper bearing balls nested on the bottom of said bent over portion of each of said flanges;
• and
• an upper rail formed of sheet metal for connection to said seat, said upper rail including;
• a ceiling section covering said bay;
• and
• generally C-shaped side bellies laterally spaced from one another and joined to said ceiling, each said side belly surrounding and nesting in an interference fit said upper and lower bearing balls, and the end of said bellies extending under said flanges of said lower rail to point inboard of said flange bent over portion whereby said upper rail can slide on said lower rail without contact between said side bellies and said flanges except when an excessive vertical force is placed on said upper rail causing said side belly ends to contact said flanges to prevent separation of said upper rail from said lower rail.