Bearing assembly for linear bearing slide

Abstract

Each assembly includes spaced bearings which roll independently of each other on and between confronting, parallel bearing surfaces which form an elongate raceway between a support member and a slide member that reciprocates thereon. Adjacent bearings are separated by coiled compression spring devices which permit the bearings to move relative to one another, but which also provide a minimum separation distance between adjacent bearings. Oil-saturated felt members are located between certain of the bearings to have sliding, wiping engagement with the bearing surfaces; and positioned at each end of an assembly is either a cylindrically shaped plastic end member, or a short keeper strip containing additional rotatable bearings and another oil-saturated felt member. When the slide member reaches one of its limit positions, one of the end members engages a stop plate at the end of the raceway, so that if any undesirable bearing migration has occurred, the spring closest to the stop plate is compressed and forces the remaining springs and bearings toward their centered positions, thus avoiding any restricted travel of the slide member.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.