Rolling element string and linear guide device and rolling element screw device using the same

Abstract

The invention provides a rolling element string which can be bent or twisted freely in any direction in use while holding rolling elements such as balls or rollers surely and which can be used in existing linear guide devices and ball screw devices without any special processing having to be carried out on the rolling element rollways thereof along which the rolling elements are to roll, and a linear guide device and a rolling element screw device having this rolling element string fitted in an endless raceway. The rolling element string comprises multiple rolling elements for rolling along a rolling element rollway of a bearing device and a flexible link belt by which these rolling elements are arranged in a line with a predetermined spacing and each rollably held, the link belt comprising: multiple links connected in a line and each formed substantially like a ring and having a receiving hole for a rolling element; and holding parts provided projecting from upper and lower sides of each of the links at front and rear ends thereof in the rolling element alignment direction for, for each link, preventing the rolling element from falling out of the receiving hole.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.