Rolling element and rectilinearly-movable apparatus using the rolling element

Abstract

A rolling-element hold spacer 9 includes a spherical indent 11 which is formed in either side of a rolling element 7 so as to match the curved surface of the rolling element 7; thick hold sections 10a, 10b to be interposed between the rolling elements 7; and thin bent sections 12 for interconnecting only one thick hold section pair 10a, 10b in which the rolling element 7 is to be interposed. The thin bent section 12 is deflected or twisted in a curved portion of a rolling-element circulation path. Further, the rolling-element hold spacers which are adjacent to each other with a single rolling element interposed therebetween mutually perform pivotal movement around the rolling element 7, thereby enabling smooth circulation of the rolling elements 7. Clearance arises between the rolling element 7 and the thick hold sections 10a, 10b as a result of bent of the thin bent section 12. Lubricant enters the clearance, to thereby sufficiently lubricate the rolling elements 7. So long as the rolling-element hold spacer 9 is placed every other the rolling elements 7, all the rolling elements 7 are eventually held by the rolling-element hold spacers 9. Consequently, the number of rolling-element hold spacers 9 can be reduced to one-half the number of the rolling elements 7, and the number of rolling elements 7 can be increased correspondingly.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.