Reinforced lead screw with springless anti-backlash nut

Abstract

An anti-backlash nut assembly is on a reinforced lead screw having a threaded lead screw rotatable about a central axis. A hollow, elongated reinforcing rail extends lengthwise of and surrounding the lead screw. The reinforcing rail has a slot extending lengthwise of the central axis. The anti-backlash nut assembly has a nut moveable along the reinforcing rail. The anti-backlash nut has a pair of separate nut portions. Each nut portion has a tongue extending radially through the slot and having threads engagable with the threads of the lead screw for moving both nut portions in reciprocating motion lengthwise of the rail when the screw is rotated. A spacing mechanism forces the nut portions apart to urge the flanges of their threads into forcible engagement with the threads of the lead screw to prevent backlash while the anti-backlash nut translates laterally along the reinforcing rail.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.