Linear motion bearing with modular bearing segments
AssigneeThomson Industries, Inc.
InventorsAlison Ng, Juan Pablo Geraldo Romero, Pablo Alfonso Olachea Quiñones
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A modular bearing segment is disclosed. The modular bearing segment having a first end and a second end and can include a retainer defining at least one bearing track having an open load bearing portion; a plurality of bearings positioned within the at least one bearing track; a bearing plate in load bearing communication with less than all of the plurality of bearings and positioned opposite the retainer; and a lid positioned on the bearing plate, fixed to the retainer and defining a rocker element retaining hole positioned above the bearing plate.
Claims20
A linear motion bearing assembly, comprising:
- at least one modular bearing segment having a first end and a second end, comprising:
- a retainer defining at least one bearing track and defining an open load bearing portion;
- a plurality of bearings positioned within the bearing track;
- a bearing plate defining at least one bearing track in communication with less than all of the plurality of bearings and positioned opposite the retainer;
- a lid positioned on the bearing plate, fixed to the retainer;
- and
- at least two end caps, each end cap comprising an arcuate outer portion and a bearing segment retaining structure substantially perpendicular to the arcuate outer portion, extending inward from the arcuate outer portion and connectable with either the first end or the second end of the modular bearing segment;
- wherein when the end caps are connected to opposing ends of the modular bearing segment, the arcuate outer portion of opposing end caps defines a space between the end caps configured to permit a rocker element to project through the space.
A modular bearing segment having a first end and a second end, comprising:
- a retainer defining at least one bearing track having an open load bearing portion;
- a plurality of bearings positioned within the at least one bearing track;
- a bearing plate in load bearing communication with less than all of the plurality of bearings and positioned opposite the retainer;
- and
- a lid positioned on the bearing plate, fixed to the retainer and defining a rocker element retaining hole positioned above the bearing plate.
A linear motion bearing assembly, comprising:
- a plurality of modular bearing segments, each modular bearing segment having a first end and a second end, comprising:
- a retainer defining at least one bearing track and defining an open load bearing portion;
- a plurality of bearings positioned within the bearing track;
- a bearing plate defining at least one bearing track in communication with less than all of the plurality of bearings and positioned opposite the retainer, the bearing track including load bearing portions, return portions and turnarounds;
- a lid positioned on the bearing plate, fixed to the retainer and defining a rocker element retaining hole positioned above the bearing plate;
- a rocker element positioned within the rocker element retaining hole and in load bearing communication with the bearing plate;
- at least two end caps, each end cap comprising an arcuate outer portion and a bearing segment retaining structure substantially perpendicular to the arcuate outer portion, extending inward from the arcuate outer portion and connectable with either the first end or the second end of the modular bearing segment;
- and
- at least two end rings configured to mate with an end cap and prevent removal of the bearing segment,
- wherein when the end caps are connected to opposing ends of the modular bearing segment, the arcuate outer portion of opposing end caps defines a space between the end caps configured to permit a rocker element to project through the space.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.