Patent US3720116A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3720116A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Arrangement for preloading ball screw assemblies & method of manufacture of the ball screw nut therefor
Assignee: Bendix Corp
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Filing: 1971-03-23
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Granted: 1973-03-13
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Expires: 1991-03-23
Abstract
Abstract A method and arrangement for preloading ball screw assemblies in which a ball screw nut having an axially and resiliently deformable intermediate section integral therewith is utilized which is rigid in torsion and shear, with an arrangement for axially spreading the nut portions connected by the deformable section and securely positioning the portions in their separated position by means of variable width spacers to thereby vary the preload. The method of preloading includes the step of deforming an intermediate portion of the nut so as to cause axial separation of the connected portions thereof and securing the portions in their separate position to create the nut preload. The method of manufacture consists of first machining the screw thread, and other geometry into the nut blank, and then machining an intermediate section so as to render the section axially deformable to provide accurately matched nut portions which are relatively movable axially, but securely located with respect to each other radially and angularly.
Inventors
- 👤 B Better
- 👤 J Kosinski
- 👤 E Hain
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 10:16
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16H; F16H25/00; F16H25/18; F16H25/20; F16H25/22; F16H25/2204; F16H25/2209; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/18; Y10T74/18568; Y10T74/18576; Y10T74/18728; Y10T74/19; Y10T74/19623; Y10T74/1987; Y10T74/19893; Y10T74/19898; Y10T74/19902
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of preloading a ball screw assembly having a screw member, a nut member and a plurality of recirculating balls comprising the step of deforming an intermediate section of said nut so as to cause a relative axial shift in position of the nut portions connected thereby sufficient to preload said balls in said ball screw assembly, said step being carried out prior to assembly of said ball screw, whereby said preload is accomplished at assembly by the introduction of said plurality of recirculating balls.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of preloading a ball screw assembly having a screw member, a nut member and a plurality of recirculating balls comprising the step of deforming an intermediate section of said nut so as to cause a relative axial shift in position of the nut portions connected thereby sufficient to preload said balls in said ball screw assembly, said step being carried out prior to assembly of said ball screw, whereby said preload is accomplished at assembly by the introduction of said plurality of recirculating balls.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of preloading a ball screw assembly having a screw member, a nut member and a plurality of recirculating balls comprising the step of deforming an intermediate section of said nut so as to cause a relative axial shift in position of the nut portions connected thereby sufficient to preload said balls in said ball screw assembly, said step being carried out prior to assembly of said ball screw, whereby said preload is accomplished at assembly by the introduction of said plurality of recirculating balls.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of preloading a ball screw assembly having a screw member, a nut member and a plurality of recirculating balls comprising the step of deforming an intermediate section of said nut so as to cause a relative axial shift in position of the nut portions connected thereby sufficient to preload said balls in said ball screw assembly, said step being carried out prior to assembly of said ball screw, whereby said preload is accomplished at assembly by the introduction of said plurality of recirculating balls.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
153 words
A preloaded ball screw assembly comprising: a screw member having an external helical groove formed therein; a nut member having an internal helical groove formed on an interior bore thereof, said nut member being disposed surrounding said screw member with said grooves in registry; means drivingly connecting said nut and screw member including a plurality of balls disposed in said grooves and also including means for recirculating said balls; said nut member having an integral intermediate section resiliently deformable so as to cause the nut portions connected thereby to shift axially relative each other, said intermediate portion being rigid in torsion and shear relative to said deformability in said axial direction, whereby said ball screw assembly may be preloaded by deforming said intermediate section, but is capable of carrying torsional and shear loads imposed during use of said ball screw to locate said nut portions radially and angularly with respect to each other.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
153 words
A preloaded ball screw assembly comprising: a screw member having an external helical groove formed therein; a nut member having an internal helical groove formed on an interior bore thereof, said nut member being disposed surrounding said screw member with said grooves in registry; means drivingly connecting said nut and screw member including a plurality of balls disposed in said grooves and also including means for recirculating said balls; said nut member having an integral intermediate section resiliently deformable so as to cause the nut portions connected thereby to shift axially relative each other, said intermediate portion being rigid in torsion and shear relative to said deformability in said axial direction, whereby said ball screw assembly may be preloaded by deforming said intermediate section, but is capable of carrying torsional and shear loads imposed during use of said ball screw to locate said nut portions radially and angularly with respect to each other.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The assembly of claim 2 wherein said intermediate section includes a pair of slots extending partially into said nut member from different directions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The assembly of claim 3 wherein said slots extend inwardLy from opposite sides of said nut member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
The assembly of claim 3, further including adjustment means carried by said nut member for axially shifting said nut portions relative each other, including at least one element movable to abut at least one slot wall and adjustably located with respect to and carried by the nut portion opposite said slot wall.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The assembly of claim 2 wherein said intermediate section comprises an arced section extending about the periphery of said nut member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
59 words
The assembly of claim 2 wherein said assembly further includes means for locating said nut portions in said axially shifted position, and wherein said means for locating said nut portion includes an abutment on each nut portion formed by a reduced outside diameter section formed on said nut member and also includes a spacer member disposed between said abutments.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
46 words
The assembly of claim 7 wherein at least one of said abutments is spiralled about the nut axis and said spacer member has at least one spiralled edge complementary to said spiralled abutment whereby said nut portions may be adjustably positioned in said axially shifted positions.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The assembly of claim 2 further including adjustment means carried by said nut member for axially shifting said nut portions relative each other by deformation of said intermediate section.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
The assembly of claim 9 wherein said adjustment means includes at least one element movable to axially abut one of said nut portions and adjustably located with respect to and carried by the other of said nut portions.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
63 words
An arrangement for axially adjusting two aligned helically grooved portions of a nut member comprising: said nut member having an integral intermediate section deformable so as to cause the connected nut portions to shift axially relative each other comprising an arced section extending about the periphery of said nut member, whereby said nut portions may be adjusted by deforming said intermediate arced section.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
63 words
An arrangement for axially adjusting two aligned helically grooved portions of a nut member comprising: said nut member having an integral intermediate section deformable so as to cause the connected nut portions to shift axially relative each other comprising an arced section extending about the periphery of said nut member, whereby said nut portions may be adjusted by deforming said intermediate arced section.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
129 words
An arrangement for axially adjusting two aligned helically grooved portions of a nut member comprising: said nut member having an integral intermediate section deformable so as to cause the connected nut portions to shift axially relative each other, wherein said intermediate section is resiliently deformable and wherein said arrangement further includes means for locating said nut portions in said axially shifted position, and wherein said means for locating said nut portions includes abutments on each nut portion and also includes a spacer member disposed between said abutments, and wherein at least one of said abutments is spiralled about the nut axis and said spacer member has at least one spiralled edge complementary to said spiralled abutment whereby said nut portions may be adjustably positioned in said axially shifted positions.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
129 words
An arrangement for axially adjusting two aligned helically grooved portions of a nut member comprising: said nut member having an integral intermediate section deformable so as to cause the connected nut portions to shift axially relative each other, wherein said intermediate section is resiliently deformable and wherein said arrangement further includes means for locating said nut portions in said axially shifted position, and wherein said means for locating said nut portions includes abutments on each nut portion and also includes a spacer member disposed between said abutments, and wherein at least one of said abutments is spiralled about the nut axis and said spacer member has at least one spiralled edge complementary to said spiralled abutment whereby said nut portions may be adjustably positioned in said axially shifted positions.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-03-12 | 1976-09-11 | 1977-03-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-03-12 | 1980-09-11 | 1981-03-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-03-12 | 1984-09-11 | 1985-03-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |