Segmental cage for linear and linear/rotary bearings

Claim 2

A segmental cage for a bearing including in combination, a plurality of integral axially elongated arcuate segments adapted to be juxtaposed to form an axially elongated annulus, each of said segments being formed with a generally axially extending slot with curved slot portions at the ends of said slot, each of said segments being formed with a generally axially extending recess circumferentially spaced from the segment slot with curved inwardly extending recess portions at the ends of said recess leading into said curved slot portions and means for positioning adjacent segments to cause said slots to form loaded ball path portions and said recesses to form unloaded ball path portions and to cause said curved slot and recess portions to form ball transfer path portions.

Claim 3

A segmental cage as in claim 1 in which each of said segments had radially directed axially extending edges, said recess being formed adjacent to and leading into one of said edges, the other edge of an adjacent segment cooperating with said one edge to form said unloaded ball path portion.

Claim 4

A segmental cage as in claim 1 in which each of said segments has a cylindrical inner surface and means forming a retaining lip along the edge of said slot adjacent said inner surface.

Claim 5

A segmental cage as in claim 1 in which said juxtapositioning means comprises axially spaced circumferentially extending lugs on the edge of one segment extending into the adjacent segment over said curved recess portions.

Claim 6

A segmental cage as in claim 4 in which each of said lugs is formed with a generally triangular cross section providing a surface forming part of said transfer path portions.

Claim 7

A segmental cage as in claim 1 in which each of said segments is a unitary metal member.

Claim 8

A segmental cage for a bearing including in combination, a plurality of axially elongated segments each having a cylindrical inner surface and a cylindrical outer surface and side edges lying in radial planes, each of said segments being formed with a generally axially extending slot intermediate the side edges with curved end slot portions directed toward one of said side edges, each of said segments being formed with a generally axially extending recess in said outer surface adjacent to and leading into said one side edge, curved and inwardly directed recess portions directed toward the other side edge and extending into said curved slot portions, and axially spaced lugs extending circumferentially from the other side edge, the lugs of one segment adapted to extend into the curved recess portions of an adjacent segment to position said segments so that said slots form loaded ball path portions and said recesses form unloaded ball path portions and said lugs and curved slots and recess portions form ball transfer path portions.

Claim 9

A segmental cage for a bearing including in combination, a plurality of axially elongated segments each having a cylindrical inner surface and a cylindrical outer surface and side edges lying in radial planes, each of said segments being formed with a generally axially extending slot intermediate the side edges with curved end slot portions directed toward one of said side edges, each of said segments being formed with a generally axially extending recess in said outer surface adjacent to and leading into said one side edge, curved and inwardly directed recess portions directed toward the other side edge and extending into said curved slot portions, and axially spaced lugs extending circumferentially from the other side edge, the lugs of one segment adapted to extend into the curved recess portions of an adjacent segment to position said segments so that said slots form loaded ball path portions and said recesses form unloaded ball path portions and said lugs and curved slots and recess portions form ball transfer path portions.

Claim 10

A segmental cage as in claim 7 in which said one edge of one segment abuts the other edge of an adjacent segment to form said unloaded ball path portion.

Claim 11

A segmental cage as in claim 7 in which each of said lugs has a generally triangular cross sectional shape to provide a portion of the surface of said ball transfer path portions.

Claim 12

A segmental cage as in claim 7 in which each segment comprises a retaining lip along the edge of said slot adjacent to said inner surface.

Claim 13

In a segmental cage, a unitary cage segment comprising an axially elongated unitary body having cylindrical inner and outer surfaces and having side edges lying in radial planes, means forming a generally axially extending slot in said body with curved end slot portions directed toward one of said edges, means forming a generally axially extending groove in said outer surface adjacent to and leading into one of said sides with curved and radially inwardly extending end groove portions leading into said curved slot portions and circumferentially extending spaced lugs each having generally triangUlar cross sectional shape on the other side, said lugs registering generally with the junctures of said curved groove and slot portions, said lugs having an axial width slightly less than that of said groove.

Claim 14

In a segmental cage, a unitary cage segment comprising an axially elongated unitary body having cylindrical inner and outer surfaces and having side edges lying in radial planes, means forming a generally axially extending slot in said body with curved end slot portions directed toward one of said edges, means forming a generally axially extending groove in said outer surface adjacent to and leading into one of said sides with curved and radially inwardly extending end groove portions leading into said curved slot portions and circumferentially extending spaced lugs each having generally triangUlar cross sectional shape on the other side, said lugs registering generally with the junctures of said curved groove and slot portions, said lugs having an axial width slightly less than that of said groove.