Linear bearings

Claim 2

A rectilinear rolling bearing for transmitting a bearing load between two relatively movable members comprising four rods each formed with at least one longitudinal flat, the rods being arranged in a group with their longitudinal axes parallel and so spaced and orientated with respect to each other that the flats define a guideway or track for rollers, rollers in the guideway or track through which a load may be transmitted from any one rod to the diagonally opposite rod, one pair of adjacent rods being connectable to one member for movement therewith and the other pair of rods being connectable to he other member for movement therewith, a passageway parallel with the guideway or track through which the rollers may move from one end of the guideway to the other, the rods being so orientated that the axes of the rollers lie at an angle of 45* to a plane containing the longitudinal center lines of the guideway and the passageway, and a diverter at each end of the guideway to connect the guideway to the passageway, each diverter being formed to provide a semicircular tunnel the ends of which are aligned with the adjacent ends of the guideway and passageway, the cross-section of the tunnel being approximately square, the two sides of the square lying nearest the center of the semi-circle being straight, and at least one of the other sides being concave to allow the rollers to pass through without interference while being accurately guided.

Claim 3

A bearing as claimed in claim 1 in which the two rods which are connectable to one of the movable members are each formed with at least two flats at right angles to each other, one flat of each of the said two rods forming one wall of the guideway, another flat of each of the said two rods forming one wall of the passageway.

Claim 4

A bearing as claimed in claim 1 in which each rod is formed with four longitudinal flats each at right angles to the adjacent flat.

Claim 5

A bearing as claimed in claim 1 in which the parts of the peripheries of the rods not occupied by the flats are cylindrical.

Claim 6

A bearing as claimed in claim 1 in which alternate rollers are replaced by balls of the same diameter.

Claim 7

A mechanism such as a machine tool having two relatively movable members and including a rectilinear rolling bearing for transmitting a bearing load between the said members, the said bearing comprising four rods each formed with at least one longitudinal flat, the rods being arranged in a group with their longitudinal axes parallel and so spaced and orientated with respect to each other that the flats define a guideway or track for rollers, a groove of rectangular cross-section in each of the said members parallel to the desired line of relative movement between the said members, one pair of adjacent rods being fixed in each of the said grooves for movement with the respective member, rollers in the guideway through which a bearing load may be transmitted from one of the said members to the other, a passageway parallel with the guideway through which the rollers may move from one end of the guideway to the other, the rods being so orientated in the respective grooves that the axes of the rollers lie at an angle of 45* to a plane containing the longitudinal center lines of the guideway and the passageway, and a diverter at each end of the guideway to connect the guideway to the passageway, each diverter being formed to prOvide a semi-circular tunnel the ends of which are aligned with the adjacent ends of the guideway and passageway, the cross-section of the tunnel being approximately square, the two sides of the square lying nearest the center of the semi-circle being straight, and at least one of the other sides being concave to allow the rollers to pass through without interference while being accurately guided.

Claim 8

A mechanism such as a machine tool having two relatively movable members and including a rectilinear rolling bearing for transmitting a bearing load between the said members, the said bearing comprising four rods each formed with at least one longitudinal flat, the rods being arranged in a group with their longitudinal axes parallel and so spaced and orientated with respect to each other that the flats define a guideway or track for rollers, a groove of rectangular cross-section in each of the said members parallel to the desired line of relative movement between the said members, one pair of adjacent rods being fixed in each of the said grooves for movement with the respective member, rollers in the guideway through which a bearing load may be transmitted from one of the said members to the other, a passageway parallel with the guideway through which the rollers may move from one end of the guideway to the other, the rods being so orientated in the respective grooves that the axes of the rollers lie at an angle of 45* to a plane containing the longitudinal center lines of the guideway and the passageway, and a diverter at each end of the guideway to connect the guideway to the passageway, each diverter being formed to prOvide a semi-circular tunnel the ends of which are aligned with the adjacent ends of the guideway and passageway, the cross-section of the tunnel being approximately square, the two sides of the square lying nearest the center of the semi-circle being straight, and at least one of the other sides being concave to allow the rollers to pass through without interference while being accurately guided.

Claim 9

A mechanism as claimed in claim 6 in which the diverter comprises two blocks placed together, the adjacent faces of the blocks being formed with Vee grooves substantially defining a semi-circle so that when placed together they form a semi-circular tunnel through which the rollers leaving the guideway may travel to the passageway.

Claim 10

A mechanism as claimed in claim 7 in which the blocks constituting the diverter have outwardly projecting portions at their sides together forming Vee shaped projections, the ends of the semi-circular tunnel opening at the Vee shaped projections.

Claim 11

A mechanism as claimed in claim 8 in which the diverter rests in the rectangular groove in one member, the Vee shaped projection lying in the passageway, the ends of the semi-circular tunnel respectively facing the guideway and the passageway.

Claim 12

A mechanism as claimed in claim 7 in which the rollers are placed in the bearing with their axes parallel and the outer surface of the Vee groove in one block is made concave.

Claim 13

A mechanism as claimed in claim 7 in which alternate rollers are placed with their axes at right angles to the other rollers and the outer surfaces of the Vee grooves in both blocks are made concave.