Bearing for rectilinear motion

Claim 2

In a rolling bearing for guiding two parts subjected to a relative movement of translation, comprising a row of rolling elements having planar end surfaces, a body structure defining two rectilinear and parallel inner raceways, two semi-circular inner raceways which interconnect the rectilinear inner raceways, two part-circular outer raceways defining with the semi-circular inner raceways two passages for the re-circulation of the rolling elements and planar guide surfaces for guiding the planar end surfaces of the rolling elements; the improvement comprising retaining means for retaining the rolling elements to within a predetermined distance from the rectilinear inner raceways, which retaining means comprise means defining blind axial apertures in opposite ends of the rolling elements, the rolling elements being solid in a part of the rolling elements intermediate the blind apertures, said retaining means further comprising grooves in the body structure adjacent the planar guide surfaces and retaining elements extending axially of the rolling elements into the apertures and axially beyond the planar guide surfaces and into the grooves, the grooves defining surfaces which are engageable by the retaining elements axially of the rolling elements for retaining the retaining elements in the apertures.

Claim 3

A bearing as claimed in claim 1, wherein the retaining elements are cylindrical needles.

Claim 4

A bearing as claimed in claim 1, wherein the retaining elements are pins.

Claim 5

A bearing as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rolling elements are capable of contacting each other.

Claim 6

In a rolling bearing for guiding two parts subjected to a relative movement of translation, comprising a row of rolling elements having planar end surfaces, a body structure defining two rectilinear and parallel inner raceways, two semi-circular inner raceways which interconnect the rectilinear inner raceways, two part-circular outer raceways defining with the semi-circular inner raceways two passages for the re-circulation of the rolling elements and planar guide surfaces for guiding the planar end surfaces of the rolling elements, retaining means for retaining the rolling elements to within a predetermined distance from the rectilinear inner raceways; the feature that said retaining means comprise means defining blind axial apertures in opposite ends of the rolling elements, the rolling elements being solid in a part of the rolling elements intermediate the blind apertures, said retaining means comprising grooves in the body structure adjacent the planar guide surfaces and retaining elements extending into the apertures and into the grooves, the grooves defining surfaces for retaining the retaining elements in the apertures, and connecting bars respectively interconnecting pairs of retaining elements disposed in the blind apertures of pairs of successive rolling elements.

Claim 7

In a rolling bearing for guiding two parts subjected to a relative movement of translation, comprising a row of rolling elements having planar end surfaces, a body structure defining two rectilinear and parallel inner raceways, two semi-circular inner raceways which interconnect the rectilinear inner raceways, two part-circular outer raceways defining with the semi-circular inner raceways two passages for the re-circulation of the rolling elements and planar guide surfaces for guiding the planar end surfaces of the rolling elements, retaining means for retaining the rolling elements to within a predetermined distance from the rectilinear inner raceways; the feature that said retaining means comprise means defining blind axial apertures in opposite ends of the rolling elements, the rolling elements being solid in a part of the rolling elements intermediate the blind apertures, said retaining means comprising grooves in the body structure adjacent the planar guide surfaces and retaining elements extending into the apertures and into the grooves, the grooves defining surfaces for retaining the retaining elements in the apertures, and connecting bars respectively interconnecting pairs of retaining elements disposed in the blind apertures of pairs of successive rolling elements.

Claim 8

A bearing as claimed in claim 5, wherein each pair of retaining elements are integral with the corresponding connecting bars and constitute a shackle.

Claim 9

In a rolling bearing for guiding two parts subjected to a relative movement of translation, comprising a row of rolling elements having planar end surfaces, a body structure defining two rectilinear and parallel inner raceways, two semi-circular inner raceways which interconnect the rectilinear inner raceways, two part-circular outer raceways defining with the semi-circular inner raceways two passages for the re-circulation of the rolling elements and planar guide surfaces for guiding the planar end surfaces of the rolling elements, and retaining means for retaining the rolling elements to within a predetermined distance from the rectilinear inner raceways; the feature that said retaining means comprise means defining blind axial apertures in opposite ends of the rolling elements, the rolling elements being solid in a part of the rolling elements intermediate the blind apertures, grooves in the body structure adjacent the planar guide surfaces, retaining elements extending into the apertures and into the grooves and connecting bar portions respectively interconnecting pairs of retaining elements disposed in the apertures of pairs of successive rolling elements so that each pair of retaining elements are integral with the corresponding bar portion and constitute a shackle, there being disposed in the apertures at one end of each pair of successive rolling elements the retaining elements of the same shackle and there being disposed in the apertures at the opposite end of said each pair of successive rolling elements the retaining elements of two separate adjacent shackles, the grooves defining surfaces co-operative with the shackles for retaining the retaining elements in the apertures.

Claim 10

In a rolling bearing for guiding two parts subjected to a relative movement of translation, comprising a row of rolling elements having planar end surfaces, a body structure defining two rectilinear and parallel inner raceways, two semi-circular inner raceways which interconnect the rectilinear inner raceways, two part-circular outer raceways defining with the semi-circular inner raceways two passages for the re-circulation of the rolling elements and planar guide surfaces for guiding the planar end surfaces of the rolling elements, and retaining means for retaining the rolling elements to within a predetermined distance from the rectilinear inner raceways; the feature that said retaining means comprise means defining blind axial apertures in opposite ends of the rolling elements, the rolling elements being solid in a part of the rolling elements intermediate the blind apertures, grooves in the body structure adjacent the planar guide surfaces, retaining elements extending into the apertures and into the grooves and connecting bar portions respectively interconnecting pairs of retaining elements disposed in the apertures of pairs of successive rolling elements so that each pair of retaining elements are integral with the corresponding bar portion and constitute a shackle, there being disposed in the apertures at one end of each pair of successive rolling elements the retaining elements of the same shackle and there being disposed in the apertures at the opposite end of said each pair of successive rolling elements the retaining elements of two separate adjacent shackles, the grooves defining surfaces co-operative with the shackles for retaining the retaining elements in the apertures.

Claim 11

In a rolling bearing for guiding two parts subjected to a relative movement of translation, comprising a row of rolling elements having planar end surfaces, a body structure defining two rectilinear and parallel inner raceways, two semi-circular inner raceways which interconnect the rectilinear inner raceways, two part-circular outer raceways defining with the semi-circular inner raceways two passages for the recirculation of the rolling elements and planar guide surfaces for guiding the planar end surfaces of the rolling elements, retaining means for retaining the rolling elements two within a predetermined distance from the rectilinear inner raceways; the feature that said retaining means comprise means defining blind axial apertures in opposite ends of the rolling elements, the rolling elements being solid in a part of the rolling elements intermediate the blind apertures, said retaining means comprising grooves in the body structure adjacent the planar guide surfaces and retaining elements extending into the apertures and into the grooves, the grooves defining surfaces for retaining the retaining elements in the apertures, cylindrical elements of small diameter being inserted between successive rolling elements and respectively separating and in rolling contact with the successive rolling elements.

Claim 12

In a rolling bearing for guiding two parts subjected to a relative movement of translation, comprising a row of rolling elements having planar end surfaces, a body structure defining two rectilinear and parallel inner raceways, two semi-circular inner raceways which interconnect the rectilinear inner raceways, two part-circular outer raceways defining with the semi-circular inner raceways two passages for the recirculation of the rolling elements and planar guide surfaces for guiding the planar end surfaces of the rolling elements, retaining means for retaining the rolling elements two within a predetermined distance from the rectilinear inner raceways; the feature that said retaining means comprise means defining blind axial apertures in opposite ends of the rolling elements, the rolling elements being solid in a part of the rolling elements intermediate the blind apertures, said retaining means comprising grooves in the body structure adjacent the planar guide surfaces and retaining elements extending into the apertures and into the grooves, the grooves defining surfaces for retaining the retaining elements in the apertures, cylindrical elements of small diameter being inserted between successive rolling elements and respectively separating and in rolling contact with the successive rolling elements.

Claim 13

In a rolling bearing for guiding two parts subjected to a relative movement of translation, comprising a row of rolling elements having planar end surfaces, a body structure defining two rectilinear and parallel inner raceways, two semi-circular inner raceways which interconnect the rectilinar inner raceways, two part-circular outer raceways defining with the semi-circular inner raceways two passages for the re-circulation of the rolling elements and planar guide surfaces for guiding the planar end surfaces of the rolling elements, and retaining means for retaining the rolling elements to within a pedetermined distance from the rectilinear inner raceways; the feature that said retaining means comprise means defining blind axial apertures in opposite ends of the rolling elements, the rolling elements being solid in a part of the rolling elements intermediate the blind apertures, grooves in the body structure adjacent the planar guide surfaces, retaining elements extending into the apertures and into the grooves and connecting bar portions respectively interconnecting pairs of retaining elements disposed in the apertures of pairs of successive rolling elements so that each pair of retaining elements are integral with the corresponding bar portion and constitute a shackle, there being disposed in the apertures at one end of each pair of successive rolling elements the retaining elements of the same shackle and there being disposed in the apertures at the opposite end of said each pair of successive rolling elements the retaining elements of two separate adjacent shackles, and inserted cylindrical elements of small diameter respectively separating and in rolling contact with successive rolling elements, each shackle having means for supporting the inserted element between the associated pair of rolling elements, the grooves defining surfaces cooperative with the shackles for retaining the retaining elements in the apertures.

Claim 14

In a rolling bearing for guiding two parts subjected to a relative movement of translation, comprising a row of rolling elements having planar end surfaces, a body structure defining two rectilinear and parallel inner raceways, two semi-circular inner raceways which interconnect the rectilinar inner raceways, two part-circular outer raceways defining with the semi-circular inner raceways two passages for the re-circulation of the rolling elements and planar guide surfaces for guiding the planar end surfaces of the rolling elements, and retaining means for retaining the rolling elements to within a pedetermined distance from the rectilinear inner raceways; the feature that said retaining means comprise means defining blind axial apertures in opposite ends of the rolling elements, the rolling elements being solid in a part of the rolling elements intermediate the blind apertures, grooves in the body structure adjacent the planar guide surfaces, retaining elements extending into the apertures and into the grooves and connecting bar portions respectively interconnecting pairs of retaining elements disposed in the apertures of pairs of successive rolling elements so that each pair of retaining elements are integral with the corresponding bar portion and constitute a shackle, there being disposed in the apertures at one end of each pair of successive rolling elements the retaining elements of the same shackle and there being disposed in the apertures at the opposite end of said each pair of successive rolling elements the retaining elements of two separate adjacent shackles, and inserted cylindrical elements of small diameter respectively separating and in rolling contact with successive rolling elements, each shackle having means for supporting the inserted element between the associated pair of rolling elements, the grooves defining surfaces cooperative with the shackles for retaining the retaining elements in the apertures.

Claim 15

A bearing as claimed in claim 9, wherein the means for supporting each inserted element comprise two strip portions integral with the connecting bar portion of the shackle and disposed on opposite sides of the inserted element.

Claim 16

In a rolling bearing for guiding two parts subjected to a relative movement of translation, comprising a row of rolling elements having planar end surfaces, a body sructure defining two rectilinear and parallel inner raceways, two semi-circular inner raceways which interconnect the rectilinear inner raceways, two part-circular outer raceways defining with the semi-circular inner raceways two passages for the re-circulation of the rolling elements and planar guide surfaces for guiding the planar end surfaces of the rolling elements; the improvement comprising retaining means for retaining the rolling elements to within a predetermined distance from the rectilinear inner raceways, which retaining means comprise means defining blind axial apertures in opposite ends of the rolling elements, grooves in the body structure adjacent the planar guide surfaces, retaining elements extending axially of the rolling elements into the apertures and axially beyond the planar guide surfaces and into the grooves and links interconnecting the retaining elements in an articulated link arrangement consituting an endless chain structure on each side of the row of rolling elements, the grooves defining surfaces co-operative with the chain structure axially of the rolling elements for retaining the retaining elements in the apertures.

Claim 17

In a rolling bearing for guiding two parts subjected to a relative movement of translation, comprising a row of rolling elements having planar end surfaces, a body sructure defining two rectilinear and parallel inner raceways, two semi-circular inner raceways which interconnect the rectilinear inner raceways, two part-circular outer raceways defining with the semi-circular inner raceways two passages for the re-circulation of the rolling elements and planar guide surfaces for guiding the planar end surfaces of the rolling elements; the improvement comprising retaining means for retaining the rolling elements to within a predetermined distance from the rectilinear inner raceways, which retaining means comprise means defining blind axial apertures in opposite ends of the rolling elements, grooves in the body structure adjacent the planar guide surfaces, retaining elements extending axially of the rolling elements into the apertures and axially beyond the planar guide surfaces and into the grooves and links interconnecting the retaining elements in an articulated link arrangement consituting an endless chain structure on each side of the row of rolling elements, the grooves defining surfaces co-operative with the chain structure axially of the rolling elements for retaining the retaining elements in the apertures.

Claim 18

In a rolling bearing for guiding two parts subjected to a relative movement of translation, cpmprising a row of rolling elements having planar end surfaces, a body structure defining two rectilinear and parallel inner raceways, two semi-circular inner raceways which interconnect the rectilinear inner raceways, two part-circular outer raceways defining with the semi-circular inner raceways two passages for the re-circulation of the rolling elements and planar guide surfaces for guiding the planar end surfaces of the rolling elements, and retaining means for retaining the rolling elements to within a predetermined distance from the rectilinear inner raceways; the feature that said retaining means comprise means defining blind axial apertures in opposite ends of the rolling elements, grooves in the body structure adjacent the planar guide surfaces, retaining elements extending into the apertures and into the grooves and links interconnecting the retaining elements in an articulated link arrangement constituting an endless chain structure on each side of the row of rolling elements, the grooves defining surfaces co-operative with the chain structure for retaining elements in the apertures, the bearing further comprising inserted cylindrical elements of small diameter respectively separating and in rolling contact with successive rolling elements, and two retaining boss portions on each of the links of each chain structure for retainingly engaging an end portion of the corresponding inserted element.

Claim 19

In a rolling bearing for guiding two parts subjected to a relative movement of translation, cpmprising a row of rolling elements having planar end surfaces, a body structure defining two rectilinear and parallel inner raceways, two semi-circular inner raceways which interconnect the rectilinear inner raceways, two part-circular outer raceways defining with the semi-circular inner raceways two passages for the re-circulation of the rolling elements and planar guide surfaces for guiding the planar end surfaces of the rolling elements, and retaining means for retaining the rolling elements to within a predetermined distance from the rectilinear inner raceways; the feature that said retaining means comprise means defining blind axial apertures in opposite ends of the rolling elements, grooves in the body structure adjacent the planar guide surfaces, retaining elements extending into the apertures and into the grooves and links interconnecting the retaining elements in an articulated link arrangement constituting an endless chain structure on each side of the row of rolling elements, the grooves defining surfaces co-operative with the chain structure for retaining elements in the apertures, the bearing further comprising inserted cylindrical elements of small diameter respectively separating and in rolling contact with successive rolling elements, and two retaining boss portions on each of the links of each chain structure for retainingly engaging an end portion of the corresponding inserted element.

Claim 20

A bearing as claimed in claim 12, wherein each chain structure comprises alternately links carrying two of said retaining elements and links having no retaining element but means defining two apertures through each of which aperatures the retaining element carried by an adjacent link extends.

Claim 21

A bearing as claimed in claim 12, wherein each chain structure comprises identical links, each link having a first portion carrying one of said retaining elements and a second portion defining an aperture through which aperture the retaining element of the adjacent link extends, the second portion of the links being offset toward the rolling elements from the first portion of the links.

Claim 22

In a rolling bearing for guiding two parts subjected to a relative movement of translation, comprising a row of rolling elements having planar end surfaces, a body structure defining two rectilinear and parallel inner raceways, two semi-circular inner raceways which interconnect the rectilinear inner raceways, two part-circular outer raceways defining with the semi-circular inner raceways two passages for the re-circulation of the rolling elements and planar guide surfaces for guiding the planar end surfaces of the rolling elements, and retaining means for retaining the rolling elements to within a predetermined distance from the rectilinear inner raceways; the feature that said retaining means comrpise means defining blind axial apertures in opposite ends of the rolling elements, grooves in the body structure adjacent the planar guide surfaces, retaining elements extending into the apertures and into the grooves and links interconnecting the retaining elements in an articulated link arrangement constituting an endless chain structure on each side of the row of rolling elements, the grooves defining surfaces co-operative with the chain structure for retaining the retaining elements in the apertures, each chain structure comprising alternately links carrying two of said retaining elements and links having no retaining element but means defining two apertures through each of which apertures the retaining element carried by an adjacent link extends.

Claim 23

In a rolling bearing for guiding two parts subjected to a relative movement of translation, comprising a row of rolling elements having planar end surfaces, a body structure defining two rectilinear and parallel inner raceways, two semi-circular inner raceways which interconnect the rectilinear inner raceways, two part-circular outer raceways defining with the semi-circular inner raceways two passages for the re-circulation of the rolling elements and planar guide surfaces for guiding the planar end surfaces of the rolling elements, and retaining means for retaining the rolling elements to within a predetermined distance from the rectilinear inner raceways; the feature that said retaining means comrpise means defining blind axial apertures in opposite ends of the rolling elements, grooves in the body structure adjacent the planar guide surfaces, retaining elements extending into the apertures and into the grooves and links interconnecting the retaining elements in an articulated link arrangement constituting an endless chain structure on each side of the row of rolling elements, the grooves defining surfaces co-operative with the chain structure for retaining the retaining elements in the apertures, each chain structure comprising alternately links carrying two of said retaining elements and links having no retaining element but means defining two apertures through each of which apertures the retaining element carried by an adjacent link extends.

Claim 24

In a rolling bearing for guiding two parts subjected to a relative movement of translation, comprising a row of rollling elements having planar end surfaces, a body structure defining two rectilinear and parallel inner raceways, two semi-circular inner raceways which interconnect the rectilinear inner raceways, two part-circular outer raceways defining with the semi-circular inner raceways two passages for the re-circulation of the rolling elements and planar guide surfaces for guiding the planar end surfaces of the rolling elements, and retaining means for retaining the rolling elements to within a predetermined distance from the rectilinear inner raceways; the feature that said retaining means comprise means defining blind axial apertures in opposite ends of the rolling elements, grooves in the body structure adjacent the planar guide surfaces, retaining elements extending into the apertures and into the grooves and links interconnecting the retaining elements in an articulated link arrangement constituting an endless chain structure on each side of the row of rolling elements, the grooves defining surfaces co-operative with the chain structure for retaining the retaining elements in the apertures, each chain structure comprising identical links, each link having a first portion carrying one of said retaining elements and a second portion defining an aperture through which aperture the retaining element of the adjacent link extends, the second portion of the links being offset toward the rolling elements from the first portion of the links.

Claim 25

In a rolling bearing for guiding two parts subjected to a relative movement of translation, comprising a row of rollling elements having planar end surfaces, a body structure defining two rectilinear and parallel inner raceways, two semi-circular inner raceways which interconnect the rectilinear inner raceways, two part-circular outer raceways defining with the semi-circular inner raceways two passages for the re-circulation of the rolling elements and planar guide surfaces for guiding the planar end surfaces of the rolling elements, and retaining means for retaining the rolling elements to within a predetermined distance from the rectilinear inner raceways; the feature that said retaining means comprise means defining blind axial apertures in opposite ends of the rolling elements, grooves in the body structure adjacent the planar guide surfaces, retaining elements extending into the apertures and into the grooves and links interconnecting the retaining elements in an articulated link arrangement constituting an endless chain structure on each side of the row of rolling elements, the grooves defining surfaces co-operative with the chain structure for retaining the retaining elements in the apertures, each chain structure comprising identical links, each link having a first portion carrying one of said retaining elements and a second portion defining an aperture through which aperture the retaining element of the adjacent link extends, the second portion of the links being offset toward the rolling elements from the first portion of the links.

Claim 26

In a rolling bearing for guiding two parts subjected to a relative movement of translation, comprising a row of rolling elements having planar end surfaces, a body structure defining two rectilinear and parallel inner raceways, two semi-circular inner raceways which interconnect the rectilinear inner raceways, two part-circular outer raceways defining with the semi-circular inner raceways two passages for the re-circulation of the rolling elements and planar guide surfaces for guiding the planar end surfaces of the rolling elements the improvement comprising retaining means for retaining the rolling elements to within a predetermined distance from the rectilinear inner raceways, which retaining means comprise means defining axial apertures in opposite ends of the rolling elements and grooves in the body structure adjacent the planar guide surfaces and retaining elements extending into the apertures and into the grooves, the grooves defining surfaces which are engageable by the retaining elements axially of the rolling elements for retaining the retaining elements in the apertures.

Claim 27

In a rolling bearing for guiding two parts subjected to a relative movement of translation, comprising a row of rolling elements having planar end surfaces, a body structure defining two rectilinear and parallel inner raceways, two semi-circular inner raceways which interconnect the rectilinear inner raceways, two part-circular outer raceways defining with the semi-circular inner raceways two passages for the re-circulation of the rolling elements and planar guide surfaces for guiding the planar end surfaces of the rolling elements the improvement comprising retaining means for retaining the rolling elements to within a predetermined distance from the rectilinear inner raceways, which retaining means comprise means defining axial apertures in opposite ends of the rolling elements and grooves in the body structure adjacent the planar guide surfaces and retaining elements extending into the apertures and into the grooves, the grooves defining surfaces which are engageable by the retaining elements axially of the rolling elements for retaining the retaining elements in the apertures.

Claim 28

In a rolling bearing for guiding two parts subjected to a relative movement of translation, comprising a row of rolling elements having planar end surfaces, a body structure defining two rectilinear and parallel inner raceways, two semi-circular inner surfaces which interconnect the rectilinear inner raceways, means defining with the two semi-circular inner surfaces passages for the re-circulation of the rolling elements, planar guide surfaces for guiding the planar end surfaces of the rolling elements, and retaining means for retaining the rolling elements to within a predetermined distance from the rectilinear inner raceways; the feature that said retaining means comprise cylindrical projecting portions of smaller diameter than the diameter of the rolling elements extending axially from said planar end surfaces of the rolling elements, and the retaining means further comprise two inner parallel planar side faces defined by the body structure and disposed in facing relation to each other and extending alongside the rectilinear inner raceways, two flat rings respectively engaging the two planar side faces and defining inner edges in retaining relation to said projecting portions of the rolling elements and means securing the rings tothe body structure.

Claim 29

In a rolling bearing for guiding two parts subjected to a relative movement of translation, comprising a row of rolling elements having planar end surfaces, a body structure defining two rectilinear and parallel inner raceways, two semi-circular inner surfaces which interconnect the rectilinear inner raceways, means defining with the two semi-circular inner surfaces passages for the re-circulation of the rolling elements, planar guide surfaces for guiding the planar end surfaces of the rolling elements, and retaining means for retaining the rolling elements to within a predetermined distance from the rectilinear inner raceways; the feature that said retaining means comprise cylindrical projecting portions of smaller diameter than the diameter of the rolling elements extending axially from said planar end surfaces of the rolling elements, and the retaining means further comprise two inner parallel planar side faces defined by the body structure and disposed in facing relation to each other and extending alongside the rectilinear inner raceways, two flat rings respectively engaging the two planar side faces and defining inner edges in retaining relation to said projecting portions of the rolling elements and means securing the rings tothe body structure.

Claim 30

A rolling bearing as claimed in claim 18, wherein each ring is a sheet metal ring.

Claim 31

A rolling bearing as claimed in claim 18, wherein each ring has a planar surface which faces inwardly of the body structure and constitutes one of said guide surfaces for the planar end surfaces of the rolling elements.

Claim 32

A rolling bearing as claimed in claim 18, wherein the body structure defines shoulders located between the raceways and the respective side faces of the body and having a planar surface constituting one of said planar guide surfaces for guiding the planar end surfaces of the rolling elements.

Claim 33

A rolling bearing as claimed in claim 18, wherein the rings are detachable from the body structure.

Claim 34

A rolling bearing as claimed in claim 18, comprising two end members engaging ends of the body structure and means for securing the end members to the body structure so as to define re-circulation passages with said semi-circular inner surfaces.

Claim 35

A rolling bearing as claimed in claim 23, wherein said means for securing the rings to the body structure comprise said end members which are in clamping relation to semi-circular end portions of the rings.

Claim 36

A rolling bearing as claimed in claim 18, wherein each ring defines an inner aperture defining said edges and having a transverse dimension which exceeds the distance between an intermediate region of transition between each rectilinear raceway and each adjacent side face of the body structure and opposed outer edge of the body structure.

Claim 37

In a rolling bearing for guiding two parts subjected to a relative movement of translation, comprising a row of rolling elements having planar end surfaces, a body structure defining two rectilinear and parallel inner raceways, two semi-circular inner surfaces which interconnect the rectilinear inner raceways, means defining with the semi-circular inner surfaces two passages for the re-circulation of the rolling elements and planar guide surfaces for guiding the planar end surfaces of the rolling elements; the improvement comprising retaining means for retaining the rolling elements to within a predetermined distance from the rectilinear inner raceways, which retaining means comprise means defining blind axial apertures in opposite ends of the rolling elements, the rolling elements being solid in a part of the rolling elements intermediate the blind apertures, said retaining means further comprising grooves in the body structure adjacent the planar guide surfaces and retaining elements extending axially of the rolling elements into the apertures and axially beyond the planar guide surfaces and into the grooves, the grooves defining surfaces which are engageable by the retaining elements axially of the rolling elements for retaining the retaining elements in the apertures.

Claim 38

In a rolling bearing for guiding two parts subjected to a relative movement of translation, comprising a row of rolling elements having planar end surfaces, a body structure defining two rectilinear and parallel inner raceways, two semi-circular inner surfaces which interconnect the rectilinear inner raceways, means defining with the semi-circular inner surfaces two passages for the re-circulation of the rolling elements and planar guide surfaces for guiding the planar end surfaces of the rolling elements; the improvement comprising retaining means for retaining the rolling elements to within a predetermined distance from the rectilinear inner raceways, which retaining means comprise means defining blind axial apertures in opposite ends of the rolling elements, the rolling elements being solid in a part of the rolling elements intermediate the blind apertures, said retaining means further comprising grooves in the body structure adjacent the planar guide surfaces and retaining elements extending axially of the rolling elements into the apertures and axially beyond the planar guide surfaces and into the grooves, the grooves defining surfaces which are engageable by the retaining elements axially of the rolling elements for retaining the retaining elements in the apertures.