Structural-reinforcement means for precision, telescoping, linear slide mechanisms

Claim 1

A structural-reinforcement means for precision, telescoping, linear, suspension slides of the type that includes: an outer slide member having a bottom wall and inwardly-formed, ball raceways arranged along the side edges of said bottom wall in a longitudinal, parallel relationship to each other, said raceways being concave in cross-section and facing each other; an inner slide member having a channel-shaped configuration defined by a bottom wall and oppositely disposed raceways along the side edges thereof, said ball raceways being concave in cross-section and facing outwardly, the inner slide member being operably disposed within the outer slide member; ball bearings disposed in adjacent raceways of the respective outer and inner slide members; a ball retainer operably positioned between the outer and inner slide members for retaining said balls in spaced relationship to each other and in said raceways; an outer, structural-reinforcing bar having a channel-shaped cross section defined by a rear wall and outwardly-extending, flange members integrally formed along the longitudinal side edges of said rear wall, said flanges having a recess formed throughout the length thereof, wherein said outer slide member is fixedly received within said channel of said reinforcing bar, whereby said outer slide is prevented from being misaligned when a load is applied thereto; and an inner, structural-reinforcing, bar member having an elongated main wall, the longitudinal edges thereof forming a continuous truss member for direct engagement with each oppositely disposed raceway of said inner slide member, said inner reinforcing member being mounted within said channel of said inner slide member, thereby preventing distortion thereof when a load is applied thereto.