Patent US4118078A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4118078A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Linear ball bearing including longitudinal slot in the sleeve with ball-retaining cage
Assignee: SKF GmbH
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Filing: 1977-03-21
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Granted: 1978-10-03
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Expires: 1997-03-21
Abstract
Abstract A linear motion ball bearing including an outer sleeve, a cylindrical ball-retaining cage within the sleeve with continuous raceways defined between the sleeve and cage, and a plurality of balls in these raceways, each raceway comprising a loaded axial race and a parallel unloaded return race, and two curved turn-around races connecting the axial races. The sleeve has, in the region adjacent each unloaded race, a longitudinal slot having a width greater than the diameter of the balls, and the cage having projections along the unloaded races for retaining balls from falling out of these races.
Inventors
- 👤 Horst Manfred Ernst
- 👤 Armin Olschewski
- 👤 Lothar Walter
- 👤 Manfred Brandenstein
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 12:18
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16C; F16C29/00; F16C29/04; F16C29/06; F16C29/068; F16C29/0683; F16C29/0685; F16C29/0688
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
193 words
In a linear ball bearing operable with a shaft for relative axial movement therewith, the bearing including an outer sleeve, a cylindrical ball-retaining cage situated within the sleeve, said cage having a plurality of continuous raceways, each of which includes (a) two parallel and axial races, one being a loaded zone wherein balls contact both the sleeve and the shaft, and the other being an unloaded return zone, and (b) two curved turn-around races connecting adjacent ends of said axial races, and a plurality of balls substantially filling said raceways, said unloaded return zone being defined by a slot extending axially in said sleeve and radially through said sleeve, the improvement in combination therewith, wherein said sleeve has a circumferential surface facing said cage, said surface comprising regions adjacent said loaded axial zone and said turn-around races of said cage, and in at least one of said regions said sleeve surface is recessed radially outward from said cage, thereby defining a space between said recessed region and the balls therein, and said cage comprises exclusive ball-restraining means for restraining said balls in said recessed region from contacting said recessed surface of the sleeve.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
193 words
In a linear ball bearing operable with a shaft for relative axial movement therewith, the bearing including an outer sleeve, a cylindrical ball-retaining cage situated within the sleeve, said cage having a plurality of continuous raceways, each of which includes (a) two parallel and axial races, one being a loaded zone wherein balls contact both the sleeve and the shaft, and the other being an unloaded return zone, and (b) two curved turn-around races connecting adjacent ends of said axial races, and a plurality of balls substantially filling said raceways, said unloaded return zone being defined by a slot extending axially in said sleeve and radially through said sleeve, the improvement in combination therewith, wherein said sleeve has a circumferential surface facing said cage, said surface comprising regions adjacent said loaded axial zone and said turn-around races of said cage, and in at least one of said regions said sleeve surface is recessed radially outward from said cage, thereby defining a space between said recessed region and the balls therein, and said cage comprises exclusive ball-restraining means for restraining said balls in said recessed region from contacting said recessed surface of the sleeve.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A bearing according to claim 1, wherein said slot in said sleeve has a width dimension in the circumferential direction which is greater than the diameter of said balls.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
A bearing according to claim 2, wherein at least one of said turn-around races connected to each return race is also defined by a slot similar to and continuous with said slot of said return race.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
A bearing according to claim 2, wherein both of said turn-around races connected to each return race are also defined by slots similar to and continuous with said slot of said return race.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A bearing according to claim 1, wherein said regions of the sleeve surface adjacent both turn-around races are recessed as defined.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
A bearing according to claim 1, wherein said return and turn-around races each comprise edges along their lengths defining the width of said races and said ball-restraining means comprises resilient projections extending from said edges toward said sleeve, said projections defining between them a space having width less than the diameter of said balls.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
A bearing according to claim 1, wherein said curved turn-around races are seim-circular.
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) | 1981-10-02 | 1982-04-03 | 1982-10-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-10-02 | 1986-04-03 | 1986-10-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-10-02 | 1990-04-03 | 1990-10-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |