Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
66 words
In a ball bearing for linear motion including a cage with oval guideways and an outer sleeve receiving said cage, said sleeve having parallel axially extending raceway sections with a transition at each end for receiving balls under load, each transition extending radially outwardly from the respective raceway section; the improvement wherein each transition has a radialy weakened portion extending transversely of the respective raceway section.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
66 words
In a ball bearing for linear motion including a cage with oval guideways and an outer sleeve receiving said cage, said sleeve having parallel axially extending raceway sections with a transition at each end for receiving balls under load, each transition extending radially outwardly from the respective raceway section; the improvement wherein each transition has a radialy weakened portion extending transversely of the respective raceway section.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The ball bearing of claim 1, wherein the weakened portion is at the radially outer end of the transition.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The ball bearing of claim 1, wherein the weakened portion comprises a recess.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The ball bearing of claim 3, wherein said recess comprises a groove in said outer sleeve.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The ball bearing of claim 4, wherein said groove is an annular groove in the outer surface of said outer sleeve.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The ball bearing of claim 3, wherein said recess comprises a transversely extending slot separating said transition into two portions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The ball bearing of claim 6, wherein said slot has a width in the axial direction of said bearing that is small in comparison with the diameter of balls in said ball bearing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The ball bearing of claim 7, wherein the portions of said transition on opposite sides of said slot extend tangential to one another, in the direction of the raceway, to provide smooth passage of a ball thereacross.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
58 words
The ball bearing of claim 6, wherein said raceway has an axially extending groove, and said transitions have V-shaped radially outwardly extending recesses with apices at the ends of said groove and terminating at said slot, whereby two-point lines of contact are provided for the balls in the portions of the transition between said slot and said groove.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The ball bearing of claim 9, wherein the apices of the groove have the same radial height as said groove.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The ball bearing of claim 6, wherein said slot is provided midway of said transition in the axial direction, and extends circumferentially completely across said transition.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The ball bearing of claim 1, wherein the weakened portion extends throughout the circumferential extent of the transition.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The ball bearing of claim 1, further comprising a slotted strap surrounding said outer sleeve and the portion of said bearing radially outward of the straight portions of said guideways.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
The ball bearing of claim 1, wherein said raceways comprise radially inwardly directed axially extending ridges in said outer sleeve, and axially extending grooves at the peaks of said ridges for contacting said balls.