Bearings – Linear bearing – Recirculating
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-19
2001-01-16
Estremsky, Sherry (Department: 3681)
Bearings
Linear bearing
Recirculating
Reexamination Certificate
active
06174086
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
1. Technical Field
The present disclosure generally relates to linear motion bearing assemblies and, more particularly, is directed to a novel low cost linear motion bearing assembly employing a segment bearing type carriage housing for longitudinal movement along a rail member.
2. Background of the Related Art
The present disclosure is directed to a linear motion bearing assembly which includes a carriage housing having segment linear bearing members housed therein for longitudinal movement along a novel rail member. The improvements relate to the design, manufacture, assembly and performance of the system as compared to prior art systems, as well as, the formation of the rail member and carriage housing.
Prior art rail and segment bearing carriage systems generally consist of a carriage housing and bearing portion running along an elongated rail member. Typically, the rail members are first drawn to an elongated form and subsequently ground along a longitudinal edge thereof to form a race and flange portion. Similarly, the carriage housings are drawn or stamped to a general formation and then subsequently ground to form corresponding grooves for accommodating the race and flange portions of the rail members. In addition, mounting of the prior art systems further requires the additional step of forming bores along the rail member and carriage housing. All of these forming steps of manufacture add to the time and cost for prior art bearing systems.
Accordingly, a need exists in the art for a new and improved linear motion bearing assembly which is easily and efficiently manufactured, includes fewer parts, provides smoother operation and results in lower manufacture cost.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a linear motion bearing assembly having a rail member which is precision drawn or extruded to appropriate shape and size thus eliminating many of the processing steps of the prior art rail members.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a linear motion bearing assembly having an outer carriage housing which is stamped, drawn, extruded or cast to proper specifications.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a linear motion bearing assembly with a rail member having precision drawn inner races or grooves.
It is a further object of the present disclosure to provide a linear motion bearing assembly wherein the rail member can be manufactured from a single piece of stock material.
It is yet another object of the present disclosure to provide a linear motion bearing assembly wherein the rail member can be roll formed.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a linear motion bearing assembly wherein the precision drawing or extrusion process will typically yield accuracies sufficient enough to use lengths of wire for forming rail members.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a linear motion bearing assembly which can be manufactured of metals, polymers or a combination thereof.
Therefore, the embodiments herein disclosed throughout the present disclosure achieve the intended purposes, objects, and advantages through a new, useful and unobvious combination of component elements, with the use of a minimum number of functioning parts, at a reasonable cost to manufacture, and by employing readily available materials.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure is directed to a linear motion bearing assembly for longitudinal movement of a carriage along a rail member. The system is simpler in construction and includes a lower cost of manufacture. The linear motion bearing assembly preferably includes an elongated rail member and a carriage housing movably mounted thereon. The assembly further includes at least one segment linear motion bearing mounted in the carriage housing. The linear motion bearings can include both bearing balls or barrel-type rollers.
The elongated rail member may be formed with an inner race portion, a flange projection and optionally, an elongated mounting slot substantially along the entire length thereof. The carriage housing is formed including a groove portion for coupling at least one segment linear motion bearing. Both the elongated rail member and carriage housing are preferably precision formed by manufacturing techniques including drawing, stamping, extruding and rolling.
In an alternate embodiment, the linear motion bearing assembly includes an elongated rail member having an elongated T-shaped mounting slot, an inner race portion and a flange projection substantially along a length thereof. The assembly further includes a carriage housing having at least one bearing member for movement along the inner race portion and flange projection of the elongated rail member. The carriage housing further defines an inner cavity for receiving the at least one segment bearing. The segment bearing may be configured for either bearing balls or rollers.
The elongated rail member may be formed with elongated T-shaped mounting slot. Both the elongated rail member and the carriage housing are precision formed by manufacturing techniques including drawing, stamping, extruding and rolling.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4775247 (1988-10-01), Isert
patent: 5244283 (1993-09-01), Moritia
patent: 5431498 (1995-07-01), Lyon
patent: 5613780 (1997-03-01), Ng
Feketa Steven
Ng Alison
Dilworth & Barrese
Estremsky Sherry
Thomson Industries Inc.
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