Nippon Thompson Co., Ltd.

Nakamichi Corporation

Kazuhiko Saoyama

Yoshihisa Inoue

Haruyoshi Endo

A linear motion guide unit having a rack and pinion mechanism for preventing slippage in relative sliding motion is provided. The linear motion guide unit includes a table elongated in shape and having a generally U-shaped cross section and a bed elongated in shape and having a generally U-shaped cross section which is oriented with its inner surface facing the inner surface of the table. The unit also includes a plurality of balls sandwiched between the table and the bed so as to provide a rolling contact therebetween. Also provided is a retainer having a horizontal section and a pair of vertical sections extending from the opposite sides of the horizontal section and formed with a plurality of windows for receiving therein the balls. The horizontal section of the retainer is formed with a slot and a pinion gear is rotatably supported on the retainer as extending partly through the slot and at the center in the widthwise direction of the retainer. A pair of top and bottom racks are mounted on the table and the bed, respectively, such that the pinion gear is in mesh with both of the top and bottom racks.

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Yokohama, Japan

Kazuhiko Saoyama