Motion transmitting remote control assembly

Abstract

A ball cage retainer of the type including a pair of coextensive strips having annular pocket portions defined by truncated angular flanges to define ball retaining pockets for rotatably retaining balls between the strips with the strips spot welded together and a method and apparatus for assembling such a ball cage. The ball cage is utilized in a conduit of a motion transmitting remote control assembly for facilitating the movement of a motion transmitting core element within the conduit. The cage is assembled by indexing a pair of metal ribbon-like strips successively through a plurality of stations by two sets of fixed and movable clamping assemblies. The pocket portions, and alignment notches adjacent the pocket portions, are simultaneously formed in each of the strips at a first station as the strips pass through the first station in parallel relationship to one another. One of the strips passes through a second station and balls are placed in each of the pocket portions of that strip. Thereafter the two strips are guided into coextensive abutting relationship with the coacting pocket portions defining the ball retaining pockets surrounding the balls. With the strips in abutting relationship with one another they pass through a third station where an aligning member engages the alignment notches in the two strips for longitudinally aligning the strips along the length of the strips having the ball retaining pocket therein adjacent which the strips are to be secured together by a welder which engages the strips for spot welding the strips together while the strips are maintained aligned with one another by the aligning member.