The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 05, 2002
Filed:
Apr. 28, 2000
Masashi Konomoto, Tokyo-to, JP;
Hidekazu Michioka, Tokyo-to, JP;
THK Co., LTD, Tokyo-to, JP;
Abstract
A spacer for a linear motion apparatus is to be interposed alternately between balls arranged in an endless circulation passage of the linear motion apparatus. The spacer has a body portion comprising spherical retaining surface portions formed for supporting the balls on both end portions thereof in an advancing direction of the spacer when moving in the endless circulation passage and a circumferential surface portion constituting an outer peripheral portion of the spherical retaining surface portions. The spherical retaining surface portion has a radius of curvature smaller than a diameter of the ball and the circumferential surface portion is provided with a groove extending in the circumferential direction thereof so that one of the spherical retaining surface portions is elastically deformable towards another one thereof. The spacer is preferably applicable to various kinds of linear motion apparatus. Further, rollers as rolling members may be utilized in place of the balls.