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. 18, 2003
Filed:
Oct. 11, 2001
Shigemasa Itabashi, Kanagawa-ken, JP;
Nippon Thompson Co., Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A linear motion guide unit is disclosed wherein rolling elements are allowed to run smoothly through a turnaround and less subject to wear. Separators connected to elongated coupler members are allowed to travel ahead together with the rolling elements through a recirculating passage, which is composed of a load raceway, a return passage and turnarounds. The separator are each made unchanged in thickness at a limited zone over which a sliding contact point thereof with the associated rolling element changes place from S to S when the separator moves through the turnaround. The coupler member is made in the form of a flexible strip kept substantially constant in cross section throughout the overall length to bend uniformly with a fixed radius RB of curvature when moving in the turnaround. The coupler member in the turnaround travels along a curve having a radius RB of curvature, which is less than a radius RO of curvature of a locus of the center of the rolling element, but larger than a radius RS of curvature of a locus of the sliding contact point between the separator and the associated rolling element, which will change place from S to S when the separator moves through the turnaround.