LINEAR RECIRCULATING ROLLER BEARING ASSEMBLY

摘要

A linear recirculating roller bearing assembly comprises a bearing body having a load bearing surface and a return surface disposed substantially parallel to each other and defining a path for continuous recirculating movement of roller bearings thereabout. A plurality of substantially identical roller bearings are disposed along the path in engagement with the aforementioned surfaces. Each of the roller bearings has a longitudinal axis and includes at least two cylindrical load bearing portions and at least one cylindrical axle portion disposed intermediate the load bearing portions. The portions of each roller bearing are substantially concentric with the longitudinal axis of the latter and the axle portion has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the load bearing portions. A plurality of substantially identical retaining clips operatively interconnect each of the axle portions of adjacent roller bearings to maintain the latter in predetermined spaced relationship with their axes maintained substantially perpendicular to the aforementioned path as the roller bearings circulate thereabout. A rotatable sprocket is provided at one end, and preferably at both ends, of the bearing body to maintain the aligmnent of the roller bearings substantially perpendicular to their direction of travel along the aforementioned path.