Self-coupling track clamp for securing a linear motion guide track to a support base without the use of fasteners, and methods for implementing same

摘要

A track clamp for coupling linear motion guide tracks with standard linear motion support bases without the use of fasteners comprises a clamp body having a plug portion and an outwardly-opening guide track-receiving channel, the plug portion having outwardly-extending deformable protrusions on its outer surfaces that, upon insertion of the plug portion into a selected slot of a support base, deform upon engagement with the slot thereby securing the plug portion in the slot, the track-receiving channel holding a linear motion guide track. In one embodiment upwardly-extending clamp arms formed in the plug portion by the guide track receiving channel deflect inwardly upon insertion of the plug portion into the selected slot thereby clamping the guide track in the channel.

主权项

1. A self-coupling track clamp for securing a linear motion guide track to a support base, the support base having one or more slots, each of the one or more slots having opposing inner faces defining a slot width, the self-coupling track clamp comprising:
a clamp body having a plug portion and an outwardly-opening guide track-receiving channel, said plug portion including a pair of oppositely-facing outer surfaces defining a plug width narrower than the slot width, said channel configured for receiving and holding the linear motion guide track, the outer surfaces of said plug portion each having one or more outwardly-extending deformable protrusions, each of said one or more protrusions having an outer edge, the distance between the outer edges of said protrusions of each of said outer surfaces defining a protrusion width, said protrusion width wider than the slot width, and a coupled configuration for coupling a track clamp received in said channel with the support base, in said coupled configuration said plug portion for press-fitting into a selected one of the one or more slots of the support base, such that upon said press-fitting said protrusions deform and abut against the inner faces of the slot, thereby joining said clamp body to the support base.