摘要 |
A linear motion bearing assembly is provided and includes ball retainer structure, outer housing sleeves, a plurality of load bearing plates and plate retainer structure. The ball retainer structure of the bearing assembly can be either monolithically formed or, alternatively, assembled from multiple elements. At least a portion of axial ball tracks are formed in the outer radial faces of the ball retainer structure with each ball track having a load bearing portion providing access to a support shaft or spline. An outer housing including a pair of sleeves are provided to encompass and protect the ball retainer structure and the bearing balls contained therein. These sleeves are preferably formed of an engineering plastic. A plurality of load bearing plates, preferably of the self-aligning type, are positioned within the outer housing and serve to receive and transmit loads from the bearing balls in the load bearing portion of the ball tracks. Separate plate retainer structure is configured and positioned to directly receive and transmit loads from the load bearing plates to a carriage into which the bearing assembly is mounted.
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