Motion guide device

• US 20010016089A1
• Filed: 02/14/2001
• Published: 08/23/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: THK Company Limited
• Original Assignee: THK Company Limited
• Inventors: Mochizuki, Hiroaki
• Granted Patent: US 6,592,261 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 384/45
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 1/58 a single sliding pair
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 11/08 Protective coverings for parts of machine tools; Splash guards
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 2322/39 General buildup of machine tools, e.g. spindles, slides, actuators
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 29/065 with rollers
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 29/082 fixed to the way

Abstract

A motion guide device generally comprises a track member having a horizontal surface and two side surfaces continuous to the horizontal surface, a movable member mounted to the track member to be relatively movable with respect to the track member along a longitudinal direction thereof, and a cover member covering the horizontal surface of the track member along an entire width direction thereof. The track member is formed with undercut portions formed to side edge portions of the side surfaces of the track member on the horizontal surface sides, and the undercut portions are recessed towards a central side of the track member in the width direction thereof. The cover member comprises a central flat portion and engaging portions formed at both end portions in the width direction thereof to be engaged with the undercut portions, respectively, so as to clamp the track member therebetween in the width direction. Each of the engaging portions comprises an intermediate section to be engaged with the undercut portion of the track member and a front end section bent outward from the intermediate section so as to be opened outward in the width direction of the track member.

Claims

1. A motion guide device comprising:

a track member having a horizontal surface and two side surfaces continuous to the horizontal surface;

a movable member mounted to the track member to be relatively movable with respect to the track member across a longitudinal direction thereof; and

a cover member covering the horizontal surface of the track member along an entire width direction thereof,

said track member being formed with undercut portions formed to side edge portions of the side surfaces of the track member, said undercut portions being recessed towards a central side of the track member in the width direction thereof and

said cover member comprising a central flat portion and engaging portions formed at both end portions in the width direction thereof to be engaged with the undercut portions, respectively, so as to clamp the track member therebetween in the width direction, each of said engaging portions comprising an intermediate section to be engaged with the undercut portion of the track member and a front end section bent outward from the intermediate section so as to be opened outward in the width direction of the track member.

2. A motion guide device according to

claim 1

, wherein an outline of said intermediate section and said front end section is curved in a circular shape towards the central side of the track member in the width direction thereof.

3. A motion guide device according to

claim 1

, wherein said engaging portions of the cover member has an elasticity so that both the engaging portions are simultaneously engaged with the undercut portions of the track member.

4. A motion guide device according to

claim 3

, wherein said cover member is formed of a plate member having an elasticity so that the central portion of the cover member is engaged with the horizontal surface of the track member and both the engaging portions of the cover member are simultaneously engaged with the undercut portions of the track member.

5. A motion guide device according to

claim 1

, wherein said cover member has a longitudinal dimension substantially equal to that of the track member.

6. A motion guide device according to

claim 1

, wherein the horizontal surface and the side surfaces of said track member are continuous to each other through round portions and each of said engaging portions of the cover member further comprises a base section curved outward from the intermediate section so as to coincide in shape with the round portion of the track member.

7. A motion guide device according to

claim 1

, wherein said track member is formed with openings to the horizontal surface thereof.